UBC Market Price Maintains Downtrend in Osaka

Used aluminium beverage can (UBC) market price is likely to continue lowering around Osaka. Primary aluminium market price, the indicator, stays weak while the demand for UBC is decreasing from local deoxidizing agent makers and re-melted aluminium can scrap ingot (RSI) makers. UBC market price might lower by around 3 yen per kilogram in the second half of October.

Primary aluminium settlement at London Metal Exchange was averaged at US$ 2,164.8 per tonne for October 1-13, down by US$ 131.9 from the previous month average. Japanese aluminium users’ breakeven point for imported primary aluminium is estimated at 186 yen per kg, down by 6 yen from the previous month.

UBC demand is sharply decreasing. Some of local secondary aluminium alloy makers, those who produce RSI, recently decided RSI output reduction since their profitability is worsening due to sharp price down of primary aluminium and domestic demand for RSI is weakening.

Operating rate is also lowering at deoxidizing agent makers in and after September. Thus UBC users’ purchasing prices have downed to 119-124 yen per kg including freight. One deoxidizing agent maker around Osaka showed an intention to lower the purchasing price by 3-5 yen this week.