NLM Plans 3.1% Lower Sales of Rolled Al Products in 2H F2011

Nippon Light Metal plans its half-year sales volume of rolled aluminium products (flat and extruded products) at 58,700 tonnes for the second half of fiscal 2011 ending in March 2012, decreasing by 3.1% compared with the same period of fiscal 2010. Sales volume is estimated to decrease by 4.8% to 39,600 tonnes for flat products while the volume is expected to increase by 0.5% to 19,100 tonnes for extruded products. Sales of flat products have decreased since July, for instance, aluminium plate for semiconductor and liquid crystal panel manufacturing equipments or aluminium foil for electrolytic capacitors. The demand trend maintains weak and unforeseeable in the second half year.

In the first half of fiscal 2011, sales volume of flat products decreased by 6.4% to 39,300 tonnes from the same period of fiscal 2010. The demand from car industry recovered earlier than expected but the demand from electric and electronic industries maintained stagnant. Aluminium plate sales didn’t increase for semiconductor and liquid crystal panel manufacturing equipments.

Sales of extruded products decreased by 3.1% to 18,600 tonnes in the first half of fiscal 2011 from same period of fiscal 2010. The demand from vehicle and truck industry temporarily dropped down after the Japan Earthquake while upturned in and after June. The demand also improved from electric, electronic and construction fields. However, large volume down in April and May could not be covered fully.