Japan Secondary Al Production Levels Off in January

Japanese secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot production increased by 68.9% to 65,227 tonnes in January 2010 from a year earlier when the production was very low in January 2009, according to Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. The shipment increased by 55.9% to 64,750 tonnes in January 2010 from January 2009.

The secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot production decreased by 0.2% in January from December, which showed month-to-month decrease for 2 months in a row. The shipment decreased by 2.4%, which represented decline for 3 months in a row.

The inventory of the material of secondary aluminium and alloy ingot decreased by 2,320 tonnes to 55,520 tonnes at the end of January compared with the beginning of the month. The secondary aluminium makers decrease the stock of the material before the annual closing of accounts in March. The inventory would decrease more in February.