Japan Aluminium Demand Drops by 4.4% in 2008

Japanese total aluminium demand decreased by 4.4% to 4.247 million tonnes for ingot and processed products in 2008 from 2007, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Friday. The demand dropped in the second half year due to slump of automobile and other industry while the demand hit record 2.22 million tonnes in the first half.

The demand decreased by 4.6% to 1.8 million tonnes for transport in 2008 from 2007. The demand decreased by 10.0% for construction. The export demand increased slightly at around 240,000 tonnes.

The demand decreased for all items except for electric wire in 2008 from 2007. The demand decreased by 5.3% to 2.05 million tonnes for rolled products. The demand decreased by 5.3% to 1.058 million tonnes for die-casting and by 3.9% to 415,059 tonnes for casting.

The demand decreased by 4.1% to 1.623 million tonnes for automobile in 2008 from 2007. The demand decreased by 6.2% to 144,724 tonnes for foil and by 3.4% to 417,207 tonnes for can. The demand decreased by 11.9% to 42,172 tonnes for ship, airplane and rail car, by 12.5% to 405,931 tonnes for sash and door, by 0.8% to 49,566 tonnes for electronics and communication and by 4.5% to 57,877 tonnes for appliances.