Japan Rolled Aluminium Demand Drops in 1H

Japanese rolled aluminium output decreased by 2.0% to 1.15 million tonnes in January-June from same period of 2007, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Tuesday. The shipment decreased by 1.4% to 1.152 million tonnes. The output and shipment decreased for 4 years in a row due to slump in construction demand. The flat products output and shipment increased in January-June from same period of 2007, which increased for 2 years in a row. The demand was firm for automobile, communication devices and distributors while the demand dropped for can materials, foil and fin materials. The export also increased slightly. The output and shipment of extrusion decreased in January-June from same period of 2007, which decreased for 4 years in a row. The demand dropped by more than 10% for sash and door while the demand was also slow for general machinery. The foil demand was firm for capacitor while the foil demand was slow for daily commodity and food applications. The total foil demand decreased for 2 years in a row.The association announced on the day the aluminium industry could pay annual 50 billion yen more for raw materials and energy compared with the level in 2005.