Japan Al Can Recycling Rate Might Down in F2007

Japanese recycling ratio of aluminium beverage cans might down in fiscal 2007 ending March 2008 due to the increase of aluminium can scrap export. Japanese export of used aluminium beverage cans has expanded to South Korea since April 2007. Japanese aluminium can recycling rate kept above 90% for fiscal 2005-2006. However, the rate is concerned to be less than 90% in fiscal 2007.Japanese export of used aluminium beverage cans bound for South Korea totaled 3,873 tonnes for April-July 2007, 17 times as much as the corresponding period of 2006. The export volume kept the same level in August and maintains strong in September. The export is expected to keep the high level for a while mainly as a deoxidizing material for steel making.Japanese aluminium can recycling rate was 90.9% in fiscal 2006, which kept above 90% for 2 years. The recycling rate is given from domestically collected volume of used aluminium beverage cans divided by domestic consumption volume of aluminium beverage cans. The export volume of used aluminium cans is not added to the collection volume.Japanese aluminium can scrap export to South Korea seems to total 12,000 tonnes through fiscal 2007 if the demand maintains the current level. Domestic collection volume is around 270,000-280,000 tonnes per year. The export would occupy more than 4% of Japanese used aluminium can collection.