Niigata’s Quake Damages Secondary Alloyed Aluminium Demand

Major earthquake hit on Niigata area last week apparently reduces the melting products shipment for secondary alloyed aluminium makers at around 1,700 tonnes due to stop of automobile production lines while the alloyed makers had little damage for ingot supply. The damage is expected to be limited for nationwide secondary alloyed aluminium makers when automakers will increase the output after the resume of the parts supply. Tokyo based automotive parts maker, Riken Corporation’s Kashiwazaki plant was suffered from the earthquake. The damage stopped operations of many automakers’ plants and production loss is estimated to be more than 100,000 units of vehicles. Secondary alloyed aluminium makers around Niigata stopped the melting products shipment for automotive industry last week. They also stopped some ingot products but the ingot operation loss is limited. Riken Corporation restarted the part of operation on Monday and automakers resume the output step by step. Secondary alloyed aluminium makers also restarted the melting products supply.