Japan Aluminium Demand Hits Record in 2006

Japanese aluminium demand increased by 2.2% to record 4.446 million tonnes in 2006 from 2005, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Tuesday. The demand increased for 5 years in a row under firm demand for automobile. The demand for transport, which is the largest user industry category, increased by 5.4% to 1.752 million tonnes in 2006 from 2005. The demand also increased for industrial machinery, civil works and building. Those increases exceeded the lower demand for can and export. The demand increased for rolled products, castings, forgings and die-castings in 2006 from 2005. The demand kept firm except for electric wire and some items.