Japan Rolled Aluminium Shipment Rises by 0.4% in 2006

Japanese rolled aluminium shipment increased by 0.4% to 2.36 million tonnes in 2006 from 2005, recording first rise in 2 years, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Thursday. The firm demand for automobile and transport machinery covered slower demand for can materials. The output was almost flat at 2.369 million tonnes. The sheet shipment in 2006 increased from 2005 for the first time in 2 years while the output decreased for 2 years in row. The demand was firm for electronic machinery and distributors while the demand decreased for export and can materials. The extrusion demand increased for construction, which represents more than 50% of the demand, along with the firm demand for automobile and machinery in 2006. The output and shipment increased year on year for the first time in 2 years despite of the small gain. The foil shipment increased in 2006 from 2005 for the first time in 2 years while the output decreased for 2 years in a row. The demand was firm for capacitor while the demand decreased for daily commodity including kitchen foil. The rolled aluminium output increased by 4.9% to 197,159 tonnes in December from a year earlier and the shipment increased by 2.0% to 192,605 tonnes. The output and shipment increased for 5 months in a row. The sheet output and shipment increased for 5 months in a row. The demand was firm for electronics and machinery including fin materials while printing plate demand decreased. The extrusion output and shipment increased for the first time in 2 months under the firm demand for automobile. The foil demand decreased for 2 months in a row due to slower demand for daily commodity.