Japanese Stable Demand for Al Building Materials in August

Japanese aluminium building material production increased by 10.1% to 24,305 tonnes in August from a year earlier while the shipment increased by 11% to 28,637 tonnes, according to Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Both production and shipment represented year-to-year plus for 4 straight months.

The figures were concerned to decline in August as rebound of sharp volume up in July. The production and shipment of aluminium building materials increased largely in July when domestic new housing starts increased just before the end of governmental incentive for environmental friendly residents. However, in August, housing sales maintained stable around Tokyo and reconstruction demand gradually increased in North Japan.

The production and shipment of aluminium sash for wooden houses showed year-to-year plus for 4 straight months. Japanese new housing starts, one of the indicators, increased by 14% to 81,986 houses in August from a year earlier, which exceeded 80,000 houses for 2 months in a row. The production and shipment of aluminium sash for buildings also hit year-to-year plus. The demand has recovered mainly for condominiums.