Japanese secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot output decreased by 13.4% to 352,574 tonnes in first half of fiscal 2011 started in April from same period of fiscal 2010, according to Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. The shipment decreased by 13.1% to 356,670 tonnes.
The half year output and the shipment decreased for 3 terms in a row in year to year basis through first half of fiscal 2011 when the demand decreased due to the major earthquake damage. The first half figures decreased in year to year basis for the first time in 2 years. The shipment in first half of fiscal 2011 was lower than a year earlier level for all applications. The shipment significantly decreased for die casting and casting when automobile output stopped due to the supply chain disruption after the quake. The shipment in April-June was 25.6% lower at 157,236 tonnes than a year earlier level. The shipment in July-September was only 0.7% lower at 199,434 tonnes. The demand rapidly recovered in and after July due to automobile output recovery.