Japanese rolled aluminium output decreased by 3.4% to 1.989 million tonnes in 2011 from 2010, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Friday. The shipment decreased by 3.1% to 1.993 million tonnes. The output and shipment decreased for the first time in 2 years due to slower automobile demand after the major earthquake and lower export after Thai flood. The association expects the output recovers 2 million tonnes in 2012.
The volume of flat rolled aluminium decreased by 6.7% for output and by 6.8% in 2011 from 2010. The demand decreased for automobile after the quake. The flat rolled aluminium shipment decreased by 9.4% to 134,204 tonnes. The shipment for can material increased by 1% to 417,502 tonnes. The export decreased by 15.2%. The extrusion volume increased by 2.2% for output and by 3.0% for shipment in 2011 from 2010. The shipment for construction increased by 10.0% to 498,689 tonnes while the demand decreased for automobile. The foil volume decreased by 3.3% for output and by 3.5% for shipment in 2011 from 2010. The shipment was strong for capacitor in the first half but the demand decreased in the second half when television demand dropped after the full transition to start of digital terrestrial broadcasting. The shipment for food increased partly due to the quake damage assistance.