Japan Secondary Al Output Plunges in March

Japanese secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot production decreased by 11.7% to 65,320 tonnes in March from a year earlier, according to Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. The shipment decreased by 13.9% to 64,884 tonnes. The production and the shipment decreased for the first time in 3 months when the users delayed or canceled the purchase after the major earthquake.

Secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot shipment decreased for all applications except for flat product and steel additive in March from a year earlier. The shipment significantly decreased for main usage of die-casting when major automobile makers stopped car output after the quake. The shipment also significantly decreased for extrusion due to the quake damage on aluminium sash makers’ plants in northern Japan.

The secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot shipment increased for flat product and steel additive in March from a year earlier. The shipment increased when the remelted scrap ingot production was firm before the demand season of summer and higher domestic steel demand for rebuilding in the damaged area increased the additive.

The shipment showed major year-on-year decrease around Tokyo due to deep impact from the quake. The shipment also decreased around Nagoya with many automakers’ plants.