Japan Aluminium Base Price to Hit Bottom

Japanese aluminium base metal market price shows sign to hit bottom for ADC10 alloy. The makers concluded the price negotiation with almost all users for second half of December. A source of maker around Tokyo said the price increases to 180 yen per kilogram due to recovering appetite of the buyers while the price was less than 180 yen for first half of December.

The aluminium ingot transaction volume was slow in October-November partly due to higher import of Russian AK5M2 ingot. However, the demand increases for domestic metal when the buyers increase the domestic ingot purchase volume when the import slows from Russia.

The transaction price was as low as 177 yen per kg for domestic ADC10 ingot in early December. The makers increase the price to more than 180 yen recently. The makers try to increase the price level even if they should build inventory instead of the shipment.

The raw material of waste automotive engine supply is still thin. A maker source said their purchase volume is around a third of normal level. Under the tight supply, some makers’ raw materials inventory gets very thin. Some makers reduce the operation due to the shortage of the raw materials and a maker plans to stop operation for first 10 days and then operate 4 days a week in January.

Offshore ingot market is still firm. Russian suppliers offer around CIF US$ 2,100 per tonne to Japan for AK5M2 ingot, which keeps the level for a month. Japanese buyers including alloy makers will keep certain volume of the import. The purchase price is more than 185 yen per kg, which is relative low price under higher yen rate despite slight higher level than before.

A trading firm source said, however, Russian suppliers reduce the offer volume recently. The lower supply volume is apparently due to lower raw materials supply and operation rate under severe cold weather.