Japan Secondary Al Output, Shipment Jump in 1H F2010

Japanese secondary aluminium and alloy production increased by 17.5% to 407,115 tonnes in first half of fiscal 2010 started April from same period of fiscal 2009, according to Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. The shipment increased by 17.2% to 410,377 tonnes. The output and shipment showed the second highest year-on-year increase rate after first half of fiscal 1975.

The shipment in the first half increased for all items year-on-year basis. The shipment to casting and extrusion increased by more than 20%.

The monthly averaged production was 67,853 tonnes in first half of fiscal 2010. The production in April was high at 72,601 tonnes. However, the shipment to extrusion leveled off in July and the shipment to die casting, flat product and steel additive showed year-on-year decrease in September.