Japan Secondary Al Alloy Shipment Totals 61,000 Tonnes in August

Japanese secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot production increased by 12.5% to 59,524 tonnes in August from a year earlier while the shipment increased by 12% to 61,031 tonnes, according to Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. Both production and shipment represented year-to-year plus for 9 straight months. Compared with the previous month, the production decreased by 15.4% and the shipment lowered by 13.9% due to summer holidays.

The shipment decreased by 14.2% for die casting and by 17.5% for casting compared with the previous month. Extrusions decreased by 15.1%.

Ingot makers’ material procurement (arrivals) was lower than 5,929 tonnes in July. Import of aluminium alloy casting scrap increased by 305 tonnes to 20,680 tonnes in August from July when alloy makers increased material import due to strong yen. Meanwhile, ingot makers’ scrap inventory increased by 5,064 tonnes to 65,983 tonnes at the end of August from a month ago because of surplus material supply against the demand.