Japan Al Rolled Operation Rate Increases by 21.7 Points in January-June

Japanese aluminium re-rollers’ operation rate increased by 21.7 percentage points to 83.1% in January-June from the same period of 2009 while the rate was 87.1% in January-June of 2008, according to Japan Aluminium Association. The rate increased in 2010 when the demand for automobile and liquid crystal and semiconductor production equipment surged while the re-rollers reduced the extrusions capacity.

The operation rate of flat rolled products increased by 23.3 points to 90.0% in January-June from the same period of 2009. The rate marked 100.2% in March and kept in and after April while the rate was less than 90% after October 2008.

The operation rate of extrusions increased by 18.9 points to 73.4% in January-June from the same period of last year. The higher rate was partly due to 8.8% lower output capacity. The rate kept more than 70% per month since February after 67.9% in January. The rate marked 79.7% in June and could increase to more than 80% for the first time since October 2010.

Refer to an attached table.