Japan Secondary Al Shipment Hits 27-Year Lowest in F2009

Japanese secondary aluminium and aluminium alloy ingot production totaled 758,279 tonnes in fiscal 2009 ended in March 2010, decreasing by 14.9% from fiscal 2008, according to Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. The shipment decreased by 16% to 764,012 tonnes. Both of the production and the shipment decreased for 2 years in a row and represented below 800,000 tonnes for the first time since fiscal 1982. The production was 68.1% of the recent peak in fiscal 2007.

The shipment decreased by 13.3% to 437,327 tonnes for die casting while lowered by 18.5% to 191,560 tonnes for casting. Meanwhile, the shipment increased by 12.6% to 29,353 tonnes for steel making.