Japan Beverage Aluminium Can Demand to Rise Slightly in 2010

Japanese aluminium beverage can demand will increase by 0.2% to 18.28 billion units in 2010 from 2009, which is the first increase in 3 years, announced by Aluminium Can Recycling Association on Wednesday. The demand will increase due to firm demand for low molt beer. The association estimates the can demand decreased by 1.0% to 18.24 billion units in 2009 from 2008.

Japanese major 4 bear makers plan 0.7% higher sales in 2010 from 2009. The association expects with normal weather condition, the aluminium can shipment for bear and similar alcohol drinks will increase by 1% to 11.2 billion units. The association expects the shipment will increase by 3.3% to 1.9 billion units for other alcohol drinks while the shipment will decrease by 2.6% to 4.85 billion units for non-alcohol drinks due to lower drink demand and higher portion for polyethylene terephthalate bottle. The association estimates the net import of aluminium can is 280 million units as 2009.

The can demand decreased by 0.6% to 11.09 billion for beer and similar alcohol drinks units in 2009 from 2008. The demand increased by 5.7% to 1.84 billion units for other alcohol while the demand decreased by 5.3% to 4.98 billion units for non-alcohol drinks.

According to the association, US beverage aluminium can demand decreased by 1.2% to 96.26 billion units in 2009 from 2008, which was less than 100 billion units for 2 years in a row.