Japan Al Demand Drops by 14.5% in 1H Fiscal 2009

Japanese aluminium ingot and aluminium fabricated products demand decreased by 14.5% to 1.66 million tonnes in first half of fiscal 2009 ending March 2010 from same period of fiscal 2008, which decreased for the first time in 2 years, announced by Japan Aluminium Association on Friday. The demand for export significantly decreased.

The rolled products shipment decreased by 23.2% to 897,441 tonnes in first half of fiscal 2009 compared with same period of fiscal 2008. The casting shipment decreased by 30.3% to 147,325 tonnes from a year earlier while die casting shipment was 370,407 tonnes, down by 32.0%. The demand for both products was impacted by slump in automobile sales.

The demand for automobile decreased by 31.7% to 571,565 tonnes in first half of fiscal 2009 from fiscal 2008 while the demand decreased by 20.5% to 163,498 tonnes for sash and door. The can material demand decreased by 4.1% to 226,719 tonnes when lower-taxed beer sale was firm.

Refer to an attached table.