Japan Al Re-rollers’ Operation at Average 60% in 1H09

Japanese aluminium re-rollers’ operation rate was averagely 61.4% for January-June 2009 for flat products and extrusions, lower by 27.8 percentage points from a year earlier, according to Japan Aluminium Association. Global demand deteriorated for rolled aluminium products along economy downturn. Currently the operation rate is gradually recovering thanks to inventory adjustment progress and governmental economic measures.

Re-rollers’ operation rate was averagely 66.7% for flat products during January-June, worse by 30 points from a year earlier. The operation rate was below 60% in early 2009 but recovered to above 80% in June thanks to the stable demand for can materials.

Operation rate was averagely 54.5% for extrusions during January-June, lower by 25.3 points from a year earlier. The rate improved from bottom 40-50% in February-March. However, the demand still stays low from construction market.