Demand for Al Construction Materials Keeps Low in June, Japan

Japanese colored aluminium shipment increased by 4.9% to 13,812 tonnes for the first half of 2008 compared with the same period of 2007, according to Japan Aluminium Association. The 1H shipment represented year-on-year increase for the first time in 2 years thanks to the firm demand from non-construction fields.The shipment for construction related fields showed y/y down for 3 years in a row. The decreasing rate became 2-digit when market confusion continued after the implement of Japanese new building standard law. The volume decreased for doors and other construction materials, though which increased slightly for roofs and walls. On the other hand, the shipment sharply increased for electric and mechanical components in non-construction fields.According to Ministry of Economy, Trade & Industry, Japanese domestic production of aluminium building materials decreased by 6.6% to 25,379 tonnes in June from a year earlier while the shipment declined by 8.8% to 29,282 tonnes. Both production and shipment maintained stagnant and represented year-on-year down for all items including housing sashes, building sashes, aluminium doors and exteriors. Demand for building sashes was still under the impact by Japanese new building standard law.