Japan's January rolled aluminium shipments up 4.6% year on year

Japan's shipment of rolled aluminium products in January 2007 was 181,082 mt, up 4.6% year on year, Japan Aluminium Association said on Tuesday. Rolled aluminium products include sheet and extruded products.

The rolled aluminium shipment posted the year on year increase for the six consecutive month since August 2006. The consecutive year to year shipment increases are attributed to the rise in the sheet shipment, while the extrusions shipment stayed almost flat.

In January, sheet shipment increased by 8.5% year on year to 101,113 mt, recording a sixth consecutive month of year on year growth. Sheet shipment for can stocks increased by 16.5% year on year to 25,992 mt. The impressive 16.5% growth, however, suggests a demand in recovery track and not necessarily a demand rise, said an official from the association. The can stocks shipment in January 2006 was exceptionally low at 22,302 mt, while in January 2005, the shipment was 28,504 mt.

"The January 2007 can stock shipment was not up to the level two years ago, so it is difficult to say the demand has recovered...should phrase it as being on the recovery track," the official said.

The January sheet shipment for automobiles was up 9.1% year on year to 13,745 mt. "There is no added new usage of aluminium in cars, but the figure reflects there are more car models that use aluminium in their components," the official said. The material is used for bumpers, doors, and roof components.

Meanwhile, the January extruded products shipment was 79,969 mt, almost unchanged from the 79,959 mt in January last year. Extrusions for building and house doors were up 1.4% year on year to 38,245 mt, for heat exchanger and other car components up 0.9% to 12,458 mt. Shipment of extrusions for air conditioners and housing interiors were down by 3.7-8.4% year on year.