Japan's secondary aluminium demand to rise 2.3% in 2007

Japan's demand for secondary aluminium alloy is expected to rise by 2.3% year on year to 1.9 million mt in fiscal 2007, Japan Aluminium Alloy Association said on Tuesday. The Japanese fiscal year runs from April to March.

Firm material demand from auto diecasters is expected to continue, on the back of increases in the car output and the increased usage of secondary aluminium in automotive components. Secondary metal demand for aluminium cans and for exports is expected to stay flat, while the demand in the steel sector is to edge down tracking the slowdown in the crude steel production later in the year, the association said.

The consumption for the fiscal 2006 ending this month is estimated at 1.86 million mt, up 5.9% year on year and posting a record high.