Japan secondary aluminium shipments up for 22th consecutive month

Japan's secondary aluminium shipments in March 2007 have risen for the 22th consecutive month, thanks to robust automotive demand, Japan Aluminium Alloy Association said on Wednesday.

Shipments were 96,961 mt in March, up 3.1% year on year. Shipments to the largest consumer sector, the diecasters mostly manufacturing automotive components, were 54,132 mt, up 5.8% year on year.

The association official said the secondary metal demand is supported by the robust overseas demand for Japanese cars. Among Japanese carmakers, Nissan Motor's exports have fallen, but the strong exports of Toyota Motor and other carmakers have supported the demand, the official said.

Meanwhile, the official added that the prices of aluminium diecasting alloy have weakened in April and this may have an impact in the shipment figures after next month.