Japan's rolled aluminium output falls in May on slowing demand

Japan's production of rolled aluminium products in May 2007 fell by 0.5% year On year to 199,632 mt on the back of slow domestic demand, the Japan Aluminium Association said Wednesday.

Rolled aluminium products consist of sheet and extrusions. The output of aluminium sheets and plates in May was 120,214 mt, down 0.1% year on year, while aluminium extrusion output was 79,418 mt, down 1.6% from a year ago.

A Japan Aluminium Association official told Platts Wednesday that production and shipments fell in May mainly due to slowing demand, especially in the beverage cans, printing sheets, and machinery sectors.

"Demand for extrusion from the automobile sector increased, but demand for extrusion from the construction sector fell, so the overall demand for extrusion was lower," he said.

In May, Japan also produced 10,817 mt of aluminium foil, which was down 0.5% year on year.

Meanwhile, shipments of aluminium sheets and plates increased by a marginal 0.1% in May to reach 118,091 mt, with shipments of extrusion down 1.4% at 78,765 mt. Overall shipments of rolled products in May was 196,856 mt. down 0.5% year on year.