Japan's June secondary aluminium shipment rises 4.4% year on year

Tokyo -- Japan's secondary aluminium alloy shipment in June 2007 rose 4.4% year on year to 95,065 mt, Japan Aluminium Alloy Association said Tuesday. The shipments have continued to increase year on year for the 25th consecutive month. Secondary aluminium alloy demand was steadily growing on the back of robust car production in Japan. Japan produced 4,068,791 cars in January to May this year, up 1.7% from the same period in the previous year. Car engines and other components use secondary aluminium alloy. Shipment of alloy to diecasters was 52,857 mt, up 6.3% year on year, and to molders it was 24,916 mt, up 3.9%. Diecasters and molders businesses are mostly car related. Meanwhile, shipment of alloy to sheet and extrusion manufacturers, who are less car related, was slightly slower. Shipment to sheet-makers was 6,348 mt, down 0.8% year on year, and to extruders it was 5,638 mt, up 0.9%.