PLATTS: Japan's secondary aluminium alloy production hits record in July

Japan's production of secondary aluminium alloy hit a record high of 95,688 mt in July 2007, the Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association said on Friday. Secondary aluminium alloy production has continued to expand in the last two years on the back of robust automotive related demand. July's production was up 6.5% year on year, and shipments to diecasters jumped by 11.7% year on year. An association official said reduced availability of secondary aluminium alloy imported from China raised demand for domestically produced alloy. Chinese exporters are focused more on domestic customers this year, he said. Monthly imports of aluminium alloy from China generally stayed under 15,000 mt this year, while in the first six months of last year, the monthly imports were above 15,000 mt. The official said domestic prices in China were higher and exporters chose to sell more in China. According to customs data, the average import price of aluminium alloy in June was Yen 294 ($2.50)/kg.