Japan: Shipments of rolled aluminum products drop nearly 5% y-o-y in April-September'22
Total shipments of rolled aluminum products in April~September 2022 stood at 913,185 tonnes (t), as per Japan Metal Daily. Shipments of rolled products (plates and e...
Sales of automotive materials, which had recovered in the same period of the previous year, stagnated again this year in H1 due to semiconductor shortage, while largescale demand segments such as can stocks and building materials also declined.
Plate sales were recorded at 573,502 t (down 4.3% y-o-y). Mainstay can stock was 206,098 t (down 4.8%) due to a decrease in demand for drinking at home due to the relaxation of COVID regulations, while automotive materials were stagnant at 83,720 t (down 15.4%) on continued production cuts due to shortage of semiconductors and parts.
The foil segment also remained sluggish due to a decline in shipments. Extrusions were 339,683 t (down 5.4% y-o-y), down more than plates. Sales for construction were 207,045 t (down 1.8%) due to a decrease in the number of housing starts and the use of aluminum.
Automotive materials did not perform well and sales remained at 56,590 t (down 13%). In addition, shipments of foil made from boards as base metal were 54,077 t (down 15.3%).
For electrical machinery and equipment, sales for lithium-ion batteries for automotive applications decreased significantly due to a decrease in automobile production.
The production of condensers also decreased to 28,658 t (down 24.8%) due to a shortage of parts and nitrate armament in H1 of this year.
