Japan’s flat rolled aluminium production drops 5.4% YoY in Q1 2019; yearly production on the rise in 2018

Japan is a key producer of aluminium flat rolled products, the two major rolled product manufacturers being Kobe Steel & Aluminium and UACJ Corporation who make aluminium plates, pre coated sheets and various rolling products for value added applications. Demand for the rolled products is mostly driven by the automotive sector and the country ships a major part of its production internationally.

Japan’s flat rolled aluminium production has been on the rise since last couple of years owing to the growing demand from the transport sector. In the year 2018, Japan produced 1.2 million tonnes of flat rolled products, up from 1 million tonnes in 2017.  This was again up 2.3% from 977,000 tonnes produced in 2016.  

In the first quarter of 2019, Japan produced 282,000 tonnes of flat rolled products, which is about 5.4% down from 298,000 tonnes produced in the first quarter of 2018 and 7.2% less from 304,000 tonnes produced in the fourth quarter of 2018.

The year 2019 may see a slight decline in aluminium flat rolled production from 2018 considering the fall in Q1. However, the production may grow in the coming quarters due to growing demand.