Secondary aluminium and alloy ingots output declines 12% in 2020-21: Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association

Japan produced 697,999 tonnes of secondary aluminium and alloy ingots in the April 2020-March 2021 fiscal year, according to data released by the Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association. The output declined 12% year-on-year due to lower demand for casting and die-casting products from the car industry.

Secondary aluminium and alloy ingots shipments reduced by 12% in 2020-21 fiscal. The shipments were 706,965 tonnes as from die-casting producers demand slipped by 9% to 396,142 tonnes. The demand from casting manufacturers stood at 178,787 tonnes, a drop of 14%.

In March, production and shipments climbed by 8% and 11% due to recovery in demand for casting and die-casting products from auto producers. The output and shipments stood at 72,317 tonnes and 74,746 tonnes.

According to customs data, Japan imported 905,607 tonnes of secondary aluminium alloy ingots ADC12 in 2020-21, down 20% from a year earlier. Imports from Russia, the UAE and China inched down by 2%, 19% and 47% to 197,705 tonnes, 174,685 tonnes and 155,498 tonnes. In March, imports of ADC12 came in at 102,170 tonnes, an increase of 18% from the previous year.