Japan's rolled aluminum shipments in June rose 8.9% year on year to 176,238 mt, the 12th straight month of year-on-year increases, despite the country's April sales hike, the Japan Aluminum Association said Friday.
June sheet shipments increased 13.3% year on year to 106,876 mt. The country shipped 37,571 mt of cansheets, the largest demand sector, up 6.3% year on year, due to strong coffee beverage demand. Automotive sheet shipments were 11,928 mt, up 3.5% year on year, on higher automotive component exports.
Extrusion shipments were 69,362 mt, up 2.7% year on year, due to increases in car garage demand. Automotive extrusion shipments were 11,396 mt, up 3.4%, due to export demand.
Japanese rolling mills had expected demand to fall due to the April hike in the national sales tax to 8% from 5%, market sources said previously. But stable car exports and public spending on infrastructure ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics supported demand, sources said.
