Japan to import US$414 million worth aluminium plates, sheets and strips in 2017

Japan is one of the top 3 car producing countries in the world.  Some of the globally renowned car brands such as Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Daihatsu, Fuso, Hino, Mazda, and Lexus belong to the Japanese automotive industry. Auto parts manufacturing accounts for over 600,000 jobs in the sector, and another 390,000 jobs are allocated to the production of raw materials and basic equipment used in automotive manufacturing, according to a 2016 Japan Industry News report. Driven by the continuously growing domestic auto parts manufacturing sector, Japan’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import has been rising year-on-year.

The global export-import data shows, Japan imported 78669 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and strips in 2016. The total import was valued at US$389 million. The import of aluminium flat rolled products increased both volume and value-wise when compared to 2015 data. In 2015, the Asian country had imported 65870.5 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and strips with total value estimated at US$355 million.

In 2017, Japan is estimated to import around 92066 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and strips (+17 per cent YoY). The value of import is projected to reach US$414 million, up 6.4 per cent YoY.

Rolled aluminium semi-finished products such as aluminium plates, sheets and strips can be used in many areas- automobile accessory and body element manufacturing being one of them. The high-strength, light-weight, durable, non-corrosive and highly-ductile material can be used to produce heat exchangers, license plates, car jacks, and panels. Of late, this particular aluminium downstream product category is being used by automakers in increased volumes to make automotive body sheets that make vehicles lighter and fuel-efficient.