Japan’s aluminium extruded and rolled products output declines by 10% in 2020 on slower demand

Slowdown in demand due to the global manufacturing downturn amid the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a decline in Japan’s aluminium products output for 2020, found the Japan Aluminium Association. Data shows production of rolled and extruded aluminium products decreased by 10 per cent from a year earlier to 1.7 million tonnes in 2020.

In December 2020, production of aluminium sheet stood at 84,840 tonnes in Japan, registering a drop of 5 per cent year-on-year. Output of aluminium extrusion came in at 59,564 tonnes, down by 3 per cent over the year.

The 2020 output fell for a third straight year despite a gradual recovery towards the year’s end. Demand in the same year fell below 2009 levels, triggered by global recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shipments of aluminium sheet and extrusion also decreased 10 per cent year-on-year to 1.7 million tonnes. In December 2020, aluminium extrusion shipments inched down by 1 per cent to 60,219 tonnes, while aluminium sheet shipments grew 1 per cent to 86,854 tonnes.

Total shipments of aluminium sheet in 2020 from Japan decreased because of sluggish demand from beverage can producers. Extrusion shipments fell due to delays and cancellations of public and housing construction projects amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Slump in car production since April 2020 also contributed to the dampened sales of aluminium rolled and extruded products. Japan’s aluminium imports fell 17 per cent from a year earlier to 12 million tonnes in 2020, according to government data.