Supplies to domestic and export markets expanded to 179941t from 158605t a year earlier, the Japan Aluminium Association said in a statement. The growth was led by demand from auto and electronics makers.
“Shipments are going well at the moment,” Masateru Yoshihara, the association’s vice chairman said. “I don’t expect they will keep expanding at the current pace.”
Aluminium product shipments to the auto sector surged 46% to 24 956t, while sales to manufacturers of chip- making equipment and other devices jumped 61%, data from the association showed.
The government will end a subsidy programme for fuel- efficient cars at the end of September. Demand could be affected by the halt of such programmes, Takashi Ishiyama, the association’s chairman, said.
Members of the association include Furukawa-Sky Aluminum Corp, Kobe Steel Ltd. and Nippon Light Metal Co.