Japan Aluminium Association's chairman Mr Masateru Yoshihara said that domestic aluminium demand in 2012 would be same level or slightly lower than around 3.8 million tonnes in 2011.

He warned that the market increases uncertainty since late 2011 at New Year party of the association, Japan Aluminium Products Association, Japan Aluminium Alloy Refiners Association and national aluminium dealers' association.

Mr Yoshihara said the domestic demand in 2012 is basically same level or lower than 2011 level. However, he emphasized the industry targets 6.5 million tones of domestic gross demand in 2035 through various efforts.

Mr Yoshihara further said that the domestic demand in 2011 is higher than around 3.25 million tonnes in 2009 but lower than around 3.9 million tonnes in 2010. The demand recovered since summer due to aggressive recovery effort by automobile industry after severe drop caused by the major earth quake but the demand slowed down in late 2011.

(Sourced from Japanmetalbulletein.com)