TOKYO, March 30: Shipments of rolled aluminum products for next fiscal year starting April are expected to total 2.47 million tons, down 1.1 per cent from the projected total for the current fiscal year, the Nikkei Industrial Daily reported Monday, quoting a Japan Aluminum Federation spokesperson. The federation blamed the decline on lower demand from building-materials makers and falling exports to countries affected by the Asian economic crisis.
Demand for rolled aluminum for use in curtain rails and sashes is projected to drop 2.0 per cent to 871,000 tons. Exports are likely to dip 1.5 per cent to 225,000 tons.
In current fiscal year, exports are estimated to have grow 18.6 per cent as a result of the lower yen. Rolled aluminum for use in beverage cans is expected to total 428,800 tons, up 0.3 per cent, federation officials added.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
