ASUKA ALUMINIUM NEWSNO. 616

OCTOBER 2012

Furukawa Sky and Sumitomo Light Metal merge
On August 29, Furukawa Sky, the biggest aluminum sheet producer, and Sumitomo
Light Metal, the second aluminum sheet producer, revealed that the both companies
will unify on October 1, 2013 after the Fair Trade Commission’s approval. New company is going to succeed the name of Furukawa Sky, Ltd.
Regarding the share of aluminum sheet and extrusion, Furukawa Sky keeps 21%,and Sumitomo Light Metal holds 18%. Therefore the share of new company reaches
about 40% after the merger.
Since the Fair Trade Commission approved recently a massive consolidation between New Japan Steel and Sumitomo Metal Industry, this big aluminum companies’
merger is thought no problem.
Furukawa Sky is only one producer of thick sheet for liquid natural gas tankers,
and Sumitomo Light Metal has a big power of thin sheet for electric appliances,automobile and beverage can. Consequently, it is thought that the new company will
have a good selection of products.
They hope they will invest actively in Asian countries and will market widely in theworld. Today, Furukawa Sky invests 40 billion yen in Thailand for can sheet mill,which is scheduled to work in 2014.
[Furukawa Sky] Established in 2003 with the aluminum department of Furu- kawaDenko and Sky Aluminum. Today, it is a subsidiary of Furukawa Denko. The sales
amount was 104 billion yen and the profit was 3.5 billion yen in fiscal 2011.
[Sumitomo Light Metal] Separated and stood on from Sumitomo Metal Industry in1959. Having a department of copper rolling mill, the sales amount was 259 billion
yen and the profit was 8 billion yen in fiscal 2011.
Technical seminar “Auto and aluminum” is heldThe Aluminum Association started to accept the application for technical trainingclass, “Auto and aluminum”, which is going to be held on November 29 at the Kyurian
room in Shinagawa Civic Center in front of Ouimachi JR station Tokyo.
The class is under sponsorship of the Metallic Materials Development Center, theLight Metal Academy, the Light Metal Products Association, the Light Metal Welding
Association, the Automobile Engineering Association, the Japan Aluminum Alloy
Refiners Association, the Japan Diecast Association and the Japan Magnesium
Association. The attendance fee is \7,000, text included. The program is as follows.
(1) 10:00 greetings (the latest relation between automobile and aluminum)
Mr. Takeo Sakurai, Kobe Steel, Ltd.
(2) 10:20 aluminum body and its recycle
Mr. Shoji Aoki, Nissan Motor Corp.
(3) 11:10 aluminum sheet for automobile
Mr. Koji Ichitani, Furukawa Sky, Ltd.
(4) 12:00 aluminum extrusion for automobile
Mr. Shunichi Sada, Mitsubishi Aluminum, Ltd.
(5) 13:30 aluminum cast for automobile
Mr. Toru Komazaki, Ryobi, Ltd.

(6) 14:00 aluminum diecast for automobile
Mr. Hideto Sasaki, Ahresty Corp.
(7) 15:00 aluminum welding for automobile
Mr. Yoshihaya Imamura, Kobe Steel , Ltd.
(8) 15.50 aluminum surface treatment for automobile
Mr. Ichio Takeda, Sumitomo Light Metal Industries, Ltd.
(9) 16:40 questions and answers with all instructors
The information and application are welcomed by the Aluminum Association.
Tel 03 -3538-0221
Fax 03-3538-0233
4-2-15，Ginza Chuoku Tokyo 104- 0061
Total aluminum demand increases 7.1% in FH 2012
The Japan Aluminum Association revealed the total aluminum demand in thefirst half of 2012 recently. According to this report, it increased 7.1 per centfrom a year earlier to 2,001、547 ton，which showed a favorable recovery.
The biggest factor of increase was a thriving auto production which increased 28 percent from the previous same period. The table on page three shows the detail of thealuminum demand in the first half of 2012 revealed by the association.
Notes; (1) export, (2) foodstuff, (3) metallic products, (4) machines, (5) construction,(6) electricity, (7) electric appliances, (8) transportation, (9) chemical, (10) others, (11)total, (12) domestic only. From left; tonnage, composition rate and comparison withthe previous same period.
Japanese carmakers brace for bashing in China
Japan’s nationalization of the Senkaku Islands has erupted a very large anti-Japandemonstrations at over 50 cities in China since September 15. If the economic
relations between Japan and China should not keep steadiness, both countries will
confront a widespread economic confusion. The Japan Times reported on September
20 as follows.
Two years ago, Sherry Wang bought a Toyota Camry because it offered a comfortable way to commute to her job as a researcher in the Chinese city of Xian. Latelyshe’s been taking the bus. “I’m afraid that my car or I will become a target” of anti
Japanese protesters, who have thronged China’s streets in recent days. Wang said “Ijust hope life will get back to normal as quickly as possible”.
Wang illustrates why Japanese carmakers are bracing for what may become abigger crisis in China than last year’s tsunami in Japan. As violent protests overcontrol of islands claimed by both nations flare up, China’s Passenger Car Association predicts Japanese brands will lose their lead over German nameplates in thecountry for the first time since 2005.
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