Production and demand trends of aluminum semis for September are reported in this volume. While a year-on-year decline in key can stock and automotive materials is seen, as mentioned in another section, growth in areas other than the key sectors is notable, compensating for the downturn in the key industry. Specifically, the sales route for plates for semiconductor manufacturing equipment with growth potential is diversifying, making it difficult to grasp the exact numbers under the current assessment. The figure below shows recent production trends of plates (6.0 mm and thicker) according to what is defined as plates according to the Japan Aluminium Association’s production statistics for rolled aluminum products. These figures naturally include demand sectors other than semiconductor manufacturing equipment but can be a reference source. It waits to be seen if the production volume for October onwards will rapidly pick up.

In the US presidential election held on November 6, former president Donald Trump was reelected. Individual policies will no doubt become clearer as time goes by; however, there are concerns that the rapid progress made during the last few years toward a carbon neutral society will run counter to the energy policy once again centered around fossil fuel and suffer a significant setback. In addition, from an economic aspect, the goal of reshoring manufacturers to the US is expected to lead to the implementation of a high tariff policy, resulting in the further intensification of US-China trade friction. Especially in the automotive sector, European and Japanese automotive manufacturers will need to review the current global development strategies, including the issue of electrification of vehicles.