Giant Canadian aluminium company Alcan, which has a research centre in Banbury, has reported a modest increase in demand.
The company, which is the world's second largest aluminium producer, predicted that demand would rise three per cent this year, following a 6.2 per cent fall in 2001.
In the first quarter of this year the company reported a fall in net income to £59.5m, down from £93.5m last year, due to lower prices.
However, the results beat predictions and Alcan shares rose 20p to £27.18 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
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