Overseas Aluminum Production Recovery And Expansion Are Slow, With A Significant Rise Expected In Southeast Asia

According to the IAI, global primary aluminum production in Jan-Sep 2023 was 52.426 million mt, up 2.6% YoY, mostly from China and Southeast Asia. Outside China, production was some 21.5 million mt, up 2.3% YoY.

In 2023, overseas aluminum production changes were minor. High energy costs in 2022 led to significant cutbacks in Europe, a situation unresolved by 2023, hence, most smelters sustained their downscaled operations. Only France's Dunkerque Aluminum resumed full production of 105,000 mt. Restarted capacity also came from smelters in Brazil, Australia, and Canada. SMM data reveals a total resumption of 1.276 million mt from 2021 to 2023, with 2023 contributing 405,400 mt.