LONDON, Oct. 21 -- Aluminum production in Asia, excluding China, rose in September from the corresponding period last year, while other regions lowered output, according to the International Aluminum Institute (IAI).

    A total of 366,000 mt of primary aluminum was produced in Asia in September up from 331,000 mt in the corresponding month in 2008, the IAI said in its monthly report.

    Global aluminum production for the month fell to 1.90 million mt from 2.11 million mt a year earlier.

    Production in Western Europe slumped 22% last month to 295,000 mt compared with 377,000 mt in the corresponding month in 2008, while Eastern and Central Europe produced 333,000 mt compared with 383,000 mt in the same comparison.

    North American output totaled 376,000 mt, a 20% decrease from 471,000 mt a year earlier.

    Latin America produced 204,000 mt of aluminum in the month compared with 219,000 mt a year earlier, while producers in Africa lowered volumes slightly to 139,000 mt from 141,000 mt.

    Output in Australia and New Zealand also fell year-on-year to 182,000 mt compared with 188,000 mt last year.

    (Source: Metal Bulletin)