SHANGHAI, Apr. 25 (SMM) – Data from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) show that China’s alumina output hit nearly 3.5 million mt during March this year, up 12.36% YoY. YTD output through March amounted to 9.09 million mt, also up 13.88% YoY.
The 3.5 million mt in alumina output in March is equivalent to an annualized capacity of 41.17 million mt/yr. The number was 3.11 million mt in March last year, with annualized capacity reported at 36.63 million mt/yr. This indicates a 4.54 million mt/yr increase in operating capacity in March this year, a sign of rising alumina supply in China.
Chinese alumina producers using imported bauxite, including Chalco, cut production against the Indonesian government’s export restrictions on bauxite in 2012. Nevertheless, alumina supply in China has shown no signs of tight supply, due largely to increased supply of imported alumina and commissioning of new alumina capacity.
Growing output at newly-built alumina plants and resumption of idled alumina capacity are contributing to the notable rebound in existing alumina output. SMM believes there is still room for domestic alumina supply to grow given the continuous increase in new alumina capacity in China.