SHANGHAI, Jul. 30 (SMM) –

Alumina
China’s alumina output in June hit 3.83 million mt, up 8.66% YoY. Output during 1H 2013 was 21.38 million mt, also up 12.18% YoY, according to the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA). 

The commissioning of new capacity and completion of facility maintenance pushed China’s alumina output up. Chalco put its 400,000 mt/yr alumina project in Xingxian into trial operation in June. Shanxi Xinfa Xiaoyi Alumina Plant’s 800,000 mt/yr alumina project entered trial operations in June, while Guangxi Tiandong Jinxin Chemical’s capacity rose to 1 million mt/yr during June as well. Guangxi Huayin Aluminum’s capacity also grew to 2 million mt/yr upon completion of maintenance.

Aluminum
China produced 1.84 million mt of aluminum during June, up 9.45% YoY. YTD output through June hit 10.58 million mt, also up 11.50% YoY. Two factors underlie the growth in China’s aluminum output. First, new aluminum capacity is gradually being commissioned. Second, planned production cuts at aluminum smelters failed to materialize since falling alumina prices and electricity price subsidies have helped reduce financial losses at aluminum smelters and have allowed them to remain in operation.

Aluminum Semis
China’s aluminum semis output during June hit 3.56 million mt, a gain of 31.32% YoY. Total output from January to June also rose by 34.16% YoY, to 18.22 million mt. Operating rates at aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil, extrusion, wire and cable producers during June were all up, allowing output to grow.