SHANGHAI, Apr. 24 (SMM) –China’s alumina output hit grew 8.7% from a year ago to a record high of 4.71 million tonnes in March, SMM data showed.
The strong growth was driven by high profit and robust demand from aluminum smelters, SMM understands.
New aluminum capacity is growing faster than new alumina capacity, so alumina demand will remain strong.
Alumina refineries are working on expansions to capitalize on robust demand. For example, Weiqiao Pioneering’s 1 million-tpy Phase I alumina capacity in Indonesia is expected to enter service late this year, and phase II with capacity of 1 million-tpy may start operation in H2 2016 at the earliest. Shanxi Senze Energy Technology’s 600,000-tpy project will come online in Q4 2015. Guizhou Huajin Aluminum’s Phase I alumina project with capacity of 800,000-tpy will enter operations by the end of April. Bosai Group will put on stream 300,000-tpy alumina project in April. Chongqing Dingtai Tuoyuan Alumina Development and Chalco (Chongqing) both planned to resume production, probably in H2 2015.
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