SHANGHAI, Jun 9 (SMM) — SMM data showed that China’s alumina output was 6.42 million mt in May, including 6.21 million mt of metallurgical grade alumina. The daily average output of metallurgical grade alumina was 200,300 mt, up 1.80% on the month and 11.26% on the year. China produced 29.43 million mt of metallurgical grade alumina from January to May, a year-on-year increase of 8.42%. The plants affected by environmental protection control in Henan gradually resumed production after the Labour Day long holiday, and the operating capacity of Jiaokou Xinfa and other companies in Shanxi also increased. On the demand side, China's aluminium output was 3.32 million mt in May. The net imports of alumina is estimated to be around 250,000 mt, and China’s alumina surplus was about 85,000 mt in May.

As of early June, China's metallurgical grade alumina production capacity was 73.54 million mt/year. The output kept rising in Jiaokou Xinfa, Guangzhou Aluminium and Chongzuo Longzhou projects. It is estimated that the output of metallurgical alumina in June (30 days) will be higher on the month around 3.07 million mt, with an average daily output of 202,400 mt. However, on the demand side, policy disturbances in Yunnan and Inner Mongolia are expected to continue. Net alumina imports are expected to be around 280,000 mt in June, and China is expected to have a surplus of alumina at 152,000 mt. the progress of the alumina projects in west China will be the focus this month.