China's raw aluminum output reached a record high of 38.5 million tons in 2021

Despite limiting the energy consumption of factories to meet climate targets, China's aluminum production rose 4.8 per cent year-on-year in 2021 to a record high of 38.5 million tons, according to data released by China's National Bureau of Statistics on Monday.

China's primary aluminium (electrolytic aluminium) production in December was 3.11 million tonnes, up slightly from 3.1 million tonnes in November, but down 4 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

On an average daily basis, raw aluminum production in December was 100300 tons per day, the lowest since July 2020, and about 103300 tons per day in November.

Aluminum as an energy-rich industry, aluminum production in some areas has been reduced in 2021 as the government tries to curb power consumption in the face of tight power supply.

Analysts at AZ China said Paul Adkins, "saw strong aluminum production in China in the first half of 2021, but tight energy supply and coal supply problems are dragging down China's aluminum production. We expect China's primary aluminum production to increase only slightly in 2022 for the same reason."

"We expect domestic demand for aluminium to exceed supply in 2022, which will lead to an increase in China's aluminum imports."

Production of 10 non-ferrous metals, including copper, aluminum, lead, zinc and nickel, was 5.47 million tons in December, up from 5.35 million tons in November, but down 3.8 per cent from a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Statistics.

The annual output of 10 non-ferrous metals in 2021 was 64.54 million tons, also a record high, up 5.4 per cent from 61.68 million tons the previous year.

Ten non-ferrous metals also include tin, antimony, mercury, magnesium and titanium.