AICE 2025: Challenges and Opportunities Coexist for China's Aluminum Plate/Sheet and Strip Industry

On April 18, the AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference & Expo, hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), co-organized by Zhongyifeng Jinyi Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and Lezhi County Qianrun Investment Promotion Service Co., Ltd., and sponsored by Shangli County Keyuan Metallurgical Materials Co., Ltd., Press Metal International Ltd., Delta Metal (Holdings) Limited, Jinqiao Light Alloy Technology (Jiangmen) Co., Ltd., and other entities as forum title sponsors, Sunstone Development Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Jialang Industrial Co., Ltd. as forum co-organizers, and supported by various specially invited supporters, conference supporters, conference acknowledgment units, and media partners, successfully concluded at the Suzhou International Expo Center in Jiangsu!

The summit featured multiple sessions, including the Alumina and Aluminum Raw Materials Forum, Aluminum Melting and Casting Technology Forum, Aluminum Die Casting Industry Development Forum, Supply and Demand Exchange - Domestic and International Aluminum Scrap Supply and Demand Forum, Aluminum Plate/Sheet, Strip and Foil Industry Development Forum, Main Forum, Aluminum Industry Chain Sustainable Development Forum, Global Secondary Aluminum Industry Development Forum, and Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Forum. As the annual pinnacle event for the global aluminum industry, this conference, with the strategic pillars of "Global Vision, Industry Insights, Green Future," brought together over a hundred international authoritative experts, academic giants, leading entrepreneurs, and government representatives to build a platform for intellectual exchange. The conference focused on core topics such as aluminum market trend analysis, price trend forecasting, supply-demand pattern dissection, business opportunity matching, and cutting-edge technology exchanges, conducting in-depth discussions from multiple dimensions to set the direction for industry development. Attendees directly addressed industry pain points, explored paths for industrial innovation, and unlocked new paradigms for clean and sustainable development around key themes such as green and low-carbon transformation and intelligent upgrading. Through innovative drive and cross-industry thinking collisions, the conference fostered consensus, integrated resources, and actively responded to global climate change and environmental governance challenges. This event established a high-end dialogue and resource integration platform, empowering industrial upgrading with wisdom and injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development of the global aluminum industry, jointly drawing a new blueprint for the industry's future.

In addition, SMM meticulously prepared roundtable interview sessions across multiple forums, inviting many renowned industry experts and corporate executives to engage in intense intellectual collisions on various hot topics, including the green transformation of the aluminum industry - the development and outlook of the low-carbon aluminum market, internal and external challenges - exploring new paths for aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil enterprises in the fog, roundtable interview: discussing new models for integrated die-casting cooperation from a supply chain perspective, China's aluminum industry from a global perspective, analysis of factors influencing aluminum prices in 2025 and market forecasts for the second half of the year, building a global green aluminum ecosystem (ESG aluminum prices, CBAM), and the market business models and overseas investment opportunities of global secondary aluminum.

Aluminum Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Foil Industry Development Forum

Speech Topic: A Brief Analysis of the Competitive Landscape and Hot Topics in China's Aluminum Plate, Sheet, Strip, and Foil Industry

Guest Speaker: Ding Ruoyu, Senior Consultant, SMM Consulting Division

New Energy Rise: Challenges and Opportunities Coexist for China's Aluminum Plate/Sheet and Strip Industry

Driven by new energy development and future aluminum plate consumption, frequent global trade frictions pose challenges to the future of the aluminum plate/sheet and strip industry ⇒ New Energy Rise: Challenges and Opportunities Coexist for the Aluminum Plate/Sheet and Strip Industry.

According to statistics, China's aluminum plate/sheet and strip production increased from 10.3 million mt in 2017 to over 13.4 million mt in 2024. In recent years, the output of aluminum plate/sheet and strip in China has continuously climbed, with a significant increase. This trend is not accidental; it reflects the robust economic development and strong demand for basic materials, marking a new phase in the development of China's aluminum plate/sheet and strip industry.

In 2024, the production of can lid material saw a significant increase, up 22% YoY. For aluminum foil, electronic foil, double zero foil, and battery foil saw increases of 18%, 16%, and 34% YoY, respectively.

According to SMM survey, there are currently 30 ongoing aluminum plate, sheet, and foil projects nationwide, with a combined designed capacity of over 6 million mt, and several projects yet to be confirmed. By product, battery foil and new energy aluminum plate and sheet, along with brazing materials, are the main expansion projects. Geographically, most of the new capacities are concentrated in Yunnan and Jiangsu, provinces with large aluminum plate, sheet, and foil capacities.

★According to SMM survey, there are currently 30 ongoing aluminum plate, sheet, and foil projects nationwide, with a combined designed capacity of 4.71 million mt, and several projects yet to be confirmed.

★By product, battery foil and secondary aluminum plate and sheet are the main new projects. Out of the 30 projects, 13 are related to battery foil, with a combined designed capacity of 1.1 million mt. Several companies have already laid out plans for secondary aluminum plate and sheet, with a combined designed capacity of 1.57 million mt.

★In terms of company size, the new capacities are almost entirely owned by large enterprises, indicating a gradual increase in the concentration of the aluminum plate, sheet, and foil industry.

★Geographically, the new capacities are mostly concentrated in Henan, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, provinces with large aluminum plate, sheet, and foil capacities. New aluminum plate projects are relatively concentrated in Henan, while new aluminum foil projects are concentrated in Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

The end-user structure continues to adjust. Driven by plastic restrictions and lightweight policies, the proportion of aluminum plate and sheet used in packaging and transportation has increased. Although profit margins may shrink, production is still expected to grow against the trend, with representative products such as automotive sheets and battery foils. The proportion of lower-value-added industrial machinery and building decoration aluminum plate and sheet is expected to continue to decline.

The increasing penetration of NEVs drives the growth in aluminum usage per vehicle and the consumption of plates and foils.

Speech Topic: Rolling Process and Performance Challenges of Ultra-thin Lithium Battery Foil (≤10μm)

Guest Speaker: Wen Qian, R&D Engineer, North Aluminum New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.

Introduction to Lithium Battery Foil

The Importance of Lithium Battery Foil

Developing new materials is a necessary requirement for China to transition from a manufacturing giant to a manufacturing powerhouse, and a fundamental measure to overcome the "chokepoint" of key materials and technologies. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the new materials industry is a strategic and foundational industry, as well as a key area of competition in high technology. We must strive to catch up and surpass others. This important statement provides a fundamental guideline for us to excel in the new materials industry and points out the direction forward.

Lithium battery aluminum foil is a critical basic material for the cathode of lithium batteries. Within the battery, aluminum foil serves as a widely used cathode current collector material. It not only acts as a carrier for the cathode active material but also collects the current generated by the cathode active material and conducts it to the external circuit, thereby realizing the conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy.

Stringent Requirements for Lithium Battery Aluminum Foil

Lithium battery aluminum foil is the highest-quality product among all types of aluminum foil. Its technical requirements are nearly stringent, and the product is nearly perfect. In particular, aluminum foil for power batteries is basically a zero-defect product. Due to the special usage conditions of lithium battery aluminum foil, there are very strict requirements for its various technical indicators:

Development of Lithium Battery Aluminum Foil

1. Development History

In 2024, China's lithium-ion battery industry continued its growth momentum. According to the information from enterprises under the lithium battery industry's standard announcement and calculations by industry associations, the total national lithium battery production reached 1,170 GWh, up 24% YoY. The industry's total output value exceeded 1.2 trillion yuan.

The rapid growth of lithium-ion batteries has provided a relatively broad market space for the development of China's battery aluminum foil industry.

According to analysis by relevant departments, it is estimated that the domestic demand for lithium battery aluminum foil will reach approximately 600,000 mt in 2025.

In 2025, the lithium battery aluminum foil market will feature "high demand growth, tight supply, and technology-driven" characteristics.

2. Development Trends

As lithium batteries gradually develop towards higher energy density and longer driving range, the market has placed higher demands on battery aluminum foil. High performance (high strength, high elongation) and ultra-thinning are the major trends.

Introduction to Ultra-thin Battery Aluminum Foil

Ultra-thin Lithium Battery Aluminum Foil

Ultra-thin battery foil typically refers to lithium battery aluminum foil with a thickness ≤10 μm. Currently, it is mainly double-sided bright products, with some single-sided bright products.

The production technology for 9-10 μm ultra-thin battery aluminum foil is mature, and leading enterprises in battery foil can produce it stably.

The mass production of 8-micron double-sided bright battery foil has been achieved, and a few leading enterprises in the battery foil sector are capable of producing it. 7-micron double-sided bright battery foil can also be produced.

The rolling of ultra-thin battery aluminum foil imposes strict requirements on the precision of rolling mills (including control systems for tension, speed, and plate shape) and rolls (including precision and stiffness). This is particularly true for thicknesses such as 8/7 microns, which is why only a few leading enterprises are currently capable of production.

As downstream demand for thinner aluminum foil continues to escalate, leading enterprises may maintain their competitiveness by leveraging their product and technological advantages.

With the cost control efforts of battery foil users and changes in the international environment, the demand for ultra-thin aluminum foil is continuously increasing, and performance requirements are also becoming more stringent.

Current Status and Future Trends of Ultra-thin Lithium Battery Aluminum Foil

Speech Topic: Development Opportunities and Technical Requirements for Aluminum Alloy Automotive Sheet in the Context of Carbon Reduction

Guest Speaker: Zhao Jingwei, Chalco Materials Application Research Institute

Panel Discussion: Internal and External Challenges - Exploring New Paths for Aluminum Plate/Sheet, Strip and Foil Enterprises Amidst Uncertainty

Moderator: Zhou Bai, Executive Vice President of SMM

Panel Guest: Chen Weixin, Board Secretary of Jiangsu Dingsheng New Energy Materials Co., Ltd.

He Zhigang, Deputy General Manager of Henan Mingtai Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd.

Zhang Anle, General Manager of Luoyang Longding Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd.

Speech Topic: Innovation-Driven: The Impact of Intelligent Factory Transformation on Plate/Sheet, Strip and Foil Enterprises

Guest Speaker: Fang Zengbing, Deputy General Manager of Hefei GenSong Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd.

Smart Logistics: The Core Engine of Intelligent Factories

►Analysis of Traditional Logistics Pain Points

1. Information Silos Restrict Collaboration: In traditional aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil enterprises, information is not shared across different links, leading to difficulties in production, warehousing, and transportation coordination, and affecting overall efficiency. Information silos result in data lag, making it difficult for enterprises to grasp production dynamics in real-time, leading to delayed decision-making and missed market opportunities.

2. Labour Dependency Leads to Low Efficiency: Handling, loading/unloading, and sorting are highly dependent on manual labour, resulting in low efficiency, high costs, and frequent errors, which restrict enterprise development. Manual operations are prone to fatigue, involve high work intensity, and face difficulties in recruitment, leading to a shortage of manpower for enterprises.

3. Inventory Management is Rough and Disorganized: Lacking real-time data support, inventory management is rough and difficult to control precisely, resulting in significant capital occupation. Inventory overstocking or shortages occur frequently, affecting production continuity and increasing enterprise operational risks.

►Empowerment through Smart Logistics Technologies

Internet of Things (IoT) Enables Device Interconnection: IoT technology connects production equipment, warehousing systems, and transport vehicles, breaking down information barriers. It collects real-time equipment operation data, monitors production status, provides early warning of faults, and ensures production stability.

Big Data Optimizes Decision-Making Processes: Big data assists enterprises in analyzing massive amounts of production data, accurately predicting demand, and optimizing production plans. It adjusts inventory levels based on data, reduces inventory costs, improves capital turnover rates, and enhances competitiveness.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Enhances Intelligence Levels: AI drives intelligent warehousing and intelligent scheduling, enabling automated sorting and handling, and improving efficiency. Intelligent algorithms optimize logistics routes, reduce transportation time and costs, and enhance the accuracy of logistics distribution.

Case Studies: Smart Logistics Empower Enterprises to Improve Quality and Efficiency

Its "Transformation" of Traditional Manufacturing: Digital and Intelligent Factories Illuminate a "Green" Future; shared cases of intelligent multi-story warehouses, optimized warehousing management for resource utilization, and intelligent handling systems in enterprises related to the aluminum processing industry.

The Profound Impact of Smart Logistics: From Efficiency Improvement to Model Transformation

►Data-Driven Decision-Making Transformation

1. Real-Time Data Enables Precise Optimization: Real-time collection and analysis of logistics data assist enterprises in optimizing production plans, inventory management, and resource allocation. It enables enterprises to accurately grasp market dynamics, make early arrangements, reduce risks, and enhance their risk resistance capabilities.

2. Intelligent Decision-Making Enhances Benefits: Data-driven decision-making makes enterprise decisions more scientific and precise, improving production efficiency and economic benefits. It adjusts production strategies based on data to meet market demand and enhance enterprise market competitiveness.

3. Core Values Lead to Transformation: Data-driven decision-making becomes the core competitiveness of enterprises, leading industry transformation and development. It promotes the transformation of enterprises from traditional production models to intelligent and digital production models.

Speech Topic: New Journey, New Breakthroughs - The Innovation Path of Granges Asia's Medium-Thickness Plates

Guest Speaker: Gao Fenghua, Senior R&D Engineer of Granges Aluminum (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.

Technical Requirements and Characteristics of Medium-Thickness Plate Products

Definition and Classification of Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates

►Definition

·GB/T 8005.1-2008 "Aluminum and Aluminum Alloys - Terminology - Part 1: Products and Processing Treatment Processes" stipulates that plates with a thickness >6mm are called thick plates.

·Japan and Europe: Plates with a thickness ≥6mm are called thick plates.

·ASTM Standard: Plates with a thickness ≥6.35mm (0.25 inch) are called thick plates.

The term "medium-thickness plate" does not exist in the national standard. However, due to the wide thickness range of aluminum alloy thick plates, the industry refers to the practices in the steel industry and subdivides them by thickness:

·Medium plates: 6.0~25.0mm

·Thick plates: >25.0mm

►Classification

·Non-heat-treatable strengthening: 1-series/3-series/5-series, accounting for approximately 40%;

·Heat-treatable strengthening: 2-series/6-series/7-series, accounting for approximately 60%.

It also introduces Granges Group and Granges Asia. Granges Group is a global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. The company has a net sales of SEK 23 billion (excluding the Shandong plant), a production capacity of 810,000 mt/year, and holds approximately 25% of the market share in the global rolled aluminum material market for brazed heat exchangers. It also occupies an important position in the global market, serving four main end-user markets [other niche markets (including medium-thickness plates), special packaging, the automotive industry, and the HVAC&R industry]. The company's development history, overview, main products, and application areas are also elaborated.

Technical Challenges of Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates

Casting Ingot: High melt quality, large specifications, crack-free casting, and excellent microstructure control.

Rolling: Microstructure evolution during the rolling process and control of thickness-direction deformation uniformity.

Heat Treatment: Homogeneous phase transformation, residual phases in solution heat treatment, and hardenability.

Pre-stretching: Control of pre-stretching deformation and its impact on subsequent precipitation and internal stresses.

Aging: Development of multi-stage aging systems and microstructure control.

Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates - Aluminum Plates for Marine Applications

►Opportunities:

Lightweight, Energy-Saving, Environmental Protection, and Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum alloy thick plates can effectively reduce ship weight and increase payload capacity due to their low density and high strength characteristics, while also reducing fuel consumption and operating costs, in line with the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) restrictions on ship carbon emissions and modern ships' requirements for lightweight and energy efficiency. Additionally, they have excellent corrosion resistance, extending the service life of hulls.

Market and Demand: Over 70% of the ship plate market is overseas. With the US initiating the so-called Section 301 investigation into China's shipbuilding industry and the energy transition to LNG, there will be significant growth in the overseas demand for aluminum alloys used in ships.

►Challenges:

High Performance: With the increasing requirements for ship strength and speed, traditional aluminum alloys may struggle to meet performance requirements, necessitating the development of new high-strength and high-corrosion-resistant alloys, such as the 5059 alloy with a higher Mg content.

High Quality: Low-temperature rolling with minimal emulsion residue, excellent plate shape, minimal lower surface scratches, and Grade A flaw detection for aluminum plates used in LNG.

Wide Specifications: Ultra-wide and ultra-thick aluminum plates for LNG applications.

Wrought Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates - Aluminum Plates for Aviation and Low-Altitude Economy