Alba: Middle East To Supply 14% Global Aluminum Demand By 2014

MANAMA, Bahrain, Sept. 25 -- The Middle East will supply around 14% of world aluminum demand by 2014, demonstrating the growing importance of the region as a key market supplier, the chairman of Aluminium BahrainAluminium Bahrain, or AlbaAlba, said Tuesday.

Mahmood Hashim Al Kooheji told the Metal Bulletin aluminum conference in Bahrain's capital, Manama, that the outlook for the aluminum sector is no longer pessimistic but noted that there remains some price volatility.

"What a difference a year makes," he said, adding that the global economic downturn crimped demand in aluminum's key consuming industries, automotives and construction. Just a year ago, the outlook for aluminum was "very dismal and bleak," he said.

Aluminum consumption growth is expected to average 8.5% to 2013, he told the conference, with there still being "huge demand" for the metal.