Imports of aluminium scrap in Jan-Feb decline 33% from year ago

SHANGHAI, Apr 1 (SMM) – China imported 206,200 mt of aluminium scrap in the first two months of 2019, down 33.41%, or 103,500 mt from the same period of 2018, data from China Customs showed.

The data combined figures for January and February to smooth out distortions caused by the week-long Lunar New Year holiday.

China’s exports of unwrought aluminium alloy, however, rose 15,300 mt, or 21.62% in January-February.

Chinese aluminium alloy producers usually use imported aluminium scrap as raw materials to avoid duties of 15% on exports of unwrought aluminium alloy. Such exports of unwrought aluminium alloy accounted for 95.93% of the total in 2018.

SMM learned that secondary aluminium producers did not significantly lower exports. The decline of aluminium scrap imports via general trade accounted for the drop in overall imports of aluminium scrap.

SMM believed that exports of aluminium alloy that is produced from primary aluminium accounted for the greater exports of unwrought aluminium alloy in January-February.