IAI Reports 4.7% Surge in North American Primary Aluminum Output

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The most recent data published by the International Aluminum Institute (IAI) suggests slight increase in North American primary aluminium production during the month of April this year.

The primary aluminium output in the region was up by 4.7% from 318,000 mt in April 2019 to 333,000 mt in April this year. However, when matched with the previous month, the output was down by 2.6%. The cumulative production during the initial four-month period edged higher by 4.3% over the previous year to total 1.3 million mt, said IAI data. The higher production was despite weaker demand on account of the coronavirus pandemic, the Institute noted.

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IAI: Global Aluminum Output Held Flat on Year in May

The global aluminium aluminium production remained steady, increasing slightly from 5.24 million mt in April 2019 to 5.26 million mt in April 2020. The Chinese output too followed the global trend, rising marginally by 0.7% to 2.98 million mt. The output by GCC countries was 483,000 mt in April 2020, up by almost 7% year-on-year.

Meantime, leading primary aluminium producer Rusal stated that nearly one-fourth of the world’s aluminium smelters are operating at losses. As per current estimates, global aluminium surplus is expected to range between 2 million and 4 million mt per year. The aluminium industry must immediately address surplus capacity, in order to ensure market balance.