China’s production of primary aluminium decreased 1.54 per cent in February, and stood at 2.68 million tonnes, as reported by Shanghai Metals Market. Domestic primary aluminium capacity under operation stood at an annualised 35.9 million tonnes by the end of last month, a decrease of 130,000 tonnes per year from a year earlier. 

Despite new capacity at Inner Mongolia’s Chuangyuan and Guyang smelters, capacity cuts at Shaanxi Hengkang, Shandong Huayu, Shanxi Huasheng, Shanxi Huaze, Jiaozuo Wanfang, and Inner Mongolia Tongshun Aluminum kept operating capacity at lows in February. 

Primary aluminium output is expected to drop 1.6 per cent year-on-year to 2.98 million tonnes in March. Domestic primary aluminium capacity under operation is estimated at an annualised 36.05 million tonnes by the end of this month, down 350,000 tonnes year-on -year.  

Unfulfilled capacity in 2018, as well as new and replacement capacity in Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, and Yunnan will continue to enter operation this month. In Shandong, some capacity will recover in March.