In September 2024, the world's alumina production decreased to its lowest level in the past five months, with all the major alumina-producing countries or regions registering drops in their output. However, despite the sequential decline and a 5-month low, the world's alumina production stood above 12 million tonnes.
Image Source: Advanced Ceramic Materials (ACM) Corporation
Based on the International Aluminium Institute's (IAI) data, the intensity of the world's alumina production drop was higher in September compared to the decline previously seen in April. September was the second month in two quarters after April when the world aluminium production fell.
According to an IAI survey, the world's alumina production in September 2024 decreased by 4.23 per cent month-on-month compared to a 2.51 per cent monthly fall recorded in April. That brought the September output to 12.030 million tonnes, down by 4.23 per cent M-o-M from 12.562 million tonnes. Year-on-year, the production in September essentially recorded no change as opposed to 12.051 million tonnes.
In the entire September quarter, the world's alumina production totalled 37.043 million tonnes, marking a quarter-on-quarter increase of 2.05 per cent from 36.3 million tonnes, remaining unaffected by the downturn in September. Annually, the output in the third quarter of 2024 edged a rise of about 0.5 per cent, partially offset by Y-o-Y declines in both August and September.
From January to September 2024, the world's alumina output amounted to 108.978 million tonnes versus 106.951 million tonnes during the corresponding period last year.
Region-wise contribution to the monthly fall
Among all the major alumina-producing regions, Africa & Asia (ex-China), the third-largest contributor to the world's alumina production, accounting for 9.27 per cent of the global production in September 2024, saw M-o-M dip of 9 per cent in output. According to the International Aluminium Institute, Africa & Asia's alumina production was 1.115 million tonnes in September compared to 1.225 million tonnes in August. Year-on-year, the September output stood 0.71 per cent lower than 1.123 million tonnes.
After three consecutive months, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) reached below 1.2 million tonnes but did not dampen the quarterly and annual growth trajectory. Amounting to 3.549 million tonnes, the output in the September quarter registered a sequential growth of 6 per cent from 3.347 million tonnes and an annual increase of 3.14 per cent from 3.441 million tonnes.
From January to September, Africa & Asia (ex-China) produced 10.509 million tonnes of alumina, up 7.25 per cent from 9.799 million tonnes a year ago.
China, the world's highest alumina producer, also saw M-o-M dip in September output from 7.45 million tonnes to 7.21 million tonnes. That reflected a fall of 3.22 per cent. However, year-on-year, China's alumina production in September recorded an increase of 4.34 per cent from 6.91 million tonnes.
In Q3, China's total production of ore was 21.99 million tonnes, up by 2.9 per cent from 21.37 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year.
In 2023, the total alumina production worldwide was 143.313 million tonnes, meaning this year requires 34.335 million tonnes of output through the remaining months to achieve the previous year's level. Thus, each month in the upcoming quarter must achieve an output of 11.445 million tonnes.
