The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) has reported that the global alumina refining industry has had an annual consumption of 1,188,250 Terajoules (TJ) of fuel in 2024. Between 2023 and 2024, global alumina output climbed from 133.54 million tonnes to 138.59 million tonnes, a 3.8 per cent increase, yet total fuel consumption remained almost flat, inching up by just 0.4 per cent. The million terrajoules of consumption is a stark reminder of the heavy reliance of metallurgical alumina production on various energy sources.
Image credit: https://international-aluminium.org/statistics/
Of the total alumina produced, 122.52 million tonnes in 2023 came from reporting refineries, against 124.72 million tonnes in 2024. The unreported share shrank from 11.02 million tonnes to 6.35 million tonnes, underscoring a push towards better disclosure. Greater transparency allows a clearer picture of where energy is consumed and how it is being managed across regions.
The energy mix: Coal’s grip holds, oil retreats
Coal remains the backbone of alumina refining energy use, supplying around 43-44 per cent of total demand. In absolute terms, coal consumption barely shifted, rising from 512,679 terajoules (TJ) in 2023 to 514,954 TJ in 2024, despite higher production volumes. The stabilisation indicates modest efficiency gains in coal-heavy regions such as China and Oceania.
Oil, by contrast, is losing ground. Global consumption fell nearly 20 per cent year-on-year, from 66,993 TJ to 53,890 TJ. Given oil’s cost volatility and carbon profile, the industry’s declining reliance reflects deliberate substitution with gas, electricity, and alternative fuels.
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