Aluminum Association reports 4% increase in aluminium demand in North America in 2018

According to the latest report from Aluminum Association aluminium demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) was up 4% over the 2017 to an estimated 12.8 million tonnes in 2018. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products was also up 4% to 9.2 million tonnes during the year.  Exports of aluminium ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada in 2018 were up 15.4% over 2017 to 1.5 million tonnes, while imports were off 6.2% to 3.8 million tonnes.

In the month of December 2018, demand for aluminium semi-finished products in the United States and Canada was up 6.9% YoY to an estimated 696,264 tonnes. In December 2018, shipments of aluminium sheet and plate were up 9.7% YoY to 415,491 tonnes. Extruded product shipments increased 3.4% year-over-year to 181,891 tonnes. Estimated shipments of aluminium ingot for castings, exports and other uses increased 3.5% to 258,094 tonnes in December.

Apparent consumption (demand minus exports) in domestic U.S. and Canadian markets increased 7% to 847,764 tonnes in December 2018. Apparent consumption in domestic markets was up 2.6% to an estimated 11.2 million tonnes in 2018. Producer inventories were up 8.2% YoY to 1.6 million tonnes in December.