Aluminum Association updates on North American primary aluminium market

Shipments of primary aluminum by North American (U.S. and Canada) producers totaled 1,115 thousand metric tonnes (kmt) in the third quarter of 2014, down 6.7 percent from the third quarter 2013 total of 1,195 kmt. Shipments of primary billet were off six-tenths of one percent year-over-year, while shipments of foundry ingot increased 5.9 percent during the same period. Compared to the previous quarter, total shipments of primary decreased 2.5 percent. During first nine months of 2014, shipments totaled 3,388 kmt, off 6.9 percent from the 2013 total of 3,638 kmt.

Aluminum net shipments (including exports) by domestic U.S. and Canadian facilities totaled an estimated 2,066 million pounds during September, up 7.4 percent over the September 2013 total of 1,925 million pounds. Shipments of aluminum mill products increased 8.6 percent over the previous year to 1,300 million pounds, while shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and destructive uses increased 5.3 percent year-over-year, totaling 766 million pounds. Year-to-date, producer shipments totaled an estimated 17,557 million pounds, an increase of 3.8 percent over the 2013 year-to-date total of 16,919 million pounds. September inventory levels totaled an estimated 2,838 million pounds, up 1.8 percent over the previous month and up 10.5 percent year-over-year.

The Aluminum Association's statistical programs provide industry information on primary aluminum production, new orders of mill products, industry shipments, end use market estimates, inventories, recycling and foreign trade on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis.