
The Aluminum Association has released the latest edition of its Aluminum Statistical Review, which shows that aluminium demand in the U.S. and Canada increased 2.6% YoY to stand at 26.4 billion pounds in 2016, registering the seventh straight year of consecutive demand growth. Aluminum demand is up 41% since 2009, almost reaching the record levels of mid-2000s. The continued demand increases was driven by faster automotive growth in the region. Aluminum shipments for use in passenger vehicles totalled 5.9 billion pounds in 2016, which is the second year of record shipments since 1967.

While demand growth was a positive development, the report also showed an unprecedented growth of imports by nearly 33% in 2016 to a record 7.3 billion pounds.
“We are pleased to see demand growth continue for a seventh consecutive year as more and more companies look to aluminum as a solution to modern manufacturing challenges,” said Heidi Brock, President & CEO of the Aluminum Association.
The report shows that primary aluminium production decreased 9.8% YoY to 8.9 billion pounds in 2016.
Transport shipment grew 1% to 9.3 billion pounds, the largest single market which contributed 35.2% of total net shipments. The transportation market has registered a growth of 116% since 2009. Building and Construction shipment increased 3.3% to 3.2 billion pounds. Shipments in that market have grown more than 25% since 2009. Packaging shipments were up 1% YoY to 4.8 billion pounds.
A net exporter of aluminium, Canadian aluminium exports registered a growth of 8.5% YoY to stand at 8.2 billion pounds in 2016.
Though Ms Brock expressed pleasure in the demand growth, she was concerned over the huge import growth.
“We take the dramatic increase of imports seriously and are working to address structural overcapacity in the Chinese aluminum sector which is driving much of this increase. We will continue our work to enforce U.S. unfair trade laws as we seek a level playing field,” she said.
The Aluminum Statistical Review provides comprehensive data on the aluminium sector of the U.S. and Canada to industry stakeholders, financial analysts, government agencies, students and the general public.
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