In 2023, the industrial metal markets, including aluminium, experienced a year marked by prolonged waiting and uncertainty. The shadow of elevated interest rates has affected the world economy, and the eagerly anticipated rebound in demand from China, particularly in its real estate sector, has yet to materialize as expected. As a result, prices for base metals have remained relatively stagnant for significant periods during the year. The aerospace industry stands out as an exception despite the cautious market climate due to its strong demand for aluminium.
The aviation and aerospace sectors faced significant hardships during the covid pandemic, with widespread repercussions felt from major aerospace corporations to smaller suppliers. Drastic production reductions and raw material shortages were the industry's shared burdens due to the public health crisis. The global decline in air travel demand, brought about by lockdowns and restrictions, also led to a substantial decrease in new aircraft manufacturing.
However, air travel has seen an impressive resurgence, with global air traffic rebounding around 95-97 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. Notably, domestic air travel in the United States has not only recovered to pre-pandemic levels but has exceeded them by 9 per cent, as reported by IATA. Since emerging from the pandemic, the demand for air travel has outstripped the industry's ability to produce new aircraft, resulting in a considerable backlog of orders for new planes.
Aerospace companies are now faced with the dual challenges of meeting this soaring demand while recovering from supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic. They are also actively implementing measures to prevent such disruptions from occurring in the future.
The utmost accountability for most aircraft production at the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) level is carried out by two major companies, i.e., Boeing and Airbus. In conjunction with their extensive supply chains, these industry leaders heavily depend on aluminium as a crucial material for aircraft manufacturing. Roughly 25 per cent of global aluminium production is dedicated to the transportation sector, with a significant portion of this demand coming from aerospace manufacturers. At a more detailed level, aluminium is utilised in 80 per cent to 90 per cent of the components needed to produce an aircraft. This highlights the essential role that aluminium plays in the aerospace industry.
However, the recent self-made sanctions against Russia, a significant aluminium producer, have made sourcing this vital material increasingly challenging.
According to a statement from Airbus, "Airbus uses aluminium as a major material for its product design, leveraging its characteristics of strength combined with lightweight. Aluminium is mainly used for aerostructure elements such as fuselage, wing skins, and mechanical parts."
For a comprehensive understanding of aircraft-grade aluminium, its global trade dynamics, market demand, and a deeper exploration of aluminium's role in the transportation sector, delve into AL Circle's exclusive report "Future of Aluminium in Transportation Sector - an industry analysis with forecasts to 2027". This industry-focused report offers valuable insights into high-grade aluminium, its international trade trends, and the ever-evolving market demands, particularly in the context of its utilization within the transportation industry.
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