China’s alumina production extends downfall in February 2021 to 5.86 million tonnes, but daily output grows by 10% M-o-M

According to the latest data revealed by the Shanghai Metals Market, China produced 5.86 million tonnes of alumina in February 2021, marking the second consecutive month of decline, albeit slower than the previous month. In January, China’s alumina production was at 5.90 million tonnes, meaning the output in February declined by 0.68 per cent month-on-month compared to the downfall of 1 per cent in the previous month from 5.96 million tonnes in December 2020.

China’s February alumina output included 5.65 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina, which reflected a decrease of 0.70 per cent from 5.69 million tonnes in January 2021.

However, the daily output recorded a month-on-month surge of 9.89 per cent to 201,700 tonnes, driven by increased operating capacities in north China from a month ago. On a year-on-year basis, the daily output increased by about 9.16 per cent.

As of early March, the operating capacity of metallurgical-grade alumina stood at 71.82 million tonnes per year. Shanghai Metals Market sees the output of metallurgical-grade alumina to reach at 6.25 million tonnes through March (31 days), with the daily output largely unchanged on the month at around 201,500 tonnes.