China’s aluminium output exceeds 3.6 million tonnes in Aug’2023 on operating capacity recovery in Yunnan

China’s aluminium production continued to grow in August 2023 (31 calendar days), standing above 3.6 million tonnes, according to the Shanghai Metals Market survey. Data showed the output clocked at 3.623 million tonnes, registering a 1.54 per cent M-o-M growth from 3.568 million tonnes and a 3.9 per cent Y-o-Y hike. The daily average production in August 2023 was 116,900 tonnes, up by 1.56 per cent from 115,100 tonnes in the previous month.

The impressive growth in China’s monthly output in August brought the country’s total production in the first eight months to 27.299 million tonnes – 2.8 per cent higher Y-o-Y. SMM survey also showed the liquid aluminium ratio rose modestly by 4.8 per cent year-on-year to 72.8 per cent in August 2023, with an increased proportion in northern and central China.

However, the production of aluminium ingot recorded a Y-o-Y fall of 11.7 per cent in August, bringing the total year-to-date output to 8.18 million tonnes, down by 12.2 per cent Y-o-Y.

China’s aluminium operating capacity grew in August but at a slower rate. In Yunnan, operating capacity recovered to around 5.55 million tonnes. China’s built aluminium capacity stood at about 45.19 million tonnes and operating capacity rose to about 42.78 million tonnes in August. The operating rate was about 94.7 per cent, registering an increase of 1.4 per cent M-o-M.

Entering September, SMM expects China’s aluminium operating capacity to slightly rise by the end of the month, with the output reaching about 3.51 million tonnes – 5.1 per cent higher Y-o-Y.

Source: SMM