China’s daily average alumina production in August drops by 4,000 tonnes M-o-M

Shanghai Metals Market found the alumina output in China stood at 5.82 million tonnes in August, with metallurgical-grade alumina accounting for 5.57 million tonnes.

Daily average production of metallurgical-grade alumina came in at 180,000 tonnes in August, down 4,000 tonnes or 2.2 per cent month-on-month. Lower output at Xing’an Chemicals, Henan Huiyuan, Henan Zhongmei, Bosai Group’s Shuijiang project, Shanxi Zhaofeng, East Hope’s Lingshi refinery, and SPIC Shanxi New Energy could be the reason for the drop in daily average alumina production. Because of sluggish alumina prices and bauxite supply tightness, these alumina producers had to cut their productions.

In September, the total production is expected to reach 5.8 million tonnes, including 5.56 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina. Daily average output of metallurgical-grade alumina is estimated to grow to 185,000 tonnes, up 2.7 per cent from August, on the expected resumption of Xinfa’s Jiaokou refinery and the end of maintenance at Xing’an Chemicals. Some other refineries are also anticipated to raise output as bauxite shortage eases.

Already the daily capacity of metallurgical-grade alumina production has started showing some signs of improvement. As of September 10, capacity of metallurgical-grade alumina in operation stood at 67.76 million tonnes.