China’s metallurgical-grade alumina output augments to 6.955 million tonnes in May on increased productivity

China’s Shanghai Metals Market disclosed the metallurgical-grade alumina output amounted to 6.955 million tonnes in May 2022 (31 days), flaunting M-o-M increase of 12.16 per cent from 6.201 million tonnes and Y-o-Y rise of 12 per cent from 6.210 million tonnes. The average daily output of metallurgical-grade alumina was 224,400 tonnes.

The total alumina output in the first five months of the year came in at 31.046 million tonnes, witnessing a 5.2 per cent rise from around 29.43 million tonnes of production during the same period last year.  The month of May has one extra day with a naturally heightened production ratio, resulting in more output around China. The introduction of new capacities exponentially raised the output in Chongqing and Hebei by 224 per cent and 119 per cent M-o-M to 323,000 tonnes and 175,000 tonnes, respectively. 

The alumina output in Shandong stood at 2.268 million tonnes with an 11 per cent hike, followed by a 9% in Guangxi to 1.057 million tonnes and a 6 per cent growth in Guizhou to 418,000 tonnes. In Henan, Shanxi, and Inner Mongolia, alumina production was recorded at 834,000 tonnes, 1.719 million tonnes, and 42,000 tonnes, gaining 5 per cent, 3 per cent, and 2 per cent, respectively.

The new capacity at Phase II of Jingxi Tiangui with 850,000 tonnes was in full production at the beginning of June, while Phase III has been commissioned and is estimated to be put into work in June, noted SMM.

Chongqing Bosai Wanzhou project has an alumina production capacity of 2.7 million tonnes at this moment, and to be escalated by another 900,000 tonnes in June.

Also, the Hebei Wenfeng has the first production line producing 1.2 million tonnes, while the second production line to reach full capacity in June.

The second half of the year will also witness Phase II of three different units, Lubei Chemical with 1 million tonnes, Layu Bochuang with 1 million tonnes, and Guangxi Tiandong Jinxin with 1.2 million tonnes. So from Q3, the Chinese market is expected to see an intense growth in alumina production.

Technically, the net import of alumina in May was 150,000 tonnes, recording an excess of 193,000 tonnes, showed SMM.