Environment protection controls requiring production cuts lead to China's reduced aluminium output in November 2024

According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s domestic aluminium production destabilised in November 2024 (30 calendar days), recording a month-on-month downfall of 3.21 per cent, attributed to environment protection-related controls requiring production cuts during the dry season. In addition to production cuts, increased alumina prices were another factor that contributed to the reduced aluminium output volume in China during the period under review.

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However, the resumption of some aluminium projects, which were under maintenance in Sichuan, Xinjiang, and other regions, slightly offset the monthly fall and led to a year-on-year hike of 2.74 per cent. As per the SMM data, China’s domestic aluminium production in November was approximately 3.583 million tonnes, compared to 3.488 million tonnes a year ago and 3.702 million tonnes a month earlier.

The proportion of casting ingots in northwest China and other regions increased, while that of liquid aluminium decreased by 0.6 percentage points M-o-M, remaining flat Y-o-Y. The casting ingot volume in November was 956,500 tonnes, up by 2.93 per cent Y-o-Y.