Europe’s alumina production slumps 21% Y-o-Y to 8.2 Mt in 2022, led by a sluggish output in H2

According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) totalled 8.219 million tonnes during 2022, registering a downfall of 20.97 per cent year-on-year from 10.4 million tonnes. In the fourth quarter of 2022, Europe’s aluminium oxide output amounted to 1.722 million tonnes, down by 12.54 per cent from 1.969 million tonnes in the third quarter of the year and 33.72 per cent less than 2.598 million tonnes in Q4 2021.

In December 2022, alumina production in Europe stood at 551,000 tonnes, showcasing a decline of 4.51 per cent or 26,000 tonnes from 577,000 tonnes a month ago. On a year-on-year basis, the output recorded a slump of 37.95 per cent from 888,000 tonnes, found IAI.

During the second half of 2022, Europe produced 3.691 million tonnes of alumina versus 4.528 million tonnes in H1 2022 and 6.093 million tonnes in H2 2021. As per the data, Europe’s alumina output in H2 2022 underwent a quarterly decline of 18.48 per cent and a yearly downfall of 39.42 per cent, learned IAI.

All the data above shows a sluggish output of alumina across Europe in 2022, primarily towards the second half, caused by operation cuts at refineries due to an energy supply crunch. Many had to even shut down their operations due to surging energy costs.

However, the world alumina production in 2022 edged 0.31 per cent higher at 139.018 million tonnes than 138.587 million tonnes a year earlier, according to IAI.