France’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import to extend YoY growth in 2019; Germany to be the leading exporter

France is the fourth most important regional market in Europe for the rolling aluminium industry. It purchases about 8 per cent of the total production of the European aluminium rolling industry and makes the best use of it across various industries including packaging, transportation, mechanical engineering, electrical technology, construction, and many others.

Known for a manufacturing hub, it is found that France has been importing a higher amount of aluminium plates, shits and strips over the years. According to the global export-import data, France in 2016 had imported around 332,989 tonnes of aluminium rolled products, which in 2017 had increased to 398,307 tonnes, up 19.6 per cent. While 2018 saw a further rise in France’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import by 2.36 per cent to 407,728 tonnes, 2019 is expected to be no exception either. France is likely to import 415,457 tonnes this year, recording a rise by almost 2 per cent from the previous year, according to the available data.

France’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import cost also found rising year on year since 2016, along with the hike in import volume. While in 2016, the import cost was at US$856 million, in 2017, it came in at US$1064 million, after rising by 24 per cent. In 2018, the cost further rose by 1.5 per cent year on year to US$1080 million. This year is likely to witness a further hike in France’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import although a little to US$1086 million.

Germany is estimated to be the leading source of France’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import, providing 103,713 tonnes at US$284 million. Spain is expected to be the second leading source from which France will likely procure 64,417 tonnes at US$152 million, followed by Italy and Belgium 49,132 tonnes at US$121 million and 40,665 tonnes at US$98 million.