North American aluminium extrusion sector registered record high shipment of 2.5 million tonnes in 2018

The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and the Aluminum Association reported that aluminium extruders from the US and Canada shipped 2.50 million tonnes of aluminium extruded products in 2018, 4.5 per cent higher than 2017 and 3.2 per cent higher than 2006.

Extruded product shipment to domestic markets increased across all sectors in 2018.  Building and Construction continued to be the largest market sector for extruded products accounting for 961,615 tonnes in 2018. Transportation came second at 825,538 tonnes. Shipments to this sector have grown by 16% since 2006. Auto and light truck remained the principal growth market in transportation.  Shipments to this sector have grown by more than 72% since 2006. Consumer durables, machinery and equipment, electrical, and exports accounted for rest of the shipment.

“Surpassing its highpoint in 2006 is a great milestone for the aluminium extrusion industry.  The numbers clearly show expanded utilization of aluminium extrusions in the transportation sector driven by new applications in the automotive industry,” Jeff Henderson, President of the Aluminum Extruders Council said.

“Meanwhile, building and construction demand has held up even though building starts continue to be well below their peaks in 2006…Other new applications in industrial, electrical, and renewable energy continue to report growth as well,” he said.

“Extrusions are a critical segment of the aluminium industry value chain in the United States and we are pleased to see continued demand growth,” added Ryan Olsen, the Aluminum Association's Vice President and Business Information Statistics.

Imports of extruded products by the U.S. and Canada continued to rise in 2018 to stand at 214,095 million pounds.  Peak imports were recorded in 2010 at 221,353 tonnes.  The top five import sources during 2018 were Mexico; Vietnam; Malaysia; Indonesia; and China.

Olsen added that focus on targeted trade enforcement efforts have helped the domestic extruders improve their shipments. He reiterated their commitment to free, fair and open trade.  

“While the mix of countries exporting to the U.S. have changed a bit, the pattern is familiar to extruders. All in all, 2018 was a breakout year for aluminium extrusion consumption and demonstrates the effectiveness of the massive capital investment made in this industry since it gained tariff protection against unfair trade practices by extruders and importers of aluminium profiles produced in China,” Henderson said.