Taking a closer look at the recent developments in the Aluminium FRP segment

Worldwide aluminium FRP usage is estimated at 24.1 million tonnes in 2022 and is expected to grow at about 2.4 per cent to reach 24.7 million tonnes by 2023. AlCircle's latest industry-focused report, 'Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023', reveals that China accounted for about 33 per cent, equating to 7.8 million tonnes of the total aluminium FRP usage in 2022. Europe and North America followed this at 22 per cent and 21 per cent respectively. Close to 11 million tonnes of aluminium FRP was used in various packaging applications in 2022. The transportation sector used about 3.7 million tonnes during the year.

The report also unveils that during 2023, aluminium FRP usage is likely to be driven by demand from the packaging sector. Consumer preference for sustainable packaging, especially the infinitely recyclable aluminium and the package mix shift, is expected to drive the demand for aluminium in the packaging sector. Aluminium beverage cans are expected to continue witnessing good growth, especially in the North American region.

Here are the most significant recent developments:

• In 2022, Novelis announced a US$ 2.5 billion investment in new low-carbon recycling and rolling factory in Bay Minette, Alabama. This factory will be able to manufacture 600,000 tonnes of aluminium sheets per year. Site development is already underway, with commissioning expected to commence in mid-2025.
• Assan Alüminyum, a subsidiary of Kibar Holding (Turkey), has plans to invest US$ 460 million in the US in a new FRP mill in the USA. The factory’s annual production capacity would be 120,000 tonnes.
• Constellium announced that the company is providing an aluminium auto body sheet for the brand-new Maserati Grecale SUV (Nov 2022). The company will supply auto body sheets from its facility in Neuf-Brisach, France. Constellium also announced in December 2022 that it is delivering aluminium auto body sheet solutions for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, produced in Europe, China, and South Africa. Constellium provides aluminium for the Mercedes-Benz hood, roof, tailgate, and fenders.
• Azeraluminium LLC, a subsidiary of Azerbaijan Industrial Corporation OJSC, and German company Achenbach Buschhütten signed an agreement in July 2022 to create a joint venture to manufacture aluminium goods in Ganja. The manufacturing of aluminium FRP is envisaged as a part of the agreement, with a first-phase investment of US$ 132 million and an annual production capacity of 105,000 tonnes.
• AZZ Inc. plans to construct a new aluminium coil coating facility at the new Oldenburg Industrial Park located in Washington, MO.
• Vulcan Aluminum Mill installed a new twin-belt continuous casting machine at its facility in Foley, Alabama. Installed in early 2022, the latest casting machine can produce aluminium strips up to 52 inches (1,320 mm) wide at over 33 tonnes/hour.
• Steel Dynamics, Inc. plans to invest US$ 2.2 billion in three new aluminium facilities — a low-carbon flat-rolled mill along with two supporting recycled aluminium slab centres. The new US$ 1.9 billion aluminium rolling mill will be in the southeastern US. It is being jointly developed with Unity Aluminum, Inc. The rolling facility will be able to produce 650,000 tonnes of finished products annually, serving the sustainable beverage packaging, automotive, and common alloy industrial sectors.
• AMAG components, a wholly owned AMAG Austria Metall AG subsidiary, signed an agreement with Ruag Aerostructures to supply aluminium aircraft components.
• Logan Aluminum, a joint venture owned by Novelis and Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc. (a consolidated subsidiary of UACJ Corp.), plans to expand its manufacturing operations to increase the capacity of flat-rolled aluminium in Russellville, Kentucky (Jan 2022).

Worldwide import of aluminium FRP improved in 2021 and stood at US$ 38.3 billion in 2021. USA and Germany are the leading importers of aluminium FRP, accounting for about 19 per cent of the global imports in value terms in 2021. Top aluminium FRP importing countries include the USA, Germany, Mexico, Canada and France.

The developments continue after the above points, while there is much more to know about the Aluminium FRP segment and its latest trends, production and country-wise consumption. To get your copy now, click here.