United States primary aluminium production extends downfall by 10% to 72,000 tonnes in September 2020

In September 2020, primary aluminium production in the United States extended downfall to stand at 72,000 tonnes versus 80,000 tonnes in August, according to the data recently released by the US Geological Survey. In August, the output was down by 2,000 tonnes month-on-month, but in September, it diminished by 8,000 tonnes or 10 per cent. The average daily production was 2,410 tonnes, 7 per cent less than 2,580 tonnes in August and 17 per cent than in September 2019.

Total aluminium recovered from scrap in September 2020 was 271,000 tonnes, almost flat compared with 270,000 tonnes in August 2020. However, on a year-on-year basis, it stood 7 per cent less than in September 2019.

Of 271,000 tonnes, 147,000 tonnes of aluminium was recovered from new scrap and 124,000 tonnes recovered from old scrap.

The United States spot market price of primary aluminium ingot in September 2020 was $0.936 per pound, unchanged from that in August 2020 but 4 per cent less than that in September 2019.

Inventories of primary aluminium in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States increased to 223,809 tonnes at the end of September from 221,342 tonnes at the end of August. On the other hand, secondary aluminium inventories (North American Secondary Aluminium Alloy Contract) in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States decreased to 32,923 tonnes at the end of September from 34,121 tonnes at the end of August.