US Aluminum Consumption up 8.1% YTD in April

Demand for aluminum semi-fabricated (mill) products in the United States and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 1,527 million pounds in April, increasing 7.8 percent over the April 2014 total of 1,416 million pounds. Aluminum sheet and plate totaled 848 million pounds in April, up 8.5 percent. Extruded products were up 6.4 percent year-over-year to 436 million pounds. Estimated shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and other uses totaled 589 million pounds, down 6.9 percent from a year ago.

Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets totaled 1,884 million pounds in April, up 6.7 percent over the April 2014 total of 1,765 million pounds. Through the first four months of 2015, estimated apparent consumption totaled 7,599 million pounds, up 8.1 percent over the same period in 2014.

The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for May increased 1.8 percent over the previous month. Orders for flat roll products were up 5.8 percent, while orders for extruded products declined 9.0 percent and orders for redraw rod were off 11.1 percent. Compared to May 2014, orders rose 3.1 percent. On average, orders recorded by domestic producers through May were up 5.4 percent over last year. Excluding domestic can stock, year-to-date orders are up 5.0 percent over last year.