US domestic primary aluminium production begins 2024 with an annual drop on account of reduced capacity

The US Census Bureau data showed that the country's domestic primary aluminium production marked a slight slowdown at the beginning of 2024. The year began by continuing the downtrend of 2023 when the US primary aluminium production amounted to 750,000 tonnes compared to 861,000 tonnes in 2022.

According to the USGS data, in January 2024, the United States produced 63,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, reflecting a drop of 1,000 tonnes from the previous month. On an annual basis, the output in January 2024 also saw a decline of 1,000 tonnes.

The continuous shutdown and operation cuts of aluminium smelters in the United States could be attributed to the fall in domestic production. At present, Alcoa's two potlines out of three at Warrick smelter are operative, Century's Hawesville is operating at reduced capacity, and Century's Mount Holly smelter is functioning at 50 per cent of capacity. Alcoa's Massena operations and Century's Sebree smelter are closed.