US domestic primary aluminium production improves 3000 tonnes M-o-M in Oct’22, with negligible change in daily output

The United States domestic primary aluminium production in October 2022 stood at 64,000 tonnes, registering an increase of 3,000 tonnes month-on-month from 61,000 tonnes in September, found the US Census Bureau data. But on a year-on-year calculation, the output decreased by 12,000 tonnes or 15.8 per cent from 76,000 tonnes.

The United States average daily production of primary aluminium was 2,050 tonnes in October 2022, slightly more than in September 2022 and 16.67 per cent less than 2,460 tonnes in October 2021.

Total aluminium recovered from scrap in October 2022 was 283,000 tonnes, up by 3,000 tonnes or 1.07 per cent from 280,000 tonnes a month ago and 14,000 tonnes or 5.20 per cent higher than 269,000 tonnes a year earlier.

Of the total scrap recovered, 154,0000 tonnes of aluminium was recovered from new scrap in October’22 compared to 152,000 tonnes in September, and 192,000 tonnes was recovered from old scrap versus 128,000 tonnes in the previous month.

The October 2022 average US spot market price of primary aluminum ingot was $1.23 per pound, slightly less than in September 2022 and 27 per cent less than in October 2021. The average cash price in October 2022 of primary aluminum ingot on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was $1.02 per pound, essentially unchanged than in September 2022 and 24 per cent less than in October 2021.

Inventories of primary aluminium in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States decreased to 12,532 tonnes at the end of October 2022 from 15,587 tonnes at the end of September 2022. Inventories of secondary aluminium (North American Secondary Aluminum Alloy Contract) in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories declined to 3,917 tonnes at the end of October 2022 from 4,277 tonnes at the end of September 2022.