US primary aluminium monthly production plunges 14,000 tonnes in July’22

According to the US Census Bureau data, domestic primary aluminium production in July 2022 was 64,000 tonnes, with daily average output at 2,070 tonnes. Compared to the previous month, monthly aluminium production in July edged 14,000 tonnes or 17.95 per cent lower than 78,000 tonnes and daily output recorded a 20.99 per cent fall from 2,620 tonne.

The decreased production rate in July could be attributed to the shutdown of Century Aluminium’s smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky.

The US Census Bureau data also shows that total aluminium recovered from scrap in July 2022 was 284,000 tonnes compared to 286,000 tonnes in June. Of the total scrap recovered, 150,000 tonnes was recovered from new scrap, while 134,000 tonnes from old scrap.

In July 2022, the average US spot market price of primary aluminium was $1.38 per pound, 7 per cent less than in June 2022 and 4 per cent lower than in July 2021. The average cash price of primary aluminum ingot on the London Metal Exchange (LME) in July 2022 was $1.09 per pound, 6 per cent less than that in June 2022 and 4 per cent less than in July 2021.

Inventories of primary aluminum in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States decreased to 20,110 tonnes at the end of July 2022 from 23,302 tonnes at the end of June 2022. Inventories of secondary aluminum (North American Secondary Aluminum Alloy Contract) in LME-approved warehouses, including off-warrant inventories, in the United States decreased to 6,027 tonnes at the end of July 2022 from 6,332 tonnes at the end of June 2022.