World alumina production in August’23 grows but at a slower rate than the previous month

World alumina production in August 2023 officially stood at 12.229 million tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month rise for the second month in a row. According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, the output grew by 0.53 per cent in August compared to 12.164 million tonnes in the previous month. The growth rate, however, fell in August compared to the rise of 3.06 per cent in July output from 11.803 million tonnes.

On a year-on-year basis, world alumina production in August 2023 registered a slight fall of 0.21 per cent from 12.255 million tonnes, found IAI.

In the first eight months of 2023, world alumina output totalled 93.908 million tonnes, displaying a downtrend compared to 94.809 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. That could be attributed to production curtailment at refineries in many countries due to production cost hikes and the energy crisis.

The world’s daily average alumina production in August 2023 was recorded at 394,500 tonnes, up by 0.54 per cent month-on-month from 392,400 tonnes but down by 0.20 per cent year-on-year from 395,300 tonnes.

China, the world’s biggest alumina producer, churned out 7.13 million tonnes of ore in August, which remained muted month-on-month but grew year-on-year by 0.71 per cent from 7.08 million tonnes. During January-August, China’s alumina output stood at 54.410 million tonnes – 3.09 per cent more than 52.780 million tonnes a year earlier.

China’s daily average alumina production in August was 230,000 tonnes, recording no change from the previous month. China’s share of world alumina production was 58.3 per cent in August 2023.