Global Aluminium Output Slightly Rises in August Amid Production Slowdown in China

Global Aluminium

Global aluminium output in August saw a modest rise compared to the same period last year but dipped from the record production levels reached in July, as growth in China, the world’s largest producer, stalled. According to data from the International Aluminium Institute, global production reached 6.18 million tonnes, marking a 1.2% year-on-year increase. Daily production rates averaged 199,300 tonnes, slightly lower than July’s revised figure of 199,500 tonnes.

China's Aluminium Output Stalls

China produced 3.69 million tonnes of aluminium in August, reflecting a 1.32% rise compared to the same month last year, but remained unchanged from July. Earlier in the summer, China had ramped up production due to new projects coming online in Inner Mongolia during the second quarter. Strong aluminium prices in China further incentivized existing smelters to maximize output for better profitability. However, growth plateaued in August as existing capacity reached its limits.

In other regions, aluminium production largely mirrored this trend, with slight year-on-year increases but flat growth compared to the previous month. North America produced 334,000 tonnes, a 0.3% increase from last year but down slightly from July. Western Europe saw a 5.65% year-on-year rise to 243,000 tonnes, while Asia, excluding China, produced 408,000 tonnes, showing a 3.03% rise. South American production rose by 4% to 130,000 tonnes.

The Middle East edged up 0.57% to 530,000 tonnes, while Russia and Eastern Europe increased production by 4.73% to 354,000 tonnes. In contrast, Australasia saw a decline of 3.75% to 154,000 tonnes, and African output remained steady at 135,000 tonnes.