China’s Aluminium Production Rises by 1.7% in October, Xinjiang Capacity Boosts Output

According to data from Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), China's aluminium production in October 2024 reached 3.7025 million tonnes, a 1.7% increase compared to the same month last year. In September, the year-on-year increase was estimated at 1.5%. For the ten-month period of 2024, Chinese aluminium producers exceeded last year's output by 4.0%, with a total production volume of 35.821 million tonnes.

SMM noted that new capacity in Xinjiang province began operating in October, while smelters in Sichuan and Guizhou provinces resumed operations after modernization efforts. While a further increase in aluminium production throughput is expected in November, it will likely be offset by maintenance at several plants and a seasonal decrease in apparent demand for aluminium products.

Metallurgical alumina output in China for October 2024 stood at 7.287 million tonnes, reflecting a 6.5% increase from October 2023. On a ten-month basis, alumina production saw a 4.0% growth, reaching 68.883 million tonnes.

Some Chinese alumina producers are currently facing raw material shortages. Supplies from Guinea have remained relatively low due to the rainy season, which has impacted raw material imports. In addition, environmental authorities in several northern Chinese provinces imposed restrictions on alumina production in October due to elevated pollution levels, though these restrictions have since been lifted.