Demand for Aluminum Continues to Grow

The Aluminum Association (Arlington VA) has released the latest edition of the Aluminum Statistical Review for 2013. This 2014 edition of the Review features North American market statistics through 2013, including information on every cycle of the aluminum production process, from primary aluminum to markets for finished goods to the recovery of aluminum scrap. The full report is available for purchase in the Aluminum Association bookstore at www.aluminum.org.

This year’s edition shows continued growth in demand for the metal and positive trend lines in many key market sectors. Among key findings, the report found that in 2013 in the U.S. and Canada:

• Demand for aluminum (producer net shipments and imports) increased by 2.0 percent to 24.2 billion lb.
• Supply of aluminum (domestic primary production, secondary production and imports) grew by 0.9 percent to 25.4 billion lb.
• Shipments in the transportation sector grew 4.6 percent to 7.4 billion lb.
• Shipments in the building and construction market increased 0.9 percent to 2.6 billion lb.
• Container and packaging shipments declined 1.3 percent to 4.6 billion lb.
• Net shipments of semi-fabricated or mill products increased 1.5 percent over the previous year to 16.5 billion lb.

“This Review is an essential tool for anyone looking for a complete understanding of the North American aluminum industry,” said Ryan Olsen, the Aluminum Association vice president for business information and statistics. “The data illustrates the growth in North American demand for aluminum in 2013, and how that growth continues a trend of positive developments that bode well for the industry in the coming years.”

The aluminum industry helps manufacturers produce sustainable and innovative products, including more fuel efficient vehicles, recyclable packaging, greener buildings and modern electronics. In the U.S., the industry creates $152 billion in economic activity (nearly one percent of GDP) and continues to see positive demand growth in a variety of key markets.

In 2013, the industry shipped more than 24 billion lb of metal for the first time since before the recession. Demand is up nearly one-third (31 percent) overall since 2009 and is approaching record-setting levels not seen since the mid-2000s. Demand in the building and construction sector has grown nearly 11 percent since 2009 while the transportation market has grown an unprecedented 75 percent during the same time period. The aluminum industry has committed to more than $2 billion in domestic capital investment to capture anticipated demand growth in the coming years.

The Aluminum Statistical Review is intended to support members of the industry, financial analysts, government agencies, students and the general public. It is divided into five major sections: supply, shipments, markets, foreign trade, and world statistics. Its contents include text, tables and charts to provide year-end figures and other historic data on U.S. and Canadian shipments, markets, supply and foreign trade. The latest edition spotlights the last ten years (2003-2013) and also provides historical statistics on the aluminum industry.

To purchase a download of the Aluminum Statistical Review for 2013 please visit www.aluminum.org and click the “Bookstore” tab. The member price is $150 and the non-member price is $300.

The Aluminum Association represents U.S. and foreign-based companies and their suppliers throughout the value chain, from primary production to value added products to recycling.  The Association is the industry’s leading voice, providing global standards, business intelligence, sustainability research and industry expertise to member companies, policymakers and the general public.

www.aluminum.org