Secondary Aluminum Smelter Projects Growing to the Tune of $14 Billion

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Aluminum, which is the second-most widely used metal after steel, continues to play an indispensable role in several industries. With remarkable properties like corrosion resistance, recyclability and lightweight nature, aluminum spans applications across various sectors including transportation, construction, electronics, renewable energy systems, home furnishing and fixtures.

Despite a slump in prices mainly attributed to the global economic slowdown--especially in China--demand for aluminum has remained steady owing to the rising requirements from these sectors. As projected by the International Aluminium Association, the demand for aluminum is anticipated to grow by 40% reaching 119.5 metric tonnes by 2030.

Commonly found in nature as a hydrated oxide (alumina), primary aluminum is extracted from its mineral ore bauxite via the Bayer process and is smelted through the Hall-Heroult process for further use. Aluminum is also regenerated by recycling aluminum scrap to produce secondary aluminum, the smelting process of which is much more environmentally viable and energy efficient in comparison to smelting primary aluminum.

Industrial Info is tracking 247 capital-spending projects worldwide worth about US$14 billion that are geared toward aluminum smelting, with almost all of the spending aimed at secondary aluminum smelters.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Project Database can click here for a list of detailed project reports.

Asia is the biggest driver of investment and owns about 90% of the market with a project spending of around US$12 billion across 187 projects. It is followed by North America (US$997 million) and Europe (US$215 million).

By country, China leads the way with a total spend pipeline of around US$12 billion across 171 projects, followed by the U.S. (US$983 million) and Turkey (about US$115 million). Other countries with substantial investments include Greece, Azerbaijan, France, Romania and the United Kingdom.

With a combined project spending of around US$2 billion, Bolang Aluminum (Henan) Company Limited (Henan, China), Century Aluminum Incorporated (NASDAQ:CENX) (Chicago, Illinois) and Taishan Jinqiao Aluminum Profile Manufactory Limited (Taishan, China) are the top players in the market, having a cumulative market share of 13%.

One of the leading spenders, Century Aluminum Incorporated, in a joint venture with MX Holdings, is planning to construct a secondary aluminum billet plant in the Ohio valley region. Subscribers can click here to read the project report.

With about 60% of the investment is in the planning stages, 17% in the engineering phase and 23% already under construction, most of these projects are anticipated to be completed between December 2024 and December 2025, while the rest will reach fruition by August 2029.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking over 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 Trillion (USD).