Aluminum demand in the U.S. and Canada totaled 26.4 billion pounds in 2016, according to the latest edition of the Aluminum Association Aluminum Statistical Review.
The report, which includes statistical information on all aspects of the aluminum value chain, shows that aluminum demand increased 2.6 percent in 2016, making it the seventh consecutive year of demand growth. Since 2009, aluminum demand is up 41 percent and approaching the record levels that were seen in the mid-2000s.
Continued demand increases were driven by growth in the automotive market. Aluminum shipments for use in passenger vehicles totaled 5.9 billion pounds last year, and 2016 marked the second straight year of record shipments.
Total imports jumped nearly 33 percent for the year to a record 7.3 billion pounds.
“We are pleased to see demand growth continue for a seventh consecutive year as more and more companies look to aluminum as a solution to modern manufacturing challenges,” says Heidi Brock, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association. “However, we take the dramatic increase of imports seriously and are working to address structural overcapacity in the Chinese aluminum sector, which is driving much of this increase. We will continue our work to enforce U.S. unfair trade laws as we seek a level playing field.”
Among the report’s key findings for the North American industry, primary aluminum production decreased 9.8 percent from 2015 to 8.9 billion pounds. Shipments to the transportation sector increased 1 percent to 9.3 billion pounds. Transportation is the largest single market for aluminum shipments and 35.2 percent of total net shipments, according to the Aluminum Association. The transportation market has grown nearly 116 percent since 2009.
The report also found that shipments in the building and construction market increased 3.3 percent to 3.2 billion pounds. Overall, the market is up more than 25 percent since 2009. Additionally, container and packaging shipments were up 1 percent over 2015 at 4.8 billion pounds.
Canadian aluminum exports totaled 8.2 billion pounds in 2016, a year-over-year increase of 8.5 percent.
The Aluminum Statistical Review provides comprehensive data and information on the aluminum sector to industry stakeholders, financial analysts, government agencies, students and the general public. To purchase a download of the 2016 Aluminum Statistical Review, visit the Aluminum Association bookstore at
www.aluminum.org.