Search Back Issues

Demand for aluminum products in the United States and Canada increased 4.3 percent in the first quarter compared with the same three months of 2023, the Aluminum Association reported. Demand totaled just under 7 billion pounds through March.

This followed a 3.9 percent decline last year after strong growth in 2022.

“Domestic aluminum demand is rebounding so far this year amid continued interest from our customers and end consumers in more sustainable, recyclable material options,” said Charles Johnson, president and CEO of the Aluminum Association. “We continue to believe that the North American region –  and the United States in particular –  is one of the best places in the world to make and use aluminum. The ongoing investment and demand we are seeing appear to agree.”

Among key takeaways from the report:

• Aluminum demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 6,955 million pounds through March, compared to the Q1 2023 total of 6,666 million pounds.

• Primary aluminum ingot shipments increased 16 percent year over year compared with the first quarter of 2023 while sheet and plate shipments grew 6.1 percent during the same time period.

• At the same time, foil shipments dropped 19.2 percent and extruded product shipments fell 5.4 percent in the first quarter compared with last year.

• Total semi-fabricated –  or “mill” – product demand was up five-tenths of one percent year over year.

• Exports of aluminum ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross border trade) totaled 769 million pounds to date, up 36.6 over the same period in 2023.