Aluminium production continues to fall significantly

The production of raw aluminium fell by eight per cent to around 774,000 tonnes in the third quarter. After the first three quarters, output stands at just over 2.3 million tonnes (-11 per cent). The production of primary aluminium fell in the period from January to September by 48 per cent compared to the same period last year - the smelters produced around 147,000 tonnes. Before the energy crisis, this figure was 391,000 tonnes in the same period (Q1-Q3 2021).

„It gives me pause for thought when three quarters of our industry currently rate the competitiveness of Germany as an industrial location as low or very low - according to the survey that we regularly conduct in the association. For the vast majority, energy prices remain the most important issue. Many are also expecting further tension on the energy markets in the winter months. At the moment, we don't see any light at the end of the tunnel.“

Rob van Gils, President Aluminium Germany

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The Further processing into semi-finished aluminium products recorded just under 607,000 tonnes in the third quarter. also a significant minus (-8 per cent). The decline among manufacturers of extruded products was in the double-digit range (-17 per cent), while the production of rolled products fell comparatively moderately (-6 per cent). In the first three quarters of this year, a total of 1.8 million tonnes of semi-finished products were produced in Germany (-10%).  

„Aluminium remains one of the key pillars of the transformation. Demand will increase significantly in the medium and long term. However, the economic headwind is currently hitting us hard - in addition to the high energy prices. As a basic materials industry, we supply many sectors of the economy. Orders have literally collapsed in the construction industry in particular. But demand is also weakening in the all-important automotive sector.“

Rob van Gils

Source: Aluminium Germany