The Aluminum Association released the latest edition of the Aluminum Statistical Review for 2014.
The latest edition of the review, which features a new design and statistics through 2014 in the North American market, includes information on every cycle of the aluminum production process.
This year’s review 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 2014 in the U.S. and Canada:
•Demand for aluminum (producer net shipments and imports) increased by 3.6 percent to 25.5 billion lbs.
•U.S. imports of aluminum and aluminum products increased 7.0 percent over 2013, to a total of 11.7 billion lbs.
•Growth in U.S. imports was largely a result of an increase in aluminum originating from China, with shipments up 38 percent over 2013 levels.
•Shipments to the transportation sector grew 11.1 percent to 8.4 billion lbs.
•Shipments in the building and construction market increased 6.7 percent to 3.1 billion lbs.
•Container and packaging shipments edged up four-tenths of one percent to 4.6 billion lbs.
Net shipments of semi-fabricated or mill products increased 4.2 percent over the previous year to 17.6 billion lbs.
Aluminum Association president and chief executive officer Heidi Brock offered, “One notable takeaway from this report is the apparent increase in aluminum imports coming from China – up some 38 percent in 2014. Preliminary data suggests these imports are continuing to grow in 2015. The Association is currently working to highlight these changes in the marketplace with both the Chinese and U.S. governments to help ensure that the aluminum trade between our two countries is free, fair and transparent.”
Overall in 2014, the industry shipped more than 25.5 billion lbs. of metal for the first time since before the recession, with total demand up more than 36 percent since 2009. Demand in the building and construction sector has grown nearly 19 percent, while the transportation market has grown an unprecedented 95 percent during that same time period. Despite the recent growth, the North American aluminum industry has committed to more than $2 billion in domestic capital investment to take advantage of the anticipated continued 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.
Published in the December 2015 Edition of American Recycler News