The Aluminum Association released the latest edition of its Aluminum Statistical Review, which includes statistical information on all aspects of the aluminum value chain through 2016. The full report is available for purchase in the Aluminum Association bookstore and is free to members of the Aluminum Association.
The report reveals that aluminum demand in the U.S. and Canada totaled 26.4 billion pounds in 2016, an increase of 2.6 percent from 2015, and the seventh straight year of consecutive demand growth. Aluminum demand is up 41 percent since 2009, approaching record levels last seen in the mid-2000s. Growth in the automotive market contributed significantly to the continued demand increases. Aluminum shipments for use in passenger vehicles totaled 5.9 billion pounds in 2016, the second year in a row of record shipments since tracking began in 1967. At the same time, total imports spiked by nearly 33 percent in 2016 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,” said Heidi Brock, President & 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 other key findings for the North American industry, the report found that in 2016:
- Primary aluminum production decreased 9.8 percent from 2015 to 8.9 billion pounds.
- Shipments to the Transportation sector grew 1.0 percent to 9.3 billion pounds, the largest single market and 35.2 percent of total net shipments. Since 2009, the transportation market has grown nearly 116 percent.
- Shipments in the Building and Construction market increased 3.3 percent to 3.2 billion pounds. Shipments in that market have grown more than 25 percent since 2009.
- Container and Packaging shipments were up 1.0 percent over 2015, totaling 4.8 billion pounds.
A net exporter of aluminum, Canadian aluminum exports totaled 8.2 billion pounds, an increase of 8.5 percent over the previous year.
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. 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. While the latest edition spotlights 2006-2016, it also provides historical statistics on the aluminum industry.
To purchase a download of the Aluminum Statistical Review for 2016, visit the Aluminum Association bookstore. The Review is free for members and $300 for non-members.
For additional information, contact Ryan Olsen at rolsen@aluminum.org or Hank Sattlethight at hsattlethight@aluminum.org.