ALUMINUM—1997 5.1

ALUMINUM

By Patricia A. Plunkert

Domestic primary aluminum production increased slightly in

1997 to just over 3.6 million metric tons. Thirteen companies

operated 22 primary aluminum reduction plants, and 1 plant

remained closed. Montana, Oregon, and Washington accounted

for 38% of the production; Kentucky, North Carolina, South

Carolina, and Tennessee, 21%; and other States, 41%. The value

was estimated to be $6.1 billion.

Aluminum recovered from purchased scrap increased to almost

3.7 million tons. Of this recovered metal, 59% came from new

(manufacturing) scrap and 41% from old (discarded aluminum

products) scrap. Aluminum used beverage can (UBC) scrap

accounted for more than one-half of the reported old scrap

consumption in 1997. The recycling rate for aluminum UBC’s

increased to 66.5%.

Transportation and the container and packaging industries

remained the largest domestic markets for aluminum products in

1997. The transportation industry accounted for an estimated 34%

of domestic consumption; containers and packaging, 25%;

building and construction, 15%; electrical and consumer durables,

8% each; and other uses 10%.

U.S. imports for consumption of aluminum materials increased

in 1997, reversing a downward trend that began in 1995. Canada

remained the largest shipper of aluminum materials to the United

States. Shipments of crude metal and alloys from Russia, the

second largest source of U.S. imports, appear to have stabilized in

the area of 400,000 tons over the last 3 years. Total exports from

the United States also increased in 1997.

The price of primary ingot on the domestic and the

international markets fluctuated during the year. The annual

average price of primary ingot was modestly higher than that in

1996. Prices in the aluminum scrap markets paralleled the general

trend of primary ingot prices during the year.

World inventory levels at the end of 1997 were mixed, though

overall there was about a 130,000-ton net decrease. Inventories

held by the London Metal Exchange (LME) decreased by about

300,000 tons. World producer total metal stocks, however,

increased slightly, as reported by the International Primary

Aluminum Institute (IPAI). U.S. inventories also increased

slightly during the year.

Primary aluminum was produced in 43 countries in 1997. The

United States was the largest producer with 17% of the world

total, followed by Russia with 14% and Canada with 11%. World

metal production increased 3% compared with that of 1996.

Legislation and Government Programs

The 1997 Defense Authorization Act authorized the Defense

Logistics Agency (DLA) to sell the entire inventory of aluminum

metal, 57,046 tons (62,882 short tons), from the National Defense

Stockpile (NDS). Sales began in April and continued through

October. By the end of the calendar year, 56,665 tons (62,462

short tons) of metal had been sold. The value of the metal sold

was approximately $92.7 million.

Production

Primary.—Domestic primary aluminum production, totaling

3,603,362 tons, increased by 1% compared with that in 1996. (See

tables 1 and 2.) Production data were obtained from the 13

domestic producers, all of whom responded to the request from

the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for data. 

Reynolds Metals Co. announced the planned restart of limited

production at its Troutdale, OR, primary aluminum smelter by

February 1998 at an annual rate of 27,000 tons. The Troutdale

smelter, which has an installed capacity of 121,000 tons per year,

had been idle since December 1991 (Reynolds Metals Co., 1998).

Reynolds also announced that it had begun the process of

restarting 47,000 tons per year of production at its 204,000-tonper-year Longview, WA, primary aluminum smelter. The restart

was expected to be completed in the second quarter of 1998

(Reynolds Metals Co., 1998).

Noranda Aluminum Inc. announced that it had awarded a $3-

million contract to ICF Kaiser International Inc. to provide

engineering and design services for a $54-million modernization

project at its New Madrid, MO, primary aluminum smelter. The

10-month project, which involves the conversion to a new singlepiece anode technology, was expected to increase existing annual

capacity of 220,000 tons by about 33,000 tons (33 Metal

Producing, 1997).

Noranda also announced the signing of a new 5-year labor

agreement with its workers at the New Madrid smelter. The

agreement reportedly includes an 8% wage increase over 5 years

and improved pension and vacation benefits. The new contract

went into effect September 1 and was set to expire August 31,

2002 (Platt’s Metals Week, 1997c).

Ormet Primary Aluminum Corp. announced that it had signed

a 10-year agreement, beginning in 2000, with CNG Energy

Services that will provide most of Ormet’s power supply for its

Hannibal, OH, smelter and rolling mill through a jointmanagement committee and power trading desk. The trading desk

will be responsible for acquiring power, arranging for

transmission, developing price and risk management strategies to

control Ormet’s power costs, and assuring reliability of the power

supply (Ormet Primary Aluminum Corp., 1997).

Alumax Inc. announced that it was investing $18 million to

increase aluminum extrusion billet production capacity by 30% to

227,000 tons per year. The production of aluminum extrusion

billet involves casting primary aluminum into logs, followed by

a process called homogenizing—heat-treating the logs to prevent

the chemical segregation of alloying elements. Continuous
5.2 ALUMINUM—1997

homogenizing furnace systems are being installed at the

company’s Eastalco smelter in Frederick, MD, and the Intalco

smelter in Ferndale, WA. Both systems are expected to be fully

operational by the end of 1998 (Alumax Inc., 1997b).

Alumax also announced plans to construct a fully integrated

extrusion plant on the site of its old rolling mill in Morris, IL, that

was closed in 1994. The $35-million investment will include the

installation of two extrusion presses—an existing 3,300-ton press

to be relocated from the company’s Franklin, NH, facility and a

new 7,300-ton press. Initially, the plant, scheduled to begin

production in early 1998, will manufacture extrusions for the

automotive and truck-trailer markets, as well as various shapes for

service centers (Alumax Inc., 1997a).

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. reported the consolidation

of its aluminum forging operations into two facilities with the

closure of its Erie, PA, plant. Kaiser will shift the manufacture of

its Erie forgings to its other plants in Greenwood, SC, and

Oxnard, CA (Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., 1997b).

During the year, Reynolds announced the sale of several of its

fabrication plants. In March, the company’s U.S. residential

construction products operations were sold to AmeriMark

Building Products Inc. In May, the extrusion plant in El Campo,

TX, was sold to William L. Bonnell, a subsidiary of Tredegar

Industries Inc. In June, Kaiser bought the Bellwood, VA,

extrusion plant; and in November, Eckart Aluminium L.P.

purchased a powder and paste plant in Louisville, KY (Reynolds

Metals Co., 1998). 

In addition to the changes announced by the integrated

aluminum companies, several independent fabricators reported

significant plant expansions. In the die-casting industry, Mitsui

Components (U.S.A.) Inc. opened a new plant in Casa Grande,

AZ, that will produce small aluminum die-cast components for

the automotive and consumer electronics markets (Furukawa,

1997). SPX Corp.’s Contech division began construction of a new

$8.4-million, die-casting facility in Pierceton, IN, which is

expected to produce power steering components for the

automotive industry (American Metal Market, 1997b). Ryobi Die

Casting (USA) Inc. announced a major expansion at its

Shelbyville, IN, plant that will add an estimated 25,000 to 27,000

tons (55 million to 60 million pounds) of annual production

capability for light-alloy castings (Wrigley, 1997b).

JW Aluminum Co. reported that it had begun a 2-year, $31-

million expansion project at its Mount Holly, SC, rolling mill that

is expected to increase its capacity by 60% to 109,000 tons (240

million pounds) per year. This plant produces high-quality

aluminum foil, fin stock, litho sheet, and coiled sheet products

(Platt’s Metals Week, 1997a).

Secondary.—Metal recovered from new and old scrap

increased to 3.7 million tons in 1997, according to data derived

by the USGS from its “Aluminum Scrap” survey. (See tables 3, 4,

and 5.) Of the 93 companies and/or plants to which monthly or

annual survey requests were sent, 66 responded, representing 86%

of the total scrap consumed shown in table 4.

According to figures released by the Aluminum Association

Inc., the Can Manufacturers Institute, and the Institute of Scrap

Recycling Industries, 66.8 billion aluminum UBC’s were recycled

in the United States during 1997. The recycling rate, based on the

number of cans shipped during the year, was 66.5%, a modest

increase from the 63.5% recycling rate reported in 1996.

According to the organizations’ joint press release, aluminum

beverage cans produced domestically in 1997 had an average

54.7% postconsumer recycled content, the highest recycled

content percentage of all packaging materials. 

During the year, there were several major acquisitions of

recycling plants by Philip Services Corp., Wabash Alloys, and

Imco Recycling.

Reynolds reported the sale of its Bellwood, VA, secondary

recycling plant to Philip Metals Recovery (USA) Inc., a subsidiary

of Philip Services Corp. The plant processes scrap aluminum into

a deoxidizing agent used by the steel industry (Reynolds Metals

Co., 1998). Philip Services also purchased Roth Brothers

Smelting Corp. Prior to the sale, Roth Brothers’ secondary

aluminum smelter in Syracuse, NY, had begun an expansion

program to increase production capacity from 74,000 tons per

year to 110,000 tons of ingot per year. The expansion was

expected to continue under the new ownership (Platt’s Metals

Week, 1997d).

In September, Wabash Alloys announced that it had purchased

the 2,700-ton-per-month Tipton, IN, secondary aluminum smelter

from U.S. Reduction Co. (Platt’s Metals Week, 1997e). In late

November, Wabash purchased most of the remaining major assets

of U.S. Reduction. In this court-ordered auction, Wabash took

over ownership of the secondary aluminum smelters in Marietta,

PA, Checotah, OK, and Russellville, AL, as well as the equipment

from the smelters in East Chicago, IL, and Toledo, OH. The $29-

million purchase was expected to bring Wabash’s rated capacity

for the production of aluminum ingot to 545,000 tons (1.2 billion

pounds) per year (Metal Bulletin, 1997e).

In January, Imco Recycling Inc. acquired Imsamet, a wholly

owned subsidiary of EnviroSource Inc. The purchase included

three aluminum recycling plants—Goodyear, AZ, Post Falls, ID,

and Wendover, UT—and a 50% interest in a facility, near the

Utah plant, that reclaims materials from salt cake, a byproduct of

aluminum recycling (American Metal Market, 1997d). Earlier in

the month, Imco purchased Rock Creek Aluminum Inc., a

supplier of deoxidation products to the steel industry. Rock

Creek’s three plants in Cleveland, Elyria, and Rock Creek, OH,

mechanically process about 68,000 tons (150 million pounds) per

year of aluminum scrap and dross (Worden, 1997a). In

September, Imco acquired Alchem Aluminum Inc., a privately

owned producer of specification aluminum alloys for automobile

manufacturers and their suppliers. The purchase included two

secondary aluminum smelters in Coldwater, MI, with a combined

annual capacity of approximately 135,000 tons (300 million

pounds) of specification ingot and a new customer facility in

Knoxville, TN. These acquisitions and other expansions were

expected to increase Imco’s processing capacity to about 1.2

million tons (2.6 billion pounds) per year (Platt’s Metals Week,

1997b).

Superior Aluminum Alloys LLC, a subsidiary of OmniSource

Corp., announced that construction had begun on a new

secondary aluminum smelter in New Haven, IN. Upon completion

in early 1998, the smelter was expected to have a production

capacity of 54,000 to 68,000 tons (120 million to 150 million

pounds) per year (Worden, 1997b). 

Metal Exchange Corp.’s Continental Aluminum, a producer of
ALUMINUM—1997 5.3

deoxidized aluminum for the steel industry, announced that it had

begun construction of a secondary aluminum smelter in New

Hudson, MI, for the production of specification aluminum ingot.

Upon completion, the plant was expected to produce about 45,000

tons (100 million pounds) of ingot per year (Worden, 1997c).

Three Japanese companies, Toyota Tsusho America Inc. (50%),

Daiki International Trading Corp. (45%), and Toyota Tsusho

Corp. Ltd. (5%), announced the formation of a joint venture to

construct a new secondary aluminum smelter in Troy, MI, capable

of producing 30,000 tons (66 million pounds) per year of

aluminum ingot for the automotive industry. According to the

companies, production is targeted for Bodine Aluminum Inc.,

Toyota Motor’s St. Louis-based aluminum parts-casting

subsidiary, which also has a plant in Troy (Wrigley, 1997c).

Crown Cork & Seal Co. Inc. reported that it had exercised its

option to purchase Golden Aluminum Co. from ACX

Technologies, but retained option to return it to ACX within 2

years. Golden processes aluminum UBC scrap at its continuous

caster sheet mills in Fort Lupton, CO, and San Antonio, TX

(American Metal Market, 1997c).

Consumption

The transportation industry, accounting for approximately 3

million tons (29%) of total U.S. shipments of aluminum products,

remained the largest domestic consumer of aluminum. The

container and packaging industry consumed just over 2.2 million

tons of aluminum in 1997. (See tables 6 and 7.)

With new casting applications leading the way, the North

American automotive industry indicated that it planned to expand

the use of aluminum in 1998 model cars and light-duty trucks.

Depending on the number of vehicles produced, this could

increase the net use of aluminum by more than 67,000 tons (149

million pounds) in 1998 compared with that of 1997. Chrysler,

General Motors, and Toyota have all announced plans to use

aluminum cylinder blocks and heads in many of their automotive

engines. The new block- and head-casting uses for aluminum

involve secondary aluminum alloys, including A319.1 and

A380.1 with the 319 material accounting for most of the

applications. An increase in the use of aluminum sheet alloys,

including 6111 and 6022, has also been mentioned along with

new applications for aluminum extrusions and forgings (Wrigley,

1997a). 

Accuride Corp. and Kaiser have formed a joint venture, AKW

L.P., to design, manufacture, and market aluminum wheels for

the commercial transportation industry. AKW plans to introduce

a new brand of forged aluminum wheels for medium and heavy

trucks, trailers, RV’s, buses, and other commercial equipment

(Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., 1997a).

Stocks

Inventories of aluminum ingot, mill products, and scrap at

reduction and other processing plants, as reported by the U.S.

Department of Commerce, increased from a revised 1.86 million

tons at yearend 1996 to 1.88 million tons at yearend 1997.

The LME reported that its U.S. warehouses held 325 tons of

primary aluminum metal ingot at yearend 1997, a dramatic

decrease from the approximately 12,400 tons of metal held in

these warehouses at yearend 1996. The LME also reported that

aluminum alloy ingot at its U.S. warehouses at yearend 1997

totaled 7,260 tons, a significant decrease from the 20,100 tons of

alloy held at yearend 1996.

The DLA began the sale of aluminum metal from the NDS in

April 1997. By the end of the year, the DLA reported that almost

the entire inventory of 57,000 tons (about 62,900 short tons) of

aluminum metal had been sold, and the NDS inventory had

decreased to 345 tons (380 short tons) of aluminum metal.

Prices

The monthly average U.S. market price of primary aluminum

metal, as reported by Platt’s Metals Week, fluctuated during the

year. The monthly average price began the year at 76.1 cents per

pound and reached a high of 80.1 cents per pound in August. By

December, the monthly average had fallen to a low for the year of

74.7 cents per pound. The average price for the year was 77.1

cents per pound, a moderate increase compared with the 1996

average annual price of 71.3 cents per pound.

The LME cash price for high-grade primary aluminum ingot

followed the same general trend as the U.S. market price. The

1997 average annual LME cash price was 72.5 cents per pound.

Purchase prices for aluminum scrap, as quoted by American

Metal Market (AMM), followed the general trend of primary

ingot prices. However, scrap prices closed the year at slightly

higher levels than those at the beginning of the year. The yearend

price ranges for selected types of aluminum scrap were as follows:

mixed low-copper-content aluminum clips, 56 to 57 cents per

pound; old sheet and cast, 49 to 50 cents per pound; and clean,

dry aluminum turnings, 50 to 51 cents per pound.

Aluminum producers’ buying price range for processed and

delivered UBC’s, as quoted by AMM, fluctuated during the year.

The price range began the year at 53 to 54 cents per pound,

reached a high of 59 to 61 cents per pound in April and in

August, and closed the year at 55 to 56 cents per pound. Resource

Recycling published a monthly transaction price for aluminum

UBC’s in its Container Recycling Report. The average annual

UBC transaction price for 1997 was 60.3 cents per pound, a

moderate increase from the 1996 annual average of 54.7 cents per

pound.

The yearend indicator prices, as published in AMM, for

selected secondary aluminum ingots also increased compared with

those of 1996 and were as follows: alloy 380 (1% zinc content),

81.31 cents per pound; alloy 360 (0.6% copper content), 86.53

cents per pound; alloy 413 (0.6% copper content), 86.35 cents per

pound; and alloy 319, 84.71 cents per pound. Platt’s Metals Week

published an annual average U.S. price of 75.5 cents per pound

for A-380 alloy (3% zinc content). The average annual LME cash

price for a similar 380 alloy was 66 cents per pound.

Foreign Trade

Total exports of aluminum from the United States increased in

1997 compared with those of 1996. Although exports of crude

metal and alloys decreased, semifabricated materials and scrap

exports increased compared with those of 1996. Canada, Mexico,
5.4 ALUMINUM—1997

and Japan, in decreasing order of shipments, accounted for almost

two-thirds of total U.S. exports. (See tables 8 and 9.)

Imports for consumption increased in 1997, reversing a

downward trend that began in 1995. Canada remained the major

source country, supplying about two-thirds of total imports.

Russia remained the second largest supplier of aluminum

materials. Imports of crude metal and alloys from Russia have

stabilized in the 400,000-ton-per-year range over the last 3 years,

following the rapid growth in shipments that occurred between

1991 and 1994. (See tables 10 and 11.)

World Review

World production of primary aluminum metal increased 3% in

1997 compared with that of 1996. (See table 12.) Strong demand

for primary aluminum, tight supply, and rising premiums

characterized the U.S. and European markets. By contrast, the

financial turmoil in Asia began to take its toll on that area’s

aluminum market during the latter part of the year. As the

financial and economic crises in Asia spread, the LME prices also

came under pressure and began a downward slide in September

that continued through the end of the year; this occurred despite

a decrease in world inventories and strong growth in demand in

the United States and Western Europe. 

Unwrought primary aluminum inventories held by members of

the IPAI decreased from 1.69 million tons at yearend 1996 to 1.64

million tons at yearend 1997. IPAI total metal inventories,

including secondary aluminum, increased from 3.14 million tons

at yearend 1996 to 3.16 million tons at yearend 1997.

Inventories of primary aluminum metal held by the LME

decreased steadily during the first half of the year, increased

briefly during the late summer and early autumn, before

continuing its downward trend. By the end of the year, inventories

had decreased to 622,000 tons from 951,000 tons at the end of

1996.

Australia.—Comalco Ltd. reported the commissioning of a

third potline at its Boyne Island primary aluminum smelter. The

$740 million project included the construction of a new potline of

264 cells, a carbon-baking furnace, additional metal casting

facilities and auxiliary equipment. The expansion was completed

6 months ahead of schedule and increased annual capacity at the

smelter from 260,000 tons per year to 490,000 tons per year,

making the smelter one of the largest in the world (van Os, 1997).

Tomago Aluminium Co. Pty. Ltd. reported that work was

continuing on the upgrade of existing potlines at its 380,000-tonper-year smelter in New South Wales. Upon completion of the

work in mid-1998, the annual capacity of the primary aluminum

smelter would increase to 440,000 tons. Tomago also announced

that the joint-venture partners were looking at the feasibility of

adding a fourth potline at Tomago that could increase capacity at

the smelter to 660,000 tons per year by 2003 (Metal Bulletin,

1997d).

Brazil.—Alcan Aluminium Ltd. announced that it would invest

approximately $350 million over the next 3 years to expand and

modernize aluminum rolling operations in Brazil to serve the

rapidly growing South American market for aluminum beverage

cans. In a two-phase expansion program, Alcan’s Brazilian

subsidiary, Alcan Alumínio do Brasil S.A. (Alcanbrasil), will

more than double production capacity at its Pindamonhangaba

(Pinda) aluminum sheet rolling facility from 100,000 tons per

year to 250,000 tons per year. The existing Pinda plant is already

the largest aluminum rolling operation in Latin America and the

only one capable of producing beverage can sheet. The first phase

of the expansion will involve the installation of a tandem

finishing mill for the existing hot mill and should be operational

within 2 years. The second phase will include the addition of a

second cold-rolling mill and associated equipment and is targeted

for startup in 2000 (Alcan Aluminium Ltd., 1997b). As part of the

expansion project, Alcanbrasil also constructed a 30,000-ton-peryear UBC recycling facility that was commissioned in February

1998 (Alcan Aluminium Ltd., 1998). 

Canada.—Alcan announced its decision to proceed with the

development of a new 375,000-ton-per-year primary aluminum

smelter at Alma, Quebec. Preliminary planning for this $1.6-

billion project was completed during 1997. Environmental

clearance for the project was obtained from the Government of

Quebec, and a long-term contract was reached for the supply of

electricity from Hydro-Québec. Work at the site began in March

1998 and the first aluminum production was expected in the fall

of 2000 (Alcan Aluminium Ltd., 1998).

Alcan also announced the restart of 22,000 tons per year of

capacity at its primary aluminum smelter in Kitimat, British

Columbia, which would return the smelter to its full operating

capacity of 272,000 tons per year. The restart, which began in

November, was one element of a legal agreement with the

Government of British Columbia to settle the outstanding issues

related to the Kemano Completion (hydroelectric) Project (Alcan

Aluminium Ltd., 1998). 

Wabash Alloys moved into a new secondary aluminum smelter

complex in Mississauga, Ontario, which replaces its Toronto

facility. The new smelter has an initial monthly capacity of 5,400

tons (12 million pounds) of specification aluminum alloys. The

company reported that, if demand increased, the smelter capacity

would be expanded to 9,100 tons (20 million pounds) per month

(Worden, 1997d). 

China.—Alcan and China National Non-Ferrous Metals

Industry Corp. announced the signing of a Memorandum of

Understanding to complete a detailed feasibility study on a

proposed primary aluminum smelter and power complex at Hejin

City, Shanxi Province. The project has received the consent of all

relevant government departments and has been approved by the

State Planning Commission. The feasibility study on the 240,000-

ton-per-year smelter and dedicated power complex was expected

to take approximately 12 to 18 months to complete (Alcan

Aluminium Ltd., 1997a).

Shanghai Sigma Metals, China’s largest secondary aluminum

producer, announced plans to increase capacity at its secondary

smelter in Shanghai from 7,000 tons per month to 11,000 tons per

month of aluminum alloy ingot by the end of 1998. The company

is a joint venture between Taiwan’s Sigma Brothers Inc. and the

local Shanghai government. Most of the alloy produced at this

plant is destined for the automotive industry in Japan (Reed,

1997).

Dubai.—Dubai Aluminium Co. (Dubal) completed a $503-

million expansion of its primary aluminum smelter 8 weeks ahead

of schedule. The expansion project included a new 240-cell
ALUMINUM—1997 5.5

potline, two new gas turbines, improvements to the carbon plant,

and the construction of a new casthouse. The potline cell

technology was developed jointly by Dubal and Comalco. The

addition of this fifth potline increased capacity at the smelter from

245,000 tons per year to 375,000 tons per year (Metal Bulletin

Monthly, 1997).

Egypt.—At the end of October, the Aluminium Co. of Egypt

(Egyptalum) completed the installation of its new 50,000-ton-peryear potline at the Nag Hammadi primary aluminum smelter.

This sixth potline, with 92 prebaked cells, increased capacity at

the smelter to 230,000 tons per year. Egyptalum announced plans

to gradually convert the smelter’s original five Soderberg potlines

to prebake technology over the next 5 years. Upon completion, the

conversion was expected to add 60,000 to 70,000 tons of annual

capacity to the smelter (Karpel, 1997).

France.—In mid-September, Pechiney announced plans to

restart all of the company’s 125,000 tons of idled primary

aluminum production capacity by the end of 1998. By the end of

1997, capacity restarts of approximately 25,000 tons per year had

taken place at the Bécancour smelter in Canada and the SaintJean-de Maurienne smelter in France. The remaining idled

capacity is split between another potline at Saint-Jean-deMaurienne, two more smelters in France, one in the Netherlands,

and one in Greece (Mining Journal, 1997b).

Hungary.—Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa) opened

a new plant in Székesfehérvár, 80 kilometers southwest of

Budapest, for the production of forged aluminum truck wheels.

The plant was designed to serve Alcoa’s European truck wheel

customers and those in Brazil and Australia who require

European-style wheels (Aluminum Company of America, 1998).

Iceland.—Icelandic Aluminium Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of

Alusuisse-Lonza Holding AG, officially opened a third potline at

its Straumsvik primary aluminum smelter. The new 160-cell

potline increased the smelter’s annual capacity from 100,000 tons

to 162,000 tons (Hotter, 1997).

Iran.—In June, the first 30,000 tons per year of capacity was

commissioned at Almahdi Aluminium Corp.’s greenfield smelter

in Bandar Abbas. Capacity at the smelter was expected to be

increased gradually until the 110,000-ton-per-year potline was

fully commissioned. A second 110,000-ton-per year potline has

been planned (Metal Bulletin, 1997c).

Japan.—Japan’s aluminum can recycling rate hit a record high

of 70.2% in the year ended March 31, up from 65.7% in the

previous 12-month period. The Japan Aluminum Can Recycling

Association estimated that 190,000 tons of aluminum cans

wererecycled versus total sales of 271,000 tons of aluminum cans

(American Metal Market, 1997e).

Mexico.—Wabash Alloys has begun construction of a new

secondary aluminum smelter at Monclova in northern Mexico

with a planned capacity of 2,700 tons (6 million pounds) per

month of aluminum alloys, to be expanded to between 4,500 and

5,400 tons (10 to 12 million pounds) per month, if demand

increases. The smelter is scheduled to begin production in the first

half of 1998. Wabash also announced that it has negotiated a 10-

year contract with Teksid Aluminio de Mexico to provide molten

319 alloy to Teksid’s foundry located near the new smelter

(Platt’s Metals Week, 1997f).

Nigeria.—The Aluminium Smelting Co. of Nigeria (Alscon)

announced that production has begun at its 193,000-ton-per-year

Ikot Abasi primary aluminum smelter. Startup of one line began

in late 1997, and it was operating at 16% of its 96,500-ton-peryear capacity at yearend. Alscon is joint venture between the

Nigerian government (70%), Ferrostaal AG of Germany (20%),

and Reynolds Metals (10%) (Reynolds Metals Co., 1998). 

Norway.—Norsk Hydro AS announced that it planned to restart

all previously idled primary aluminum smelting capacity (70,000

tons per year) by the end of 1997. In addition, brownfield

expansions at the Karmøy smelter (35,000 tons per year) and

Årdal smelter (12,000 tons per year) were expected to be

operational by the end of the year. Capacity at these two smelters

would increase to 267,000 tons per year at Karmøy and 204,000

tons per year at Årdal (Nurse, 1997).

Romania.—The 265,000-ton-per-year primary aluminum

smelter, Alro Slatina, has completed the first phase of its

modernization program. With the technological support of

Pechiney, the upgrade of one potline reduced environmental

emissions and raised dust extraction efficiency from 68% to 98%.

A second potline is scheduled to be upgraded, and there are plans

to modernize the entire plant, decreasing power consumption and

gas emissions, by 2005 (Standish, 1997).

Russia.—AluminProduct ImpEx Ltd., a joint-venture company

formed by Reynolds and Sayansk Aluminium Zavod, has signed

an agreement to supply primary aluminum ingot to Samara

Metallurgical Company (Sameco) for conversion into beverage

can stock. The agreement calls for AluminProduct to supply

primary aluminum to Sameco’s rolling plant in Samara where it

will be manufactured initially into aluminum can end, tab, and

body stock for customers in Asia and the Middle East.

AluminProduct also plans to ship can stock to customers in the

Commonwealth of Independent States as the aluminum beverage

can industry develops there (Reynolds Metals Co., 1997).

South Africa.—Gencor of South Africa announced that it will

restructure its assets into two separate companies by transferring

its base metal and coal assets to a new company to be called

Billiton Plc. and retaining its precious metals assets in Gencor

Ltd. The new Billiton will be listed on the London Stock

exchange and will have an international portfolio held in six main

divisions: aluminum, steel and ferroalloys, coal, titanium, base

metals, and nickel (Mining Journal, 1997a).

Alusaf Ltd., a subsidiary of Billiton, is conducting a feasibility

study for the environmental upgrade of potrooms B and C at its

170,000-ton-per-year Bayside smelter. Potroom A has already

been modernized to meet environmental standards. The company

is also reported to be upgrading the casthouse at Bayside to

produce value-added products such as rolling slab, extrusion

billet, electrical conductor rods, and rim alloy (Metal Bulletin,

1997a).

Spain.—After approval by the European Commission and the

Spanish government, Alcoa completed the purchase of Inespal

S.A., the state-owned aluminum producer. The purchase includes

substantially all of Inespal’s businesses (Aluminum Company of

America, 1998). The businesses include the 1.1-million-ton-peryear alumina refinery at San Ciprian; three primary aluminum

smelters, at San Ciprian, La Coruna, and Aviles, with a combined

capacity of 365,000 tons per year; three rolling mills, at

Amorebieta, Alicante, and Sabinanigo, with a combined capacity
5.6 ALUMINUM—1997

of 220,000 tons per year; two extrusion plants, at Noblejas and La

Coruna, with a combined annual capacity of 29,000 tons, and an

administrative center in Madrid (Aluminum Company of

America, 1997).

Thailand.—Mitsubishi Aluminum Co. and Muang-Thong

Aluminium Industry Co. have formed a joint venture to construct

and manage a plant near Bangkok that will produce extruded

aluminum heat exchanger components for the automotive

industry. Initially, the new company, Muang-Max (Thailand) Co.,

will have a capacity of 180 tons per month when commercial

production begins in mid-1998 (Metal Bulletin, 1997b).

United Kingdom.—The recycling rate for aluminum UBC’s in

1996 increased to 31%, according to the Aluminium Can

Recycling Association, London. Approximately 1.5 billion

UBC’s, or about 24,000 tons, were collected for recycling

(American Metal Market, 1997a).

Outlook

Despite the economic crisis in Asia, which began in 1997, the

demand for aluminum in the United States and Western Europe

continues to show strength. U.S. demand remains strong and

demand in Western Europe has been described as stable. World

production is expected to increase as previously idled capacity

continues to come back on-stream and smelter expansions are

being planned or initiated. Based on the growth indicators for the

aluminum industry, prior to the downturns in the Asian

economies, an increase in world production capacity appeared to

be required in the next couple of years. Now, however, the

timetable for these increases may have to be adjusted outward

until the demand for aluminum in the Asian markets recovers.

References Cited

33 Metal Producing, 1997, Noranda’s smelter modernization detailed: 33 Metal

Producing, v. 35, no. 10, p. 16.

Alcan Aluminium Ltd., 1997a, Alcan Aluminium Limited announces signing of a

memorandum of understanding on feasibility study for Chinese smelter and

power complex: Montreal, Canada, Alcan Aluminium Ltd. press release,

November 27, 1 p.

———1997b, Alcan Aluminium Limited announces US$350-million investment in

Brazil: Montreal, Canada, Alcan Aluminium Ltd. press release, April 22, 1 p.

———1998, Alcan annual report 1997: Montreal, Canada, Alcan Aluminium Ltd.,

65 p.

Alumax Inc., 1997a, Alumax Extrusions to expand capacity with model plant built for

the future: Atlanta, GA, Alumax news, October 2, 2 p.

———1997b, Alumax invests $18 million in aluminum billet expansion: Atlanta,

GA, Alumax news, September 16, 2 p.

Aluminum Company of America, 1997, Alcoa to acquire Spanish aluminum producer

Inespal: Pittsburgh, PA, Aluminum Company of America press release, July

29, 1 p.

———1998, Alcoa annual report 1997: Pittsburgh, PA, Aluminum Company of

America, 63 p.

American Metal Market, 1997a, British UBC recycling climbs for eighth year:

American Metal Market, v. 105, no. 106, June 3, p. 10.

———1997b, Contech starts work on new die-casting plant: American Metal Market,

v. 105, no. 89, May 8, p. 6.

———1997c, Crown Cork takes over Golden: American Metal Market, v. 105, no.

45, March 6, p. 12.

———1997d, Imco closes deal on Imsamet purchase: American Metal Market, v.

105, no. 17, January 24, p. 7.

———1997e, Japan’s can recycling rate hits record high: American Metal Market,

v. 105, no. 118, June 19, p. 7.

Furukawa, Tsukasa, 1997, Mitsui sets opening of US die cast plant: American Metal

Market, v. 105, no. 82, April 29, p. 2.

Hotter, Andrea, 1997, More from the land of ice and fire: Metal Bulletin Monthly, no.

324, December, p. 64-67.

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp., 1997a, Accuride and Kaiser Aluminum

formalize partnership to form AKW L.P.: Houston, TX, Kaiser Aluminum &

Chemical Corp. press release, May 5, 2 p.

———1997b, Kaiser Aluminum to consolidate forgings business into two facilities,

resulting in shut down of forgings operations at Erie, Pennsylvania, plant;

separate joint venture to continue at Erie: Houston, TX, Kaiser Aluminum &

Chemical Corp. press release, July 21, 2 p.

Karpel, Steve, 1997, Egyptalum prepares for new markets: Metal Bulletin Monthly,

no. 318, June, p. 62-64.

Metal Bulletin, 1997a, Alusaf conducts feasibility study at Bayside: Metal Bulletin,

no. 8228, November 13, p. 5.

———1997b, Extrusion joint venture to enter Thailand: Metal Bulletin, no. 8184,

June 5, p. 6.

———1997c, Rafsanjani inaugurates Almahdi smelter: Metal Bulletin, no. 8186,

June 12, p. 5.

———1997d, Tomago considering fourth potline: Metal Bulletin, no. 8233,

December 1, p. 5.

———1997e, Wabash Alloys secures US Reduction at auction: Metal Bulletin, no.

8234, December 4, p. 11.

Metal Bulletin Monthly, 1997, Falcon project on stream ahead of time: Metal Bulletin

Monthly, no. 315, March, p. 12-15.

Mining Journal, 1997a, New Billiton to acquire QNI: Mining Journal, v. 328, no.

8434, June 20, p. 481-482.

———1997b, Pechiney restart plan: Mining Journal, v. 329, no. 8459, December 12,

p. 487.

Nurse, Milton, 1997, Hydro continues to grow: Metal Bulletin Monthly Supplement,

September, p. 41-45.

Ormet Primary Aluminum Corp., 1997, Ormet Primary Aluminum Corp. announces

10-year energy management agreement with CNG: Wheeling, WV, Ormet

Primary Aluminum Corp. press release, June 17, 1 p.

Platt’s Metals Week, 1997a, Aluminum sheet mill JW Aluminum to expand

60%: Platt’s Metals Week, v. 68, no. 29, July 21, p. 10.

———1997b, Imco Recycling to acquire US secondary Alchem Aluminum: Platt’s

Metals Week, v. 68, no. 38, September 22, p. 11-12.

———1997c, Noranda labor deal assures customers: Platt’s Metals Week, v. 68, no.

13, March 31, p. 9-10.

———1997d, Roth Brothers sold to Philip, new aluminum powerhouse: Platt’s

Metals Week, v. 68, no. 28, July 14, p. 4.

———1997e, US secondary Wabash buys US Reduction’s Tipton plant: Platt’s

Metals Week, v. 68, no. 38, September 22, p. 12-13.

———1997f, Wabash Alloys plans Mexican smelter near Teksid: Platt’s Metals

Week, v. 68, no. 8, February 24, p. 2, 10.

Reed, Camila, 1997, Sigma Metals to expand secondary aluminium output: Metal

Bulletin, no. 8225, November 3, p. 12.

Reynolds Metals Co., 1997, Reynolds Metals joint venture company and Sameco sign

agreement to produce beverage can stock: Richmond, VA, Reynolds Metals

Co. press release, September 26, 1 p.

———1998, Reynolds Metals Co. 10-K report 1997: Securities and Exchange

Commission, 77 p.

Standish, Alex, 1997, Alro proceeds with smelter modernization: Metal Bulletin, no.

8190, June 26, p. 6.

van Os, John, 1997, Boyne Island expansion starts up: Metal Bulletin Monthly

Supplement, September, p. 23-27.

Worden, Edward, 1997a, Imco to acquire Rock Creek: American Metal Market, v.

105, no. 4, January 7, p. 10.

———1997b, OmniSource picks Indiana smelter site: American Metal Market, v.

105, no. 130, July 8, p. 9.
ALUMINUM—1997 5.7

———1997c, Secondary smelter joins crowd: American Metal Market, v. 105, no.

118, June 19, p. 1.

———1997d, Wabash Alloys moving to new Ontario facility: American Metal

Market, v. 105, no. 8, January 13, p. 8.

Wrigley, Al, 1997a, Detroit still finding aluminum add-ons: American Metal Market,

v. 105, no. 165, August 26, p. 1, 9.

———1997b, Ryobi boosts capacity for aluminum castings: American Metal

Market, v. 105, no. 180, September 17, p. 2.

———1997c, US smelter planned by Japanese group: American Metal Market, v.

105, no. 102, May 28, p. 1.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

U.S. Geological Survey Publications

Aluminum. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries, annual.1

Aluminum. Mineral Industry Surveys, monthly.1

Aluminum and Bauxite. Ch. in United States mineral resources,

U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 820, 1973.

Bauxite and Alumina. Ch. in Mineral Commodity Summaries,

annual.1

Bauxite and Alumina. Mineral Industry Surveys, quarterly.1

World bauxite resources, U.S. Geological Survey Professional

Paper 1076-B, 1986.

Other

Aluminum Association Inc. Aluminum Statistical Review,

annual.

Alumina Plants Worldwide, U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1993.

Bauxite Mines Worldwide, U.S. Bureau of Mines, 1994.

Primary Aluminum Plants Worldwide, U.S. Bureau of Mines,

1990.

1Prior to January 1996, published by the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
TABLE 1

SALIENT ALUMINUM STATISTICS 1/

(Thousand metric tons, unless otherwise specified)

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

United States:

 Primary production 3,695 3,299 3,375 3,577 3,603

 Value (million dollars) $4,340 $5,180 $6,390 $5,630 $6,120

 Price (average cents per pound)

 U.S. market (spot) 53.3 71.2 85.9 71.3 77.1

 Inventories (December 31)

 Aluminum industry 2/ 1,980 2,070 2,000 1,860 r/ 1,880

 LME stocks in U.S. warehouses 168 16 14 12 (3/)

 National Defense Stockpile 57 57 57 57 (3/)

 Secondary recovery 4/ 2,940 3,090 3,190 3,310 r/ 3,690

 New scrap 1,310 1,580 1,680 1,730 r/ 2,160

 Old scrap 1,630 1,500 1,510 1,580 r/ 1,530

 Exports (crude and semicrude) 1,210 1,370 1,610 1,500 1,570

 Imports for consumption (crude and semicrude) 2,540 3,380 2,980 r/ 2,810 3,080

 Aluminum industry shipments 5/ 7,300 8,160 8,260 8,330 r/ 8,880

 Supply, apparent 6/ 7,920 8,460 8,010 8,330 r/ 8,850

 Consumption, apparent 7/ 6,600 6,880 6,320 6,600 r/ 6,690

World: Production 19,800 19,200 19,700 r/ 20,800 r/ 21,400 e/

e/ Estimated. r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits, except "Primary production" and "prices."

2/ Includes ingot, semifabricated material, and scrap. Data from Current Industrial Reports, Series M33-D, U.S. Department of Commerce,

Bureau of the Census.

3/ Less than 1/2 unit.

4/ Metallic recovery from purchased, tolled, or imported new and old scrap expanded for full industry coverage.

5/ Shipped to domestic industry.

6/ Defined as domestic primary metal production + secondary recovery + imports - exports + adjustments for Government and industry stock

changes.

7/ Apparent supply less recovery from purchased new scrap.
TABLE 2

PRIMARY ANNUAL ALUMINUM PRODUCTION CAPACITY IN THE UNITED STATES, BY COMPANY 1/

Yearend capacity

(thousand metric tons)

Company 1996 1997 1997 ownership (percent)

Alcan Aluminum Corp.:

 Sebree, KY 186 186 Alcan Aluminum Ltd., 100%.

Alumax Inc.:

 Ferndale, WA (Intalco) 272 272 Alumax Inc., 61%; Mitsui & Co., 23%; TosTem Corp., 9%;

 YKK Corp., 7%.

 Frederick, MD (Eastalco) 174 174 Do.

 Mount Holly, SC 205 205 Alumax, 50.3%; Century Aluminum Co., 26.7%; Glencore 

 Total 651 651 Primary Aluminum Co., 23%.

Aluminum Co. of America: 2/

 Alcoa, TN 210 210 Aluminum Co. of America, 100%.

 Badin, NC 115 115 Do.

 Evansville, IN (Warrick) 300 300 Do.

 Massena, NY 125 125 Do.

 Rockdale, TX 315 315 Do.

 Wenatchee, WA 220 220 Do.

 Total 1,290 1,290

Century Aluminum Co.:

 Ravenswood, WV 168 168 Century Aluminum Co., 100%.

Columbia Falls Aluminum Co.:

 Columbia Falls, MT 168 168 Montana Aluminum Investors Corp., 100%.

Goldendale Aluminum Co.:

 Goldendale, WA 160 r/ 160 Private interest, 60%; employees, 40%.

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp.:

 Mead, WA (Spokane) 200 200 MAXXAM Inc., 100%.

 Tacoma, WA 73 73 Do.

 Total 273 273

NSA:

 Hawesville, KY 186 186 Southwire Co., 100%.

Noranda Aluminum Inc.:

 New Madrid, MO 215 215 Noranda Mines Ltd., 100%.

Northwest Aluminum Corp.:

 The Dalles, OR 82 82 Private interests, 100%.

Ormet Corp.:

 Hannibal, OH 256 256 Ormet Corp., 100%.

Reynolds Metals Co.:

 Longview, WA 204 204 Reynolds Metals Co., 100%.

 Massena, NY 123 123 Do.

 Troutdale, OR 121 121 Do.

 Total 448 448

Vanalco Inc.:

 Vancouver, WA 116 116 Vanalco Inc., 100%.

 Grand total 4,190 r/ 4,190

r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Individual plant capacities are U.S. Geological Survey estimates based on company reported total.
TABLE 3

U.S. CONSUMPTION OF AND RECOVERY FROM PURCHASED NEW 

AND OLD ALUMINUM SCRAP, 1/ BY CLASS 2/

(Metric tons)

Calculated recovery

Class Consumption Aluminum Metallic 

1996:

 Secondary smelters 1,460,000 r/ 1,050,000 r/ 1,120,000 r/

 Integrated aluminum companies 1,410,000 1,170,000 1,250,000

 Independent mill fabricators 709,000 613,000 654,000 r/

 Foundries 95,300 78,500 84,400

 Other consumers 9,910 8,730 8,770 r/

 Total 3,680,000 r/ 2,920,000 r/ 3,120,000 r/

 Estimated full industry coverage 3,910,000 r/ 3,090,000 r/ 3,310,000 r/

1997:

 Secondary smelters 1,750,000 1,240,000 1,330,000

 Integrated aluminum companies 1,470,000 1,230,000 1,310,000

 Independent mill fabricators 812,000 707,000 756,000

 Foundries 73,900 60,700 65,400

 Other consumers 10,300 9,440 9,470

 Total 4,120,000 3,240,000 3,470,000

 Estimated full industry coverage 4,380,000 3,450,000 3,690,000

r/ Revised.

1/ Excludes recovery from other than aluminum-base scrap.

2/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.
TABLE 4

U.S. STOCKS, RECEIPTS, AND CONSUMPTION OF PURCHASED NEW AND OLD ALUMINUM

SCRAP AND SWEATED PIG IN 1997 1/ 2/

(Metric tons)

Stocks, Net Consump- Stocks,

Class of consumer and type of scrap Jan. 1 receipts 3/ tion Dec. 31

Secondary smelters:

 New scrap:

 Solids 7,440 r/ 272,000 273,000 6,020

 Borings and turnings 5,450 r/ 278,000 271,000 11,700

 Dross and skimmings 3,320 r/ 417,000 417,000 3,030

 Other 4/ 7,950 r/ 223,000 228,000 3,660

 Total 24,200 r/ 1,190,000 1,190,000 24,400

 Old scrap:

 Castings, sheet, clippings 22,500 r/ 355,000 353,000 25,000

 Aluminum-copper radiators 767 r/ 16,100 15,600 1,290

 Aluminum cans 5/ 2,500 r/ 87,600 88,100 1,990

 Other 6/ 1,350 r/ 93,400 93,000 1,750

 Total 27,100 r/ 552,000 549,000 30,000

 Sweated pig 1,240 r/ 11,900 10,700 2,400

 Total secondary smelters 52,500 r/ 1,750,000 1,750,000 56,800

Integrated aluminum companies, foundries, independent mill

 fabricators, other consumers:

 New scrap:

 Solids 27,000 r/ 934,000 945,000 16,400

 Borings and turnings 376 r/ 28,100 28,200 259

 Dross and skimmings 233 r/ 11,000 10,900 347

 Other 4/ 11,900 254,000 256,000 9,590

 Total 39,500 r/ 1,230,000 1,240,000 26,600

 Old scrap:

 Castings, sheet, clippings 7,210 r/ 239,000 235,000 11,300

 Aluminum-copper radiators 528 r/ 9,750 9,760 515

 Aluminum cans 26,000 r/ 862,000 861,000 26,700

 Other 6/ 480 r/ 16,700 17,100 139

 Total 34,200 r/ 1,130,000 1,120,000 38,700

 Sweated pig 325 r/ 4,220 4,430 117

 Total intergrated aluminum companies, etc. 74,100 2,360,000 2,370,000 65,500

All scrap consumed:

 New scrap:

 Solids 34,500 r/ 1,210,000 1,220,000 22,500

 Borings and turnings 5,830 r/ 306,000 300,000 11,900

 Dross and skimmings 3,550 r/ 428,000 428,000 3,380

 Other 4/ 19,800 r/ 477,000 484,000 13,300

 Total 63,700 r/ 2,420,000 2,430,000 51,000

 Old scrap:

 Castings, sheet, clippings 29,700 r/ 594,000 587,000 36,300

 Aluminum-copper radiators 1,300 r/ 25,900 25,400 1,810

 Aluminum cans 28,500 r/ 949,000 949,000 28,700

 Other 6/ 1,830 r/ 110,000 110,000 1,890

 Total 61,400 r/ 1,680,000 1,670,000 68,700

 Sweated pig 1,560 r/ 16,100 15,200 2,520

 Total of all scrap consumed 127,000 r/ 4,110,000 4,120,000 122,000

r/ Revised.

1/ Includes imported scrap. According to reporting companies, 17.38% of total receipts of aluminum-base scrap, or 715,173 metric tons, was 

received on toll arrangements.

2/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

3/ Includes inventory adjustment.

4/ Includes data on foil, can stock clippings, and other miscellaneous.

5/ Used beverage cans toll treated for primary producers are included in secondary smelter tabulation.

6/ Includes municipal wastes (includes litter) and fragmentized scrap (auto shredder).
TABLE 5

PRODUCTION AND SHIPMENTS OF SECONDARY ALUMINUM ALLOYS BY

INDEPENDENT SMELTERS IN THE UNITED STATES 1/

(Metric tons)

1996 1997

Net Net 

Production shipments 2/ Production shipments 2/ 

Diecast alloys:

 13% Si, 360, etc. (0.6% Cu, maximum) 75,900 r/ 74,900 r/ 66,100 66,700

 380 and variations 486,000 r/ 488,000 r/ 504,000 501,000

Sand and permanent mold:

 95/5 Al-Si, 356, etc. (0.6% Cu, maximum) 24,600 r/ 24,500 r/ 36,300 35,100

 No. 12 and variations W W W W

 No. 319 and variations 139,000 r/ 140,000 r/ 157,000 157,000

 F-132 alloy and variations 43,100 r/ 42,900 r/ 38,800 38,600

 Al-Mg alloys 685 685 639 639

 Al-Zn alloys 3,430 3,430 15,900 16,100

 Al-Si alloys (0.6% to 2.0% Cu) 9,980 10,600 2,020 2,130

 Al-Cu alloys (1.5% Si, maximum) 936 937 925 926

 Al-Si-Cu-Ni alloys 1,130 1,110 1,440 1,440

 Other 4,180 4,270 12,000 12,200

Wrought alloys, extrusion billets 153,000 152,000 209,000 209,000

Miscellaneous:

 Steel deoxidation (3/) (3/) (3/) (3/)

 Pure (97.0% Al) -- -- (3/) (3/)

 Aluminum-base hardeners 93 93 6,430 4,770

 Other 4/ 82,900 r/ 86,200 r/ 91,400 91,000

 Total 1,020,000 r/ 1,030,000 r/ 1,140,000 1,140,000

Less consumption of materials other than scrap:

 Primary aluminum 46,200 r/ -- 53,000 --

 Primary silicon 81,000 r/ -- 47,200 --

 Other 4,960 r/ -- 8,410 --

Net metallic recovery from aluminum scrap and sweated pig

 consumed in production of secondary aluminum ingot 5/ 893,000 r/ XX 1,030,000 XX

r/ Revised. W Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with "Sand and permanent mold: Other." XX Not applicable.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Includes inventory adjustment.

3/ Withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data; included with "Miscellaneous: Other."

4/ Includes other die-cast alloys.

5/ No allowance made for melt-loss of primary aluminum and alloying ingredients.
TABLE 6

DISTRIBUTION OF END-USE SHIPMENTS OF ALUMINUM PRODUCTS IN THE UNITED STATES,

BY INDUSTRY 1/

 1996 1997

 Quantity Percent Quantity Percent

 (thousand of (thousand of

Industry metric tons) grand total metric tons) grand total

Containers and packaging 2,180 22.6 2,220 21.7

Building and construction 1,330 r/ 13.8 1,320 12.9

Transportation 2,640 r/ 27.5 2,990 29.2

Electrical 671 r/ 7.0 708 6.9

Consumer durables 655 r/ 6.8 694 6.8

Machinery and equipment 569 r/ 5.9 626 6.1

Other markets 291 r/ 3.0 318 3.1

 Total to domestic users 8,330 r/ 86.6 8,880 86.8

Exports e/ 1,290 13.4 1,360 13.2

 Grand total 9,610 r/ 100.0 10,200 100.0

e/ Estimated. r/ Revised.

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Source: The Aluminum Association Inc.

TABLE 7

U.S. NET SHIPMENTS OF ALUMINUM WROUGHT AND CAST PRODUCTS,

BY PRODUCERS 1/ 2/

(Thousand metric tons)

 1996 1997 p/ 

Wrought products:

 Sheet, plate, foil 4,430 r/ 4,640

 Rod, bar, pipe, tube, shapes 1,540 r/ 1,710

 Rod, wire, cable 350 r/ 366

 Forgings (including impacts) 99 r/ 96

 Powder, flake, paste 53 r/ 63

 Total 6,480 r/ 6,870

Castings:

 Sand 180 NA 

 Permanent and semipermanent mold 473 NA 

 Die 612 NA 

 Other 121 NA 

 Total 1,390 NA 

 Grand total 7,860 NA 

p/ Preliminary. r/ Revised. NA Not available.

1/ Net shipments derived by subtracting the sum of producers' domestic receipts of each mill shape from the 

domestic industry's gross shipments of that shape.

2/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce.
TABLE 8

U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM, BY COUNTRY 1/

Metals and alloys, crude Plates, sheets, bars, etc. 2/ Scrap Total

Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 

Country or territory (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)

1996:

 Armenia -- -- 23 $99 -- -- 23 $99

 Brazil 101 $380 22,500 77,100 129 $156 22,800 77,700

 Canada 131,000 191,000 352,000 955,000 61,500 63,400 544,000 1,210,000

 France 418 1,810 4,070 23,300 24 55 4,510 25,100

 Georgia -- -- 7 47 -- -- 7 47

 Germany 343 1,170 21,900 30,600 190 216 22,400 31,900

 Hong Kong 3,170 6,100 13,200 40,500 41,600 52,800 57,900 99,400

 Italy 35 325 3,280 16,400 80 79 3,390 16,800

 Japan 188,000 307,000 30,400 168,000 54,900 67,600 273,000 543,000

 Korea, Republic of 20,500 36,200 22,000 93,200 37,800 42,400 80,200 172,000

 Latvia -- -- 33 14 -- -- 33 14

 Mexico 48,000 80,400 105,000 333,000 17,100 21,300 170,000 435,000

 Netherlands 410 432 1,710 8,740 375 458 2,500 9,630

 Philippines 1,280 2,130 1,220 6,510 179 123 2,680 8,770

 Russia 15 274 1 12 -- -- 16 286

 Saudi Arabia 32 40 18,900 53,900 -- -- 18,900 53,900

 Singapore 205 873 3,170 12,300 14 18 3,390 13,200

 South Africa 13 105 1,500 5,520 -- -- 1,520 5,620

 Taiwan 8,650 14,800 12,800 45,700 48,200 42,100 69,600 103,000

 Thailand 6,300 11,000 4,680 15,100 868 1,310 11,800 27,500

 Turkmenistan -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

 Ukraine -- -- 1 19 -- -- 1 19

 United Kingdom 706 4,550 18,300 86,700 12,700 17,400 31,700 109,000

 Venezuela 46 173 11,600 33,600 418 424 12,100 34,200

 Other 8,120 22,600 111,000 382,000 44,300 45,200 164,000 450,000

 Total 417,000 682,000 760,000 2,390,000 320,000 355,000 1,500,000 3,420,000

1997:

 Armenia -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

 Brazil 90 340 75,600 225,000 13 79 75,700 226,000

 Canada 155,000 240,000 394,000 1,080,000 86,700 99,800 636,000 1,420,000

 France 287 1,440 5,740 34,100 9 91 6,030 35,600

 Georgia -- -- 3 20 -- -- 3 20

 Germany 530 1,750 8,930 34,000 395 400 9,860 36,200

 Hong Kong 4,080 7,460 20,800 55,700 31,700 43,300 56,500 106,000

 Italy 57 252 3,090 12,000 20 48 3,170 12,300

 Japan 95,300 160,000 37,600 162,000 35,400 47,400 168,000 370,000

 Korea, Republic of 14,300 27,300 28,600 108,000 33,800 42,600 76,700 178,000

 Latvia -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

 Mexico 63,000 113,000 102,000 293,000 33,400 45,600 198,000 451,000

 Netherlands 85 190 1,530 8,350 67 76 1,680 8,610

 Philippines 226 415 3,140 11,900 641 403 4,010 12,800

 Russia 18 34 41 164 5 22 63 220

 Saudi Arabia 42 32 18,100 43,500 -- -- 18,200 43,600

 Singapore 190 529 3,220 34,100 107 270 3,510 34,900

 South Africa 179 2,720 267 1,580 -- -- 446 4,300

 Taiwan 9,070 16,300 14,500 46,800 61,800 64,600 85,400 128,000

 Thailand 2,050 3,870 8,480 21,100 1,060 1,650 11,600 26,700

 Turkmenistan (3/) 3 -- -- -- -- (3/) 3

 Ukraine -- -- 8 34 -- -- 8 34

 United Kingdom 1,460 13,100 14,600 75,600 4,760 9,090 20,800 97,800

 Venezuela 96 581 9,740 27,300 383 523 10,200 28,400

 Other 5,820 15,600 132,000 471,000 47,300 49,800 185,000 537,000

 Total 352,000 606,000 882,000 2,750,000 338,000 406,000 1,570,000 3,760,000

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Includes castings, forgings, and unclassified semifabricated forms.

3/ Less than 1/2 unit.

Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 9

U.S. EXPORTS OF ALUMINUM, BY CLASS 1/

1996 1997

Quantity Value Quantity Value 

Class (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)

Crude and semicrude:

 Metals and alloys, crude 417,000 $682,000 352,000 $606,000

 Scrap 320,000 355,000 338,000 406,000

 Plates, sheets, bars, strip, etc. 703,000 2,130,000 837,000 2,460,000

 Castings and forgings 12,200 105,000 10,900 131,000

 Semifabricated forms, n.e.c. 44,800 147,000 33,700 155,000

 Total 1,500,000 3,420,000 1,570,000 3,760,000

Manufactures:

 Foil and leaf 99,700 274,000 100,000 298,000

 Powders and flakes 6,340 30,800 8,770 35,800

 Wire and cable 28,500 104,000 26,500 94,100

 Total 134,000 410,000 136,000 428,000

 Grand total 1,630,000 3,830,000 1,710,000 4,190,000

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

Source: Bureau of the Census.

TABLE 10

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF ALUMINUM, BY CLASS 1/

1996 1997

 Quantity Value Quantity Value 

Class (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)

Crude and semicrude:

 Metals and alloys, crude 1,910,000 $3,040,000 2,060,000 $3,500,000

 Plates, sheets, strip, etc., n.e.c. 2/ 428,000 1,050,000 461,000 1,180,000

 Pipes, tubes, etc. 11,300 54,300 14,200 72,800

 Rods and bars 59,300 179,000 85,800 266,000

 Scrap 402,000 460,000 454,000 574,000

 Total 2,810,000 4,790,000 3,080,000 5,590,000

Manufactures:

 Foil and leaf 3/ 57,100 207,000 64,300 231,000

 Flakes and powders 1,840 5,920 2,360 6,820

 Wire 76,900 148,000 81,800 165,000

 Total 136,000 361,000 148,000 403,000

 Grand total 2,940,000 5,150,000 3,230,000 6,000,000

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Includes plates, sheets, circles, and disks.

3/ Excludes etched capacitor foil.

Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 11

U.S. IMPORTS FOR CONSUMPTION OF ALUMINUM, BY COUNTRY 1/

Metals and alloys, crude Plates, sheets, bars, etc. 2/ Scrap Total

 Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value 

Country (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands) (metric tons) (thousands)

1996:

 Argentina 1,450 $2,270 1,030 $2,660 3,060 $3,490 5,540 $8,420

 Australia 1,080 1,840 1,660 4,470 1,310 1,300 4,050 7,610

 Bahrain -- -- 8,930 20,200 -- -- 8,930 20,200

 Belgium 931 1,620 5,560 15,200 80 102 6,570 17,000

 Brazil 11,700 18,400 436 1,110 415 515 12,500 20,100

 Canada 1,340,000 2,210,000 296,000 674,000 223,000 265,000 1,850,000 3,150,000

 Estonia -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

 France 1,040 7,130 8,480 35,100 3,950 3,740 13,500 46,000

 Germany 1,100 5,080 26,700 112,000 7,840 10,900 35,700 128,000

 Italy 25 1,520 9,550 30,700 62 46 9,630 32,200

 Japan 353 1,130 10,300 41,700 280 466 11,000 43,300

 Kazakstan 18 226 -- -- -- -- 18 226

 Mexico 953 1,470 13,300 35,300 73,700 80,600 88,000 117,000

 Netherlands 410 766 4,640 15,200 743 962 5,790 16,900

 Norway 511 1,660 3,650 7,570 -- -- 4,160 9,230

 Russia 402,000 559,000 11,200 21,800 9,750 11,800 423,000 593,000

 Slovenia -- -- 3,510 10,900 -- -- 3,510 10,900

 South Africa 2,310 3,870 3,240 7,400 204 230 5,750 11,500

 Spain 120 173 19,100 42,100 6 22 19,200 42,300

 Tajikistan 20,000 27,400 -- -- -- -- 20,000 27,400

 Ukraine 4,300 5,030 8 36 -- -- 4,300 5,070

 United Arab Emirates -- -- -- -- 1,920 2,160 1,920 2,160

 United Kingdom 2,130 2,470 18,000 66,900 13,100 15,100 33,200 84,500

 Venezuela 116,000 181,000 29,700 56,600 23,600 23,700 169,000 261,000

 Other 6,330 8,600 23,000 85,700 38,300 39,900 67,600 134,000

 Total 1,910,000 3,040,000 498,000 1,290,000 402,000 460,000 2,810,000 4,790,000

1997:

 Argentina 13,000 22,000 1,270 2,800 3,680 4,370 18,000 29,200

 Australia 1,250 2,030 1,060 2,860 1,340 1,510 3,650 6,400

 Bahrain -- -- 11,800 26,600 -- -- 11,800 26,600

 Belgium 321 690 4,600 13,100 140 184 5,060 14,000

 Brazil 23,900 39,900 776 2,610 319 356 25,000 42,900

 Canada 1,410,000 2,470,000 330,000 803,000 252,000 320,000 2,000,000 3,590,000

 Estonia 4 65 -- -- -- -- 4 65

 France 386 4,690 10,700 48,700 6,110 6,470 17,200 59,900

 Germany 1,020 4,730 38,200 146,000 2,150 4,760 41,400 156,000

 Italy 18 63 3,520 12,100 16 5 3,550 12,100

 Japan 134 581 19,600 77,900 947 1,640 20,700 80,200

 Kazakstan -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

 Mexico 1,740 3,740 13,200 34,800 84,900 107,000 99,900 145,000

 Netherlands 2,370 14,500 4,960 16,800 1,480 2,140 8,810 33,400

 Norway 765 2,640 1,660 2,930 -- -- 2,420 5,570

 Russia 423,000 653,000 7,640 13,000 4,670 11,600 435,000 678,000

 Slovenia -- -- 3,520 11,700 -- -- 3,520 11,700

 South Africa 11,400 18,600 5,550 11,500 809 980 17,800 31,100

 Spain 151 307 14,300 32,700 994 1,280 15,400 34,300

 Tajikistan 4,030 5,540 -- -- -- -- 4,030 5,540

 Ukraine 4,190 6,120 19 60 614 750 4,830 6,930

 United Arab Emirates -- -- -- -- 2,460 2,910 2,460 2,910

 United Kingdom 18,700 30,800 19,000 74,300 10,400 14,400 48,000 119,000

 Venezuela 114,000 190,000 29,700 59,000 17,100 19,700 161,000 269,000

 Other 28,900 32,200 40,300 123,000 63,900 73,800 133,000 229,000

 Total 2,060,000 3,500,000 561,000 1,520,000 454,000 574,000 3,080,000 5,590,000

1/ Data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Includes circles, disks, rods, pipes, tubes, etc.

Source: Bureau of the Census.
TABLE 12

ALUMINUM, PRIMARY: WORLD PRODUCTION, BY COUNTRY 1/ 2/

(Thousand metric tons)

Country 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 e/

Argentina 173 r/ 175 r/ 186 r/ 186 r/ 185

Australia 1,381 1,317 1,297 1,372 1,495 3/

Azerbaijan e/ 20 15 10 10 10

Bahrain 448 447 451 461 r/ 480

Bosnia and Herzegovina e/ 4/ 15 10 10 10 15

Brazil 1,172 1,185 1,188 1,195 r/ 1,200

Cameroon e/ 87 89 3/ 79 r/ 82 r/ 82

Canada 2,308 2,255 2,172 2,283 r/ 2,327 3/

China e/ 1,220 1,450 1,680 r/ 1,770 r/ 2,000

Croatia 4/ 26 26 31 38 r/ 35

Egypt 178 188 180 r/ 177 r/ 177

France 426 438 r/ 372 r/ 380 r/ 390

Germany 552 505 575 576 r/ 575

Ghana 175 141 135 137 152 3/

Greece 148 144 144 r/ 141 r/ 145

Hungary 28 31 25 e/ -- r/ --

Iceland 5/ 94 99 100 104 104

India 6/ 466 472 537 r/ 531 r/ 494 3/

Indonesia 6/ 206 222 220 e/ 225 e/ 200

Iran e/ 109 3/ 116 118 118 118

Italy 156 176 198 r/ 184 r/ 185

Japan 7/ 18 17 18 17 17

Mexico 6/ -- -- 10 61 r/ 65

Netherlands 232 219 216 227 r/ 230

New Zealand 277 269 r/ 273 285 r/ 305

Norway 887 857 r/ 847 863 r/ 919 3/

Poland 8/ 47 50 56 52 e/ 55

Romania 9/ 116 120 r/ 141 r/ 141 r/ 140

Russia 2,820 2,670 2,724 r/ 2,874 r/ 2,906 3/

Serbia and Montenegro 4/ 26 7 17 37 r/ 65

Slovakia e/ 6/ 39 r/ 33 r/ 31 r/ 35 r/ 35

Slovenia 4/ 83 r/ 77 r/ 58 r/ 60 r/ e/ 60

South Africa 175 172 195 r/ 617 r/ e/ 660

Spain 364 r/ 338 361 r/ 362 362

Suriname 30 27 r/ 28 r/ 32 32

Sweden 82 84 95 98 98

Switzerland 36 24 21 27 27

Tajikistan 250 e/ 235 232 r/ 198 189

Turkey 59 60 62 62 r/ 60

Ukraine e/ 100 100 98 3/ 90 r/ 101 3/

United Arab Emirates: Dubai 242 247 240 e/ 251 r/ 250

United Kingdom 239 231 238 240 240

United States 3,695 3,299 3,375 3,577 3,603 3/

Venezuela 568 585 630 635 r/ 640

 Total 19,800 19,200 19,700 r/ 20,800 r/ 21,400

e/ Estimated. r/ Revised. 

1/ World totals and estimated data are rounded to three significant digits; may not add to totals shown.

2/ Primary aluminum is defined as "The weight of liquid aluminum as tapped from pots, excluding the weight of any alloying 

materials as well as that of any metal produced from either returned scrap or remelted materials." International reporting 

practices vary from country to country, some nations conforming to the foregoing definition and others using different definitions. 

For those countries for which a different definition is given specifically in the source publication, that definition is provided in this 

table by footnote. Table includes data available through May 11, 1998.

3/ Reported figure.

4/ Primary ingot plus secondary ingot.

5/ Ingot and rolling billet production.

6/ Primary ingot.

7/ Excludes high-purity aluminum containing 99.995% or more as follows, in metric tons: 1993--20,300; 1994--23,800;

1995--28,400; 1996--29,400 (revised); and 1997--29,000 (estimated).

8/ Primary unalloyed ingot plus secondary unalloyed ingot.

9/ Primary unalloyed metal plus primary alloyed metal, thus including weight of alloying material.