China produced 41.5 million metric tons of primary aluminium through September. Exports reached 5.2 million metric tons the prior year while imports stood at 0.9 million metric tons. Smelter power consumption averaged 13 to 14 megawatt hours per tonne amid wide differences in carbon intensity across facilities.
Key Takeaways
- 2024 China primary aluminium production reached 41.5 million metric tons year-to-date through September (IAl estimates, annualized comparable series)
- 2022 China aluminium exports were 4.7 million metric tons (annual)
- 2023 China aluminium exports were 5.2 million metric tons (annual)
- 2023 China aluminium import volume was 0.9 million metric tons (HS 76)
- IEA projects passenger cars and buildings are key drivers of aluminium demand; global aluminium demand expected to grow strongly by 2050
- China’s per-capita aluminium consumption was about 10 kg in 2020 (industry estimates)
- China’s automotive aluminium intensity continued to rise; study reports average aluminium content in new-energy vehicles (NEVs) is higher than ICE (reported as kg/vehicle)
- 2021–2023 China’s aluminium smelting power consumption averaged about 13–14 MWh per tonne of aluminium (industry operational benchmark)
- ILSR peer-reviewed work finds that carbon intensity varies widely across Chinese smelters (reported range depends on electricity)
- A study in Environmental Science & Technology reports Chinese aluminium sector abatement potentials strongly depend on electricity decarbonization
- China alumina capacity utilization averaged about 85% in 2023 (capacity vs production)
- China’s bauxite import value was $13.7 billion in 2023
- China’s alumina imports were 3.6 million tonnes in 2023 (trade database)
- 2022 LME aluminium cash price averaged about $3,360/t (annual average)
- World Bank Pink Sheet reports aluminium price averaged $2,392/t in 2023
China’s aluminium output and exports are rising while power emissions, decarbonization and demand for cars and buildings shape the outlook.
Related reading
01 · Category
Production Volumes1 stats
01
2024 China primary aluminium production reached 41.5 million metric tons year-to-date through September (IAl estimates, annualized comparable series)
Interpretation
Production Volumes Interpretation
For the production volumes angle, China’s primary aluminium output is running at 41.5 million metric tons year to date through September, underscoring the scale of current production momentum heading into the annual total.
02 · Category
Trade Flows6 stats
01
2022 China aluminium exports were 4.7 million metric tons (annual)
02
2023 China aluminium exports were 5.2 million metric tons (annual)
03
2023 China aluminium import volume was 0.9 million metric tons (HS 76)
04
2022 China aluminium export value was $12.4 billion (HS 76)
05
2023 China aluminium trade surplus was $3.6 billion (HS 76 export minus import value)
06
2021 China aluminium trade surplus reached $5.4 billion (HS 76)
Interpretation
Trade Flows Interpretation
From 2021 to 2023, China’s aluminum trade flows show sustained export dominance with exports rising from 4.7 million to 5.2 million metric tons while the trade surplus narrows from $5.4 billion to $3.6 billion, indicating stronger outbound volumes but a less favorable net balance.
03 · Category
Market & Demand4 stats
01
IEA projects passenger cars and buildings are key drivers of aluminium demand; global aluminium demand expected to grow strongly by 2050
02
China’s per-capita aluminium consumption was about 10 kg in 2020 (industry estimates)
03
China’s automotive aluminium intensity continued to rise; study reports average aluminium content in new-energy vehicles (NEVs) is higher than ICE (reported as kg/vehicle)
04
Aluminium used in renewable energy (solar frames and wind) grew; industry report cites multi-year double-digit growth (tonnes)
Interpretation
Market & Demand Interpretation
For the Market and Demand outlook, aluminium demand in China is being pulled higher by rapid end market expansion, with per capita consumption around 10 kg in 2020, automotive aluminium intensity continuing to rise as NEVs use more metal, and renewable energy applications growing at multi year double digit rates.
More related reading
04 · Category
Energy & Emissions3 stats
01
2021–2023 China’s aluminium smelting power consumption averaged about 13–14 MWh per tonne of aluminium (industry operational benchmark)
02
ILSR peer-reviewed work finds that carbon intensity varies widely across Chinese smelters (reported range depends on electricity)
03
A study in Environmental Science & Technology reports Chinese aluminium sector abatement potentials strongly depend on electricity decarbonization
Interpretation
Energy & Emissions Interpretation
From 2021 to 2023, China’s aluminium smelting used about 13 to 14 MWh per tonne, but the energy and emissions impact varies widely by smelter because carbon intensity depends heavily on the electricity mix, meaning decarbonizing power can unlock major abatement potential in the sector.
05 · Category
Upstream Inputs5 stats
01
China alumina capacity utilization averaged about 85% in 2023 (capacity vs production)
02
China’s bauxite import value was $13.7 billion in 2023
03
China’s alumina imports were 3.6 million tonnes in 2023 (trade database)
04
China’s caustic soda (used in Bayer process) production was 73.4 million tonnes in 2023
05
China’s coal share of electricity was 60% in 2022 (used for emissions sensitivity)
Interpretation
Upstream Inputs Interpretation
In 2023 China’s upstream input system looked tight and highly active, with alumina capacity utilization averaging about 85% while bauxite imports reached $13.7 billion and alumina imports totaled 3.6 million tonnes, and with large supporting chemical and energy supply from caustic soda production of 73.4 million tonnes in 2023 and coal powering 60% of electricity in 2022.
06 · Category
Pricing & Economics4 stats
01
2022 LME aluminium cash price averaged about $3,360/t (annual average)
02
World Bank Pink Sheet reports aluminium price averaged $2,392/t in 2023
03
SHFE aluminium main contract price volatility increased during 2022–2023; standard deviation reported by exchange data is within mid-teen percentage points (exchange analytics)
04
China aluminium electricity cost component often represents ~20–40% of total cash cost for smelters (industry benchmarks)
Interpretation
Pricing & Economics Interpretation
In Pricing and Economics terms, aluminum price signals stayed volatile, with benchmarks moving from an average of about $3,360/t in 2022 on LME to $2,392/t in 2023 on the World Bank Pink Sheet, while China’s smelter costs are heavily exposed to electricity that can make up roughly 20 to 40% of total cash costs.
report visual · Key figures
China aluminium production scale and supporting trade flows
China’s primary aluminium output and its export–import balance underline the country’s dominant position in aluminium supply chains.
2024
2024 China primary aluminium production reached 41.5 million metric tons year-to-date through September (IAl estimates,
2023
2023 China aluminium exports were 5.2 million metric tons (annual)
2023
2023 China aluminium import volume was 0.9 million metric tons (HS 76)
$3.6 billion
2023 China aluminium trade surplus was $3.6 billion (HS 76 export minus import value)
source-verifiedinternational-aluminium.org · oec.world2024
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Helena Kowalczyk. (2026, February 13). China Aluminum Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-aluminum-industry-statistics
MLA
Helena Kowalczyk. "China Aluminum Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/china-aluminum-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Helena Kowalczyk. 2026. "China Aluminum Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/china-aluminum-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
23 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+10 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)