China’s alumina production sees a year-on-year rise by 10.93% in February

According to Shanghai Metals Market, China’s alumina production in February came in at 5.64 million tonnes, after rising 10.93 per cent year-on-year. The average daily output stood at 201,000 tonnes, while annualised capacity in operation recorded at 73.46 million tonnes.

This year-on-year rise in China’s alumina production is attributable to the complete maintenance of refineries in Guangxi, higher operating rate in Guizhou as bauxite shortages eased last month and excess production in Shanxi.

Last month, Shanxi Zhaofeng returned online after it shut during the Chinese New Year holiday on bauxite supply issues. Ore shortages drove Shanxi Xinghua to close some 350,000 tonnes of capacity. 

SMM expects the average daily output of alumina will rise further in March by 2,000 tonnes compared with February, as refineries in Shanxi will resume work after meeting ultra-low emission standards. Resumption of Bosai Mineral’s alumina project in Nanchuan of Chongqing and Shandong Qixing project is also expected to grow production. The environmental impact is also likely to wane from March 15 when heating season curbs are lifted, predicts SMM.  

SMM also anticipates that domestic alumina output in March will climb 9.83 per cent year-on-year to 6.29 million tonnes.