China’s aluminium plate, sheet, strip and foil production to grow up to 8% in 2024 despite battery foil output waning

According to a preliminary survey by the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s output of aluminium plate, sheet, strip and foil products, such as can stock, battery foil, double-zero foil, auto body sheet, air-conditioner foil, brazing material, and electronic foil, is expected to demonstrate a robust growth at the end of 2024, withstanding anticipated slower growth rate of battery foil production.

As per the SMM data, China’s aluminium plate, sheet and strip production is likely to amount to 13.1 million tonnes, marking an annual hike of about 6 per cent, while aluminium foil production is to reach 4.8 million tonnes, recording an 8 per cent rise year-on-year.

SMM survey determines that despite the increase in the number of aluminium battery foil producers, the growth rate of their output remained slow. However, SMM believes the rise in the number of battery foil enterprises and the market share of leading enterprises will enhance the growth rate of production in the ensuing years.

The market share of big aluminium battery foil enterprises increased in 2024 as small players failed to sustain the competition that started in 2023 when too many new capacities cropped up, leading to oversupply in the market, intensifying competition, and reducing profits. Currently, there are about 26 enterprises capable of stable mass production of battery foil, among which about five have reduced capacity, and eight have increased production.

In 2025, more enterprises are likely to reduce aluminium battery foil production or exit the market, resulting in a shift in production dynamics within the aluminium plate, sheet, strip and foil industry. SMM also finds slower investments in aluminium battery foil production, with only a few capacities currently under construction that are slated to be completed in 2025.

In contrast, the secondary aluminium plate, sheet and strip industry is an emerging sector, with 1.1 million tonnes of new capacities coming up. According to SMM statistics, about 22 aluminium plate, sheet, strip and foil enterprises will add secondary aluminium production capacity. According to SMM, the usage of secondary aluminium and the number of enterprises is growing at about 40 per cent.