Germany’s bauxite importation reflects a gradual rise during 2018-20

The Covid-19 third wave has slow down the economic recovery of Germany at the beginning of 2021. The economy shrank 1.7% in the first quarter compared to the previous three months, according to official data. On the other way, the bauxite importation of the country has revealed better growth from the previous years.

The Western European nation booked 4.63 million tonnes of bauxite during 2018-19 and the revenue expended for the import was $172.75 million. The import for 2020 stood at 3.41 million tonnes and the expenditure stood at $117.33. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets added with the existing two years, it denotes 8.04 million tonnes and $290.08 million.

Dadco Alumina refinery is the major importer of bauxite in Germany for alumina production. The company refine various grades of bauxite into two main product groups, one is smelter grade alumina (SGA) - delivered to aluminium smelters for processing into aluminium metal; and the other Alumina Chemicals, which come in various forms: damp aluminium trihydrate, dry aluminium trihydrate and chemical grade calcined alumina.

In 2018, Germany’s bauxite import was recorded at 2.08 million tonnes and the expenditure for the import occurred was $63.43 million, whereas, in 2019, the import reflected a rise by 22.59%, as the import volume grew to 2.55 million tonnes and the expenditure surged to $109.32 million.

The import for 2020 further revealed growth of 33.72%, as the import volume soared to 3.41 million tonnes and the expenditure rose to $117.33 million.

Germany’s major trading destinations for the importation of bauxite are Belgium, Brazil, China, Croatia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Luxembourg, Netherlands, etc.