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Aluminium: The challenges ahead

Nnamdi Anyadike

 - a clear and detailed analysis of the industry and its major markets
 - a survey of trends in mining, refining, processing, end-use and consumption
 - unique industry and market forecasts
 - profiles of the leading producing companies
 - expert insight into the market's dynamics and prospects
 - numerous graphs and tables for at-a-glance information

This comprehensive report examines the state of the world aluminium industry at the start of the 21st century, reviewing the aftermath of 1994's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which mothballed 1.5m tonnes of capacity and led to a sharp rise in prices. It examines the damage done to aluminium demand from both the automotive and beverage can sectors, and the effects of talk of recession in the US and Europe in 2001. However, it finds that aluminium is at last beginning to see signs of success in the mass-produced end of the automotive market with the launch of the Audi A2. Packaging demand is also holding up, although PET is continuing to make gains in the beverage container market.

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Some key findings of this report

Western Europe remains a net importer of primary aluminium, with imports of over 2 million tonnes. If the expected growth in per capita aluminium consumption up to 2010 takes place, Europe will rely even more heavily on imported metal from countries such as Russia and the Gulf Co-operation Council countries.

Chinese demand for aluminium in building and construction is forecast to grow at an impressive 15% per year.

Aluminium will provide 68% of the material weight of the airframe of the new Airbus A3XX. Using current Airbus design principles, about 980 tonnes of semi-finished aluminium products will be needed per aircraft.

Aluminium applications in industrial vehicles grew by 4-5% in the five years to 2000; however, they could increase worldwide by 30-50% by 2005.

Aluminium bridges are a new and promising market, with recent technological advances making it possibly to construct bridges with spans of up to 100 metres or more. The three biggest European construction markets for aluminium are Italy, with 270,000 tonnes, Germany with 210,000 tonnes and the UK, with 150,000 tonnes.

ISBN 1 85573 591 1
ISBN-13: 978 1 85573 591 0
March 2002
166 pages  A4  paperback  
£465.00 / US$790.00 / €580.00

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About the author

This report is written by Nnamdi Anyadike, who has many years' experience of reporting and analysing the international metals markets and their downstream sectors. He spent several years in Brussels working with a number of metals trade associations including the European Aluminium Association, Euromines and the International Steel Association.

He has written a number of market intelligence reports on the metals, plastics and packaging sectors for various industry associations and other media including the Financial Times. The former editor of numerous journals and trade newsletters, Nnamdi Anyadike is currently Consultant Editor of Aluminium World.

Titles which may also be of interest:
Base Metals Handbook
Copper
Lead and zinc
Nickel

Contents

Executive summary

Historical background: 1990s and the Memorandum of Understanding
 - Introduction
 - European smelter capacity pre-MoU
 - North American smelters cut back
 - Why the MoU?
 - The immediate aftermath
 - The US aluminium beverage can industry complain about high prices
 - Japanese and UK automotive industries reconsider high cost aluminium
 - The 1990s: LME begins radical shake up

The developed market economies
 - The former Soviet Union
 - The European industry: a profile
 - Western European aluminium industry
 - European Union issues
 - North America: a profile

The developing market economies
 - Developing world mounts challenge
 - Environmental issues: bauxite mine rehabilitation
 - Africa
 - Demand and supply outlook in the GCC countries
 - India
 - China
 - Brazil
 - Oceania
 - Central and eastern European countries (CEEC)

Transport and aluminium
 - The automotive industry
 - The aerospace industry
 - Public and commercial transport: road, rail and fast sea craft

Packaging
 - Introduction
 - Europe a packaging profile
 - The aluminium can
 - Flexible packaging
 - Semi-rigid containers
 - Other aluminium packaging applications
 - Thin casting technology

Construction
 - Introduction
 - Filiform corrosion
 - Competing materials

Opposition to EU tariff barrier grows