Global aluminum demand to rise in ’13 on China projects: Rusal

Feb 08, 2013 | 12:51 PM | Shivani Singh

Tags  Rusal, demand, aluminum, alumina, bauxite, China, premiums, production output

SINGAPORE — United Co. Rusal, the world’s largest aluminum producer, expects aluminum demand to rise 6 percent in 2013 on the back of Chinese infrastructure projects, the company said on Feb. 8.

"Rusal expects that the uncertainties seen in 2012, namely the current eurozone financial crisis and slowdown in Chinese growth, will lessen during 2013, thanks to the strong financial stimulus programs by central banks in key regions and growing data from China," it said.

Global primary aluminum demand is expected to total 50 million tonnes in 2013, an increase of 6 percent from 2012 levels, the Moscow-based company said.

China will remain the fastest growing primary aluminum market in 2013, registering 9.5-percent growth, followed by India at 6 percent, Asia—excluding China—at 5.8 percent, North America at 5 percent, and Russia and the CIS at 4 percent, Rusal forecast.

Europe, meanwhile, is likely to see a 2-percent year-on-year drop in primary aluminum consumption in 2013.

"According to (a) WardsAuto forecast, Chinese car production is expected to exceed European production in 2013," Rusal said, adding that China is forecast to manufacture 19.6 million cars and light vehicles in 2013, an increase of 10 percent from last year.....