Aluminium (Al) is the most plentiful metallic element in the Earth's crust. Combined with oxygen and hydrogen, it forms bauxite, the ore most commonly mined for aluminium. Metallic aluminium was first isolated in 1829 from aluminium chloride but it was not commercially produced until 1886.
The production of alumina consumes more than 90% of the world's production of bauxite. The remainder is used by the abrasive, refractory, and chemical industries. Bauxite is used also in the production of high-alumina cement, as an absorbant or catalyst by the oil industry, in welding rod coatings and fluxes and as a flux in making steel and ferroalloys.
In terms of primary aluminium production, Russia is second only to China. It produces 15% of the world’s alumina and 12% of its aluminium. The last five years production volumes have grown at a rate of 1.5 — 3% per year. In terms of light metal exports, Russia is the world leader. Over 80% of the aluminium produced by Russian smelters is exported.
Aluminum represents the second largest metals market in the world. Growing demand for the lightweight metal is fuelled largely by the booming Chinese economy which already consumes a quarter of the world’s aluminium production.
Analysts predict an annual growth rate of 7 to 14% in the Chinese automotive industry up to 2011, a 12% increase in construction expenditure in 2007 and a minimum of plus 16 million annual growth in urban population during the next 8 years. According to analysts these factors will combine to see China consume 36% of world’s aluminium production as early as 2010.
Reliance upon imports of aluminum increased in 2012 as primary production remained near the level in 2011, and net imports increased to supply domestic manufacturers. Canada, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates accounted for about 72% of total U.S. imports.
Total aluminium exports from the United States increased by 5% in 2012 compared with the amount exported in 2011, and imports of crude and semifabricated aluminum in 2012 were 21% higher than the amount imported in 2011. China, Canada, Mexico, and the Republic of Korea, in descending order, received approximately 85% of total United States exports. Scrap to China accounted for 40% of total aluminum exports.