There are many reasons why aluminum is being used in major industries like automotive, construction, appliance manufacturing, packaging, etc. Prime reasons why aluminium is being used for industrial purposes on a large scale is that it is lightweight, corrosion resistant, and recyclable. Aluminium is pretty soft and flexible, thus it can be moulded or cast in any complex shape which makes it suitable for automotive and appliance manufacturing. Talking specifically about the automotive industry, aluminium is used to make vehicles lighter, which ultimately reflects better mileage and less load on the engine. Now you know why aluminium is one of the highest in-demand metals in the entire world, but did you know that aluminium is actually extracted from something called bauxite ore?
Bauxite is mined in many countries, and then the aluminium is extracted from bauxite ore by further processing it and using the electrolysis of the raw ore. And it is pretty understandable that the more bauxite ore mining a country would do, the more aluminium it would produce annually. However, that is slightly different in the case of Australia, because it exports more than 25% of bauxite to other nations. Thus you may already know that China is the largest producer of aluminium in the world, but do you know who else is in this game? Well, in today’s post, we will be shining light on that because here we will be talking about the top 10 largest producers of aluminium in the world. So buckle up, because we are about to dive into some interesting data about global aluminium production.
Top Countries for Aluminium Production In World
1. China
The manufacturing power and industry in China are by far the biggest compared to any other nation in the world. Understandably, there is more demand for metals that can be used in manufacturing various electrical items and especially for automotive manufacturing. And the demand for aluminium in China is way higher than in any other country in this list, thus it produces an enormous amount every fiscal year. In 2019, China’s aluminium production was around 36 million metric tonnes, and within two years, China has increased the production amount by 3 million metric tonnes. According to the statistical report from 2021, China produced well over 39 million metric tonnes of aluminium, and it’ll surpass the 40 million tonnes mark next year quite easily.
2. India
China produces nearly 10 times more aluminium than India, but still India is considered the second largest aluminium producer in the world. Some surveys show that the Vedanta company accounts for more than 1.5 million metric tonnes of aluminium production and processing in India. India’s total aluminium production amount was around 3.9 million metric tonnes in 2021, and it’ll for sure surpass the 4 million tonnes mark next year. The Aluminium production in India is much lower than in China because India tends to export a significant proportion of bauxite to other nations.
3. Russia
In terms of aluminium production every year, Russia is not very far behind India, thus you may see these two nations surpassing each other every couple of years. A huge aluminium production company named RUSAL is the prominent contender in Russia which accounts for the most amount of aluminium production as well as processing in the nation. However, RUSAL’s imports from other nations have been affected because of the conflict situation between Russia and Ukraine, thus you may see a sudden decrease in the overall aluminium production of Russia. If you take a look at the last year’s data, you’d find that Russia produced well over 3.7 million metric tonnes of aluminium in one fiscal year.
4. Canada
For Canada, it was quite recently when it surpassed the 3 million metric tonnes mark in terms of in-house aluminium production. It is a fact that Canada’s aluminium is one of the purest in the world having a very minimal carbon footprint. And if you take a look at the growth of aluminium production in Canada, it’s somewhat slow but steadily growing with every fiscal year. According to the experts, the aluminium production and processing sector in Canada is pretty strong and stable which is primarily because of the technology being used from mining to the production of the end products. That is why last year, in 2021, Canada was able to produce around 3.1 million metric tonnes of aluminium.
5. UAE
The United Arab Emirates is known as the fifth largest aluminium producer in the world, and it has been holding this title for more than a couple of years now. That is because the aluminium production of UAE hasn’t grown much over the years, it is somewhat steady. If you look at the data from the last five to seven years, you’d find that UAE has been producing well under 3 million metric tonnes every fiscal year. According to the fresh data, in 2021, UAE produced around 2.7 million metric tonnes of aluminium, and a significant portion of that is exported to some countries in the west.
6. Australia
Despite being the largest bauxite producer in the world, when it comes to aluminium production, Australia ranks well below the list. And that is primarily because more than 25% of the bauxite produced by Australia is exported to other nations for a profit every fiscal year. Australia is one of those countries that produce a certain amount of aluminium every year with a tiny percentage growth. If you take a look at the recent data about the aluminium production of Australia in one fiscal year, you’d find that Australia produced just around 1.6 million metric tonnes in 2021. It will take Australia around five years or so to surpass the 2 million metric tonnes mark.
7. Bahrain
The second largest aluminium producer in the Middle East is Bahrain. It may appear to you that Bahrain may rank one step higher on this post if it surpasses Australia, but that hasn’t happened yet. Usually, Bahrain produces 100 thousand metric tonnes less aluminium than Australia every year. And that was the same case if we look at last year’s data, where Bahrain produced around 1.5 million metric tonnes of aluminium in 2021. The noteworthy thing is that Bahrain is steadily increasing the production amount with every fiscal year passing by.
8. Norway
Norway has been holding the rank of eighth largest aluminium producer in the world for more than five years now. And that is because the production rate has been kept quite steady by the local aluminium-producing companies. However, it is true that Norway has access to the latest or state-of-the-art technology when it comes to mining bauxite and processing it further for the production of aluminium. Compared to other nations on today’s list, the demand for aluminium in Norway is relatively less. Thus it barely touches the 1.5 million tonnes mark every fiscal year. If you look at 2021’s data, you’d find that Norway produced just around 1.4 million metric tonnes of aluminium.
9. United States Of America
It may surprise you a little that a developed country like the United State of America is on the lower spots of this list. Well, there is a good reason behind that. The USA likes to import aluminium every year from other nations in the Middle East and Asia, and that’s because bauxite isn’t as common in the USA as in other countries on our list. In 2019, the USA surpassed the 1 million metric tonnes mark in terms of aluminium production, but it dropped significantly the following year. In 2021, it was just around 880 thousand metric tonnes.
10. Iceland
If you look at 2021’s data about aluminium production worldwide, you’ll find that there was a tie between Iceland and the USA. That’s because Iceland also produced around 880 thousand metric tonnes of aluminium last year. It is highly likely that Iceland would be in the last spot next year since the USA’s aluminium production may increase. And it is a fact that many America-based companies are working in Iceland for aluminium production.
Conclusion
Alright, these were the top 10 largest producers of aluminium in the world. And now you have a pretty good understanding of which nation’s aluminium production is on a decline or increasing steadily every year. This way you can speculate which country may rank higher on this list in the next fiscal year.
Aluminium Production FAQs
Q1. Why Important Is Aluminum To The Global Economy?
Ans: Aluminum holds immense importance in numerous sectors, such as construction, transportation, packaging, and electrical systems. Its increasing demand is primarily attributed to its capability to lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions across various applications. Consequently, aluminum production and usage significantly influence global economic growth and sustainability.
Q2. What Are Some Challenges Facing The Aluminum Industry Today?
Ans: Today’s aluminum industry grapples with multiple challenges, with the environmental impacts of aluminum production being a primary concern. The production process consumes copious amounts of energy and releases greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change. Furthermore, bauxite mining, the raw material for aluminum production, can lead to deforestation, habitat destruction, and water pollution. Another challenge is the fluctuating aluminum prices, affecting producers’ profitability and creating uncertainty for investors.
Q3. How Is Bauxite Mined And Processed To Produce Aluminum?
Ans: Initially, bauxite ore is extracted from the earth, typically via open-pit mining. After extraction, the bauxite undergoes the Bayer Process, where it is crushed, mixed with a caustic soda solution, and heated under pressure to dissolve aluminum-containing minerals. The resulting mixture, known as alumina, is separated from impurities through a series of filtration and sedimentation steps. Subsequently, the alumina is transformed into aluminum through electrolysis. The aluminum is collected, cooled, and shaped into various forms like ingots, sheets, or extrusions, depending on the application.
Q4. How Has The Aluminum Industry Evolved Over Time?
Ans: In the late 19th century, early aluminum production was labor-intensive and costly, making it a luxury item. However, the invention of the Hall-Héroult process in 1886 made aluminum production more efficient and cost-effective, leading to its widespread use. As we move forward, technological advancements and heightened environmental awareness will continue to shape the aluminum industry’s future trajectory.
