Aluminum facts

Light, strong, flexible, non-corrosive and infinitely recyclable, aluminum is one of the most widely used and recycled metals in the world.

Learn more about aluminum

Uses

The automotive and transportation industry relies on a variety of aluminum alloys in the manufacture of various components, because of its lightness and durability, which reduces a vehicle’s weight and, in turn, fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Aluminum is also widely used in:

• construction, which relies on various aluminum products, from exterior siding to structural components
• the electrical and electronics industries
• packaging, such as beverage cans and foils, which benefit from its infinitely recyclable properties

Production

In nature, aluminum does not exist in a pure state. The production of primary aluminum metal begins with bauxite ore, which is composed of hydrated aluminum oxide (40% to 60%) mixed with silica and iron oxide.

It takes approximately 4 to 5 tonnes of bauxite ore to produce 2 tonnes of alumina. In turn, it takes approximately 2 tonnes of alumina to produce 1 tonne of aluminum.

There are 10 primary aluminum smelters in Canada: one is located in Kitimat, British Columbia, and the other nine are in Quebec. There is also one alumina refinery, located in Saguenay, Quebec.

No bauxite is mined in Canada.

Canada's primary aluminum production in 2018 was estimated at 2.9 million tonnes, a decrease from 2017’s 3.2 million tonnes. By using mostly hydroelectricity and the latest generation of technologies, Canadian aluminum producers have the lowest carbon footprint compared with the world's other large producers.

International context

World primary aluminum production totaled just over 60.0 million tonnes in 2018. China was the world's largest producer with 33 million tonnes, followed by Russia, India and Canada.

Find out more about aluminum production on an international scale:

World reserves

In 2018, world reserves of bauxite ore were assessed at 30.4 billion tonnes.

Demand

Global demand for primary aluminum reached an estimated 69.0 million tonnes in 2018, representing an 8.6% increase compared with 2017. World aluminum demand grew at an average annual rate of 6.5% between 2013 and 2018, largely supported by increased demand in China and key sectors such as construction and transportation.

China accounted for the largest share of global aluminum consumption by region in 2018, followed by North America, Asia and Europe.

Trade

Exports

Canadian exports of aluminum products were valued at $13.0 billion in 2018, an increase of $300 million over 2017. Of this amount:

• $8.3 billion was used for unwrought alloyed and non-alloyed aluminum
• $1.2 billion was used for aluminum waste and scrap
• $695 million was used for aluminum plates, sheets and strip

The United States was Canada's largest export destination for aluminum products, accounting for 83.2% of total aluminum export trade, followed by the Netherlands (4.7%), Mexico (3.3%), Japan (3.0%) and China (1.9%).

Imports

Canada's total imports of aluminum products were valued at $8.4 billion in 2018, an increase of $1.3 billion over 2017. Approximately 54.3% of imports were semi-fabricated and fabricated aluminum products.

Imports came from the United States (43.8%), Brazil (23.0%), China (11.0%), Australia (7.5%) and Germany (1.7%).

Prices

Global demand for aluminum was more robust than expected, helping prices move upward from their low of 2015.

Recycling

The intensity of aluminum use in transportation is rising as its unique properties and recyclability fit the world's needs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Aluminum is infinitely recyclable, making it one of the most recycled metals in the world. More than 90% of the aluminum used in automotive and construction applications is recycled, driving a closed-loop circular economy.

Secondary aluminum production requires 95% less energy than primary aluminum production.