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 their lightness and durability, which reduce 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 infinite recyclability

Production

Aluminum does not exist in a pure state in nature. 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 Jonquière, Quebec.

No bauxite is mined in Canada.

Canada's primary aluminum production in 2019 was estimated at 2.85 million tonnes, a decrease from 2.92 million tonnes in 2018. Using mostly hydroelectricity and the latest generation of technologies, Canadian aluminum producers have the lowest carbon footprint among the world's other large producers.

International context

World primary estimated aluminum production totaled just over 64.4 million tonnes in 2019. China was the world's largest producer with 36 million tonnes, followed by India, Russia, and Canada.

Find out more about aluminum production on an international scale:

World reserves

In 2019, world reserves of bauxite ore were assessed at 30.4 billion tonnes.

Demand

Global demand for primary aluminum reached an estimated 65.6 million tonnes in 2019, representing less than a 0.2% increase compared with the revised 2018 value of 65.5 million tonnes. World aluminum demand grew at an average annual rate of 4.1% between 2014 and 2019, 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 2019, followed by North America, Asia and Europe.

Trade

Exports

Canadian exports of aluminum products were valued at $11.2 billion in 2019, a decrease of $1.9 billion over 2018. Of this amount:

• $7.1 billion was unwrought alloyed and non-alloyed aluminum
• $885 million was aluminum waste and scrap
• $580 million was aluminum plates, sheets and strip

The United States was Canada's largest export destination for aluminum products, accounting for 85.3% of total aluminum export trade, followed by the Netherlands (4.7%), Mexico (3.8%), China (1.8%) and South Korea (0.9%).

Imports

Canada's total imports of aluminum products were valued at $7.6 billion in 2019, a decrease of $1.2 billion over 2018. Approximately 60.0% of imports were semi-fabricated and fabricated aluminum products.

Imports came from the United States (43.9%), Brazil (20.2%), China (12.2%), Australia (5.7%) and Germany (2.1%).

Prices

Global demand for aluminum showed a slight decline in 2019, reflected by lower prices during the year with a slight regain from mid-year.

Recycling

The intensity of aluminum use in transportation is rising as its unique properties and recyclability fit the world's needs in reducing 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.