U.S. primary aluminum production remains low despite slow increase in prices

U.S. Energy Information Administration -------- Since January 2015, the production of primary aluminum in the United States has fallen by more than 50%. The United States consistently produced about 140,000 metric tons of aluminum each month until mid-2015, when output slowed significantly. Since April 2016, primary aluminum production has averaged around 60,000 metric tons per month, even as aluminum prices have slowly increased. Primary production of aluminum is more price-sensitive than secondary production of aluminum (i.e., recycling). In the U.S. Geological Survey’s monthly mineral industry survey for aluminum, the Midwest price is the typical benchmark for U.S. trade, and the London price is the typical benchmark for international trade. Although the recent downturn in U.S. primary production of aluminum was initially attributed to declining aluminum prices, the price of aluminum has nearly returned to early 2015 levels, while primary aluminum smelting levels remain relatively low. To learn more click on the picture below to read the article.