Lightweight-construction trend buoys demand for semis
Despite a slight decline in production in 2015, the German aluminium semis industry is looking forward to 2016 with optimism. “Although we recorded growth in the automotive sector, other markets like the building and construction industry remained flat,” explained Bernd Schafer, chairman of the Semi-Finished Products Trade Association of Gesamtverband der Aluminiumindustrie (GDA), speaking at the association’s General Meeting mid-March in Düsseldorf. “Our outlook for 2016 is positive,” he added. “Good demand in particular from European markets will boost production at our rolling mills and extrusion plants continually. The most important markets like automotive, building and construction industry and packaging are showing stable growth, demand is decreasing and our capacity utilisation is good. That is why we are confident regards 2016.”
European production of rolled aluminium to top 5 million tonnes for first time
The aluminium rolling mills in Germany account for almost half of all European rolled aluminium products and the highest share of German aluminium semis production. In 2015 the production of aluminium rolled products totalled 1.857 million tonnes. The production of extruded or drawn aluminium products was 586,900 tonnes. According to Bernd Schafer, GDA’s Semi-Finished Products Trade Association is forecasting continued growth in demand for rolled or extruded aluminium products in future; the demand forecast for the next few years prepared by the association is quite positive. “The lightweight construction megatrend means the use of aluminium in the motorcar is continuing to exhibit outstanding growth potential.” Demand for aluminium rolled products in Europe will exceed the five-million-tonne mark for the first time in 2016 thanks in particular to the good demand from this sector.
GDA’s Semi-Finished Products Trade Association represents the largest producer group within the German aluminium industry. In 2015, the sector produced 2.45 million tonnes of aluminium semis with an annual turnover of some six billion Euros. Germany is by far the largest producer of aluminium semis in Europe and one of the largest worldwide. Aluminium semis include sheet, strip, plate, profiles, rod and bar, tube, wire and forgings. The main markets for these products are transport and transportation, the building and construction industry and packaging.