Aluminum is the most abundant metal in nature, representing around 8% of the Earth's crust. The main source of aluminum for commercial exploitation is bauxite ore, which is mainly composed of aluminum oxide
The United States is the largest aluminum producer in the world, followed by Russia, China, Canada and Australia. Brazil is one of the largest aluminum producers in the world, and in 2022 it ranked 12th.
Last year, Brazil regained self-sufficiency in aluminum and saw Brazilian production of the metal increase 24%, reaching the level of 1.006 million tons, according to preliminary data from the Brazilian Aluminum Association (Abal).
The result represents the second consecutive annual improvement after the sector showed a recovery of 5.1% in the indicator in 2022. That year, primary metal companies in Brazil achieved a production of 811 thousand tons, an increase of 5.1% compared to the previous year and Brazil ended 2022 as the 12th largest aluminum producer in the world.
Regarding exports, according to ComexVis, an application from the Ministry of Economy, the main destinations for aluminum ore in 2022 were Canada, Ireland, Greece, the United States and China.
It is worth highlighting that, with the increase in the installed capacity of refineries and smelters in Brazil in recent years, a large part of the bauxite production began to be consumed in the country itself.
This situation has placed our country in a condition of self-sufficiency in the production of primary aluminum, making it possible to supply the national industry with processed products.
This significant growth in production is largely due to the reactivation of the Alumar industrial complex, located in Maranhão. This complex returned to operation in the second half of 2022, after a long period of inactivity that began in 2015.
Another important fact is that the Brazilian government decided to tax imports of aluminum laminates from China, after proving that that government offered subsidies to Chinese exporters who sold their products in our country, a fact celebrated by national companies.
Finally, the expectations presented by IAI, as we have already seen, are encouraging, projecting a future of success and good results.
Until the end of 2024, trends remain positive, as investments in the sector are expected to reach a total of R$ 30 billion in the next two years in Brazil.
To give you an idea about this value, the gross investment made in the sector in 2022 was R$1.9 billion, therefore, it is clear that companies in the segment are optimistic about the future.
One of the most relevant points that encourage investments in this market is related to the sustainability of the planet.
We live in a critical moment, where care for the environment becomes increasingly necessary, since according to the United Nations (UN), through the words of its Secretary General, Mr. António Guterres:
“Science tells us that the next 10 years constitute our last chance to avert climate catastrophe, reverse the deadly tide of pollution and species loss.”
Aluminum is a material that effectively contributes to the sustainability of the planet, as, after being discarded, it can be returned as a raw material to production lines indefinitely.
It is, therefore, strategic material that effectively contributes to reversing the situation in which we find ourselves.
Perspectives for the coming years
A study carried out by the International Aluminum Institute (IAI) shows that the demand for this material will grow by 40% by the year 2030 worldwide.
This means that the sector will need to produce 33.3 million metric tons more than today, reaching a total of 119.5 million that year.
The popularization of the use of aluminum in the construction industry will be one of the major milestones in the growth of production.
Once again, this is due to sustainability, which becomes a societal requirement, associated with lower maintenance costs, since this material can be used for more than 75 years in a building before being recycled.
As can be seen, the forecast for the aluminum market in Brazil and around the world is encouraging, therefore, great results are expected.
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