Insight
Why is the Chinese aluminium industry feeling blue?
*Please note that this report only includes an Excel data file if this is indicated in "What's included" below
Report summary
In July 2018, China’s State Council unveiled a ‘blue sky defence’ action plan to reduce air pollution by 2020. The initiative follows the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan of 2013 and last year’s ‘2+26’ policy. The target area for air pollution control and prevention now includes the '2+26' cities, 11 cities in the Fenwei plain and provinces in the Yangtze River Delta. With the range and intensity of environmental scrutiny increasing, the aluminium industry is under growing pressure. In this insight, we identify the new plan’s key action points for the aluminium industry and analyse the potential implications for refineries and smelters.
Table of contents
- New aluminium capacity prohibited in the key areas
- Bauxite mines need to clean up their act
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Air pollution controls extend to autumn and winter
- Why will aluminium smelters escape seasonal cuts?
- Alumina refineries more vulnerable to cuts, seasonal or otherwise
- A concoction of events that will alter refinery expansion plans
Tables and charts
This report includes the following images and tables:
- 32% of aluminium production and 70% of alumina production is located in the blue sky region
- Blue sky areas aluminium production, 2018
- Blue sky areas alumina production, 2018
- Alumina cuts resulting from bauxite shortage and low alumina prices
What's included
This report contains:
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