Aluminum facts
Light, strong, flexible, non-corrosive and infinitely recyclable, aluminum is one of the most widely used and recycled metals in the world.
Key facts
- Canada produced an estimated 3.0 million tonnes of primary aluminum in 2022.
- Canada is the world's fourth-largest primary aluminum producer following China, India, and Russia.
- By using mostly hydroelectricity and the latest generation of technologies, Canadian aluminum producers have the lowest carbon footprint in the world when compared to other large producers.
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
Aluminum, global uses, 2022 (p)
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This bar graph shows the major global uses of aluminum in 2022. The largest use was for automotive and transportation (29%), followed by construction (22%), foil and packaging (16%), electrical engineering and electronics (11%), machinery and equipment (8%), consumer goods (4%) and other applications (9%).
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.
Canadian refinery and smelters estimated capacity and production, 2022
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This map shows the location of the alumina refinery and aluminum smelters in Canada. The only alumina refinery is in Quebec, and there are 10 aluminum smelters (1 in Kitimat, British Columbia, and 9 in Quebec). The largest smelter is the Alouette facility in Sept-Îles, Quebec, with a production level of 628,000 tonnes per year. The ownership and production level (in thousands of tonnes per year) of each facility are provided in the legend.
Canada's primary aluminum production is estimated at 3.0 million tonnes in 2022, a 4% decrease compared to 2021. Using mostly hydroelectricity and the latest generation of technologies, Canadian aluminum producers have the lowest carbon footprint among the world's largest producers.
Canadian production of primary aluminum, 2013–2022 (p)
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This bar graph shows Canada's annual primary aluminum production from 2013 to 2022. Canada produced approximately 3.0 million tonnes in 2013. Production reached a decade high of 3.2 million tonnes in 2017 before decreasing to 2.9 million tonnes in 2019. Production rebounded in 2020 and 2021 to 3.2 million tonnes before dropping to 3.0 million tonnes in 2022.
International context
World primary aluminum production is estimated to have been 69.0 million tonnes in 2022. China was the world's largest producer with 40.0 million tonnes, followed by India, Russia, and Canada.
Find out more about the leading global producers:
Bauxite ore, by country
| Ranking | Country | Thousand tonnes | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 100,000 | 26.5% |
| 2 | China | 90,000 | 23.8% |
| 3 | Guinea | 86,000 | 22.8% |
| 4 | Brazil | 33,000 | 8.7% |
| 5 | Indonesia | 21,000 | 5.6% |
| 6 | India | 17,000 | 4.5% |
| 7 | Russia | 5,000 | 1.3% |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 4,800 | 1.3% |
| 9 | Kazakhstan | 4,400 | 1.2% |
| 10 | Jamaica | 3,900 | 1.0% |
| Other countries | 12,700 | 3.4% | |
| Total (rounded) | 380,000 | 100.0% |
Alumina, by country
| Ranking | Country | Thousand tonnes | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 76,000 | 55.7% |
| 2 | Australia | 20,000 | 14.7% |
| 3 | Brazil | 11,000 | 8.1% |
| 4 | India | 7,400 | 5.4% |
| 5 | Russia | 3,100 | 2.3% |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates | 2,300 | 1.7% |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | 2,000 | 1.5% |
| 8 | Ireland | 1,800 | 1.3% |
| 9 | Spain | 1,700 | 1.2% |
| 10 | Vietnam | 1,500 | 1.1% |
| Other countries | 9,610 | 7.0% | |
| Total (rounded) | 140,000 | 100.0% |
Primary aluminum, by country
| Ranking | Country | Thousand tonnes | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 40,000 | 58.3% |
| 2 | India | 4,000 | 5.8% |
| 3 | Russia | 3,700 | 5.4% |
| 4 | Canada | 3,000 | 4.4% |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 2,700 | 3.9% |
| 6 | Bahrain | 1,600 | 2.3% |
| 7 | Australia | 1,500 | 2.2% |
| 8 | Norway | 1,400 | 2.0% |
| 9 | United States | 860 | 1.3% |
| 10 | Iceland | 750 | 1.1% |
| Other countries | 9,100 | 13.3% | |
| Total (rounded) | 69,000 | 100.0% |
World production of primary aluminum, 2013–2022 (p)
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This bar graph shows the world production of primary aluminum in millions of tonnes from 2013 to 2022. World production was 49.2 million tonnes in 2013 and steadily increased annually, reaching a decade high of 69.0 million tonnes in 2022.
World reserves
World reserves of bauxite ore were 31.0 billion tonnes in 2022.
World reserves of bauxite ore, by country, 2022 (p)
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This bar graph shows the world reserves of bauxite ore by country in billions of tonnes for 2022. Guinea held the largest reserves, with 7.4 billion tonnes, followed by Vietnam (5.8 billion tonnes), Australia (5.1 billion tonnes), Brazil (2.7 billion tonnes), Jamaica (2.0 billion tonnes), Indonesia (1.0 billion tonnes) and all other countries (7.3 billion tonnes).
Demand
Global demand for primary aluminum reached an estimated 69.0 million tonnes in 2022, a 0.4% increase from 2021. World aluminum demand has generally grown between 2015 and 2022 at an average annual rate of 2.4%, 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 2022, followed by Europe, Asia (excluding China), North America and the Middle East.
Primary aluminum demand, by region, 2022
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This pie chart shows the estimated demand for primary aluminum by region in 2022. China accounted for the largest percentage of global demand (57.5%), followed by Europe (14.2%), Asia (excluding China) (11.4%), North America (9.9%), the Middle East (2.5%) and other countries (4.5%).
Trade
Exports
Canadian exports of aluminum products were valued at $18.2 billion in 2022, which is an increase of 20% over 2021, a reflection of higher prices.
Exports included:
- $12.1 billion was unwrought alloyed and non-alloyed aluminum
- $2.8 billion was semi-finished aluminum products
- $1.5 billion was finished aluminum products
- $1.8 billion was aluminum waste and scrap
The United States was Canada's largest export destination for aluminum products in 2022, accounting for 92% of the total value of aluminum exports, followed by Mexico (3%), and Hong Kong (1%).
Imports
Canada's total imports of aluminum products were valued at $10.4 billion in 2022, an increase of $2.0 billion or 24% compared to 2021. Imports of bauxite concentrate and alumina for processing into aluminum accounted for $2.2 billion or 21% of Canada’s aluminum imports in 2022.
Most imports came from the United States (41%), Brazil (20%), China (18%), Australia (3%), and Germany (2%).
Prices
On average, aluminum prices continued to increase in 2022 as a result of increased global demand for the metal. Prices reached a high monthly average of US$3,498 per tonne in March 2022 before decreasing to $2,225 by September of the same year. The average monthly price increased to $2,402 by December 2022, yielding an average price of $2,705 for the year.
Aluminum prices, monthly average, 2013–2022
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This line graph displays the monthly average price of aluminum in US dollars per tonne from 2013 to 2022. In January 2013, the price was $2,038 per tonne. Prices fluctuated slightly, but generally decreased toward $1,467 per tonne by November 2015. Prices increased to $2,300 by May 2018 before decreasing again to a decade low of $1,460 in April 2020. Rebounding, prices reached a decade high of $3,498 in March 2022 before decreasing to a monthly average of $2,402 by December 2022.
Recycling
The intensity of aluminum use in transportation is rising as its unique properties (e.g. light weight and strength) and recyclability contribute to 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, thereby reducing carbon emissions and costs to businesses and consumers.
Notes and sources
(p) preliminary
Totals may be different because of rounding.
Uses
- Aluminum, global uses, 2022 (p)
- Wood Mackenzie
Production
- Canadian refinery and smelters, estimated production, 2022
- Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada
- Company annual reports
- Canadian production of primary aluminum, 2013–2022 (p)
- Statistics Canada
International context
- World production of bauxite ore, by country, 2022 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World production of alumina, by country, 2022 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World production of primary aluminum, by country, 2022 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World production of primary aluminum, 2013–2022 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World reserves of bauxite ore, by country, 2022 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Primary aluminum demand, by region, 2022
- Wood Mackenzie
Trade
- Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada
- Mineral trade includes ores, concentrates, and semi- and final-fabricated mineral products.
Prices
- Aluminum prices, monthly average, 2013–2022
- The World Bank
Recycling
- The Aluminum Association of Canada
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