Aluminum is a lightweight, durable, flexible, and non-corrosive metal that is infinitely recyclable, making it one of the most widely used and recycled metals in the world.
Key facts
- In 2023, Canada produced an estimated 3.3 million tonnes of primary aluminum.
- Canada is the world’s fourth-largest primary aluminum producer, following China, India, and Russia.
- Canadian aluminum producers have the lowest carbon footprint among major producers, thanks largely to their reliance on hydroelectricity and cutting-edge technologies.
Learn more about aluminum
Uses
The automotive and transportation industry uses a variety of aluminum alloys in manufacturing due to their light weight and exceptional durability. These properties contribute significantly to reducing the weight of vehicles, which in turn enhances fuel efficiency and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.
Aluminum is also widely used in
- construction, which relies on various aluminum products, from exterior siding to structural components,
- packaging such as beverage cans and foils, which benefit from its infinite recyclability, and
- the electrical and electronics industries
Aluminum, global uses, 2023 (p)
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This pie chart illustrates the primary global applications of aluminum in 2023. The largest share was allocated to the automotive and transportation sector, accounting for 29%. This was followed by construction at 22%, foil and packaging at 16%, electrical engineering and electronics at 12%, machinery and equipment at 8%, consumer goods at 4%, and other applications at 9%.
Production
Aluminum is not found in its pure form in nature. It is extracted from bauxite ore, which is comprised of 40% to 60% hydrated aluminum oxide, mixed with silica and iron oxide. The production process begins with the refining of bauxite to obtain alumina. Approximately 4 to 5 tonnes of bauxite ore are required to produce 2 tonnes of alumina. In turn, it takes about 2 tonnes of alumina to yield 1 tonne of aluminum.
In Canada, there are 10 primary aluminum smelters, with one located in Kitimat, British Columbia, and the other nine situated in Quebec. An alumina refinery is also in operation in Jonquière, Quebec. It is important to note that Canada does not mine bauxite domestically, relying instead on imported bauxite to support its aluminum production.
Canadian refinery and smelters estimated capacity and production, 2023
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This map shows the locations of aluminum smelters and the sole alumina refinery in Canada. The alumina refinery is situated in Quebec, while there are 10 aluminum smelters across the country—one in Kitimat, British Columbia, and nine in Quebec. The largest of these is the Alouette facility in Sept-Îles, Quebec, which boasts an impressive production capacity of 634,000 tonnes per year. The legend accompanying the map provides details on ownership and annual production levels (in thousands of tonnes) for each facility.
In 2023, Canada’s primary aluminum production is estimated at 3.3 million tonnes, an increase of 9% from 2022. Using mostly hydroelectricity and cutting-edge technologies, Canadian aluminum producers have the lowest carbon footprint among the world’s major producers.
Canadian production of primary aluminum, 2014–2023 (p)
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This bar graph illustrates Canada’s annual primary aluminum production from 2014 to 2023. In 2014, production was approximately 2.9 million tonnes. It peaked at 3.2 million tonnes in 2017 before dropping to 2.9 million tonnes in 2019. Production then rebounded to 3.2 million tonnes in both 2020 and 2021, before falling to 3.0 million tonnes in 2022. Production then reached a decade high of 3.3 million tonnes in 2023.
International context
Global primary aluminum production is estimated at 70.0 million tonnes for 2023. China led the world in production with 41.0 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 | 98,000 | 24.8% |
| 2 | Guinea | 97,000 | 24.5% |
| 3 | China | 93,000 | 23.5% |
| 4 | Brazil | 31,000 | 7.8% |
| 5 | India | 23,000 | 5.8% |
| 6 | Indonesia | 20,000 | 5.1% |
| 7 | Jamaica | 6,000 | 1.5% |
| 8 | Russia | 5,800 | 1.5% |
| 9 | Saudi Arabia | 4,600 | 1.2% |
| 10 | Kazakhstan | 4,300 | 1.1% |
| Other countries | 12,500 | 3.2% | |
| Total (rounded) | 395,200 | 100.0% |
Alumina, by country
| Ranking | Country | Thousand tonnes | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 82,000 | 59.6% |
| 2 | Australia | 19,000 | 13.8% |
| 3 | Brazil | 10,000 | 7.3% |
| 4 | India | 7,300 | 5.3% |
| 5 | Russia | 2,400 | 1.7% |
| 6 | United Arab Emirates | 2,300 | 1.7% |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | 1,800 | 1.3% |
| 8 | Canada | 1,600 | 1.2% |
| 9 | Jamaica | 1,500 | 1.1% |
| 10 | Vietnam | 1,400 | 1.0% |
| Other countries | 8,200 | 6.0% | |
| Total (rounded) | 137,500 | 100.0% |
Primary aluminum, by country
| Ranking | Country | Thousand tonnes | Percentage of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 41,000 | 58.9% |
| 2 | India | 4,100 | 5.9% |
| 3 | Russia | 3,800 | 5.5% |
| 4 | Canada | 3,300 | 4.7% |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 2,700 | 3.9% |
| 6 | Bahrain | 1,600 | 2.3% |
| 7 | Australia | 1,500 | 2.2% |
| 8 | Norway | 1,300 | 1.9% |
| 9 | Brazil | 1,100 | 1.6% |
| 10 | Malaysia | 980 | 1.4% |
| Other countries | 8,180 | 11.8% | |
| Total (rounded) | 69,560 | 100.0% |
World production of primary aluminum, 2014–2023 (p)
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This bar graph illustrates the global production of primary aluminum in millions of tonnes from 2014 to 2023. In 2014, world production stood at 52.3 million tonnes, steadily increasing annually to reach a peak of 70 million tonnes in 2023.
World reserves
Global bauxite ore reserves amounted to 30.0 billion tonnes in 2023.
World reserves of bauxite ore, by country, 2023 (p)
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This bar graph illustrates global reserves of bauxite ore by country in billions of tonnes for 2023. Guinea held the largest reserves, with 7.4 billion tonnes, followed by Vietnam (5.8 billion tonnes), Australia (3.5 billion tonnes), Brazil (2.7 billion tonnes), Jamaica (2.0 billion tonnes), and Indonesia (1.0 billion tonnes), while all other countries combined held 7.4 billion tonnes.
Demand
Global demand for primary aluminum reached an estimated 69.9 million tonnes in 2023, a 1.3% increase from 2022. World aluminum demand has generally grown between 2014 and 2023, largely supported by increased demand in China and in key sectors such as construction and transportation.
China accounted for the largest share of global aluminum consumption by region in 2023, followed by Europe, Asia (excluding China), North America, and the Middle East.
Primary aluminum demand, by region, 2023
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This pie chart shows the estimated demand for primary aluminum by region in 2023. China accounted for the largest percentage of global demand (58.4%), followed by Europe (13.3%), Asia (excluding China) (11.4%), North America (9.9%), the Middle East (2.4%), and other countries (4.6%).
Trade
Exports
In 2023, Canadian exports of aluminum products were valued at $16.9 billion, representing a 7.4% decline from 2022 due to lower market prices.
Exports included:
- $11.0 billion in unwrought alloyed and non-alloyed aluminum
- $2.5 billion in semi-finished aluminum products
- $1.7 billion in finished aluminum products
- $1.7 billion in aluminum waste and scrap
The United States was Canada’s largest export destination for aluminum products in 2023, accounting for 90.3% of the total value of aluminum exports, followed by Netherlands (2.4%) and Mexico (2.1%).
Imports
In 2023, Canada’s imports of aluminum products were valued at $9.5 billion, an 8.8% decline from the previous year. Imports of bauxite concentrate and alumina for aluminum production accounted for $2.3 billion or 24% of Canada’s aluminum imports in 2022.
Most imports came from the United States (43.5%), Brazil (18.7%), China (14.5%), Australia (6.6%), and Germany (2.2%).
Prices
On average, aluminum prices fell in 2023. Prices reached a high monthly average of US$2,502 per tonne in January 2023 and steadily decreased to an annual low of $2,137 in August 2023, before climbing slightly to reach $2,182 in December 2023. The average monthly price in 2023 was $2,245, down from $2,705 in 2022.
Aluminum prices, monthly average, 2014–2023
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This line graph plots the monthly average price of aluminum in US dollars per tonne from 2013 to 2023. In January 2013, the price was $2,038 per tonne. Prices fluctuated slightly, but trended downward to $1,467 per tonne by November 2015. Prices increased to $2,300 by May 2018 before plummeting to a decade low of $1,460 in April 2020. They then rebounded to a decade high of $3,498 in March 2022 before dropping to a monthly average of $2,182 by December 2023.
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, 2023 (p)
- Wood Mackenzie
Production
- Canadian refinery and smelters, estimated production, 2023
- Natural Resources Canada; Statistics Canada
- Company annual reports
- Canadian production of primary aluminum, 2014–2023 (p)
- Statistics Canada
International context
- World production of bauxite ore, by country, 2023 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World production of alumina, by country, 2023 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World production of primary aluminum, by country, 2023 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World production of primary aluminum, 2014–2023 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- World reserves of bauxite ore, by country, 2023 (p)
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Primary aluminum demand, by region, 2023
- 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, 2014–2023
- The World Bank
Recycling
- The Aluminum Association of Canada