Woodhead Publishing Aluminium: The challenges ahead

This comprehensive report examines the state of the world aluminium industry at the start of the 21st century, reviewing the aftermath of 1994's Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which mothballed 1.5m tonnes of capacity and led to a sharp rise in prices. It examines the damage done to aluminium demand from both the automotive and beverage can sectors, and the effects of talk of recession in the US and Europe in 2001. However, it finds that aluminium is at last beginning to see signs of success in the mass-produced end of the automotive market with the launch of the Audi A2. Packaging demand is also holding up, although PET is continuing to make gains in the beverage container market. Up-to-date, in-depth research and analysis to make you an authority on the world's major nickel markets This new report is a vital aid to surviving and prospering in a complex and changing market. Some key findings of this report: Western Europe remains a net importer of primary aluminium, with imports of over 2 million tonnes. If the expected growth in per capita aluminium consumption up to 2010 takes place, Europe will rely even more heavily on imported metal from countries such as Russia and the Gulf Co-operation Council countries. Chinese demand for aluminium in building and construction is forecast to grow at an impressive 15% per year. Aluminium will provide 68% of the material weight of the airframe of the new Airbus A3XX. Using current Airbus design principles, about 980 tonnes of semi-finished aluminium products will be needed per aircraft. Aluminium applications in industrial vehicles grew by 4-5% in the five years to 2000; however, they could increase worldwide by 30-50% by 2005. Aluminium bridges are a new and promising market, with recent technological advances making it possibly to construct bridges with spans of up to 100 metres or more. The three biggest European construction markets for aluminium are Italy, with 270,000 tonnes, Germany with 210,000 tonnes and the UK, with 150,000 tonnes.