Development and Evolution of Aluminum Industry in China Based on Aluminum Flow Analysis

Abstract

AbstractThe whole process of aluminum cycle consists of four stages: Production of alumina and primary aluminum, fabrication and manufacture of aluminum products, use of aluminum final products, and recycling of obsolete aluminum products. Aluminum cycle in China in 2011 was analyzed using alumium flow diagram, and the following indices were obtained: The resource self-support ratio of alumina, aluminum and the whole aluminum industry were 53.18%, 95.58% and 54.85%, respectively; self-produced and net imported aluminum scrap use ratios of the aluminum industry were 4.68% and 7.98%, respectively. Aluminum cycles and aluminum flow indices in China of the year 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2008–2010 were also analyzed. It was found that from 1990 to 2011, imported Al-containing resources increased and imported bauxite has increased significantly since 2005. Resources self-support ratio of aluminum industry changed gradually from fully self-support to depencdent on the imports of raw materials. Self-produced auminum scrap use ratio presented downtrend basically and the imported aluminum scrap use ratio was greater than self-produced aluminum scrap use ratio after 1995.