Global carbon transfer and emissions of aluminum production and consumption

Abstract

Aluminum is the second most used metal after iron and steel worldwide, and its production is highly energy-intensive. It's increasingly important to focus on carbon reduction in the aluminum industry . The global aluminum cycle depends on international trade with great influence on the carbon distribution, but few studies have analyzed the aluminum industry from the perspective of carbon transfer. We analyze global carbon emissions and transfers from aluminum production, consumption, and trade from 2000 to 2018 to reveal the carbon distribution across regions and countries. The results show that 1) the aluminum trade carbon transfer increased from 99 to 114 Mt, mainly from resource-rich Oceania and Africa to faster-developing or developed regions such as Asia, Europe and North America, with a high degree of industrial concentration; 2) the carbon emissions of aluminum production increased from 363 to 1005 Mt, with China accounting for the largest share; 3) different countries had different consumption structure, and the northern hemisphere as the main consumption region has greater potential for recycling and emission reduction. There is a long way to go for the aluminum industry toward its low-carbon transition, and this study will provide important insights into carbon reduction in the global aluminum industry. • Global carbon emission and transfer of aluminum through production, consumption, and trade. • Alumina and primary aluminum account for more than 90% process emissions. • Carbon transfer in aluminum trade shows a trend from resource-rich South to developing or developed North. • Energy consumption for aluminum production varies significantly in different regions.