Top 10 Biggest Aluminium producers of the world
Global primary aluminium production reached 64.3 million metric tons in 2018. According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), China and Asia (non-Chinese companies) accounted for over 40 million metric tons of aluminium.
The list below is based-upon output from primary refiners as reported by the companies for 2020. Production figures shown beside each company name are in millions of metric tons (MMT).
Chalco (China) 17 mmt
The Aluminium Corporation of China (Chalco) remains one of China’s largest aluminium producers. Chalco employs 65,000 staff and also has operations in copper and other metals. The state-owned company is listed on the Shanghai, Hong Kong, and New York Stock Exchanges. Its primary aluminium assets include the Shandong Aluminium Company, Pingguo Aluminium Company, Shanxi Aluminium Plant and the Lanzhou Aluminium Plant.
AWAC (Alcoa and Alumina Ltd) 12 mmt
A joint venture between Alumina Ltd and Alcoa Inc., AWAC have facilities located in Australia, Guinea, Suriname, Texas, Sao Luis, Brazil, and Spain.
Rio Tinto (Australia) – 7.9 mmt
The Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is one of the world’s primary aluminium producers. The miner has fallen in and out of the top three over the years given cost reductions and productivity improvements. The company’s primary aluminium smelters are located in Canada, Cameroon, France, Iceland, Norway, and the Middle East.
Rusal 7.7 mmt
UC Rusal of Russia has been usurped as the top aluminium producer by major Chinese producers. The company currently operates numerous aluminium smelters in three countries. Most are located in Russia, with ones in Sweden and Nigeria. Rusal’s core assets are located in Siberia, which accounts for much of its aluminium production.
Xinfa (China) – 7 mmt
Shandong Xinfa Aluminium Group Co. Ltd. is another major Chinese aluminium producer. Founded in 1972 and headquartered in the Shandong Province of eastern China, the company has over 50 subsidiaries in power generation. It also owns alumina and aluminium refining, carbon production and downstream aluminium product manufacturing companies. its major aluminium assets include Chiping Huaxin Aluminium Industry Co. Ltd., the Shandong Xinfa Hope Aluminium Co. Ltd. (East Hope Group) and Guangxi Xinfa Aluminium Co. Ltd.
Norsk Hydro ASA (Norway) – 6.2mmt
Norsk Hydro’s aluminium production reached nearly 1.96 million tons. The Norwegian company is a fully integrated aluminium producer, with operations that include bauxite mines, alumina refining, primary metal production, as well as value-added casting. Norsk employs 35,000 people in 40 countries and is a major power production operator in Norway. The company’s largest aluminium smelters are in Norway, Canada, and Brazil.
South 32 (Australia) 5.05 mmt
South 32 is an Australian owned mining company with facilities in North America, Africa, Australia, and South America. They are producers of bauxite, alumina, aluminium, and other metals.
Hongqiao Group (China) 2.6 mmt
China Hongqiao, which only first showed up on the list of the world’s ten largest aluminium producers in 2010, remains at the top of the list for 2020. Output growth has been driven by capacity expansions and acquisitions, which have provided China Hongqiao with the largest aluminium production capacity in China. China’s largest private aluminium producer was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Zouping, Shandong. China Hongqiao Group Limited is a subsidiary of China Hongqiao Holdings Limited.
Nalco (India) 2.1 mmt
China Power Investment Corporation’s (CPI) aluminium assets have seen their production rise. CPI is a comprehensive investment group that holds assets in power generation, coal, aluminium, railways, and ports. The company was founded in 2002. Its major aluminium assets include the Ningxia Qingtongxia Energy and Aluminum and CPI Aluminium International Trading Co. Ltd.
Emirate Global Aluminum (EGA) 2 mmt
Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) was formed in 2013 with the merging of Dubai Aluminium (“DUBAL”) and Emirates Aluminium (“EMAL”). With a large production capacity, the company is owned equally by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai. EGA’s aluminum assets include the Jebel Ali smelter and power station, as well as the El Taweelah smelter.
