AM Statistics: Chinese consumption for imported bauxite down by 2.4% MOM in January 2016
2016-02-03 09:13:52 [Print]
BEIJING (Asian Metal) 3 Feb 16 - According to Asian Metal Database, Chinese consumption volumes for imported bauxite dwindled by 2.4% to around 4 million tonnes in January 2016, compared with that in December 2015. Meanwhile, the data showed that imported bauxite stocks in China climbed up by 6% MOM to around 35 million tonnes by the end of the previous month.
Chinese consumption for imported bauxite (kt)
The above graph shows that the demand volume for imported bauxite had been moving down since last October until this January. Because of sluggish alumina and aluminum markets, Chinese alumina refineries began cutting production from last October. In Shandong province, refineries cut production by around 3.5 million tonnes in total. In addition, refineries in Henan stopped consuming imported bauxite due to losses. Alumina prices became stable recently, and demand volume for imported bauxite may turn stable in February.
Considering Chinese Spring Festival and rainy season in Malaysia, major refineries increased imported bauxite purchase volumes in Q4 2015, but consumption volumes for the material became less, which led to imported bauxite stocks rise. By the end of January 2016, imported bauxite stocks touched 35 million tonnes, the highest level during the past 13 months. Malaysia declared to stop bauxite mining for three months from January 15, which will affect Chinese bauxite import in Q1 2016. Imported bauxite stocks in China may not improve further.
Chinese imported bauxite stocks (kt)
Chinese consumption for imported bauxite (kt)
The above graph shows that the demand volume for imported bauxite had been moving down since last October until this January. Because of sluggish alumina and aluminum markets, Chinese alumina refineries began cutting production from last October. In Shandong province, refineries cut production by around 3.5 million tonnes in total. In addition, refineries in Henan stopped consuming imported bauxite due to losses. Alumina prices became stable recently, and demand volume for imported bauxite may turn stable in February.
Considering Chinese Spring Festival and rainy season in Malaysia, major refineries increased imported bauxite purchase volumes in Q4 2015, but consumption volumes for the material became less, which led to imported bauxite stocks rise. By the end of January 2016, imported bauxite stocks touched 35 million tonnes, the highest level during the past 13 months. Malaysia declared to stop bauxite mining for three months from January 15, which will affect Chinese bauxite import in Q1 2016. Imported bauxite stocks in China may not improve further.
Chinese imported bauxite stocks (kt)
Caustic Soda 32%min Delivered China
Unit:RMB/mt 100-basis
China alumina producers' suspension number statistics by province by month
Unit: pcs
