China's nonferrous metals industry sees strong profit growth in 2025
2026-02-11 14:49:23 [Print]
China's nonferrous metals industry saw a significant improvement in economic performance in 2025, with profits reaching a record high, according to the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA).
The number of nonferrous metals enterprises above designated size exceeded 12,000 in 2025, up 39.2% from the end of 2020. Total assets of these enterprises surpassed RMB6.6 trillion (USD955 billion), rising 8.2% year on year. Operating revenue reached RMB10.2 trillion (USD1.48 trillion), up 13.9% from 2024. Total industry profits hit a record RMB 528.45 billion (USD76.46 billion), marking a 25.6% increase from the previous year.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that China's output of ten major nonferrous metals topped 80 million tonnes for the first time, reaching 81.75 million tonnes in 2025, up 3.9% YoY, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0% during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
Among key products, refined copper output rose 10.4% YoY to 14.72 million tonnes, accounting for 47% of global production and posting an average annual growth rate of 8.0% during 2021-2025. Primary aluminum production increased 2.4% YoY to 45.02 million tonnes, representing 60% of global output, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9% over the same period.
Output of six major mined metals totaled 6.19 million tonnes, up 3.4% YoY. Alumina production climbed 8% YoY to 92.45 million tonnes. Copper products output rose 4.7% YoY to 24.82 million tonnes, while aluminum products edged down 0.2% YoY to 67.504 million tonnes. During 2021-2025, average annual growth rates were 3.3% for copper products and 2.6% for aluminum products.
In the new energy metals segment, preliminary data from CNIA's branches show that industrial silicon output fell 8.1% YoY to 4.51 million tonnes, nickel cathode production surged 25.4% YoY to 456,000 tonnes, refined cobalt output declined 15.4% YoY to 174,000 tonnes, and lithium carbonate production jumped 34.7% YoY to 944,000 tonnes.
The number of nonferrous metals enterprises above designated size exceeded 12,000 in 2025, up 39.2% from the end of 2020. Total assets of these enterprises surpassed RMB6.6 trillion (USD955 billion), rising 8.2% year on year. Operating revenue reached RMB10.2 trillion (USD1.48 trillion), up 13.9% from 2024. Total industry profits hit a record RMB 528.45 billion (USD76.46 billion), marking a 25.6% increase from the previous year.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics show that China's output of ten major nonferrous metals topped 80 million tonnes for the first time, reaching 81.75 million tonnes in 2025, up 3.9% YoY, with an average annual growth rate of 5.0% during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).
Among key products, refined copper output rose 10.4% YoY to 14.72 million tonnes, accounting for 47% of global production and posting an average annual growth rate of 8.0% during 2021-2025. Primary aluminum production increased 2.4% YoY to 45.02 million tonnes, representing 60% of global output, with an average annual growth rate of 3.9% over the same period.
Output of six major mined metals totaled 6.19 million tonnes, up 3.4% YoY. Alumina production climbed 8% YoY to 92.45 million tonnes. Copper products output rose 4.7% YoY to 24.82 million tonnes, while aluminum products edged down 0.2% YoY to 67.504 million tonnes. During 2021-2025, average annual growth rates were 3.3% for copper products and 2.6% for aluminum products.
In the new energy metals segment, preliminary data from CNIA's branches show that industrial silicon output fell 8.1% YoY to 4.51 million tonnes, nickel cathode production surged 25.4% YoY to 456,000 tonnes, refined cobalt output declined 15.4% YoY to 174,000 tonnes, and lithium carbonate production jumped 34.7% YoY to 944,000 tonnes.
Silicon Metal 98.5%min Delivered US
Unit:USD/lb
China silicon metal producers' suspension number statistics by province by month
Unit: pcs
