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Global Aluminium Production
According to our analysts at Metal Bulletin Research, global aluminium production in 2007 rose to over 38m tonnes and consumption rose to 37.7m tonnes. This trend will continue through 2008 with world supply and demand forecast to rise by an impressive 7% and 8% respectively. Investment in new production capacity is at a high, with smelter projects and downstream facilities being designed and rolled out around the globe to meet anticipated growth in aluminium usage.
Aluminium has thus far escaped the rapid escalation in prices seen in other metals, with values holding around a robust $2500 per tonne level, but with intensity of use rising fast in China and other industrialising countries, the general view is that aluminium has considerable upside potential. The big question is whether the aluminium industry will be able to cover its increasing costs – not least the energy and environmental burden – while ensuring that prices do not run away and thus raise the spectre of substitution, as we have seen in other commodity sectors.
Industry consolidation continues - driven by today's global marketplace, the need to lower costs through economies of scale, technology investment and cheaper energy sources, changing the profile of the industry as we have known it over the past few decades. At the forefront of recent consolidation moves is Rio Tinto which, by joining forces with Alcan, has been jettisoned into first place in world metal production tables. It is to Quebec, a province that boasts no less than ten primary aluminium smelters, that we take this year's event.
With Rio Tinto Alcan as Lead Sponsor, and field trips to some of the province's key aluminium operations, this year's International Aluminium Conference promises to be bigger than ever. An expert programme of speakers will discuss and debate key industry issues, giving you an insight into what is happening, where and by whom – from mine to marketplace – in this dynamic and global growing industry. Can you afford to miss it and the chance to network with over 600 executives from the global aluminium business?
Energy – The aluminium industry's greatest challenge• Costs and availability – impact on the producer cost curve and margins
• The environmental impact – green energy, carbon emissions and emissions trading
• What case for maintaining primary smelting in high-cost, high-use energy areas?
The new world order in aluminium• Is consolidation bringing with it the desired benefits?
• Industry vision and stewardship – what will the emerging market majors bring to the table?
• Will we see further decoupling of the upstream and downstream segment?
• Can we expect more consolidation at mill and fabricator level?
The aluminium marketplace – Prices, premiums, and global trading trends• What outlook for primary aluminium prices in the near and mid-term?
• How are macro economics shaping up and what implications for aluminium
• Industry balances along the supply chain – pressure points and hotspots
• Price analysis from primary metal to product premiums
• Funds and fundamentals – is aluminium still attractive
How technology is changing the industry's carbon footprint• Eliminating anode effects – stepping up the pace
• The next stage in smelter cell technology
• Becoming more energy-efficient – for old and new smelters
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