Aluminium prices set to rebound as global deficit looms: Report

Aluminium prices have plunged around 45 per cent from March 2022 peak to around $2,400 per tonne now, driven by Chinese lockdowns and easing supply concerns. This followed a stupendous rally over the past two years, driven by strong global economic recovery after COVID-19 abated, and concerns about supply from China and Europe.

Despite the correction, prices are 40-45 per cent higher than the average of $1,925 seen between 2010 and 2021.

Limited capacity additions over the next five years will be the key to the rebound in aluminium prices. Pertinently, China, which added over 16 million tonne (MT) of capacity over the past decade, is likely to take a pause to reduce emissions. Aluminium smelting is highly energy-intensive, requiring 13,500-15,000 kWh per tonne.

"Green investments across major economies will lead to a strong uptick in demand for aluminium, but global capacity addition is expected to fall from 20 MT during the past decade to just 3-4 MT over the next five years. The robust demand growth, rationalised supply addition and healthy utilisation levels point to multi-year deficits of 0.5-1.2 MTPA in the global primary aluminium market post-2023," said Hetal Gandhi, Director, CRISIL Research.

Koustav Mazumdar, Associate Director, CRISIL Research, said "Despite the large share of exports, domestic primary aluminium manufacturers are expected to add only 1.4 MT of smelting capacity, goaded by the looming global deficit. Investments in upstream alumina expansions to add over 6.4 MT of refinery capacity will lead to better cost control translating into higher profits. All these capacity expansions over the next five fiscals will cost Rs 45,000 crore."

Domestic alumina requirement, currently at 8-9 MT, is expected to rise to over 11 MT by fiscal 2027 driven by smelter expansion. On the other hand, production is at 7-8 MT (Vedanta imports over 50 per cent of its alumina requirement). This is likely to change with investments in upstream alumina refineries taking capacity to 14-14.5 MT by fiscal 2027.

Moreover, a new entrant has announced setting up of a 4-MTPA alumina refinery in Odisha, which will add to the surplus in the long run.

With domestic supply outgrowing demand, domestic smelters will continue to export nearly 60 per cent of their output over the next five fiscals.