Category Archives: AZ China
Recently IAI released the production figures for August. Monthly production of China aluminum (including China’s estimated but unreported production) climbed to new highs again in August, increasing to 2,277kt, up 9% compared to the same period last year. The figures show that rising aluminium prices helped induce smelters to increase product output after a sluggish first half year, assisted by various subsidies from local governments.
According to AZ China’s research, the growth of total capacity was 19% compared to the same period last month, which was far greater than the monthly production growth. With regard August of 2014, the ratio between total new capacity and restarted capacity is at 2/3, which means more capacity came from current old and restarted smelters then from new builds. After the decline and tougher months of loss leading to widespread shutdowns before June, many smelters took advantage of rising prices to restart in recent months, hoping to recover their earlier losses as much as possible. Overall, previously halted capacities have now almost recovered by August.
In addition, a large proportion of the new capacity that entered the market in August came mainly from the Shandong, Inner Mongolia and Qinghai provinces. All of which have started close to full capacity and are gradually increasing their operational rates. No smelters in the Xinjiang province have come on-stream recently. According to our statistics, nearly 1 million tonnes of annual capacity in the Xinjiang province will come online for production in the coming months.
AZ China has forecast 26.5 million tonnes of production for this year, and based on the current increase in output plus new capacity set to enter the picture, we are confident our prediction will hold true.
Although financial concerns could cause concern for some smelters, the seasonal increase in demand, especially during the ‘golden October’ period should help maintain aluminum prices in the current range, which should stimulate smelters to produce more output. Longer term, as we approach the end of the year, prices are likely to soften slightly, as the market struggles to accept all the new metal. Demand indicators are steady to good, but not spectacular.
Alumina prices are also showing the effect of increased metal production, along with some operational problems at 2 refineries.
One of the things that we really enjoy here at AZ China is when clients and readers of our blogs ask us for more information.
Sometimes it’s to clarify something we have written. Sometimes it’s a new question, and sometimes it’s an extension of our thinking. That last one goes along the lines of “If what you say is true, then won’t this happen?” Those are the especially good questions, because they really keep us on our toes. But we enjoy receiving all feedback, because it tells us you are reading what we write, and our efforts are not in vain.
So why not ht us up with your questions. It doesn’t have to be related to a recent blog post or report. If you have a question related to aluminium, carbon, anodes, petcoke, cathodes, aluminium fluoride, anthracite, alumina, bauxite, or about China, ask us. Want to know where to get the best price for master alloys or grain refiners? Need an alternative supplier for safety gloves? Want to know what the aluminium price will be in the year 2020?
Email us at enquiries@az-china.com, or call the office on +86 10 5907 0270. We really do enjoy hearing from you.
In China, there is an old saying that adversity leads to prosperity. Another simple interpretation could be that poverty gives rise to the desire for change. For China’s aluminium industry, the “poverty” is getting worse. Because of surplus capacity and high energy cost, smelters can’t find a way to save themselves.
A tough competitive environment accelerates change. Reform met a lot of resistance despite the pain. We have mentioned subsidies many times in our blog. Subsidies appeared to be heroic in that they tried to rescue smelters, but in fact they did nothing of the sort. Smelters who got a subsidy from local government still are suffering heavy losses (you can find the details from our Q2 China Cash Cost). To some degree, it like a drug. If they can’t get more, the result must be facing shut down and close, especially for any small scale company.
But reform is imperative. The longer you struggle, the more pain you get. If you want to go forward, change must start at once. And it is good to see that some big groups start to take action.
According to our sources, Chalco Guangxi Branch, with annual capacity of 150kt, plan to close the smelter because they have suffered a heavy loss for a long time. Instead, they will built a power plant to serve their other facilities, such as their 2.4mt alumina refinery. Such decisive decision is very rare.
In addition, diversification is gradually emerging. Sichuan Qiya Aluminum, with annual capacity of 350kt, had halted 150kt recently and they will now close the smelter completely. Instead, they will build high quality aluminium downstream facilities with RMB10.2 billion investment. And they intend to build a downstream industry zone around their plant.
Hence, reform is not impossible. Reform is going on,, which hopefully will create a better tomorrow for China’s aluminium industry.
AZ China has completed its analysis of the cash cost curve for Q2 2014. Overall, costs went down, but not enough to save many producers.
The analysis threw out many interesting details:
- The average cash cost of production came in at RMB14,150/t (US$2,280). This is a reduction of 2% over Q1.
- The spread of costs ranged from below RMB11,000 (US$1,775) to over RMB16,500 (US$2650).
- Costs went down primarily due to government subsidies reducing the cost of electricity, though the falling price of coal helped some smelters to achieve a lower electricity cost without bureaucratic intervention.
- Surprisingly, alumina costs went down. Cutbacks in primary metal production earlier in the year left the market long in alumina, forcing the price down. With Indonesia no longer supplying bauxite, this input cost is set to rise.
- Other input costs also went down. Anode prices fell thanks to the cost of carbon falling, while over-supply of ALF3 caused that market to reduce prices.
Across the quarter, Shanghai metal prices rose 5% over the lowest price seen in 2014. This and the falling costs have provided relief to the financial performance of smelters. The “break-even point” along the x-axis has shifted right a little, crossing at about the 30% point.
For the record, AZ China has 129 smelters in the total population, but we exclude any smelter which has less than 2 years of data. This means new smelters which are still “bedding down” are excluded, as are smelters which have been idled. Based on our selection criteria, 73 smelters qualified for this analysis.
There will be a more detailed analysis issued to our subscribers. If you are not on our mailing list, please contact us at blackchina@az-china.com.
I was scanning the daily email from Alcircle today, when two successive stories caught my eye. The first story announced “Chinese aluminum surplus likely to contract in 2014″, while the second said “Chinese aluminum production moving into balance”.
While at first glance these headlines appear to be telling the same story, the detail proves to be a bit more devilish. For a start, there’s at least 500,000 tonnes of difference between the two stories, and a whole different outlook.
The first story comes from SMM, based in Shanghai. As usual, they make the mistake of quoting the official aluminium production numbers, saying that China had produced 9.59 million tonnes to May. It’s actually closer to 11 million tonnes, because they have forgotten to add the “unreported production” figure in their number.
SMM also falls for the old trap of quoting unnamed analysts and sources. But at least they got it right when reporting that semis exports are rising.
The second story comes from Metalminer, a blog run out of the USA. They at least quote their sources, Reuters in this case, but still manage to get the picture wrong. They claim that market forces are driving the balancing act in the industry, when those of you who read this blog regularly will know that it’s local governments who are driving what’s happening. And what the local governments are doing is to drive the surplus wider, not closer.
The also somehow come up with an estimate for 2014 output of 28 million tonnes. If that number were true, it would mean a growth rate of 17% - an amazing rate of growth and well up on the best years of the previous decade. For the record, AZ China’s prediction for 2014 output is a little less optimistic than the folks at Metalminer. We predict 26.5mt, up slightly on our original forecast. We expected smelters to close when we set our original target, but didn’t expect subsidies to re-emerge, bringing some smelters to restart.
When it comes to getting real, accurate and knowledgeable insight into what’s happening in China’s primary aluminium space, AZ China at least has its feet on the ground in China. We don’t mind if you use another source for your information, but please check that they know what they are talking about. And that they are not just a news aggregator
AZ China was quoted in this morning’s Wall St Journal. For those of you who subscribe to the WSJ, turn to the Heard on the Street section on the back page. For those of you who do not, here is a screenshot of the article.
A domestic Chinese industry portal reported yesterday that Chalco is going to invest $9.25 Bln in Shanxi before 2020. (We have posted the report details below)
“Aluminum Corporation of China will invest 57 billion yuan ($9.25 billion) in Shanxi before 2020 to build an advanced aluminum recycling industry base” the company said on its website.
“In accordance with its cooperation framework agreement with the provincial government of Shanxi, the company will develop 2 million tpy-aluminum capacity via capacity replacement, build a 10 million tpy-coal mine and coal washing plant, a 3.5 million kw low-calorific value coal-fired power plant, and a 1 million-tpy high-end aluminum fabrication project.”
Perhaps you have thought the same questions as us after reading the English language version of this report. By examining the original announcement, we found this most pertinent sentence (our translation.)
“The 2 million tpy aluminum capacity will be … through developing old equipment, not as a new project.”
This is the first time in more than 10 years that we have seen this sort of investment in China. Back in the early part of the previous decade, Chinese aluminium companies invested heavily in converting existing plants to pre-bake technology, to get around the Government’s ban on Soderberg technology. Now, Chalco is taking an old plant and significantly upgrading it to modern standards (though, interestingly Chalco refrained from naming which of its two Shanxi smelters would get the upgrade.) Based on the rest of the statement, this project will deploy the best technology for emissions control, clean-coal technology and other high level standards. This project is not unlike what Rio Tinto Alcan has done at Kitimat in Western Canada.
We can’t help but applaud this profound and significant agreement, although it will take many years to complete, but it is a good start! The present capacity of Shanxi province is a little more than 1 million tonnes, but by 2020 that number could be twice that amount, just from Chalco’s contribution. So what’s the next step for China’s aluminum industry? We will keep an eye on this and let you know!
Note: if you are confused by various online industry news sources, you are welcome to consult with us. AZ China is a better source for accurate consolidated news. News that makes sense!
Dear readers, here is our latest “Weekly Report Review” . If you have any questions or requirements please tell us, thanks!
Energy
With Iraq tensions increasing, crude oil prices climbed to a new level and stood at $107.26/t last week. Focussing on the domestic market, the coal price fell further due to high inventory. A situation that leads traders with a negative outlook to think the price will go down.
Alumina and aluminium
Import prices remained stable last week, however imported material is uncompetitive when compared with domestic alumina. For aluminum, there is no positive change in the downstream market. On-demand procurement volumes were limited to sustain price increase. Last week, aluminum price went down slightly.
Raw material of AL
Although downstream demand continued be weak, refineries controlled their output to a relatively low level which helped petcoke prices stabilize. With oversupply and tighter cash-flow within the industry, they can’t push the prices up easily. Additionally, as demand for aluminum in the main market has shown no sign of a rebound, the price might drop again.
ALF3 price continued to rise due to the low inventory levels, increasing by ¥50/t WoW. For good news, fluorspar prices started to rise slightly.
Sometimes, tough medicine is needed. But right now, in the Chinese aluminium industry, pain killers are being handed out, when what’s really needed is some stronger medicine.
Since the beginning of June 2014, more and more smelters that shut down in recent months now plan to restart. The motivation was not the rising prices or increasing demand, but local government pressure. In exchange for restarting, local governments will guarantee a subsidy to reduce the losses. For instance, most smelters in Gansu province have received a subsidy of 0.03/kwh, especially for non-captive power plant smelters. Meanwhile, Guizhou province has issued subsidies to Chalco Guizhou, Chalco ZunYi aluminum, and others. The rumored subsidy was 0.12/kwh in Guizhou province because their original power price was much higher than other provinces.
These subsidies are just a pain-killer which might bring more potential painful problems.
Local governments have to protect their tax revenue, and they have to protect jobs. Many aluminium smelters are the hub of local industrial zones, with feeder industries that employ ten times the number of employees in a smelters. But with more smelters restarting, aluminium prices will fall once again. Soon the low metal price will trigger other capacity shutdowns - and a vicious cycle begins!
In short, the subsidy may ease the current pain, but for a long- term solution, surgery is needed, not just medicine.
As always, these actions from local governments are not uniform. Based on our analysis, the subsidies so far seem to be favouring state owned enterprises. The small guys are missing out.
Dear readers, our latest “Weekly Report Review” has been published. if you have any questions, please tell us. Thanks!
Energy
Iraq tensions drove oil price up sharply last week. But domestic coal prices remain stable. Although coal consumption is increasing in summer, but potential negative factors continued to work, especially high level stock and decreasing ship transport fee.
AL
Compared with increasing spot alumina price, limited trade volumes of imported alumina continued to suppress prices, which still remain at a low level. However, aluminium prices continued to climb slightly.
Raw material of AL
After a adjustment in petcoke prices, last week both anode and fuel grade coke prices remained stable. But for anodes, because of long term weak demand and reducing exports, anode prices declined last week.
For other product, ALF3 rose further last week due to the low level inventory. The total aluminum fluoride stocks held by the 17 main plants decreased by compared with April.
For more information on subscribing to this report and getting the full picture, contact us at blackchina@az-china.com.
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