China’s 2022 demand for imported bauxite to increase about 20% on year: Antaike

　　China’s alumina capacity using imported bauxite is likely to reach a total of 47.3 million mt/year in 2022, while demand for imported bauxite is seen reaching 132 million mt, the agency said.

　　By the end of October, China’s year-to-date bauxite imports reached 91.06 million mt, China’s customs data showed.

　　In 2020, China’s bauxite ore imports totaled 111.56 million mt, up 10.9% from a year ago, according to customs data.

　　China’s bauxite demand has been growing at an accelerated pace over the past few years as the country’s alumina industry hits full throttle with expansion of alumina capacity.

　　China has established an alumina capacity of 90.15 million/year by 2021, Antaike’s data showed.

　　In 2021, the capacity using imported and domestic bauxite reached 42.1 million mt/year and 48.05 million mt/year, respectively, Antaike said.

　　Capacity dependent on imported bauxite has reached 46.7% of the country’s total alumina capacity, while domestic bauxite accounts for the remainder, according to Antaike’s data.

　　China’s dependency on imported bauxite was low before 2005 as it used to mainly import alumina. However, it started relying heavily on bauxite after as domestic resources depleted and authorities started tightening environmental protection controls.

　　A portion of Chinese alumina refineries have been transforming their product lines to consume imported bauxite instead of domestic ore over the past few years.

　　Refineries in Shanxi and Henan province, which used to mainly consume domestic ore as they had access to rich local reserves, are expected to see a rise in consumption of imported bauxite amid strict environmental protection controls in place, sources said.

　　Meanwhile, China is expected to see 6.6 million mt/year of alumina capacity coming online in 2022, with 5.2 million mt/year going to production in the first half, according to Antaike. This capacity will mainly consume imported bauxite.