Successful start to 2011 for aluminum semis producers in Germany

The German aluminum semis industry has made a dynamic start to 2011. The 34 German aluminum semis producers increased production significantly at the beginning of the year.

Mr Friedrich Brokelmann chairman of the Aluminum Semis division of Düsseldorf based Gesamtverband der Aluminum industry is expecting stable development in all market sectors in the coming months. We are still optimistic about 2011. Our competitive position in Europe is outstanding and the confidence that markets will develop is pleasing.

Mr Brokelmann on the occasion of the general meeting of the division on March 16th 2011 in Düssel dorf. The aluminum semis producers are active at 47 locations in Germany and employ some 16,000 people. The companies produce rolled products, extrusions, wire and forgings.

The aluminum rolling mills are responsible for the major share of German aluminum semis production accounting for just under half of European rolled aluminum production. Besides the automotive industry, the largest users of rolled aluminum semis are packaging and technical uses which together account for just under three quarters of total demand. The rest goes into the building industry, trading and other end uses. The production of rolled aluminum semis in 2010 totalled some 1,876,792 tonnes and was thus 20.3% higher than in 2009, the crisis year. 154,916 tonnes of rolled products were produced in January 2011 this is equivalent to YoY rise of 11.9%. A further rise in production is also expected for the rest of the year. However, growth rates are expected to decline slightly in the coming months.

In 2010, the production of aluminum extrusions and drawn products increased to 574, 235 tonnes, a rise of 26.2% YoY. In January 2011, production totalled 46,220 tonnes, a rise of 18.4% compared with the corresponding month a year earlier. The two most important markets for aluminum extrusions and drawn products, namely the building and transport sectors account for 60% of demand; electrical and mechanical engineering make up about 25%. The rest goes into fabricated metal products and other end uses. There are currently 85 extrusion presses operating in Germany. GDA is still expecting further growth in 2011 despite a weakening in the rate of growth during the course of the year.

Mr Christian Wellner ED of GDA pointed out that the risks to the global economy could increase as a result of the events in Japan. However, there were no signs that the markets for aluminum semis had been affected. In the medium to long term, aluminum will stay on its path of growth.