Aluminum consumption to grow 8% in 2010 - Abal - Brazil

Brazilian aluminum consumption is expected to grow 8% in 2010 compared to this year, aluminum association Abal president Adjarma Azevedo told BNamericas. Abal is projecting consumption to total 950,000t this year compared to 1.02Mt in 2008. "We are taking into consideration an apparent international recovery," Azevedo said, adding that if there is not another crisis in global markets, Brazil's economy should grow some 6% annually in the coming years. The Abal president is worried about a potential domino effect in markets due to Dubai requesting a moratorium on the debt repayments of holding company Dubai World and real estate corporation Nakheel. On the bright side, Azevedo noted that it is positive for the sector that Brazil is hosting the 2014 World Cup and 2016 summer Olympics. "This year we had a strong performance from the aluminum can sector," Azevedo said. Another main consumer in 2009 was the construction sector.