U.S. Primary Aluminum Production Up 12.2% for 2007

January 16, 2008 — U.S. primary aluminum production increased 12.2% during 2007, with a total output of 2,559,673 metric tons, according to data compiled by The Aluminum Association, the domestic industry’s trade group. Industry output for 2006 totaled 2,280,916 metric tons. The 2007 total is based on the December output of 230,351 metric tons, which equates to an annual production rate of 2,712,197 metric tons. That figure is a 17.7% increase over the December 2006 annual rate of 2,303,998 metric tons. According to The Aluminum Assn., the annual rate of primary aluminum production set in December 2007 is the highest level reached since April 2003. The Aluminum Assn.’s primary aluminum production report is based on data supplied by companies representing 100% of U.S. primary aluminum capacity. Also during 2007, Canada’s primary aluminum production totaled 3,082,567 metric tons, a slight increase (1.0%) over the 2006 production total of 3,051,127 metric tons. Actual production for the month of December was 265,228 metric tons, computing to an annual rate of production at 3,122,86 metric tons, a 0.05% rise over the December 2006 annual production rate for Canada. Canada’s primary aluminum production data is compiled by The Aluminum Assn. of Canada, and represents the output of three companies: Alcoa Inc., Aluminerie Alouette Inc., and Rio Tinto Alcan.