German aluminium production decline continues
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The situation in the German aluminium industry remains tense. Aluminium Deutschland (AD) has reported that in the third quarter of 2024, production volumes in companies fell again. In particular, the production of aluminium semi-finished products recorded the tenth quarterly decline in a row.
AD president, Rob van Gils, commented: “After the federal elections, a new government must start its work as quickly as possible. The competitiveness of Germany as a location has been damaged. Energy costs and above all network charges, but also the rampant bureaucracy, are endangering Germany as an industrial nation. The new European Commission must also urgently recognise the trade policy risks. Time is running out!”
A recent survey of AD member companies clearly underlines that 29% of companies have been forced to cut jobs. At the same time, almost 60% of companies had to create jobs last year alone in order to meet the increasing reporting requirements.
Production in the German aluminium industry also fell in most areas in the third quarter. Aluminium recyclers recorded a significant decline. In the period from July to September inclusive, they produced almost 683,000 tons of recycled aluminium (-6%). After the first nine months, production levels are 3% below the previous year (around 2.1 million tons).
The processing producers of aluminium semi-finished products almost reached the previous year’s level (-1%) in the third quarter with over 592,000 tons. In the first three quarters, they produced around 1.8 million tons of semi-finished products (-3%). Of these, the manufacturers of rolled products recorded a comparatively moderate decline (-2%) with 1.4 million tons. The production of aluminium extruded products fell more sharply (-6% to 366,000 tons).
