Alumina market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The alumina market in Germany began the period with robust demand from the automotive sector, where aluminum's light-weighting properties supported fuel efficiency, contributing to a market volume of 1 561 thousand metric tons in 2018. However, by 2020, the onset of rising energy prices started to weigh on primary aluminum production, leading to a decline in the alumina market volume to 1 245 thousand metric tons.

A broader shift toward lightweight materials and expansion in key consuming industries like automotive and construction helped drive a recovery in the market's value to $718.7 million in 2021. This was followed by a severe energy crisis, where persistently high energy prices and a lack of price caps caused aluminum production to fall by 11% in 2022, with primary aluminum output dropping 19% quarter-on-quarter. The aluminum price itself peaked at nearly $3,500 per ton in March 2022, further elevating production costs. The downturn continued into 2023, with primary aluminum production receding to approximately 189,500 metric tons.

Despite the broader market pressures, specific alumina segments demonstrated growth. The high-purity alumina market, fueled by demand from electronics manufacturing, accounted for 3.3% of the global market in 2022. By 2024, segments such as electrofused alumina and alumina abrasives were expanding, driven by rising demand from the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries, aided by technological improvements and a growing end-user base.

Production alumina in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's alumina production value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 450.6 million US dollars, down 13.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 596.3 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 11.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany ranked as the 15th largest producer of alumina globally.

Top producers of alumina, 2017-2020

World map of production of alumina, 2017-2020

In 2020, Germany produced 965 thousand tonnes of alumina, a 2.3% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 944 thousand tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 1 048 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 9.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports alumina from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany exported 561 thousand tonnes of alumina in 2020, marking a significant rise of 16.9% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 8.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.6%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 480 thousand tonnes, and the highest was in 2018 at 568 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The export structure for alumina in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with Denmark accounting for 11.7% of exports, Poland for 9.7%, and the Netherlands for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented only 30.7% of total flows, with no single country holding a dominant share.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's alumina export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 420.3 million US dollars, a slight decrease of 2.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 4.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.4%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 498.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 13.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 13.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's alumina exports in value terms were distributed across numerous markets. The United States accounted for 11.3% of exports, France for 9.8%, and China for 9.3%, with these three countries jointly representing only 30.3% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports alumina to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's alumina import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 840 thousand tonnes, a fall of 11.6% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 23.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Jamaica was the leading source for Germany's alumina imports in kind, accounting for 30.5% of the total. The Netherlands followed with 22.7%, and Ireland with 15.3%. Together, these three countries represented 68.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's alumina import value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 419.6 million US dollars, a loss of 22.3% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 22.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 671.7 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 24.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's alumina imports in value terms were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. Jamaica accounted for 19.4% of imports, the Netherlands for 16.6%, and China for 10.4%, with these three countries jointly representing just 46.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020