Unwrought aluminium market in Austria

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Austrian unwrought aluminium market volume declined from 783.5 thousand tonnes to 615.0 thousand tonnes. The sharpest drop occurred in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant slowdown in demand. In the preceding year, the market had already contracted, while key producer AMAG Austria Metall reported a 4% increase in sales.

After 2020, the industry adapted with new investments. In 2021, AMAG commissioned a new hot rolling mill, increasing its annual capacity by 50% to 225 thousand tonnes. Aluminium prices experienced high volatility, peaking in March 2022 due to global geopolitical tensions and soaring energy costs, before normalizing in 2023. During that year, AMAG also secured financing from the European Investment Bank for sustainability and digitalization initiatives.

Long-term regulatory developments include the planned introduction of a deposit system for aluminium packaging from 2025, aimed at boosting recycling rates. The market continues to be shaped by the high energy intensity of aluminium production and its exposure to international commodity exchange prices.

Production unwrought aluminium in Austria

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Austria's unwrought aluminium production declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 896 million US dollars, down 19.0% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 14%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.9%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 215 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 16.6%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Austria's unwrought aluminium production volume fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, 423.8 thousand tonnes were produced, marking a significant decline of 14.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production dropped by 12.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -4.2%. The peak was in 2018 with 535.4 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

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

Exports unwrought aluminium from Austria

Exports in kind, K t

Austria's exports of unwrought aluminium decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 164.4 thousand tonnes, a drop of 13.0% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 19.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -6.9%. The maximum was in 2018 at 207.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany was the leading market for Austria's unwrought aluminium exports in volume terms, accounting for 73.2% of total flows, with other countries making up the remainder.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Austria's unwrought aluminium exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 254 million US dollars, a 20.0% decrease year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports dropped by 32.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -12.4%. The highest value was in 2018 at 409 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 8.1%, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 at 22.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Germany, Czechia, and Italy—collectively accounted for 79.3% of Austria's total unwrought aluminium export value.

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

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

Imports unwrought aluminium to Austria

Imports in kind, K t

Austria's imports of unwrought aluminium fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 355.6 thousand tonnes, showing a substantial reduction of 19.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 19.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of -6.8%. The peak was in 2018 at 455.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Austria's unwrought aluminium imports in volume terms were widely distributed among partner countries. Germany (19.3% of imports), Norway (14.8%), and the Netherlands (10.2%) together represented only 44.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Austria's imports of unwrought aluminium declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 695 million US dollars, a strong fall of 24.5% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 27.9%, equating to an annualized rate of -10.3%. The maximum value was in 2018 at 1 087 million US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 12.7%.

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

In the 2017-2020 period, the partner landscape for Austria's unwrought aluminium imports in value terms was diverse. Germany (19.0% of imports), Norway (15.3%), and the Netherlands (10.2%) together formed only 44.6% of total flows, with the remaining 55.4% coming from many other countries.

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

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