Without including China, Asia accounts for almost one fourth of global aluminium consumption. Key markets are Japan, South Korea and the countries of South-East Asia. The most prospective market in the region is India.
Japan is the Asia’s second-largest aluminium consumer running up to China only. In 2010, Japan accounted for 5% of global aluminium consumption.
Japan’s economy is now suffering from a short-term recession, triggered by the natural disaster in March 2011. However, Japanese industry is expected to recover in the second half of 2011.
A massive reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure will boost aluminium consumption in the country. A sound growth in demand coming from the construction industry is expected to last for several years, as the reconstruction works will take a while.
The Japanese automotive industry is also forecast to increase aluminium consumption. The demand from the transport industry is expected to grow by 5% in 2011, then continuing to increase between 2012 and 2013.
South Korea is today one of the key aluminium markets in Asia with consumption of 21,5 kg per capita compared to 15+kg per capita for developed countries.
It is expected that the industrial production in South Korea will grow by 5.9% per year until 2025, driving a growth of aluminium consumption in the country.
India is one of the fastest growing aluminium markets globally due to a massive urbanization and industrial development that fuel the country’s economy growth.
Currently, aluminium per capita consumption in India is estimated at 2.5 kg only.
| It is anticipated that by 2050, 55% of the Indian population will live in cities and the average income in the country will grow fourfold. Rapid urbanization and the growth of middle class in India require substantial investments in infrastructure and transport development. |  |
RUSAL expects aluminium consumption in India to grow by 16% in 2011.
McKinsey Global Institute
