The Biggest Aluminum Producers of 2017

Updated December 08, 2018

Global primary aluminum production reached 63.4 million metric tons in 2017, representing a 5.8% percent rise over 2016. The world's ten largest aluminum producers (by output) accounted for over 33.6 million tons or half of all production.

Most of this came from Asia, which was the source of some 39.8 million tons or about two-thirds of total global production. The list below is based-upon output from primary refiners as reported in each company's annual reports for 2017. Production figures shown beside each company name are in millions of metric tons (mmt).

01
China Hongqiao Group Ltd. (China) - 7.5mmt

China Hongqiao, which only first showed up on the list of the world's ten largest aluminum producers in 2010, remaining at the top of the list for 2017.
Output growth has been driven by capacity expansions and acquisitions, which have provided China Hongqiao with the largest aluminum production capacity in China.
China's largest private aluminum producer was founded in 1994 and is headquartered in Zouping, Shandong. China Hongqiao Group Limited is a subsidiary of China Hongqiao Holdings Limited.
Website: www.hongqiaochina.com

02
Aluminum Corp. of China (China) - 3.7mmt

The Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) remains one of China's largest aluminum producers.
Chalco employs 65,000 staff and also has operations in copper and other metals. The state-owned company is listed on the Shanghai, Hong Kong, and New York Stock Exchanges.
Its primary aluminum assets include the Shandong Aluminum Company, Pingguo Aluminum Company, Shanxi Aluminum Plant and the Lanzhou Aluminum Plant.
Website: www.chalco.com.cn

03
Shandong Xinfa (China) - 3.7mmt

Xinfa

Shandong Xinfa Aluminum Group Co. Ltd. is another major Chinese aluminum producer.
Founded in 1972 and headquartered in the Shandong Province of eastern China, the company has over 50 subsidiaries in power generation, alumina and aluminum refining, carbon production and downstream aluminum product manufacturing.
Shandong Xinfa's major aluminum assets include Chiping Huaxin Aluminum Industry Co. Ltd., the Shandong Xinfa Hope Aluminum Co. Ltd. (East Hope Group) and Guangxi Xinfa Aluminum Co. Ltd.
Website: www.xinfagroup.com.cn

04
UC Rusal (Russia) - 3.7mmt

UC Rusal of Russia has been usurped as the top aluminum producer over the years by major Chinese producers.
The company currently operates numerous aluminum smelters in three countries. Most are located in Russia, with ones in Sweden and Nigeria. Rusal's core assets are located in Siberia, which accounts for much of its aluminum production.
Website: www.rusal.ru/en
05
Rio Tinto (Australia) - 3.6mmt

The Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is one of the world's primary aluminum producers of 2017.
The miner has fallen out of the top three over the years given cost reductions and productivity improvements. The company's primary aluminum smelters are located in Canada, Cameroon, France, Iceland, Norway, and the Middle East.
Website: www.riotinto.com
06
EGA (UAE) - 2.5mmt

Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA) was formed in 2013 with the merging of Dubai Aluminium (“DUBAL”) and Emirates Aluminium (“EMAL”).
With a large production capacity, the company is owned equally by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai.
EGA's aluminum assets include the Jebel Ali smelter and power station, as well as the El Taweelah smelter.
Website: www.ega.ae
07
China Power Investment Corp. (China) - 2.4mmt

China Power Investment Corporation's (CPI) aluminum assets have seen production on the rise.
CPI, China's major state-owned aluminum producer, is a comprehensive investment group that holds assets in power generation, coal, aluminum, railways and ports.
The company was founded in 2002. Its major aluminum assets include the Ningxia Qingtongxia Energy and Aluminum and CPI Aluminum International Trading Co. Ltd.
Website: http://eng.cpicorp.com.cn/
08
Alcoa (U.S.) - 2.3mmt

The Aluminum Company of America (Alcoa Inc.), America's largest aluminum producer, has been reducing capacity, focussing on the development and sale of value-added products.
Founded in Pittsburgh, Penn., in 1888, Alcoa operates in some 15 countries worldwide.
Key aluminum assets are located in Iceland, Australia, Canada, Indiana and Texas.
Website: www.alcoa.com/
09
East Hope Group (China) - 2.1mmt

East Hope Group is another of China's rapidly growing private aluminum producers. Founded in 2003 and based in Sanmenxia, Henan Province, East Hope Aluminum Co. Ltd. is a subsidiary of East Hope Group Company Ltd.
The company's main aluminum assets are located in Henan, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang.
Company website: www.easthope.cn
10
Norsk Hydro ASA (Norway) - 2.1mmt

Norsk Hydro

Reporting a one percent increase in output over 2013, Norsk Hydro's aluminum production reached nearly 1.96 million tons in 2014.
The Norwegian company is a fully integrated aluminum producer, with operations that include bauxite mines, alumina refining, primary metal production, as well as value-added casting.
Norsk employs 35,000 people in 40 countries and is a major power production operator in Norway.
The company's largest aluminum smelters are in Norway, Canada and Brazil.
Website: www.hydro.com