Startup and Initial Development
From the founding of the People's Republic of China to the beginning of reform and opening up, my country's aluminum industry experienced a period of initial development, from scratch. In 1949, national aluminum production reached only 10 tons. Subsequently, during the First Five-Year Plan, key projects such as the Shandong Alumina Plant, the Fushun Electrolytic Aluminum Plant, and the Jilin Carbon Plant were constructed, laying the foundation for the industry's development.
During the Great Leap Forward and the period of adjustment (1958-1965), aluminum was identified as the second most important metal material in the national economy, and the aluminum industry began to develop rapidly. In 1964, the Aluminum Corporation of China was established to oversee the restoration and development of the aluminum industry.
Rapid Development After Reform and Opening Up
During the early years of reform and opening up (1978-1992), the establishment of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation (CNMC) and the strategic policy of "prioritizing aluminum development" ushered in a new era of development for the aluminum industry.
During the mid-period of reform and opening up (1992-2003), my country's aluminum industry achieved remarkable achievements in institutional and systemic innovation. The country has organized multiple electrolytic aluminum transformation projects, eliminating outdated autoclaves and making advanced large-scale pre-baked aluminum electrolysis technology the mainstream technology for electrolytic aluminum production in my country.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, my country's aluminum industry has achieved sustained and rapid development, and its overall strength has continued to grow. The growth rate of alumina and electrolytic aluminum production has significantly exceeded the global average during the same period, making my country a major driving force behind the development of the global aluminum industry.
Recent Green Development Transformation
In recent years, my country's aluminum industry has made remarkable achievements in low-carbon and green development. Remarkable results have been achieved in areas such as energy structure optimization, renewable resource utilization, low-carbon treatment of hazardous waste, and low-carbon applications of aluminum materials.
The electrolytic aluminum industry is a key area of carbon emissions, and my country's aluminum industry is actively shifting to green energy sources such as hydropower, photovoltaic power generation, and wind power to reduce carbon emissions. Industry leaders such as Chinalco and Weiqiao Group have taken the lead in exploring the transition to green energy.
At the same time, my country's aluminum industry has also made significant progress in the green utilization of red mud. Through technological research and innovation, we are actively promoting the cross-industry application of red mud, thereby increasing its comprehensive utilization rate.
Future Trends
Intensified Competition for Bauxite Resources
As my country's dependence on bauxite imports continues to increase, this import dependency will exceed 70%. The upward trend in global bauxite prices will continue. To ensure the safe operation of my country's aluminum industry, we need to actively promote the comprehensive utilization of low-grade bauxite and the mining and utilization of bauxite around closed or operating coal mines.
Continued Expansion of Alumina Production Capacity
my country's alumina production capacity will further expand, and the expansion of new capacity will continue. This will further intensify the competition for bauxite resources. At the same time, after a gradual decline, alumina market prices will remain at a high level.
Sustained Growth in Aluminum Processing Output
Despite overcapacity in my country's aluminum processing capacity, aluminum processing output will continue to grow. Growth trends are evident in extruded aluminum, rolled aluminum, cast aluminum products, forged aluminum, aluminum-based composites, and powdered aluminum. Among them, the growth of aluminum-based composite materials will be rapid.
The Recycled Aluminum Industry Continues to Expand
my country's recycled aluminum industry continues to expand, with production capacity expected to reach 20 million tons. However, the industry's development started relatively late, and further improvements are urgently needed in recycling and smelting technology, scientific and rational utilization, production of high-value-added products, and environmental protection technologies.
Increasing Application of New Energy
The application of new energy in my country's aluminum industry will continue to increase. Currently, some of the new energy sources directly used are hydropower and photovoltaic power generation. In the future, the more forward-looking, long-term, reliable and stable "molten salt reactor power generation" and "nuclear fusion power generation" are expected to become the ultimate energy source for electrolytic aluminum to achieve clean energy and green development.
Scientific and Technological Progress Promotes High-Quality Development
Scientific and technological progress is an effective path to achieving high-quality development in the aluminum industry. New energy technologies, digital technologies, comprehensive utilization technologies, composite new materials technologies, and modern new equipment technologies are being advanced and industrialized at an unprecedented pace. This will provide strong support for the high-quality development of my country's aluminum industry.
The development of my country's aluminum industry is a process of continuous challenges and breakthroughs. In the future, my country's aluminum industry will continue to make new achievements in green development, technological innovation, and capacity expansion, and contribute Chinese wisdom and strength to the development of the global aluminum industry.