Aluminum material flow analysis for production, consumption, and trade in China from 2008 to 2017

In this study, the material flows of China’s aluminum resources during various stages of its life cycle were analyzed using material flow analysis (MFA). MFA allows an accurate understanding of the aluminum flow not only at the national level in China, but also with respect to aluminum material flow associated with international trade. The material flows of China’s aluminum resources were analyzed and studied during production, consumption, and trade. The actual consumption of aluminum was calculated based on a statistical analysis of China’s international trade of aluminum-containing commodities (ACC) from 2008 to 2017 and data regarding China’s domestic bauxite mining, alumina smelting, electrolytic aluminum production, aluminum production, and aluminum secondary resource recovery. The results led to the following conclusions: (1) the actual aluminum consumption in China showed an increasing trend initially and then displayed a decreasing trend (i.e., increased from 9.6 Tg in 2008 to 27.55 Tg (the maximum) in 2013, and then gradually decreased to 19.14 Tg in 2017); (2) the actual aluminum consumption in China is approximately 86% of the apparent aluminum consumption (3) China imports large amounts of raw materials (e.g., bauxite); to process into aluminum semi-products and aluminum-containing end products to sell to other countries, and approximately 43% of the ACC produced in mainland China are consumed locally, while 57% are exported to other countries; (4) of the total aluminum material lost during the processing of raw materials, the greatest loss occurs in the alumina production stage (51%). Hence, reducing the amount of aluminum material lost during the alumina production process and increasing the utilization of secondary sources of aluminum are effective ways to reduce the burden on primary aluminum sources. •Material flows of China’s aluminum resources were analyzed using MFA.•Material flows during production, consumption, and trade were analyzed.•Actual aluminum consumption initially increased and then decreased from 2008 to 2017.•Actual consumption was approximately 86% of the apparent aluminum consumption.•We recommend reducing losses and utilizing secondary resources.