Aluminum Sheet Market

Aluminum Sheet Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

The demand for aluminum sheets has been growing steadily over the years due to distinct factors such as the growth of the automotive sector and propelled use for packaging. The use of these sheets is dominant in the construction sector where they are used in roofing, windows, and siding. Their durability and resistance to corrosion are key characteristics responsible for their rising preference.

Aluminum is a highly recyclable material, and its production requires significantly less energy compared to other metals such as steel. This makes it an attractive choice for automakers looking to reduce their environmental impact.

What are the key impelling factors of growth in this industry?

Growing Construction Sector to Remain the Dominant Driver of this market

Growing urbanization and migration to urban places have been flourishing construction sector growth mainly in urban and suburban areas. The Construction sector is the major sector responsible for the growth in the aluminum industry. There is rising demand for energy-efficient sustainable buildings is also leading to an increase in the use of these sheets as they are lighter in weight and can be recycled. Recyclable and energy-efficient materials are expected to gain increasing attention in the construction sector in the forecast period 2023- 2033.

Aluminum sheets are commonly used in aluminum curtain wall systems, which are used to create the exterior façade of buildings. In a typical aluminum curtain wall system, aluminum sheets are used to create the outer layer of the wall. These sheets are typically pre-finished with a coating or anodized to improve their appearance and durability.

Rising Popularity of EVs to Capture the Demand for Aluminum

The expanding automotive arcade is another major consumer of aluminum materials. These are majorly used in crafting car bodies, engine blocks, and other parts to the high strength of these sheets. Moreover, Electric vehicles are gaining popularity in the market owing to which there is the anticipation of an increase in their demand in the forecast period. EV sales accounted for 5.6% of total automotive sales in 2022. With the growing trend toward electric and hybrid vehicles, the demand for aluminum in the automotive industry is expected to continue to rise.

The production of EVs requires a significant amount of aluminum, these sheets are used to manufacture battery enclosures, which house the batteries that power EVs. Aluminum is a good thermal conductor, which helps to dissipate heat generated by the batteries, reducing the risk of overheating and prolonging their lifespan.

Moreover, the chassis of an EV is the structural framework that supports the vehicle's weight and provides rigidity. These metal sheets are used to manufacture the chassis of EVs, which helps to reduce weight and improve handling and performance.

Growing stringent regulations forcing manufacturers to reduce vehicle weight

The demand in the transportation industry, particularly the automotive sector, is anticipated to increase due to the increasingly strict requirements pertaining to vehicle weight reduction, which would subsequently produce a reduction in carbon emissions. This is explained by the use of such sheets, which provide both lightweight and strong strength. Because aluminum has high weldability, it can be molded into any shape and is therefore widely used in the automotive industry as a panel of vehicles like cars, tractors, etc. It also plays a crucial role in boosting fuel efficiency in the automotive industry. Aluminum use in vehicles cuts CO2 emissions by 20%.

Packaged food industry- A Fastest Growing Driver for this Arcade

Globally the demand for packaged food is increasing owing to several lifestyle changes. The Sheets of aluminum are widely used for the production of tins, cans, and other packaged food items. It is also being used to manufacture a number of consumer products such as utensils, foil, etc.

These sheets are used to make cans for many food and beverage products such as soft drinks, beer, and canned foods. The use of aluminum cans provides a barrier to light and air, which helps to preserve the quality and freshness of the food product. It is used for wrapping and covering food products such as sandwiches, leftovers, and baked goods. The use of aluminum foil helps to prevent moisture loss and freezer burn, as well as protect the food from light and air exposure.

Aluminum trays are used for packaging on-the-go meals, frozen foods, and bakery products. The use of aluminum trays provides a barrier to moisture, light, and oxygen, which helps to preserve the quality and freshness of the food product.

What are restraints that may hinder the growth of this industry?

As the components in laminated aluminum require a time-consuming process to separate, the difficulty in recycling laminated aluminum could become a limiting factor for the global industry. As opposed to aluminum, metals like laminated steel or copper may be recycled more readily. Another barrier to the global market may be fluctuating prices.

The use of substitute materials like polymers and fibers for the production of automobile parts and body parts is another significant issue limiting global demand. The expansion of the global market is predicted to be hampered by the rising usage of composite materials.

Segment Wise Insights

• Flat-rolled products are anticipated to grow in terms of demand as they are used in a wide range of applications including aerospace, automotive, and construction. These aluminum sheets are prepared through a rolling process with reduced thickness of this metal increasing width and length.
• Casting and forging are other methods of producing aluminum products, but they typically result in different shapes and properties than flat rolled products. Cast aluminum is often used in structural components and automotive parts, while forged aluminum is commonly used in high-stress applications like aircraft components and racing wheels.
• Aluminum foil, on the other hand, is a thin sheet of aluminum that is typically less than 0.2 mm thick. It is used primarily for packaging and wrapping food, as well as for insulation, cooking, and other household and industrial applications. The foil segment is expected to grow with the fastest CAGR in the upcoming times due to growth in the packaging sector.

Key players

• Alcoa Inc.
• UACJ Co.,Ltd.
• Norsk Hydro ASA
• Constellium
• Zhejiang Hanlv Aluminum Industry Co. Ltd.
• Hangzhou Yonghong Nonferrous Metal Materials Co. Ltd.
• Shandong Sino Steel (Aluminum) Co. Ltd
• Novelis Inc.
• Richard Austin Alloys
• Cision Ltd.

Regional Outlook

The Asia Pacific area is predicted to dominate the market from a geographic standpoint. This is explained by the region's significant car manufacturing base. According to projections, China and India will hold a comparatively bigger portion of the worldwide arcade. Due to the growing demand, many countries are increasing their imports of these sheets. For example, China, the world's largest aluminum producer, has significantly increased its imports of aluminum to meet domestic demand.

This is linked to the strict laws surrounding emissions and fuel efficiency in the automotive and aerospace sector, which has prompted a growth in demand for lightweight aluminum-made parts. North America and Europe are also predicted to have a considerable portion of the business.

Moreover, aluminum has also exhibited superior strength and corrosion resistance which has also caused a rise in demand. Latin America and the Middle East and Africa are projected to witness relatively higher growth rates owing to the increasing investments in the automotive sector in the regions. Japan is projected to expand at a moderate growth rate over the forecast period.

Segmentation

• On the basis of end use industry :

  • Automotive
  • Building and construction
  • Aerospace and defense
  • Packaging
  • Medical
  • Consumer products

• On the basis of the application :

  • Flat-rolled products
  • Casting and forging
  • Foil
  • Extrusion
  • Others

• On the basis of the process :

  • Cold rolling
  • Hot rolling

• On the basis of Regions :

  • North America (U.S., Canada)
  • Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru)
  • Western Europe (Germany, Italy, France, U.K, Spain, BENELUX, Nordic)
  • CIS and Russia
  • Asia-Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, South Korea)
  • Japan
  • Middle East and Africa (GCC Countries, South Africa, Turkey, Iran, Israel)