Skip to main content
Log in

Trends in the global aluminum fabrication industry

  • Overview
  • Global Perspectives
  • Published:
JOM Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The aluminum fabrication industry has become more vital to the global economy as international aluminum consumption has grown steadily in the past decades. Using innovation, value, and sustainability, the aluminum industry is strengthening its position not only in traditional packaging and construction applications but also in the automotive and aerospace markets to become more competitive and to face challenges from other industries and higher industrial standards. The aluminum fabrication industry has experienced a significant geographical shift caused by rapid growth in emerging markets in countries such as Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Market growth and distribution will vary with different patterns of geography and social development; the aluminum industry must be part of the transformation and keep pace with market developments to benefit.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. “Mineral Commodity Summaries, Aluminum” (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Geological Survey, 2006).

  2. “Aluminum for Future Generations: Sustainability Update 2005” (Haymarket, London, UK: International Aluminum Institute, 2005).

  3. “The Aluminum Industry’s Sustainable Development Report” (Haymarket, London, UK: International Aluminum Institute, 2002).

  4. “Aluminum Statistical Review for 2005” (Arlington, VA: The Aluminum Association, Inc., 2006).

  5. Subodh K. Das and Margaret Hughes, “Improving Aluminum Can Recycling Rates: A Six Sigma Study in Kentucky,” JOM, 58(8) (2006), pp. 27–31.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Subodh K. Das, “Designing Aluminum Alloys for a Recycle-Friendly World,” Light Metal Age, June (2006), pp. 26–33.

  7. “Aluminum Content for Light Non-Commercial Vehicles Assembled in North America, Japan and the European Union in 2006” (Detroit, MI: Ducker Research Company, 2005).

  8. “2002 North America Light Vehicle Aluminum Content Study” (Detroit, MI: Ducker Research Company, 2001).

  9. “Report on Aluminum Content in 1999 North American Passenger Cars and Light Trucks” (Detroit, MI: Ducker Research Company, 1998).

  10. “The Aluminum Fabrication Industry: Global Challenges and Opportunities,” presented at the TMS Annual Meeting, San Antonio, TX, March 13, 2006.

  11. Terry Voce, “Growth for Drinks Cans Is Close to Double Digits in China,” The Canmaker, 19 (2006), p. 12.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Paul Butler, “Current and Future Challenge for Aluminum as a Packaging Materials,” Materials Science Forum, 396–402 (2002), pp. 9–14.

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  13. Karl-Heinz von Zengen, “Aluminum in Future Cars—A Challenge for Materials Science,” Materials Science Forum, 519–521 (2006), pp. 1201–1208.

    Google Scholar 

  14. “The Battle of the Metals: New Aluminum Processes,” Automotive Engineering International Online, http://www.sae.org/automag/metals/11.htm (accessed 15 November 2006).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

He is also director for the Center for Aluminum Technology, executive director for the Sloan Industry Center for a Sustainable Aluminum Industry, and adjunct professor of mechanical engineering and chemical & materials engineering at the University of Kentucky.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Das, S., Yin, W. Trends in the global aluminum fabrication industry. JOM 59, 83–87 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0027-2

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-007-0027-2

Keywords

Navigation