In May 2026, domestic primary aluminum capacity remained at a high operating level. By the end of May, the constructed capacity stood at 45.07 million metric tons per annum, while the operational capacity reached 44.52 million metric tons per annum, representing a month-on-month increase of 40,000 metric tons per annum. The overall capacity scale stayed stable with a mild rise in operational capacity.
On May 24, the power-on ceremony for the green low-carbon energy efficiency improvement project of Xinjiang Tianshan Aluminum's primary aluminum line was successfully completed. The facility achieved excellent operational indicators and met all standards upon full commissioning, lifting the company's primary aluminum capacity to 1.40 million metric tons per annum. The second phase of Zhalute Aluminum Project maintained normal production with steady capacity ramp-up. Full-capacity production is scheduled for June 2026, bringing its output capacity to 350,000 metric tons per annum. Liaoning Zhongwang Group has initiated the resumption of idled capacity in a phased ramp-up mode, with the 300,000-metric-ton capacity to be commissioned in multiple batches.
After production adjustments, domestic output reached 3.826 million metric tons in May. June output is projected at 3.706 million metric tons, a year-on-year growth of 1.7%, corresponding to an average daily output of approximately 123,500 metric tons.
Figure 1 Annualized Primary Aluminum Output in China
Source: Antaike
Overseas production saw continued flare-ups in US-Iran tensions in May. Shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remained blocked and subject to high risks. Aluminum smelters across the Middle East continued large-scale production cuts or full shutdowns. Despite new capacity commissioning and output growth in other overseas regions, such increases cannot offset the supply shortage caused by Middle East capacity curtailment. The global primary aluminum market will remain tight.
In terms of new capacity and production expansion: in mid-May, the Dak Nong primary aluminum project in Vietnam achieved its first power supply. Phase I commissioning will be finished in Q2 with an annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons (total designed capacity: 450,000 metric tons per annum). On May 29, Rio Tinto launched commissioning work for the expansion of the AP60 smelter at the Complexe Arvida aluminum complex in Quebec. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, when 96 new AP60 electrolytic cells will be fully operational, raising the plant's total capacity to 220,000 metric tons per annum, an increase of roughly 160,000 metric tons per annum.
According to International Aluminium Institute (IAI) statistics, overseas primary aluminum output in April 2026 hit 2.244 million metric tons, down 7.5% year-on-year. The average daily output stood at 75,000 metric tons, falling 5.7% month-on-month.
Figure 2 Average Daily Overseas Primary Aluminum Output (IAI)
Source: International Aluminium Institute (IAI)