Aluminum remains one of the world’s most essential industrial metals, supporting everything from global food packaging to aviation, construction, renewable energy systems and electric vehicles. Its appeal comes from its unique combination of properties — lightweight, corrosion-resistant, highly conductive, easy to shape and recycle — making it a cornerstone of both traditional manufacturing and the green-transition economy.
Although aluminum is abundant in the Earth’s crust, it is almost never found as a free metal. Instead, miners extract bauxite, which is refined into alumina, and ultimately smelted into aluminum. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), roughly 4 tonnes of dried bauxite produce 2 tonnes of alumina, which refine into 1 tonne of aluminum.
Global bauxite resources are estimated at 55 to 75 billion metric tons, heavily concentrated in Africa, Oceania, South America, the Caribbean and Asia. World bauxite reserves stood at 29 billion metric tons at the start of 2024, with Guinea, Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Brazil the top five holders.
The aluminum industry saw modest growth in 2024, with global primary production rising to 72 million metric tons, up from 70 million the previous year. Below are the world’s top producers, based on the USGS Mineral Commodity Summary.
1. China
Aluminum: 43 million MT
Alumina: 84 million MT
Bauxite: 93 million MT
Reserves: 680 million MT
China dominates every stage of the aluminum value chain and accounted for nearly 60% of global aluminum output in 2024 — its third straight record year. Production has been rising as Chinese manufacturers move pre-emptively to counter new US tariffs that took effect under both the Biden and Trump administrations.
Despite trade tensions, China remains a major supplier to global markets, accounting for 3% of US aluminum imports in 2024.
2. India
Aluminum: 4.2 million MT
Alumina: 7.6 million MT
Bauxite: 25 million MT
Reserves: 650 million MT
India has rapidly expanded production over the past decade, overtaking Russia in 2021 to become the world’s second-largest aluminum producer. Major players include Hindalco Industries and Vedanta, both of which continue to invest heavily in domestic operations.
Indian aluminum exports are expected to be less affected by the EU’s upcoming carbon-border adjustments, giving the country a competitive edge in European markets.
3. Russia
Aluminum: 3.8 million MT
Alumina: 2.9 million MT
Bauxite: 6.3 million MT
Reserves: 480 million MT
Russia remains a top producer despite ongoing sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine. RUSAL, headquartered in Moscow, leads the country’s output. While Western restrictions have disrupted traditional trade routes, China has absorbed increasing volumes of Russian metal.
In 2024, the US and UK jointly banned imports of Russian aluminum and imposed new limits on its trade via metal exchanges. By late 2024, Rusal announced plans to cut production by at least 6% amid rising input costs and weaker local demand.
4. Canada
Aluminum: 3.3 million MT
Alumina: 1.9 million MT
Bauxite: 0
Reserves: 0
Canada, home to major operations run by Rio Tinto, remains the top aluminum supplier to the US, accounting for 56% of American aluminum imports in 2024. Almost all Canadian smelters rely on hydroelectric power, giving the country one of the lowest-carbon primary aluminum footprints in the world.
Fresh US tariffs introduced in early 2025 may, however, alter trade patterns in the year ahead.
5. United Arab Emirates
Aluminum: 2.7 million MT
Alumina: 2.4 million MT
Bauxite: 0
Reserves: 0
The UAE is a major global aluminum hub thanks to Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the Middle East’s largest producer. The country contributes nearly 4% of global aluminum output and is the second-largest supplier of aluminum to the United States after Canada.
6. Bahrain
Aluminum: 1.6 million MT
Alumina: 0
Bauxite: 0
Reserves: 0
Bahrain’s aluminum sector is central to its economy, generating around US$3 billion in export revenue in 2023. The Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill, founded in 1981, was the region’s first major aluminum facility and continues to anchor the nation’s downstream production capacity.
7. Australia
Aluminum: 1.5 million MT
Alumina: 18 million MT
Bauxite: 100 million MT
Reserves: 3.5 billion MT
Australia is a powerhouse in bauxite and alumina, ranking among the world’s largest producers of both. However, its aluminum smelting sector has struggled with high energy costs and remains one of the most emissions-intensive globally.
Companies such as Rio Tinto and Alcoa operate significant assets across the country. In early 2024, Alcoa curtailed production at its Kwinana refinery amid challenging economics.
8. Norway
Aluminum: 1.3 million MT
Alumina: 0
Bauxite: 0
Reserves: 0
Norway is Europe’s largest exporter of primary aluminum. Norsk Hydro, a major global producer, operates Europe’s biggest aluminum smelter at Sunndal and is pioneering low-carbon technologies, including green hydrogen trials and new carbon-capture initiatives in partnership with Rio Tinto.
9. Brazil
Aluminum: 1.1 million MT
Alumina: 11 million MT
Bauxite: 33 million MT
Reserves: 2.7 billion MT
Brazil hosts the world’s fourth-largest bauxite reserves and ranks among the leaders in both bauxite and alumina output. Large investments — estimated at 30 billion Brazilian reals by 2025 — aim to expand its aluminum footprint.
The country’s largest primary producer, Albras, generates about 460,000 MT per year using predominantly renewable energy. Rising interest from Japanese trading houses underscores global demand for Brazil’s low-carbon metal.
10. Malaysia
Aluminum: 870,000 MT
Alumina: 0
Bauxite: 0
Reserves: 0
Malaysia’s aluminum production has grown sharply over the past decade, rising from just 122,000 MT in 2012 to 870,000 MT in 2024. Alcom Group leads the country’s downstream industry, while an influx of Chinese investment — including plans by Bosai Group for a 1-million-tonne smelting facility — signals continued expansion of Malaysia’s role in regional supply chains.
