North American aluminum shipments may slide down in 2013, forecasts research firm

MONTREAL (Scrap Monster) : In accordance with the latest research report published by Lawrence Capital Management, the North American aluminum shipments may slow down during 2013. The total shipments are expected to hit 23.4 billion lb, slightly higher by 0.86% over the 2012 shipments of 23.2 billion lb. The North American aluminum shipments had grown by 6% last year.

The total Aluminum shipment by the US alone may show a rise of 2% to 19.8 billion lb this year. The market may register 3-4% growth per year from 2014 to 2017 to reach 26.7 billion lb by the end of 2017.

The research firm foresees a huge demand growth from automobile sector. The aluminum shipment to the automotive sector is poised to grow in the range 6-13% per annum from 2013 to 2017. Also, aluminum shipment to transportation sector may increase 6% in 2013 to 7.53 billion lb. By 2014 and 2015, autos and aircraft would lift the aluminum shipments by 9-10% annually. Building and construction sector demand may push aluminum shipments by 5-10% annually from 2013 to 2017.

On the other hand, aluminum shipment to packaging market is likely to tumble by 1-2% from 2013 to 2017.