CHALCO(SH:601600) Zhong Guo Neng Yuan Wang·2025-11-11 03:04Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in aluminum prices is driven by supply constraints and increasing demand across various sectors, particularly in renewable energy and electric vehicles. Group 1: Price Trends - On November 6, 2025, China Aluminum (601600.SH) reached a 15-year high, with aluminum cash prices averaging $2,786 per ton in October, up approximately 7.2% year-on-year, and further rising to $2,859 per ton in November [1] - Domestic aluminum prices fluctuated around 21,600 yuan per ton in early November, marking an 11% increase compared to the same period in 2024, although still below the peak of 24,000 yuan per ton in 2021 and 2022 [1] Group 2: Supply Constraints - Global electrolytic aluminum production is highly concentrated, with China producing about 4,300 million tons in 2024, accounting for nearly 60% of the total [2] - China's electrolytic aluminum production capacity is nearing its limit, with a total capacity of approximately 4,584 million tons and an operational capacity of about 4,406 million tons as of October [3] - The production capacity ceiling set by the Chinese government at around 4,500 million tons per year has created a rigid supply structure, making it difficult to alleviate price pressures through new capacity [3] Group 3: International Production Challenges - International expansion of electrolytic aluminum production is hindered by high energy costs and infrastructure limitations, with U.S. industrial electricity prices exceeding feasible thresholds for new projects [4] - The energy consumption for producing one ton of electrolytic aluminum is approximately 14,000 kWh, making electricity a significant cost factor for producers [5] Group 4: Demand Drivers - The demand for electrolytic aluminum is significantly driven by sectors such as real estate, transportation, and renewable energy, with notable contributions from solar and electric vehicle industries [7] - In the first nine months of 2025, new energy vehicle production and sales reached 11.24 million units, with a penetration rate of 46.1% in the domestic new car market [8] - The rapid development of energy storage solutions is also contributing to increased aluminum demand, with cumulative installed capacity reaching 73.76 million kilowatts by the end of 2024 [7] Group 5: Future Outlook - The aluminum industry has seen a lag in capital investment relative to demand growth, leading to slow capacity expansion and a predictable upward price trend in the coming years [9] - The potential for aluminum to replace copper in low-voltage applications is increasing, driven by aluminum's lower price and greater availability, although large-scale substitution remains a challenge [9]