The transformation strategy from the automotive industry to electric vehicles promotes the development of aluminum industry

According to foreign media reports, industry sources revealed that the aluminum industry has benefited greatly from the backdrop of the automotive industry's transition to electric vehicles.

Torbjorn Sternsjo, senior vice president of technology and business development at Granges AB, said: "By 2025, the hybrid vehicle market will occupy a large proportion, which will bring both opportunities and challenges for car companies."

He also added that in terms of powertrain manufacturing, Europe and Asia have experienced the greatest changes because their products will depend heavily on aluminum.

According to Emilio Braghi, president of Novelis Europe, the use of aluminum in body parts will continue to increase for the entire automotive industry. This is mainly driven by electric vehicles. The former focuses on lightweighting strategies, or it is keeping the same battery. In the case of extended cruising range, batteries with smaller size are used, and the application of aluminum material just helps the lightweight design.

It is said that electrification will have an impact on the supply and demand balance of recycled aluminum. For the aluminum extrusion market, it is expected that the usage and consumption of electric vehicles will show an increasing trend, but the competition will be fierce because of the high market fragmentation.

In 2017, the average aluminum content of internal combustion engine cars (ICE) increased to 19-20 kg/vehicle. By comparison, in 2013, the figure was only 14 kg/car, which is equivalent to a value of 1 kg/car per year.

At present, the average content of aluminum profiles for pure electric vehicles is approximately 65 kg/vehicle. For models such as Karma, its value has soared to 280 kg/vehicle.

This is why many companies in the industry have tried to enter the market. The electrification of automobiles has changed the landscape in the industry. (This article is taken from platts.com)