...U.S. Demand Recovers The three sectors -- transportation, construction and packaging -- that aggregate two-thirds of aluminum consumption are growing in the U.S., resulting in aluminum demand approaching pre-financial crisis levels. In autos, sales have been growing, as has aluminum content. Rising fuel efficiency standards and improved production technologies are accelerating the increase of aluminum content in autos. On the back of Ford announcing the shift to an aluminum body for the nation's best-selling vehicle, the F-150, other automakers have announced plans to shift to aluminum bodies for some of their most popular models. Construction activity is also increasing, which should result in more aluminum consumption for structural elements such as decks and frames, as well as aluminum for consumer durables. Additional Aluminum Supply Available The sizable increase in efficient production capacity in China and the Middle East since 2008 has put downward pressure on the production cost...
