Rising inputs to prop aluminum

Aluminum prices will be supported for the next three years by rising production costs in China, the biggest producer, and a recovery in global demand, Macquarie Securities Ltd said.

The aluminum market may expand to between 42 million and 45 million metric tons by 2012, analysts led by Jim Lennon said in a note yesterday, without giving a comparison. Higher input costs and a potential appreciation in the yuan will support prices, the brokerage said.

China last week raised power prices, which account for about a third of aluminum output costs, to help utility companies curb losses. Aluminum prices, lagging behind other metals, may rise as producers including Aluminum Corp of China Ltd pass on costs, Essence Securities said on Nov 20.