This year’s Aluminium China exhibition and conference in July will provide a platform for China’s rapidly changing and expanding aluminium industry and showcase new state-of-the-art processes and products. Since the launch of the ‘Made in China 2025’ strategy more than two years ago, China has made great strides towards becoming the world’s leading manufacturing hub. And it is against this backdrop that the Chinese aluminium industry is shifting its focus from speed to high- quality growth and gearing up for technological advances, driven by demand from global industries such as aerospace, automotive, building and construction, transportation and consumer durables. The success of this strategy is demonstrated by Chinese company Nanshan Aluminum that has started manufacturing high-end aluminum materials for Boeing and Airbus.

Exhibitor Conglin’s booth at 上海国际铝工业展览会 2017

Aluminium China 2018 will focus on global innovation and put the spotlight on aerospace and automotive materials and new processing technologies, along with innovative, smart and green manufacturing trends, helping to open up a new chapter in the aluminium industry.

With overcapacity easing and strong environmental protection measures put in place in 2017, domestic and international aluminium prices have risen sharply, causing demand for new facilities and the need to recover capacity, which currently lies idle. In 2017, China’s electrolytic aluminium output was 36.5 million tons, representing an increase of 12.2%; while downstream processed output, including aluminium sheets, extrusion, foils, wires, powders and casts, was 38.2 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 8.5%. At the same time, aluminium consumption has continued to rise, thanks to new emerging markets.

According to Reed Exhibitions China, the organiser of Aluminium China, this year’s event will feature a larger exhibition area than in 2017 and the number of trade visitors is expected to surpass 20,000. International visitors will come mainly from Southeast Asia, with Thailand providing the largest contingent. Reed is working with the Thai government, industry associations and other bodies to invite industry spokespeople to join discussions on industrial policy, in-depth analysis of the aluminium processing and consumption market, as well as putting the spotlight on topics such as the impact of new tariffs imposed on aluminium imported to the US.

Aluminium China 2018 will play its part in boosting industry growth as the event continues to attract more and more industry leaders. Confirmed exhibitors include leading local giants such as CHALCO, Zhongwang, Weiqiao, Nanshan, Conglin, Nannan, Zhongfu, Nanping, Lufeng, Mingtai, Mingde, Fenglu, Yunhai, Yuhang, and Hesheng. International players like UACJ, Constellium, Danieli, Pyrotek, Tenova, Fronius, AP&T and Panasonic will also be there.

The event takes place in the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC) from the July 11 to 13, 2018. Collocated with Aluminium China this year will be Lightweight Asia 2018. This event will feature advanced lightweight auto materials for whole vehicles and automotive parts and combine a one-stop procurement platform for lightweight auto solutions with insights into advanced processing technologies.