China

The updated Chinese National Standards will be implemented in March and will include GB/T 40382-2021 “Recycled Wrought Aluminium Alloy Raw Materials” and GB/T 40386-2021 “Recycled Pure Aluminium Raw Materials”. These further define recycled aluminium raw materials by methods of inspection and testing, classification, packaging and transportation, storage and factory acceptance, and so on.

The semiconductor shortage is still impacting vehicle production in China: 2.59 million units were produced in November 2021 for a year-on-year drop of 9.3%. Sales were also hit by COVID outbreaks in several provinces, with the 2.52 million units sold representing a fall of 9.1%.

As a guideline, the goal has been set for China’s state-owned enterprises to achieve lower energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions, with these emissions to peak by 2030 and with neutrality by 2060. Clearly, this is expected to hit high-energy-consuming industries, including the steel and non-ferrous metals sectors.

China’s manufacturing sector is continuing to recover from the impact of COVID. Helped by global demand from the export market soaring almost 30% year on year, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, the country’s GDP growth of 8.1% has exceeded the target of over 6%. Meanwhile, China’s domestic consumption has remained soft.