Alloy World: How much non-ferrous metal is produced in the world?

Non-ferrous metals are metals and alloys that do not contain iron or contain small amounts of iron. Non-ferrous metals were the first metals that humans used for shaping and casting. Copper, gold, and silver were all attractive materials to early humans, especially since these metals were not as susceptible to corrosion as ferrous metals. For example, copper was the first metal to be transformed into a usable tool through the shaping process, and this process led to the beginning of a period called the “Copper Age”, which after several periods began with the creation of alloys of non-ferrous metals such as copper, a new period called the “Bronze Age” began; this means that the effects that non-ferrous metals have had on industry (in its primitive sense and up to the present day when high-tech industries have been created) are very impressive.

Non-ferrous metals are used for a wide range of commercial, industrial and residential applications. They are characterized by their lighter weight, high conductivity, corrosion resistance and non-magnetic properties. They are also softer and more malleable than ferrous metals, meaning they can be used in decorative applications, like gold and silver.

In general, there are more than 64 types of non-ferrous metals. Common non-ferrous metals include: copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, silver, gold, titanium, etc., as well as copper alloys such as brass and bronze.

Most widely used non-ferrous metals
1- Copper
Copper, which has been used by humans for thousands of years, is still widely used in industry. The production of copper alloys has further expanded the applications of this non-ferrous metal. Copper and its alloys are used for heat exchangers, electrical conductors in wiring or motors, pipe fittings, etc. According to the latest estimates, Chile is the largest copper producer with a share of 23.98% of the world’s total copper production, followed by Congo, Peru, China and the United States.

2- Aluminum
Aluminum is an important metal that is used in a wide range of industries due to its light weight and ease of machining. Despite being a relatively expensive material, aluminum is also the base metal of many alloys. Aluminum’s light weight has made it useful for the aerospace, automotive and food industries. China is the world’s largest producer of aluminum with a share of 58.33%, followed by India, Russia, Canada, and the UAE.

3- Lead
Lead has been used for centuries for a wide range of applications, including bullets, fuel products, and so on. However, due to its unhealthy nature, many of its uses are now prohibited, but it is still widely used for batteries, electrical cables, and acid tanks. According to statistics, China is the world’s largest producer of lead with a share of 41.46%, followed by Australia, Mexico, the United States, and Peru.

4- Zinc
Zinc has long been used as an alloying element, especially for alloying steel for a wide range of purposes, as well as for alloying copper to create brass. Zinc and its alloys are used in guardrails, suspension bridges, lamp posts, metal roofs, heat exchangers, and car bodies. According to the data, China is the largest producer with 31.66% of the world’s production, followed by Peru, Australia, Mexico and India.

5- Silver
Silver has been used as a precious metal for centuries. Silver, which is also used for jewelry, can be used in solar panels, water purification, electrical conductors, etc. The largest producers of silver are: Mexico with a share of 26.59%, China, Peru, Russia and Poland.

6- Gold
Gold is another precious metal used in jewelry. Its electrical conductivity has led to its use in computer devices as well as in the medical, aerospace and other industries. China has the largest gold production with a share of 11.20%, followed by Russia, Australia, Canada and the United States.

7- Titanium
Titanium was first discovered in 1791. It can be alloyed with metals such as iron and aluminum to create strong yet lightweight alloys for aerospace, automotive, agricultural, military, medical, sports, as well as jewelry and mobile phones. According to statistics, China is the world’s top titanium producer with a share of 35.16 percent, followed by Mozambique, South Africa, Australia and Canada.

Top Non-Ferrous Metals Producing Countries
With the specialization of industries and the increase in the speed of technological progress, the need to use non-ferrous metals has increased. One of the things that can transform the economy of any country today is proper planning for the production and use of non-ferrous metals. This means that countries that are among the top producers of non-ferrous metals can boost their economies by selling these metals to other countries, and industrial countries can also achieve very good added value by using these metals in manufactured products. The key point of this trend is referring to countries that simultaneously enjoy the advantage of exporting and converting these materials into high-value-added products. The table below lists the 10 major non-ferrous metal producing countries. According to the spherical imsights site’s ranking of the 10 industrialized countries in the world and comparing it with the table below, China, the United States, and India can be named as the top countries that enjoy the dual advantage of exporting and producing non-ferrous metals with added value. Iran is also ranked 15th in the world in terms of non-ferrous metals and 16th in terms of value.

Share of global demand for non-ferrous metals
The existence of demand makes production economical and creates incentives for producers and investors. The demand for non-ferrous metals increases every year, and this, in addition to technological growth, also contributes to the infrastructural development of different regions of the world. The existence of non-ferrous metal resources not only attracts investment, but also strengthens the development of mining infrastructure and related industries, and also helps to expand the non-ferrous metal sector.

In addition, the increase in demand for non-ferrous metals, both domestically and globally, is driving growth in different regions of the world. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure development across emerging economies are increasing the need for metals such as aluminum, copper, and zinc in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors. As a result, countries in regions such as Africa and South America with significant reserves of non-ferrous metals are taking advantage of these opportunities by increasing production to meet the growing investment demand, thereby stimulating the growth of the industry.

1- North America accounted for 21.88% of the demand for non-ferrous metals in 2023. This is attributed to the growth of industries such as automobiles, electronics, construction, etc. Since the United States has a vibrant automotive industry, there is also a demand for non-ferrous metals. In the automotive industry, these metals have applications ranging from body and engine components to components for electric vehicles. According to the OICA report, North America produced 14.8 million vehicles in 2022, accounting for 17.4% of the total world production. With the increase in the production of electric vehicles, the use of non-ferrous metals is also increasing. In the North American region, the United States and Canada are the poles of non-ferrous metal production; The largest non-ferrous metal production in the United States is related to cobalt, nickel, titanium, and the largest production in Canada is related to cobalt, nickel, niobium.

2- Europe had a 25.46% share of non-ferrous metal demand in 2023. This is due to significant consumers, the presence of capitalist manufacturers and sellers, etc. Strong demand from end-user industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics plays a key role in driving the European market. According to the ACEA report, car sales in the European Union increased by almost 17% in the first three quarters of 2023. These factors are responsible for the increase in demand for non-ferrous metals in Europe. Russia, followed by Norway by a significant margin, are the largest European producers of non-ferrous metals. Russia’s largest non-ferrous metal production is related to cobalt, nickel, niobium, and Norway’s largest production is related to nickel, titanium, and aluminum.

3- Asia and Oceania accounted for 39.48% of the market demand in 2023. The growth of the non-ferrous metals market in Asia and Oceania is influenced by factors such as rapid industrialization and infrastructure development. With the expansion of industries and the increase in infrastructure projects, the need for materials such as copper, aluminum and zinc is increasing. China is the largest producer of non-ferrous metals in Asia and Oceania, followed by India. According to a report by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China, the country is trying to increase the added value of the non-ferrous metals industry by about 5.5% in 2023 and more than 5.5% in 2024. The largest non-ferrous metals production in China is related to nickel, titanium, niobium, and the largest production in India is related to titanium, vanadium and aluminum.

4- South America accounted for 5.71% of the demand for non-ferrous metals in 2023. The growth in demand for non-ferrous metals in South America is driven by a combination of economic trends, including technological advances and environmental concerns. Chile and Peru are the largest producers of non-ferrous metals in South America. South America is rich in mineral resources, including copper, aluminum, nickel, and precious metals such as gold and silver, which provide a solid foundation for the growth of the non-ferrous metals industry. According to the International Energy Agency, South America accounts for 40 percent of global copper production and also supplies 35 percent of the world’s lithium. Chile’s largest non-ferrous metal production is copper, lead, and lithium, while Peru’s largest production is bismuth, cadmium, and copper.

5- The Middle East and Africa accounted for 47.7% of the non-ferrous metals demand in 2023. The growth in non-ferrous metals demand in the Middle East and Africa is driven by several key factors, such as increasing demand for aluminum in the construction sector and for copper in the electrical and electronics industry. The UAE and Congo are the largest non-ferrous metals producers in the region. The UAE’s only non-ferrous metals production is related to aluminum, while Congo’s largest production is related to cobalt, niobium, and copper.