The Australian Aluminium Council will integrate the Australian Aluminium Extrusion Association (AAEA) into its membership and organizational structure. This integration marks a strategic consolidation, providing a unified, independent advocacy voice for the entire aluminum sector in Australia.
“The Council represents the industry from mine to market — and now with an even stronger focus on the downstream aluminum manufacturing sector in Australia,” said Marghanita Johnson, CEO of the Australian Aluminium Council. “With a cohesive representation, the Council will continue its direct engagement with the Australian Government and platforms like the International Trade Remedies Forum to advocate in the face of uneven global competition.”
The integration will also advance the Council’s core mission of promoting a deeper understanding of the Australian aluminum industry, domestically and internationally. By uniting these organizations, the Council aims to further encourage the growth and sustainability of the sector in Australia.
The Australian Aluminium Council represents Australia’s bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminum smelting, and downstream processing industries. The aluminum industry has been operating in Australia since 1955, and over the decades has been a significant contributor to the nation’s economy. The industry includes six bauxite mines that collectively produce over 100 million tonnes per year — making Australia the world’s largest producer of bauxite.
Australia is also the world’s largest exporter of alumina, with five alumina refineries producing around 20 million tonnes per year of alumina. In addition, the country is the seventh largest producer of aluminum, with four aluminum smelters and additional downstream processing industries, including more than 20 extrusion presses. Aluminium is Australia’s highest earning manufacturing export. The industry directly employs more than 20,000 people and also indirectly supports a further 55,000 families predominantly in regional Australia.
Aluminium is one of the most widely used commodities in the global transition to a clean energy future. As a major producer of bauxite, alumina, and aluminum, Australia is ideally placed to help meet demand for this critical “Green Metal.” However, the Council believes that the government must ensure that Australia’s downstream manufacturers can compete through free and fair trade. With the right policy settings, Australia’s manufacturing industries can attract more trade and investment, supporting the growth of the Australian aluminum sector to meet increasing global demand.
“We look forward to marking the strategic integration with the industry at the next Australian Aluminium Extrusion Conference in July 2025,” said Johnson. “This will provide an opportunity to foster further collaboration and innovation within the industry.”