Recycling aluminum represents energy savings of up to 95% in comparison with the production of primary aluminum.

Alcoa said the average price for its primary aluminum fell 12 percent, to 73 cents a pound, from 83 cents a pound a year earlier.

The Aluminum Association is the trade association for producers of primary aluminum, recyclers and semi-fabricated aluminum products.

According to Alcan's projections, supplies of primary aluminum in Western countries will grow 3.3 percent this year, with inventories rising by 400,000 metric tons.

Aluminum mill shapes, lead, plywood and primary aluminum all declined.

The smelting operations at Pocos de Caldas have an annual capacity of 90,000 tons/year of primary aluminum.

Mining in Argentina is an important regional producer of minerals, including primary aluminum, lead, copper, zinc, silver and gold.

Gutters made with primary aluminum are the better choice because the thickness of the stock is consistent.

Also, the owners had agreed to a compromise - only half the output would be primary aluminum, the most pollutive in the production cycle.

Energy represents about one-third of the total production cost of primary aluminum.