# Aluminium: Relationships

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/links/

Every element and industry that Aluminium is linked to, and how. Each pair has its own card explaining the relationships between the two.

- [Energy-intensive industry](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-energy-intensive-industry/): Primary aluminium is one of the most electricity-intensive industrial products, at about 15 MWh per tonne with power typically about 40% of cost, so electricity prices decide where smelters run and when they shut. *(researched)*
- [Aerospace and defence](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aerospace-and-defence-and-aluminium/): Aluminium alloys still make up much of an aircraft, about half of a Boeing 777's structure, but carbon composites are about half of the newer 787, so lighter lithium-bearing alloys and certified supply of high-strength grades decide aluminium's place in aerospace. *(researched)*
- [Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-copper/): Aluminium is the main substitute for copper in power cable, radiators, cooling tube and some electrical equipment, so the copper to aluminium price ratio, which rose from about 3.5 to about 4.1 times during 2025, shapes the incentive to switch; the two prices also share the industrial cycle. *(researched)*
- [Gallium](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-gallium/): Most primary gallium is a by-product of alumina refining, and China, which refined about 62% of the world's alumina in 2025, makes 99% of primary low-purity gallium; its export controls since August 2023 have turned this trace by-product into a supply security issue. *(researched)*
- [Thermal coal](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-thermal-coal/): Most aluminium in India and China is smelted with coal-fired captive power, so coal sets much of its cost and most of its carbon footprint; that footprint now carries a price at the EU border from 2026. *(researched)*
- [Underground, submarine and superconducting cables](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-underground-submarine-and-superconducting-cables/): Buried and subsea power cables need a metal conductor, and aluminium competes with copper for it: aluminium needs a larger cross-section for the same rating but is far lighter and usually much cheaper, so the copper to aluminium price gap decides the choice for many projects. *(researched)*
- [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-vehicles-ships-rail-aircraft/): Transport is aluminium's largest market, about 28% of world use in 2025, and electric cars and faster trains raise the metal needed per vehicle, while high-strength steel competes part by part on cost. *(researched)*
- [AC transmission](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/ac-transmission-and-aluminium/): Overhead AC lines are strung with aluminium conductors around a steel core, so line building is a large, steady aluminium market; in India the power transmission and distribution sector takes about 48% of aluminium use, and the 2032 grid plan adds to it. *(researched)*
- [Metal-air batteries](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-metal-air-batteries/): Metal-air batteries needs aluminium; their prices have moved together.
- [Water treatment chemicals](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-water-treatment-chemicals/): Aluminium is a raw material for water treatment chemicals; their prices have moved together.
- [AI and digital platforms](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/ai-and-digital-platforms-and-aluminium/): AI and digital platforms depends on aluminium.
- [Abrasives](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/abrasives-and-aluminium/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Apparel and footwear](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-apparel-and-footwear/): Apparel and footwear depends on aluminium.
- [Building heat recovery](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-building-heat-recovery/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Capacitors and supercapacitors](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-capacitors-and-supercapacitors/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Caustic soda](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-caustic-soda/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-computers-and-electronics/): Computers and electronics depends on aluminium.
- [Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-construction-and-infrastructure/): Construction and infrastructure depends on aluminium.
- [Data centres and cloud](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-data-centres-and-cloud/): Data centres and cloud depends on aluminium.
- [Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-distribution-grids-mini-grids-and-interconnectors/): Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors needs aluminium.
- [Electrical equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-electrical-equipment/): Electrical equipment depends on aluminium.
- [Embodied energy trade](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-embodied-energy-trade/): Embodied energy trade needs aluminium.
- [Explosives and propellants](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-explosives-and-propellants/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Flame retardants](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-flame-retardants/): Aluminium is a raw material for flame retardants.
- [Food and beverage processing](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-food-and-beverage-processing/): Food and beverage processing depends on aluminium.
- [Furniture](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-furniture/): Furniture depends on aluminium.
- [High-temperature batteries](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-high-temperature-batteries/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Hospitality and tourism](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-hospitality-and-tourism/): Hospitality and tourism depends on aluminium.
- [Hydrofluoric acid](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-hydrofluoric-acid/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Internal combustion engines and gensets](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-internal-combustion-engines-and-gensets/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Lighting and displays](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-lighting-and-displays/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-machinery-and-equipment/): Machinery and equipment depends on aluminium.
- [Metal products](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-metal-products/): Metal products depends on aluminium.
- [Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-paper-and-packaging/): Paper and packaging depends on aluminium.
- [Pharmaceuticals](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-pharmaceuticals/): Pharmaceuticals depends on aluminium.
- [Professional services](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-professional-services/): Professional services depends on aluminium.
- [Public administration, defence and security](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-public-administration-defence-and-security/): Public administration, defence and security depends on aluminium.
- [Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-real-estate/): Real estate depends on aluminium.
- [Refining and reforming](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-refining-and-reforming/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Semiconductors](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-semiconductors/): Semiconductors depends on aluminium.
- [Sodium-ion batteries](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-sodium-ion-batteries/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Telecommunications](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-telecommunications/): Telecommunications depends on aluminium.
- [Textiles and leather](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-textiles-and-leather/): Textiles and leather depends on aluminium.
- [Tin](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-tin/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Transformers and power electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-transformers-and-power-electronics/): Their prices have moved together.
- [Transport and logistics](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-transport-and-logistics/): Transport and logistics depends on aluminium.
- [Waste and recycling](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-waste-and-recycling/): Waste and recycling depends on aluminium.
- [Water and sanitation](https://www.materialinsights.org/links/aluminium-and-water-and-sanitation/): Water and sanitation depends on aluminium.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/correlation/index.md)
- [Extraction](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/extraction/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/production/index.md)
- [Stocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/stocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/movement/index.md)
- [Criticality](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/criticality/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/characteristics/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/emissions/index.md)