Primary aluminium is aluminium made from alumina (refined from bauxite) in an electrolytic smelter, using the Hall-Héroult process. Molten metal tapped from the pots is cast into ingots, sows, T-bars, billets, slabs or wire rod. Because it has not been remelted from scrap, its chemistry is tightly controlled and its purity is high, typically 99.5% to 99.85% Al. The most traded standard grade is P1020.
Why it matters when buying
- Primary metal is the reference for purity: ask for the Al purity % and the Fe and Si limits, backed by a mill test certificate.
- Prices in India usually track the LME plus a regional premium, freight and GST, so compare quotations on the same basis.
- Primary is usually costlier than secondary aluminium, so use it where purity, conductivity or surface finish genuinely need it.
- Confirm the form (ingot, sow, T-bar), weight per piece and packing before dispatch.
Typical uses
Primary ingots feed rolling mills, extruders (after alloying into billet), foil makers, EC-grade conductor plants, master alloy producers and steel plants that use aluminium for deoxidation. Browse current listings under primary ingots.