Column - China's import boom heralds deeper rift in aluminium

Malaysia has emerged as a major beneficiary of this offshoring, accounting for 28% of China's total alloy imports over the June-August period.(File pic shows aluminium storage at Port Klang, Malaysia.)

LONDON, Oct 7 (Reuters) - China's imports of unwrought aluminium rose again in August, extending a rare inversion of normal trade patterns.

Combined imports of primary metal and unwrought alloy totalled 393,000 tonnes, just shy of the previous record of 394,000 tonnes in April 2009.