Chongqing’s NEV Boom Fuels Growth of Zhejiang Recycled Aluminum Firm

Chongqing - Bridging News reporter visited Chongqing Jiantao Aluminum Co., Ltd., a Zhejiang firm in Fuling, Chongqing, on December 21. Under the Zhejiang–Fuling cooperation framework, the company supplies recycled aluminum to Chongqing’s NEV sector, showcasing the link between green manufacturing and new-energy vehicles.

Recycled aluminum supplier gains from NEV boom

Founded in Fuling in 2007, the company was established by Zhejiang entrepreneur Hu Aitao, its former general manager, who has lived and worked in Chongqing for over 30 years and entered the recycled aluminum industry there as early as 1987.

The fundamental differences between recycled aluminum and primary aluminum lie in the raw materials and production processes used. Primary aluminum is produced from bauxite by electrolysis, while recycled aluminum is made from scrap aluminum products by melting and reprocessing.

As green and low-carbon development has become a mainstream priority in recent years, recycled aluminum has gained a firmer foothold in the market, with production expanding alongside the rapid growth of the NEV industry.

Recycled aluminum offers environmental advantages. According to relevant Chinese documents, producing one tonne of recycled aluminum consumes about 130 kilograms of standard coal, with theoretical carbon emissions of 0.23 tonnes—just 2.05% of emissions generated during the aluminum electrolysis process.

Its low-carbon profile also strengthens the export competitiveness of downstream manufacturers. Hu said that markets such as the United States and the European Union impose requirements on the carbon footprint of imported products. For downstream firms using its recycled aluminum, the company can provide carbon emissions certificates, helping them pass carbon traceability reviews and clear customs smoothly.

China’s recycled aluminum output continues to grow. The 2025 China Recyclable Resources Recycling Industry Development Report shows that in 2024, China produced 19.15 million tonnes of four major recycled nonferrous metals—aluminum, copper, zinc, and lead. Recycled aluminum accounted for 10.55 million tonnes, up 11.1% year on year and representing 55% of the total.

The rapid expansion of the NEV industry has further solidified recycled aluminum’s role in the NEV sector. According to the International Aluminium Institute’s Assessment Report on Aluminum Use in China’s Automotive Industry (2016–2030), by 2030, aluminum consumption by China’s NEV industry is expected to account for 29.4% of total aluminum consumption.

The rise of Chongqing’s NEV industry has directly driven the enterprise’s growth. As one of China’s major NEV manufacturing hubs, Chongqing is home to leading automakers such as Changan Automobile and Seres. As of now, Changan has recorded NEV sales exceeding one million units in 2025.

Hu said that the company currently supplies local NEV manufacturers, including Changan and Seres, and that the rapid development of Chongqing’s NEV industry has led to a steady increase in orders.

Efficient administration boosts Zhejiang–Fuling cooperation

At the heart of the Zhejiang–Fuling cooperation is strong government leadership, with efficient services that improve the business environment and attract Zhejiang private investors. Streamlined administration is a key pillar of this model.

Although Hu began doing business in Chongqing in 1987, his company did not formally establish itself in Fuling until 2007. He recalled that the decisive factor was the efficiency of Fuling’s investment promotion services, which left a lasting impression.

“At the time, discussions were still preliminary and no final decision had been made,” Hu said. The proposed site consisted entirely of hillside terrain, and at the pace common, leveling land elsewhere would have taken at least six to 12 months.

Hu added, “To my surprise, Fuling completed the leveling in just one month and then asked me, ‘The land is ready—are you coming?’ We signed the agreement only after the land was leveled. That kind of speed was unmatched.”

For business succession, Hu’s son, Hu Yingjian, now serves as general manager of Chongqing Jiantao Aluminum, handling daily operations, while Hu Aitao has stepped back into a supporting role.

Hu Yingjian said that as a young person, he initially viewed the industry as lacking prestige and had little intention of taking over the business. However, after joining the company, his perspective gradually changed as he came to recognize the long-term prospects of the recycled aluminum sector.

Hu Aitao said that his son has gone from feeling the business was “undignified” to willingly taking on the responsibility, showing that he now sees not scrap aluminum and residue, but resources and the future. “That gives me more satisfaction than earning one billion yuan (about 142 million U.S. dollars).”