Novelis Inc 's

The aluminum rolled products market is highly competitive and is characterized by economies of scale; and significant capital investments are required to achieve and maintain technological capabilities and demanding customer qualification standards. We face competition from a number of companies in all of the geographic regions and end-use markets in which we operate. Our primary competitors are as follows:

North America
Asia
Alcoa, Inc. (Alcoa)
Alcoa Bohai Aluminum Industries Co., Ltd
Aleris International, Inc. (Aleris)
UACJ Corporation
Constellium N.V. (Constellium)
Kobe Steel Ltd.
Noranda Aluminum, Inc.
Shandong Nanshan Aluminum Co., Ltd
UACJ Corporation/ Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc. (Tri-Arrows)
Chinalco Group

Henan Mingtai Aluminum Industrial Co., Ltd
Europe
Henan Zhongfu Industrial Co., Ltd
Alcoa
Binzhou Weiqiao Aluminium Science & Technology Co., Ltd
Aleris
China Zhongwang Holdings Limited
Norsk Hydro A.S.A.

Constellium
South America

Alcoa

Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio
The factors influencing competition vary by region and end-use market, but generally we compete on the basis of our value proposition; which includes price, product quality, the ability to meet customers’ specifications, range of products offered, lead times, technical support and customer service. In some end-use markets, competition is also affected by fabricators’ requirements that suppliers complete a qualification process to supply their plants. This process can be rigorous and may take many months to complete. As a result, obtaining business from these customers can be a lengthy and expensive process. However, the ability to obtain and maintain these qualifications can represent a competitive advantage.

In addition to competition from others within the aluminum rolled products industry, we also face competition from non-aluminum material producers. In the packaging end-use market (primarily beverage and food cans), aluminum rolled products compete mainly with glass, PET plastic, and in some regions, steel. In the transportation end-use market, aluminum rolled products compete mainly with steel and composites. Aluminum competes with wood, plastic, cement and steel in building products applications. In the consumer durables end-use market, aluminum rolled products compete mainly with plastic, steel, and magnesium. Additionally, aluminum competes with steel, cooper, plastic, and glass in industrial applications. Factors affecting competition with substitute materials include price, ease to manufacture, consumer preference and performance characteristics.