The aluminium industry is one of the most competitive brazilian industrial sectors. It is responsable for approximately 10% of the brazilian trade balance. The companies compete in the domestic market and primary aluminium accounts for almost 90% of the exports. The expansion of this industry in the internacional market was undertaken in the context of energy scarcity in developed couniries and during a period of economic recession in Brazil. An analysis of the determinants of national competitive advantace. makes possible an understanding of the high level of competitivity of this industrial sector. Some important factors that can aftect the competitive position of brazilian aluminium companies are also pointed out.
Aluminium; competitiveness; aluminium industry; competitive advantage; structure of the industry; international competition