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First traded on LME: 1978 Current specification introduced: June 1987 World production: 38,108,700 tonnes per annum (2007)
Despite being the most prolific metal on earth, aluminium only began to be used extensively once an inexpensive method for distilling it by means of electrolytic reduction was discovered in the mid 19th century. It is extremely light, pliable, has high conductivity and is resistant to rust. Little wonder then that it has become the most extensively used metal and more recently the largest contract traded on the LME.
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