Russia’s aluminium market could face a new competitive dynamic after Sual Partners signed a production-sharing agreement with state-controlled hydropower group RusHydro, potentially giving Sual access to up to 150,000 tonnes of aluminium from the Boguchany smelter in Siberia. The arrangement could challenge Rusal’s near 20-year dominance of Russia’s primary aluminium market, allowing Sual to target both domestic and overseas customers with the metal. The agreement, announced on October 15 during Russian Energy Week, provides for a production-sharing mechanism at the Boguchansky aluminium plant, which is co-owned by RusHydro. The arrangement could give Sual access to as much as a 50 per cent share of the smelter’s output, putting it in a position to compete directly with Rusal, its...
The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) has called for closer UK-EU relations, warning that proposed European industrial policies could affect British manufacturers supplying the aluminium, steel and automotive industries. Stephen Morley, CBM President and Chair of the Euroforge Automotive Sector, made the call at the organisation's autumn meeting in Munich. He said stronger cooperation between the UK and EU was important for protecting manufacturing jobs, investment and cross-border supply chains. He stated, “ We need to protect British industry, but we also need to recognise that the UK and European automotive sectors are deeply connected. What damages one part of the supply chain will inevitably affect the other. ” Join the fourth edition of webinar " Hedging for recyclers -...
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The Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI), representing small and mid-sized recycling firms, has pleaded at the Prime Minister’s Office to remove import duty on aluminium scrap, citing cost inflation and increasing supply crunch of aluminium scrap in the global market. In a letter dated March 26, the MRAI highlighted that the existing 2.5 per cent basic customs duty has become a new challenge for recyclers, especially small and mid-sized enterprises that rely heavily on imported material. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain In the letter addressed to the PMO, the Association stated, “MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) depend on high-quality imported scrap to meet technical...
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 The global aluminium market is currently transitioning from a century-long reliance on primary smelting to a circular economy model centred on Used Beverage Can (UBC) scrap. This shift is not merely environmental—it is fundamentally economic, driven by the extreme energy intensity of primary production, tightening carbon-linked trade policies, and the financialisation of scrap through the London Metal Exchange (LME). The movement of aluminium UBC scrap prices, once a localised phenomenon, has now evolved into a globally transparent metric shaped by LME benchmarks, regional energy shocks, and the strategic accumulation of low-carbon feedstock by multinational corporations. For the updated global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global...
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) improved on April 21, in contrast to the previous close. Cash price reported gains by wide margins, futures contracts recovered from the previous session’s decline, while opening stocks continued to slide. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ”. On April 21, the LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer price rose USD 23 per tonne or 0.64 per cent. The bid inched up from USD 3,589 per tonne on April 20 to USD 3,612 per tonne on April 21, while the offer price climbed from USD 3,590 per tonne to USD 3,613 per tonne. The LME aluminium three-month contract followed a similar upward trend. The bid price edged up from USD 3,552 per tonne on April 20 to...
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed a method to convert polyethylene plastic waste into fuel at temperatures below 200°C. The process uses a molten salt solution containing aluminium chloride. It breaks down plastic into smaller molecules that can be used as fuel. Around 60 per cent of the output is similar to gasoline, making it suitable for transport and industrial use. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " This approach uses much lower temperatures than existing methods. Most conventional processes require 450 to 500°C. The lower temperature reduces energy use and may make the process easier to scale for industrial use. The method focuses on polyethylene. This plastic is widely used...
Supply disruptions linked to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East are starting to show up in India’s real estate sector, with developers adjusting how they plan projects and source materials. Across the board, inputs like aluminium, steel, tiles and cement are becoming harder to manage, not always because of shortages alone, but because of price swings and delays tied to shipping and energy costs. That’s forcing companies to rethink both execution timelines and design choices. Visible changes are being made in procurement where, instead of relying on just-in-time supply, developers are now moving before time, sourcing materials sooner and working with multiple vendors to reduce risk. Longer buffers are also being built into project schedules. Kulmeet Shangari, Managing Director and...
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 FOB Australia alumina prices are expected to remain under pressure in the second quarter of 2026 due to continued oversupply in the market. Demand for alumina weakened in late Q1 as smelter operations in the Middle East were disrupted by geopolitical conflict. Production cuts at aluminium smelters reduced alumina consumption, while refinery output remained largely steady. This created excess supply, which moved into the seaborne market. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " According to S&P Global Platts, FOB Australia alumina was assessed at USD 304 per tonne on April 15. The average price for Q1 was USD 306.91 per tonne, down 2.82 per cent from the previous quarter. Prices in China also...
Rio Tinto reported steady performance in its aluminium value chain in the first quarter of 2026, with mixed production volumes of bauxite, alumina and primary metal output Bauxite production was reported at 13.3 million tonnes, down 11 per cent year-on-year, largely flagged by the company towards weather complications in Australia. Heavy rainfall at Weipa early in the quarter, followed by Cyclone Narelle impacting both Weipa and Gove in March, weighed on output. The same factors also affected third-party shipments, which declined during the period. In contrast, alumina production rose to 2.04 million tonnes, up 6 per cent compared to the same period last year. The increase was mainly driven by the consolidation of Queensland Alumina Limited on a full basis, along with generally stronger...
Constellium SE has entered into a multi-year agreement with Airbus for the supply of aluminium alloy extrusions, strengthening its long-standing position in the aerospace supply chain. Under the agreement, Constellium will supply a range of extruded products, including bars and both small and large profiles, manufactured using advanced aluminium alloys. The portfolio includes its proprietary aluminium-lithium solution, Airware®, which is widely used in aerospace applications requiring high strength-to-weight ratios. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The materials supplied under the contract will be used in structural aircraft components, including fuselage frames and other critical load-bearing parts...
At a refinery in Krasnoturinsk, work is continuing to modernise existing processing systems, with a new piece of equipment now in use at the site. The facility, known as the Bogoslovsky Aluminium Plant, is part of RUSAL’s alumina production network. The latest addition is located in the section where bauxite is processed to extract aluminium oxide. This step is known as 'leaching', and it is crucial to alumina production because it determines how much usable material can be recovered, while the rest becomes residue. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" The new unit is one of several planned improvements within what the company refers to as its fourth processing area, where outdated systems are being gradually...
TOMRA Recycling has launched a new metal-sorting system, FINDER™, to improve the recovery of non-ferrous metals, including aluminium, from complex waste streams. The system is modular. Operators can configure and expand sensors based on the material. It is designed to handle shredded end-of-life vehicles and electronic scrap. It separates aluminium, copper, brass, and stainless steel and also sorts printed circuit boards and removes insulated wires and non-metal materials. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " FINDER™ combines multiple sensor technologies. These include electromagnetic, near-infrared, and optical sensors. The system can classify objects more precisely in mixed material streams. It can clean...
Global aluminium production and supply is considerably driven by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which contributes around 9 per cent of aluminium to the supply chain. Every year, the GCC produces and supplies approximately 6 to 6.5 million tonnes and 5 to 5.5 million tonnes of aluminium, respectively. However, 2026 is proving to be an exception owing to the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the impact of the geopolitical tensions clearly reflect on the aluminium production of the region in the January-March quarter (Q1) of 2026. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Aluminium production and supply have been strained for nearly two months since the end of February and the beginning of the Middle East...
Saudi Arabia is sharpening its focus on aluminium and mining, with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources taking on a strategic role at the next Aluminium Arabia event. The move reflects a wider push to expand industries beyond oil and to build a stronger manufacturing base in line with Vision 2030. The Ministry’s involvement is expected to bring greater attention to the aluminium sector, which has been identified as a key area for growth. Under the National Industrial Strategy, mining is projected to contribute around SAR240 billion (USD 64 billion) to the economy by 2030. Officials see aluminium as an important part of that ambition, not only for its export potential but also for its role in developing local supply chains. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced plans to acquire an 80 per cent stake in Italy-based Eco Green, subject to regulatory approvals, as it expands its recycling activities in Europe. Founded in 1993 by the Scappini family, Eco Green is engaged in aluminium scrap collection, sorting, casting and dross processing, handling more than 70,000 tonnes annually. The company supplies over 60 customers across Europe, mainly in aluminium processing and semi-fabrication, with end-use sectors including automotive, construction and other industrial applications. Its scrap sourcing network includes more than 350 suppliers. In Villafranca di Verona, in northeast Italy, Eco Green collects, sorts and distributes around 23,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap each year. Part of this material is...
Is China’s aluminium industry gradually finding itself more dependent on overseas suppliers for a critical raw material? That question becomes difficult to ignore when the 2025 numbers come into focus. During the year, China’s bauxite imports climbed to 201 million tonnes, rising from 159 million tonnes in 2024-an increase of about 26.5 per cent-clearly pointing to stronger reliance on external supply chains. China produced around 87 million tonnes of bauxite in 2025, while demand stood in the range of 232.4–278.8 million tonnes. That created a structural gap of around 191 million tonnes, which imports increasingly had to bridge, a trend closely analysed in AL Circle’s Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook report. Who really controls...
In March 2026, China's import of alumina, which is the essential raw material for aluminium production, reached a two-year high. The surge is mainly owed to the shipments, which were originally planned to reach the Middle East smelters, but changed the route to the world's largest producer. As per the report shared by Bloomberg, the Persian Gulf conflict has nudged the redirection of alumina to China, which results in increased domestic surplus but also bolsters strong smelting margins. Higher aluminium production in China The rerouting of alumina into China has increased the country's aluminium production and the exports are also expected to follow the trend. This, however, offers much-needed relief to producers who are grappling with rising domestic inventories and a slowing economy....
Constellium SE (NYSE: CSTM) reported solid performance in its Automotive Structures & Industry (AS&I) segment, supporting overall growth in 2025. The company’s aluminium product portfolio remained a key driver of segment performance. Also Read: Constellium 2025 scorecard The segment recorded shipments of 202,000 tonnes during the year. Revenues increased 10 per cent year on year to nearly USD 1.6 billion, driven by higher shipment volumes and metal prices. The company said healthy orders for other extruded products after the recovery from the Valais flood supported the segment, although lower shipments of automotive extruded products remained a concern. Growing demand for automotive aluminium components, driven by popularity for energy-efficient vehicles, coupled with elevated aluminium...
As the geopolitical conflict in the Middle East disrupts the aluminium availability in the global automotive industry , Japan’s automotive sector comes into focus with a concerning exposure to supply chain vulnerability. Japan’s manufacturing sector is increasingly pressured as the Middle East conflict disruptions continue to affect aluminium supplies from the region. As companies usually maintain only about two months of inventory, the blockade of the critical shipping routes has prompted producers to reassess sourcing strategies and alternatives while scaling back output. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Japan’s dependence on the Middle East for importing aluminium becomes evident as the Japan...
With the recent opening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price is starting to ease even further from the last day’s close. The declining trend continued at the longer-dated contracts as well as at the inventory level. The LME cash bid rose by USD 69 per tonne or 2 per cent, shifting from USD 3,658 per tonne to USD 3,589 per tonne. Similarly, the LME cash offer finally settled at USD 3,590 per tonne, down from USD 3,660 per tonne, showing a difference of USD 70 per tonne or 2 per cent. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics At the longer-dated contracts, the declining trend was followed by the LME 3-month bid and offer, where the bid settled down at USD 3,552 per tonne, declining from USD...
