A potential easing of trade tensions between the United States and Canada could reshape the North American aluminum market, with European buyers facing the risk of stronger competition for Canadian metal. Import data from ITC Trade Map shows that US purchases of Canadian unwrought aluminum fell sharply in 2025, while imports from Canada increased across six European markets, highlighting how trade flows have evolved amid tariff uncertainty. The United States imported approximately 2.03 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum from Canada in 2025, down 25.9% from 2.74 million metric tons in 2024. The decline amounted to around 711,494 metric tons over the year. Import value also decreased, falling 22.2% from $7.82 billion to $6.09 billion. The figures come as the possibility of a...
Century Aluminum’s proposed USD 4 billion primary aluminum smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, is “moving forward on all fronts” as the company prepares for construction, despite local opposition and legal challenges, CEO Jesse Gary said during the company’s third-quarter earnings call. Developed jointly by Century Aluminum and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the project is designed to produce 750,000 tonnes of primary aluminum annually, potentially doubling U.S. primary aluminum production. The facility is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and add USD 1.5 billion to Oklahoma’s gross domestic product, according to company estimates. The partners had targeted construction to begin by the end of 2026. However, local restrictions and permitting challenges have affected the...
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According to a recent report, Black & Veatch-led project management consortium (PMC) has been appointed by PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia to manage the development of an alumina refinery in West Kalimantan. The facility, according to Black & Veatch, will feature a 1 Mt/year smelter-grade alumina refinery, a 2 x 40,000 cu.m/h coal gasification plant and a 3 x 25 MW coal-fired power plant. As the consortium leader, Black & Veatch is responsible for design review, equipment inspections, and provide power and coal gasification subject matter expertise. Progesys, as consortium partner, will manage the alumina refinery process design scope and Jaya CM, another consortium partner, will support the project with site construction engineers and inspectors. “As the project consultant, the consortium is...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the alumina output in China stood at 5.82 million tonnes in August and is likely to be about 5.8 million tonnes in September. Shanghai Metals Market report shows, the average spot price of alumina in China has extended its rise in September, which started during mid-August. The price currently stands at RMB 2604 or US$ 368 per tonne as updated on September 30 and it has been flat at this level since September 25. The price started the month of September at RMB 2528 or US$356.6 per tonne and is on an upward curve since then. In the international scenario, imported alumina price remains flat at RMB 2700 US$359.5 per tonne since August. Australian alumina FOB price currently stands at RMB 2108 or USD 295 per tonne. The price was on a steady downward curve...
Metal Exchange Corporation (MEC) has promoted Rick Merluzzi to Chief Executive Officer of MEC. Mike Lefton, former MEC Chairman and CEO, will assume the title of Executive Chairman. Merluzzi oversees all MEC businesses, including Metal Exchange Trading, Pennex Aluminum Company, Continental Aluminum and Electro Cycle, Inc. Merluzzi joined MEC 15 years ago as President of MEC subsidiary Pennex Aluminum Company, and has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of MEC for the past five years. “Metal Exchange has an incredible track record of success over its 45-year history. I am humbled and honoured to work for this family-owned, people-focused organization, which has a long-term commitment to our industry,” said Rick Merluzzi, newly appointed Chief Executive Officer. “We have grown...
Alcoa Corporation’s Baie-Comeau aluminium smelter in Québec, Canada has been certified against the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standard for responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. The smelter has an annual output of approximately 280,000 tonnes of liquid metal. “From mine to metal, Alcoa is recognized as a sustainability leader,” said Michelle O’Neill, Alcoa’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Sustainability. “This latest ASI certification demonstrates our ongoing commitment to operate in a responsible manner while bringing long-lasting value to our stakeholders.” Alcoa now has locations certified against ASI’s Performance Standard in three countries – Brazil, Canada and Spain. Earlier this year, the company received ASI...
According to a recent report, Pyrotek Inc. is likely to complete construction in November of a new manufacturing facility in Dubai, which will serve and supply the rapidly growing aluminium smelting operations in the region. By January 2020, Pyrotek is scheduled to occupy the facility. The first phase of construction will reportedly provide 66,000 square feet of floor space. The construction contractor is Pax-Kent International LLC based in Dubai. Nigel Clear, Pyrotek’s General Manager in the region, said: “This plant will grow our footprint in the heart of one of the major global aluminium smelting regions. It’s also very close to EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium). Combined, EGA is the biggest aluminium producer in the Persian Gulf.” The new Pyrotek plant will concentrate on manufacturing...
Cannedwaterforkids.org (CW4K), which works towards distributing clean, safe drinking water to children all around the world, packages its water in aluminium bottles and cans. The product fulfils the twin purposes of a sustainability goal and giving back to the needy. It is a 100% recyclable quality alternative for plastic water bottles which are rarely recycled. “Every time you buy & drink our premium water, you are making a difference,” said Greg Stromberg, CW4K founder, and CEO. “We call our water ‘Drinking water - with a purpose.’ That’s because it keeps you hydrated; it tastes great and is infinitely recyclable. Plus, 95% of all money collected by CW4K from the sale of this water goes to help fund & deliver sustainable clean drinking water programs worldwide.” A number of companies...
The international export-import data shows the aluminium scrap export from France to Italy is on a steady rise since a sweeping growth of around 139 per cent from 43,822 tonnes in 2016 to 104,718 tonnes in 2017. In 2018, the country’s export amount to Italy was at 111,456 tonnes after growing by around 6.43 per cent from 2017. This year, the export volume is expected to increase further to 127,101 tonnes, up 14 per cent year on year. {newsStudioGallery} Backed on the increasing export volume, the value has also been rising over the years and this year is expected to be no exception. In 2017, along with the sweeping growth in France’s aluminium scrap export volume to Italy, the export value recorded a growth of 155 per cent from US$42 million in 2016 to US$107 million. In 2018, the value...
Hydro has invested Euro 30 million in two modern production lines. The new production lines will increase quality and stability for aluminium foil products in the coming months, as product volumes from older production lines due for closure is shifted to new and modern lines. Sales director Stefan Knabben in Hydro’s Rolled Products business area said, “The production line we are shutting down in the Grevenbroich plant represent only a minor part of our foil production portfolio. We will definitely fulfill all contracts and are eager to continue offering our foil products from new and modern production lines.” The company recently announced a comprehensive restructuring of its rolling business. The restructuring includes the already planned closure of parts of the foil production at...
The most waited ‘mating season’ for aluminium industry starts as aluminium producers are starting the first round of autumn negotiations with the consumers around the world. Rusal, a leading aluminium producer has been looking forward to the season as this will be their first new negotiations after the sanctions were lifted in January 2019, which disrupted its business last year. According to Reuters Rusal is in talks with customers to agree 2020 supply contracts and is optimistic about winning back its lost customers. “Sanctions are over. No one is talking about sanctions, nobody... There’s no threat of that,” said one of Rusal’s largest clients, when asked if they would take into account any associated risks when discussing next year’s contract. Because of the falling LME price and weak...
On Thursday, October 3, Metro Mining Limited reported September quarter results, with which it assured that it is well-positioned to meet 2019 production guidance of 3.3 million tonnes to 3.5 million tonnes of bauxite. As per the report, the company mined 1.42 million tonnes in the quarter from Bauxite Hills Mine taking year-to-date production to 2.3 million tonnes. Greater consistency and improved productivity played a key role in the steady growth of mining. In September, Metro’s bauxite mining was at 501,000 tonnes, up 13.09 per cent from 443,000 tonnes in July and 5.25 per cent from 476,000 tonnes in August. Metro also reported that its mining and haulage is benefitting from excellent machine availabilities. The barge loading facility and ship-loading rates are at sustainable position...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has signed a tolling agreement with Dubai Natural Gas Company (DUGAS) for the supply of electricity. The agreement is the first for EGA to supply another company with all its power requirements, EGA said in a statement. Under the agreement, EGA will generate the electricity required for DUGAS’s industrial operations using natural gas sourced by DUGAS from Dubai Supply Authority (DUSUP). Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “EGA and DUGAS operate two of the largest industrial facilities in Dubai and this agreement makes our combined use of natural gas for power generation more efficient. This is in line with the goals of Dubai Plan 2021 and UAE Vision 2021 to promote the sustainable use of resources, and also creates a...
The dollar has nursed losses on Thursday, hitting near one-week lows against the euro and yen, amid signs of a slowdown in U.S. economic growth and a deepening of global trade tensions. Despite the inventory of LME warehouses falling to a multi-year lows and Shanghai Futures Exchange stocks are at two-year lows, LME aluminium continued downward slope and dropped to a record low of US$1697 per tonne during Wednesday’s closing. However, London copper and aluminium prices climbed from recent lows on Thursday morning as a weaker dollar supported prices, while trading was thin due to China’s major Golden Week holiday. As on October 2, Wednesday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1696 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1697per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at...
According to a recent report, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has decided to officially impose the highest rate of anti-dumping duties on aluminium products from 16 Chinese producers. While six Chinese exporters will face the duty of 35.58 per cent, eight between 18.16 per cent and 35.39 per cent, the final two will face a rate of less than 10 per cent. The anti-dumping duties will be imposed on those aluminium products which are used for making industrial machines and structures, aluminium doors, wattle walls, storage cabinets and interior and exterior decorations and in construction as well. In January, the MoIT had investigated into aluminium imports from China and its impact on domestic manufacturers following the regulations from the World Trade Organisation and Foreign...
Australia’s Department of Industry on Monday it has lowered its aluminium price forecast for 2019 by 5% from its June forecast to US$1,793/t due to the bearish market conditions driven by trade tensions between the US and China. The revised forecasts were published in its latest Resources and Energy Quarterly report. The department also lowered its aluminium price forecast for 2020 by 14% to US$1,662/t and for 2021 by 20% to US$1,545/t. “Escalating trade tensions between the US and China continue to damper aluminum demand from China, the world’s largest aluminium consumer,” the department said. The department has cut down its alumina spot price forecast for 2019 by 5% to US$356/t, for 2020, by 6% to US$334/t and for 2021, by 9% to US$316/t. The alumina price forecast was driven by an...
A very strong U.S. dollar index that hit a new high for the year overnight is a negative for the base metals markets. Dollar index continues its highs and currently stands at 99.1 putting pressure on LME aluminium. Despite the inventory of LME warehouses falling to a multi-year lows and Shanghai Futures Exchange stocks are at two-year lows, none of that has been able to lift aluminium prices. Total LME stocks last week slipped below 900,000 tonnes for the first time since 2008 but the market saw no improvement in prices. LME three-month metal has touched $1,713.50 per tonne today morning, which is the lowest since January 2017. According to analysts, falling production stocks are just brief trends and the key focus is now on the global drop in aluminium demand. As on October 1, Tuesday,...
Canyon Resources released a resource upgrade for its Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon on Friday, September 27. The company reported 62% increase in total tonnage and 850% increase in the Indicated Resource component. The project now has a total resource estimate of 892 million tonnes with 45.1% Al2O3 and 2.8% SiO2. “Upgrading the Minim Martap resource to nearly 900 million tonnes of high-grade, low contaminant bauxite confirms the Minim Martap Project as a global tier-1 bauxite asset,” Canyon Managing Director Phillip Gallagher said. He added that the bauxite is gibbsite-rich and suitable for both high and low temperature alumina refineries. He also said that the Minim Martap Project is one of the largest Guinea-style, high-grade, low contaminant bauxite deposit located outside of...
Amid ample aluminium supplies in Asia and weak demand from the electronic and auto industries, premiums for aluminium shipments to Japan for October to December have been set at $97 per tonne, down 10 per cent quarter-on-quarter. The news came after three sources directly involved in the price talks said. The figure is lower than the $108 per tonne paid in the July-September quarter, marking the first quarterly drop. It is also lower than the initial offers of $105-$115 made by producers. Japan is Asia’s biggest importer of the light metal and the premiums PREM-ALUM-JP for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region.
According to the data from China Customs, in the month of August, China's imports of aluminium scrap rose 7.4% YoY and stayed almost flat month on month to stand at 141,000 tonnes. This is the first month after the implementation of import quota on high-grade aluminium scrap in China. Imports were high in August as the volume import quotas from July to September for the so-called Category Six aluminium scrap of higher Al grades matched the realised imports during the same period of 2018. Import was further boosted by the price advantage of overseas aluminium scrap over domestic scrap, which was higher because of tight environmental restrictions. China's imports of aluminium scrap may drop in September on rising concerns about lesser quota volumes to be granted for the fourth quarter 2019....
