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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Global primary aluminium production in August 2019 stood 1.46% lower compared with the same period of 2018. Aluminium production registered 5.407 million tonnes last month, from 5.487 million tonnes in August 2018, according to the latest data showed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) on Friday, September 20. The output was almost flat in comparison with July’s figure. Primary aluminium production stood at 42.464 million tonnes in the first eight months of 2019, from 42.722 million tonnes in the first eight months of 2018. This records a slip of 0.6% year-on-year. In Asia ex-China, aluminium production totalled 374,000 tonnes in August 2019, representing a drop of 0.8% per cent from 377,000 tonnes in August 2018. But the output increased by 0.54% month-on-month. Primary...
Norsk Hydro announces with a press release that The Federal Court in Belém, Brazil lifted the embargo on Alunorte's new bauxite residue disposal (DRS2) under the civil lawsuit on September 20. It is to be noted that Alunorte is still subjected to another embargo on DRS2 under a criminal lawsuit. Alunorte is expecting an extension of the civil decision to the criminal case. Till the criminal case is lifted on DRS2, Alunorte will continue utilizing the old bauxite residue disposal area (DRS1). The embargo in the civil case was lifted after Ministério Público and Alunorte had submitted a joint petition to the federal court on August 30 for lifting the ban. “This is an important step towards resuming installation and commissioning activities of the solid residue deposit DRS2. It is a...
The US dollar rebounded against a basket of currencies on the first day of the week and then fell on Tuesday ahead of an expected US interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. Though it registered a gain mid-week, the greenback ended the week lower. LME base metals started the week slightly higher but dropped on Tuesday, on growing concerns about demand in China after the release of bleak economic data and strong dollar. The prices did not see any drastic movement rest of the week and continued on a steady upward curve. LME aluminium started the week with US$ 1770.5 per tonne and after a drop to USD1746.5 per tonne it continued higher and closed the week at US$ 1766 per tonne on Friday September 20. Three-month LME aluminium also rebounded to a three-day high and ended the week at US$...
The price of A00 aluminium ingot in China witnessed fluctuations over the week. The week started with a decline of RMB 150 per tonne from Friday, September 12. The price continued lower at RMB 14400 per tonne and RMB 14330 per tonne on Monday, September 16 and Tuesday, September 17. But the week ended higher at RMB14280 per tonne on Friday, September 20, up RMB 10 per tonne from Thursday, September 19. As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, increased over the weekend to 978,000 tonnes as of Monday September 16, up by 6,000 tonnes from Thursday September 12. But primary aluminium inventories fell this week for a fourth straight week, as some regions saw more outflows. Inventories...
Digitalization and automation are not new to any industry. It started with the adoption and proliferation of digital computers and digital record keeping in the 70s and became prevalent in late 1990s and 2000s. This led to computerization of all processes and implementation of digital activities in various organizations and industries, which is called the Third Industrial Revolution. Now the world is moving towards Industry 4.0 or the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The term "industry 4.0" or the "fourth industrial revolution is coined to describe the increasing digitalization in an industrial environment. It covers current systems and technologies for automation, artificial intelligence and data exchange. It loosely refers to the concept of factories in which machines are augmented with...
Alcoa Corporation, an integrated bauxite, alumina and aluminium producer, has announced today that members of the United Steelworkers (USW) have finally ratified a new labour agreement bringing an amicable end to the long term negotiation. The new contract will cover about 1,700 active employees at five U.S. locations. The Company and the United Steelworkers came to a tentative agreement in August as the union members decided to vote on the proposed four-year contract. United Steelworkers District 7 Director and the chief negotiator from United Steelworkers Michael Millsap announced in the first week of September that the employees would soon ratify the contract. The USW announced the outcome of that vote on Thursday, Sept. 19. “We appreciate the contributions from our union employees at...
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminium products, announced the appointment of Leo W. Gerard to its Board of Directors. Gerard brings several decades of knowledge and experience in the metals industry. Gerard served as International President of the United Steel, Paper and Forestry, Rubber, Manufacturing, Energy, Allied Industrial and Service Workers International Union, AFL-CIO, CLC (formerly known as the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO, CLC) (the “USW”) from 2001 until his retirement in July 2019. Jack A. Hockema, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman said: “We are pleased to welcome Leo as a member of the board. Leo brings several decades of knowledge and experience in the metals industry and will be a great asset to the Company as...
Plascore, Inc., a manufacturer of lightweight composite products and a global leader in engineered core, will invest $5,973,290 to construct a new 80,000 square foot facility in Zeeland, West Michigan. The expansion will create approximately 35 jobs over three years. Plascore has witnessed an increase in demand for its machined aramid and aluminium products. As a result, the company continues to purchase new equipment and expand its production capacity. “We at Plascore are thrilled at the opportunity to grow here in West Michigan,” said Olaf Huebner, Vice President of Operations at Plascore. “Thank you to the City of Zeeland and Lakeshore Advantage for supporting our growth.” The City of Zeeland approved an Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption over 12 years to support the company’s new...
Renault Group has launched its first locally produced electric vehicle, the Renault K-ZE at an auto show in Chengdu. The low-cost subcompact crossover targets urban commuters and has a range of 271 kilometers with a maximum speed of 105 km per hour. The K-ZE is the third product Renault has built with local partner Dongfeng. The downturn in the auto sector has also impacted the sale of Renault and the company needs new products to push its sales. In August, deliveries of Dongfeng-Renault plunged 64 per cent year on year to 1,050. Through August 2019, their sales nosedived 73 per cent to 11,311. To venture into China’s EV market, Renault formed a joint venture with local automaker Jiangling Motors Group in July in the east China city of Nanchang after acquiring 50% shares of Jiangling...
The Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari reportedly said that he cleared a cabinet note on the proposed vehicle scrapping policy, while the finance ministry approved it. So, a final call should be taken on the policy soon, said the Union Minister, adding that it will be applicable on two and three-wheelers as well. The minister had earlier said that India could emerge as a hub for automobile manufacturing on implementation of this policy, as the key raw materials like steel and aluminium generated from scrapping would be recycled. This would also bring down the automobile prices by 20 per cent to 30 per cent India, said Mr. Gadkari. In May 2016, the government had floated a draft Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme (V-VMP) that proposed to take 28 million...
Living Vehicle design studio, run by a husband and wife duo in California has designed a mobile home called Living Vehicle 2020. The travel trailer is a luxury mini-apartment boasting a unique structure made 100 per cent from aluminium. “I have a vision that this vehicle can fully sustain life and be fully self-sufficient,” Matthew Hofmann, one of the designer duos said. “That one day we can all travel around not bound by any one site, in a very freedom-driven life, where we get to choose where we want to live without a resource drain on our world. Our goal is zero energy in, zero waste out.” The 220sq ft luxurious interior of the Living Vehicle 2020 can accommodate up to six adults. The vehicle comprises an open living, dining and kitchen area; external pop-up terrace; private luxury...
Saudi Arabia’s exports of total aluminium (crude metal and alloys and semi-finished products) to the US stood at 34,600 tonnes in the first six months of 2019, an increase of 3.38% from 33,470 tonnes in the first six months of 2018, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. {newsStudioGallery} In June, aluminium exports stood 143.52% higher compared with the same period of 2018. Exports to the US increased from 3,203 tonnes to 7,800 tonnes in June 2019. Exports climbed by 38.79% from May’s export volume of 5,620 tonnes. Crude metals and alloys export to the US registered 11,900 tonnes in the first half of 2019. That was down 54.75% from last year’s total volume of 26,300 tonnes. In June, exports decreased by 30.59% year-on-year. Exports to the US...
Falling global prices of alumina and primary aluminium are likely to put pressure on Indian primary aluminium producers, in terms of profits, warned Tapan Kumar Chand, Nalco’s chairman & MD at the company’s 38th annual general meeting on September 18, 2019. At present, the LME’s average price of aluminium is at $1,762 per tonne, down by about 14 per cent from $2,054 per tonne in the same period last year. The expected range in the entire financial year is likely to come in at $1,750 per tonne to $1,800 per tonne, said Chand at the meeting. Besides, he also pointed out that the threat of increasing aluminium import into India persists, while reminding that in FY2019 India’s aluminium import had accounted for 58.9 per cent of the total consumption. Support from the government in countering...
According to a new study conducted by John Dunham and Associates for the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) recycling industry continues to drive the American economy. Other than contributing environmental benefits, the sector provides 531,500 jobs and an overall economic impact of nearly US$110 billion. The industry generates US$4.94 billion in state and local taxes and US$7.96 billion federal taxes. “The recycling industry continues to power America’s manufacturing base, creating jobs, generating tax revenue, and proving valuable feedstock for new products,” said Joe Pickard, chief economist for ISRI. “In the U.S., we continue to process more material into valuable commodities, seventy per cent of which is used right here by American manufacturers. With the innovation and...
Globus Infocom, a Make in India brand & one of the most innovatory organizations that provide advanced technological solutions, announced that it will launch new products at InfoComm 2019. The 2019 edition of InfoComm India, a dedicated exhibition platform for exceptional technological solutions, Professional AudioVisual (Pro-AV) and Integrated Experience Solutions, will be held 18th to 20th September at Bombay Exhibition Centre (BEC), Mumbai. Globus Infocom will showcase its new Indoor LED Display Wall at the event. Built out of die-casting aluminium material, LED Display Wall offers ultra-high brightness, bezel-less display, wide viewing angle, and multiple mounting options. The new product will be used in public display areas, government establishments, conference halls and...
The US dollar dipped against a basket of currencies on Thursday after the US Federal Reserve Wednesday cut interest rates by 25 basis points. LME base metals closed mixed on Thursday. LME aluminium gained 0.2%, while aluminium inched up 0.2%. LME continued its upward momentum yesterday. Three-month LME aluminium rebounded to a three-day high of US$1,803 per tonne on Thursday, before it eased to close 0.17% higher at US$1,795 per tonne. It is expected to hover between US$1,780-1,830 per tonne today. As on September 19, Thursday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1762 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1762.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1790 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1792 per tonne; Dec 20 bid price stands at US$ 1855 per tonne,...
Alcoa Corporation, a leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products, is recognised by the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) as industry leader for aluminium in 2019. The company is included in the DJSI North America Index, which includes the top 20 percent of the largest 600 North American companies in the S&P Global Broad Market Index. Michelle O’Neill, Senior Vice President for Global Government Affairs and Sustainability said: “This listing recognizes Alcoa’s continued leadership in sustainable operations across the aluminium value chain. Our Alcoa values to Act with Integrity, Operate with Excellence and Care for People are the foundation upon which our sustainability journey is built, guiding us as we advance our economic, environmental and social performance.” The Dow...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the average spot price of alumina has extended its rise today, September 20, by RMB 13 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,592 per tonne to conclude the week with another price hike. This marks the two consecutive rises in alumina spot price after two days of restraints at RMB 2,569 per tonne on Tuesday (September 17) and Wednesday (September 18). Other than in the east, the alumina price has recorded an increase in the central, north, and south by RMB 20 per tonne and RMB 10 per tonne to RMB2,610 per tonne, RMB 2,600 per tonne, and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. In the east, the price has remained restrained at RMB 2,590 per tonne. The Australian alumina FOB price, on the other hand, has dropped by US$3 per tonne to US$ 292 per tonne, as of September 20....
