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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RePlanet, California’s largest chain of recycling centres, has reportedly stopped operations and closed all of its 284 centres and processing facilities located across California. According to a statement on the company’s Facebook page, several reasons like “the reduction in State fees, the depressed pricing of recycled aluminium and PET plastics, and the rise in operating costs resulting from minimum wage increases, and required health and workers compensation insurance” made the centres unsustainable. RePlanet used to call itself one of the biggest and widest-spread recycling networks in California. Over the years, the company processed billions of containers. On the closure of all its centres and processing facilities, RePlanet expressed regrets for the negative impact that it will...
Altech Chemicals has posted an update on its German project equity strategy announced on 18 July 2019. The strategy involves the acquisition of 29% of the shares of Youbisheng Green Paper AG, which will be re-named Altech Advanced Materials AG (AAM). The strategy also covers sale of 49% stake of Altech’s high purity alumina (HPA) project to AAM for US$100m. The company has confirmed that all precedent conditions have been fulfilled towards the strategy and Altech will now proceed to complete both the transactions. Altech will make a cash payment of €500,000 to complete acquisition of 29% of the shares of AAM and issue €1,000,000 of Altech fully paid ordinary shares to the vendor (Deutsche Balaton AG). The balance €1,229,000 cash consideration is to be paid on 1 March 2020. AAM will make a...
According to the National Bureau of Statistics survey, China’s daily production of primary aluminium fell in July month-on-month. Output averaged around 96,000 tonnes, down 3,000 tonnes or 3 per cent from 99,000 tonnes in June. This decline in daily output could be attributed to the production cut at some of the Chinese aluminium smelters in July. According to the research house Antaike, around 220,000 tonnes of annual production was cut in July, including China Zhongwang Holding’s smelter in the northeast province of Liaoning. Jackie Wang, an aluminium consultant at CRU in Beijing, agreed that Zhongwang’s production cut had the biggest impact last month. Also, smelter ramp-up in the southwest Guangxi region progressed slower than expected, said the consultant further. “Basically there...
Aluminium imports by the US for consumption stood at 2.43 million tonnes during five months period 2019, down 480,000 tonnes or 16.49% from 2.91 million tonnes during five months period 2018, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. In May, the US imported 478,000 tonnes of aluminium, down 10.32% from May 2018 and 6.27% from April. {newsStudioGallery} The US imports of crude metal and alloys decreased 17.77% year-on-year to stand at 287,000 tonnes in May 2019. Crude metal and alloys import were at 349,000 tonnes in May 2018. Imports dropped 8.6% month-on-month from 314,000 tonnes in April. In the first five months of 2019, the US imported 1.5 million tonnes of crude metal and alloys as compared to 1.99 million tonnes in the first five months of...
The US dollar strengthened on Tuesday, after the US decided to delay tariffs on certain Chinese goods while outright removing some items from the tariff list, reigniting hopes that Washington and Beijing could reach a resolution. Signs of easing US-China trade tensions also bolstered oil prices and LME base metals overnight. LME aluminium rose 0.9% and SHFE aluminium fell 0.2%. LME aluminium closed lower during the day’s trading but regained some losses at night. Three-month LME aluminium rallied from earlier lows to a high of US$1,793 per tonne overnight, before it closed the day 0.88% higher at US$1,785.5 per tonne. It is expected to trade between US$1,750-1,850 per tonne today. As on August 13, Tuesday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1730.50per tonne, LME official...
According to a recent report, Coca-Cola is switching from plastic bottles to aluminium cans for its Dasani water brand. As per the report, Coke will start selling canned Dasani next month onwards in the north-east of the United States, and by 2020 it plans to reach out to other parts of the country. The announcement came after Pepsico recently declared to experiment with selling Aquafina in cans at restaurants and stadiums. Beverage giants are under pressure to boost recycling and reduce the use of plastic in their packaging. Since aluminium cans contain more recycled material, the companies are turning to this metal as an alternative solution. Dasani and Aquafina are the top two bottled brands in the US, with combined sales north of $2 billion. In addition to the aluminium can, Coke is...
During a panel discussion last week at the 2019 CAR Management Briefing Seminars, representatives from steel, aluminium and plastic industry seem to be agreeing with working together rather than competing with each other in the auto sector. Most of the automotive experts agreed on a mixed-materials approach for vehicles that allows the use of different materials in strategic areas in order to produce safe, strong, lighter-weight and affordable vehicles. "All materials will be significant players," said Mario Greco, chairman of the aluminium transportation group of the Aluminum Association, a trade group. According to him, the future architectures for electric and autonomous vehicles will require different materials to optimize weight and safety and with smart usage of multiple materials,...
After three consecutive rises from RMB 13,880 per tonne to RMB 14,250 per tonne during August 9-13, the A00 aluminium ingot price has registered a decline today, on August 14, by RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 14,150 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. However, despite the drop, the aluminium ingot price is still standing higher month-on-month by RMB 350 per tonne. The average prices are expected to stand at RMB 14,130 per tonne to RMB 14,170 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 10 per tonne to a premium price of RMB 50 per tonne. Tianjin and Gongyi have seen the highest price plunge of RMB 90 per tonne to RMB 14,110 per tonne and RMB 14,010 per tonne respectively, as of August 14, followed by Foshan, Wuxi, Shenyang, Linyi where the prices have decreased by...
British manufacturer of coffee and tea capsules Dualit has reportedly unveiled a new range of recyclable aluminium coffee capsules. Compatible with both Nespresso and Dualit coffee machines, these capsules are available in the United Kingdom in four different variants – ristretto, intense, lungo, and decaf. According to Dualit, the capsules, engineered in-house at Dualit’s factory in West Sussex, come in a patented sealed design that protects the ‘just roasted’ aroma of coffee grinds for maximum flavour. The coffee used in these capsules is roasted, ground, and encapsulated in the company’s onsite roastery. Once used, the capsules can go straight into recycling. Aluminium is widely accepted by local authority recycling collections throughout the UK. Dualit’s new aluminium coffee capsules...
According to the latest report from Aluminum Association, “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” in the U.S. declined consecutively in June and July. The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for June 2019 declined 6.4 per cent from May 2019. In July, the index further declined 2.0 per cent from June 2019. Orders for flat roll products (sheet, plate, can stock and foil) decreased 8.6 per cent month on month in June. In July, orders for flat roll products were further down by 1.3 per cent from June. Orders for extruded products rose slightly in June month on month but, in July, the orders were down 3.2 per cent. Orders for redraw rod increased 8.2 per cent in June but dropped 12% in July. In June 2019, total orders decreased 10.5 per cent YoY, while...
According to a recent report, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has proposed to set up a new division where it will develop technology for making equipment specific to the domestic aluminium sector. As per the report, the Nalco board has already cleared the proposal and sought approval of the mines ministry. Nalco’s plan is to first collaborate with foreign suppliers who will help develop the technologies, and then to tie up with domestic fabricators to manufacture equipment that will largely be India-specific. Nalco chairman and managing director TK Chand said, “We will induct the best of the brains. We will go to the IITs. In addition, we will be making a global advertisement with the aim of roping in some of the best NRI technocrats looking for opportunities back home.” He also said,...
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), sales of new energy vehicles across Chinese markets declined in July, the first full month after the new subsidy scheme took effect. NEV sales registered month-on-month decline by 47.5% and year-on-year by 4.7% to stand at 80,000 units, Shanghai Metals Market reported. Pure electric vehicles sales witnessed a sharper decline. Production of NEV stood at 84,000 units last month, a drop of 6.9% year-on-year. Production dropped 37.2% month-on-month. CAAM data also showed that cars production decreased 5% on the month and 11.9% on the year to stand at 1.8 million units in July. Auto sales stood at 1.81 million units in July, down 12.1% on the month and by 4.3% on the year. Sales of passenger vehicles declined 3.9% YoY to...
Private investment firm Via East West Capital (VEWC) has reportedly signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with One Minerals Mining Sdn Bhd to provide funding of RM1.47 billion for 7,000 acres of bauxite mining area in Johor. As per the report, the investment firm will initially give US$50 million for 1 acre of bauxite mine. This mining project is estimated to be the largest in Malaysia and expected to provide a big boost to the country’s export income. The annual bauxite production at this world-class mine is likely to be around 6 million metric tonnes. TOMM in Johor is responsible for the operation, engineering, procurement, and construction of the mine. In next five years, TOMM plans to increase the mining area to a total of 7,000 acres. In recent years, bauxite mines near Kuantan...
Metalsearch, an emerging exploration company, has signed an agreement to acquire Abercorn Kaolin Pty Ltd, which owns the large-scale Cynthia kaolinite discovery in central Queensland. Abercorn plans to develop the kaolin resource into a high purity alumina and commercial-grade aluminium sulphate project. 99.99% aluminium oxide (4N HPA) has already been produced from Cynthia kaolin prospect feedstock as samples. Metalsearch will pay US$50,000 non-refundable deposit to Abercorn followed by cash and Metalsearch shares. The agreement also includes deferred payments once key performance-related milestones are achieved. Metalsearch must raise US$2 million in capital to fund exploration work and a scoping study as a condition for completing the acquisition. These will be based on an open pit...
Scientists at vehicle wire harness manufacturer Yazaki’s research and development subsidiary YTC America have reportedly developed aluminium wire rods strengthened by carbon nanotubes, which could be a cheaper and lighter alternative for copper wire in automotive applications. Yazaki says that by adding carbon nanotubes, the aluminium wires they have developed are stronger and more conductive than standard aluminium wire. Moreover, the YTC-developed extrusion process used for manufacturing these wires makes them even stronger. “By drawing the rods down to fine wire, the strength increases further, hardening to strength similar to copper wire,” explained YTC America director of materials research and development Stefan Maat, while adding that “In fact, it exhibits a strength surpassing...
Jiangsu Zhongji Lamination Materials Co., Ltd, has been certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standard for responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. The company’s facility in Jiangyin City, China, has achieved Certification to the ASI Performance Standard. The facility primarily manufactures aluminium foils for cardboard, thermal insulation, power capacitors, cigarette liners and flexible packaging. The plant’s annual production capacity of double zero aluminium foil is 83,000 tonnes. Mr. Du Jiang, Management representative of Jiangsu Zhongji said, “As a company specializing in the production of aluminium foil, Jiangsu Zhongji is pleased to be a member of ASI and contribute to making the global aluminium supply chain more sustainable....
Hindalco Industries Ltd., a global leader in aluminium and copper, announced consolidated results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2019. Hindalco’s consolidated revenue dropped from INR 31,078 crore in Q1 FY19 to INR 29,972 crore in Q1 FY20. EBITDA stood at INR 3,769 crore in Q1 FY20 compared to INR 4,334 crore a year ago. Profit before Tax (and Before Exceptional Items) was at INR 1,578 crore in Q1 FY20 compared to INR 2,275 crore in the prior year. Profit After Tax came in at INR 1,063 crore in Q1 FY20. “While profits were impacted by the global downturn and lower commodity prices, Hindalco held its ground and delivered a steady performance,” Hindalco said through its press release. Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, said, “We continued to maintain our strong...
Australia is the world's largest producer of bauxite and alumina, and the world's largest exporter of alumina. In 2014-15, alumina production in the country totalled at 19.9 million tonnes, out of which almost 86 per cent was exported directly, while the rest used in domestic aluminium production. {newsStudioGallery} South Africa is one of the leading destinations where Australia exports its lion share of alumina production and the amount is found increasing. In 2016, the country’s estimated alumina export to South Africa was 929,916 tonnes, which in 2017 recorded a sweeping growth to 2.47 million tonnes. In 2018, the amount rose further to 2.51 million tonnes, up 2 per cent year-on-year. However, this year is likely to witness a dip in Australia’s alumina export to South Africa by about...
