
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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Malaysia-based aluminium company Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad has reportedly signed a power purchase agreement with Syarikat SESCO Berhad, a unit of Sarawak Energy Berhad, on July 31, 2019, in a bid to secure more power for capacity expansion. According to the agreement, Syarikat SESCO Berhad will provide long-term access of up to approximately 500MW of electricity to Press Metals for 15 years. Press Metal revealed in a statement that the first drawdown of 300MW would expectedly commence by October 2020, while the remaining 200MW to be made available on a reasonable endeavour basis by SESCO. This additional access to power will enable the Malaysian aluminium company to build a third aluminium smelter in Samalaju Industrial Park, Sarawak, leading to the increase in the company’s...

Façades systems distributer Vivalda Group has acquired MSP Scotland for an undisclosed amount. MSP will continue to trade under its brand, which was established in 1966. Vivalda chairman Peter Johnson said: “The MSP name is well known across the UK as a provider of both branded facia boards, as well as its bespoke coated aluminium façade solutions. I’ve been impressed with the level of skilled technicians and engineers based here at Cumbernauld – which I am sure will prove to be a great asset to the Vivalda Group. “We intend to invest in people and technology here at MSP, to create a world-class façades manufacturing and fabrication facility. There’s a great fit between Vivalda and MSP, both strategically and culturally, and I am confident that this acquisition will bring further growth...

Australian Bauxite Limited posted increasing sales of Tasmanian fertiliser-grade bauxite in its second quarter report. The company said in the report that superphosphate fertiliser made by acid processing bauxite from the Bald Hill Mine near Campbell Town gained strong sales. In early June, about 32,477 tonnes of cement-grade bauxite was loaded and shipped from Bell Bay, having been produced and delivered to port 3 weeks ahead of schedule. Bulk-sampling at the Binjour bauxite project in QLD confirmed grades and upgrading tests were successful. According to the company’s report, rehabilitation at Bald Hill is also nearing completion “in accordance with ABx’s high standards. The company has a range of deposits in Tasmania, Queensland, and New South Wales. At the end of June quarter, the...

The federal government in Canada has spent close to $200 million to subsidize steel and aluminium companies under a fund scheme designed to spur cutting-edge innovation. Ottawa has invested US$194.9 million into a number of steel and aluminium producers and manufacturers through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), created by PM Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ottawa has promised to spend about $2 billion in support to steel and aluminium sector — US$250 million of which will come from the SIF — as a way to compensate damages incurred by companies as a result of retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. in July 2018, which have been dropped now. Many policy experts however, have criticised the development calling it a misuse of funds. They But have argued that sound innovation spending should not...

Germany’s exports of aluminium semi-finished products to the US increased from 11,800 tonnes in January-April 2018 to 30,100 tonnes in January-April 2019. This indicates a jump of 155% year-on-year. Semi-finished exports stood at 9,560 tonnes in April, an increase of 196.89% from 3,220 tonnes in April 2018. {newsStudioGallery} Aluminium semi-finished products exports increased by 6.1% month-on-month, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. On the import side, Germany imported 2,260 tonnes of semi-finished products from the US in the first four months of 2019, from 2,180 tonnes imported in the first four months of 2018. This records a hike of 3.67% YoY. Semi-finished imports dropped 29.56% YoY in April. Exports decreased from 724 tonnes to 510...

According to a recent report, Vedanta Limited aims to export more than half of its aluminium production to international markets, as the imports of the metal to India is continually increasing. According to the company’s annual report for FY2019, only 30 per cent of the company’s sales were in the domestic market, while imports comprised 58 per cent of India’s consumption during that period. India’s aluminium imports in FY2019 peaked at 2.3 million tonnes, resulting in a forex outgo of $5.5 billion or one per cent of total imports by value. “Over the last few years we have observed a surge of aluminium scrap imports," said Ajay Kapur, chief executive officer (aluminium and power) of Vedanta Ltd. He also said, "We, as an industry, are working with the Indian government seeking support to...

Alcomet, a Bulgaria-based company that is principally engaged in the production of aluminium rolled and extruded products, reported a drop in non-consolidated net profit in the first half of 2019. Non-consolidated net profit stood at 5.5 million levs ($3.1 million/2.8 million euro) in H1, as compared to 8.0 million levs in H1 2018. The company said its revenue dropped from 197.4 million levs to 184.4 million in H1 2019. Production of rolled and extruded products came in at 33,968 tonnes in the first six months of 2019, as compared to 34,999 tonnes in the first six months of 2018. Production of extruded was 11,681 tonnes, while rolled products output was 22,287 tonnes. Sales of extruded products increased by 1.54% year-on-year in the first half of 2019. Sales increased from 12,038 tonnes...

The Aluminum Association, in cooperation with the Aluminium Association of Canada, reported primary aluminium production in North America (U.S. and Canada) was at an annual rate of 3,991,956 tonnes during June 2019, down 13,354 tpy (-0.3%) from the May 2019 rate of 4,005,310 tonnes. Actual production in North America in June 2019 stood at 328,106 tonnes. YTD production rate from Jan-Jun 2019 stood at an annual rate of 4,006,400 tonnes, up 6.7% from 3,756,300 tonnes in YTD 20018. {newsStudioGallery} The production rate in the U.S. was off 1.4 per cent, while the Canadian rate rose slightly month on month. Compared to a year ago, the North American annual rate was 8.4 per cent above the June 2018 rate of 3,683,641 tonnes. The U.S. produced 93,042 tonnes of primary aluminium in June 2019, up...

After remaining muted for about three months at RMB 540 per tonne, the average price of Bauxite (6.0≤Al/Si<7.0)Shanxi has recorded a growth of RMB 20 per tonne to RMB 560 per tonne, as of July 31, learned Shanghai Metals Market. This is the third change in Bauxite (6.0≤Al/Si<7.0)Shanxi price this year, followed by a price drop from RMB 570 per tonne to RMB 550 per tonne, as of January 28, and then another decline on April 24 to RMB 540 per tonne. The price of Bauxite (6.0≤Al/Si<7.0)Henan, on the other hand, has registered a plunge by RMB 30 per tonne to RMB 520 per tonne. From May 5 to July 30, the Bauxite (6.0≤Al/Si<7.0)Henan price remained restrained at RMB 550 per tonne. Backed on the rise in bauxite price, the A00 aluminium ingot price has also extended its growth from RMB 13,900 per...

The US dollar traded rangebound on Tuesday as investors awaited the latest interest rate decision from the Federal Reserve and the index inched up 0.01% to 98.066. LME base metals closed lower across the board on Tuesday. LME aluminium declined 0.6% and SHFE aluminium traded lower overnight. Three-month LME aluminium reversed earlier gains to finish its trading day 0.61% lower at US$1,803.5 per tonne. The load-up of short positions primarily accounted for the decline. LME aluminium underperformed its SHFE counterpart recently, and is expected to trade between US$1,790-1,840 per tonne today. As on July 30, Tuesday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1781 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1781.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1806 per tonne,...

Alcoa has achieved three Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Certifications to the ASI Performance Standard, for the Juruti bauxite mining and Alumar alumina refining operations in Brazil, and for the San Ciprián aluminium smelting operations in Spain. Alcoa is the first US-based company to achieve ASI Certification. Alcoa President and Chief Executive Officer Roy Harvey said: “We are honoured that ASI has certified these three locations and recognized our sustainable approach, which drives how we operate our facilities, manufacture our products, and interact with our communities.” “We consistently work to produce bauxite, alumina and aluminium in a responsible manner, and achieving ASI Certification is an important differentiator for our Company as a recognized leader in sustainability.”...

French shipyard Garcia Yachts, specialised in aluminium blue water cruising sailboats construction, has reportedly begun developing the first hull in its flagship Exploration 60 range. The key features of the vehicle include an aluminium hull and deck structure, as well as aluminium forward and aft bulkheads. The coach roof is fitted with large glass panels to allow passengers to enjoy a panoramic view of the outside world. A totally flush deck, refined exterior lines, and an interior helm station are some of the other notable features of the yacht. The versatile transom area doubles up as a diving platform, boarding area or bathing beach. The Exploration 60 can be operated with or without crew. It offers three layouts in two different interior styles. The “standard” layout features two...

Alexander Baumgartner, CEO of Constantia Flexibles, was unanimously elected as chairman of the Flexible Packaging Europe during the organization’s summer conference in Amsterdam. Baumgartner reaffirmed FPE’s objective to be a voice for the industry which is dedicated to food safety, food waste reduction and sustainability after his election. “I am very honoured to have been elected to lead FPE forward in its next phase of development, especially in these defining times for the packaging sector. It is vitally important that we come together to innovate and work on all the important topics, such as recyclability, resource efficiency, sustainability, food waste and food safety. It is important that, as an industry, we speak with one voice and implement change,” the new chairman said....

Dr. Stuart Wiesner has been appointed Managing Director of Rheinfelden Alloys with immediate effect. He succeeds Hilmer Kirschner, who is leaving the company at his own request. “Since he arrived at Aluminium Rheinfelden, Dr. Wiesner has played a key role in making the company a technology leader,” says Erika Zender, CEO of parent company Aluminium Rheinfelden. “I’m delighted we were able to find such an ideal candidate to fill this position. It is an important step in the company’s new strategic direction. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Hilmer Kirschner for his service and wish him every success in future.” Dr. Wiesner joined Aluminium Rheinfelden in late 2014 as department head for Product and Business Development at Rheinfelden Alloys. In that role, he significantly...

Lawson Products Inc. has designed the Blue-Kote™ soft material application flap disc for grinding aluminium and all nonferrous metals at high speed with minimal clogging or loading at repair shop and OEMs. It also keeps the work surface temperature low for quality finishing. Lawson Products Inc. is an industrial distributor of maintenance and repair supplies. Under the Kent Automotive brand, they supply products and services to collision and mechanical repair shops as well as OEMs. The abrasive disc simultaneously grinds and finishes, eliminating the need for product changeover. The disc cloth’s net structure resists clogging on soft materials. The disc has a sanded surface that stays cooler and prevents burning the work surface. The disc is designed for use in pre- and post-weld...

The presence of abundant electrical power in Iceland due to geothermal and hydroelectric energy sources has been buoying the aluminium production in Iceland. Aluminium producers like Alcoa and Century Aluminium which have closed smelters in the U.S. are still running facilities in Iceland, mostly because of the cheaper hydroelectricity in the country. Needless to say, this demands the heavy supply of alumina as well, which Iceland secures from various parts of the world, mostly from Australia. {newsStudioGallery} Here in the below graph you will see a comparative study between Iceland’s total alumina import and the import from Australia. As per the global-export import data, Iceland in 2016 obtained1.07 million tonnes of alumina from all over the world, out of which 288,134 tonnes came...

Nouryon acquired Zhejiang Friend Chemical Co. (Friend), the largest producer of triethyl aluminium (TEAL) in China. TEAL is a metal alkyl used in the production of polypropylene and polyethylene. With this acquisition, Nouryon becomes the only global producer of metal alkyls. The deal will also raise the company’s global TEAL production. Johan Landfors, Managing Director Polymer Chemistry at Nouryon said: “Friend has a great reputation in the industry and with this acquisition we’ll now have manufacturing facilities in Asia, Europe and North America, enabling us to better serve our customers in this fast-growing market.” The acquisition includes products, technology, customer lists and a manufacturing site in Jiaxing near Shanghai. Landfors also plans to expand operations at Jiaxing....

Hazelett Corporation is a manufacturer and supplier of continuous casting machines for the global metal industries like aluminium, copper, zinc and lead operating in more than 24 countries. The company recently celebrated its 100 years in business. Its continuous casting technology is used in metal manufacturing worldwide to cast metals into strip and bars. Currently over 100 Hazelett twin-belts continuous casting machines are in use in different facilities. “As a family business, Hazelett has the luxury of taking a longer view; one that encourages investment in research and development, building long-term relationships, preserving our environment, and contemplating the legacy we leave future generations,” said to David Hazelett, President, Hazelett Corporation. The founder of Hazelett C....