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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The US dollar held near a two-month high on Monday as investors await the latest monetary policy decision from the Federal Reserve as well as developments from US-China trade talks. Most LME base metals closed higher on Monday. LME aluminium advanced 0.4%, while SHFE aluminium gained 0.5%. LME aluminium settled lower during Monday’s closing but regained some losses at night. Three-month LME aluminium recovered from earlier losses to close 0.44% higher at US$1,814.5 per tonne on Monday night. It is expected to trade at US$1,790-1,830 per tonne today. As on July 29, Monday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1774 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1774.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1798 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1799 per tonne; Dec...
Ardagh Group, a Luxembourg-based producer of glass and metal products, reportedly expands its range of coloured tabs and shells for aluminium cans with copper colour. The copper effect is for increasing the visual impact of canned products. The colour is approved for both Ardagh’s coloured tabs and shell lines, meaning the customers can choose the copper colour for both parts of the beverage end together or mix-and-match with other colour options. Ardagh said the copper colour would be an apt choice for those final products that are linked with copper still distilling or where the brand is positioned at the top end of the market and seeks an exclusive appeal. Dirk Schwung, sales director at Ardagh Group’s European metal beverage division, said: “We are proud to be introducing this unique...
The average spot price of alumina registered a drop of RMB 30 per tonne on Tuesday, 30 July 2019, after remaining flat on Monday. Alumina price dropped from RMB 2505 per tonne to RMB 2475 per tonne. The prices of alumina fell across major China markets. Spot alumina prices in Central China and North China markets dropped by RMB 30 per tonne each. The average prices of alumina (Central China) and alumina (North China) stood at RMB 2490 per tonne and RMB 2460 per tonne. Alumina prices in East China and South China declined RMB 20 per tonne and RMB 25 per tonne to RMB 2500 per tonne and RMB 2465 per tonne respectively on July 30. Alumina (Imported) price fell to RMB 2750 per tonne on Tuesday, representing a drop of RMB 200 per tonne or 6.78 per cent from RMB 2950 per tonne. The last drop was...
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, a leading producer of semi-fabricated specialty aluminium products, announced second quarter and first half 2019 results. For the second quarter 2019 , the company reported net sales of $375 million, from $415 million last year, reflecting an 8% decrease in shipments and a 2% decrease in average selling price. Value added revenue declined slightly to $209 million. Adjusted consolidated EBITDA stood at $48 million, down $7 million YoY. Net income was $19 million, compared to net income of $21 million. Excluding the impact of non-run-rate items, adjusted net income was $23 million. For the first half of 2019 , net sales were $771 million, reflecting a 5% decrease in shipments and a 1% increase in average selling price. Value added revenue increased 4% to $428...
Vietnam’s aluminium profile manufacturers from the north have formed an association and it made it first public appearance in Hanoi on July 23. It was during a workshop on the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) held in Hanoi that the announcement was made regarding the Association. The workshop was organized as a part of a launching event for businesses to discuss opportunities and challenges for the aluminium profile sector. The event highlighted the benefits of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EU countries. Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Association Vu Van Phu said Vietnam’s aluminium exports to the EU make up only five per cent of its total aluminium import. The European Union signed a landmark free trade deal with Vietnam in June, the first of its kind...
Bumchun Precision will reportedly construct an aluminium battery terminals manufacturing facility in Hungary with an investment of EUR40.8 million (US$45.3 million). As per the report, Hungarian government is providing EUR8.13 million in funding towards the investment. The facility, to be built in Salgótarján, will manufacture aluminium battery terminals for electric vehicles and will create 200 new jobs (approx.). Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, said: "The Government would like to develop Hungary into a production location within this field, and it regards South Korea as an ally in view of the fact it is in the most part investments realised by South Korean enterprises that are designating the winners of the new industrial era." According to the Minister, the...
Heineken NV reported on Monday that it missed profit estimates for H1 2019 despite higher sales, attributing it to rising packaging costs due to higher aluminium prices. The world's second-largest brewer and Europe's top-selling lager beer maker sticks to its profit growth forecast for the full year. The company experienced 0.3per cent increase in the Jan-June period which is likely to increase by the end of 2019. The company expects to be benefitted in 2019 from higher sales volume, higher prices and a consumer shift to more expensive beers. However, input and logistics costs would rise by a mid-single-digit percentage over 2019. Heineken's input costs during January-June rose 8.5per cent, primarily for the costlier aluminium used in its beer cans. Company’s CFO Laurence Debroux told...
The Bogolsovsk Cable Factory (BCF), a Joint Venture between RUSAL and the ELKA-Cable Company, has started production of cabling and wiring products with an aluminium alloy core. The factory will produce three types of wire and cable, including oil submersible cables, self-supporting insulated wires and flexible wires for use in industrial facilities. “Commissioning of the factory's second workshop and the launch of the main machinery enabled BCF to move from the production of semi-finished aluminium products to the production of cabling and wiring products with an aluminium alloy core. These products have the competitive advantage in Russia as currently there are no analogues being produced in the country,” RUSAL said through its press release. The aluminium alloy processing capacity of...
LATAM Airlines Group has reportedly launched an on-board recycling scheme called ‘Recycle Your Journey’. Through this scheme, waste from Mercado LATAM will be recycled on all domestic flights in Chile, separating aluminium, glass, and plastic. This initiative will soon be introduced throughout LATAM’s operation in Latin America, as part of the company’s wider sustainability strategy and its commitment to become a leader in on-board recycling. Ignacio Cueto, President of LATAM Airlines Group said, “As one of the three most sustainable airline groups in the world, we are committed to bringing about change and leading by example. Today’s launch of our ‘Recycle your Journey’ programme on domestic flights in Chile represents just the first step towards the introduction of on-board recycling...
Japan exported 19,500 tonnes of aluminium including scrap to the US in January-April 2019, compared to 12,600 tonnes exported in January-April 2018, an increase of 54.76% year-on-year, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. In April, exports stood at 7,200 tonnes, up 137.62% from 3,030 tonnes in April 2018. Aluminium semi-finished products export rose 20 per cent year-on-year to 15,000 tonnes in the four-month period. In April, exports stood at 4,690 tonnes, from 3,020 tonnes in April 2018. Exports of aluminium scrap came in at 4,470 tonnes in the first four months of 2019. Japan’s imports of total aluminium from the US stood at 11,400 tonnes in the first four months of 2019, 8.57% higher than the corresponding period of 2018. Imports were 2,760...
Vedanta Limited announced its unaudited consolidated results for the First quarter (Q1) ended 30 June 2019 on Friday, July 26. Revenue for Q1 FY 2020 stood at INR 21,167 crore, lower 4% y-o-y, primarily due to lower commodity prices partially offset by higher aluminium sales, volume addition from ESL and currency depreciation. EBITDA for Q1 dropped 20% YoY to INR 5,188 crore, mainly due to lower commodity prices partially offset by easing of input commodity inflation, rupee depreciation and volume addition from ESL acquisition. The consolidated net profit (Profit after Tax) fell 11.9% to INR 1,351 crore. Its gross debt stood at INR 59,517 crore, down by INR 6,708 crore in Q1 June 2019 over Q4 March 2019. Mr. Srinivasan Venkatakrishnan, Chief Executive Officer, Vedanta, said “Our...
President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, popularly known as DR Congo, Mr. Felix Tshisekedi has reportedly invited Engineers and Planners to start commercial bauxite mining in the area. Mr. Felix has also sought support from Engineers and Planners to build the capacity of the power sector in DR Congo. Engineers and Planners is Ghana’s leading mining contracting firm that provides mine support services. According to the report, President Tshisekedi extended the invitation to Engineers and Planners when he met the company’s CEO, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, on Saturday, July 27, to discuss investment opportunities in DR Congo. Mr. Ibrahim Mahama has accepted the invitation as well, as per the report, as has promised to give the best. Stakeholders in the mining sector of Africa have...
The US dollar climbed to two-month highs on Friday after data showed that the world’s largest economy slowed less than expected in the second quarter. The US dollar index rose 0.22% to 97.996. LME base metals closed lower on Friday. LME aluminium tumbled 1.1% and SHFE aluminium lost 0.2%. Three-month LME aluminium dropped to a three-week low of US$1,794 per tonne on Friday before it recovered some ground to end 1.09% lower at US$1,806.5 per tonne. It is expected to trade between US$1,780-1,840 per tonne today. As on July 26, Friday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1776 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1778 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1803.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1804.50 per tonne; Dec 20 bid price stands at US$ 1908 per...
Alba announced its financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2019. The company’s top-line and bottom-line were primarily impacted by 21% year-on-year drop in LME price and partially offset by higher sales’ volume. Alba reported a total comprehensive loss of BD3.3 million (US$8.8 million) in Q2, down by 112% YoY. Gross profit stood at BD15.4 million (US$40.9 million), a drop of 55% YoY. With regards to total sales/revenues, Alba reported BD245.0 million (US$651.8 million) in Q2 2019, up by 0.4% YoY. Earnings per share (EPS) were fils (2) versus fils 21 in Q2 2018. Total comprehensive loss stood at BD19.1 million in H1 2019. Gross profit came in at BD16.2 million (US$43.2 million), down by 78% YoY. Total sales/revenues reached BD448.6 million (US$1,193 million), down by 4%...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the social inventories of primary aluminium in China have extended drop over the weekend by 6,000 tonnes, across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants. The inventories are thus, hovering at 1.029 million tonnes, as of July 29. Arrivals of fewer cargoes at social inventories could be attributed to the further decline in stocks. From Thursday, July 25, the inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu, and Shanghai have recorded a drop by 7,000 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes to stand at 307,000 tonnes and 199,000 tonnes, respectively. The inventories in Hangzhou, Zhejiang have registered a decline too, by 3,000 tonnes to 62,000 tonnes, learned Shanghai Metals Market. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in...
China’s central authorities have barred 11 provinces and cities from allowing foundry capacity expansion, in order to improve air quality. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) on July 25 jointly released a notice to the governments of Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Shaanxi. The notice bans foundry capacity addition across Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and nearby regions, the Fenwei plain and the Yangtze River Delta. Local governments have been ordered to inspect capacity swap plans strictly to ensure the shutdown of obsolete facilities and construction of new facilities. In another update from Shanghai Metals...
Employee volunteers from Alcoa’s Pinjarra alumina refinery have reportedly joined local non-profit organisation Squared Away to assist them in cleaning up the surrounding area. This is the first community service this year through the company’s Alcoans Coming Together in Our Neighbourhoods (ACTION) Program. A pinjarra-based not-for-profit organisation Squared Away runs an engagement programme to improve the mental health and social and community engagement of men within the community. Michael Parker, Alcoa’s chairman and managing director in Australia said that this initiative by employee volunteers, together with Squared Away, proved we could make a big difference. "Alcoa is proud to be an engaged and supportive partner in our neighbouring communities and we encourage and support our...
Renault and Toyota Motor have each signed a deal with a domestic Chinese electrified vehicle manufacturer to jointly produce EVs. China is encouraging foreign automakers to strike similar deals with domestic producers in order to expand EV output in the country. Collaboration between foreign automakers and local peers on EV production started in 2017 when government revealed plans to introduce a carbon credit program to push manufacturers into hiking output of electrified vehicles. In June 2017, Volkswagen Group signed an agreement with Jianghuai Automobile Co. to produce EVs for China market. Ford Motor Co. and BMW Group also collaborated with Zotye Automobile Co. and Great Wall Motor Co., respectively next year. VW, Ford and BMW have all chosen to incorporate new EV production ventures...
