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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Trade Union Solidarity on Thursday, June 20, reportedly said that the United States aluminium and steel tariffs were hurting South African manufacturers. At the same time it said that ever since the Trump administration granted tariffs exemption to Canada and Mexico, South African exporters of aluminium and steel products came under severe pressure. That’s because the exemption resulted in cheaper prices for Canadian and Mexican aluminium and steel compared to the South African price, pointed out Marius Croucamp, Solidarity deputy general secretary. He particularly said, “These manufacturers find themselves in a dire situation because exports to the US are rapidly drying up. Factories have already started retrenching and it is possible that factories may close down.” He argued that the...
World primary aluminium production came in at 5.43 million tonnes in May, unchanged from May 2018 production. Production increased 4.14% from April’s 2019 production of 5.22 million tonnes, according to the latest data showed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). Primary aluminium production in the first five months of 2019 totalled 26.4 million tonnes, representing a drop of 0.09 per cent year-on-year. In Asia ex-China, aluminium production stood at 374,000 tonnes, from 372,000 tonnes in May 2018. Production in five months period came in at 1.83 million tonnes. In the Middle East, primary aluminium production increased to stand at 464,000 tonnes in May 2019. Europe primary aluminium production totalled 646,000 tonnes in May, as compared to 660,000 tonnes in the corresponding...
At the Shanghai auto show in April, most of the auto company executives had projected that China’s new-vehicle market would rebound in the second half of 2019. But their prediction seems to be not turning true with Beijing’s resolve to enforce stricter emissions rules and a reluctance to cut taxes on vehicle sales. The sales of new light-vehicles in May also stood low for the 11th straight month, falling 17 per cent to 1.56 million. The slowing Chinese economy, thanks to the US tariffs, is also one of the factors for which the new-vehicle market fails to resume growth. Another direct cause for the slump is the Increasing number of provinces set to adopt tougher vehicle emissions standards ahead of schedule. Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Tianjin, along with about two-thirds of the...
South Korea exported 19,600 tonnes of aluminium (crude metal and alloys, aluminium semi-finished products and scrap) to the US in the first three months of 2019, from 9,130 tonnes exported in the first three months of 2018, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. Aluminium semi-finished products export rose 167.93 per cent or 7960 tonnes year-on-year in three months period. Export increased from 4,740 tonnes to 12,700 tonnes. In March, exports stood at 5,880 tonnes, an increase of 154.55 per cent year-on-year and 78.18 per cent month-on-month. On the import side, South Korea's imports of total aluminium from the US stood at 77,600 tonnes in the first three months of 2019, 33.56 per cent higher than the corresponding period of 2018. In...
AMETEK Surface Vision will reportedly put its latest innovations on display at Aluminium China trade fair, which is to be held in Shanghai’s New International Expo Centre from July 10 to July 12. At the event, the team of AMETEK will exhibit the latest advancements in surface inspection monitoring and process surveillance in aluminium production. As a leading developer of software-enabled vision systems, AMETEK Surface Vision for over three years has been innovating highly-precise, real-time detection, and classification of metal defects, with its market-leading SmartView® surface inspection solution. AMETEK Surface Vision’s SmartView system examines the surface condition in almost the same way a person would do. The system studies the area and compares it against expectations and past...
Rio Tinto has developed Revolution-Al™, a new aluminium alloy that could reduce the weight of wheels by 7 per cent. Revolution-Al™ is the latest addition to Rio Tinto’s High Strength 3xx Series Alloys. Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said: “As we partner with customers we’re seeing an increasing demand for specialised alloys and other products to meet their specific needs. Developing these products is at the heart of our business, from research and development, to offering technical expertise and marketing as well as collaborating with OEMs.” The new aluminium alloy could also be applicable to other market segments (ex. chassis parts such as suspension or braking parts, tools). Among its benefits include: - Wheel design improvement provides opportunities to improve visual...
The US dollar index extended its sharp decline on Thursday. LME base metals closed higher across the board on Thursday and aluminium gained 0.2%. However, SHFE base metals traded lower and aluminium declined 0.4%. LME aluminium surged higher with the decline of greenback and closed yesterday’s trading at US$1778 per tonne. Three-month LME aluminium pulled back from an earlier high of US$1,807.5 per tonne to finish the trading day 0.17% higher at US$1,782 per tonne on Thursday. This reflected strong resistance from the US$1,800 per tonne level. LME aluminium is expected to trade between US$1,760-1,820 per tonne today. As on June 20, Thursday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1777 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1778 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at...
Svyatoy Istochnik, the leading brand in the Russian bottled water market, has launched new flavoured water in Ball Corporation aluminium cans on the Russian market. The water comes in a Sleek® 33-centiliter aluminium can and has sparkling tastes of raspberry and lemon with mint. Irina Dolyanovskaya, Business Development and Sales Manager Russia at Ball, said: “The fact that Svyatoy Istochnik has chosen the can for the water category is an important sign. We see great potential in this segment and are pleased to be working with such a pioneering brand. The can format is ideal for portion control, and because it is suited for all beverages, we are seeing more and more brands making this strategic packaging shift.” The carbonated drink is ideal for health-conscious consumers who care about...
The average spot price of alumina has further extended its fall today, June 21, to RMB 2,963 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. Yesterday, on June 20, the price was at RMB 2,973 per tonne, which indicates that the price today has dropped by RMB 10 per tonne. This marks the second consecutive decline in alumina spot price after remaining restrained at RMB 2,979 per tonne from June 17 to June 19. In east, central, north, and south, the alumina spot price has declined by RMB 10 per tonne and standing at RMB 2,970 per tonne, RMB 2,980 per tonne, RMB 2,940 per tonne, and RMB 2,975 per tonne, respectively. The Australian alumina FOB price has registered a drop by RMB 8 per tonne to come in at US$330 per tonne, as of June 21. On the further downfall of alumina spot price, the A00 aluminium...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced that it issued certification to Hydro’s Paragominas bauxite mine and Alunorte alumina refinery against the Performance Standards and the Chain of Custody Standard. The certification covers both the production sites and the alumina from Alunorte originating from Paragominas (or other ASI certified plants). This means Hydro’s certifications have been extended to cover the entire aluminium value chain – from mine to casthouse to extrusion and rolling business areas. John Thuestad, Executive Vice-President of Bauxite & Alumina in Hydro, said: “The ASI certification of Paragominas bauxite mine and Alunorte alumina refinery is an important milestone in our commitment and efforts to produce aluminium raw materials according to the highest industry...
Government of Canada has always been supportive of the country’s steel and aluminium sectors; they being the key driver of the economy. Jean-Yves Duclos, Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development on behalf of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development, announced a US$10 million investment in an US$85 million project at Alcoa's aluminium smelter in Deschambault-Grondines, Quebec. The project, which is expected to create 520 jobs, will be completed by the end of 2021. Commenting on the investment, Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development said, "We are committed to supporting Canadian aluminum workers and the innovative, world-class products they produce. Our investment in the Alcoa Deschambault Aluminerie will help...
According to the global export-import data, bauxite import by Romania is likely to drop 6 per cent year on year in 2019 to stand at 1.7 million tonnes. Until last year, the country’s bauxite import continued rising since 2016. From 986,348 tonnes in 2016, Romania’s bauxite import in 2017 rose to 1.3 million tonnes. This in 2018 increased further to 1.8 million tonnes. As a consequence of the drop in import volume, Romania’s import cost of bauxite is expected to dwindle as well in 2019. Compared to US$60 million in 2018, the import cost this year is likely to come in at US$59 million. In 2017, Romania’s bauxite import cost was at US$1.3 million, while in 2016 at US$35 million. This indicates that Romania’s bauxite import rose year on year from 2016 to 2018. The imported bauxite to Romania...
Inventories of primary aluminium continued its downfall by 37,000 tonnes as of Thursday June 20. Social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, stood at 1.081 million tonnes on Thursday June 20, from 1.118 million tonnes on Thursday June 13, Shanghai Metals Market data showed. Inventories dropped 30,000 tonnes in the week ended June 13. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across all major China markets: Primary aluminium inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu, and Shanghai dropped from 392,000 tonnes and 217,000 tonnes to 374,000 tonnes and 211,000 tonnes today. That was down 18,000 tonnes and 6,000 tonnes from Thursday June 13. Inventories in Nanhai, Guangdong and Hangzhou, Zhejiang declined 10,000...
China-based coal operation company Inner Mongolia Mengtai Group Co. Ltd. has reportedly started constructing its high-end aluminium alloy project, which will have a production capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year. The news came after local news media reported at Dalad Banner Economic Development Zone in Inner Mongolia on June 18. This is a subproject under Mengtai Group’s 900,000 tonnes per year aluminium plate and strip project. The total amount of investment required for this project is about RMB 2 billion. Phase-one capacity of the project is expected to come online in 2020, with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes. It is designed with eight melting and casting lines. With molten aluminium produced by the Group as feedstock, the subproject will produce high-end aluminium alloy materials that...
The US dollar dropped on Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged. LME base metals closed mixed on Wednesday and aluminium inched up close to 0.1%. SHFE base metals performed and aluminium advanced 0.4%. LME aluminium gained yesterday with dollar’s loss and closed the day’s trading at US$ 1746.50 per tonne. Three-month LME aluminium came off from a high of US$1,788 per tonne to close a tad higher at US$1,779 per tonne on Wednesday night. LME aluminium is expected to trade between US$1,750-1,820 per tonne today. As on June 19, Wednesday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1746 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1746.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1776 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1776.50 per tonne; Dec 20...
The average spot alumina price declined by RMB6 per tonne or 0.20 per cent on Thursday, 20 June 2019, after remaining flat on June 18 and June 19. Alumina price dropped from RMB2979 per tonne to RMB 2973 per tonne. Alumina price in Central and North remained unchanged at RMB2990 per tonne and RMB2950 per tonne. Alumina price in East and South dropped RMB20 per tonne and RMB35 per tonne to stand at RMB2980 per tonne and RMB2985 per tonne. Their average price is expected to range at RMB2960- 3000 per tonne and RMB2950- 3020 per tonne. Alumina (Imported) price extends its downfall by RMB20 per tonne or 0.66 per cent to RMB3030 per tonne, as of June 20. The price is expected to range at RMB2980- 3080 per tonne. A00 aluminium ingot price increased RMB20 per tonne to come in at RMB13920 per...
Followed by the increase in aluminium billet inventories last week on June 13, the inventories today, on June 20, have recorded a plunge in China due to fewer arrivals of deliveries at warehouses and moderate downstream consumption. Shanghai Metals Market data shows that the stocks of 6063 aluminium billet across five major consumption areas have shrunk by some 2,200 tonnes week on week to stand at 71,700 tonnes, as of June 20. On June 13, the inventories had rebounded to 73,900 tonnes after rising by some 10,800 tonnes on weak. As the above chart shows that among the major cities, Wuxi, Jiangsu; Huzhou, Zhejiang; and Nanchang, Jiangxi have witnessed declines in aluminium billet inventories from 9,300 tonnes to 8,500 tonnes, from 9,000 tonnes to 5,500 tonnes, and from 17,600 tonnes to...
Wine producer Vintage Wine Estates has unveiled an innovative new wine beverage at the Food and Wine Classic in Aspen, America’s premier wine and food event. Vintage Wine Estates' GAZE Wine Cocktails are packed in is a sleek, portable, recyclable aluminium bottle with twist-off closure. Terry Wheatley, President Vintage Wine Estates said: “We noticed many consumers who enjoy wine also practice a lifestyle that includes fitness, yoga, meditation, outdoor activities, self-care and other positive pursuits. We wanted to appeal to them by combining wine with some of their favourite ingredients in a modern, fun, easy-to-enjoy wine cocktail.” GAZE Wine Cocktails come in two new varieties like Coconut Water-Chardonnay-Moscato and Blueberry-Pomegranate Moscato. Vintage Wine Estates said blending...
