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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According to a recent report published on Monday by Automotive News, Ford's Aluminum F-150 isn't that expensive to repair, contrary to the claim that Ford did the mistake of using a fragile and expensive-to-fix material on its truck. When it was launched in 2014, dealers were indecisive about investing in the training and equipment to repair the bodies of the Aluminium F-150. Requirement equipment was costing dealers between US$30,000 and US$50,000. However, the way, the aluminium truck bodies were designed once the technicians are trained and shops are ready the repair process took less time than the steel body panel. The repairs for the F-150 were not only time saving but parts prices are lower too in many cases. Prices for hoods and front bumpers are lower while some parts, like...
According to a recent report, China Dynamics Limited has entered into a strategic business cooperation agreement with Eastern Ferry Company Limited, with the intention of jointly promoting the development of green marine transportation in Hong Kong. As per the memorandum of understanding that they have signed, China Dynamics plans to supply new energy ferryboats to Eastern Ferry, ensuring to meet environmental protection and energy-saving requirements for marine vessels in Hong Kong. A preliminary round of discussions has taken place between the two parties, and now they believe that they should pursue further negotiation before undergoing formal procurement agreement. The Hong Kong Government intends to include certain terms in order to encourage ferry operators to use...
Malaysia imported 14,300 tonnes of aluminium including scrap from the USA in February, 81.7 per cent higher than the corresponding period of 2018, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. Imports increased 41.58 per cent from January’s import volume of 10,100 tonnes. During January-February, aluminium imports from the USA came in at 24,400 tonnes, an increase of 64.86 per cent from 14,800 tonnes in the same period last year. Malaysia’s imports of aluminium scrap from the USA increased from 7,440 tonnes to 14,100 tonnes in February 2019. This records an increase of 89.52 per cent or 6,660 tonnes year-on-year. On month-on-month comparison, imports rose 42.86 per cent or 4,230 tonnes. Malaysia imported 23,900 tonnes of aluminium scrap in January-...
The Aluminum Association, in cooperation with the Aluminium Association of Canada, reported primary aluminium production in North America (U.S. and Canada) in April stood at 330,667 tonnes. Production is Canada was 235,778 tonnes, down about 2% YoY. US produced about 94,889 tonnes of aluminium in April 2019, an increase of about 34% YoY from 71,000 tonnes in April 2018. This is a remarkable increase in production for the US primary aluminium industry. Production was at an annual rate of 4,023,115 tonnes during April 2019, increasing 28,861 tpy (+0.7%) from the March 2019 rate of 3,994,254 tonnes. The production rate in the U.S. was up 2.5 per cent month on month, while the Canadian rate was essentially unchanged. The North American annual rate was 6.3 per cent above the April 2018 rate of...
Hydro announced that the company will invest R$5 million (USD 1.2 million/NOK 10.7 million) up to 2022 to study the reuse of bauxite residues, which takes place at Alunorte alumina refinery. The partnership between Alunorte and Senai Institute of Innovation in Mineral technologies (ISI-TM) could significantly reduce deposits of bauxite residues. The analyses will be performed in Senai's laboratories. Raphael Costa, director of technology in the Bauxite & Alumina business area said: "We wish to make Alunorte, the world's largest refinery outside of China, a global reference for reuse of bauxite residues, inspiring the entire segment of aluminium." "Products made from bauxite residue can contribute to reducing the consumption of non-renewable raw materials, reducing greenhouse gas emissions...
Coffee lovers’ favourite Nespresso and prestigious stationer Caran d’Ache’s successful partnership has reportedly launched a second limited edition of ballpoint pen made from Nespresso's recycled aluminium coffee capsules. The pen is dressed in the same deep hue of green representing Nespresso’s master origins India capsule and celebrating one of the most popular coffees from Nespresso’s range. Jean-Marc Duvoisin, CEO of Nespresso, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering once again with Caran d’Ache and bringing consumers this unique object, a true celebration of the infinite recyclability of aluminium. When consumers recycle with Nespresso, their capsule continues its journey. We believe this special collaboration gives coffee lovers something to write home about.” Last year around May,...
The US dollar maintained last week’s gains as investors awaited developments in US-China trade negotiations and the Federal Reserve’s stance on interest-rate policy. LME base metals extended their declines as aluminium lost 2.29%. SHFE metals also closed lower and aluminium fell 0.31%. LME aluminium closed the day’s trading lower at US$ 1786 per tonne on Monday. The contract then led the losses among base metals overnight as macroeconomic pressure dragged it to a low of US$1,787 per tonne, and pulled it down 2.29% to US$1,789.5 per tonne. LME aluminium is likely to trade at US$1,790-1,820 per tonne today. As on May 20, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1785 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1786 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1818.50 per tonne,...
A Brazilian federal court has lifted remaining production embargo on Hydro Alunorte alumina refinery under the criminal lawsuit on Monday, May 20, allowing Alunorte to resume full production. Alunorte refinery currently operates at 50% capacity. The embargo on the new, state-of-art bauxite residue disposal area (DRS2) remains in force. The alumina refinery is expected to reach 75-85% percent utilization within two months. An additional press filter is expected to be operational in the third quarter of 2019, further increasing the capacity, Hydro said through its press release. “Production at Hydro’s Paragominas bauxite mine will be increased in line with the ramp-up speed at Alunorte. A decision to also increase production at Hydro’s part-owned Albras primary aluminium plant is expected...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has extended downfall today, on May 21, to RMB 14,240 per tonne. This is the third consecutive decline since May 17. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,220 per tonne and RMB 14,260 per tonne. In Foshan, Tianjin and Linyi, the A00 aluminium ingot price has dipped by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 14,330 per tonne, RMB 14,270 per tonne and RMB 14,310 per tonne, respectively. In Wuxi and Hangzhou, on the other hand, the price has declined more by RMB 35 per tonne to RMB 14,245 per tonne and RMB 14,265 per tonne, while that in Shenyang and Gongyi by RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 14,255 per tonne and RMB 14,160 per tonne. The average price of spot alumina has shown restraint today at RMB 3087 per tonne after rising from...
EGA has started a new AED 15 million spent pot lining pre-treatment and crusher facility in its Al Taweelah site for recycling spent pot lining to be used by UAE cement industry. The largest spent pot lining treatment facility in the Gulf will have a capacity to crush 60,000 tonnes of SPL annually. The new facility is a part of EGA’s ongoing commitment to reducing and re-using industrial waste and the spent pot lining will be pre-treated to be used by cement companies in the UAE as a feedstock. Last year, EGA supplied over 41,000 tonnes of spent pot lining to UAE cement companies, reducing stockpiles from previous years and making EGA leading recycler of industrial waste. Worldwide, the aluminium industry produces over 1 million tonnes of spent pot lining every year without any...
Bulgarian rolled and extruded aluminium product manufacturer Alcomet has opened a new production facility for the production of aluminium profiles. The company also aims to enter the automotive parts industry, SeeNews reported on Monday, 20 May 2019. Alcomet offers a large variety of aluminium semi-finished products – household, technical and container foils, finstock, sheets and strips, as well as standard and customized aluminium profiles. The company exports 95% of its production, mainly to Europe and the USA. Alcomet’s production of extruded products stood at 22,214 tonnes in 2018, a drop of 0.2 per cent year-on-year. Its non-consolidated net profit for the year came in at 13.7 million levs, down 11.1 per cent year-on-year. The new Hybrex press, made by Germany's SMS Group, will allow...
PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium, better known as Inalum, is reportedly building an alumina refinery in Mempawah, West Kalimantan, the completion of which will save the company’s raw materials costs reaching US$200 million, said Executive Advisor Oggy A. Kosasih on Saturday, May 18. In addition, the refinery will lower the dependence on imports to source raw materials for producing aluminium. It will expectedly reduce the exports as well, as the raw minerals will get used domestically, noted Oggy A. Kosasih in Medan, North Sumatra. For the development of this refinery, Inalum has partnered with PT Antam Tbk through their joint venture subsidiary PT. Kosasih explained many other advantages as well which this refinery will bring in as the replacement of alumina imports for which Inalum has...
Rolled aluminium products supplier Gränges acquired the entire utilities infrastructure from Jernbro on its industrial premises in Finspång for SEK 93 million. The company said that utilities infrastructure acquisition will ensure a safe, reliable and long-term supply of energy and utilities. The companies also agreed to new operation and maintenance agreements. The move will have a positive impact on profit over time. The acquisition will have a cash flow effect in Q2 2019, but little to no impact on the profit, Gränges said through its press release. Gränges supplies its products for heat exchanger applications and other niche markets. The company’s geographical markets are Europe, Asia and the Americas. With production facilities in Sweden, China and the United States, it has a...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the secondary aluminium prices are likely to witness a downside trend ahead in China as demand will expectedly weaken. With less than two months to go before the implementation of tougher vehicle emission standards, the auto market will be on its toe to clear inventories of modals under old emission standards, rather than indulging in stocking secondary aluminium. The secondary aluminium market has already taken a hit from sluggish auto sales. Data from the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) established that auto sales in China during January-April declined 12.1 per cent year on year. Meanwhile, costs of secondary aluminium hold firm backed on steady aluminium prices due to robust consumption of primary aluminium and higher alumina...
Social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, came in at 1.309 million tonnes as of Monday, 20 May 2019. Inventories declined 37,000 tonnes from 1.346 million tonnes on Thursday, May 16, Shanghai Metals Market data showed. Inventories of primary aluminium continued to decline over the weekend, due to limited arrivals and robust demand. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across all major China Markets. Compared with last Thursday, in Wuxi, Jiangsu, primary aluminium stocks declined 13,000 tonnes to stand at 470,000 tonnes on Monday. In Shanghai, stocks dropped 1,000 tonnes to stand at 269,000 tonnes; in Nanhai, Guangdong, inventories reduced 17,000 tonnes to stand at 269,000 tonnes....
Post 2017, Belgium had been found recording a year on year drop in aluminium scrap import and this year is estimated to be no exception either, found the global export-import data. In 2017, the country’s aluminium scrap import had seen a rise from 231,939 tonnes in 2016 to 295,073 tonnes. In the year next, the volume dropped to 264,160 tonnes, 10.47 per cent lower than in 2017. In 2019, the volume is likely to stand further down by 5.4 per cent year on year at 249,873 tonnes. The reason behind the fall in Belgium’s aluminium scrap import for the second year in a row could be the increase of scrap generation within the country. Belgium that boasts one of the largest glass industries in the world is also characterised by the presence of a large number of aluminium fabrication industries and...
Aluminium Corporation of China (Chinalco) again increased the floor price of non-metallurgical alumina, as further shutdowns in Shanxi province grew market concerns about lower supplies, as updated by Shanghai Metals Market. The company raised alumina floor price for the fifth time since April. Chinalco raised the floor price of alumina by RMB200 per tonne from the last floor price released on Tuesday, 14 May. This brings the floor price to RMB3,250 per tonne, effective on May 17, following the RMB3,050 per tonne set for May 14, RMB2,950 per tonne for May 10, RMB2,850 per tonne for April 26, and RMB2,750 per tonne for April 16. Shanxi government closed the second production line of alumina at Shanxi Xinfa refinery on Thursday, May 16, after the state-run media uncovered that the refinery...
The US dollar index on Friday advanced to its highest level in two weeks near 98 as the heavy selling pressure surrounding the major European currencies allowed investors to return to the relatively safer greenback. Base metals ended lower across the board as LME aluminium lost over 1%. SHFE aluminium dipped 0.52%. LME aluminium extended the weak trend from the Asian trading session, as it slipped to a low of US$1,826.5 per tonne and ended the trading day 1.27% lower at US$1,831.5 per tonne. Prices may face pressure as the US reached a deal to lift steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada and Mexico. It is expected to trade at US$1,830-1,850 per tonne today. As on May 17, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1804.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1805 per...
