The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) has launched a new Reindustrialising UK Aluminium briefing, developed through its Trade Committee, setting out the immediate trade and industrial priorities facing the UK aluminium sector. The briefing comes as aluminium takes on increasing strategic importance within UK Government policy. Aluminium is recognised within the UK’s Critical Minerals framework and as a Growth Mineral, reflecting its importance to future UK manufacturing and economic growth. Government’s Critical Minerals Strategy describes critical minerals as foundational inputs to the Industrial Strategy’s growth-driving sectors. ALFED’s latest economic modelling estimates that the UK aluminium industry supports a wider economic footprint of £8.18 billion (USD 11.03 billion) in GVA and...
European Aluminium and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) are calling on the European Parliament and the Council to make low-carbon aluminium eligible alongside steel under the proposed material-credit mechanism for vehicle CO2 standards. The joint industry statement focuses on the revision of Regulation (EU) 2019/631, under proposal 2025/0420 (COD). The two organisations want both materials covered by a single, technology-neutral mechanism with harmonised carbon-intensity thresholds and verification rules. They said the approach would give automakers greater flexibility in meeting regulatory requirements while supporting European markets for low-carbon materials. It would also allow vehicle engineers to continue selecting materials based on technical and economic...
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London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices rose between August 22 and August 26, supported by firm demand, while stocks showed a marginal decline. Trading was closed on August 25 due to the UK Summer Bank Holiday. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed from USD 2,588.5 per tonne on August 22 to USD 2,611 per tonne on August 26, an increase of 0.87 per cent, while the cash offer price rose from USD 2,589 per tonne to USD 2,611.5 per tonne, up 0.87 per cent . The 3-month bid price advanced 0.79 per cent to USD 2,607 per tonne, compared with USD 2,586.5 per tonne earlier, and the 3-month offer price gained 0.83 per cent to USD 2,609 per tonne from USD 2,587.5 per tonne. The December 26 bid price moved up to USD 2,655 per tonne from USD 2,637 per tonne, a rise of 0.68 per cent while the...
India's imported aluminium scrap prices declined by USD 40-45 per tonne W-o-W, despite an uptrend in London Metal Exchange (LME) prices. The overall aluminium scrap trade remained sluggish during the week, with limited buying interest across regions. Market participants highlighted cautious buying patterns. Price assessments BigMint assessed Tense scrap from the US at USD 1,960 per tonne, down by USD 40 per tonne W-o-W, while US taint tabor HRB (2-3 per cent) saw a drop of USD 30 per tonne, settling at USD 2,145 per tonne. Zorba 95/5 from the UK witnessed a reduction of USD 45 per tonne W-o-W. Meanwhile, extrusion 6063 witnessed a slight gain of USD 25 per tonne W-o-W. LME prices rise W-o-W amid inventory outflows At the time of reporting, LME aluminium prices stood at USD 2,608 per...
According to unofficial market feedback obtained by SMM, it is reported that a recent public auction of around 1 tonne of 4N gallium by East Hope Sanmenxia Aluminum Co., Ltd. was successfully concluded. After the final auction and negotiation, the transaction price was around RMB 1,595 per kg. Image source: https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/ Market rumours suggest that the actual volume sold may not have reached 1 mt. Market sources indicated that the tender base price for this batch of 4N gallium from East Hope Sanmenxia Aluminum was RMB 1,500 per kg. The final transaction price was around RMB 1,595 per kg, which was relatively stable compared to the previous tender. However, if the entire quantity was not sold, this also indicates that the market's consumption capacity has been weak...
Primary aluminium imports: According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in July 2025, China's primary aluminium imports were approximately 248,300 tonnes, up 29.1 per cent M-o-M and 91.2 per cent Y-o-Y. From January-July, the total cumulative imports of primary aluminium were about 1.4983 million tonnes, up 11.1 per cent Y-o-Y. Primary aluminium exports: According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in July 2025, China's primary aluminium exports were approximately 41,000 tonnes, up 108.9 per cent M-o-M and 116.7 per cent Y-o-Y; from January-July, the total cumulative exports of primary aluminium were about 127,700 tonnes, up 170.5 per cent Y-o-Y. Net primary aluminium imports: In July 2025, China's net primary aluminium imports were 207,300 tonnes, up...
The European Union (EU) is committed to securing retroactive application of lower US tariffs on its car exports, effective from August 1. This follows the announcement of the details of a framework trade agreement reached in July. In a joint statement, the two parties outlined that 15 per cent US tariffs will apply to most EU imports, highlighting key commitments, including the EU's pledge to remove tariffs on US industrial goods and provide preferential market access for various US seafood and agricultural products. Washington to reduce tariffs Washington is set to reduce the current 27.5 per cent US tariffs on cars and auto parts, which have long been a heavy burden for European carmakers. However, this reduction will only take effect once Brussels introduces the necessary legislation...
Velo3D, Inc. has announced its participation in a US Army-funded programme focused on changing the face of additive manufacturing for defence. The focus is to develop low-cost, rapidly implementable routes for Aluminium CP1, an alloy important for lightweight and high strength in military configurations. Building capabilities for defence Velo3D is collaborating with RTX, an aerospace and defence company, along with innovation hub firm Raytheon Technologies Research Centre (RTRC) to optimise laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) techniques for defence-grade aluminium. The project, funded by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Centre, supports modernisation of integrated air and missile defence systems. "Velo3D's metal AM platform was selected by (DEVCOM) AvMC...
Leading American manufacturer and supplier Kaiser Aluminium has downgraded itself from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating, according to a research note released on Monday. The move comes despite JPMorgan Chase & Co. recently raising its price target for the stock from USD 64 to USD 82 and assigning a “neutral” rating on July 28. Currently, one equities research analyst maintains a “buy” recommendation, while two others have rated the stock as “hold”. Data from MarketBeat shows Kaiser Aluminium carries a consensus rating of “Hold” with an average price target of USD 78.00. Share price movement The final day of trading before the downgrade was August 22, 2025, wherein Kaiser Aluminium closed at USD 79.57, which was an increase of 5 per cent. There was no trading on August 25, which was a...
Crack open a can, crush it, and change the world. That’s the spirit behind the Crush It Crusade (CIC), a nationwide push turning aluminium recycling into a powerhouse for community transformation. Crush It Crusade (CIC) In Longmont (Colorado), the nonprofit Can’d Aid has teamed up with Westminster’s Ball Foundation, the giving arm of Ball Corp., to open the gates for a new wave of recycling heroes. Their joint initiative, the Crush It Crusade (CIC), is more than a grant program - it’s a movement designed to spark community-led recycling revolutions powered by aluminium. Over the past 11 years, this dynamic duo has already fuelled change across 35 states, investing in more than 120 local organisations, municipalities, parks, and festivals. What was started as a small initiative in 2014 has...
The tribals near the Serubandha Hills of Koraput district in Odisha, India, have been continuing their opposition to the bauxite mining project to be undertaken in the area by National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO). Concerning the opposition, public representatives for the residents residing in Semiliguda and Pottangi blocks of the district have come forward to save the Serubandha Hills. The protest includes voices and slogans stating "NALCO Go Back" with threats stating no kind of natural resource mining would be permitted, irrespective of whatever may come. NALCO received the permission to conduct the bauxite mining in the Serubandha Hills back in 2024, but had not commenced it yet. As of now, all the mining operations under NALCO in this region have been continuing under the...
As of August 2025, the US has doubled the tariff from 25 per cent to 50 per cent for both aluminium and steel, but in the same context has exempted import tariffs on refined copper, making a visible contrast between the metals. The exemption has been made with consideration of the key role of the higher electricity costs as well as the dynamics of lobbying pressure contributing to the US policy. Macquarie analysts, Century Aluminum and data from the US Geological Survey (USGS) have all weighed in on the implications of these tariffs for domestic production and global trade. The expansion of the tariff on aluminium and steel included hundreds of derivative products which contain the metals in question. This move was undertaken to close the circumvention loopholes in the tariff and boost...
Tesla’s vision for an autonomous, robotaxi-powered future is as controversial as it is ambitious. For some, it signals the next big leap in mobility; for others, it’s a risky bet dragging down Tesla’s numbers and its stock. The ripple effect even touches suppliers like aluminium manufacturers. The robotaxi idea isn’t new. It first appeared in Tesla’s “Master Plan Part Deux” back in 2016. By 2019, Elon Musk was boldly predicting a million robotaxis on the road by 2020, but that target went unmet Between 2020 and 2024, Tesla rolled out its Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta. It got attention, but true autonomy remained elusive. Then came a big splash in October 2024: the Cybercab, a vehicle with no steering wheel or pedals, pitched as Tesla’s purpose-built robotaxi. The production is expected...
China's electricity consumption surged to an all-time high of 1.02 trillion kilowatt hours (kWh) in July, up 8.6 per cent compared to the same month last year, according to data from the National Energy Administration (NEA). The record – mainly driven by scorching heatwaves across China and the country's resilient economic activity was also the first time any country's monthly power consumption surpassed the 1-trillion-kWh threshold, market analysts noted. Notably, China's household power consumption jumped 18 per cent on year to 203.9 billion kWh in July as summer heatwaves blanketed much of the country, which nearly doubled from 129.1 kWh a month earlier, the NEA data showed. Household power use in major provinces such as Central China's Henan province, Northwest China's Shaanxi...
According to the latest data from the US Geological Survey, the United States’ aluminium crude metal and alloys imports increased over the year during January-May 2025, even as shipments from Canada - the country’s top supplier - declined. The data highlights two key trends: (1) Canada retained its position as the leading exporter despite a drop in volumes, and (2) the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stepped in to offset the shortfall, driving overall import growth. Canada holds lead but volumes erode From January to May 2025, Canada exported 1.02 million tonnes of aluminium crude metal and alloys, compared to 1.17 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year, reflecting a Y-o-Y decrease of 12.8 per cent. To be noted, Canada’s primary aluminium exports to the US remained...
United Company RUSAL has finally crossed over on the winning side of a long-running courtroom battle that threatened to saddle the world’s second-largest aluminium producer with hundreds of millions in potential liabilities. Image for representational purposes only The company announced that the Commercial Court of the North-Western Region has upheld earlier rulings in its favour, dismissing a claim brought by SUAL Partners ILLC. At the heart of the dispute were hedging transactions linked to aluminium prices, which SUAL alleged had triggered losses amounting to USD 760 million. SUAL Partners is a significant minority shareholder (around 25.5 per cent) in UC Rusal, with ownership interests held by figures like Viktor Vekselberg. Also watch: Aluminium and Other Base Metals: Understanding...
Washington’s borrowing spree is about to hit historic levels. After the latest debt ceiling standoff left its cash reserves depleted, the US Treasury is preparing for one of its largest-ever borrowing sprees. It’s a stark reminder of how costly political standoffs can be, as rising government expenses run headfirst into weaker revenues and new spending pressures. As per reports, on Monday, August 25, the Treasury revealed plans to borrow a staggering USD 1.007 trillion in the third quarter (Q3), a sharp increase as it looks to rebuild its drained reserves. That total is USD 453 billion higher than April’s forecast, mainly driven by a slimmer-than-expected cash balance at the start of the quarter and weaker projected inflows. By the end of September, the Treasury aims to have USD 850...
US aluminium exports keep shrinking. In the first half of 2025, volumes plunged to 562.17 thousand tonnes down from over 804.67 thousand tonnes a year earlier, same period. It continues the downward trend from 679.20 thousand tonnes in H1 2023 and 593.52 thousand tonnes in H1 2022, as reported in the Mineral Commodity Summaries 2025 by the US Geological Survey. In H1 2024, the main destinations for US aluminum exports were Malaysia, Mexico, Canada, India , and Thailand. By H1 2025, the top markets shifted to Japan—leading with 66,000 tonnes of unwrought aluminum alloy—followed by India, South Korea, Mexico, and Vietnam. This sharp fall underscores a worsening crisis in the US aluminium industry, driven by a combination of factors such as smelter and refinery shutdowns, rising energy...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, a Malaysia-based largest aluminium smelter in Southeast Asia, has announced its Q2 2025 financial results, with revenue closing at RM 4.19 billion from RM 3.95 billion. Y-o-Y, a significant growth of 6 per cent was recorded, backed by higher sales volume. Q-o-Q, the revenue also surged by 7.7 per cent from RM 3.89 billion in Q1 2025. As a result, profit after tax and minority interests (PATAMI) eased 4 per cent to RM 483.6 million in 2Q FY2025. From January to June (H1 2025), the total revenue arrived at RM 8.08 billion ( USD 1.78 billion )compared to RM 7.56 billion for the same period last year (H1 2024), reflecting a Y-o-Y hike of 6.9 per cent, and PATAMI inched up 3 per cent to RM945.3 million, reflecting steady demand and the company’s resilience...
Loftis Steel & Aluminum, a family-owned steel and aluminium fabrication firm headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, has announced a USD 6.5 million investment to establish a new high-tech operation facility in Decatur, further strengthening its regional presence and growth strategy. This expansion will support the creation of nearly 20 new jobs for the people in North Alabama. The family-owned company specialises in delivering custom metal components tailored for diverse commercial and industrial applications. This upcoming Alabama facility will feature advanced manufacturing capabilities , incorporating state-of-the-art fibre lasers, nitrogen generation systems and precision cutting technologies to enhance production efficiency and quality. Tom Russell, President & CEO of Loftis Steel &...
