Japan imported 1.36 million tonnes of downstream aluminium products in January–August 2026, down 6.2 per cent from 1.45 million tonnes in the same period of 2025. The latest figures show lower overall imports, with shipments from the UAE seeing the biggest decline among the five leading exporters listed, while imports from Australia also fell. Japan’s total imports decline Japan’s downstream aluminium imports stood at 1.36 million tonnes through August 2026, a drop of around 90,000 tonnes, compared to shipments in 2025 during the same period. However, annual imports remained broadly stable over the previous three years, rising from 2.11 million tonnes in 2023 to 2.12 million tonnes in 2024, an increase of 0.3 per cent. In 2025, imports edged up by a further 0.1 per cent to 2.12 million...
Bering Yachts has presented the first hull of its BC60 aluminium explorer catamaran, marking the shipyard’s move to a twin-hull platform while retaining the long-range capability and structural robustness associated with its established explorer vessels. The 18.9-metre vessel has already been delivered and is afloat, with founder and CEO Alexei Mikhailov providing a detailed walkthrough of its design and onboard systems. Measuring 18.9 metres (60 feet) in length overall, with an 8.6-metre beam, the BC60 is designed as a displacement explorer rather than a high-speed production catamaran. Its all-aluminium construction, shallow draft and substantial fuel capacity are intended to support extended passages and greater autonomy at sea. The vessel has a draft of 1.58 metres and carries more...
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The US urgently needs more aluminium for its defence sector, but new smelters will take years to come online, while disruptions to high-purity aluminium imports have exposed a more immediate supply vulnerability. The United States is facing a growing aluminium supply challenge that is becoming increasingly important for its defence sector, as rebuilding domestic production capacity remains a long-term process and overseas supply disruptions threaten access to specialised metal. President Donald Trump recently said the US “desperately” needs more aluminium, highlighting the urgency facing a market that remains heavily dependent on imports despite efforts to revive domestic production. One of the most prominent new projects is the planned aluminium smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, a joint...
Century Aluminum shares rose 4.4 per cent to USD 45.89 on August 27, extending a strong 2026 rally, but GuruFocus' GF Value model puts the stock's estimated intrinsic value at just USD 23.25. Century Aluminum Co's stock is moving in two very different directions depending on which metric you look at. On August 27, shares of the US aluminium producer gained 4.4 per cent to USD 45.89, putting the stock up 17.1 per cent year to date and an impressive 102.2 per cent over the past year. Yet, despite the strong momentum, GuruFocus' valuation model considers Century Aluminum considerably overvalued at its current price. The platform's GF Value stands at USD 23.25, compared with the stock's USD 45.89 price. That represents a 97.4 per cent premium to its estimated GF Value, highlighting the gap...
Vedanta Aluminium shares gained 3.32 per cent after Vedanta Resources denied speculation that it planned to sell its stake in the aluminium business, while brokerages maintained bullish views on the stock. Vedanta Aluminium came into focus after its parent, Vedanta Resources, dismissed reports and market speculation about a possible stake sale in the company. The clarification also covered Vedanta Limited and other group businesses, including Vedanta Oil and Gas, Vedanta Power and Vedanta Iron & Steel. Vedanta Resources said it has no plans to sell its stake in any of these companies and remains focused on growth and value creation. The development came as both Vedanta Aluminium and Vedanta Limited recorded gains on the BSE on Wednesday. Vedanta Aluminium shares gain after stake-sale...
India’s alumina trade underwent a sharp shift in the first half of 2026, with exports accelerating to a new high while imports contracted substantially. Data for HS 281820, i.e. aluminium oxide excluding artificial corundum, shows that India exported 2.5 million tonnes in H1 2026, up 51.3 per cent from 1.65 million tonnes in H1 2025. At the same time, imports fell 34.9 per cent year-on-year to 775,362 tonnes from 1.19 million tonnes. The result was a substantial widening of India’s net alumina trade surplus. The country moved from a surplus of about 460,466 tonnes in H1 2025 to 1.72 million tonnes in H1 2026, a nearly fourfold increase. Exports climb to a record level India’s alumina exports have been on a clear upward trajectory since Q2 2024. Quarterly shipments rose from 458,621 tonnes...
Oklahoma Primary Aluminum has outlined the environmental controls planned for its proposed aluminium smelter at the Tulsa Port of Inola, a project that could add up to 750,000 tonnes of annual primary aluminium capacity in the United States. The proposed facility is expected to create at least 1,000 permanent direct jobs, according to the company. It is also part of the broader effort to expand domestic aluminium manufacturing and reduce US reliance on imported primary metal, although the project remains under regulatory review. Speaking to a media outlet, Project Director Ziad Fares addressed concerns raised about fluoride emissions and the potential impact on nearby farms and ranches. When asked about whether the proposed smelter would be safe, He commented, “Absolutely, otherwise,...
China Hongqiao Group Limited has received the Circular Economy Leadership Award at the 2026 Asia Responsible Enterprise Awards in Singapore in recognition of its work in developing recycled aluminium. Organised by Enterprise Asia, the award marks the third consecutive year that China Hongqiao has received the honour. The company has placed sustainability and circular economy practices at the centre of its strategy, aligning its efforts with China’s “3060” dual-carbon goals and its own “25·55” Climate Action Target, which aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations by 2055. Join the webinar by Alberto Monje Gama to learn about recycled aluminium, CBAM and trust China Hongqiao has been working on reducing emissions across its value chain through clean energy substitution,...
Tasmanian manufacturer Kings Outdoor Living is increasingly turning to aluminium as it expands its locally made shade and shelter products for schools, parks, sporting clubs, hospitality venues and homes. According to Capral Aluminium, the company has increasingly focused on local manufacturing to address the freight, handling and supply challenges involved in sourcing products from mainland Australia. Sam King, Kings co-owner, said, “With the Bass Strait freight cost, and complexity, and timing, and damage, we thought, ‘We should probably start making some of this stuff.’” The company initially manufactured many of its locally made products using steel. However, the weight of steel created practical challenges, particularly because Kings is involved in both manufacturing and installing...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart declined on the August 27 trading session across the pricing and contract segments compared to the August 26 close . Meanwhile, the Asian Reference Price surged, and the inventories held steady. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices plunged 0.46 per cent day-on-day on August 27. The bid dipped from USD 3,227 per tonne to USD 3,212 per tonne, and the offer shifted from USD 3,227.5 per tonne to USD 3,212.5 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook On August 27, the LME aluminium three-month bid and offer prices reported a 0.71 per cent decline over the August 26 session. The bid moved from USD...
Chinese aluminium extrusion manufacturer Syntech Metals Limited is positioning its aluminium extrusion and thermal-management capabilities to serve the growing electric vehicle charging infrastructure market in North America. Higher power density, faster charging and demanding outdoor conditions are driving the need for more effective heat management. As EV charging systems handle higher electrical loads, thermal management has become an important part of equipment design. Syntech Metals is positioning itself as a manufacturing partner that can combine aluminium extrusion, thermal design, precision CNC machining, surface treatment and assembly, rather than simply supplying raw aluminium components. The company supplies customised aluminium thermal-management components, including...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad reported a 42 per cent increase in core profit after tax and minority interest for the second quarter of FY2026, as higher realised aluminium prices and lower alumina costs supported earnings growth. Core PATAMI, excluding a one-off associate-related gain, reached MYR 685.58 million (USD 170 million) for the three months ended June 30. Reported PATAMI rose 66 per cent year on year to a record MYR 801 million (USD 198.62 million), while revenue increased 12 per cent to MYR 4.69 billion (USD 1.16 billion). Higher metal prices support revenue The Malaysian aluminium producer said revenue increased from MYR 4.19 billion (USD 1.04 billion) in the corresponding quarter a year earlier, largely due to higher realised metal prices. Profit before tax climbed...
The Aluminum Association has responded to President Donald Trump’s recent remarks that the United States “desperately needs aluminium,” with its President and CEO Charles Johnson calling for an “all-of-the-above” approach that expands both primary and recycled aluminium production while maintaining access to imported metal from reliable trading partners. Johnson said Trump was right about the need for aluminium in the US but argued that domestic production alone cannot meet current demand. “We need to build both primary and secondary capacity — coupled with smart, targeted trade enforcement — to win the future,” he said. The comments followed Trump’s remarks during a telephone rally for Oklahoma Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Mazzei. There he stated, “Selfishly, we need aluminium...
Japanese beverage company Kirin is exploring greater use of recycled and low-carbon aluminium as part of its efforts to reduce emissions from packaging and move towards a more circular packaging system. The company is considering GHG-free aluminium produced using renewable energy, as well as lower-emission aluminium with a high recycling rate. It is also looking at the possible use of carbon-free aluminium cans. Aluminium, PET and paper are among the packaging materials covered in Kirin’s climate risk assessment. The company estimates that carbon pricing could add JPY 43.8 billion (USD 275.4 million) to packaging costs by 2050 under its sustainable scenario, which assumes a stronger global shift towards a low-carbon economy. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry,...
Romania has received its first EUR 2.5 billion (USD 2.91 billion) payment under the European Union’s (EU) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) facility, marking the first tranche of its EUR 16.7 billion (USD 19.46 billion) allocation. The EU SAFE defence funding is aimed at strengthening Romania’s defence capabilities and industrial base, with further payments linked to the completion of agreed milestones and implementation targets. The initial tranche represents 15 per cent of Romania’s total SAFE allocation, according to the European Commission. The funding is being channelled towards defence investments and forms part of the broader EUR 150 billion (USD 174.76 billion) SAFE instrument designed to support rapid investment in Europe’s defence industry and technology. “This funding will...
Wells Fargo has raised its price target for Alcoa to USD 68 from USD 64, seeing potential upside for the aluminium producer even after its shares fell more than 40 per cent from their 2026 peak. Alcoa has had a volatile year. The aluminium producer's shares climbed more than 48 per cent between January and their year-to-date high on June 2, before losing more than 40 per cent from that peak. Despite the sharp pullback, Wells Fargo remains constructive on the stock. Following a meeting with Alcoa's chief financial officer, the investment bank raised its price target to USD 68, while maintaining an Equal Weight rating. With Alcoa shares trading at around USD 50 on August 25, the new target represents potential upside of roughly 36 per cent. It is also considerably above the broader Wall...
Voya Energy has unveiled an aluminium-based power system that converts low-grade aluminium scrap into electricity through a low-temperature electrochemical process, offering a potential new route for aluminium recycling, energy storage and off-grid power generation. The Hayward, California-based company is targeting data centres, industrial facilities and other large energy users facing constraints around grid access, permitting and fuel logistics. Join the webinar by Alberto Monje Gama to learn about recycled aluminium, CBAM and trust Scrap aluminium finds a new energy application Voya’s system combines a proprietary aluminium-based fuel with a purpose-built electrochemical generator. Rather than burning the metal, the technology converts aluminium directly into electricity without...
Europe’s aluminium extrusion market is entering a new phase, with demand expected to expand across several key industries. The region accounts for around 10 per cent of global aluminium extrusion usage, making it an important market for producers and suppliers. Electric vehicles, grid investment and construction activity are set to play an important role in shaping demand over the coming years. Aluminium extrusion usage in Europe is forecast to rise from 3.48 million tonnes in 2025 to 3.56 million tonnes in 2026, an increase of 2.30 per cent. By 2035, usage is projected to increase by 27.01 per cent from 2025 levels. The CAGR for 2025-2035 is expected to be approximately 2.42 per cent. For the exact figures and detailed sector-wise outlook, read our updated aluminium extrusion report -...
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has met senior executives from Japanese companies in Osaka, pitching India as an investment and manufacturing partner across semiconductors, electronics, aluminium, paints and coatings, and sports goods. The meetings formed part of Goyal’s four-day Japan visit, where he led India’s largest-ever business delegation to the country. The trip focused on encouraging Japanese companies to expand manufacturing, technology partnerships and supply-chain investments in India. Focus on electronics and aluminium Goyal met a delegation led by Katsumi Azuma, president and chief executive of ROHM Co. Ltd., to discuss potential cooperation in semiconductor and electronic-components manufacturing. India has been developing its semiconductor and electronics...
South32 delivered a stronger FY26 financial performance , with underlying revenue rising 7 per cent to USD 8.11 billion, reinforced by higher commodity prices and stronger operating performance. Within its aluminium portfolio, Brazil Aluminium and Hillside Aluminium recorded significant earnings improvements. The year also marked a strategic turning point, with South32 agreeing to sell most of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa for up to USD 5.6 billion. CEO Matt Daley stated, “Strong operating performance coupled with commodity price tailwinds underpinned one of the best financial results in our history, with Group Underlying EBITDA increasing by 28 per cent to USD 2.5 billion and Underlying earnings increasing by 55 per cent to USD billion.” Explore- Most comprehensive and...
