Macro perspective: Outside China, the US Fed raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75per cent-4.00per cent as expected, the first hike since July 2023, with a unanimous FOMC vote. The dot plot showed one more possible rate hike in 2026, extending the period of high interest rates. As a result, US Treasuries saw heavy selling, the US dollar and real yields rose, directly weighing on the valuation of dollar-denominated nonferrous metals. Geopolitically, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz persisted, with Iran claiming the strait was under its "smart control," and a regional shipping security meeting originally scheduled in Oman was forced to be postponed, raising energy transport and risk premiums. Overall, macro sentiment was mixed. Fundamentals: Supply side, this week, China's weekly...
According to SMM statistics, as of September 17, aluminium billet inventory in major domestic consumption areas recorded 152,500 tonnes, down 500 tonnes from last Thursday (September 10) and down 5,000 tonnes from this Monday (September 14). The persistent upward trend in inventory since mid-August has shifted slightly, turning into a modest pullback from highs. On a Y-o-Y basis, inventory was approximately 17,500 tonnes higher than the same period in 2025, about 31,000 tonnes higher than 2024, and roughly 61,000 tonnes higher than 2023, with total inventory still at the highest level for the same period over the past four years. From the perspective of warehouse withdrawals, aluminium billet withdrawals during September 7–September 14 recorded 38,900 tonnes, up 2,800 tonnes W-o-W, ending...
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Mössner has designed and commissioned an automated sawing system to produce contour-cut aluminium semi-finished products at Service Centres Aero Germany (SCA) in Remshalden, Germany. A trusted name in the aerospace sector, SCA has been serving as a recognised service provider since 1987. Image Source: Mössner website The system is designed to cut aluminium plates as close to the final contour as possible—commonly referred to as near-net-shape or cut-to-size cutting. With over 30 years of expertise in CNC-controlled contour saws, Mössner has developed a solution that significantly reduces the amount of material that needs to be removed during subsequent processing steps. This approach not only shortens processing time at milling or machining centres but also boosts material efficiency by...
Around mid-week, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) revealed their recent finding of the moderate-quality bauxite resources in the Rymrai area of West Khasi Hills. Alongside the resources, GSI also conveyed their findings, including substantial reserves near a village in East Khasi Hills. Image source: ALS Global In a recent survey conducted by GSI, many bauxite deposits have been identified across Meghalaya, along with other resources like lithium and limestone. With these findings, the state is predicted to receive immense economic benefits post the extraction process. The Director of GSI’s Meghalaya Training and Capacity Building Division also confirmed bauxite availability in the Garo Hills. The survey has further divulged some good-quality limestone deposits and high-grade reserves...
According to SMM data, China's metallurgical-grade alumina production in March 2025 (31 days) increased by 8.86 per cent M-o-M and 11.32 per cent Y-o-Y. As of the end of March, China's metallurgical-grade alumina existing capacity was around 105.02 million tonnes, with actual operating capacity decreasing by 1.68 per cent M-o-M and an operating rate of 84.64 per cent. During the month, the operating capacity of domestic alumina refineries varied, but overall, national metallurgical-grade alumina operating capacity decreased M-o-M. In terms of new capacity, some commissioned capacities in Guangxi have started production; in terms of production cuts, as alumina prices continued to decline while ore prices remained high, some alumina producers have chosen to conduct maintenance under loss...
China has imposed a whopping 34 per cent tariff on all imports but that was not all on Friday’s announcement. The country decided to curtail rare earth exports to the US. Now, out of anything and everything, one must be curious about why rare earth took centre stage. The recent actions, perceived by many as retaliatory measures in the escalating trade tensions with the United States, also hint at deeper motivations: a concerted effort by China to reassert its dominance over the global rare earth supply chain, as some reports by Chinese agencies reveal otherwise. Image for referential purposes only China’s historical dominance in rare earths For decades, China has been the linchpin of the global rare earth industry, supplying approximately two-thirds of the world’s REEs. These elements are...
On Thursday, April 3, Citi Research lowered its forecast for base metal prices in 2025, citing the tariffs announced by the Trump administration and the impending tariffs that will pose significant headwinds to demand. According to China News Service, US President Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" at the White House on the 2nd, announcing that the US will impose a 10 per cent "minimum benchmark tariff" on trading partners and levy higher tariffs on certain trading partners. According to the executive order, the 10 per cent "minimum benchmark tariff" on all trading partners will take effect on April 5, while the different and higher so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on the countries and regions with the largest trade deficits with the US will take effect on...
How much is too much? The growing chain of tariffs between the United States and its trade partners is expanding at an alarming rate while industries brace for the impact of escalating trade wars. Following the United States' announcement of reciprocal tariffs on what it called 'Liberation Day,' it's no surprise that other countries are starting to retaliate. China, one of the United States' major trade partners, who is already hit by a 45 per cent tariff and now the 34 per cent reciprocal duty, has roared back with the same percentage of tax on all American imports, starting April 10, 2025, intensifying a bitter trade war between the world's two biggest economies. This escalating conflict has been building for some time. It started when the US granted a 30-day reprieve to its North...
On April 2, 2025, during an official ceremony organised by the Bulgarian Investment Agency, 'Alcomet AD' was honoured with the prestigious 'Investor of the Year 2024' award in the category 'Investment in Business Expansion'. The event took place at the 'Sofia Tech Park', in the 'John Atanasov' hall, and was attended by numerous official guests. The Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rosen Zhelyazkov, as well as other government representatives were present. The award was presented to 'Alcomet' by the Minister of Regional Development, Ivan Ivanov, who highlighted the company's significant contribution and its majority owner, Fikret Ince, "This is a person who not only changes the entire city but also laid the foundations of the industry in the whole region. I wish him many more awards because he...
Hindalco Industries is deep in the red, marking its fifth consecutive losing session with a sharp 4.36 per cent decline on April 4. The aluminium giant has shed 9.78 per cent in just five days, underperforming its sector by 0.84 per cent and sinking below key moving averages—an unmistakable sign of a bearish trend. Image for referential purposes only Vedanta took a harder hit, tumbling 8.45 per cent to INR 402.40 (USD 4.71), while Nalco slumped 7.38 per cent to INR 159.90 as the broader aluminium sector lost 4.48 per cent. Hindalco’s intraday low of INR 622.55 (USD 7.28) reinforces the downtrend, with the stock now trading beneath its 5-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages. Meanwhile, the Sensex followed suit, plunging 362.03 points (0.65 per cent) to 75,798.06,...
In an interview with AL Circle, Mr Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas), highlighted that Brazil's robust and dynamic economy—particularly the rising purchasing power of its population—drives the demand for soft drinks and, consequently, aluminium cans. With a GDP of USD 2.17 trillion and a per capita consumption of 165 12-can packs annually, Brazil is home to the world's fastest-growing aluminium can market. In 2024, Brazil reached a historic milestone, with aluminium can sales in the beverage sector totalling 34.8 billion units. This achievement positioned the country as the third-largest aluminium can market globally, according to Abralatas. The growth rate averaged 7.6 per cent year-on-year, surpassing the 5 per...
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has introduced Absolut Vodka & Sprite Watermelon, marking the brands first-ever flavour innovation. The two new flavours will be available in sleek 250ml aluminium cans and will be available nationwide. The new blend combines Sprite’s signature crispness with the smoothness of Absolut Vodka, enhanced by a burst of refreshing watermelon—hailed as the ultimate summer flavour. Watermelon was selected for its vibrant, juicy profile, offering a fresh and exciting twist that perfectly complements the existing range. Consumer testing showed strong enthusiasm for the new Absolut Vodka & SPRITE Watermelon, with an impressive 84 per cent purchase intent. Most consumers also indicated they could enjoy more than two drinks in a single session. Blending the crisp,...
Voting is in the pipeline to decide the fate of US imports into the US. In an effort to determine whether the countermeasures to the United States steel and aluminium tariffs are going to turn into reality, each EU member is set to vote on April 09, announced a senior EU official. This image is created with the assistance of AI tool for referential purposes only The Commission’s proposal of counter-tariffing big tech companies such as Elon Musk’s social network X and search engine giant Google, as well as major financial institutions like J.P. Morgan and Bank of America, will only be approved as long as it is not opposed by a qualified majority of 15 member states encompassing 65 per cent of EU population. Ahead of the voting and shortly after the ‘liberation day’ tariff was announced,...
Guinea, the West African nation and the world's largest producer of bauxite, will implement its own Guinea Bauxite Price Index as its official price, which is planned to be implemented by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to curb low transfer pricing practices that have historically stripped significant value from the nation's vast bauxite reserves. The price index will ensure greater transparency, align export values with global market realities, and boost state revenues. The index is set to transform Guinea from a price taker to a price setter. With global demand for aluminium surging, this shift is both timely and strategic. International miners operating in Guinea must now prepare for a new era of accountability. The world will be watching as Guinea asserts control over its...
Premier Energies Limited has established a wholly owned subsidiary, Premier-Green Aluminium Private Limited (PGAPL), according to a regulatory filing dated April 3, 2025. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued its certificate of incorporation on the same day. PGAPL has been launched with an authorised share capital of INR 10 lakh and will specialise in the manufacturing, processing, and extrusion of aluminium and its alloys. This strategic initiative is designed to support Premier Energies’ internal consumption needs while enhancing its broader business operations. The new aluminium manufacturing unit is expected to complement the company’s existing presence in the renewable energy sector. Premier Energies will retain full ownership of the new entity, with its operations solely based in...
Sipping wine and saving the planet, one glass at a time! Would you still choose something else? An UK-organic wine company, Vinca, has introduced their wine in full-sized recyclable aluminium bottles and is currently available in more than 300 Tesco stores across the UK this week. Image source: Vinca Vinca started its operation back in 2021 and is highly recognisable for its collection of award-winning canned wines. With sustainability at heart of every industry, Vinca has introduced 100 per cent recyclable 750ml aluminium wine bottles priced at GBP 9 (USD 11.66). The company’s PCR (post-consumer recycled) aluminium bottles make the wine within it chill faster with a wine-grade lining side ensuring the freshness of the content inside. Moreover, the use of aluminium ensured that companies...
On April 2, President Donald Trump announced a new round of reciprocal tariffs. There is still no exemption from the existing tariff of 25 per cent on imports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products, and the scope was extended to imports of beer and aluminium cans. Aluminium scrap remains excluded from the tariffs. As of April 3, the LME 3M daily average price stood at USD 2,460 per tonne. In that case, the 25 per cent tariff adds an estimated USD 615 per tonne to the import cost. After factoring in ocean freight and inland transportation, the full landed cost for aluminium imports into the U.S. exceeds USD 800 per tonne. At present, the U.S. Midwest premium has reached around USD 850 per tonne, essentially aligning with this cost threshold. With minimal or no profit margin, the...
The trade battleground is heating up as US President Donald Trump announces reciprocal as well as a bout of tariff on ‘Liberation Day,’ and India has found herself at the centre of a high-stakes of the sparking trade war. The United States slapped with a 26 per cent tariff on Indian goods, and it seems the brunt is going to be strongest for gems and jewellery along with electronics product export. Is India’s aluminium industry bracing for impact, too? It shouldn’t, at least not yet, as the auto and auto parts have been exempted from the latest tariff announcements apart from the original 25 per cent slab. Alongside, amid the chaos, does India have an overall upper hand? Let’s find out. The US has been steadily tightening its tariff grip, as certain Indian goods already face a 25 per cent...
As the world awaited the United States' reciprocal tariffs on April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump caught everyone off guard with a new move: a 25 per cent duty on imported beer & aluminium cans and assembled automobiles & car parts. This did not mean that Trump exempted his trade partners from reciprocal tariffs; rather, he simply added another surprise to the mix. As per the report, tariff on beer and empty aluminium cans will take effect on Friday, April 4, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time, while cars and car parts will face the duty a day earlier. Already, this new tariff announcement has sent shockwaves through businesses worldwide, sparking speculation about the potential impacts on trade dynamics, price structures, and consumer sentiment. Concerns in the beer and can market In 2024, the...
Enter a realm where precision meets performance with effortless typing and seamless gameplay. Amazon’s biggest saver is live on Corsair’s aluminium K70 Pro Mini compact mechanical gaming keyboard with a wrap-around RGB is at 50 per cent off. Image source: Corsair This gaming keyboard was set to be sold at USD 179.99, which at present in Amazon is sold at USD 84.99 which exactly represents a markdown of 53 per cent. This is the best opportunity for all gaming enthusiasts or people dealing with great typing practice to seize the deal because the price is lowest ever. Corsair’s K70 Pro Mini compact mechanical gaming keyboard is of durable aluminium frame making it easier to fit even within the shortest space available. With the durable feature of aluminium, the eye-catchy appearance of the...
