North American aluminum demand returned to growth in the first half of 2026, but the recovery has exposed a widening gap between market consumption and domestic production. Rising imports of semi-fabricated aluminum products, particularly sheet, have supported regional demand as shipments from US and Canadian producers continue to weaken. According to preliminary industry estimates, aluminum demand across the United States and Canada increased 3.5% Year-on-Year through June 2026, reaching an estimated 13.57 billion pounds (6.16 million metric tonnes), compared with 13.12 billion pounds (5.95 million metric tonnes) during the corresponding period of 2025. The improvement marks a reversal from the previous year's contraction, although imports rather than stronger domestic mill shipments...
Russian aluminium producer Rusal has reached an agreement with Ghana's state-owned Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) to jointly develop bauxite mining and alumina refining projects, marking a significant step towards expanding the country's domestic aluminium value chain. Under the agreement, the projects will be implemented through two joint ventures in which Rusal will hold majority stakes. The proposed developments include bauxite mining operations with annual production capacity of up to 5 million tonnes and an alumina refinery capable of producing 1.2 million tonnes annually. The projects will target the Nyinahin bauxite deposit in southwest Ghana, where estimated resources exceed 100 million tonnes, according to Rusal. The agreement was announced during a...
Grow with
AL Circle
On Tuesday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,424 per tonne, with a high of US$2,428.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,394 per tonne, and closed at US$2,415.5 per tonne, down US$8.5 per tonne, a decrease of 0.35 per cent. As per the LME aluminium graph, on Tuesday, September 3, both the cash bid price and official settlement price dipped by US$8.5 per tonne or 0.35 per cent to stand at US$2,381.50 per tonne and US$2,382 per tonne. On the same day, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price lost US$10.5 per tonne or 0.43 per cent to dock at US$2,404.50 per tonne and US$2,405 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price descended by US$11 per tonne and US$16 per tonne to clock at US$2,527 per tonne and US$2,532 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 843925 tonnes. Live...
Alpha HPA has officially begun the second stage of construction on what is set to become the world's largest single-site ultra-high purity aluminium materials refinery. The company that has redefined the standard of aluminium purification to produce sustainable, ultra-high purity aluminium products – available in commercial quantities, Alpha HPA, has marked a significant milestone in developing its high-purity alumina plant. With substantial financial backing that includes a $400 million debt facility from the Australian Government and $180 million raised in equity, Alpha HPA is poised to transform the 10-hectare site into a state-of-the-art facility. The plant will build upon the foundations of the established stage one operation, utilising Alpha HPA's proprietary, Australian-developed...
Australian shipbuilder Austal has announced its commitment to using LocAl® low-carbon aluminium from Capral to enhance sustainable manufacturing and responsible procurement practices. Capral & Austal Austal, renowned for its advanced defence and commercial vessel platforms, offers various products, including passenger ferries, patrol boats, high-speed support vessels, surface combatants, and innovative multi-role vessels. Capral, a long-time supplier to Austal, provides proprietary aluminium extrusions and rolled products essential for their varied manufacturing requirements. By integrating sustainability into its operations, business planning, and investment decisions, Austal is making significant progress in aligning its strategies with the expectations and needs of stakeholders,...
Volkswagen Group, a German public multinational conglomerate manufacturer of passenger and commercial vehicles, is reportedly considering closing one of its large vehicle plants and one component factory in Germany as part of the ongoing cost-cutting drive at its core VW brand. Cost curtail goal Through this cost curtail goal, Volkswagen Group aims to save €10 billion ($11.07 billion) by 2026 to save up for electric car manufacturing. Moreover, this move is much needed to streamline the production costs given higher logistics, energy, and labour value. Amid the economic upheaval impacting consumers’ purchasing power, Volkswagen Group recorded the H1 2024 brand margin falling to 2.3 per cent versus 3.8 per cent during the corresponding period of the previous year. Recently, the automaker,...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s leading producer of premium aluminium, updated last week that its first and the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant would start producing hot metal in 2026. The construction of the plant, adjacent to EGA’s existing Al Taweelah smelter, officially began in November 2023 and is progressing ahead of scheduled time, said EGA while announcing the H1 2024 financial results. The recycling plant will have an annual capacity of processing 170,000 tonnes of pre and post-consumer aluminium scrap into low-carbon, high-quality aluminium billets. These primary products will be sold by EGA under the brand name RevivAL, according to the present statement by EGA. EGA believes this project will efficiently meet a substantial part of the surging global demand...
The residents of Nyinahin in the Atwima Mponua district of the Ashanti Region have made an urgent appeal to Parliament to ratify the Ashanti Bauxite Limited (ABL) Mining Lease as lawmakers assemble for an emergency session on September 3, 2024. During a protest march in Nyinahin, residents voiced their deep frustration over the ongoing delay in ratifying the lease, underlining the project's critical importance to the region's development. The demonstrators, led by spokesperson Dr Peter Twum, marched through the district capital, urging Parliament to expedite the ratification process. Dr Twum underscored the significance of the lease ratification, noting that it represents the final major hurdle in establishing a bauxite mine and refinery in Nyinahin and the surrounding communities. He...
On Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced decisive countermeasures against Canada in response to its decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imported products, including aluminium, electric vehicles (EVs), and steel. These measures include plans to initiate dispute settlement proceedings at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and launch anti-discrimination investigations. Chinese officials and experts emphasised that the countermeasures are consistent with Chinese laws and WTO regulations, condemning Canada's alignment with the US and the EU as a flagrant violation of WTO rules. On August 26, the Canadian government announced its intention to mirror the United States' tariffs on goods from China. The plan included imposing 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and...
On Monday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,449.5 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,456.5 per tonne and a low of US$2,411 per tonne, and closed at US$2,424 per tonne, down US$22 per tonne, or 0.90 per cent. As per the LME data, on Monday, August 2, aluminium prices dropped to a two-week low following data revealing a continued slowdown in factory activity in China, the world's largest consumer, during August. Both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price nosedived by US$73 per tonne or 2.96 per cent to clock at US$2,390 per tonne and US$2,390.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price contracted by US$70 per tonne or 2.81 per cent and US$70.5 per tonne or 2.83 per cent to arrive at US$2415 and US$2415.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25...
India’s Ramkrishna Forgings Ltd has announced its strategic entry into the aluminium forging sector, with plans to establish its first facility in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. The company's board has approved an investment of INR 57.5 crore for the new facility, which is set to focus primarily on the electric vehicle (EV) market. The plant will have an annual production capacity of 3,000 tonnes and is expected to be operational by the second quarter of the 2025-26 fiscal year. Today, Ramkrishna Forgings is a global force in the metal forming industry. It is known for supplying world-class forged, machined, and fabricated products to diverse sectors, such as automotive, railways, farm equipment, earthmoving, mining and construction, oil and gas, power, and general engineering. This move aligns...
The fourth largest railway network operator, Indian Railways' East Central Railway (ECR), reported a notable increase in income from all sources, including freight, during the first five months of the current financial year 2024-25. The railway zone's initial revenue reached INR 13,469 crore, marking a 5.75 per cent growth compared to the INR 12,737 crore earned during the same period last year. The East Central Railway (abbreviated ECR) is one of the 19 railway zones in India. From April to August 2024, East Central Railway successfully loaded 83.28 million tonnes of goods, a 2.46 per cent increase from the 81.28 million tonnes loaded in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. This growth underscores the railway's ongoing efforts to enhance its operational efficiency and...
Aldel (Damco Aluminum Delfzijl Cooperatie U.A.), a Dutch aluminium maker based in Delfzijl, announced on Friday that owing to the continuous high energy costs and insufficient government support, the company has decided to suspend the remaining operations at its Farmsum facility. Reason for the halt Aldel's move is part of a broader trend of companies scaling back or halting production across Europe due to skyrocketing gas and electricity prices, which have surged hundreds of percent compared to 2021. As the only producer of primary aluminium in the Netherlands, Aldel has an annual capacity of 110,000 tonnes for primary aluminium and 50,000 tonnes for recycled aluminium. The company ceased primary aluminium production at its Delfzijl site in the Netherlands in October 2021 but continued...
Vibrantz Technologies, Inc., a leading global technology leader in colour solutions, functional coatings, and speciality minerals, announced on August 30 that it acquired Micro Abrasives Corporation, a Westfield, Massachusetts-based speciality alumina manufacturer. Micro Abrasives specialises in making calcined alumina used in the automotive refinishing, optics polishing and industrial lapping markets. The company operates two facilities, one in Westfield, Massachusetts, and the other in Alexandria, Louisiana, with over 50 employees. Established in 1957, Mirco Abrasives has developed 25 different product lines in 60 years that have applications in our everyday items like cellphones, computers, flooring, countertops, toothpaste, and automobiles, as well as in high-tech products such as...
Africa's primary aluminium production in July 2024 reached a new high compared to the previous six months' data but still stood lower than in the same period last year, found the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). According to IAI, Africa's primary metal output in July 2024 witnessed a month-on-month jump of 6,000 tonnes or 4.65 per cent, standing at 135,000 tonnes, the highest in seven months, but recorded a year-on-year drop of 1,000 tonnes from the production in July 2023. It is to be noted that Africa's primary aluminium production until July 2024 surpassed 130,000 tonnes for only two months. In the remaining five months, the output lingered below 130,000 tonnes, mostly ranging around 128 tonnes. February 2024 was the onlooker of this year's least primary aluminium production in...
The push to minimise emissions is not just limited to major aluminium and steel companies, infact their suppliers are also under pressure to reduce emissions across the supply chain. Renewable energy providers report that demand has surged beyond available capacity, with upcoming production already sold out for the next few years. About CBAM As part of global efforts to combat climate change, the European Union has introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ( CBAM ), a crucial measure aimed at regulating the import of carbon-intensive products, including aluminium. This mechanism imposes a tariff based on the emissions generated during manufacturing. The CBAM is scheduled to take effect in January 2026. In anticipation, the European Union has already begun requesting carbon...
In August 2024, the global aluminium industry experienced notable fluctuations in pricing, reflecting a complex interplay of market dynamics and economic factors. There was a moderate increase in aluminium prices on the LME and the SHFE over the month. This uptick can be attributed to ongoing supply chain constraints and a rise in demand across a few sectors. Despite these gains, market participants remain cautious, with volatility influenced by geopolitical uncertainties and shifting trade policies. As the industry navigates these challenges, stakeholders closely monitor price trends and market signals to strategise their next moves in this ever-evolving landscape. This month was filled with many news stories that impacted the aluminium industry. Below are the highlights from the...
Globally, more than 2 billion people lack access to safe, uncontaminated drinking water*, with 418 million of them living in African nations**. This issue is particularly severe in rural areas, where rivers, lakes, and hand-dug wells serve as the primary water sources, often contaminated by harmful pathogens. The contamination stems from inadequate sanitation facilities, open defecation, and agricultural runoff, leading to devastating consequences. Waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea claim hundreds of thousands of lives in Africa each year, with children being especially at risk due to their developing immune systems. This vicious cycle of waterborne illness not only endangers health but also entrenches poverty, as sick children miss school and adults are unable to...
Aluminium foil shipments in Europe recovered during the second quarter of 2024, recording a 6.6 per cent rise year-on-year and a 4.2 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter, found the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA). In the first quarter, the shipments suffered a loss of 6 per cent annually, coming in at 217,800 tonnes, which grew over a quarter to 227,000 tonnes to meet the demand growth of almost 10 per cent. Shipment vs Export The increase in Q2 shipments was primarily backed by thinner gauges, which are mainly used for flexible packaging and household foils. The shipments of thinner gauges saw the most substantial gains, growing by more than 8 per cent from the corresponding period of 2023. The shipments of thicker gauges, used for semi-rigid containers, technical or other...
Last Friday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,460 per tonne, with a high of US$2,498 per tonne, a low of US$2,440.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,446 per tonne, down US$25.5 per tonne, a decrease of 1.03 per cent. On Friday, August 30, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$26 per tonne or 1.06 per cent to clock at US$2,463 per tonne and US$2,463.50 per tonne. As per the LME data, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price hiked by US$19.5 per tonne or 0.79 per cent and US$20 per tonne or 0.81 per cent to arrive at US$2,485 per tonne and US$2,486 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price ascended by US$15 per tonne or 0.57 per cent to halt at US$2,613 per tonne and US$2,618 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in...
