Investor sentiment towards aluminium has turned increasingly bearish, but analysts believe the market may be underestimating the metal's underlying strength. Despite growing pessimism, resilient demand and historically low inventories could support higher prices, with analysts forecasting aluminium to reach USD 3,625 per tonne in 2027. Discussions with market participants have pointed to unusually negative sentiment towards the metal. However, analysts argue that the underlying supply-demand fundamentals paint a more constructive picture, challenging the prevailing pessimism surrounding the aluminium market. Their assessment follows Norsk Hydro's third-quarter financial results, which showed stronger earnings compared with the previous year but fell short of market expectations. The...
Guinea has emerged as a major driver of Africa’s export growth to China, with its bauxite shipments to the Asian market nearly quadrupling between 2018 and 2025. Chinese imports of Guinean aluminium ores and concentrates, consisting almost entirely of bauxite, increased from 38.2 million tonnes to approximately 149.5 million tonnes over the period. The surge has bolstered Guinea’s position in China’s bauxite supply chain, while the country advances its alumina refining capacity expansion plans. Trade figures highlight the importance of Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Africa’s bauxite and copper exports to China, respectively. Between 2018 and 2025, the two countries added USD 25.77 billion to Chinese purchases from the continent, exceeding Africa’s overall net...
Grow with
AL Circle
Austria continues to face significant challenges in maintaining its competitive edge on the global stage. In the latest IMD World Competitiveness Ranking, the country has fallen again and is now in 26th place. This decline is attributed to several factors, including high energy prices, escalating labour costs, a shortage of skilled workers, and excessive bureaucracy. The future government must address these issues with determination and strategic vision as the National Council elections for the XXVIII legislative period approach. The Federation of Austrian Industries has outlined eight key measures that are vital for restoring Austria's status and elevating it to one of the world's leading and most competitive industrial locations: Calls for tax reduction It is recommended that the...
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in June, China's primary aluminium production soared to its highest level in nearly a decade. The first half of the year (H1) saw a 7 per cent increase as producers boosted output amid rising profits. China, a dominant force in the global aluminium market, has once again demonstrated its leadership. The country, which holds the title of the world's leading aluminium producer, churned out a staggering 3.67 million tonnes of primary aluminium in June. This marked a 6.2 per cent year-on-year surge and set a new record for the highest monthly production since November 2014, according to Reuters data. According to a report by Shanghai Metals Market, last month, China's northern region of Inner Mongolia expanded its capacity, and...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,481 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,489.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,465 per tonne, and closed at US$2,489.5 per tonne, up US$13 per tonne, an increase of 0.52 per cent. On Friday, July 12, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$7 per tonne or 0.28 per cent and US$6.5 per tonne or 0.26 per cent. The prices stood at US$2,421 per tonne and US$2,422 per tonne. The LME aluminium benchmark price also witnessed a W-o-W decline of US$73 per tonne or 2.94 per cent from US$2,495.5 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also slumped by US$7 per tonne or 0.28 per cent and US$6.5 per tonne or 0.26 per cent to dock at US$2,483 per tonne and US$2,484 per...
This week, the upstream aluminium sector took centre stage, featuring numerous significant developments in price front, production, international trade policy, project clearance, and investment. The continuous price fall on the Shanghai Metals Market and London Metal Exchange throughout the week stemming from sluggish demand created sensation in the industry, in addition to an additional 10 per cent tariff announcement by the US President on Chinese aluminium and steel imports via Mexico that took the metal industry by storm. According to SMM, China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot price shed off RMB 270 per tonne this week, settling at RMB 20,000 per tonne. Although the price recorded intermittent growth on July 9, marking a week-on-week increase of RMB 90 per tonne, it stood lower at the...
On Friday, July 12, Century Aluminum announced that its bauxite mining and alumina refining joint venture, Jamalco, resumed full production after recovering from the impact of the recent devastative cyclone Hurricane Beryl in Jamaica. Hurricane Beryl pounded upon Jamaica on July 3, bringing intense winds and heavy rain. Century Aluminum said that its JV witnessed no injuries or significant damages at its production facilities due to the cyclone. It also does not expect to face a material impact on its financial results. Century’s President and CEO Jesse Gary, said: “I want to say thank you to the entire Jamalco team who did a remarkable job preparing for and operating safely through this major storm.” He added, While we are thankful that our employees are safe and that no significant...
In the first four months of 2024, Kazakhstan saw a significant increase in aluminium exports, growing 4.7 times from 16,000 tonnes to 75,400 tonnes, according to the Kazinform agency, citing the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's exports have surged as demand for aluminium in Azerbaijan skyrocketed by eightfold, rising from 5,500 tonnes to 43,100 tonnes. Similarly, in Uzbekistan, demand surged by 10.5 times, increasing from 200 tonnes to 2,100 tonnes. Additionally, the expansion of sales into new markets such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Italy, and Poland has further bolstered Kazakhstan's export growth, according to reports. A significant factor contributing to this increase is opening new markets, including Bulgaria, which imported 2.6 tonnes of...
Guangyuan Linfeng Aluminum & Electricity has attained the ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for its smelting facility in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, China. Downstream aluminium deep-processing users extensively utilise the company's products. The facility currently produces 240,000 tonnes per annum and previously attained ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification in November 2022. The ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for Guangyuan Linfeng Aluminum & Electricity Co., LTD's facility was the result of a rigorous, independent, third-party audit. This audit, conducted by the reputable SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services, thoroughly examined our aluminium smelting processes, specifically for producing electrolytic aluminium...
In addition to Century Aluminum, many US-based aluminium associations have also applauded the President’s decision to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imports in coordination with Mexico. This strategic move by US President Joe Biden is to check the means of escaping the tariff levied on aluminium imports from China, Iran, Russia, and Belarus. To avoid paying the US tariff, these countries were transshipping their aluminium products through Mexico. Thus, the US administration has implemented an additional 10 per cent tariff on primary aluminium products smelted or cast in China, Iran, Russia, and Belarus and arriving via Mexico. The Aluminum Association said this move was important to combat the impact of unfairly trade that had been in practice across North America....
According to BigMint's latest assessment, spot prices for ADC12 aluminium alloy ingots, commonly used in the automotive industry, remained stable week-over-week in both the Delhi NCR and Chennai regions. In Delhi NCR, ADC12 spot prices were evaluated at INR 213,000 per tonne (ex-Delhi), which is in line with domestic tense scrap prices of INR 181,000 per tonne (ex-Delhi). Similarly, ADC12 prices were reported in Chennai at INR 215,500 per tonne on an immediate payment basis, excluding GST, while casting scrap prices stood at INR 182,000 per tonne (ex-Chennai). Meanwhile, three-month LME aluminium prices have remained largely steady at $2,490-2,500 per tonne, compared to the previous week's $2,525 per tonne. Indian market analysis In contrast, the Indian domestic market is witnessing...
On Thursday, July 11, the three-month LME aluminium contract opened at US$2,480 per tonne, with a high of US$2,508.50 per tonne, a low of US$2,474 per tonne, and closed at US$2,474.50 per tonne, down US$3.50 per tonne from the previous closing price. The LME aluminium benchmark price continued declining for the fourth day this week, recording a total fall of US$67 per tonne or 2.68 per cent through the week. On Thursday, July 11, LME aluminium cash bid price decreased by US$3 per tonne to stand at US$2,428 per tonne, while LME aluminium official settlement price slipped by US$3.50 per tonne to reach US$2,428.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price parked at US$2,490 per tonne and US$2,490.50 per tonne, registering a slight drop of US$1 per tonne from the previous day....
A major step toward sustainable industrial practices has been taken by Vedanta Aluminium, India's leading aluminium manufacturer, by adding 66 electric lithium-ion forklifts to its fleet. This expansion, marking Vedanta's role as India's largest deployer of electric lithium-ion forklifts, includes successfully deploying 22 additional units at its Jharsuguda smelter operations in Odisha. This initiative underscores Vedanta Aluminium's steadfast commitment to decarbonisation and sustainable operations. By integrating advanced electric technology into its logistical framework, Vedanta continues to set benchmarks in environmental stewardship within the industry. Concerning this initiative, John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “At Vedanta Aluminium, sustainability is a business...
Century Aluminum Company, a US-based producer of primary aluminium, has wholeheartedly welcomed Joe Biden’s move to tighten aluminium and steel imports from China and other nations through Mexico. The United States administration has strategically imposed an additional 10 per cent tariff on primary aluminium smelted or cast in China, Iran, Belarus, or Russia arriving via Mexico. This move effectively addresses the loophole that countries were utilising to avoid US import tariffs by routing through Mexico, thereby safeguarding the domestic aluminium industry. According to Century Aluminum, this initiation is an important first step in checking aluminium transshipments and unfair trade from third-party countries through Mexico. Reportedly, in the future, aluminium smelted or cast in China,...
Yamaha Motor is set to establish a groundbreaking verification testing facility at its Morimachi Factory in Japan, featuring advanced melting and heat treatment furnaces powered by hydrogen gas. This ambitious project, scheduled to commence in 2025, aims to develop and validate cutting-edge technologies and methods for melting aluminium alloys using hydrogen gas. The facility will also conduct comprehensive verification tests on equipment and infrastructure. The Japanese mobility manufacturer, Yamaha Motor plans to complete the development of these innovative technologies by the end of 2026. The company targets using hydrogen gas for aluminium alloy melting and the heat treatment of cast parts. Starting in 2027, the company intends to gradually implement these advancements at its domestic...
The US government has introduced new regulations aimed at companies from China and other nations using Mexico as a conduit to avoid tariffs on aluminium and steel shipments. Under the new rules, these firms must demonstrate the origin of their products if they wish to circumvent border taxes. About the initiative This initiative, announced by the White House, underscores President Joe Biden's efforts to demonstrate his firm stance on China, particularly in the 2024 presidential election, where he faces competition from his predecessor, Donald Trump. These measures represent an expansion of protections initially implemented by Trump in 2018 under the guise of national security, aimed at safeguarding American steel and aluminium producers and could significantly influence the upcoming...
On July 10, 2024, Alcoa Corporation announced its preliminary second quarter 2024 results ahead of its final declaration of report on July 16, 2024. The preliminary data indicates improved financial results, primarily attributed to higher average realised third-party prices of alumina and aluminium. In Q2 2024, Alcoa’s revenue is estimated to range between US$2,850-2,925 million, demonstrating an increase of around 6-10 per cent from $2,599 million in Q1 2024 and US$2,684 million in Q2 2023. Net income attributable to Alcoa is likely to hover around US$5-25 million, compared to a net loss to Alcoa of US$252 million in Q1. This expected improvement in Alcoa’s net income is due to the non-recurrence of a charge of $197 million as was in Q1 2024 related to the curtailment of the Kwinana...
Funds management giant Regal is actively seeking investors for a substantial $20 million capital-raising effort to acquire a royalty over a bauxite operation in Northern Queensland, according to sources close to the deal. Regal Funds Management, established in 2004, is one of Australia's most recognised and awarded alternative investment managers. With offices in Sydney, Singapore, and New York, Regal manages investments for various institutions, family offices, foundations, and private investors domestically and internationally. As a pioneer in Australia's hedge fund and alternatives industry, Regal boasts one of the largest fundamental research teams in the Asia-Pacific region. The firm offers multi-award-winning investment strategies across long/short equities, private markets, and...
The usage of aluminium foil has evolved significantly with time, transitioning from a simple household product wrapper to a vital material in the packaging industry. Among the materials available, 8011 aluminium foil emerges as a standout option. Known for its exceptional properties, 8011 aluminium foil provides numerous advantages that render it highly favoured for sustainable packaging applications. According to AL Circle’s published report , global aluminium foil usage increased from 5.3 million tonnes in 2018 to an estimated 6.1 million tonnes in 2023. The usage is further forecast to reach 7.2 million tonnes by 2028. Its versatile properties—including recyclability, flexibility, resistance to temperature and bacteria, and effective barriers against oxygen, light, and odours—have...
On July 9, 2024, Hydro reported a fatal accident of a contractor at its joint venture primary aluminium-producing company Albras. The accident happened while the contractor was performing maintenance on an electrolysis cell. However, to determine the root cause of the incident, Hydro has already initiated an investigation together with the police and relevant authorities. Expressing deep sorrow, Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO of Hydro, said: “I am deeply saddened to learn about the fatality at our Albras joint venture plant. This tragic incident underscores the critical importance of safety in everything we do. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and the affected colleagues.” Albras is giving all the support to the deceased family and ensuring no repetition of such...
