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...
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Recent data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) reveal a slight uptick of 0.5 per cent in Italy's industrial production for May, marking a welcome but cautious recovery, as reported by ING Think. Adjusted for working days, however, production still falls behind last year by 3.3 per cent, indicative of ongoing challenges in the sector. Comparisons to pre-COVID levels underscore a more significant decline of 5.7 per cent. The positive momentum was driven by gains in consumer goods, intermediate goods, and energy sectors, buoyed possibly by lower energy costs benefiting energy-intensive industries like chemicals. In contrast, investment goods recorded another monthly decline, signalling continued fragility in capital spending. While these figures offer some optimism, it...
This week, imported aluminium scrap prices in India have seen a modest increase, buoyed by a slight uptick in LME aluminium prices and increased purchasing activity in Europe ahead of the summer recess. Three-month LME aluminium prices reached $2,526 per tonne, marking a marginal week-on-week rise of 0.5 per cent. Concurrently, LME warehouse stocks declined by 3 per cent W-o-W to 994,175 tonnes. According to BigMint's latest report, tension scrap originating from the Middle East, notably the UAE, saw a price hike of $50 per tonne, settling at $1,830 per tonne. Additionally, Zorba 95/5 sourced from the UK rose by $5 per tonne to settle at $2,060 per tonne CFR for the west coast of India. Market trends Due to the upcoming European holidays, material availability for specific grades is...
According to LME data released on July 10, 2024, the share of available aluminium stocks of Russian origin in London Metal Exchange (LME)-approved warehouses rose to 50 per cent in June from 42 per cent in May, while the share of Indian origin fell to 40 per cent from 50 per cent. The on-warrant aluminium stocks in LME-registered warehouses, encompassing all origins, decreased significantly by 21 per cent in June, underscoring the gravity of the situation. The data revealed that the majority of this outflow was attributed to Indian metal. Specifically, Russian aluminium stocks on LME warrant—a title document conferring ownership—declined to 232,350 tonnes last month from 246,950 tonnes in May. Meanwhile, stocks of Indian origin experienced a sharp decline, falling to 188,800 tonnes from...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,495.5 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,501.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,476.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,478 per tonne, down US$19 per tonne from the previous trading day's closing price, a decrease of 0.76 per cent. On Wednesday, July 10, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price declined by US$37 per tonne or 1.49 per cent and US$36.5 per tonne or 1.47 per cent to settle at US$2,431 per tonne and US$2,432 per tonne. Based on the LME aluminium price graph, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price dwindled by US$36 per tonne or 1.42 per cent to clock at US$2,489 per tonne and US$2,489.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price slumped by US$32 per tonne or 1.19 per cent...
An innovative partnership between Speira and GHI Smart Furnaces aims to redefine sustainability standards in the aluminium industry. Together, they aim to achieve an unprecedented reduction of 1.5 million tonnes of CO 2 emissions annually. This ambitious initiative represents a pivotal moment in pursuing environmental stewardship within the sector. The focal point of this partnership is the transformation of Speira’s Rheinwerk plant in Germany, propelled by a substantial €40 million investment. This strategic move enhances operational efficiency and positions the plant as a global leader in green technology innovation. Speira's unwavering commitment to sustainability is evident across its operations. With eleven recycling and production sites in Germany and Norway, Speira processes...
The Norwegian aluminium giant Hydro is recognised globally as one of the leading producers of low-carbon aluminium. In a recent collaboration with Porsche (the German sports car manufacturer), Hydro intensified its partnership to further decarbonise Porsche's sports car supply chain. The agreement, signed in Stuttgart on July 9, introduces a pioneering business model for low-carbon aluminium to enhance sustainability and transparency in the automotive industry. "With this collaboration, we bring an innovative business model to the market to allow industries to further decarbonise their supply chains. We are very excited to work with a fast moving pioneer like Porsche to help them deliver on their ambitious climate targets. I hope this serves as an inspiration for others to follow suit,"...
The U.S. Department of Energy's Ames National Laboratory, a leading institution in material science, is now in the field-testing phase of a pioneering high-voltage overhead power conductor. This new conductor, an aluminium-calcium composite, represents a significant leap forward in long-distance power transmission. Developed and patented by the esteemed scientists at Ames Lab, the aluminium-calcium conductor is lighter and stronger and boasts at least 10 per cent lower line losses compared to existing materials, potentially enhancing the reliability and performance of the nation's electrical grid. In physics and electrical engineering, a conductor is an object or type of material that allows the flow of charge (electric current) in one or more directions. Ames National Laboratory is a...
According to the United States Geological Survey, the United States imported 1.36 million tonnes of aluminium (including scrap) through the first quarter of 2024 ended March 31. That reflected an annual increase of 6.25 per cent from 1.28 million tonnes. In the individual month of 2024, the United States imported 448,000 tonnes, 492,000 tonnes, and 418,000 tonnes, indicating a fluctuating trend M-o-M. After a rise in February by 9.82 per cent, the United States’ aluminium imports in March decreased by 15 per cent. The top sources of imports in Q1 2024 included Canada (874,000 tonnes), the United Arab Emirates (69,600 tonnes), Mexico (63,900 tonnes), China (approximately 42,200 tonnes), and Argentina (41,100 tonnes). However, if compared to the previous year, imports from almost all the...
In a recent move, Cajuina São Geraldo, a beverage company from Ceará in northeastern Brazil, collaborated with CANPACK to launch its flagship cashew soda, São Geraldo, in 350ml infinitely recyclable aluminium cans for the first time. Previously, the drink was only available in glass or PET bottles; this limited edition series of nine São Geraldo cans is in celebration of this year's June Festivals and the vibrant night of São João. Cajuína São Geraldo, a soda made with 5 per cent juice from native cashew fruits, is very popular in Brazil's northeastern states. Unlike the familiar cashew 'nuts', the unique flavour comes from the cashew fruit itself. São Geraldo, based in Ceará, highlights the drink's local character. Tiago Caldas Dias, Marketing Manager at São Geraldo: "The drink is deeply...
In a recent statement, the General Manager for TerraCycle Europe, Julien Tremblin, stressed the importance of expanded recycling solutions for empty medicine blister packs. These packs, essential for safeguarding medications, pose a significant recycling challenge due to their complex composition. They cannot be processed through standard home recycling bins, compounding the issue. Tremblin pointed out that while there is high consumer demand for recycling these packs, the existing infrastructure's capacity falls short. He stressed the need for collective action from all stakeholders to bridge this gap promptly. However, the economic feasibility of recycling these packs remains a significant hurdle, as the cost of recycling often exceeds the value of the recycled material. Due to these...
Prysmian Latam, a leading global company in the energy and telecommunications cables and systems sector, has published its inaugural Sustainability Report for its Latin American operations 2023. The company achieved remarkable success in the prior year, experiencing growth across all strategic business units. Enhancing ESG criteria for suppliers Regarding the aluminium market, Prysmian Latam, in collaboration with its supply area, is enhancing Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) criteria for its aluminium suppliers. This initiative aims to ensure the traceability and responsible sourcing of materials. The company is also committed to increasing the use of recycled aluminium in its products, aligning with global sustainability guidelines. Additionally, Prysmian Latam is...
On Tuesday, July 9, the three-month LME aluminum contract price opened at US$2,534 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,536.50 per tonne and a low of US$2,490.50 per tonne, and closed at US$2,497 per tonne, down US$32 per tonne from the previous closing price, a decrease of 1.27 per cent. LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price decreased by US$7 per tonne, marking the second consecutive day of fall, standing at US$2,468 per tonne and US$2,468.50 per tonne, respectively. With the latest decline, the LME aluminium benchmark price edged a week-on-week decline of US$21 per tonne from US$2,489.50 and a month-on-month plunge of US$47 per tonne from US$2,515.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price slipped by US$6.50 per tonne on the same day to come...
It is startling that Cleanaway's latest Recycling Behaviours Report for 2024 shows Australians need more confidence in recycling their waste. The report indicates that two in five Australians harbour doubts about whether their waste is being recycled appropriately. Additionally, 18 per cent of respondents incorrectly believe that all waste ultimately ends up in landfills, casting a shadow over the perceived efficacy of recycling efforts. As a proactive measure, Cleanaway's report aims to dispel these misconceptions. It provides a detailed overview of the recycling process at its facilities, showcasing how recyclable materials are transformed into new products. This reinforces the importance and effectiveness of recycling initiatives and serves as a valuable resource in addressing these...
On June 18, 2024, Mingdao New Material and Delphi entered a strategic cooperation agreement to share resources and jointly develop the aluminium market for building applications, including honeycomb panels, aluminium veneers, and insulation panels. About Mingdao Aluminum At the meeting, Meng Fanlin, President of Mingdao Aluminum, emphasised that Mingdao Aluminum is a long-established aluminium processing enterprise with decades of market experience. The company has developed an integrated operation model that spans upstream, midstream, and downstream processes. In the architectural aluminium sector, they have a strong customer base and market share in niche markets for drawing aluminium, mirror aluminium, and pre-coated aluminium coils. The cooperation with Delphi Meng Fanlin highlighted...
Material engineers at Purdue University have pioneered a method to produce ultrahigh-strength aluminium alloys tailored for additive manufacturing (AM). Leveraging the inherent plastic deformability of these alloys, the patented process marks a significant advancement poised to transform industries dependent on lightweight materials with exceptional strength. Researchers anticipate this innovation will redefine the capabilities of high-performance manufacturing. Image source - Purdue University, Anyu Shang Purdue researchers have developed intermetallic-strengthened aluminium alloys by integrating transition metals such as cobalt, iron, nickel, and titanium. Traditionally, these metals have been excluded from aluminium alloy manufacturing due to their tendency to become brittle at room...
Suez UK, a pioneer in waste management through sustainable solutions and innovative technologies, has reportedly partnered with Alupro, the aluminium packaging recycling organisation, to revolutionise aerosol cans recycling in the United Kingdom. Their primary focus is accelerating recycling rates through a two-year partnership to help the domestic aluminium packaging sector achieve stricter recycling targets, which are part of the upcoming policy reforms. A report states that the United Kingdom uses approximately 650 million metal aerosols each year, primarily for household purposes. With the UK achieving a notable aluminium packaging recycling rate of 68% in 2023, there remains significant potential for increased aerosol recycling. This is the possibility that the partnership between...
Under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) umbrella, the Minister of Commerce of Cameroon, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, played a pivotal role in the initial shipment of aluminium ingots at the Douala port. This significant event, which saw the historic consignment of a modest quantity (approx. 100 tonnes) of aluminium ingots packed into containers, is a testament to the government's support and Cameroon's growing export capabilities in the aluminium industry. Produced by the Cameroon Aluminium Company (Alucam), the ingots are en route to Alfilect, an Algerian firm specialising in electrical cable production. This pivotal export not only underscores Cameroon's growing influence in the aluminium sector but also highlights the potential of AfCFTA to bolster intra-African trade....
According to Fastmarkets report, the Indonesian government is planning to ease the bauxite export ban due to slower-than-expected progress in developing domestic alumina refineries. Indonesia ranks among the world's largest bauxite suppliers, with China as a significant consumer. The ban announced by Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, on December 20, 2022, to stimulate the growth of its downstream metals sector might be relaxed in the next couple of months, allowing Indonesian bauxite to re-enter the international market by the fourth quarter of the year. "The Indonesian government may be thinking to ease the bauxite export ban simply because they do not have the alumina refineries to consume that much bauxite. So, in this instance, the ban is hurting rather than benefiting...
