Aluminum investment has been spreading across the entire value chain, from primary smelting and alumina refining to recycling, rolling, extrusion and battery foil, building more integrated and higher-value supply chains. During the past 5 years, the US and Canada in North America and China in Asia have been grabbing headlines pertaining to the aluminum industry. These updates have involved growth stories or have shed light on volatile market situations. How have these headlines contributed to a greater picture for the benefit of the aluminum industries of the two continents? Between 2021 and 2026, major projects across North America and Asia have targeted new primary capacity, lower-carbon production, recycled aluminum and higher-value downstream products. But the investment pattern is...
Nautor Swan has unveiled new details and official renderings of its 43.5-metre Swan Alloy 44, the Finnish yacht builder’s first aluminium supermaxi, with construction now underway in the Netherlands. The yacht is being built at Gouwerok Shipyard, where hull and deck construction are currently in progress. Once this stage is completed, the vessel will move to Viareggio, Italy, for final outfitting, launch and delivery, which is scheduled for 2028. The project will also become the largest yacht ever built by Gouwerok Shipyard and its first all-aluminium supermaxi. Although construction is taking place outside Finland, Nautor Swan’s team will continue to oversee key aspects of the programme, including its design philosophy, performance studies and supply-chain coordination. The Swan Alloy 44...
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The European Commission is reviewing the role of Ireland's Aughinish Alumina refinery in alumina supply chains serving third countries, including Russia, following the completion of an investigation by the Irish government. European Commission spokesperson Siobhán McGarry said the Commission had received the findings of the Irish investigation, which concluded that there was no evidence to support allegations that alumina produced at the refinery had been used in Russian weapons manufacturing. The outcome means there is currently no basis for sanctions or other restrictive measures linked to the plant. McGarry said, "The Commission is examining the report and analysing the role played by Aughinish itself vis-à-vis its export flows to Russia and to any third countries." To know the...
After nearing USD 3,200 per tonne in the previous trading session , the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph cooled across almost all the pricing and inventory segments at the July 28 close. The LME aluminium cash bid price eased 1 per cent day-on-day on July 28, shifting from USD 3,191 per tonne to USD 3,159 per tonne. The offer price, moving from USD 3,192 per tonne to USD 3,159.5 per tonne, recorded a slightly higher 1.02 per cent dip. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report On July 28, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price contracted by 1.16 per cent to USD 3,143 per tonne from USD 3,180 per tonne on July 27. The offer price recorded a decline of...
Futures: The most-traded SHFE aluminium contract opened at RMB 23,190 per tonne in the night session on July 28, reached a high of RMB 23,535 per tonne, a low of RMB 23,130 per tonne, and settled at RMB 23,445 per tonne, up 0.97 per cent from the previous close. During this period, prices surged on strong volume to close as a bullish candlestick, breaking through the previous consolidation range and firmly holding above the MA5 (23,317.37), MA10 (23,269.85), MA20 (23,223.10), MA40 (23,234.24), and MA60 (23,338.15) moving average system. The moving averages formed strong support, with the previous low of 22,875 serving as a solid support, and the price centre continued to move upward. Trading volume surged to 142,000 lots, while open interest rose to 260,000 lots, showing a characteristic...
Recently, the domestic aluminium rod market has cooled down from its previous heated state. With no substantial increase in actual demand at present, the demand void triggered by the contraction of export orders continues to ferment. The mismatch between supply and demand in the market has intensified. Trading sentiment continues to weaken, while overall industry output remains stubbornly high. Under these dual pressures, the destocking progress of aluminium rods has been significantly hindered, leading to an oversupply of market goods and simultaneous downward pressure on processing fees. Judging from weekly production data, after experiencing a highly prosperous production period in the second quarter, output in the aluminium rod industry has cooled down for the first time in this...
Maan Aluminium Limited has secured overwhelming shareholder approval to expand its business into power generation, paving the way for the company to formally include renewable and conventional energy activities within its corporate objectives. Through a postal ballot conducted via remote e-voting, shareholders approved two special resolutions with 99.9976 per cent of votes cast in favour, including an amendment to the company's Memorandum of Association (MOA) and the appointment of a new Independent Director. Solar power supports aluminium operations The approved MOA amendment allows Maan Aluminium to generate, manufacture, transmit and distribute electricity from multiple sources, including solar, wind, hydro, tidal, nuclear and hydrocarbon fuels, for captive use or commercial purposes....
Workers of Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), supported by members of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU-Ghana), staged a questioning on Monday over what they described as alleged plans to privatise the state-owned aluminium producer. The demonstration took place at the VALCO Club House in Tema, where workers gathered wearing red and displayed placards expressing their opposition to any proposal that could result in changes to the company's ownership structure. Workers oppose reported investment plans According to the participants, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is pursuing plans to introduce strategic equity investors into VALCO. They argued that such a move would effectively amount to the privatisation of the state-owned aluminium company....
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that escalating tensions involving Iran are increasing risks to global energy security, with concerns centred on potential disruptions to key oil transit routes and critical energy infrastructure across the Middle East. According to the agency, the deteriorating geopolitical situation has heightened uncertainty in international oil markets, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints for crude oil and refined petroleum shipments. Any sustained disruption to these corridors could significantly impede global energy trade. Despite the heightened risks, the oil market has so far demonstrated resilience, supported by alternative supply channels and...
Century Aluminum has brought its Mt Holly aluminium smelter in South Carolina back to full capacity through an expansion expected to increase the country's primary aluminium production by approximately 10 per cent. According to the US Department of Commerce, Century Aluminum invested USD 50 million in the project. The ceremony was attended by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Senior Counselor to President Trump Dr Peter Navarro, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, US Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Century Aluminum President and CEO Jesse Gary, underscoring the strategic importance of strengthening domestic aluminium production. Expansion strengthens US aluminium supply Century Aluminum said the expansion will increase the Mt Holly workforce...
Sustainable aluminium beverage can manufacturer Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) Europe has partnered with Xolution Germany to become the official European distributor of XO resealable can ends, expanding its range of beverage packaging solutions. The agreement enables AMP Europe to offer XO’s resealable technology across Europe, giving beverage manufacturers a new aluminium can-end solution that combines portability, ease of use and product protection. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry, explore our report “ ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics ” The resealable system has been designed for one-handed use, boosting convenience and allowing consumers to securely close cans after opening, thereby catering to the growing demand for beverages...
After nearly three decades off the radar, Italian yacht builder Tecnomarine is making a stylish comeback. The iconic brand is reviving its legacy with a fresh range of five custom-built aluminium superyachts, proving that some legends are too good to stay anchored. Founded in Viareggio in 1972, Tecnomarine earned recognition for producing premium aluminium yachts before ceasing operations in the early 2000s following a change in ownership from Moreno Maestrelli and the Picchiotti family to Azimut-Benetti. The brand has now been revived by entrepreneur Massimiliano Zilioli, who has restarted production at the Navicelli Canal shipyard in Pisa. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report “ Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant...
Aluminium stocks on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have slumped to their lowest level this century as supply constraints stemming from the conflict in the Middle East continue to force consumers to draw down exchange inventories to secure physical metal. While the market is still forecasting aluminium surpluses in the coming years, the relentless decline in warehouse stocks points to tightening physical availability, underscoring the growing impact of geopolitical disruptions on the global aluminium supply chain. According to LME data, total aluminium inventories stood at 271,275 tonnes on July 24, the lowest level since the exchange's records began in January 1998. The remaining stock is equivalent to less than one day's global aluminium consumption, highlighting how little...
African nations have been urged to accelerate domestic processing of bauxite and "other" critical minerals instead of continuing to export raw materials, as leaders push to transform the continent into a global hub for value-added mineral production. Speaking at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Ministerial Forum in Abidjan, Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals and Chair of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, Dele Alake, said Africa must break its long-standing dependence on exporting raw minerals while importing higher-value finished products at significantly higher costs. Value addition key to industrialisation Alake said Africa possesses abundant reserves of bauxite and "other" critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, manganese, platinum and rare earth elements, that are...
The most-traded SHFE aluminium 2609 contract closed at RMB 23,220 per tonne today, up RMB 45 or 0.19 per cent intraday. Trading volume was 194,176 lots, open interest was 251,435 lots, up 268 lots on the day, indicating some new positions were added. There were signs of mild long-short battle in position opening. Prices were below the 5-day MA, but held above the 10-day and 30-day MAs, and below the 60-day MA. Near-term MAs still formed a bearish arrangement. After a sharp decline earlier, prices consolidated at lows and repaired; during the day, they bottomed out and rebounded, closing slightly higher, with buying support from bulls at lows improving somewhat. The 5-day and 10-day MAs turned downward, while the 30-day and 60-day MAs also declined. The medium-term downtrend remained...
Trading in the shares of Nigeria-based Aluminium Extrusion Plc has been suspended on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) after the company failed to submit its audited financial statements for the financial year ended December 31, 2025, within the regulatory deadline. The suspension, which took effect on July 22, 2026 , was imposed by NGX Regulation Limited under the Exchange’s Rules for Filing of Accounts and Treatment of Default Filing , following the expiry of the prescribed cure period granted to the company. According to the Exchange, issuers that do not file their required financial statements within the stipulated timeframe are subject to trading suspension until compliance is achieved. To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium casting, explore our report "...
Luxury luggage maker RIMOWA has expanded the use of its signature grooved aluminium beyond suitcases with the launch of a limited-edition Dartboard Case, reimagining a traditional pub favourite as a high-end design object priced at USD 6,300. Developed in collaboration with professional darts equipment manufacturer Winmau, the new Dartboard Case combines tournament-grade performance with the German brand's signature aluminium craftsmanship, reflecting a growing trend of premium brands using aluminium in products far beyond their traditional categories. Aluminium takes centre stage Handcrafted in Cologne, the double-door cabinet is constructed from anodised grooved aluminium, the same material that has become synonymous with RIMOWA's luggage. The case also features custom latch locks,...
Global metallurgical-grade alumina production remained almost unchanged in the first half of 2026, totalling 70.24 million tonnes, compared with 70.27 million tonnes in H1 2025-a marginal decline of just 0.04 per cent year on year. But that near-flat headline conceals one of the most eventful six-month periods the alumina industry has witnessed in recent years. While China's expanding refining capacity helped cushion the global output, Africa and Asia (excluding China) struggled with tightening bauxite availability and weakening refinery margins. North America remained constrained by operational changes at its only operating refinery, Europe continued to battle elevated energy costs, Oceania adjusted to the permanent loss of refining capacity, and South America stood out as one of the few...
Indonesia is working to resolve a regulatory issue that has delayed exports of alumina and nickel products after authorities raised concerns over the presence of rare earth elements in some shipments. The country’s Presidential Chief of Staff, Dudung Abdurachman, has called for closer coordination among government agencies, law enforcement bodies, and industry to address the lack of regulations specifying the maximum allowable rare earth content in exports of other minerals. Officials acknowledged that the absence of clear rules has disrupted mineral shipments. Industry sources said alumina exports have been directly affected. One source in the aluminium industry said, "The government claims our alumina contains rare earth materials." Indonesia is a major exporter of alumina, a key raw...
Indian aluminium stocks remained under pressure as the sector extended its recent decline, tracking softer aluminium prices, a stronger US dollar and cautious market sentiment. Share prices of Vedanta Aluminium and Vedanta Limited Hindalco Industries, and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), all traded lower. At the same time, brokerage InCred Equities issued a bearish outlook, advising investors to reduce exposure to aluminium-focused stocks and “sell all aluminium names.” During Thursday’s trade, Vedanta Aluminium fell 4.13 per cent to INR 444 (USD 4.64) per share, Vedanta Limited slipped 2.75 per cent to INR 274.95 (USD 2.87), Hindalco declined 1.6 per cent to INR 960.5 (USD 10.03), and NALCO dropped 3.2 per cent to INR 337.5 (USD 3.52). Explore: The most comprehensive and...
