Germany’s aluminium foil export market is showing a shift after two years of steady recovery. The upward trend that had returned after the 2023 downturn failed to hold, with shipments slipping again even as some markets continued to show resilience in H1 2026. The change becomes clearer when the recent history is put together. Germany exported 151,000 tonnes in H1 2022, but the volume dropped to 138,000 tonnes in H1 2023, down 8.6 per cent. Exports then began to recover, reaching 141,000 tonnes in H1 2024, up 2.2 per cent, and 144,000 tonnes in H1 2025, an increase of 2.1 per cent, according to ITC data. In H1 2026, however, exports fell back to 140,000 tonnes, down 2.8 per cent year on year. The decline is relatively modest, but it marks a break in the recovery - raising the question of...
Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, today announced a technology upgrade pilot at the company’s Al Taweelah smelter, which will further improve productivity and efficiency. The pilot upgrades to 13 DX technology reduction cells will be used to prove the performance of the new technology, called E40, before industrialisation across all 808 DX technology reduction cells at potlines 1 and 2 at Al Taweelah. If applied to all 808 reduction cells, EGA’s E40 technology has the potential to increase hot metal production from the two potlines by 67 thousand tonnes per year, while reducing net specific energy consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions from power generation by approximately six per cent per tonne of...
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During the first half of the year, Northwest Aluminum experienced a significant 68.37 per cent increase in profit compared to the previous year. The company also optimised its operating cash flow by 63.19 per cent and reduced its asset-liability ratio by 6.88 per cent. Product sales saw an uptick of 7.67 per cent, and the cost-to-expense ratio improved by 0.05 per cent, reflecting substantial cost reduction and efficiency enhancement. Electricity consumption was reduced, resulting in a cost savings of 1.25 million yuan. The scrap rate decreased by 0.56 per cent Y-o-Y, contributing an additional RMB 530,000 in revenue. In collaboration with the Technology Management Department, the Extrusion Manufacturing Department undertook the "Online Quenching of 6-series Aluminum Alloy Extrusion...
Nigeria has officially launched a new fleet of 12 four-car diesel trains manufactured by CRRC Corporation Ltd. on the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) line. This 45-kilometre double-track route, connecting the capital Abuja to its airport and surrounding satellite cities, is now fully operational with 12 stations along the way. The aluminium-bodied trains, each capable of carrying up to 700 passengers and reaching speeds of 100 km/h, are specifically designed to withstand Nigeria's high temperatures and sandstorm conditions. This marks a significant milestone in the country's transportation infrastructure. Aluminium is poised to replace traditional metals with its lightweight, corrosion resistance, formability, and high specific strength. Its use can reduce the overall weight of a rail car...
On its cutting-edge parts procurement platform, meviy, MISUMI Group Inc. has announced a 30 per cent discount on its CNC milling aluminium products as part of a strategic move to enhance customer value. This price reduction is effective immediately and underscores the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions across various industries. The price cut applies to various CNC milling aluminium products, specifically those without surface treatment. The affected alloys include: 6061 Aluminium: Known for its versatility, strength, and excellent machinability, 6061 Aluminium is ideal for structural applications and components requiring good corrosion resistance. 5052 Aluminium: With its high fatigue strength and excellent corrosion resistance, 5052 aluminium is...
At FACHPACK 2024, Constantia Flexibles will showcase its innovative print service for aluminium and PET die-cut dairy lids, marking a first in the industry. Additionally, they will present various sustainable packaging solutions, including a paper twist-wrap and a compostable coffee capsule lid. Constantia Flexibles asserts it is the only flexible packaging company capable of digitally printing full-surface, water-based designs on aluminium without affecting its sealing properties. While the current technology supports printing on aluminium and PE, plans are underway to expand this capability to all substrates in the future. The company claims that over 90 per cent of its portfolio offers recyclable alternatives and will present its '360-degree materials approach' at the trade fair,...
China’s Baoshan Iron and Steel (Baosteel) and Baowu Aluminum have partnered with Japan’s Kobe Steel to form a new joint venture in a significant move within the automotive materials sector. This collaboration aims to produce aluminium sheets specifically for the automotive industry. The automotive industry's demand for aluminium is expected to surge by 15-27 per cent, driven by the growing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs). In comparison to traditional internal combustion engine cars, plug-in hybrid and full battery electric vehicles utilise 25-27 per cent more aluminium, with a baseline of 160kg per vehicle in internal combustion engines. Under the agreement, Kobe Steel will hold a 50 per cent stake in the new entity, while Baosteel and Baowu Aluminum will jointly own the remaining...
On Friday, August 9, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price surged by RMB 230 per tonne to settle at RMB 19,010 per tonne. The average price ranged between RMB 18,990 per tonne and RMB 19,030 per tonne. The spot contract price may be traded at a discount of RMB 70 to RMB 30 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the domestic aluminium ingot prices have hiked in all the provinces, with the highest being in Gongyi, Foshan, Wuxi, and Hangzhou. The prices in the region mentioned have surged by RMB 230 per tonne to reside at RMB 18,930 per tonne, RMB 18970 per tonne and RMB 19,010 per tonne. In the other areas like Linyi, Shenyang and Tianjin the A00 aluminium ingot price have expanded by RMB 200 per tonne and RMB 180 per tonne to come in at RMB 19,010 per tonne, RMB 18,960 per tonne and RMB 18,990 per...
In a rare joint statement, Catherine Cobden, President and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association, and Jean Simard, President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, have raised concerns over the growing impact of Chinese overcapacity on Canadian markets. The two leaders highlighted the urgent need for decisive policy action in response to the flood of excess capacity, particularly from China, which they argue poses a significant threat to the Canadian steel and aluminium sectors. The statement follows recent consultations regarding potential policy measures to address Chinese overcapacity, especially within the electric vehicle (EV) supply chains. The joint statement states: "As the representatives of two major industries in Canada directly employing more than 31,000...
According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN), Jamaica's Mining and Quarrying industry recorded a significant 33.6 per cent increase in export earnings during the first quarter of 2024. The sector's earnings climbed to US$148.7 million, up from US$111.3 million in the same period last year. This growth was primarily driven by a substantial rise in alumina exports, which reached a value of US$132.2 million. This marks a notable increase from the US$89.2 million earned in the first quarter of 2023. Alumina, a key export for Jamaica, played a pivotal role in bolstering the industry's performance. However, the positive trend in alumina was slightly offset by a decrease in bauxite exports, which fell by 1.9%. The value of bauxite exports for the quarter stood at US$15.3 million....
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,272 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,285 per tonne and a low of US$2,256 per tonne, and closed at US$2,284 per tonne, up US$11 per tonne, or 0.48 per cent. On Thursday, August 8, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved up by US$2 per tonne or 0.90 per cent to settle at US$2,204 per tonne and US$2,204.50 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price went down by US$4per tonne or 0.17 per cent and US$3 per tonne or 0.13 per cent to clock at US$2,258 per tonne and US$2,260 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price dipped by US$5 per tonne or 0.20 per cent to dock at US$2,413 per tonne and US$2,418 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock...
India has experienced a drop in imported aluminium scrap prices week-on-week, influenced by stable LME prices. This week, prices for all grades have decreased by up to 1.6 per cent, creating market uncertainty and prompting a cautious stance among participants. Three-month LME aluminium prices remained steady within the range of $2,225 to $2,250 per tonne, showing no significant movement week-on-week. LME-registered warehouse stocks are at 922,000 tonnes, with aluminium prices continuing to hover near three-month lows. In Europe, the holiday season has contributed to a bid-offer disparity in the market. According to BigMint's assessment, Tense scrap from the UAE has decreased by $30 per tonne to settle at $1,700 per tonne. Similarly, Zorba 95/5 from the UK saw a reduction of $15 per...
According to Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) survey, as of August 8, the SMM A00 aluminium ingot price has descended by RMB 90 per tonne to officially close at RMB 18,780 per tonne, with the average prices ranging between RMB 18,760 per tonne and RMB 18,800 per tonne. The spot contract is likely to be traded at a discount price of RMB 70-30 per tonne, with an average of RMB 50 per tonne. On a week-on-week calculation, the ingot price has edged a fall of RMB 390 per tonne from RMB 19,170 per tonne, while that on a monthly basis has nosedived by RMB 1,450 per tonne from RMB 20,230 per tonne. China’s domestic low carbon aluminium price has decreased by RMB 71 per tonne to close at RMB 19,694 per tonne. The price of high-purity aluminium (99.99%) has also contracted by RMB 100 per tonne to close...
Alpha HPA has officially begun work on transforming its Gladstone-based project into one of the world's largest single-site ultra-high-purity alumina refineries. The Company's Managing Director, Rimas Kairaitis, announced on August 8, 2024, that site establishment is underway, with substantial funding secured to progress towards full-scale production. Key earthworks and civil contractors have commenced site establishment activities, signalling the imminent start of project earthworks. "Contractors have started mobilising equipment and support infrastructure, and Ergon has begun burying power lines ahead of earthworks commencement," Kairaitis stated. He added that Alpha HPA's construction management team is now fully established in Gladstone. This construction milestone follows a...
August 7, 2024, witnessed the establishment of a strategic partnership between the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East and Japan’s leading aluminium product manufacturer, following the signing of an agreement by Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. and Daiki Aluminium Industry Company Ltd to establish a sustainable aluminium dross processing facility in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The new aluminium dross processing plant will employ state-of-the-art technologies to recover the lightweight metal while significantly reducing waste and carbon emissions. The signing ceremony, held at Alba premises, was attended by Alba’s CEO Ali Al Baqali, Acting Chief Marketing Officer Hisham Al Kooheji, and Alba’s executive management team. On behalf of Daiki Aluminium, the company’s Chairman and Representative...
AMAG Austria Metall AG, known for its commitment to sustainability, has expanded its AMAG AL4 ® ever product line to include primary aluminium products. Renowned for its low CO 2 emissions and high quality, the AMAG AL4 ® ever portfolio now covers the entire aluminium value chain, from rolled and cast products to primary aluminium. Low carbon production in Canada The Alouette smelter in Canada, a key supplier for AMAG AL4 ® ever, uses 100 per cent renewable electricity sourced from hydropower, ensuring minimal energy-related CO 2 emissions. This contrasts with smelters powered by coal or gas, which have significantly higher CO 2 outputs. The Alouette smelter's high efficiency and continuous optimisation further reduce emissions, maintaining them at low levels. Significant emissions...
On Wednesday, August 7, the three-month LME aluminum contract opened at US$2,297.50 per tonne and closed at US$2,273 per tonne, registering a decline of US$28 per tonne or 1.22 per cent. In the intervening period, the price reached a high of US$2,300 per tonne and a low of US$2,247.50 per tonne. After a substantial growth on the previous day, the LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dipped by US$1 per tonne and US$2.50 per tonne to reach US$2,202 per tonne and US$2,202.50 per tonne. The 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price stood at US$2,262 per tonne and US$2,263 per tonne, down by US$5 per tonne from US$2,267 per tonne and US$2,268 per tonne. December-25 bid price and December-25 offer price also decreased by US$5 per tonne to settle at US$2,418...
GME Recycling, a leading Italian company in the design and construction of aluminium recycling plants, has reportedly set up a fully automated aluminium scrap recycling plant in Nigeria, investing 10 million euros into construction and 6 million euros into technologies. The plant, equipped with advanced technologies, is the epitome of innovation, safety, recovery, and sustainability, assuring the output of high-quality aluminium scraps in Africa. Nigeria's waste recycling market has an untapped potential value of $2.5 billion. In Lagos alone, only 20 per cent of the 13 million tonnes of annual waste is properly collected. This significant unexplored opportunity ahead has inspired GME Recycling to develop a recycling plant aimed at promoting a circular economy. The new recycling plant is...
Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company Q.P.S.C. (QAMCO), a 50 per cent joint venture partner in Qatar Aluminium Company (Qatalum), reported a net profit of QR237 million for the six-month period ending June 30 th , 2024. The earnings per share (EPS) stood at QR0.042. After a volatile 2023 and early 2024, the aluminium market began stabilising in the second quarter of 2024. Various factors contributed to the challenging supply-demand dynamics of primary aluminium, including tightened monetary policies, regional geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea, and weakened consumer demand due to high inflation and interest rates. Comparatively, QAMCO's net profit for H1 2024 was QR237 million, slightly down from QR240 million in H1 2023. The EPS also saw a marginal decline from QR0.043 in H1 2023 to...
In the wake of increased aluminium scrap generation, the United States' aluminium scrap exports experienced an annual growth of 9,000 tonnes or 1.05 per cent during the first five months of 2024. According to the US Census Bureau survey, the United States' year-to-date aluminium scrap generation totalled 1.468 million tonnes, up 7.23 per cent from 1.369 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. From January to May 2024, the United States exported 867,000 tonnes versus 858,000 tonnes a year ago. In May, aluminium scraps export volume from the United States amounted to 192,000 tonnes, reflecting an increase of 12,000 tonnes or 6.67 per cent from 180,000 tonnes in April 2024. However, on a year-on-year basis, the export volume stood slightly down by 4,000 tonnes...
