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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Executive Summary: The component cost crisis: Driven by the explosive demands of Artificial Intelligence data centres, global smartphone memory prices skyrocketed. This pushed flagship Bill of Materials (BOM) costs up by nearly USD 300, forcing smartphone OEMs to cut costs in their structural chassis. The Titanium Reversal: Apple and Samsung abandoned titanium's thermal constraints for their latest flagships. Next-generation AI processors run dangerously hot, and titanium acts as a thermal insulator. The industry was forced to revert to hot-forged 7000-series aluminium to prevent catastrophic thermal throttling. The Upstream Threat: While switching back to aluminium solved the thermal crisis, downstream manufacturers walked into a global supply chain trap. Geopolitical conflicts in the...
The most-traded SHFE aluminium 2609 contract closed at RMB 23,345 per tonne today, up RMB 85 per tonne or 0.37 per cent on the day. Trading volume increased notably from the previous session, reaching 208,200 lots intraday. Volume expanded during the bottom-out rebound, indicating buying support at low levels and heightened tug-of-war between longs and shorts. Current open interest was 296,300 lots, down 5,885 lots. The simultaneous pullback in open interest and price gains formed a rally-on-declining-open-interest structure, suggesting short-term bears actively covered and exited, rather than new bulls entering aggressively. The upward momentum was biased toward short covering, with limited new buying power. SMM commentary: Macro front, the US- Iran conflict continued to escalate. US...
Sonoco Products Company reported higher second-quarter sales as gains in its industrial packaging business and improving metal packaging demand helped offset inflationary pressures and softer volumes in parts of its consumer packaging operations. The global packaging producer posted net sales of USD 1.9 billion for the quarter ended June 28, 2026. GAAP net income declined to USD 105 million, or USD 1.05 per diluted share, from USD 493 million, or USD 4.96 per diluted share, in the same period last year, when results included a USD 425 million gain from the sale of its Thermoformed and Flexibles Packaging and Trident businesses. Excluding one-off items, adjusted net income increased 10.6 per cent year on year to USD 151 million, while adjusted diluted EPS rose to USD 1.51. Metal packaging...
Australia’s aluminium industry is entering a defining phase of its transition. As demand for low-carbon aluminium accelerates worldwide, the country is seeking to leverage its abundant renewable energy resources, supportive policy framework and growing industrial investment to emerge as a major producer of green aluminium. According to the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), Q1 2026 saw renewable generation and battery storage play an increasingly prominent role in the National Electricity Market (NEM), reinforcing the country’s broader decarbonisation strategy. Here’s a chronological look at the major developments between early 2025 and Q1 2026 that have collectively strengthened Australia’s roadmap towards cleaner aluminium production. January 2025: AUD 2 billion Green aluminium...
On March 28, the US-Iran tension took a new turn as Iranian missiles struck the Khalifa Economic Zone in Abu Dhabi, damaging the alumina refinery that feeds Emirates Global Aluminium’s Al Taweelah smelter, the largest aluminium production complex in the Gulf. Four hundred kilometres south-west, Aluminium Bahrain declared force majeure and shut roughly a fifth of its capacity, citing the same conflict. Neither company builds weapons, ships crude, or has any stake in the war between the United States, Israel and Iran. For several weeks this spring, two of the world’s most competitive aluminium producers became collateral damage in someone else's fight. That is the detail worth sitting with, because it reframes the question the industry has been asking since renewed US-Iran hostilities put...
Primetals Technologies will supply rolling mill technology to Lidao New Energy for a new battery aluminium foil production facility in Wuhe County, Bengbu City, Anhui Province, China. The plant will produce battery aluminium foil for lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems and other new energy applications. Under the contract, Primetals Technologies will provide seven TCS packages for foil rolling mills, Air Bearing ShapeMeter (ABSM) rolls and ISV spray systems to improve flatness during production. The project will also be the first commercial application of the company's ISV Electric (ISV-E) and ISV Electric Compact (ISV-EC) spray systems. According to the company, the fully electric ISV-EC system is designed specifically for aluminium foil rolling and...
Brazilian aluminium and steel exporters are stepping up efforts to measure, verify and certify product emissions as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) begins to influence trade with Europe. What was initially viewed as a future compliance requirement is now affecting pricing, contracts and sourcing decisions, particularly for companies supplying the European market. According to Rafael Della Barba, climate risk and decarbonisation coordinator at WayCarbon, Brazilian exporters have responded differently to the new framework. Some steel producers started preparing in 2023, well before mandatory compliance, while others postponed investments and are now working to understand their emissions exposure. Under CBAM, exporters must calculate emissions at the individual...
India's imported aluminium scrap prices increased w-o-w, supported by slightly stronger LME aluminium prices. According to BigMint's latest assessment for CFR Nhava Sheva deliveries, UK-origin zorba 95-5 scrap prices rose by USD 15/t w-o-w to USD 2,700 per tonne, while LME aluminium edges up W-o-W Three-month aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) traded slightly higher w-o-w, closing at USD 3,175/t on 21 July against USD 3,167.5/t on 14 July, up by USD 7.5 per tonne, or 0.2 per cent W-o-W. Meanwhile, LME aluminium inventories declined by 4,825 t, or 1.7 per cent W-o-W, to 279,775 tonnes on 21 July from 284,600 tonnes on 14 July. LME aluminium prices edged up W-o-W, supported by declining exchange inventories and continued concerns over tight global supply. Although...
Futures: SHFE aluminium closed at RMB 23,280 per tonne, slightly down 0.02 per cent, with prices above MA5 (23,197) and MA10 (23,192.5), and the closing price of 23,280 exactly matching MA30 (23,276.67). Short-term moving average support is effective, while the mid-term moving average pressure faces a test. MACD indicator: DIF = -119.91, DEA = -200.06, maintaining a golden cross, with the histogram widening to 160.3 (previous 151.86), indicating continuously strengthening bullish momentum. Trading volume slightly expanded to 60,400 lots but remained low. The recommended core trading range for SHFE aluminium is 23,000-23,500. LME aluminium closed at USD 3,184 per tonne, down 0.19 per cent, with prices above MA5 (3,172.9) and MA10 (3,168.55) but below MA30 (3,201.05) and MA60 (3,400.82),...
With the rising growth story of the global aluminium extrusion market, there is an equally important fact that remains constant: The growing demand for aluminium billets. The demand for aluminium extrusion mainly comes from construction, electric vehicles, renewable energy and industrial manufacturing; the billet producers are also expanding capacity, investing in recycled metal and developing specialised alloys to meet evolving market needs. The demand for global aluminium extrusion is expected to grow to 43.58 million tonnes by 2032 and is also expected to grow steadily. The global extrusion market at a glance The global aluminium extrusion market is worth about USD 110 billion in 2025. It is on track to cross roughly USD 118 billion in 2026 and reach somewhere between USD 150 billion...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium chart recorded a decline across all the pricing segments at the close of the June 23 session. Only the live warrants and alumina price remained stable. The LME aluminium cash bid price eased from USD 3,204 per tonne on July 22 to USD 3,193.5 per tonne on July 23, down 0.33 per cent day-on-day. The offer price shifted from USD 3,205 per tonne to USD 3,194 per tonne, marking a 0.34 per cent difference. Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations On June 23, the LME aluminium three-month bid price slipped to USD 3,181.5 per tonne from USD 3,183 per tonne, representing a 0.05 per cent difference. The...
According to data from the General Administration of Customs of People's Republic of China (GACC), China imported 449,100 tonnes of alumina in June 2026, up 2.42 per cent month-on-month and surging 343.34 per cent year-on-year. Exports stood at 265,200 tonnes, down 6.39 per cent month-on-month but up 55.09 per cent year-on-year. The net import volume reached 183,900 tonnes, rising 18.49 per cent month-on-month while dropping 363.85 per cent year-on-year. In the first half of 2026, cumulative imports totalled 2.28 million tonnes, up 748.79 per cent year-on-year, while cumulative exports reached 1.61 million tonnes, up 19.77 per cent year-on-year. The cumulative net import volume for January–June stood at 668,500 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 162.18 per cent. By country of...
Jennison Associates LLC disclosed a new investment in Kaiser Aluminum after acquiring 6,271 shares during the first quarter, valued at approximately USD 756,000, according to its latest filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in Kaiser Aluminum by acquiring an additional 294 shares during the period, taking its holding to 366 shares valued at approximately USD 42,000. Institutional investors now own 99.29 per cent of Kaiser Aluminum's outstanding shares. Several investment firms also adjusted their positions in the company over recent quarters, while analysts currently maintain a consensus "Hold" rating with an average target price of USD 165.50. Dividend maintained Kaiser Aluminum declared a quarterly dividend of USD 0.77...
Update on the July 27 ribbon-cutting ceremony: Century Aluminum CEO Jesse Gary will be joined by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Senior Counselor to President Trump Dr Peter Navarro and South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson as the company celebrates the expansion of its Mt Holly aluminium smelter. The inauguration time has been updated to July 27, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM. US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, US Senator Tim Scott and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster will join Century Aluminum President and CEO Jesse Gary on July 27 to mark the expansion of the company's Mt Holly aluminium smelter in South Carolina, highlighting the project's significance for the US aluminium industry. The expansion is expected to increase total US primary aluminium production by...
Aluminium hydroxide, a key raw material used across industries ranging from water treatment and aluminium refining to defence manufacturing and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, should remain exempt from US tariffs to safeguard domestic manufacturing, according to industry representatives. The material is produced from bauxite before the calcination stage used to manufacture alumina and plays an essential role in numerous industrial processes, including the production of wire and cable insulation, roofing membranes, sealants, automotive components, pharmaceuticals and food products. It is also used in refining high-temperature metals such as rare earths, copper, nickel and zinc. Limited domestic supply raises import dependence The US currently has only one aluminium hydroxide...
US aluminium scrap recovery continued to strengthen at the start of 2026, with recycled metal production rising by double digits year on year, while primary aluminium output remained largely unchanged, according to the latest US Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Industry Survey. A total of 318,000 metric tonnes of aluminium was recovered from scrap in January 2026, up 14 per cent from the same month last year compared to 297,000 tonnes and 3 per cent higher than the revised December 2025 figure. Of the total, 179,000 metric tonnes came from new scrap and 138,000 metric tonnes from old scrap. Meanwhile, primary aluminium production totalled 58,000 tonnes during the month. Average daily output stood at 1,860 metric tonnes, unchanged from December 2025 and 1 per cent higher than January 2025....
Shares of Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) rallied during the latest trading session after investors responded positively to plans by its parent company to increase its shareholding, alongside improving aluminium market fundamentals. The company's Hong Kong-listed shares gained 6.28 per cent to close at HKD 8.63 (USD 1.10), with trading volume reaching 93.09 million shares. Despite the latest rally, the stock remains 29.09 per cent lower for the year to date. Stake increase boosts investor confidence Market sentiment strengthened after Chinalco announced plans to increase its stake in Chalco by up to USD 300 million, signalling confidence in the company's long-term prospects. The share price also received support after JPMorgan placed a buy order for more than 2 million shares,...
Carbon and graphite products are essential components in aluminium smelting, ironmaking and several metallurgical processes. Among the companies serving these industries is Tokai COBEX, a Germany-headquartered manufacturer with production facilities in Poland and France and a sales and technical service office in China. The company's portfolio includes cathode blocks for aluminium electrolysis cells, blast furnace (used for the production of pig iron) linings, carbon electrodes, Söderberg paste and speciality graphite products. These materials are designed for applications requiring high electrical and thermal conductivity, resistance to heat and corrosion, and long operational life. For the aluminium industry, Tokai COBEX supplies a complete cathode product range, including amorphous,...
