Domestic spot alumina prices edged down slightly last week amid flat trading activity. Recent alumina price movements were mainly attributed to earlier concentrated restocking by downstream buyers, which has led to accumulating inventories at rail stations and smelters. Coupled with supply-side maintenance-driven output cuts that are still building, readily available spot volumes have tightened relatively. Only sporadic tender deals were heard recently, leaving prices in a temporary steady phase. On the bauxite front, domestic ore prices saw limited movement last week. Supply-side bottlenecks are unlikely to ease in the near term, with mines prioritising captive supply, leaving little excess spot material available. For imported ore, freight rates rebounded slightly and consecutively last...
The global aluminium supply chain is facing a series of changes that extend from bauxite mines and alumina refineries to smelters, regional premiums and finished-metal trade. In 2026, the market’s direction is being shaped not only by production volumes but also by freight costs, export restrictions, shifting Chinese demand and tariffs. Developments across Guinea, Australia, China, Europe and North America point to a market where access to supply is increasingly as important as the availability of raw materials. Bauxite supply: Guinea’s cap meets a well-stocked China, but is it stable? Guinea remains central to the seaborne bauxite market, with its shipment connections to China demonstrating the importance of reliable logistics. A new sea-rail route has enabled a Guinea bauxite shipment...
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According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, China's average alumina spot price has gained RMB 5 per tonne over the weekend to reach RMB 3,351 per tonne on Monday, January 29. The price stands at its highest point in the past two years. December 2, 2021, was the last time the Chinese alumina spot price stood at RMB 3,351 per tonne. On a month-on-month calculation, the domestic alumina spot price is up by 7.44 per cent from RMB 3,119 per tonne. In Shandong and Henan, the alumina price has increased by RMB 10 per tonne to stand at RMB 3,260 per tonne and RMB 3,380 per tonne, respectively, with average prices estimated to range between RMB 3,220-3,300 per tonne and RMB 3,340-3,420 per tonne. However, the Australian alumina FOB price has continued to remain restrained at US$373 per tonne...
The extensive stockpiles of hazardous red mud generated during alumina refining could be repurposed to produce green steel. Globally, approximately 4 billion tonnes of red mud are currently stored, posing an environmental risk and the potential for fatal accidents. The production of one tonne of steel results in nearly 2 tonnes of CO2 emission. This is primarily due to the conventional steelmaking process, which mainly relies on burning fossil fuels to react carbon with oxygen in iron ore, yielding both iron and carbon dioxide. Dr Isnaldi Souza Filho and his team at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research in Germany have developed an innovative solution to address the challenges associated with red mud. Their method involves extracting iron from red mud by subjecting it to hydrogen and...
The West African nation Ghana is poised to gain from a forthcoming alumina refinery as a strategic partner that has been successfully chosen to collaborate with the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) to implement Project 3A. This project is part of the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) initiatives, consisting of four projects in total. Let’s hear what the President commented The President of the nation, Akufo-Addo, present during the signing ceremony between the two parties in Accra, emphasised that the implementation of Project 3A, involving the establishment of a mine at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and the construction of an alumina refinery, marks a significant step in discontinuing the longstanding practice of exporting raw bauxite from Ghana. The project aims to...
Established in 1996, Zhengzhou Xinli Wear-resistant Materials Co. Ltd. stands as a trailblazer in producing and supplying top-notch wear-resistant materials has recently joined AL Biz, the world's 1st B2B online marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers across the entire aluminium value chain. With a rich history spanning over 25 years, Xinli has evolved into a professional and integrative enterprise, excelling in research and development, manufacturing, and sales of a diverse range of materials, including white fused alumina, brown fused alumina, alumina oxide, green silicon carbide powder, and more. Innovation and expertise What sets Zhengzhou Xinli apart is its unwavering commitment to innovation and the pursuit of excellence. The company takes pride in being the first...
Established in 2010, India-based Evita Technologies is one of the prominent manufacturers and exporters of chemical-grade alumina and aluminium master alloys. The company has been successfully onboarded by AL Biz, the world's 1st B2B online marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers across the entire aluminium value chain. Evita Technologies is a reliable ally in chemicals, alloys, powders, instruments, and machinery. Committed to delivering innovative solutions, Evita Technologies strives to address the varied requirements of virtually every industry. The range of products offered by the company includes: Aluminium Master Alloy Aluminium Oxide Calcined Alumina Reactive Alumina Evita Technologies envisions a future where progress and sustainability thrive by seamlessly...
The alumina spot price in China has inflated by RMB 5 per tonne to close at RMB 3,345 per tonne, while the alumina spot price in Shandong has gained RMB 15 per tonne to close at RMB 3,245 per tonne. In Guizhou, the alumina price has levitated by RMB 20 per tonne to rest at RMB 3,335 per tonne. The SMM A00 aluminium ingot price has escalated by RMB 230 per tonne to close at RMB 18,980 per tonne, with the average markers hovering between RMB 18,960 per tonne and RMB 19,000 per tonne. If we consider the aluminium price on October 24, last year, there is a Quarter-on-Quarter rise of RMB 70 per tonne or 0.37 per cent from the recorded rate of RMB 18,910 per tonne. The elevation in price can be attributed to the heightened trading activities in East China, though the forecast says the...
Alteo, a globally recognised alumina and aluminium producer, is facing renewed scrutiny as environmental groups and residents in France's Bouches-du-Rhône department accuse the company of persistently discharging hazardous effluent into the Mediterranean Sea. Despite prior legal interventions to curb their waste disposal practices, Alteo's alleged contamination of the Calanques National Park near Marseille continues to raise environmental and public health concerns. Alteo, renowned for its prominence in alumina production, has come under the spotlight due to ongoing environmental controversies surrounding its manufacturing facility in Gardanne. The company has faced indictments and a judicial investigation over the past four years for endangering lives through the discharge of toxic red...
In a commendable move toward bolstering its leadership, the board of Alpha HPA Limited proudly announces the addition of Marghanita Johnson to its esteemed cadre as an independent, non-executive director. This strategic move bears profound significance within the realms of the aluminium industry, an arena where Marghanita has etched her legacy with indelible expertise. A luminary with a profound educational foundation, Marghanita holds Environmental Engineering and Chemistry degrees from the esteemed University of Western Australia. Her prowess extends beyond corporate realms, as evidenced by her current chairmanship of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and directorship in the Energy Users Association of Australia. The career graph of Marghanita Johnson Marghanita's ascendancy to...
For over 25 years, Rhenus Weserport Bremen has been renowned for its expertise and professionalism in the transhipment of diverse goods and materials. However, in a recent and strategic alliance with Nabaltec AG, Rhenus Weserport is embarking on significantly expanding its existing railway infrastructure. This augmentation aims to fortify the rail loading facility in Germany's southernmost seaport, facilitating the efficient shipment of imported aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide. Expected launch of the railroad facility The anticipated launch of the new system is set for the conclusion of 2024. With the expansions to the terminal and the implementation of the automated rail loading system, Nabaltec is poised to achieve its goal of shipping between 70,000 and 140,000 tonnes of...
China's average alumina spot price has expanded by RMB 7 per tonne, officially closing at RMB 3,334 per tonne, while the alumina price in Shandong has augmented by RMB 20 per tonne to rest at RMB 3,200 per tonne. The alumina price in Guizhou has levitated by RMB 15 per tonne to stop at RMB 3,315 per tonne, and the alumina price in Guangxi has ascended by RMB 10 per tonne to halt at RMB 3,370 per tonne. The CIF Index of Import Bauxite price has deflected US$0.10 per tonne to close at US$70 per tonne. Reason for the sudden alumina price surge The explosion at an oil terminal in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, caused a 30% jump in the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) price for the product that sits between bauxite and metal in the primary aluminium production chain. Guinea is a significant...
The Shanghai Metals Market has revealed the world’s largest alumina producer’s output in December 2023, and with that comes China’s total production figure for the entire year. As per the data shown, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina output in December 2023 (31 days) stood at 6.795 million tonnes, slightly up by 0.74 per cent from 6.745 million tonnes in November and 5.7 per cent higher than 6.43 million tonnes in December 2022. However, the country’s daily average output fell month-on-month in December by 2.49 per cent, from 224,800 tonnes to 219,200 tonnes. According to SMM data, China’s total alumina production in 2023 reached 79.8 million tonnes, leveraging the operating capacity of 80.04 million tonnes at the end of December. The installed capacity at the end of the year was 100...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Schedule 'A' Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, Govt of India, has reportedly communicated that its ongoing expansion of alumina refinery and plans for expanding smelter have proceeded backed on the operations of allotted coal blocks and Pottangi bauxite mine. Energy and bauxite propel NALCO’s expansion Backward integration and securitisation of energy and bauxite have positioned the company secured for the next 30 years, said NALCO Chairman and Managing Director Sridhar Patra at the company's 44th Foundation Day on Monday, January 7. NALCO celebrated the day at its corporate headquarters at Bhubaneswar and at its operating units and regional offices, remembering its unparalleled success over more than four decades. In CMD’s words In a...
Alcoa Corporation has announced its intention to cease production at the Kwinana Alumina Refinery in Western Australia in 2024, with the gradual shutdown commencing in the second quarter. The refinery, boasting an annual nameplate production capacity of 2.2 million tonnes, has been operating at around 80 per cent of its capacity since January 2023. Alcoa's Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Matt Reed cited several factors influencing the decision to curtail the 60-year-old facility. These factors encompass the refinery's age, size, operational expenses, the current quality of bauxite, and prevailing market conditions. "Today's curtailment decision comes only after thorough and careful deliberation, and we acknowledge that this action will impact workers, business...
China’s average alumina spot price has soared by RMB 6 per tonne, officiating at RMB 3,316 per tonne, while the alumina price in Shanxi has gained RMB 10 per tonne to halt at RMB 3,370 per tonne. In Guangxi, the alumina spot price has floated by RMB 15 per tonne to park at RMB 3,345 per tonne. Reason behind China’s alumina price boost The average alumina spot price in China has been on a growth streak for the past few weeks, owing to the raw material supply dearth. The implications of the Guinea Fuel Blast have been loud and clear, which suggests that China imports most of its raw ore from the African Country. Moreover, China’s raw material market has been facing some complications due to the closures of bauxite mines and alumina refineries following Government-induced inspections. As per...
China has recently achieved a significant milestone in the production of refined gallium with the launch of its first automatic filling production line. The production line has been installed at the gallium workshop of the alumina plant of Guangxi Branch of Chinalco. This achievement marks a new phase in the intelligent production of refined gallium in China. The production line is equipped with several state-of-the-art technological processes, including peeling empty bottles, primary filling, secondary precision compensation measurement, automatic capping, and gradient freezing. The production line's installation and testing required the full cooperation of technicians from the Chinalco Intelligent Technology Development Co., Ltd. and gallium workshop managers of the alumina plant of...
According to SMM, the average alumina spot price in China has soared by RMB 35 per tonne to close at RMB 3,292 per tonne, while the alumina price in Shandong, Henan, Shanxi and Guizhou have all escalated by RMB 30 per tonne to officially settle at RMB 3,155 per tonne, RMB 3,330 per tonne, RMB 3,345 per tonne and RMB 3,280 per tonne. The alumina spot price in Guangxi has levitated by RMB 50 per tonne to park at RMB 3,300 per tonne. The Australian Alumina FOB price has heightened by US$9 per tonne to close at US$356 per tonne. China’s average alumina spot price has been on an upward strike since the Guinea fuel depot blast. Uncertainty in the production capacity has directly resulted in the alumina price hike, yet the aluminium ingot price is on the downward side owing to the increased...
The fuel depot explosion in Conakry, Guinea, just before the year 2023 ended caused fuel sale restrictions, leading to transportation disruption. That led to a fret about bauxite availability in China, given that Guinea is the largest exporter of bauxite ore to China. The incident even led to anticipation that China's alumina output might drop due to the scarcity of bauxite, inducing enthusiastic ore purchases for future stock. Thus, the alumina contract surged to a ceiling high of RMB 3,210 per tonne as of January 3, 2024. Guinea's share of bauxite imports to China Guinea's bauxite exports to China have inflated recently in terms of volume. From January to November 2023, Guinea exported 91.1035 million tonnes of bauxite to China, accounting for the latter's total imports. Compared to...
Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Ltd (GACL) have recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Vedanta Aluminium to explore potential business opportunities within the caustic chlorine and related sectors. The primary objective of this MoU is to leverage the complementary skills, strengths, and shared business interests of both companies to achieve synergies and enhance overall business value. The agreement aims to facilitate a collaborative approach between GACL and Vedanta Aluminium, recognizing the mutual benefits that can arise from combining their resources. Both companies are keen to delve deeper into exploring various cooperative possibilities. The focus is on detailed examination and assessment of potential avenues for collaboration, with the ultimate goal of...
