As trade talks slowly progress amidst a backdrop of tariffs and changing alliances, Canada’s cautious approach is catching the eye of those involved in North American supply chains. With aluminium still a major sticking point, the latest hints from policymakers suggest there are more complex strategic considerations at play that could impact the region’s trade dynamics in the coming months.

The Government of Odisha approved industrial investment proposals totalling USD 481 million, which shall create over 10 thousand jobs across 11 districts. This is a part of a broader strategy to foster diversification and job-driven industrial growth. The State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority has approved 23 projects that cover a range of sectors, including downstream aluminium and steel, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and services.

Hong Kong manufacturers are facing rising cost pressures and a dip in demand as US importers are cutting down orders and leaning towards short-term contracts. This shift comes amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, which have sparked a global oil crisis and disrupted energy supply routes. Due to the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, there has been a rise in the fuel, logistics and production costs, resulting in tightened profit margins, especially in the aluminium sector, as companies find it tough to pass these increased costs onto buyers.

Weekly ALuminium Downstream & End-User Recap by AL Circle Pvt Ltd

The European Commission proposed the Industrial Accelerator Act, which introduces “EU-origin” requirements for essential materials like aluminium. The shall aid in boosting local industrial capacity and reducing the dependence on outside supply chains by setting minimum local content thresholds for public procurement and support programs. Moreover, this policy will support multiple sectors, including construction, infrastructure, transport, and electric vehicles. This represents a significant shift towards localisation, with major consequences for global trade patterns, supply chain dynamics and exporters from other countries.

India’s aluminium extrusion sector is facing operational challenges where strained fuel supplies and soaring energy costs are forcing industrial units to run below full capacity, with MSMEs feeling the most impact from these disruptions. The industry, which relies heavily on gas-powered furnaces, is facing increasing exposure to fluctuating fuel prices, inconsistent supply and pressure variations. This situation is resulting in lower output, higher production costs and worries about product quality. 

Due to the ongoing geopolitical tension, which created a surge in global aluminium prices, there are policy gaps in India that are worth noting. Because of this, the Indian downstream MSME sector is facing a major challenge, whereas the primary producers are deemed to be enjoying the benefits. With prices on the London Metal Exchange climbing above USD 3,500 per tonne and domestic prices remaining high due to duties and premiums, MSMEs are facing skyrocketing raw material costs, shrinking margins, and lower capacity utilisation. Know more.

EU's anti-dumping and countervailing duties on Chinese aluminium converter foil, which range from 15.4 per cent to 28.5 per cent, will expire on December 9, 2026, unless European producers request a formal sunset review to extend them. These duties were first introduced in December 2021 after an investigation into unfair trade practices, aimed at safeguarding the EU's EUR 630 million converter foil market, a crucial component in packaging and the growing electric vehicle battery sector. Uncover the entire scoop here. 

In 2025, Europe’s aluminium foil industry production climbed 3.1 per cent from the previous year, reaching about 920,400 tonnes. This upward trend was followed after a drop in 2023 and continues the recovery trend that began in 2024. However, even with this growth, the industry still heavily relies on imports, which points to ongoing disparity between supply and demand, as well as underused production capacity throughout the region. 

A cutting-edge aluminium alloy powder was created by a team of researchers based in the UK, aiming to boost the performance of Directed Energy Deposition (DED) additive manufacturing. This introduction handles the continuous problems like defects and diminished mechanical strength found in traditional alloys. The newly formulated Al–Ni–Ce–Mn–Fe composition, crafted through ultrasonic atomisation, features a refined microstructure with lower residual stress (under 32 MPa). This leads to better structural integrity, less cracking and distortion, and improved manufacturability. 

The US is creating a new, tiered tariff system for aluminium and steel imports. Implementation of this comes a year after the “Liberation Day” tariffs were put in place, and it aims to make compliance easier while still protecting our domestic industries. According to the proposed plan, imports of primary metals will still face hefty duties of up to 50 per cent. On the other hand, derivative products will have varying rates, usually between 15 and 25 per cent, depending on their metal content and value.

India's real estate market is facing challenges due to the rising costs, due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and issues in the Strait of Hormuz that are disrupting material supply chains and pushing up fuel prices. This has led to an overall increase in construction expenses by about 10–15 per cent. Aluminium prices have been steadily climbing, up roughly 4 per cent since March, while steel costs and crude oil prices are also on the rise, which has significantly driven up input and logistics costs.

Global car manufacturers are drafting strategies to stockpile aluminium as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East disrupts crucial supply chains. This situation is raising alarms about potential shortages and rising costs throughout the automotive industry. The Gulf region produces about 10 per cent of the world's aluminium, and with vital shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz facing interruptions, manufacturers are taking steps to build emergency inventories in response to dwindling availability and logistical challenges. 

India’s brewing industry faces rising costs and supply chain disruption from a Middle East-related gas shortage. This shortage is affecting the availability of essential materials, like aluminium for beverage cans. With gas supplies tightening, glass manufacturers have had to scale back or even stop production, which is pushing packaging costs higher. On top of that, delays in aluminium imports are raising alarms about can availability just as we approach peak summer demand. Learn more.

The recent temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz has challenged aluminium supply chains, causing major delays in shipments from key Gulf producers and creating significant bottlenecks for electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing. With major smelters like Aluminium Bahrain cutting their output by 19 per cent and others, such as Qatalum, halting production due to energy supply issues, the regional supply has tightened considerably. Blocked shipping routes have also led to delivery delays, pushing lead times to nearly 49 days. Get more into the scoop here.

RPM International enriched its presence in the world of aluminium-based construction materials by acquiring Kalzip GmbH, a German expert in aluminium roofing and façade systems. This integration into its Tremco Construction Products Group is a strategic move that broadens RPM’s global building envelope portfolio and boosts its offerings in lightweight, weather-resistant aluminium solutions, which are essential for large-scale infrastructure and commercial projects. 

Canada is downplaying worries about the slow progress in its trade talks with the United States, showing confidence as the review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) approaches. This comes even with ongoing US tariffs on aluminium and other products, as well as a recent electric vehicle trade deal with China. Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc pointed out that conversations with US officials are still “productive,” and most exports, including auto parts, continue to be safeguarded under USMCA rules.