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LME aluminium cash price rises 0.8% to $3,160/t on November 5 as stocks decline
LME aluminium cash prices recorded an increase on November 5, 2026, with the cash offer price rising by 0.80 per cent day on day to USD 3,160 per tonne from USD 3,135 per tonne on November 4. On November 5, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,158 per tonne, up by 0.75 per cent from USD 3,134.5 per tonne recorded on November 4. The cash offer price increased by USD 25 per tonne. Similarly, LME aluminium 3-month prices moved higher. The 3-month bid price rose by 0.78 per cent to USD 3,097 per tonne on November 5 from USD 3,073 per tonne on November 4. The 3-month offer price increased by 0.76 per cent to USD 3,097.5 per tonne from USD 3,074 per tonne. For December 27 contracts, the bid price advanced by 0.33 per cent to USD 2,997 per tonne on November 5 from USD 2,987 per tonne...
Power cost of EUR 600 vs EUR 1,800 per tonne: How electricity prices are reshaping Europe’s aluminium industry
How much does it really cost to produce aluminium in Europe, and can the region’s smelters compete with producers in the US and China? Beyond electricity prices, the economics of primary and recycled aluminium, industrial electrification and changing automotive demand are shaping the future of Europe’s aluminium industry. In this exclusive interview with AL Circle, Dr Martin Iffert, Founder and CEO of Martin Iffert Consulting, examines these challenges, discussing smelter economics, recycling competitiveness and the outlook for Europe’s 2040 electrification vision. He also shares his views on Germany’s production landscape and the investments needed to improve productivity and strengthen the aluminium value chain. Dr Iffert brings over 30 years of industry experience. He served as CEO of...
European aluminium industry ‘bruised but resilient’ amid CBAM pressure and rising ETS costs, says Paul Voss
Europe's aluminium industry is facing mounting pressure from rising carbon costs, shifting trade policies and limited willingness among buyers to pay premiums for low-carbon metal. Yet, despite a series of crises since the Covid pandemic, producers remain committed to maintaining their presence in Europe and investing in decarbonisation, said Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium. In an exclusive interview with Fastmarkets at Aluminium Düsseldorf, Voss described the European aluminium industry's condition as bruised but resilient. He highlighted concerns over the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the potential inclusion of indirect (Scope 2) emissions under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the treatment of aluminium scrap in carbon accounting. Reflecting on...
Cano Water launches 473ml lightweight aluminium water bottle at Waitrose in the UK
Cano Water is expanding its aluminium packaging range in the UK with the launch of a new 473ml still water bottle in selected Waitrose stores from November. The lightweight aluminium bottle, a popular format in the US, is being introduced to the British market for the first time after more than five years of development and efforts to secure UK listings. The launch marks a new chapter for Cano Water, which has sold nearly 100 million cans over the past 11 years. The company has also secured a listing with foodservice wholesaler Brakes, extending the availability of its new aluminium bottle format beyond retail. Since its launch, Cano Water has avoided plastic bottles, positioning aluminium as an alternative to single-use plastic packaging. The new bottle is the format the team first came...
Vietnam’s 450,000tpa Dak Nong aluminium project starts second-phase production four months ahead of schedule
Vietnam’s first electrolytic aluminium project has reached another major milestone, with the second phase of the 450,000-tonne-per-year (tpa) Dak Nong project producing its first batch of molten primary aluminium on October 31, 2026. The milestone, achieved by China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (NFC), which is the project’s general contractor, came four months and three days ahead of the contractual schedule, officially moving the second phase from construction to trial production. The latest development builds on the progress made during the first phase, which produced its first batch of molten primary aluminium on July 14. By September 15, all electrolytic cells in the first phase had successfully started producing aluminium. The second...
CHALCO shares jump over 4% as Q3 profit rises 66% to $1.88b; UBS, Citi retain Buy ratings
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (CHALCO) reported a sharp increase in profitability in the third quarter of 2026, supported by cost controls and stable margins at its Yunnan aluminium operations. However, the company's alumina business continued to face pressure from higher bauxite and freight costs, highlighting the contrasting performance of its two major product segments. According to CHALCO's third-quarter report released on October 29, 2026, total profit increased 66.08 per cent year on year to RMB 12.50 billion (USD 1.88 billion) in Q3 2026, compared with RMB 7.53 billion (USD 1.13 billion) in the corresponding quarter of 2025. Net profit attributable to shareholders of the listed company rose 59.10 per cent to RMB 6.04 billion (USD 909 million), against RMB 3.80 billion (USD...
Nimba Mining Company appoints Patrice L'Huillier as CEO and Djiba Diakité as Chairman
Nimba Mining Company SA has appointed Patrice L'Huillier as Director General and Djiba Diakité as Chairman of the Board of Directors, with both appointments confirmed through separate presidential decrees. The announcement was made on Friday, October 23, 2026, during a national television news broadcast. L'Huillier, a civil engineer specialising in bridges and roads, will serve as Director General for an initial three-year term, which is renewable. According to his appointment decree, he will work under a performance contract with the Ministry of Mines and Geology. The contract will establish his objectives, the methods for assessing his performance and his obligations regarding the transfer of skills to national staff. In a separate decree, Diakité, Minister Director of the Cabinet of...
Shyam Metalics subsidiary secures NCLT approval to merge aluminium foil unit
Shyam Sel and Power Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shyam Metalics and Energy Ltd, has received approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Kolkata Bench, to merge Shree Venkateshwara Electrocast Pvt Ltd into its operations, effective April 1, 2024. According to a company statement, the tribunal approved the scheme of amalgamation through an order dated October 16, 2026. The merger is intended to bring aluminium foil operations under a single entity, allowing the company to streamline manufacturing and marketing activities while improving operational efficiency and working capital management. Merger to consolidate aluminium foil operations The merger will transfer the business of Shree Venkateshwara Electrocast to Shyam Sel and Power, consolidating the two entities'...
Hindalco, Vedanta & NALCO shares fall as EGA restarts Al Taweelah smelter; aluminium prices forcast at $2,800/t in CY27
Indian aluminium stocks are under pressure as the restart of Emirates Global Aluminium’s (EGA) Al Taweelah smelter adds to concerns about global supply, while Axis Capital forecasts a market surplus in calendar year 2027 (CY27). Shares of Hindalco Industries, Vedanta Aluminium Metal and National Aluminium Company (NALCO) declined amid a weaker outlook for aluminium prices. Aluminium has retreated from its 2026 high of around USD 3,800 per tonne to approximately USD 3,020 per tonne. Axis Capital expects prices to fall further to USD 2,800 per tonne in CY27, as recovering production and rising Chinese exports weigh on the market. EGA restarts half of Al Taweelah smelter EGA has restarted 631 of the 1,262 reduction cells at its Al Taweelah smelter, with full production targeted for the first...
Global EV sales to hit 35.4 million by 2030, with aluminium usage forecast to rise 38% in North America & 79% in China
From just 2 million vehicles in 2018 to a projected 35.4 million in 2030, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the global automotive industry - and changing how much aluminium goes into every car. As automakers expand EV production, aluminium is finding new applications in battery enclosures, electric-drive housings, vehicle bodies and structural components, making the metal an increasingly important part of the industry's transition. Global sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are projected to reach 23.3 million units in 2026, up 11 per cent from 21 million in 2025. Sales are forecast to rise to 26.1 million in 2027, 29.2 million in 2028 and 32.2 million in 2029, before reaching 35.4 million in 2030. The market has grown...
Türkiye aluminium factory explosion injures two workers in Sakarya
An explosion in the foundry section of an aluminium factory in Akyazı district of Sakarya, Türkiye, on October 20 left two workers injured, with one sustaining serious injuries. A fire broke out following the explosion and was later extinguished by firefighters. The incident occurred at around 18:40 local time at the aluminium factory. The cause of the explosion remains unknown. Following the blast, flames spread in the factory, prompting the dispatch of a large number of fire brigade and medical teams to the site, as per industry sources. Fire extinguished as injured workers receive hospital treatment According to initial findings, two workers sustained injuries in the explosion, with one reported to be in serious condition. Medical teams transported the seriously injured worker to...
SRF plans ₹6b battery-grade aluminium foil plant in Madhya Pradesh as Q2 profit rises 31%
SRF Ltd is expanding its presence in the aluminium foil sector with a planned investment of INR 6 billion (USD 63.5 million) in a battery-grade aluminium foil manufacturing facility in Madhya Pradesh, as the chemicals producer reported a 31 per cent year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for the second quarter of FY27. The proposed plant will have an annual production capacity of 12,000 tonnes and cater to lithium-ion (Li-ion) and sodium-ion (Na-ion) battery applications. The investment comes as energy storage and electric mobility sectors drive demand for battery materials. The company’s board has approved the investment, with the facility planned at the existing site of its subsidiary, SRF Altech Ltd, at Jetapur in Madhya Pradesh. SRF to build 12,000t battery-grade aluminium...
EGA restarts 50% of Al Taweelah aluminium smelter, targets full production by Q1 2027
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has restarted 631 of the 1,262 reduction cells at its Al Taweelah aluminium smelter in the UAE, marking a major milestone in recovery efforts following an emergency shutdown on March 28 amid regional security developments that affected operations at Khalifa Economic Zone Abu Dhabi. The shutdown required a full evacuation of the Al Taweelah site, leaving molten aluminium frozen inside every reduction cell. EGA began restarting the first restored cell on May 26 and is now progressing across all three potlines simultaneously, with teams working to restore the remaining cells. Despite the scale of the disruption, EGA continues to expect the Al Taweelah aluminium smelter to return to full production during the first quarter of 2027. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief...
Aluminium fins and discarded plastic bags improve solar panel output by 11.6% in laboratory test
Solar panels could benefit from a simple cooling arrangement made from aluminium fins and discarded plastic bags, according to a laboratory study that explored ways to limit heat-related power losses without consuming additional electricity. The combination increased a panel’s output power by 11.6 per cent under simulated sunlight, only marginally higher than the 11.5% gain recorded with aluminium fins alone. The findings point to a potential use for waste plastic in solar panel cooling, although outdoor testing is still needed to establish whether the approach can deliver similar results under changing weather conditions. Aluminium fins offer a simple way to manage solar panel heat Photovoltaic panels can lose electrical performance as their temperature rises under strong sunlight. To...
LME aluminium cash offer price falls 0.51% to $3,003.5/t as stocks decline to 236,375t
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices declined across cash, three-month and December 2027 contracts on October 20 compared with October 19. The cash offer price fell by 0.51 per cent to USD 3,003.5 per tonne , while the three-month offer price decreased by 0.50 per cent to USD 2,997 per tonne. The LME aluminium cash bid price declined by 0.51 per cent from USD 3,018.50 per tonne on October 19 to USD 3,003 per tonne on October 20. The cash offer price decreased by 0.51 per cent from USD 3,019 per tonne to USD 3,003.5 per tonne. Similarly, the three-month bid price fell by 0.47 per cent from USD 3,010 per tonne to USD 2,996 per tonne, while the offer price dropped by 0.50 per cent from USD 3,012 per tonne to USD 2,997 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking...
Germany exports 86% of TRIMET’s aluminium production despite 1.84Mt domestic demand from automotive, packaging & extrusion industries
Germany’s last remaining primary aluminium producer, TRIMET Aluminium SE, has a combined nameplate capacity of approximately 540,000 tonnes per year across its German and French smelters. Yet Germany exported 466,756 tonnes of unwrought primary aluminium in 2025, equivalent to 86.44 per cent of that combined capacity. Exports reached 501,678 tonnes in 2023 and 449,590 tonnes in 2024, while shipments totalled 273,080 tonnes between January and July 2026. The comparison presents an intriguing picture of Germany’s aluminium industry. Despite having a limited primary smelting base, the country continues to export hundreds of thousands of tonnes of unwrought aluminium annually. At the same time, it imported 2 million tonnes of primary aluminium in 2025, more than four times its exports. Why...
Press Metal earnings face pressure as aluminium prices fall and carbon anode costs rise
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd is facing pressure on its earnings as aluminium prices fall below US$3,000 per tonne and carbon anode prices reach a three-year high. The increase in raw material costs, combined with weaker aluminium prices, has led RHB Research to lower its earnings forecasts for FY26 to FY28, although the firm has retained its “Buy” recommendation on the company. RHB Research linked Press Metal’s nine percent single-day share price decline to lower aluminium prices, higher carbon anode costs, concerns over rising US inflation, tighter monetary policy and a stronger US dollar. Aluminium prices fell to US$2,987 per tonne as market sentiment weakened following a sell-off in artificial intelligence-related stocks. Expectations of a faster-than-anticipated recovery in the...
LME aluminium cash offer price rises to $3,014/t as stocks edge lower to 238,125t
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices increased on October 16 compared with the previous day, October 15, across cash, three-month and December 27 contracts. The LME aluminium cash bid price increased by 0.48 per cent to USD 3,013 per tonne on October 16 from USD 2,998.50 per tonne on October 15. The cash offer price rose by 0.50 per cent to USD 3,014 per tonne from USD 2,999 per tonne. The three-month contract also recorded gains. The bid price increased by 0.58 per cent to USD 3,011.50 per tonne from USD 2,994 per tonne, while the offer price rose by 0.58 per cent to USD 3,012 per tonne from USD 2,994.50 per tonne. For the December 27 contract, the bid price climbed by 0.57 per cent to USD 2,975 per tonne from USD 2,958 per tonne. The offer price increased by 0.57 per cent to USD...
