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From tightening scrap flows to renewable power deals, aluminium’s transition moves beyond recycling into a broader structural shift
For a long time, recycled aluminium has been seen as the industry’s safety valve-helping both with decarbonisation and raw material security. That role remains intact, but the market is beginning to show some strain. The United States still dominates as a major exporter of aluminium scrap, backed by a strong collection ecosystem and steady surplus. Much of this material continues to move to Asian processing hubs, keeping a familiar West-to-East trade route active. But the pace has eased slightly. USGS data shows exports at 1,880,000 tonnes for January–November 2025, compared with 1,920,000 tonnes a year earlier-a 2.08 per cent drop. It’s not a sharp fall, but enough to suggest that supply is tightening at the margins. Read the full story here . India is already feeling the impact....
European aluminium premium reaches a record $472/t in March - is it a build-up from last year or the Hormuz crisis?
The European aluminium premium, the extra cost buyers pay above London Metal Exchange prices to obtain physical metal, has risen in early 2026, indicating higher costs and tighter supply in the region. It was at USD 335 per tonne on January 2, 2026 and stayed within USD 340 per tonne to USD 360.63 per tonne through February. The change became evident in March. Premiums moved up to USD 369.5 per tonne on March 2, rose to USD 427.5 per tonne by March 4, and continued increasing to USD 472.22 per tonne on March 25. Over this period, average aluminium costs in Europe rose by roughly 17–18 per cent compared to late 2025. The timing lines up with rising tensions in the Middle East. The Persian Gulf, producing about 6.8 million tonnes of primary aluminium each year, is a key supplier to Europe...
Freight surge reshapes Guinea-China bauxite trade: Is the momentum under pressure?
The Guinea-China bauxite corridor has long powered global aluminium supply chains. However, this high-volume trade now appears to be entering a more fragile phase, as rising freight costs, shifting trade flows, and emerging policy signals from Guinea begin to test the resilience of one of the world’s most critical bulk routes, according to shipbroker Intermodal. Guinea exported about 183 million tonnes of bauxite in 2025, up 25 per cent year-on-year, with most of the material shipped to China. On the demand side, China’s aluminium output remains close to its effective ceiling of around 45 million tonnes per year, keeping it dependent on imported feedstock. China’s bauxite imports have exceeded 200 million tonnes, reflecting the scale of the trade and its role in supporting Capesize vessel...
Alumina production in Africa and Asia (ex-China) up 5% in 2025-exploring what drove the rise
While global attention remains fixed on China, a quieter transformation is unfolding across Africa and Asia. Across Africa and Asia (excluding China), metallurgical alumina production climbed from 13.8 million tonnes in 2024 to 14.5 million tonnes in 2025. That’s a gain of around 700,000 tonnes, or about 5 per cent year-on-year. On paper, it looks steady. In reality, it reflects a shift that’s being built piece by piece. 2025: A year of steady build-up What stands out in 2025 is not just the total output, but how it evolved through the year. Production averaged around 39,800 tonnes per day, but the path to that number was far from linear. The year opened quietly. Q1 came in at 3.4 million tonnes, weighed down by a softer February. Things began to turn in March, and that recovery carried...
LME aluminium offer price slipped 0.76% to $3,400/t on March 18; opening stock declined to 440,325t
LME aluminium prices moved lower on March 18 compared to March 17 across both cash and forward contracts, while exchange inventories also declined. The cash bid price fell to USD 3,399.5 per tonne on March 18 from USD 3,425 per tonne on March 17, marking a 0.74 per cent decrease. The cash offer price slipped to USD 3,400 per tonne from USD 3,426 per tonne, down 0.76 per cent. In the forward market, the 3-month bid price declined to USD 3,379.5 per tonne from USD 3,412 per tonne, a 0.95 per cent drop, while the 3-month offer price edged down to USD 3,380 per tonne from USD 3,413 per tonne, also reflecting a 0.97 per cent decrease. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ”. Further along the curve, the...
EGA reroutes aluminium trade through Oman amid Hormuz disruption
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) will reroute its aluminium exports and raw material imports through Oman’s Sohar port in the coming days, as the US-Israel conflict with Iran continues to disrupt traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters. The conflict has forced companies across the Gulf to adjust supply routes that depend on the strategic waterway. With annual production of about 2.7 million tonnes in the UAE, EGA’s operations reflect the scale of disruption to trade flows. The impact is already visible in global markets. Aluminium prices climbed to a four-year high of USD 3,546.50 per tonne last week, up 12 per cent since the conflict began, reflecting concerns over tighter supply. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry...
With global aluminium extrusion consumption around 35.25 MT in 2025, how are various sectors and regions performing?
High-rise façades, electric vehicles, electronics and solar installations all rely on aluminium extrusion, where heated billets are shaped into precise, high-strength profiles. Its lightweight, durable and adaptable nature makes it widely used, as industries continue to prioritise efficiency and performance. Global aluminium extrusion consumption reached 34.27 million tonnes in 2024 and is expected to grow to 35.25 million tonnes in 2025, an increase of 2.9 per cent. By 2026, usage is projected to reach 36.14 million tonnes, growing by another 2.5 per cent. Who is driving the demand? Construction continues to carry the bulk of the load. It consumed 18.57 million tonnes in 2024 and is expected to edge up to 18.98 million tonnes in 2025, with growth of about 2.53 per cent through 2026. That...
LME aluminium price continues to rise, with the cash offer at $3520/t and opening stocks falling to 447,300t
The cash aluminium price on the London Metal Exchange (LME) edged higher on March 13 compared with the previous day, while the 3-month contract and longer-dated futures declined. Warehouse stocks on the exchange also fell slightly. On March 13, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3519.5 per tonne, up 0.10 per cent from USD 3516 per tonne on March 12. The cash offer price was USD 3520 per tonne, also rising 0.10 per cent from USD 3516.5 per tonne a day earlier. In contrast, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price declined to USD 3485.5 per tonne on March 13, down 0.19 per cent from USD 3492 per tonne on March 12. The 3-month offer price fell to USD 3486 per tonne, a 0.23 per cent decrease from USD 3494 per tonne. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook,...
Aluminium weekly recap: From bauxite mines to rising aluminium prices, Hormuz tensions shape the market
The aluminium value chain has been shaped by a mix of expanding raw material supply, geopolitical tensions and shifting market signals. While bauxite mining activity has continued to grow across several producing regions, developments further downstream - particularly around the Strait of Hormuz - have raised concerns about supply security for both alumina and primary aluminium. Corporate results from major producers have also highlighted how companies are navigating this evolving landscape. Bauxite sector sees steady expansion and new resource developments Global bauxite production continued to trend upward in 2025. Estimates from AL Circle place worldwide output at around 475–480 million tonnes, with projections suggesting that production could rise by roughly 6 per cent in 2026. Supply...
US craft beer aluminium cans share hits 78%, leading growth to level off, Brewers Association says
Aluminium cans have become the main packaging format for US craft beer, though the shift away from glass bottles now appears to be slowing. Data for 2025 from the Brewers Association shows that most craft beer is already sold in cans, leaving limited room for further gains. Cans represented 78 per cent of packaged craft beer volume in 2025, while glass bottles accounted for the remaining 22 per cent. The figures illustrate how strongly aluminium has gained ground over recent years. In 2022, cans held 69 per cent of the market compared with 31 per cent for glass, reflecting a steady movement toward metal packaging across the craft segment. Regional differences highlight uneven adoption The transition to cans is not uniform across the country. Some states have already reached...
US bauxite imports rise 9.2% in Q3 2025 but remain lower Y-o-Y amid tariffs and refinery closures
US imports of bauxite slowed noticeably in 2025 after a relatively steady climb in the previous year. By the third quarter of 2025, inbound shipments stood at 403,000 tonnes. That figure was 27 per cent lower than the 553,000 tonnes imported in the same quarter of 2024 and 38 per cent below the third quarter of 2023. The contrast becomes clearer when looking at the January-September period. During the first nine months of 2024, US imports reached 1.58 million tonnes and over the same stretch of 2025, volumes slipped to 1.25 million tonnes, marking a 20.9 per cent decline. Quarterly movements show how the year unfolded. Imports began at 480,000 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025. They then dropped sharply in the second quarter to 369,000 tonnes, a fall of 23.1 per cent. A modest rebound...
LME aluminium cash offer rises 1.90% to $3,467/t amid a drop in LME inventories
LME aluminium prices moved higher on March 11 compared with March 10, while exchange inventories recorded a slight decline. On March 11, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,465 per tonne, up from USD 3,402 per tonne on March 10, marking an increase of USD 63 or 1.85 per cent. The cash offer price rose to USD 3,467 per tonne from USD 3,402.5 per tonne, gaining USD 64.5 or 1.90 per cent. The LME aluminium 3-month contract also strengthened. The 3-month bid price reached USD 3,442 per tonne on March 11, compared with USD 3,388 per tonne on March 10, reflecting a rise of USD 54 or 1.59 per cent. The 3-month offer price increased to USD 3,444 per tonne from USD 3,390 per tonne, also up USD 54 or 1.59 per cent. In contrast, longer-dated contracts softened. The December 2027 bid...
3-month raw material disruption in GCC may lead to a 1–1.25 MT shortage in primary aluminium production - here’s how
The Middle East’s rise as a global aluminium powerhouse has largely been driven by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Large, energy-efficient smelters across the region have enabled steady production growth and helped the Middle East secure a stronger foothold in the global aluminium market. Primary aluminium output increased from 5.8 million tonnes in 2021 to 6 million tonnes in 2022, reflecting a 3.14 per cent year-on-year rise. Expansion continued as production reached 6.2 million tonnes in 2023 and 6.3 million tonnes in 2024, marking growth of 2.35 per cent and 2.07 per cent respectively. However, momentum slowed in 2025, when output declined to 6.15 million tonnes, a 2.95 per cent drop from the previous year. The slowdown followed raw material supply crisis last year and is still...
Jamaica launches phase VIII of bauxite community development programme with $400M allocation
Jamaica has launched a new phase of the Bauxite Community Development Programme (BCDP), marking three decades of sustained efforts to channel mining revenues back into communities located near the country’s bauxite operations. The official launch of Phase VIII took place on March 4, with an allocation of USD 400 million to support projects across Jamaica’s traditional bauxite-producing parishes. The programme will continue to fund initiatives in agriculture, education, infrastructure and community development, reinforcing the country’s long-standing focus on ensuring that mining activity contributes to local development. The milestone is being observed under the theme ‘BCDP at 30: Building Communities and Empowering Futures’, reflecting the programme’s three decades of engagement with...
LME aluminium offer price rose 2.62% to $3,384.5/t, continuing its upward trend amid disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) continued to climb amid rising geopolitical uncertainty linked to the US-Israel conflict with Iran and the disruption of shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global trade corridor. The conflict has raised concerns over potential supply bottlenecks from the Middle East, an important aluminium-producing region. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 3,384.5 per tonne on March 6 from USD 3,298 per tonne on March 5, marking an increase of 2.62 per cent. The cash offer price also increased to USD 3,385 per tonne from USD 3,298.5 per tonne, reflecting a 2.62 per cent rise day-on-day. Market sentiment has been supported by fears that prolonged tensions in the Gulf could disrupt metal flows and tighten global availability....
Strait of Hormuz closure also questions the viability of primary aluminium production in the Middle East and here's why
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has been causing concerns for primary aluminium supply around the world. At the same time, it is also raising questions about the supply of raw materials to the Middle East, a region heavily dependent on imported primary aluminium raw materials, many of which pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Situation intensified after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime shipping routes linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. For the Middle East’s aluminium industry, the closure raises a pressing question: how resilient is a major aluminium-producing region that depends heavily on imported raw materials? While the region accounts for roughly 8–9 per cent of global aluminium output, its smelters rely...
US primary aluminium market volatility - Production declining, imports trimming, while Strait of Hormuz closure adds to supply disruptions
The US primary aluminium market is navigating a challenging phase as domestic production declines and imports tighten under higher tariffs. With smelter output under pressure and external supply becoming less predictable, concerns around supply stability have intensified. Uncertainty surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, through which a large share of Middle Eastern aluminium exports pass, adds another dimension to an already strained supply environment. Production data from 2025 provides a clear snapshot of how US primary aluminium output has moved over the year. During the first nine months of 2025, domestic production reached 497,000 tonnes, compared with 506,000 tonnes during the same period in 2024, reflecting a 1.8 per cent year-on-year decline. Quarterly figures further illustrate the...
LME aluminium cash offer rises 1.33% to $3,269/t on March 3 as opening stocks fall to 463,550t
LME aluminium prices recorded gains on March 3 compared with March 2, while exchange inventories edged lower and cancelled warrants increased significantly. On March 3, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,267 per tonne, up from USD 3,225.5 per tonne on March 2 - an increase of USD 41.5 per tonne or 1.29 per cent. The cash offer price rose to USD 3,269 per tonne from USD 3,226 per tonne, marking a gain of USD 43 per tonne or 1.33 per cent. The LME aluminium three-month contract also strengthened. The three-month bid price reached USD 3,260 per tonne on March 3, compared with USD 3,232 per tonne a day earlier, reflecting an increase of USD 28 per tonne or 0.87 per cent. Meanwhile, the three-month offer price climbed to USD 3,260.5 per tonne from USD 3,233 per tonne, up USD 27.5...
