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Constellium may halt EU aluminium recycling expansion as scrap shortage deepens
Constellium’s plans to expand aluminium recycling in the European Union could be put on hold if the region fails to secure enough aluminium scrap, with exports to overseas markets contributing to a shortage of raw material for European producers. The company is reviewing aluminium recycling projects across its packaging, automotive and aerospace divisions. CEO Ingrid Joerg told Reuters that the projects could be larger or smaller than the EUR 130 million (USD 148.82 million) recycling expansion at Constellium’s Neuf-Brisach plant in France. “We have several recycling projects in the pipeline that we are investigating. But if there’s no scrap, they’re not going to happen,” Joerg said. EU aluminium scrap policy under scrutiny The availability of aluminium scrap has become a key concern for...
German aluminium foil exports fall 2.8% in H1 2026 despite higher volume supplied to France: How will H2 unfold?
Germany’s aluminium foil export market is showing a shift after two years of steady recovery. The upward trend that had returned after the 2023 downturn failed to hold, with shipments slipping again even as some markets continued to show resilience in H1 2026. The change becomes clearer when the recent history is put together. Germany exported 151,000 tonnes in H1 2022, but the volume dropped to 138,000 tonnes in H1 2023, down 8.6 per cent. Exports then began to recover, reaching 141,000 tonnes in H1 2024, up 2.2 per cent, and 144,000 tonnes in H1 2025, an increase of 2.1 per cent, according to ITC data. In H1 2026, however, exports fell back to 140,000 tonnes, down 2.8 per cent year on year. The decline is relatively modest, but it marks a break in the recovery - raising the question of...
Maaden aluminium revenue jumps 49% to $1.01 billion in Q2 2026
Maaden’s aluminium business delivered a stronger Q2 2026 performance, with revenue rising 49 per cent year on year to USD 1.01 billion, supported by higher aluminium production and stronger realised prices. According to industry sources, Maaden’s aluminium business produced 242,000 tonnes in Q2 2026, while realised aluminium prices reached USD 3,915 per tonne, up 51 per cent. The combination of higher aluminium output and stronger realised prices helped drive the 49 per cent increase in Maaden aluminium revenue to USD 1.01 billion. The growth came alongside gains in both volume and pricing rather than from a one-off accounting effect. The stronger Q2 performance puts aluminium prices in focus for Maaden’s earnings. With realised aluminium prices reaching USD 3,915 per tonne, the company...
China Rare Earth Group in talks to acquire Shenghe Resources, putting MP Materials stake in focus
China Rare Earth Group is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Shenghe Resources, a move that could bring the Chinese rare earth producer under tighter state control while giving Beijing influence over Shenghe’s overseas holdings, including a stake in US rare earths company MP Materials. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that discussions between the companies have been underway since earlier this year. One source said China Rare Earth Group is seeking a controlling stake, although neither source knew when the acquisition could be announced or completed. If the deal goes through, China Rare Earth Group would take control of Shenghe’s interests in foreign companies, including its 3 per cent stake in MP Materials. The US rare earths company counts the US Department of...
FIFA World Cup 2034 to drive Saudi aluminium demand, set to surge 80% by 2030
Saudi Arabia’s aluminium consumption could climb to as much as 1.8 million tonnes a year by 2030, as the Kingdom ramps up infrastructure and industrial development ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Ahmad Al-Alshaikh, executive vice president of Maaden’s Aluminum Business Unit, said demand is expected to reach at least 1.6 million tonnes annually by 2030, up from around 1 million tonnes currently. Consumption could potentially double over the next five to seven years, he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the Fastmarkets International Aluminium Conference in Budapest, Al-Alshaikh said construction of 15 new stadiums for the football tournament is helping to support aluminium demand, Reuters reported. Major exhibitions and preparations for the World Cup are also expected to contribute to...
Oklahoma aluminium smelter project faces Inola referendum and the $4b facility could change location
The USD 4 billion Oklahoma aluminium smelter project planned by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum is facing a new hurdle in Inola, where the city council has extended a moratorium on smelter permits and called a referendum on the proposed facility. The 750,000-tonne-per-year aluminium smelter, announced in January, is expected to more than double current US primary aluminium production and would be the first new primary aluminium smelter in the country in almost 50 years. It would also become the largest source of primary aluminium in the Western Hemisphere. The project has taken on added importance as the US imports roughly 60 per cent of the primary aluminium it uses. Aluminium is essential to transportation, defence, aerospace and electrical infrastructure, making...
Vedanta Aluminium shares could rise 31% as Kotak Neo sees tighter aluminium market supporting earnings
Vedanta Aluminium could see a 31 per cent upside from its current market price, with Kotak Neo retaining a ‘Buy’ rating and a price target of INR 540 as it expects a firm aluminium market to support the company's earnings growth. The research house expects global aluminium markets to remain tight through calendar year 2028, with project execution challenges potentially limiting the pace of new supply from Indonesia. It said the market may be underestimating the durability of the aluminium upcycle and Vedanta Aluminium's earnings growth potential. Vedanta Aluminium Metal shares were trading 3.02 per cent higher at INR 416.50 on Friday, September 18, 2026, compared with the previous close of approximately INR 404.30. The stock has declined around 8 per cent over the past month. At INR...
German aluminium extrusion technology advances with Günther Wensing, H+H Herrmann + Hieber & Kind & Co. - discover the key technologies
Germany has long been one of Europe’s key markets for aluminium extrusions. Germany’s aluminium extrusion market was valued at USD 3,787.5 million in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 5.8 per cent CAGR through 2030, according to various industry sources. A large share of the Germany’s aluminium extrusion demand comes from the automotive, construction and machinery sectors. While automotive applications include EV components, chassis parts and structural assemblies, construction demand is supported by renovation and infrastructure projects, particularly for energy-efficient windows and façades. Machinery and industrial applications further broaden the market for extruded aluminium. As demand evolves, extrusion plants are also looking for more efficient ways to produce and move profiles....
Europe holds 10% of global aluminium extrusion demand, supported by Germany’s Constellium, France’s Hydro Extrusions & Italy’s Metra
Across Europe, aluminium extrusion has become closely woven into some of the region’s biggest industrial and construction markets. From automotive and transport to buildings and industrial applications, extruded profiles are finding demand across a wide range of sectors. This is reflected in Europe’s position in the global market: the region accounted for 12 per cent of global aluminium extrusion capacity, making it the second-largest regional contributor after China. At the same time, Europe represented 10 per cent of global aluminium extrusion usage, out of total global usage of 35.35 million tonnes . With production capacity and usage shares relatively close, Europe’s extrusion capacity and consumption are broadly at par. If we break down Europe’s 10 per cent share of global aluminium...
KPS to sell aluminium extrusion company Metra to Grupa Kęty in $745m deal
Five years after taking control of Metra, KPS Capital Partners is preparing to hand over the aluminium extrusion company to Poland’s Grupa Kęty in a deal valued at EUR 645 million (USD745 million). The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027 pending customary approvals, will bring Metra under the ownership of a Warsaw-listed industrial group with an established presence in aluminium extrusion, architectural and sun protection systems, and flexible packaging. For Metra, the deal comes after a period of expansion under KPS. The private equity firm acquired the company in July 2021 and used the following five years to reshape the business through acquisitions, capacity investments and expansion into new markets. During KPS ownership, Metra completed five add-on...
Kibar Americas restarts former Novelis aluminium plant in Fairmont, targets hundreds of jobs
Kibar Americas has begun production at the former Novelis aluminium plant in Fairmont, marking the facility’s return to operation more than a year after its sudden closure resulted in the loss of more than 180 jobs. The reopening was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local leaders and former plant workers, highlighting the facility’s return as a manufacturing site and Kibar Americas’ plans to build up its workforce. For Fairmont Deputy Mayor Josh Rice, the reopening carried a personal significance. Rice spent 13 years working at the former Novelis plant before its closure, which left him and nearly 200 other employees without work. “It was like a brotherhood, the guys that I had here,” Rice said. “So, when you come here for things like that, I’ve had several tragic things...
Mercuria, Glencore explore Venalum aluminium smelter deal as Venezuela eyes production revival
Venezuela’s biggest aluminium smelter, Venalum, could be heading for a fresh start as Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. and Glencore Plc explore a potential deal that could bring new investment and operating expertise to the facility that has spent years producing only a fraction of its original capacity. The talks come as Venezuela seeks to rebuild an industrial sector weakened by economic turmoil, power shortages and years of underinvestment. Discussions with the Venezuelan government have included the possibility of taking over operations at the Venalum smelter and securing access to the aluminium it produces, according to Bloomberg News. Mercuria is working with private mining investment firm Heeney Capital on the potential transaction. The two companies have previously worked together on...
LME aluminium cash bid price drops 2.06% to $3,273/tonne as stocks decline to 244,350t
LME aluminium prices recorded a sharp decline on September 11 compared with the previous trading day, with cash and three-month prices falling by around 2%, while exchange stocks edged lower. The LME aluminium cash bid price slipped to USD 3,273 per tonne on September 11, compared with USD 3,342 per tonne on September 10, marking a 2.06 per cent decline. The cash offer price followed the same trend, falling to USD 3,274 per tonne from USD 3,343 per tonne, also down 2.06 per cent. The weakness extended to the three-month contract. The 3-month bid price fell to USD 3,249 per tonne from USD 3,316 per tonne, representing a 2.02 per cent drop, while the offer price declined to USD 3,250 per tonne from USD 3,318 per tonne, down 2.05 per cent. Further down the forward curve, the December 27 bid...
AL Circle Analysis: Rising bauxite supply, India’s alumina surplus and US policy reshape the aluminium industry
The bauxite and alumina industry has been busy repositioning itself on several fronts. Companies are expanding mining and smelting capacity, exploring new resource regions and moving towards higher-value products, while governments are stepping in to protect strategically important alumina assets. At the same time, changing trade flows and softer regional premiums are offering a mixed picture for buyers and sellers. The developments point to a common industry response: secure more supply, diversify where it comes from and capture more value from each tonne. Companies are expanding, but not in the same direction Growth plans across the industry show that producers are taking different routes to strengthen their positions. Ashapura Minechem is expanding its Guinea bauxite operations while...
Rildo Lima takes charge as CEO of Ardagh Metal Packaging South America
Ardagh Metal Packaging South America (AMP-South America) has appointed Rildo Lima as its Chief Executive Officer, with Lima succeeding Jorge Bannitz after his 30-year career with the company and contribution to the Brazilian beverage can industry. Lima brings more than three decades of leadership experience across the industrial, consumer goods and packaging sectors. His career has included senior executive positions across North America, Latin America and Europe, where he has led commercial, innovation and business transformation initiatives for multinational organisations. Before joining AMP-South America, Lima served as Managing Director of South America at O-I Glass. In that role, he led operations through a new growth cycle and delivered significant improvements in profitability,...
Germany’s aluminium scrap exports rebound 4.58% in H1 2026: Which countries are buying the most?
Germany’s aluminium scrap trade showed signs of recovery in the first half of 2026, with exports to the world reaching 616,000 tonnes, up 4.58 per cent from 589,000 tonnes in H1 2025. The increase was even more pronounced against the second half of 2025, with H1 2026 shipments rising 7.50 per cent from 573,000 tonnes. However, exports remained 4.05 per cent below the 642,000 tonnes recorded in H1 2024. Among Germany’s leading destinations, Italy retained the top spot, Austria and France gained the most, Poland lost ground, and the Netherlands saw only limited growth. If we look at the percentage of the share, Italy took 15.58 per cent of Germany’s scrap exports, followed by Austria at 13.64 per cent, the Netherlands at 10.06 per cent, Poland at 8.12 per cent and France at 6.17 per cent....
LME aluminium cash offer rises 0.84% to $3,353/t; stocks remain unchanged at 244,525t
The LME aluminium price moved higher on September 9 compared with the previous trading day, with cash and three-month aluminium prices recording gains, while total warehouse stocks remained unchanged. On September 9, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3351.5 per tonne, up USD 27.5 per tonne, or 0.83 per cent, from USD 3324 per tonne on September 8. The LME aluminium cash offer price rose to USD 3353 per tonne from USD 3325 per tonne, marking an increase of USD 28 per tonne, or 0.84 per cent. The LME aluminium 3-month bid price stood at USD 3336 per tonne on September 9, compared with USD 3318.5 per tonne on September 8, representing a gain of USD 17.5 per tonne, or 0.53 per cent. The 3-month offer price increased to USD 3338 per tonne from USD 3319 per tonne, up USD 19 per...
India’s electronics aluminium demand to grow 7.6-9.2 % CAGR: Why aren’t makers benefiting from strong domestic production?
India’s aluminium smelters operate with some of the highest margins in the value chain, at around 10 per cent, but this profitability is not reflected among downstream manufacturers, where margins are closer to 5 per cent. These companies convert the metal into finished products such as heat sinks, enclosures, connectors, frames and other aluminium components for electronics manufacturers, but are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with imports. This matters because India's electronics industry is growing rapidly, creating a much larger market for aluminium components. Electronics production has increased nearly six-fold to around INR 147 billion in 2024-25, from about INR 24.7 billion in 2014-15, while the sector has created around 2.5 million jobs over the past decade. The...
