AL Circle Analysis: 243% US scrap rise, 6Mt European recycling & Germany’s power fix drive aluminium trade
Aluminium’s trade map is no longer drawn by smelters alone. Scrap flows, power contracts, industrial policy and specialist grades now shape who secures metal, at what cost and under whose rules. Ten recent developments across Europe, the US, Australia, Japan and Mexico show how recycling, energy and regulation are becoming the new levers of aluminium competitiveness. They also show where traders, exporters and policymakers may need to adjust. Scrap tug-of-war: the US pull, Europe’s leak and the recycling base at stake The pull starts with price. The US UBC scrap benchmark averaged USD 2,322.89 a tonne in July, USD 2,491.22 in August and USD 2,602.51 in September. That is a 12 per cent climb, and it came after a July that opened at USD 2,464.98 and fell to USD 2,270.76 within two days....
Europe’s 9M 2026 aluminium production jumps to 5.56Mt as smelter restarts gain ground
As the global aluminium supply chain continues to swing between shifts and crunches, how has Europe fared on the production front in the 2026 year-to-date calendar? Substantially well, going by the output figures. Between January and September 2026, the European continent, including Russia, has produced a total of 5.56 million tonnes of primary aluminium, building a significant year-on-year growth chart. The nine-month growth chart Set against the same period of 2025, the first nine months of 2026 show a clear lift in output. From January to September 2026, Europe, including Russia, produced 5.56 million tonnes of primary aluminium, raising the annual growth rate by 5.69 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) over the 5.26 million tonnes produced in 2025. Explore the production, demand and...
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Top 10 aluminium can recycling countries leading the global circularity race
The aluminium can story today is no longer just about growth-it is about what happens after consumption. The market, valued at USD 55.5 billion in 2023, moved up to USD 58.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 61.5 billion in 2025, with projections pointing to USD 85.6 billion by 2032. At the same time, usage keeps climbing. From about 470 billion aluminium cans in 2024, global consumption is set to touch 510 billion in 2025 and could reach 627 billion by 2030. That steady rise is putting pressure on systems worldwide-not just to produce more, but to recover more. And that is already happening. A group of countries has pushed aluminium can recycling rates beyond 90 per cent, spread across Asia, North America, and South America. Each operates differently, yet the outcome is...
Why the price volatility in the global aluminium UBC scrap market: LME benchmarks and the underlying economic drivers
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 The global aluminium market is currently transitioning from a century-long reliance on primary smelting to a circular economy model centred on Used Beverage Can (UBC) scrap. This shift is not merely environmental—it is fundamentally economic, driven by the extreme energy intensity of primary production, tightening carbon-linked trade policies, and the financialisation of scrap through the London Metal Exchange (LME). The movement of aluminium UBC scrap prices, once a localised phenomenon, has now evolved into a globally transparent metric shaped by LME benchmarks, regional energy shocks, and the strategic accumulation of low-carbon feedstock by multinational corporations. For the updated global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global...
Aluminium production hit by the Middle East conflict: Nearly 4% in Q1 and 32% in Q2
Global aluminium production and supply is considerably driven by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which contributes around 9 per cent of aluminium to the supply chain. Every year, the GCC produces and supplies approximately 6 to 6.5 million tonnes and 5 to 5.5 million tonnes of aluminium, respectively. However, 2026 is proving to be an exception owing to the ongoing Middle East conflict, as the impact of the geopolitical tensions clearly reflect on the aluminium production of the region in the January-March quarter (Q1) of 2026. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Aluminium production and supply have been strained for nearly two months since the end of February and the beginning of the Middle East...
China hits 201Mt bauxite imports in 2025 as major shifts seen in African regions like Guyana and Sierra Leone
Is China’s aluminium industry gradually finding itself more dependent on overseas suppliers for a critical raw material? That question becomes difficult to ignore when the 2025 numbers come into focus. During the year, China’s bauxite imports climbed to 201 million tonnes, rising from 159 million tonnes in 2024-an increase of about 26.5 per cent-clearly pointing to stronger reliance on external supply chains. China produced around 87 million tonnes of bauxite in 2025, while demand stood in the range of 232.4–278.8 million tonnes. That created a structural gap of around 191 million tonnes, which imports increasingly had to bridge, a trend closely analysed in AL Circle’s Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook report. Who really controls...
Double blow from the Middle East – aluminium supply disruptions and export challenges for the automobile industry
The ongoing geo-political conflict in West Asia has put many end-user sectors under strain in several parts of the world. From packaging to building and construction, all have been whining over raw material crisis, especially aluminium, since Gulf countries contribute a substantial portion of the metal used in these manufacturing sectors. Not only large economies like Europe, the United States, or India are grappling with crisis, but also countries like Sri Lanka, which consumes only 28,000 tonnes of aluminium in the construction sector , yet under pressure. That’s because out of 14,941 tonnes of unwrought aluminium sourced in the country, 5,235.73 tonnes come from Bahrain. Now, coming to the automobile industry, for which the problem is more nuanced because the industry is largely...
The geography of ‘green’ aluminium: Why location trumps technology
Primary aluminium remains one of the most energy-intensive industrial commodities, consuming 13-15 MWh per tonne and accounting for over 900 TWh of electricity demand globally. When powered by coal, production emits 12–14 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of aluminium, making electricity sourcing (not smelting technology) the decisive factor in determining carbon intensity. On the production front, geography seems to be dictating emissions far more than incremental efficiency gains in cell design. Smelters powered by hydro or nuclear energy, like those in Norway, Quebec, and Iceland, emit as little as 1-2 tonnes of CO₂ per tonne of aluminium produced. Au contraire, coal-dependent operations across China, India, and Australia routinely exceed 12–16 tonnes. As carbon pricing mechanisms, trade...
NBS: China's power output rises 1.4% YoY in March, with hydropower leading growth
The total amount of electricity generated in China in March rose by 1.4 per cent on year to 802.48 billion kilowatt hours (kWh), according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on April 16, with hydropower emerging as the primary growth driver. Hydropower output surged 10.8 per cent on year to 86.21 billion kWh, supported by significantly higher precipitation in many areas raising water levels in major hydro dams. Data from the China Meteorological Administration showed that average rainfall nationwide in March reached 33 mm, up 18.7 per cent compared with historical norms. This translated into stronger water inflows, with the average discharge at the Three Gorges Dam - the country's largest hydropower facility rising by 23 per cent on year to 7,896 cubic meters/s,...
If Vietnam holds the highest bauxite reserves, China leads the output - where is Asia’s supply chain anchored?
Asia sits on vast bauxite wealth, yet much of its story remains beneath the surface. Global reserves are estimated at 29-30 billion tonnes, while annual production stands at just about 480 million tonnes, only 1.6-1.7 per cent of the total. Of this reserve base, Asia accounts for roughly 18 per cent. This contrast sets up a key question: if resources are sufficient, what is shaping supply? The imbalance becomes visible the moment reserves are mapped out. Vietnam leads with 3.1 billion tonnes, contributing about 10.7 per cent of global reserves. Indonesia follows closely with 3.0 billion tonnes. India holds 0.65 billion tonnes, largely concentrated in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, while China-despite its dominance in aluminium industry has just 0.71 billion tonnes. At first glance, the...
US alumina imports jump 32% in 2025 as Jamaica’s exports double
In 2025, the US alumina story begins with rising imports-but it quickly reveals a system under strain. US alumina imports surged to 1.77 million tonnes in 2025, up 32 per cent from 1.34 million tonnes in 2024, reversing a marginal 1 per cent dip from 1.36 million tonnes in 2023. It reads like a rebound-but is it really a recovery story, or does it signal a deeper structural shift? The movement through the year adds intrigue. Alumina imports rose consistently through the first three quarters of 2025 before reversing sharply in the final quarter. Volumes reached 439,000 tonnes in Q1, increasing to 466,000 tonnes in Q2, up 6 per cent quarter on quarter, and climbed further to 506,000 tonnes in Q3, marking an 8 per cent rise. However, this upward trajectory broke in Q4, with imports falling...
China to see a LNG import gap of 2.696 million tonnes in Q2
Given geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, China's LNG imports are expected to decline year-on-year in Q2 2026. However, as Golden Pass LNG capacities come online ahead of schedule, the global tight balance is expected to ease around September. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " China's LNG imports in April are estimated at 3.27 million tonnes, down 18.3 per cent month-on-month and 29.5 per cent year-on-year, the steepest monthly decline since early 2024. Attacks on two main LNG trains at Qatar's Ras Laffan in March and two-week shutdowns at Australia's North West Shelf LNG terminal led to a single-month supply gap of about 1.367 million tonnes. LNG imports are projected to pick up in May and June,...
Europe’s 6.8% dross generation from aluminium recycling reflects global standard- how the continent is scaling its recovery efforts
Did you know? Around 7 per cent of black dross is generated from the total volume of recycled aluminium worldwide, and Europe reflects a similar ratio of black dross generation at around 6.83 per cent. Aluminium dross occurs in two forms: black and white. White dross is generated mainly in primary aluminium smelters and during the melting of clean or pre-treated scrap in foundries. It forms when molten aluminium reacts with oxygen during smelting, refining, or casting, creating a residue with relatively high aluminium content. Black dross, by contrast, forms during recycling, particularly where mixed or contaminated scrap is melted. Coatings, oils, and other impurities increase oxidation and slag formation, producing a darker residue with lower aluminium content. On a global scale, dross...
Middle East aluminium attacks have a limited impact on China's prebaked anode exports
On March 28, Emirates Global Aluminium's (EGA) Al Taweelah plant in Abu Dhabi and Alba's production facilities in Bahrain were hit by precision drone strikes, damaging some equipment. EGA and Alba have annual capacities of 1.6 million tonnes and 1.623 million tonnes, respectively. The Middle East accounted for about 9 per cent of global aluminium capacity, totalling 6.9 million tonnes/year. Before the attacks, Middle East electrolytic aluminium output had been cut by nearly 10 per cent. With additional damage from the strikes, an estimated 30 per cent of the region's electrolytic aluminium capacity could be affected. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Producing one tonne of electrolytic aluminium required...
China seizes opportunity to boost aluminium exports amid the Middle East conflict – which countries stand to gain?
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 Restricted trade from the Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz and EGA’s Al Taweelah smelter becoming inoperative for a year due to Iranian strikes are seen as an opportunity for China’s aluminium export growth by many market analysts. Whether this ambition may turn real or not is something to be assessed, but it stems from the void being caused in the market due to the Gulf region's inability to serve the global aluminium demand at this moment. The Gulf not only produces 10 per cent of the world’s aluminium but also supports the global supply chain by contributing 9 per cent to the total. In figures, Gulf countries export more than 5 million tonnes of wrought and unwrought aluminium to the world. As per the International Trade Administration data of 2025,...
Does the Hormuz freeze, hitting 9% global supply, reopen the door for an alternative 5-6 Mt aluminium supplier?
The recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, notably a US-Israeli movement involving Iran in early 2026, has sent tremors through global aluminium markets. Gulf-region smelters account for roughly 9 per cent of the world’s primary aluminium supply (and over 20 per cent if China and Russia are excluded). Over 6.16 million tonnes per year of aluminium are produced in the Gulf states, and about 75-80 per cent of that is exported to global consumers. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut to shipping, exports from Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and other Gulf producers have been disrupted, forcing curtailments and raising fears of a major supply squeeze. As one recently published article by S&P Global notes, “trade via the Strait of Hormuz – a vital shipping corridor for aluminium – has...
Brazil’s bauxite exports increase by 20% in 2025 even as production remains stagnant at 30–33 Mt
Brazil sits among the world’s five major bauxite players as of 2025-alongside Guinea, Australia, Vietnam and Indonesia-with reserves estimated at around 1.7 billion tonnes. But that hasn’t translated into higher output. Production reached 33 million tonnes in 2025, unchanged from 2024, and has been moving in the same 30–33 million tonnes range for the past five years. This gap between what the country has and what it produces shows in other sector too. In rare earths, Brazil holds 23.3 per cent of global reserves but contributed only 0.01 per cent of output in 2024, pointing to a wider structural issue in the mining sector. Domestic refineries shape bauxite use A large part of the explanation is where the bauxite goes. Much of it stays inside Brazil instead of being exported, feeding the...
Global aluminium plates, sheets and strips trade 2025: Policy, cost and geopolitics reshape export
Global exports of aluminium plates, sheets and strips between 2023 and 2025 have formed a chain that goes beyond routine market cycles. The export trend depicts the reshaping of the market by policy decisions, geopolitical tensions and evolving supply chains. Latest trade data accumulated from the International Trade Administration throws light on how these factors directly influence export performance across major producing nations. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain With the global consumption of aluminium plates, sheets and strips standing at 26.92 million tonnes in 2025, the total quantity traded by the top 10 exporters stood around 23.09 million tonnes, reflecting their dominance in the global...
Aluminium as a ‘Critical Mineral’ – how much is it catching up with the label given in the US, EU, UK, Canada and Africa?
Across major economies – from the United States and European Union to the United Kingdom, Canada, and Africa, aluminium has formally entered the league of critical minerals – not because the metal is rare but it is indispensable for economic and environmental growth. Aluminium, over the period of time, has made itself a non-substitutable element in modern economies through critical applications in industrial growth, defence capability, and decarbonisation. It is also the metal that has built direct relation with global economic structures; hence, any disruption in its supply chain affects employment, trade balances, and industrial output. Economic contribution – a mature industry with strategic weight To all these regions stated above, the aluminium industry supports a substantial share...
From copper oversupply to aluminium crisis: Middle East conflict reshapes metals market
What began as an overall surge in the metals market towards the beginning of the year has quickly turned far more uneven, as the ongoing Middle East conflict enters its fifth week. While early market sentiment was dominated by fears of a copper crisis, the unfolding reality focuses on a different crisis surrounding aluminium. Global institutions, including the International Energy Agency, International Monetary Fund and World Bank, have already referred to the conflict as one of the most severe recent energy shocks. Beyond the immediate humanitarian impact, the geopolitical situation is disrupting trade routes, hoisting energy prices and introducing fresh volatility across markets. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across...
