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...
H1 2026 sees more renewable energy than ever: Here’s a region-by-region guide to renewable energy supply in the recent past
In the first half of 2025, humanity generated more electricity from renewables than from coal for the first time ever. What led to it? It was possible only because of two decades of falling solar panel prices, taller wind turbines, and governments finally treating clean power like an economic opportunity instead of a favour to the planet. But the renewable energy scenario cannot be portrayed as a single global story. To get the full picture, one has to connect dozens of regional stories moving at wildly different speeds. Some countries are already powered almost entirely by sun, wind and water. Others are still warming up. Here is a tour of how renewable energy supply looks across the world’s regions right now, and who is actually leading the charge. The global scorecard: Renewable energy...
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WEEKLY: China thermal coal finds a floor, but recovery looks fragile
As of January 4, a makeup workday in China for the New Year's Day holiday, Mysteel assessed the benchmark 5,500 kcal per kg NAR thermal coal at RMB 690 per tonne (USD 98.8 per tonne) FOB northern ports with VAT, up by RMB 3 per tonne from a week earlier. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The market started recovering on December 30, when downstream buyers moved to seek spot cargoes at northern ports, anticipating cold weather systems to boost residential heating demand in early January across many places in the country, as Mysteel Global reported. At the same time, traders became more reluctant to offer price cuts after prolonged losses over the past month. Besides the emerging demand, their firmer pricing stance was also...
Oil, Energy Security, or Fiscal Relief - what Venezuela means for US
At the start of 2026, the Trump administration once again dominates global headlines—much as it did at the beginning of 2025. Then, the flashpoint was tariffs on aluminium and steel imports; now, it is the US military strike on Venezuela. In the early hours of January 3, 2026, around 2 a.m. local time, the United States launched a military operation codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve; and within the next few days, speculation over Washington’s motives and the broader consequences has intensified. Well, President Donald Trump has been unequivocal about the intent. Following the seizure of President Nicolás Maduro, Trump announced that the US would assume control of Venezuela to tap into the South American nation’s vast oil reserves. This move is quite a familiar geo-political pattern as...
Inner Mongolia approves relocation of primary aluminium capacity from Henan
The relocation will be carried out through an internal capacity transfer by Yidian Holding Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese aluminium and power producer. Under the plan, the company will transfer 240,000 tonnes per year of primary aluminium capacity from its controlling subsidiary Henan Hengkang Aluminium Co., Ltd. (Hengkang Aluminium) located in Sanmenxia city, Henan, to another controlling subsidiary, Inner Mongolia Dongshan Aluminium Co., Ltd. (Dongshan Aluminium), based in Chifeng city, Inner Mongolia, according to the announcement. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The two subsidiaries, Hengkang aluminium and Dongshan aluminium, have signed a capacity transfer agreement and formulated a capacity swap plan, the announcement said....
Thailand demonstrates aluminium export resilience; remains hopeful amidst CBAM challenges
The European Union’s (EU) policy of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), imposing “carbon-leakage” charges on cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen imported into the EU, has raised concerns among the European and exporting countries. Thailand, however, emerges with remarkable resilience under the CBAM regulations. Its industrial carbon-intensive goods export to the EU has surged drastically in the first 10 months of 2025. Thailand’s metal export containing aluminium, steel and iron had initially hit a slump during the CBAM transitional phase of 2023-2025. Despite the carbon emissions roadblock, the country made a fast recovery, and the aluminium, steel and iron export saw a steep hike by 54.71 per cent, rising from 0.29 per cent and capturing 0.42...
Before sanctions on Venezuela and the likes, Trump’s tariff-induced tussle was already global
The US attack on Venezuela has pulled eyeballs from nations across the globe. From the Venezuelan President and his wife’s arrest to zealing to take control of the attacked country’s vast oil reserve, the US supremo’s actions have stirred quite a debate on the world forum. But when we reminisce the past, we have realised that this is not the first time that the world has gone gaga over a Donald Trump-imposed decision. Long before sanctions on Caracas, On March 1, 2018, the US President, Donald Trump, announced his intention to impose a 25 per cent tariff on steel and a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imports. In a tweet the next day, Trump declared, "Trade wars are good, and easy to win." On March 8, he signed an order to impose the tariffs effective after 15 days. Not long after, the...
Shandong Group to build an integrated aluminium park in Saudi – is the kingdom next bet for China after Indonesia?
China has long capped its domestic primary aluminium production at 45 million tonnes, a ceiling designed to curb industrial emissions and contain environmental risk. In 2025, it finished the year with 88.2 million tonnes of alumina and around 44 million tonnes of primary aluminium, in line with the industry’s two-to-one production ratio. But as that cap presses tighter, Chinese companies are not slowing down. Instead, they are shifting strategy - pushing capital, technology and industrial muscle overseas so that aluminium keeps flowing, even if it is increasingly produced on other people’s soil. And in this expanding map, Indonesia has already become the central pillar, while China’s projects in Saudi Arabia - only a handful tied to aluminium so far - leave open the question of whether...
India: Imported aluminium scrap prices gain on strong LME, buyers adopt wait-and-watch approach
India's imported aluminium scrap prices rose in the week ended 6 January, supported by selective buying and stronger global aluminium sentiment. BigMint assessed Middle East-origin Tense (8-9 per cent) at USD 1,940 per tonne, up USD 10 per tonne w-o-w, while Middle East-origin Extrusion 6063 jumped USD 115 per tonne to USD 2,785per tonne, led by improved interest in higher-grade material. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Meanwhile, UK-origin Zorba 95 per 5 increased by USD 60 per tonne to USD 2,380per tonne, and US-origin Tense (6-7 per cent) rose USD 20 per tonne to USD 2,045per tonne. Prices of US-origin Taint Tabor HRB (3 per cent) climbed USD 40 per tonne to USD 2,305 per tonne, while UK-origin Wheel scrap gained USD 35...
Aluminium packaging consumption hit 18.5MT in 2024 - but with 2025 tariffs in place, how has the year played out, and what comes next?
Aluminium packaging didn’t arrive in the sustainability conversation by chance. Over time, it has developed into one of the most important pillars of modern sustainable packaging. Light, durable and recyclable, it sits at the centre of food, beverage and pharmaceutical supply chains. Its strongest advantage is protection. Aluminium shields products from light, oxygen, moisture and contaminants, helping preserve quality and extend shelf life. Because it can be recycled repeatedly without losing integrity, it consumes far less energy than primary production and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. As consumers shift toward greener choices, aluminium has gradually become a foundation of the circular economy, closely aligned with global sustainability ambitions. When policy collides with cost...
LME aluminium contract crosses $3000/t as supply deficit deepens with China’s 45-MT cap, smelter cuts, and US tariffs
Tightened supply outlook and long-term demand bets have taken the three-month LME aluminium contract to USD 3,015.50 per tonne for the first time in more than three years, as of Friday, January 2, 2026. Perhaps, this is the beginning of price rally as projected by many market analysts for 2026. China’s self-imposed 45-million-tonne cap on primary aluminium production, trade restrictions driven by tariffs, and smelter shutdowns caused by prolonged energy crises have constrained global supply of the metal. Meanwhile, demand remains resilient, creating a widening gap that has set the stage for a price surge. Global deficit outlook strengthens price momentum Market intelligence projects a global deficit of around 2 million tonnes in 2026, sending the aluminium prices to an average of USD...
CBAM begins in January 2026, but aluminium supply disruptions may stay muted through Q1. What shifts from April?
Image for reference only The European Union’s (EU’s) much-talked-about regulatory framework is finally in full action. The Emissions Trading System (ETS) and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) are fruits of the Fit for 55 package introduced on July 14, 2021, aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production, which played an equally notable role in shaping carbon-emission curtailment policies. ETS has been proactively adopted by emission-heavy industries since 2005, whereas CBAM’s transitional phase was first introduced on October 1, 2023. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with our upcoming Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 report across the value chain The sustainability agenda...
WEEKLY: China's alumina output edges down, stocks continue to climb
During the December 26-January 1 week, the 44 Chinese alumina refiners under Mysteel's regular tracking produced 1.83 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina, down marginally by 0.5 per cent from the previous week, according to Mysteel's weekly survey. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The modest decline in output was largely the result of short-term maintenance stoppages at two refiners in Southwest China's Guizhou province, the survey found. One refiner began a week's maintenance on a calcinator from last Tuesday, while another launched routine maintenance early last week that is expected to last a fortnight. However, the slight production drop did little to ease the oversupply situation in the spot alumina market, as...
China’s alumina and aluminium output move in tandem at 88MTand 44MT - is the country limiting alumina to track 45MT aluminium cap?
China’s alumina story in 2025 was not just about how much was produced, but about how carefully the system was managed. China ended the year with 88.2 million tonnes of alumina and 44 million tonnes of primary aluminium, based on the industry’s two-to-one rule of production ratio. It sits close to the national cap of 45 million tonnes aluminium production, without pushing beyond it. What mattered was the balance. Refineries kept running, smelters stayed within limits, and extra material was directed to where it was needed - either into domestic supply or into export markets. Alumina output rose 8.2 per cent from 2024, aluminium increased by around 2 per cent, and yet oversupply never really built up. Instead of chasing volume for its own sake, China used alumina production to keep the...
2025 recap: The year-long run of major aluminium extrusion projects
As 2025 has made an exit with 2026 endeavours coming into practice, the aluminium extrusion market witnessed a steady Y-o-Y growth. The global demand approximately reached 34.3 million tonnes in 2024 , against almost 49.9 million tonnes of annual installed capacity. Accounting for about two-thirds of global extrusion output, China dominates the industry. Globally, there has been an increased shift of extruders towards green billets and recycled or post-consumer scrap billets, while simultaneously investing in larger extrusion presses. The industry comprises over 1,600 extrusion companies worldwide . According to the data analysis by AL Circle , the transport and industrial sectors saw the steepest growths in aluminium extrusion demand, of 4.74 and 4.54 per cent, respectively . It...
Between cycles and transition: Norsk Hydro tests investors' patience
The share price of Norsk Hydro ASA has settled into a narrow trading range, reflecting the sheer tension in the market over the short-term volatility in the aluminium market and the company’s efforts in the energy transition. However, after a few consecutive sessions of subdued trade, the stock appears a bit stable, which is neither decisively bullish nor overtly fragile. This has triggered debate on whether the current scenario represents consolidation ahead of recovery or a pause before renewed weakness. However, the sentiment around the Norwegian aluminium producer is somewhat balanced at this hour, and trading over recent days has been confined to a narrow corridor, highlighting hesitation rather than conviction. Short-term traders remain focused on aluminium prices, developments in...
LME throwback 2025: Aluminium vs copper price and inventory movement
When we look back at 2025, we will remember aluminium as the metal that cracked under policy pressure long before demand fundamentals forced anyone’s hand. On the other hand, if aluminium was the year’s political barometer, copper was its economic score. By late 2025, the LME had become a battlefield where two of the world’s most essential non-ferrous metals, aluminium and copper, told different yet intimately connected stories about supply stress, geopolitical friction, climate transition demand, and human cost. While both aluminium and copper ended the year with double-digit gains, the path they took could not have been more different. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics Aluminium’s arc in 2025 was subtle From the outset, prices were on a...
The other side of energy transition with rising solar waste – how circular economy matters
Who knew renewable energy, particularly solar, which itself is a cornerstone of the global energy transition and the most effective pathway to sustainability would trigger hazardous waste generation concern? The irony is hard to miss that as the world ramps up the share of renewable power in energy mix by deploying more of solar panels and wind turbines to chase sustainability goals, the risk of creating a new waste crisis grows. While more solar capacity is in line to be deployed, accounting for 80 per cent of the estimated 4,600 GW of new renewable capacity between 2025 and 2030, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates around 1.7-8 million tonnes of waste to be generated from PV modules by 2030, and that by 2050, is expected to soar to between 60 and 78 million...
India’s aluminium wire rod demand to grow at 5.93% CAGR by 2030, with new expansion plans ahead
Across modern power systems, one of the important product is aluminium wire rods. Their growth mirrors the expansion of electricity networks around the world. Global aluminium wire rod usage has increased from 7.6 million tonnes in 2020 to about 8 million tonnes in 2023, to 8.16 million tonnes in 2024 and 8.32 million tonnes in 2025. The global wire and cable market, valued at USD 191.6 billion in 2022, is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.30 per cent from 2023 to 2032. Much of this momentum is tied to transmission and distribution. Over seven decades, aluminium cables and conductors have taken the place of copper as the main carrier of electricity. Today, bare conductors account for 70 - 75 per cent of the aluminium used in cable and conductor applications, with insulated cables forming...
Low-carbon aluminium and the automotive sector: 2025 saw a transition built in tandem
The global aluminium industry in 2025 entered into a new era where carbon metrics are becoming just as important as cost and quality of the product. With new pricing benchmarks for low-emission products and the increasing impact of regulations like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), low-carbon aluminium is facing a rising demand across sectors, but especially within the automobile industry. In 2026 and beyond, the rising demand for low-carbon aluminium will become a clearly defined and rise as a valuable segment, driven by unique price signals, market incentives and compliance needs. Recycled aluminium consumption in automotive sector In 2024, the global automotive industry, which includes passenger cars, commercial vehicles and motorcycles, recorded a total recycled or...
