AL Circle Analysis: Guinea’s 150Mt bauxite cap, China’s import swings, US tariffs draw aluminium Q4’26
The global aluminium supply chain is facing a series of changes that extend from bauxite mines and alumina refineries to smelters, regional premiums and finished-metal trade. In 2026, the market’s direction is being shaped not only by production volumes but also by freight costs, export restrictions, shifting Chinese demand and tariffs. Developments across Guinea, Australia, China, Europe and North America point to a market where access to supply is increasingly as important as the availability of raw materials. Bauxite supply: Guinea’s cap meets a well-stocked China, but is it stable? Guinea remains central to the seaborne bauxite market, with its shipment connections to China demonstrating the importance of reliable logistics. A new sea-rail route has enabled a Guinea bauxite shipment...
EU approves Germany’s power relief instrument: Could aluminium producers save €459m annually?
Germany’s aluminium industry could receive some relief from persistently high electricity costs after the European Commission, under the European Union (EU) approved the country’s industrial electricity price scheme for 2026–2028. The measure is intended to ease the burden on energy-intensive businesses, strengthen industrial competitiveness and support Germany’s position as a manufacturing hub. The stakes are particularly high for aluminium producers. Electricity can account for 30–40 per cent of primary aluminium production costs, making power prices a critical factor in operating margins and investment decisions. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook...
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Bauxite Resources : Dispute notice issued to Yankuang Resources
Bauxite Resources Limited has issued a dispute notice to Yankuang Resources Pty Limited (YRPL) pursuant to the terms of the Joint Venture Resource Agreement (JRVA) and the Alumina Refinery Joint Venture Agreement (ARJVA). The disputes relate to: (a) the differing views as to how to interpret the terms of the JRVA and ARJVA given that the parties cannot agree on the Annual Program and annual budget for 2015/16, specifically what Annual Program the Manager is required to adopt as governing the activities and expenditure of the joint ventures until such time as the dispute between the parties can be resolved; and (b) the interpretation of the obligations of the parties under the ARJVA to approve an Annual Program and budget which is designed to see a full Refinery BFS completed by the...
RET deal to save Tasmanian company Bell Bay Aluminium $10m in power costs
Tasmania's major industrials have won a full exemption from the Renewable Energy Target (RET) under a deal struck between the major parties over the scheme's future. The Federal Government and Labor agreed to lower the target, meaning 33,000 gigawatt hours of Australia's electricity will be from renewable sources by 2020, down from the previous target of 41,000GWh. Under the deal, trade-exposed industries such as aluminium production are fully exempt from the target. Bell Bay Aluminium, in the state's north, estimated the agreement would save the company $8-10 million a year in energy costs. It estimated the scheme had cost more than $48 million since being introduced in 2001. The company urged Federal Parliament to quickly pass legislation enacting the agreement. Tasmania's Minerals and...
Chinese exports damp aluminium rally
The recent rally in the price of aluminium has lost momentum as Chinese exports of the lightweight metal continue to hit the market. Aluminum for three-month delivery on the London Metal Exchange has fallen 5.7 per cent since it almost reached $2,000 a tonne at the start of the month. On Friday it was trading at $1,857 a tonne, down $11. The market is struggling to digest record production in China, the world’s largest producer. Data released this week showed exports of aluminium, used in everything from drinks cans to motor cars, rose 40 per cent in the first four months of this year, hitting a new record in April. That is putting pressure on producers such as Russia’s Rusal and Alcoa, which are cutting capacity. “The major western producers will need to continue efforts to ensure they...
25 officials from top aluminium firms tour Gulfex factory
Gulf Extrusions (Gulfex), a leading global manufacturer of extruded aluminium products, has welcomed 25 senior officials coming from various leading international aluminium organisations to their production facilities in Dubai, UAE. The visit was held on the sidelines of the 20th edition of the World Aluminium Conference, which took place at the Madinat Jumeirah. The delegation included VIPs from the International Aluminium Institute, European Aluminium Council and the Aluminium Federation, said a statement. During their tour of the facilities, the delegates were given a presentation and briefing on the company’s health and safety procedures, guidelines and best practices. Gulfex, which has just been awarded the ‘2015 Best Practices Award for Aluminium Extrusions’ from the ‘Excellence in...
Aluminum Extruders Council applauds prison sentence issued by federal judge
On Thursday May 14, 2015 Federal Judge Francisco Besosa in Puerto Rico handed down an 18-month prison sentence to Armando Garcia Vazquez, who pleaded guilty to participating in a fraud scheme to transship aluminum extrusions through Malaysia from China into Puerto Rico in order to avoid paying two million dollars in duties. This is the first time prison time has been issued for violating the aluminum extrusion orders. The Judge rejected the agreement reached by the defendant’s lawyer Francisco Rebollo and US Attorney Scott Anderson, who recommended a sentence of probation. Steve Lausell and Alberto Recio of Lausell Del Caribe, LLC an aluminum extruder in Puerto Rico, testified before the judge arguing for a stiffer penalty in order to send a message aimed at deterring other aluminum...
China alumina output grew 14.2% in April on expansions, production resumptions
China’s output of metallurgical-grade alumina grew 14.2% from a year ago to 4.64 million tonnes in April, SMM’s survey found. The growth was contributed mainly by commissioning of new capacity and restart of idled capacity in Shandong and Chongqing, SMM learned. One alumina refinery in Shanxi temporarily shut down 1.8 million-tpy capacity after an accident. But this was partly offset by commissioning of 800,000-tpy alumina line in Guizhou.
MWSD designs special forged aluminium wheels for glass transportation
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has launched a new forged aluminium wheel named Xlite ET45 built specifically for three-axle, multi-functional, inloader semi-trailers. The product is aimed primarily aimed at the glass transportation companies throughout Europe both OE and replacement markets. With its 11.75”x 22.5” size, 24.4 kg weight and load bearing capacity of 5,000 kg, this 10-stud wheel is ideal for the targeted industry. John Ellis, managing director at MWSD, said: “There is very specific demand from a number of key European trailer manufacturers and operators, all of whom require several specific safety and performance requirements for the unique operational nature of this particular industry. “We have worked closely with Wheels India to design a forged aluminium product...
JW Aluminum issues 2015 First Quarter Results and to host investor conference call to review results
JW Aluminum Company announced on Friday that they have posted their 2015 Quarterly Report for the three months ending April 4,2015 on their secure investor website at 3.40 PM Eastern Time on the same day. There will be a conference call hosted by JW Aluminum’s management on Wednesday, May 20, 2015 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time to discuss the first quarter results. This will be a closed conference and access will be limited to holders and beneficial owners of the JW Aluminum’s Senior Secured Notes due 2017. Qualified prospective investors and selected security analysts and market makers will also be welcomed at the conference. Information about how to participation in the conference will be posted on the secure investor website and can be accessed only by certified users via Intralinks.
Substituting aluminum for steel in siding to gain popularity
Many aluminum processors are using aluminum siding in their factories, so do some pavilions, due to its lightness, corrosion-resistance and recyclability, CNMN reported. Aluminum siding is more economical than traditional color steel siding, CNMN quoted Wen Xianjun, Deputy General of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) as saying. Given current aluminum prices, aluminum siding costs just about 10% more than steel siding for a house of the same area. However, aluminum siding is virtually maintenance free, while color steel siding needs maintenance after five years of usage. That is to say aluminum siding is more cost effective than steel one in the long term. According to rough estimate, China consumes 200-300 million tonnes of color steel siding annually, Wen said. This...
Prescott Brewing Company expands canned offerings
To meet growing demand for its beers, Prescott Brewing Company has expanded its canned offerings. Achocolypse has joined Ponderosa IPA and Liquid Amber Ale, becoming the brewery’s third beer available in Rexam 12 oz. cans. Achocolypse has been in development for over three years to create the perfect blend of dark and bitter chocolates infused into a classic Porter. Ponderosa India Pale Ale is a medium bodied ale, with a light copper color characterized by an intense hop flavor and a full flowery hop aroma. Liquid Amber is a smooth and flavorful medium bodied ale with a malty caramel flavor and little hop character. Named after the historical Arizona town where it is located, Prescott Brewing Company first opened its doors more than 21 years ago. In 2011, the brewery built a new off-site...
UAE is No. 1 aluminium supplier to Japan in GCC
The UAE ranked top among Gulf countries for aluminium supply to Japan in 2014 and also got the second position after Saudi Arabia for total trade with the Asian country. Japan’s import of aluminium from GCC countries surged by 44.77 per cent to $1.1 billion in 2014 compared to $756.88 million in the previous year. Most of the additional supply came from the UAE, from where imports grew by 41.37 per cent in 2014. The UAE was the fourth-largest supplier in the world with a share of 8.28 per cent of Japan’s total aluminium imports. The value of Japan’s bilateral trade with GCC countries contracted 3.82 per cent in 2014 to $164.76 billion, compared to $171.31 billion in 2013. The decline was mainly attributed to an estimated 4.28 per cent average fall in the price of crude oils that Japan...
Aluminum cans in wider use for canned coffee
Aluminum cans are increasingly being used for canned coffee in Japan, grabbing market share from steel, the conventional material for containers of the ubiquitous beverage. According to data from the Japan Soft Drink Association, the market share of steel cans fell to 45.7 percent in 2014, while that of aluminum cans increased to 22.3 percent. Plastic bottles accounted for 20.3 percent. In the face of growing competition from aluminum cans, steel makers and can manufacturers are working hard to reduce the weight of their products. As aluminum is weaker than steel, the inner pressure of an aluminum can needs to be higher if it is to be used as a beverage container. But high inner pressure makes it difficult to carry out checks for bacteria inside the container. Therefore, the soft drink...
Japan Kobesteel aims to grab China automotive aluminum sheet market share
Kobesteel’s automotive aluminum sheet factory in Tianjin is under construction and scheduled to start production early next year, CNMN reported. The factory, with total investment at 389 million yuan ($63 million), will produce 100,000 tonnes of automotive aluminum sheet annually. Sinosteel is proud to claim 50% of market share in Japan’s automotive aluminum sheet market. China’s automobile production hit 23.72 million units in 2014, more than twice of that in Japan. The new factory in China represents Kobesteel’s ambition to grab market share in China and optimism over the automotive aluminum sheet market.
US Aluminium Scrap prices show flat trend; LME Aluminium settles down to $1,846 a ton
United States major aluminium scrap commodities prices showed a flat trend on Thursday, while the futures prices at London Metal Exchange settled down 0.7% at $1,846 a ton. As per Scrap Register Price Index, major aluminium scrap commodities like 356 auto wheels, 5052 alum clip, 6061 alum extrusion, 6063 10-10 extrusion, al/cu rad with iron, al/cu radiator, alum breakage 50%, alum litho sheets, alum old sheet, alum rad with iron, alum radiator, alum transformer, alum transmission, alum turning, mix alum casting remained almost a flat trend on Thursday. Aluminium futures prices at London Metal Exchange traded down on Thursday as market capitals failed to stimulate commodity trade, weighing on prices. US initial jobless claims just slipped 1,000 to 264,000 in the week ending May 8, better...
Rio Tinto puts aluminium assets on block in potential $1bn deal
Rio Tinto is making a fresh attempt to sell unwanted aluminium assets in a potential $1bn deal, the latest sign of global miners’ attempts to restructure in the face of a commodities downturn. The Anglo-Australian company has engaged Credit Suisse to find a buyer for its Pacific Aluminium business, a group of smelters in Australia and New Zealand, according to people aware of Rio’s plans. The move is part of trend among mining groups, which are cutting back on non-core assets. BHP Billiton, the world’s largest mining company, is spinning off a collection of assets into a separate company called South32, which is due to start trading Monday. Rio has not created a separate spinout vehicle but has sold $4bn of assets in the past two years, chief executive Sam Walsh said this month. The...
UK needs to develop stronger policies in waste management
The European Commission has decided to scrap its circular economy package which targeted 70% recycling by 2030 for a more ambitious plan to be released later this year according wide-spread reports. However, it might not be the best approach for UK to blindly follow the EU regulations as the waste produced and the way it is dealt with is different between UK and the other EU member states. UK must create its own policies that suit its requirements better. Under the circular economy package, the targets for recycling in Europe were 70% for municipal waste by 2030, 80% recycling and reuse rate for packaging waste and 90% for ferrous metals, aluminium and glass by 2030 among others. UK industry is ready to meet these targets if not surpass them if the government reacts positively by...
Curbing the illegal mining of bauxite in Karnataka
As per section 23C of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 state governments have been empowered to make rules for prevention of illegal mining and for purposes connected therewith. Therefore, matters relating to regulation and control of illegal mining, etc are all matters which lie in the domain of state governments. However, the Ministry of Mines in co-ordination with State Governments has taken the following steps to curb and check illegal mining in the Country: (i) Regular monitoring of framing of rules by the State Governments to control illegal mining as per Section 23C of MMDR Act (so far 20 States have framed the rules under section 23C of MMDR Act, 1957 to curb illegal mining); (ii) Regular monitoring of setting up of Task Forces at State and District...
Stronger dollar steers Romanian aluminum producer Alro back to profit
Romanian aluminum producer Alro Slatina, part of international group Vimetco, posted an adjusted net profit of some EUR 5.17 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to an adjusted loss of EUR 10 million in the same period of last year. The company’s turnover went up by 20.5%, in local currency, to the equivalent of EUR 134 million. The sales increase was mainly supported by the stronger dollar, as the average USD/RON exchange rate was about 20% higher in Q1 2015 compared to Q1 2014. Alro also increased its production of primary aluminum and processed aluminum, and the average aluminum price on the London Metal Exchange went up by 5% compared to Q1 2014, to an average of USD 1,800 per ton. The stronger dollar also had a less favorable effect on the company’s results mainly due to...
