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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Japan’s aluminium premium for Q3 Drops to $108/t as weak demand and high stocks tip balance
Some Japanese aluminium buyers have settled third-quarter premiums at USD 108 per tonne, down sharply from USD 182 per tonne in the second quarter, in a deal that reflects muted domestic demand, rising port inventories, and broader market oversupply, according to sources directly involved in the negotiations. Image for referential purposes only The 41 per cent quarter-on-quarter decline is the second consecutive drop and the lowest quarterly premium since early 2024, underscoring Japan’s ongoing demand uncertainty across major end-use segments like transportation, construction, and packaging. Buyers gain upper hand as spot deals undercut producers’ offers Negotiations, which concluded last week, saw initial producer offers range between USD122 and USD 145 per tonne. However, Japanese...
Conflicted or smart diplomat? Why does India, among others, ask for export tax reprieve and encourage import tariff imposition?
Countries like India, among others, ask for a reprieve when exporting but impose tariffs on imports to safeguard their domestic industries. Could such practices complicate international trade dynamics or be perceived as ‘conflicted’ by global partners? A lot of questions cloud the mind when delving into such geopolitical and trading diplomacy. In today’s editorial, we break down, stance by stance, what has been happening and how these acts have impacted country after country in overall development for decades. Image Source: https://okcredit.in/ India’s economic diplomacy , a part of the foreign policy framework, has been marked by securing trade agreements, attracting foreign investments and strengthening bilateral and multilateral ties with key global players. And tariffs/taxes have...
Behind the LME aluminium shortfall is Russia-China story with no easy fix
There was a time when LME aluminium inventory (opening stock) was at 1.47 million tonnes. Only four years ago in July 2021, Live Warrants were at 8,97,275 tonnes and Cancelled Warrants at 5,68,500 tonnes. Fast-forward four years, LME aluminium opening stock came in at 340,975 tonnes, marking a sharp fall of more than half. While stock loss is one concern, the other is the slim chance of stock build-up in the near future, due to which the LME aluminium benchmark price would remain on the upward trend. Already, by June 23, 2025, the LME aluminium 3-month official settlement price reached USD 2,584.50 per tonne, up by 6 per cent M-o-M from USD 2,448 per tonne, driven by decreased LME aluminium opening stock from 384,575 tonnes to 340,975 tonnes. Of the total 340,975 tonnes of opening stocks,...
Iran & Israel’s conflict is not only hurting their own but hurting other economies, too! India included...
India’s commerce ministry will convene a meeting on June 27 with key stakeholders, including shipping lines, exporters, container firms, and other departments, to assess the impact of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict on India’s overseas trade. According to an official source, the objective is to evaluate disruptions and address emerging concerns tied to the region’s geopolitical instability. Image for referential purposes only (Source: Google Map) The escalating conflict has already triggered civilian casualties, economic damage, and strained international relations. For India, the implications are not just diplomatic but directly commercial, particularly given the importance of regional trade routes. The Strait of Hormuz: India’s trade lifeline The Strait of Hormuz, flanking Iran and...
Two cons form a pro: Russia & China’s $612.1M aluminium trade is a shout-out for a win-win tale
Over the past few years, Russia has ramped up its aluminium exports to China and other Asian economies. According to the latest trade data by the Chinese Statistical Service, China imported USD 612.1 million worth of Russian aluminium in April 2025 alone, which accounts for close to double the figure recorded in April 2024. This surge has pushed Russia’s share into Chinese aluminium imports to 39.5 per cent, up significantly from 22.7 per cent a year earlier. Between January and April 2025, China purchased a total of USD 2.05 billion worth of aluminium from Russia, marking a 1.5× increase compared to the same period in 2024. Image for representational purposes only This spike is not just in monetary terms but also in physical volumes. In April 2025, China’s imports of primary aluminium...
Canada’s aluminium & steel sector could witness demand optimism & job security if trade talks succeed amidst ongoing tariff dispute
Kirsten Hillman, Canada's ambassador to the United States, expressed confidence that the two countries could successfully reach a trade agreement within the 30-day deadline set during last week's G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta. This was announced right after a disappointing outcome at the G7 summit, where Canada had signalled to take stricter action against the US. Hillman stated it is "too soon to tell" whether all US tariffs on Canadian goods will be lifted and declined to clarify whether the federal government would accept the continuation of any tariffs. She emphasised that Canada is advocating for "open trade and stability" to support Canadian workers and businesses. "We can't do anything to force the US side to come to a deal, but we do think we have a good path forward if we're...
US alumina imports surge as domestic output falters — a sign of growing reliance?
While bauxite imports to the United States show a steady course, alumina tells a different story. In the first quarter of 2025, US alumina imports reached 439,000 tonnes, marking a significant uptick both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter. The data revealed a 24.7 per cent rise from the previous quarter (352,000 tonnes) and an even sharper 53.5 per cent leap compared to Q1 2024 (286,000 tonnes), signaling a marked shift in sourcing dynamics. The upward trajectory, which began in Q2 2024 with 325,000 tonnes, gained momentum through Q3 (378,000 tonnes), momentarily slowed in Q4 (352,000 tonnes), and rebounded strongly in Q1 2025. This pattern, when juxtaposed with falling domestic production, paints a clear picture: the US is becoming increasingly dependent on imported alumina. Brazil and...
Metlen Energy & Metals warns of risks to Europe's aluminium scrap, urging safeguards
In the wake of the Trump administration's tariff hike to 50 per cent on aluminium excluding the scrap, alongside the UK coming into a discussion for relief, a rising concern has levitated in Europe. A silent "scrap battle" arises from Europe, which is deemed to have lost a vast amount of aluminium scrap and is said to be going into the US domains. The demand surge for European aluminium scrap after the doubling of the US tariff on primary aluminium is creating a threat to the in-house recycling facilities. This has been a concern since European aluminium scrap is referred to as "strategic raw material" enriched with energy and value. Hence, an excessive outflow of scrap can affect the continent's sustainability goals. Other threats include climate goals, energy security, and the...
Answered: What is ‘Tariff Offset Credit’? And, how is it going to benefit not only US automakers but global businesses?
When President Trump invoked Section 232 ‘national security’ tariffs on imported auto parts (effective May 3, 2025), it was a uniform 25 per cent duty on key systems from transmissions to lithium-ion batteries. Panic spread far and wide! And then, to temper the immediate cost shock for US automakers, the Department of Commerce rolled out an ‘Offset Credit’ mechanism. But, answers to what exactly the mechanism is, how to leverage it, and how beneficial the mechanism can be for US automakers and global businesses are found scattered across the board. Image for referential purposes only In 2024, the United States of America solidified its position as the world’s leading market for automotive products, importing a record USD 474.3 billion worth of vehicles, engines and parts while exporting...
India imposes 5-year anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium foil imports as domestic producers push for market resilience
The Indian government has taken a bold step by implementing five-year anti-dumping duties on aluminium foil from Russia, China and Taiwan. The duties are imposed under the finding of unfair trade practices that are poised to hurt the domestic industries, following the Indian aluminium extrusion industry’s demand to implement safeguard measures to protect the underutilised domestic units from potential overdumping by Free Trade Agreement countries. With the anti-dumping duties for the next five years, where is the Indian aluminium foil industry heading? Image source: iasgyan.in Back in March 2024, India launched a probe into aluminium foil imports from China to safeguard the interest of the domestic industries. This was initiated in response to the complaint filed by key domestic players...
No G20 repeat at G7: Canada warns of tariffs on US aluminium and steel amid faltering trade talks
Following a disappointing outcome at the G7 summit, Canada has signaled to adopt a tougher stance against the United States, as a renewed trade standoff threatens to unravel years of economic integration under the USMCA. Initially, the G7 platform had reignited a hope for the cooperative spirit that led to the 2020 USMCA trade pact, often dubbed “NAFTA 2.0”, but eventually concluded without any resolution on escalating tariff tensions. As a result, Canada is preparing to implement further retaliatory measures against the US, responding to Washington’s planned 50 per cent tariff hike on Canadian goods scheduled to take effect on July 9, 2025. At the heart of the dispute lies the inability of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and US President Donald Trump to reconcile differences on...
“In aluminium extrusion, maintaining consistent thermal stability is essential to avoid product defects, de-stress, and increased rejection rates,” Soumo Roy, Director of Business Development at Tempcon
Soumo Roy is the Director of Business Development at Tempcon, where he leads global marketing initiatives and oversees end-to-end execution of industrial process cooling projects. An electrical engineer by qualification, he brings over 20 years of industry experience in delivering advanced cooling solutions for sectors such as steel, power, and mining. Soumo has played a pivotal role in expanding Tempcon’s international presence by driving exports and ensuring the delivery of custom-engineered systems designed around each client's specific process, load, and operational requirements. His strategic approach and technical insight continue to position Tempcon as a trusted name in the process cooling industry across India, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. AL Circle: Congratulations on the...
14.7% Y-o-Y spurt in China’s aluminium imports in May as green sector demand booms
China’s wrought and unwrought aluminium imports in May 2025 displayed a reverse pattern compared to April. In May, imports rose year-on-year but declined month-on-month, while April had shown the opposite — higher imports than the previous month but lower than the same period in 2024. According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s wrought and unwrought aluminium imports in May 2025 were 350,000 tonnes, up by 14.7 per cent in May and down by 5.4 per cent from 370,000 tonnes. In contrast, the import volume in April , standing at 350,000 tonnes, was up by 2.94 per cent M-o-M from 340,000 tonnes but down by 7.89 per cent from 380,000 tonnes. In the first five months of 2025, China’s wrought and unwrought aluminium imports totalled 1.67 million tonnes, down by 12.08 per cent from...
Vedanta charts the next growth phase with record FY25 performance, demerger progress and a renewed focus on transition metals
Anil Agarwal, the Chairman of Indian mining conglomerate Vedanta Limited, has divulged the intention to position itself as a global leader in the transition metals, energy, technology and critical minerals, dubbed "Vedanta 2.0" for the next growth phase. The firm has also announced its FY25 recorded revenue and EBITDA, future growth plans and demerger progress. Image source: linkedin.com While addressing the stakeholders about the group's annual report, Mr Agarwal highlighted its position at a pivotal inflexion point, backed by a record financial performance, robust cost leadership and the near-completion of its value-unlocking demerger exercise. He further emphasised the importance of the group's organisational realignment, greater focus on vertical integration and its expanding role in...
Hydro accelerates alumina’s low-carbon shift as Alunorte hits the 700,000 tonnes Y-o-Y CO2 curb
One year since its BRL 1.3 billion (USD 234 million) investment to phase out fuel oil and switch entirely to natural gas, Hydro’s Alunorte refinery in Pará, Brazil, has managed to cut a staggering 700 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The figure is not only a testament to the scale of the project but also a signal to the rest of the global alumina industry that real decarbonisation milestones are achievable — if backed by strategic foresight, capital intensity, and infrastructure reform. Image for representational purposes only The fuel switch at Alunorte involved converting six steam-generation units and seven calciners to operate fully on natural gas. To make this feasible in a relatively underdeveloped energy corridor, Hydro partnered with New Fortress Energy, which...
Why alumina is left out: A study unpacks the logic behind CBAM exclusion
The European Union’s hallmark policy in the view of equitable trade and environment protection—the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)—seems fair on the surface, as long as its framework remains focused on preventing carbon leakage and blocking the influx of cheap, high-emission goods into the domestic market. Under CBAM, a carbon price is levied on imported goods, aligned with the carbon costs EU producers incur under the Emission Trading System (ETS). That sounds like a just deal for domestic producers, ensuring a level playing field. But what about EU-headquartered companies that relocated their operations abroad to escape carbon taxes? Here's where the issue arises as these companies will be required to purchase certificates that reflect the carbon emissions embedded in their...
Canada eyes ‘Buy Canadian’ policy as tariff dispute with US puts aluminium and steel on the line
With the United States slapping a steep 50 per cent tariff on Canadian steel and aluminium imports, Ottawa is now fast-tracking a self-sufficient economic response potent to reshape North America’s metals supply chain. At the centre of this pivot is a proposed ‘Buy Canadian’ policy, an industrial safeguard designed to protect Canadian producers and preserve jobs by mandating the use of domestic metal in government procurement contracts. Image for representational purposes only (Source: https://policyoptions.irpp.org/) Industry Minister Mélanie Joly confirmed this week that the government is actively considering procurement requirements for both infrastructure and defence projects that would prioritise Canadian-made metals. “These decisions are being taken as we speak,” Joly said,...
LME aluminium price rallies to a 2-month peak on strong buying sentiment and muted inventory
A confluence of factors like increased retail sales in China, muted inventories, and surge in bauxite prices has propelled the LME aluminium benchmark price to USD 2,530 per tonne, marking a new high since the beginning of the second quarter of 2025. Image source: London Metal Exchange Retail sales in China have surged at an unexpectedly strong pace, indicating that economic uncertainty has had little to no dampening effect on consumer demand. Despite facing approximately 165 per cent tariffs on aluminium from the United States, China continues to maintain strong momentum in its retail sector. That’s not all. China’s improved purchase management index (PMI) for the aluminium processing industry to 49.8 per cent in May, recording an 8.7 per cent year-on-year increase, has contributed to...
