German downstream aluminium exports fall 13% in H1 2026 but US enters top 5 with 228.1% import surge
Germany’s downstream aluminium export map underwent a noticeable shift in H1 2026. Shipments to the world fell, with most of Germany’s traditional European customers taking less aluminium downstream product. Yet, amid that broad retreat, one market moved in the opposite direction: the United States. German downstream aluminium exports to the world fell to 897,773.19 tonnes in H1 2026 from 1 million tonnes in H1 2025, a decline of 13 per cent year on year. The contrast was particularly sharp in the US market. American imports of German downstream aluminium reached 68,061.61 tonnes in H1 2026, up 228.1 per cent from just 20,743.62 tonnes in H1 2025. The increase of more than 47,000 tonnes was enough to push the US into Germany’s top 5 destinations for the first time. The export map is...
Caustic soda plant setup in India: How aluminium growth is reshaping demand, costs and opportunities
Caustic soda may not be the most visible ingredient in aluminium production, but without it, the journey from bauxite to alumina would look very different. The chemical, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a crucial reagent in the Bayer process, where it helps dissolve alumina-bearing material in bauxite and separate it from impurities. The dissolved material is then processed to recover alumina, which ultimately feeds aluminium production. That makes caustic soda more than just another industrial chemical. Its availability, price and efficient use can influence the economics of alumina refining and, by extension, the wider aluminium value chain. As India expands its alumina and aluminium capacity, the requirement for this chemical is also becoming increasingly important. For companies...
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Alcoa angles for a shield against China
Big Aluminium has spent two years shutting smelters to shrink a supply glut that has led to rotten prices. The strategy has been successful -- for the most part. This Wednesday, Alcoa Inc., as usual the first U.S. major company to report results for the latest quarter, is expected to post earnings of 22 cents per share, up from 11 cents a year earlier, in part because of higher prices. But fresh weakness in aluminium prices remains a concern for Alcoa, as some 40 per cent of the company’s sales in the second quarter of 2014 were still related to the production of aluminium and its raw material, alumina. Raw aluminium had climbed back to over US$2,000 per tonne this summer, from a low in February of around US$1,700 per tonne. But more recently, aluminium prices have softened. From Sept. 1...
Hopes rise for RET deal as aluminium reprieve flagged
Government figures are increasingly confident of reaching a deal with Labor on the future of the renewable energy target after the Clean Energy Council backed exempting aluminium from the scheme. Cabinet is expected to discuss the RET today and give Environment Minister Greg Hunt and Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane a mandate to negotiate a settlement with Labor. CEC support for exempting the aluminium industry is seen as making the move almost certain. It is also seen as giving Labor more room to negotiate. The government’s review of the RET, which was set up to ensure 20 per cent of electricity would be generated from renewable sources by 2020, has caused uncertainty in the sector. There have been competing calls for it to be retained, scrapped or wound back to reflect falling demand...
Toyota to start using aluminum in high-volume production as of 2016
Aluminum is now starting to be seen as a viable alternative to conventional steel for the construction of automobiles. While there are manufacturers that already use a lot of it in their cars, there are others that are just starting out, like Toyota. The Japanese automaker will start using it too for high-volume models as of 2016, when the all-new Lexus RX350 gains an aluminum hoot and liftgate, according to anonymous sources quoted by Automotive News. Next up will be the Camry which is reportedly slated to gain an aluminum hood from 2018 onward. Officially, Toyota is staying tight lipped about the shift to aluminum. A company spokesperson, Jana Hartline, said the automaker “has plans to use aluminum on future vehicles for hood, closures and parts for lightweighting. Also, we will...
China, Brazil may face renewed EU duties on aluminum foil
The European Union threatened to renew tariffs on aluminum foil from China and Brazil for another five years while letting lapse a similar levy against Armenia. The EU said it would examine whether to re-impose the duties as high as 30 percent on Chinese and Brazilian aluminum-foil exporters such as Shanghai-based Alcoa Aluminum Products Co. and Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio. In 2009, seeking to protect EU producers including Poland’s Grupa Kety SA, Novelis U.K. Ltd., Greece’s Symetal Aluminium Foil Industry SA and Bulgaria’s Alcomet, the EU imposed the levies to punish competitors in China, Brazil and Armenia for allegedly having sold the wrapping in Europe below cost, a practice known as dumping. The review of the anti-dumping duties against China and Brazil “will determine whether...
China Aluminium Cans plans to buy company owned by chairman
Aluminium aerosol cans producer China Aluminium Cans plans to buy a company involved in content filling of the cans from its chairman and controlling shareholder for HK$900 million. China Aluminium Cans said in a stock exchange statement that HK$120 million of the amount will be paid in cash, while the remainder will be covered by the issuance of convertible notes. Chairman Lin Wan-tsang and his associates hold 75 per cent of China Aluminium Cans and the acquisition must be approved by independent shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting. The acquisition target is a holding company with a number of enterprises including Botny Corporation. China Aluminium Cans, which listed in Hong Kong in July 2013, mainly produces aluminium aerosol cans required for personal care products such as...
Australian Bauxite confident on Tasmanian project financing
Australian Bauxite (ASX:ABX) has reported it is in negotiations for financing of its Bald Hill bauxite project in Tasmania. The project has received a Tasmanian Mining Lease for the mine. Negotiations are understood to be well advanced and that the funding is now focussed on clarifications of key terms of a number of agreements on offer from a number of parties. The Company said it is confident that suitable funding arrangements will be finalised in step with the completion of the DPEMP review and commencement of mining. The Development Proposal and Environmental Management Plan was lodged with the Environmental Protection Agency and the North Midlands Council. It has been advertised and placed on public display for 28 days. Once this process is concluded, a Development Approval can be...
Alumina rallying into Alcoa results
Alumina (AWC) has been one of the best performers on the local Australian market over the past couple of months, rising even as most of the materials stocks have been underperforming. The primary driver of the gains has been centred on aluminium fundamentals, with demand ramping up on aircraft orders, Japanese autos, construction and a recovering food and beverage container segment. On the supply side, an Indonesian government-imposed ban on low-cost exports has impacted bauxite, meaning China is now relying heavily on existing stockpiles. While the market generally sorts itself out when it comes to supply/demand dynamics, for now it seems investors feel we’ll see a nickel-style acceleration in prices. AWC’s financials have also been impressive, with the company managing to reduce debt...
Aluminium 2014 kicks off at Messe Dusseldorf, Germany
“Aluminium 2014” is one of world’s largest aluminium trade-fairs where companies representing different sectors of the industry meet and share ideas. This is the 10th such fair meeting which is starting today at Messe Dusseldorf, Germany with 1000+ participating companies and 25,000+ expected trade visitors. The three day international event is the perfect platform to meet representatives from the entire value chain of aluminium from producers to processors, from buyers to traders, from engineers to designers. Interactions between the different sectors give a more wholesome idea about the global aluminium market as well as facilitate new business tie-ups and associations. New technologies are introduced and expert opinions are voiced that enrich the knowledge of the key players in the...
Orbite receives $6.3 million second installment of Québec investment tax credits
Orbite Aluminae Inc. announced today it has received $6.3 million as the second installment related to its 2012 Québec Investment Tax Credits. The funds were due to the Company in relation to equipment purchased for manufacturing and processing in the Gaspé region during the 2012 financial year. As announced on July 22, 2014 on receipt of the first installment of $6.0 million, these funds will be deposited in a segregated account and serve as security for the convertible debentures issued in 2012. The Company anticipates receiving the balance of its 2012 investment tax credits during the remainder of 2014, with payments for 2013 expected in 2015. Prior to this second payment, the Company had a balance of $21.7 million in Québec Investment Tax Credits to be received, of which $13.7 million...
Astas Alüminyum relies on the newest press generation from SMS Meer
Astas Alüminyum San. Ve Tic. A.S. (Astas) from Istanbul, Turkey, has placed an order with SMS Meer for the supply of a 14-MN HybrEx extrusion press. It is the first machine of this kind for the Turkish aluminum market. Compared with conventional extrusion presses, the new technology reduces energy consumption by up to 55 percent and boosts productivity by up to 20 percent. On the new machine, Astas can produce between 5,000 and 10,000 tons of profiles per year, depending on the product, for motor vehicles, solar modules and the building industry. The HybrEx operates with very short non-productive times. A reduction of just one second of down time allows an increase in production of up to 100 tons of profiles per year. The reduced non-productive time results from the idea of replacing the...
Constellium reaches agreement to acquire Wise Metals
• $1.4 billion acquisition - $455 million in cash and $945 million in assumption of debt • Plans to increase Wise’s current 450 kt of hot mill capacity to over 700 kt and build 200 kt of dedicated BiW finishing capacity • Up to $750 million investment by Constellium expected by 2022 to support capacity increase • Wise’s EBITDA expected to quadruple from 2013 level after full ramp-up of Body-in-White production and completion of capacity expansion • Expands scale and global reach of Constellium’s operations and business portfolio Constellium N.V. today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Wise Metals Intermediate Holdings LLC (“Wise”), a private aluminum sheet producer located in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Under the terms of the transaction, Constellium will purchase...
RIOS™ appoints two new members to its board of directors
The Recycling Industry Operating Standard™ (RIOS™) recently named Jeremy Miller of Wm. Miller Scrap Iron & Metal Co. in Winona, Minnesota and Scott Venhaus of Arrow Electronics in Englewood, Colorado to its Board of Directors. Each will serve a three year term. RIOS™ is the recycling industry’s management system standard for quality, environment, and health and safety (QEH&S). Specifically designed for the recycling industry, RIOS™, integrates the key operational elements found in other standards, such as ISO 9001 (Q), ISO 14001 (E), and OHSAS 18001 (H&S), bringing them together into one streamlined management system. “RIOS is excited to welcome Jeremy Miller and Scott Venhaus to the RIOS Board of Directors,” said Darrell Kendall, director of RIOS™. “Their strong leadership skills,...
National Manufacturing Day highlights importance of recycling to U.S. Economy
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) joins in the nationwide celebration of National Manufacturing Day by highlighting the many positive economic contributions of the recycling industry to the U.S. manufacturing landscape. In 2013 alone, more than 130 million metric tons of metal, paper, plastic, glass, textiles, rubber, and electronics are manufactured in specification grade commodities by the U.S. scrap recycling industry. “On National Manufacturing Day we recognize the many valuable contributions our members make to the American economy, and its potential for new innovations and job creation in the future,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “As the first link in the manufacturing supply chain, the recycling industry has been a leader in the U.S. economy, job creation,...
SC order to derail Vedanta's plans to raise power capacity
Anil Agarwal-owned Vedanta group’s plans to become a formidable player in the power sector will suffer a major setback due to unavailability of coal after the Supreme Court judgement last week. The Supreme Court had cancelled coal blocks allocated to two group companies — Balco and Sterlite Energy — which will impact profitability of the companies. The group operates power plants in Korba, Chhattisgarh, and Jharsuguda, Odisha. Balco’s 1,200-Mw power plant in Korba has been dormant due to lack of approvals. Now with its coal mine gone, the power project will keep bleeding money, said analysts. At Jharsuguda, Sesa Sterlite has two power plants — a 2,400-Mw power plant with independent power producer status and a 1,200-Mw captive power plant to feed the nearby aluminium smelter of 0.5...
Qatalum Ships first 6,000 MT Break Bulk under PSO to Turkey
Taking advantage of the inherent advantages in a Preliminary Sales Order (PSO) to the customer, Qatalum crossed its first milestone with Turkey on the 25 September 2014 with the benefit of increased customer satisfaction. Qatalum arranged for the shipment of 6,000 MT to Turkey under a PSO addendum. It is worth mentioning that the total shipped quantity was 2,365 bundles of extrusion Ingots which is equal to exactly 6,075 MT. The ship carrying the consignment was M/V BSLE Genova, voyage 1443, which arrived at Mesaieed on the 24 September 2014 and is expected to arrive at its destination, Poliport in Turkey, on the 10 October 2014. As mentioned by the Logistics Manager, Saeed Al-Marri, the advantage of transfer from the current Forecast Sales Order (FSO) to Preliminary Sales Order (PSO) for...
AlCircle gears up for ALUMINIUM 2014
AlCircle is all set to participate as a media partner and exhibitor in the three day mega event AlUMINIUM 2014, the world’s biggest trade fair at Messe Dusseldorf, Germany. As a leading aluminium portal from Asia, AlCircle hopes to present its unique set of services to a global audience from the aluminium industry especially from Europe. As a media partner AlCircle has attached its name to some of the most prestigious events worldwide like ALUMINIUM exhibition, ARABAL, IBAAS, ISCOBA, Aluminium Middle East and Metal Bulletin Bauxite & Alumina Conference. And it is for last 5 years that AlCircle is joining hands with Reeds Aluminium exhibition as a media partner. Equipped with its range of state of the art services tailor made for the industry players, AlCircle aims to present the benefits...
Prima Resources : BMMF - Manjimup Project
Prima Resources Bauxite Mine & Metals Facility Project – Manjimup WA, announced that it will open a Prima Community Office in Manjimup commencing 11-Oct-2014 for one month. The BMMF- Manjimup Project is a 1.0 MT/Yr Bauxite Ore and Metals Extraction Facility in Manjimup. The Prima Community Office will provide information regarding the BMMF- Manjimup Project as part of the commencement of the Pre-Feasibility Stage of the Project. It will also register the concerns and expectations of the Local Community while at the same time providing information regarding employment, training, and business opportunities for local residents.
AMMG Updates Process Design for HPA Chemical Project
Highlights • AMMG’s process uses well-established hydrochloric acid leach (HCL) method • Main advantage is the simple recovery of acid, reducing operating costs • HCL process ideal for Meckering aluminous clay deposit • Process utilises conventional, off-the-shelf plant and equipment • Process covered by AMMG’s patent application Australia Minerals and Mining Group Limited (ASX: AKA) (AMMG/the Company) is pleased to provide further detail of its proposed process plant design targeting 3,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) high purity alumina (HPA) operation. The Company has previously reported that laboratory test work afforded the successful production of HPA at 4N (99.99%) quality. The Company recently announced the commencement of a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) with a target production...
