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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The biggest manufacturer of alloy wheels in Europe - the Ronal Group - puts its faith in the tried-and-tested systems of ARP
On its 30th anniversary, ARP, the well-known manufacturer of chip disposal and recycling systems, is celebrating its biggest order since the foundation of the company. The Ronal Group, a long-standing partner and customer of ARP, is currently building a new factory in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. This is the second location in Mexico after Queretaro, where the company has been manufacturing aluminium wheels since 2001, and will have an annual capacity of 2 million aluminium wheels. The issue of chip disposal and automatic recycling and melting down of chips to return them to the wheel production process is an important variable for the economic production of aluminium wheels. ARP is proud that the Ronal Group has once more put its trust in the experience and time-tested systems of ARP. The...
Novelis invests $258 Million in new plant to extend leadership in closed-loop recycling
Novelis, the global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today officially opened the world's largest aluminum recycling center. Located adjacent to the company's rolling mill in Nachterstedt, Germany, the $258 million (€200 million) recycling center will process up to 400,000 metric tons of aluminum scrap annually, turning it back into high-value aluminum ingots to feed the company's European manufacturing network. "The Nachterstedt Recycling Center is a significant step toward our goal to be the world's low-carbon aluminum sheet producer, shifting our business model from a traditional linear approach to an increasingly closed-loop model," said Phil Martens, President and Chief Executive Officer of Novelis. "This new facility further strengthens Novelis' leadership in Europe, and...
Constellium awarded multi-year contract by Rexam to convert Spanish can production lines from steel to aluminium
Constellium N.V. announced today that it was awarded an additional contract to supply can stock to Rexam PLC (REX.L.), a leading beverage can maker. Under this agreement, Constellium will support Rexam’s strategic decision to convert all the can production lines of their two Spanish plants - La Selva and Valdemorillo - from steel to aluminium. This contract strengthens a long-standing relationship between Constellium and Rexam. “We are delighted to support Rexam in its substitution process from steel to aluminium. Packaging, in particular can stock, is a bedrock of Constellium’s portfolio.” commented Laurent Musy, President of Constellium’s Packaging and Automotive Rolled Products business unit. “By partnering with Rexam to convert its can lines in Spain, Europe’s second largest can...
New Recycle Bermuda Campaign Launches
The Sustainable Development Department, in partnership with the Waste Management Section of the Ministry of Public Works, today [Sept 29] launched a new two-week Recycle Bermuda campaign. The value and importance of recycling to the island will be promoted from September 29 through October 11, 2014. A spokesperson said, “This Recycle Bermuda campaign is the brainchild of Sustainable Development volunteer and Bermuda College graduate Claudie Richardson. She, along with college student Alicia Kirby, spent time outside of their busy schedules to make this idea a reality. “According to the 2010 census, 48 percent of all households indicated that they participate in Bermuda’s TAG recycling programme [tin, aluminium, and glass], yet only 20 percent of all TAG recyclables make it into Bermuda’s...
Moeller Marine expands to aluminum fuel tank market
Sparta, Tenn.-based Moeller Marine, an industry leader in rotationally molded plastic fuel tanks, said it is expanding its offerings by entering the marine aluminum fuel tank market. Moeller said that because each material has its own unique benefits there will always be a need in the marine industry for both plastic and aluminum tanks, based on the needs of each vessel and the preferences of the builder. Builders now have a single source for all marine fuel tank needs. Offering both rotomolded plastic and aluminum tanks will now allow Moeller Marine to provide a complete product lineup to their customers. Moeller is offering fully compliant tanks in the 25- to 200-gallon size range.
China aluminum semis exports up 19.8% in August 2014
China exported 320,000 mt of aluminum semis in August, on par with July’s level, but up 19.8% YoY, customs data indicated. Falling SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio has encouraged Chinese processors to ramp up exports. Export volumes in September and October look set to hold near August’s high levels. Extrusion exports were 63,000 mt in August, up 24.6% YoY, but down 13.7% MoM. Exports of plate/sheet and strip increased 15.7% YoY and 8.6% MoM to 165,000 mt. Foil exports totaled 78,000 mt, up 20.4% YoY, but unchanged from July’s level.
Global Aluminium Foil Roller Initiative website relaunched
Prior to the world leading ALUMINIUM exposition the Global Aluminium Foil Roller Initiative (GLAFRI), which supports foil growth globally and coordinates information on sustainability and recovery, relaunched its website, www.global-alufoil.org. In line with objectives of GLAFRI to build ‘one voice’ on foil sustainability issues globally the animation video on Alufoil’s role in reducing the environmental impact of food and drink products is now available in 10 languages, including Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese, representing all major markets for foil globally. “With the support of 35 foil rollers from all mayor foil producer areas worldwide, and five global key suppliers to our industry, we now support promotion in key foil consumption regions. This enables foil producers to make use...
EGA among five GCC firms named in list of 'global challengers'
Five companies from the Gulf have been named as 'global challengers' in a new report that recognises them for their rapid growth, global expansion and emerging position as leaders in key markets. The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said the firms include Emirates Global Aluminium, Etihad Airways, Etisalat, Qatar Airways, and SABIC while Egypt's El Sewedy Electric is also named in the list. Last year's list included four companies from the region. The 2014 BCG Global Challengers report identifies a total of 100 fast-growing companies that are from emerging markets and are shaking up the global economy through success overseas. BCG said in a statement that this year's list of global challengers reflects the reshaping of the global economy, as the number of emerging markets represented is...
China aluminum imports down 74.57% in August 2014
China’s primary aluminum imports slumped 74.57% YoY and 39.78% MoM to 8,487 mt in August, according to China Customs. As SMM anticipated, aluminum imports dropped in August as a result of falling SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio in July. Imports of primary aluminum are expected to remain low in September, given that the SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio was below 7.0 through most of August. But import volumes may pick up after September as the SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio rose in September.
Press Metal upbeat about aluminium market
Press Metal Group Bhd’s (Press Metal) chief executive officer Datuk Paul Koon gave reassurance that it was business as usual for the group and the outlook of the aluminium market remains upbeat. RHB Research Institute Sdn Bhd (RHB Research) noted that as Press Metal’s share price plunged from an all-time high of RM7.46 to its low of RM5.32 over the last three trading days, the research house hosted a conference call for institutional investors to speak directly with Koon on the latest developments in the company and aluminium industry last Friday. Koon confirmed that he was not aware of any bad news concerning Press Metal’s operations or the aluminium industry as a whole. While he said that aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) may have dipped after the spot price surpassed...
Australian Aluminium Council appoints Rio head as chief
Rio Tinto bauxite and alumina president Phillip Strachan has been appointed as the new head of the Australian Aluminium Council. Alcoa of Australia's managing director Alan Cransberg has been appointed as the Council's new vice president. Speaking on his new appointment, Strachan said "I look forward to supporting the important role the Council has to play in representing the industry as it faces what are truly the toughest of times, with a high Australian dollar and low global prices". Alumina has been hit particularly hard compared to other commodities over the past two years, with prices falling and major mining companies looking to exit the metal. Rio Tinto has looked to sell of its poorly performing Alcan assets for more than a year now, while BHP spun out its alumina assets in its...
Alba welcomes high-level Chinese delegation
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium producer in the world, welcomed a high-level delegation from the Chinese Embassy on Tuesday, September 30, 2014 to discuss bilateral ties between China and Bahrain as well as seek ways to strengthen business relationships between the two countries. The delegation was headed by HE Mr. Li Chen, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Lin Zheming, Counsellor of the Embassy, Mr. Liu Gengsheng, First Secretary, Head of Economic & Commercial Office and Mr. Liu Guipeng, Attache, Economic and Commercial Office. The Chinese officials were welcomed by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray, Chief Financial Officer, Ali Al Baqali, Chief Marketing Officer, Jean Baptiste Lucas, Director for Power & Utilities, Amin Sultan and Director...
Metallica Minerals receives further funding from China for Queensland project
Metallica Minerals has revealed that a further A$900,000 has been received into the Joint Venture bank account under the Cape York Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) and Bauxite Joint Venture Agreement. The Chinese investor is using a wholly-owned Australian subsidiary named Ozore Resources Pty. Ltd, and after today's payment now has a 27.33% joint venture interest. In total, a private Chinese partner is funding A$7.5 million into the joint venture, which covers all Metallica's Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) and Bauxite holdings on Queensland's Cape York. Increasing bauxite demand and prices are expected to intensify due to the simultaneous major reduction in bauxite supply from Indonesia and India, and increased demand for alumina to supply rising aluminium production and consumption in China, India...
Senate democrats urge CFTC review of LME aluminum trading
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission should probe the London Metal Exchange to ensure aluminum trading and warehousing are free of manipulation, three Democratic senators said in a letter. The regulator must investigate whether LME rules sufficiently protect against conflicts of interest between firms’ trading and warehouse operations, Senators Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin said in the letter dated yesterday. The review should come before the agency grants full registration to the LME as a foreign trading exchange. “The CFTC must start protecting businesses and consumers by using their authority to conduct a thorough review of the ongoing issues destabilizing the aluminum market and ensure that the London Metal Exchange is...
SMS Siemag supplies cold-rolling mill to Turkey aluminium producer
Steel and aluminium plant processing technology, equipment and services specialist SMS Siemag supplied a complete cold rolling mill to Turkey-based aluminium company Asas-Alüminyum for its new works at Adapazan-Akyazi, about 150 km to the east of Istanbul. Asas-Alüminyum’s new works, estimated at about €250-million, has been designed for a future capacity of 350 000 t/y and has an overall surface area of 750 000 m2. It comprises a strip caster, cold-rolling mill with strip-processing line and a foil rolling mill. The facility is currently undergoing acceptance tests, with plans to start full production in this quarter. Rolling Mill Features The cold-rolling mill comprises a six-high mill stand, three shearing lines and a strip-coating line designed for 50 000 t/y. The mill stand is...
AFCO announces expansion
Alexandria-based AFCO Industries recently announced it is expanding with a new facility in Olmstead, Ill. The $1.9 million plant will perform aluminum extruding and painting operations and employ 19 people. "As a 68-year-old, 100 percent employee-owned company, we are looking forward to being good corporate citizens of the state of Illinois," AFCO chairman and chief executive officer Jim Waters said. "In our visits to the region, we found an eager and available workforce and a manufacturing-friendly government that assisted us in our search for a suitable expansion site." AFCO is a leading provider of fabricated building parts — notably aluminum but also including plastic and fiberglass. The company employs about 400 people, roughly half of them at its Alexandria facility. It also has...
Aluminium futures weaken on global cues
Aluminium futures today traded 0.38 per cent lower at INR 118.75 per kg as speculators reduced their positions amid weak global cues. Further, subdued demand in the domestic spot markets also weighed on the metal prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in October eased by 45 paise, or 0.38 per cent, to INR 118.75 per kg in business turnover of 59 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in September traded lower by 30 paise, or 0.30 per cent, to INR 117.60 per kg in 146 lots. Market analysts said the weakness in aluminium at futures trade was mostly in tune with a downtrend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME) on concern that demand will slow in China, the biggest metals user, and subdued demand at domestic spot markets.
RHB Research maintains BUY on Press Metal
RHB Research has maintained its BUY call on Press Metal with a fair value of RM8.30, saing it likes the group for its world-class, low-cost smelter in the first quartile of a global cost curve, thanks to its competitive 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA), state-of-the-art smelting technology and strategic plant locations. In a note on Monday, RHB said the improved market dynamics were timely as its smelters had returned to optimum production levels. "As we believe the recent selldown in its share price was not on a fundamental basis, we recommend investors to Buy on weakness. Our RM8.30 FV is derived from a 10% discount to our fully-diluted DCF, implying undemanding 2.4x/2.1x P/BVs and 17.0x/11.9x P/Es on FY14F/15F estimates respectively," it said. RHB noted that Press Metal's CEO...
