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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Russia’s quid pro quo: EU’s 16th sanction package altered ahead of enforcement?
Speculations of a phase-wise ban revolve around the European Union’s 16th sanction package against Russia as the date of implementation draws near. Russia, which has been at gunpoint since its invasion into Ukraine. Opposing the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, a political call by the Russian Federation to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent entities (followed later by Kherson and Zaporizhzhia), and the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU introduced a series of trade-related restrictive measures (till date 16) known as sanction packages. The 16th sanctions package, circulated among member states this week, proposes measures that would cut approximately 15 banks off from the SWIFT banking system....
Top 5 technological advancements boosting the progress of upstream aluminium in 2024
Technical advancement in any industrial sector is the secret agent steering the business forward. From implementing artificial technology to indulging in advanced machinery, the aluminium industry has similarly progressed through the path of time, overcoming numerous snags along the route. Here, we are to recapitulate the top five technological advancements that have shaped the growth of the industry in one way or another. Metso’s innovative single-stage SAG mill solution In February 2025, Metso secured a landmark order for a single-stage semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) solution for a low-carbon aluminium project in China. The comprehensive delivery includes six SAG mills with a total installed power of 45MW, along with a Mill Reline Machine (MRM). Metso’s commitment to technological...
Market Commentary: China is transitioning from 2024 to 2025 with bold trade strides as global geopolitics weigh in
Aluminium prices edged up by 0.08 per cent to close at INR 252.75 (USD 2.92) amid renewed investor optimism over China following comments from former US President Donald Trump hinting at a potential trade deal with the world's largest consumer of metals, as reported by investing.com. Market sentiment was further buoyed by developments within the European Union, which is preparing to impose sanctions on imports of primary aluminium from Russia. This anticipated move, the EU's geopolitical move of continual phasing-out of Russian aluminium, is a trend that has accelerated since European manufacturers began distancing themselves from Russian goods following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Overview of China's aluminium trade front China's aluminium export trade exhibited significant growth...
Trade analysis: Australia’s aluminium export value booms on strong metal prices
Australia is on course to achieve a record-breaking performance in aluminium exports, with the metal now ranking as the fourth-largest export category after iron ore, coal, and natural gas. According to the International Trade Administration, Australia’s aluminium exports in the first eleven months of 2024 totalled 1.322 million tonnes, valued at US$3.283 billion. Image source: Freepik Delving deeper into export volume and value According to the historical data from the International Trade Administration, Australia’s year-to-date aluminium export value demonstrated a significant jump of 4.12 per cent from US$3.153 billion to US$3.283 billion. However, on the other hand, export volume decreased by 0.90 per cent Y-o-Y from 1.333 million tonnes to 1.321 million tonnes. In the full year 2023,...
Hydro joins Suppliers Partnership for the Environment to empower automotive industry with low-carbon aluminium
Norsk Hydro ASA, a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, has reportedly joined the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment (SP), uniting with a group of automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and environmental organisations to work together towards a shared sustainability vision. Image source: Freepik Explaining the reason for joining, Duncan Pitchford, President of Hydro Aluminum Metals USA, said aluminium is an infinitely recyclable product capable of serving as a safe and reliable raw material. So, by joining the Suppliers Partnership for the Environment, Hydro will be able to supply sustainable raw materials to carmakers. Even SP Director Kellen Mahoney believes that having Hydro as a member will help the collaboration empower low-carbon aluminium and recycling solutions...
Trade overview: US aluminium scrap exports through the first ten months of 2024
The United States is one of the leading aluminium scrap exporters in the world, with an annual average export volume close to 2 million tonnes. In 2023, the country exported 2.06 million tonnes, and by October, 1.74 million tonnes was shipped. In the first ten months of the subsequent year, the export volume totalled 1.73 million tonnes, reflecting a Y-o-Y dip of 0.6 per cent, according to the US Census Bureau Statistics. Was this decline consistent throughout the first ten months? What factors contributed to the fall? And which country had the most significant impact on the drop? All these will be closely studied in this comprehensive article. Month-on-month export volume trend To address the first question, let us delve into the month-wise export volume by the United States. In the...
Kwinana closure savings lag as Alcoa tackles environmental hurdles with $260M spend
Alcoa is set to invest US$163 million (AU$260 million) in a now-mandatory water management system at its caustic red mud storage site in Kwinana, as savings from the shutdown of its 60-year-old alumina refinery have been slower than anticipated. The closure, announced in January 2024, was initially expected to cost up to US$200 million (AU$319 million), including US$81 million earmarked for water management and US$55 million allocated for the redundancy or redeployment of 800 employees. Furthermore, Alcoa intends to spend US$70 million in 2024, preparing for a shift to a new mining area within the Jarrah forest, with more significant investments expected in 2026. This comes as the company continues to face scrutiny in Western Australia (WA) after revelations two years ago that its strip...
Trade & Pricing: Europe's billet market trend 2024-2025
European aluminium billet market is beginning its new calendar year, keeping a cautious look over its shoulder, as demand remains sluggish amid hidebound buying practices, while production cuts intend to leave the supply chain vulnerable to sudden fluctuations. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has publicised that the European aluminium 6060/6063 billet premium at London Metal Exchange (LME) cash plus $555 per tonne DDP Germany January 10, on net 30-day payment spans, up 46 per cent Y-o-Y, but contemplating a 12 per cent decline from 2024’s peak of $630 per tonne DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) in late August owing to softer demand. The Italian premium was evaluated at LME cash plus $555 per tonne DDP on January 10 for net 60-day payment terms, ascending 48 per cent year-on-year but...
World’s primary aluminium production grows 3% Y-o-Y: key contributing countries revealed
The world's primary aluminium industry has wrapped up 2024 with an annual production of 72.758 million tonnes. Could it break the record of the previous year or surpass AL Circle's outlook? Of course, it did by 2.9 per cent from the earlier year's output of 70.716 million tonnes and by 1.05 per cent of AL Circle's projection of 72 million tonnes. Until November 2024, the production volume was summed up at 66.622 million tonnes, meaning the remaining amount of 6.236 million tonnes was achieved in December alone, marking the highest monthly output ever. Month-on-month, the world's primary aluminium production in December recorded a rise of 3.3 per cent from 6.037 million tonnes, and on a year-on-year, it edged an increase of 3.02 per cent from 6.053 million tonnes. The daily average output...
Top upstream agreements in aluminium value-chain from across the globe
2024 has been all about jumping hoops to advance in the industrial progress for the non-ferrous metal, aluminium. The entire extraction and the subsequent production, starting from bauxite mining, progressing through alumina refining and finally reaching the manufacturing of a varied type of aluminium, is a mammoth task. And, producers across the globe, at times, need each other and even external supporting entities to steer forward. Today, we delve into some of the crucial agreements and contracts from the calendar year that shaped the industry smoother than before. NTPC to supply uninterrupted power for NALCO’s smelter expansion NTPC Limited (National Thermal Power Corporation) and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navaratna Company, came together in a non-binding Memorandum...
Trade tensions emerge early in Trump 2.0 with tariff threats on China, Mexico and Canada; aluminium industry on edge
At the dawn of the new presidential era on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump announced his intent to impose a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese product imports, including aluminium, as early as February 1. Following the news, the three-month aluminium price on the London Metal Exchange decreased by 0.9 per cent to US$2,611 per tonne, feeling the pressure of trade tensions. On his second day in office, the US President called for an investigation into US-China trade to assess potential penalties on Chinese goods. Previously, he had threatened China with a 60 per cent tariff on imports but later adjusted his proposal to a 10 per cent duty, despite which China's blue-chip CSI 300 index and the Shanghai Composite index closed nearly 1 per cent lower, representing the highest fall in nearly two...
Market Commentary: European aluminium industry performance report 2024
The European aluminium industry needs swift action to keep the region competitive in the wake of high energy prices, expensive raw materials and increased global competition, Paul Voss, director general of industry body European Aluminium, told S&P Global Commodity Insights in an interview at the aluminium trade fair in Dusseldorf on October 8, 2024. "There is a need for a serious shift to competitiveness for the European aluminium industry; we won't sit and wait for someone to solve our problems; we must engage," Voss said. According to International Aluminium Institute (IAI) data, the European aluminium industry has steadily declined across the past decade, with Western and Central European primary aluminium production deflating 25.5 per cent from 2010 (production during this year was...
Know why there’s a demotion in investment outlook for Norsk Hydro ASA
RBC Capital Markets, a global investment bank providing banking, finance, and capital markets services, has reduced its ratings for the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro ASA from "outperform" to "sector perform". The revision in investment outlook follows Norsk Hydro's share decline by 3.2 per cent on Tuesday, November 21, indicating a probability of the company's bearish performance amid shifting market conditions. Image Source: Norsk Hydro The anticipated aluminium price fall in the near future due to increased production, backed by alumina supply ease and new capacities commissioning in India and Indonesia, is likely to weigh on Hydro's revenue. According to RBC's projection, aluminium prices, which have risen by over 5 per cent year-to-date, will decline by...
Eurowings gets thumbs up for 40 new state-of-the-art Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft
Lufthansa Group has announced the deployment of 40 brand-new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft to its value carrier, Eurowings. The gradual integration of these advanced short- and medium-haul jets will position Eurowings as one of the operators with the youngest fleets in European aviation. Image Source: Business Traveller About Boeing 737-8 MAX The Boeing 737-8 MAX incorporates aluminium in its construction. This aircraft is built using high-strength alloys, including aluminium and titanium, engineered to endure extreme conditions. Equipped with cutting-edge, fuel-efficient engines, these next-generation aircraft will significantly lower fuel consumption and noise emissions. The first delivery of the Boeing 737-8 MAX is set for 2027, with all 40 aircraft expected to join the fleet by 2032....
Jan-Oct’24: US aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports record a 22% hike despite the slower recovery in recent times
Until October 2024, the United States imported 1.03 million tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars versus 842,000 tonnes a year ago. That reflected an annual hike of 22.37 per cent, driven by back-to-back significant import volumes from April to July 2024, ranging between 106,000 and 120,000 tonnes. From August onwards, imports decreased below 100,000 tonnes, averaging around 93,000 to 96,000 tonnes. According to the United States Geological Survey, imports of aluminium plates, sheets, and bars increased month-on-month, though they remained below the levels observed in the second quarter of 2024. In October 2024, the United States aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports stood at 96,200 tonnes versus 94,100 tonnes in September and 77,600 tonnes in October 2023, marking M-o-M...
China’s December aluminium production grows 4.2%, leading to 2024 output to 1 million tonnes shy of the production cap
China's aluminium production continued to increase in December 2024, backed by newer production capacity and increased operating rate like the last month. According to the data recently published by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's aluminium output in the final month of 2024 rose month-on-month as well as year-on-year by 1.62 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively. Image Source: Made-in-China China's aluminium output in December stood the highest in the final quarter of 2024, at 3.77 million tonnes, with daily production averaging 121,612 tonnes. Although the monthly output in December stood higher than 3.71 million tonnes in November , the daily production decreased by 1.66 per cent M-o-M from 123,667 tonnes to 121,612 tonnes. China's total aluminium production in the fourth...
South32 reports resilient H1 production performance despite robust challenges
South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, reported strong aluminium production figures for the half-year ended December 2024. The report strongly highlights the company’s focus on operational excellence and resilience amidst external disruptions. According to the company’s December 2024 Quarterly Report, total aluminium production increased by 5 per cent to 604 kilotonnes, compared to 575 kilotonnes in the corresponding period of the previous year. Image Source: https://www.south32.net/ Aluminium’s operational performance The increase in aluminium output was primarily driven by the improved performance of South32’s operations at Hillside Aluminium, Mozal Aluminium, and Brazil Aluminium. Hillside Aluminium in South Africa delivered robust results as the smelter operated...
Aluminium: The silent force powering tomorrow’s transport, tech & eco-innovation
Welcome back to another edition of Editor's Pick, where we bring you an exciting collection of comebacks, innovations, groundbreaking launches, and more. As 2025 begins to unfold, I can't help but wonder: Where did 2024 disappear to? Both November and December served as a pivotal moment for aluminium's end-user sectors—a time to reflect on the successes of the past year and lay the groundwork for a brighter, more sustainable future. What is that one thing that aluminium can't do? The question is a bit difficult to answer. Because aluminium is omnipresent – from our kitchen to the industries, aluminium's adaptability and sustainability have cemented its significance across diverse sectors, including automotive, construction, packaging, aerospace, and consumer electronics. The year 2024 has...
