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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South America’s alumina production hits YTD high with M-o-M increase of 9.3%
Alumina production in South America reached this year’s peak, marking a month-on-month hike of 9.3 per cent and a year-on-year increase of 5.52 per cent, found the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) survey. This significant increase in South America’s alumina production contributed to the world’s output to a new high, in addition to many other major alumina-producing countries or regions. Image Source: IAI According to IAI, South America produced 1.07 million tonnes of alumina during October 2024, compared to 979,000 tonnes in September and 1.014 million tonnes in October 2023. The daily average output was 34,500 tonnes in October, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 5.83 per cent from 32,600 tonnes and a year-on-year rise of 5.5 per cent from 32,700 tonnes. From January to...
Indonesia's strategic move: From bauxite to billets, a vertical integration play is on
In a significant development for the global aluminium market, Indonesia is poised to become a major player in the industry, driven by its vast reserves of bauxite and a strategic partnership with China. Image Source: https://leadthecharge.org/ According to recent data, Indonesia's bauxite reserves stand at an impressive 1 billion tonnes, making it an attractive destination for aluminium producers. The country's ambitious plan to produce everything in-house, from bauxite to billet, is a key element of the government's broader electric vehicle (EV) strategy. Indonesia aims to produce 600,000 EVs by 2030 and has partnered with four Chinese EV companies - Neta, Wuling, Chery, and Sokon - to build an EV production and export hub in the country. The partnership is expected to bring significant...
Uptrend seen in China’s aluminium wire and cable export orders likely to offset year-end decline; SMM projects 4% growth
China’s aluminium wire and cable exports recovered in October 2024, marking a month-on-month surge of 53.8 per cent and a year-on-year increase of 13.64 per cent. However, the monthly uptick in October was not enough to counter the sluggish performance throughout the year-to-date, attributed to tight domestic end-user sector demand, particularly from the building and construction sector. Image Source: Made-in-China According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the export volume in October was 14,300 tonnes versus 9,300 tonnes in September , generating a value of $41.5 million compared to $28.06 million. Thus, the export value also demonstrated M-o-M hike of 47.9 per cent. Specifically, exports of steel-core aluminium-stranded wire and similar products were 8,480 tonnes, up 82 per cent...
Mumbai's Metal Fairs: A 3-Day trendsetting extravaganza of innovation, networking, and business
From November 27 to November 29, 2024, the amalgamation of four metal fairs — International Exhibition for Metallurgical Technology (METEC) India, Tube India, wire India and India ESSEN WELDING & CUTTING took place in Mumbai's Bombay Exhibition Centre (NESCO). This marked the return of the fair to the Mumbai chapter after a significant 2-year hiatus, with over 18,000 visitors expected. The event provided an excellent platform for networking and business opportunities, underscoring the city's importance in the metal technology and manufacturing industry. This year's trade fair has seen a remarkable global participation from aluminium industry among others, with companies from over 22 countries including France, Austria, United Kingdom, Belgium, Luxembourg, Spain, Brazil, Canada, China,...
China’s export tax rebate cancellation sparks mixed reactions, where SMM’s positive outlook on aluminium semis industry stands out
The Chinese aluminium market has been in deep thought since the Ministry of Finance announced the removal of export tax rebates for a wide range of products, including aluminium plates, sheets, strips and foils. The concern is clear, as exports of aluminium plate, sheet and strip make up 50 per cent or above of the country’s total aluminium semi-finished product exports. Image Source: The Wall Street Journal According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s monthly aluminium semis exports in recent years have ranged between 400,000 and 600,000 tonnes, of which aluminium plate, sheet and strip exports account for 200,000 to 350,000 tonnes. Additionally, aluminium foil exports exceed 100,000 tonnes each month. Together, aluminium plates, sheets, strips, extrusions, and foils represent over...
Bauxite price surge regains market confidence at ASX, with stocks projected to return to IPOs
In conversation with Stockhead, a business news publication dedicated to connecting investors with emerging ASX-listed companies, Lowell Resources Fund's chief investment officer, John Forwood, highlights that the booming bauxite prices are bringing attention back to ASX stocks and how. To his surprise, the unprecedented rise in bauxite and alumina prices has made some of Australia's top fund managers vigilant of these commodities. Image Source: The Australian Aluminium Council In the Chinese market, the world's largest consumer of bauxite and alumina, Guinea bauxite price is currently standing at US$92 per tonne, marking an increase of about 20 per cent since the bauxite export suspension by EGA-owned Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) in early October. Since the beginning of the year, the...
Urban mining: The promising path in the US to closing probable mineral gaps
The United States Federal Government has strategised to tackle the import gap of metals, including aluminium, with an enhanced focus on recycling. According to mining.com, the Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it will invest US$ 22 million to exalt Golden Aluminum's recycling operations in Colorado. Image Source: https://globalscraptrading.com/ The department is also in search of building from scratch opportunities for an electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling chain. It has allocated financial aid for the latest scrap sorting technology and processing capacity. In the stance of B2U Storage Solutions, they have even considered transporting used batteries. What is urban mining? Urban mining is the process of exploring, extracting and refining metal from anthropogenic stocks...
Japan’s aluminium shipment premium offer grows 31-49% for Q1 2025 on supply crunch anticipation
One month to go to 2025, and global aluminium producers have begun to offer new premiums to Japanese buyers for the first quarter of the New Year. And not much to our surprise, the premium offered for the March quarter is 31 to 49 per cent higher than the current quarter’s premium, anticipating a supply crunch in Asia following the 13 per cent tax rebate cancellation for aluminium semi-manufactured products by the Chinese government from December 1, 2024. Image Source: LinkedIn According to three sources involved in quarterly pricing talks on Friday, global aluminium producers have offered $230-260 per tonne of premiums to Japanese buyers versus $175 per tonne of premiums in Q4 2024. The premium is cost paid for primary aluminium shipments agreed to pay over the London Metal Exchange...
World alumina production in October surpasses all historical records with highest-ever daily average output
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, the world’s alumina production in October 2024 reached a new high in tandem with the growth across all the major producing regions. The daily average output also exceeded all the previous records, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 2.26 per cent. The monthly production stood at 12.61 million tonnes in October, up by 5.6 per cent from 11.94 million tonnes in September and 3.62 per cent more than 12.17 million tonnes in October 2023. This trend of monthly and year-on-year growth in alumina production is typical for this time of year. Historical data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) shows that global production of aluminium ore has consistently exceeded 12 million tonnes every October since 2022. Daily average...
European aluminium foil shows positive market sentiment, with deliveries growing by 15% in Q3 2024
The European aluminium foil industry demonstrated strong performance in the domestic market this year, with increased deliveries, according to the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA). In the third quarter of 2024, which ended September 30, Europe's domestic foil deliveries rose 15 per cent year-on-year, contributing to an overall year-to-date gain and indicating a recovery in demand and applications, particularly in the food and packaging industries due to evolving consumer demands and technological breakthroughs. Guido Aufdemkamp, Executive Director of EAFA, said: "While demand for packaging applications and household foil remained strong, demand for technical applications is still weak due to sluggish activity in the automotive and construction sectors. The current upward trend...
Suriname bauxite project attracts Chinalco; Chinese miner agrees to pump in $426 million
Aluminium Corporation of China Limited, popularly known as Chinalco, a state-owned multinational company, is likely to invest around $426 million in bauxite mining in Suriname, said the chairman of a Surinamese presidential mining commission on Monday, November 25. If this investment is approved by parliament, Chinalco will begin bauxite mining by the middle of 2025 to produce 6 million tonnes of the key ore of aluminium annually, reported government advisor Daniel Lachman. The Surinamese presidential mining commission also said that Suriname, the South American country, is likely to have a 13 per cent share in the project. Bauxite mining and processing is the major industry that drives the economy in Suriname, with reserves present in the Bakhuis region of western Suriname. The Bakhuis...
Finnish aluminium exports to Russia doubles with no 'technical' violations of the sanction
Amid mounting tensions between Russia and European Union (EU) EU nations, recent revelations about Finnish aluminium exports doubling to Russia have stirred debates over sanction compliance. A family business from Turku, an international manufacturer of studs for winter tyres, is responsible for the export boost. This report came as Finland's broader trade with Russia kept witnessing a steep plunge, falling by nearly 69 per cent over two years due to stringent sanctions and shifting geopolitical dynamics. Image Source: https://www.transmico.com/ The contradiction: aluminium exports vs. overall trade decline While most Finnish companies have reduced their trade with Russia, a select few have capitalised on exceptions in EU sanctions. These loopholes allow the export of non-restricted...
China doubles down on export growth, defying global pressure over subsidised goods
Despite mounting global resistance to its surging shipments of low-cost goods, China has pledged to increase support for exporting companies. Beijing's new policies aim to sustain its export boom, which is on track to reach record levels, even as trading partners accuse it of undercutting local industries and distorting global markets. Wang Shouwen, China's international trade representative and vice minister of commerce, announced a range of measures to support exporters. These include financial aid, insurance assistance, and directives to expand cargo capacity through state-backed shipping firms. "Our focus is on promoting high-quality trade and addressing practical challenges faced by Chinese companies," Wang said during a press conference in Beijing. When keeping an eye on the...
World primary aluminium production recovers in October 2024 to a new high
The world’s primary aluminium production regained momentum in October 2024 after an intermittent decline of 3.19 per cent in the previous month. Owing to the increase across all the major primary aluminium-producing regions, the world’s output reached a new high in October, exceeding all the earlier records. Recovering more than what it lost in September, the world’s primary aluminium production in October even exceeded the record volume of 6.205 million tonnes seen in August. According to the International Aluminium Institute’s (IAI) data, the output volume in October grew by 3.56 per cent M-o-M and 1.27 per cent Y-o-Y, reaching 6.221 million tonnes. In September 2024, the world’s primary aluminium output was 6.007 million tonnes; in October 2023, it stood at 6.143 million tonnes. The...
Metal Mayhem: Germany and Turkey drag European aluminium alloy ingot market down
The European market for aluminium alloy ingot has experienced a significant devaluation, with both Germany and Turkey playing a pivotal role. Their substantial price reductions, amidst economic challenges and struggles in the automotive sector, have contributed to a pronounced downward trend in the week ending November 15th. Image source: https://www.sav-al.com/ Germany rolls downhill According to chemanalyst.news, Germany's aluminium alloy ingot prices dropped by 2 per cent as the country struggles with financial challenges. Its economy is in recession for two years in a row. In H1 (first half) of the ongoing year (2024), it contracted by 0.2 per cent compared to the same duration in 2023. The nation's financial growth course has witnessed multiple speed breakers affected by insufficient...
US aluminium scrap recovery grows at a higher rate in Aug’24 in contrast to sluggish primary metal output
The United States’ increased focus on the secondary aluminium industry led to a year-on-year decline in its primary aluminium production for another month but a rise in aluminium recovery from scrap. According to the data from the US Geological Survey, the United States’ primary aluminium production in August decreased 6,000 tonnes or 9.7 per cent year-on-year, while scrap recovery gained 17,000 tonnes or 6.07 per cent. Delving deeper into the data, we find the United States’ primary aluminium production in August stood at 56,000 tonnes against 62,000 tonnes in August 2023 and 57,000 tonnes in July 2024. In line with the decline in monthly production, the United States average daily production in August also slipped over the year as well as month. On a year-on-year basis, the daily output...
Alumina production dip at Hydro Alunorte refinery contributes to South America’s Q3 2024 output fall
The decline in South America’s alumina production for two months in a quarter led to a downfall in the total Q3 output. In July and September, South America’s alumina production decreased by 5.36 per cent and 3.83 per cent, respectively, resulting in a Q3 fall of 3.49 per cent from the previous quarter, found the International Aluminium Institute survey. Image Source: Norsk Hydro on LinkedIn In both July and September, South America’s alumina production stood at 1 million tonnes, amounting to 989,000 tonnes and 979,000 tonnes. Only in August did the production volume reach above 1 million tonnes for an intermittent period but edged a year-on-year decline of 1.45 per cent from 1.033 million tonnes. In total, South America’s alumina production through the third quarter of 2024 amounted to...
Beijing slashes tax rebates, exporters pass costs to buyers
Industry insiders revealed that Chinese exporters in diverse sectors, including aluminium products, used cooking oil (UCO), and solar power equipment, are preparing to hike prices and renegotiate contracts following Beijing's decision to cut tax incentives. The policy change, announced on November 15, 2024, will take effect on December 1, 2024, and significantly impact exporters. The export tax rebate rate for certain products, such as refined oil, photovoltaic components, batteries, and specific non-metallic mineral products, will drop from 13 per cent to 9 per cent. Moreover, the rebate will be entirely eliminated for aluminium and copper products as well as chemically modified oils and fats, including UCO. The move is expected to send ripples across global markets. Analysts predict...
