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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Heat pumps: The missing piece in aluminium industry's decarbonisation puzzle
Each tonne of alumina production emits such heat, which, if reused further, can increase the energy demand, which in the long run also boosts carbon footprint reduction globally. Image Source: Hilt CRC How can we do that? The answer is ‘industrial heat pump’. These use electricity to transfer heat from one location to another, supplying heating and cooling for a building. Heat pumps are better energy efficient than conventional heating mechanisms with gas or oil boilers, emitting less carbon cumulatively. According to the International Energy Agency's (IEA's) World Energy Outlook special report titled The Future of Heat Pumps, decarbonisation of industrial heat through electrification is crucial in tackling the climate conundrum, and there is substantial potential for electric heat pumps...
Donald Trump 2.0: What is in store for the global aluminium industry?
Donald Trump returning to the White House as the 47th President of the United States after winning the 2024 election against Kamala Harris is already raising speculations about global trade policies and economic measures for the ensuing time. This especially comes after his protectionist regime as the 45th President of the United States from 2017 to 2021, which saw heavy import duties as part of the "America First" economic policy. Image Source: Facebook (Handle - Donald J. Trump The Trump presidency during 2017-2021 imposed waves of tariffs on products like solar panels, washing machines, and consumer goods. Even steel and aluminium were not spared from the heavy import duties. Countries like China, Mexico, Canada, and the European Union, the big players in the world aluminium market,...
Decline in the US aluminium crude metal and alloy imports is attributed to UAE and Australia
The year-on-year decline in the United States imports of aluminium crude metal and alloys for consumption, alongside the increase in domestic scrap generation and restrained export volume, indicates the country's intentional shift in focus from primary to secondary aluminium applications. From January to July 2024, the United States imported 2.14 million tonnes of aluminium crude metal and alloys, down by 7.76 per cent Y-o-Y from 2.32 million tonnes. Each month through July 2024 witnessed Y-o-Y fall. In July, the United States aluminium crude metal and alloy imports amounted to 293,000 tonnes, significantly down by 11.48 per cent Y-o-Y from 331,000 tonnes and 13.82 per cent less than 340,000 tonnes a month ago. Among the sources, Canada was the highest supplier of aluminium crude metal...
Q3 2024: North America's primary aluminium production decline causes drop in the Americas' global output share
The Americas primary aluminium production in the third quarter of 2024 maintained a steady trend, reaching 1.375 million tonnes compared to 1.372 million tonnes in Q2 2024, despite monthly output drop in August and September, particularly in North America. Image Source: Rio Tinto's Kitimat Smelter Over the past two months, North America's primary aluminium production decreased M-o-M, deriving 333,000 tonnes in August and 324,000 tonnes in September. The decline in August output was relatively marginal compared to 334,000 tonnes in July, but the decrease in September intensified, marking a 2.7 per cent fall. The declining rate in North America's primary aluminium production during Q3 was akin to a 2 per cent drop in Rio Tinto's aluminium output , primarily contributed by Kitimat smelter,...
Recycled aluminium sought from vehicles has more value than many realise. Let's understand the whys and hows
An internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle generally has engine blocks, transmission housings, wheels, suspension systems, body panels, interior trim, headlights, and taillights made to some extent of aluminium. Meanwhile, in electric vehicles (EVs), the battery pack, the majority of the chassis, battery enclosures, and charging stations have aluminium as the primary building material. Image Source: Hydro Despite being lighter, the metal holds high durability and can resist extreme forces thus making aluminium a superior preference for structural pieces of EVs. Adverse environmental conditions such as contact with salt water and road salt are likely to cause corrosion in such automobiles, making it necessary to apply resistant materials. Aluminium is known for its corrosion-defying...
Constantia Flexibles unveils revolutionary digital print solution for aluminium dairy lids
At FACHPACK 2024, Constantia Flexibles introduced a groundbreaking digital print technology tailored for die-cut aluminium dairy lids. This innovation, described as an "industry-first," was discussed by Michael Harder, Senior Vice President Dairy, and Thomas Schulz, Vice President Group Marketing Communication. The new solution promises significant benefits for the dairy sector and sets new standards in sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility. Constantia Flexibles' latest offering addresses key industry demands, including food safety, ease of use, and sustainability, all while adhering to rigorous regulatory standards like the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUP) and Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). These regulations highlight the challenges and importance of developing...
Are microbes the future of rare element extraction from red mud? Let's uncover the newly sought process
Cultivating restorative microbial activity to remediate metal-impacted mine wastes has retained some successes, mainly using man-made wetlands or passive bioreactors to generate (microbially mediated) anoxic and sulfidic conditions. Image Source: American Geosciences Institute Recently, researcher trio Dr Rosie Gillane, Fernanda Soto, and Luke Webster from the University of Queensland have come up with a method of detoxifying red mud , waste material yielded by the tonne at bauxite mining sites across Australia, a report shares. "You would not usually associate bacteria or microorganisms with mine rehabilitation," says Luke, whose PhD thesis focuses on 'synbio' mining techniques like the one he describes. The process is known as biohydrometallurgy, in which particular proteins can be used...
October 2024: China’s aluminium processing industry PMI begins to experience off-season, recording a fall of 12.64% M-o-M
China’s domestic aluminium processing industry saw a 12.64 per cent downturn in the Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) during October 2024, reflecting a transition from peak to the traditional off-season. Although the PMI level in the said month stood above 50, the worsened trend in the preceding month due to low orders on hand amid the full-fledged traditional off-season is likely to bring the November PMI below the 50 per cent mark. According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the PMI index for China’s domestic aluminium processing industry was 53.9 per cent, compared to 61.7 per cent in September. The weaker PMI for aluminium plate, sheet and strip industry, aluminium foil, industrial aluminium extrusion, and primary aluminium alloy mainly contributed to the overall decline....
Navigating uncertainty: US elections, economic shifts, and the aluminium industry
AL Circle recently had the privilege of attending the presentation of Mr Uday Patel, Senior Research Manager for Metals and Mining – Aluminium, Wood Mackenzie, at the ICSOBA 2024 conference in Lyon, France. This enlightening session provided valuable insights into the current challenges facing the aluminium industry, as well as the potential outlook that could reshape its future. His expertise provided a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic landscape, highlighting the critical factors influencing market trends and the implications for stakeholders across the industry. This write-up is derived from the macroeconomic outlook based on Wood Mackenzie’s Q3 analysis, which Mr Uday Patel shared during his presentation. As the global economy begins to recover from the shocks of recent...
Ease in overseas grid construction leads to China’s aluminium wire and cable exports to a 2-year low
According to China customs data, September 2024 witnessed a continued decline in aluminium wire and cable exports. Month-on-month, the export volume was down by 29 per cent, while year-on-year, 39.77 per cent lower. Following a stable export trend at the beginning of the year, recording over 20 per cent growth Y-o-Y, China’s aluminium wire and cable shipments started facing a hit, making the Q3 export volume unsatisfactory. Image Source: Huaxiao Metal Focusing on September, China’s aluminium wire and cable exports were valued at $28.06 million, down by 25.48 per cent and 38.42 per cent. As per the historical survey, the quantity of exported items was about two-year low, standing at 9,300 tonnes. Among these, the export volume of steel-core aluminium stranded wire and similar products was...
Bauxite's secret cache: Can EU tap into rare earth elements amidst global competition?
The European Union (EU) has been actively engaged in the global competition to secure critical minerals and rare earth elements. Despite the aggressive competition worldwide, the EU's efforts to scan every nook and cranny of the globe for these essential components have been relentless. However, the ripple effect of such acquisitions and their potential impact on the world has posed significant challenges, akin to navigating a net-zero-driven project through back-to-back speed breakers. Image Source: UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) The U.S. Geological Survey's release "Going Critical" clarified, "REEs are necessary components of more than 200 products across a wide range of applications, especially high-tech consumer products, such as cellular telephones, computer hard drives, electric...
A dip in September alumina output fails to dampen Y-T-D growth trajectory; Next quarter needs over 34.335 Mt to beat last year
In September 2024, the world's alumina production decreased to its lowest level in the past five months, with all the major alumina-producing countries or regions registering drops in their output. However, despite the sequential decline and a 5-month low, the world's alumina production stood above 12 million tonnes. Image Source: Advanced Ceramic Materials (ACM) Corporation Based on the International Aluminium Institute's (IAI) data, the intensity of the world's alumina production drop was higher in September compared to the decline previously seen in April. September was the second month in two quarters after April when the world aluminium production fell. According to an IAI survey, the world's alumina production in September 2024 decreased by 4.23 per cent month-on-month compared to a...
A by-product of bauxite refinement - ATH's demand and market grows worldwide with promising future
Alumina trihydrate (ATH), also known as aluminium hydroxide — chemical formula Al(OH)3, has a vast market potential ahead. The element, which is derived during the refinement of bauxite through the Bayer process, is majorly known for its flame retarding property. Image Source: Anglo Pacific Minerals The global market for alumina trihydrate is significant, with a size estimated at USD 4.21 billion in 2023. This figure is projected to grow to USD 5.8 billion in the next five years, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6 per cent. These numbers underscore the substantial market potential of ATH. Production method of ATH: ATH, known by various standard names in the chemical industry such as alumina hydrate, hydrate alumina, aluminium hydrate, and aluminium hydroxide, is a...
‘September peak season’ leads to production and demand growth for aluminium billet, but current inventory level hints at near-term muteness
The traditional "September peak season" revitalised demand for China's primary aluminium billets and boosted their operating performance, leading to a new high production volume for the year and historically. Despite fewer operating days in September compared to August, the domestic primary aluminium billet production increased, driven by the resumption of previously closed production facilities and the commencement of new projects, especially in Xinjiang. According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the daily average output of China's primary aluminium billets in September 2024 grew by 2,000 tonnes month-on-month to around 51,000 tonnes per day, bringing the total monthly production to 1.528 million tonnes, up by 15,000 tonnes from August (31 days), utilising 31.205 million tonnes of...
China’s industrial profits hit a 3-year low, emulating aluminium extrusion sector. Can fiscal stimulus measures revive growth?
The National Bureau of Statistics has reported a steep monthly fall in China's industrial profits to a three-year low in September 2024 on account of several factors, such as sluggish demand and consumption, decreased product prices, processing fees upsurge, and high costs of raw materials. Speaking of industries, the aluminium downstream sector was no exception, particularly the industrial aluminium extrusion, due to the slow market in the building & construction sector. Image Source: China Hongqiao Group Among the major industries that drive the Chinese economy, building & construction plays a pivotal role. In 2023, the construction industry accounted for around 6.8 per cent of the country's GDP. However, the unprecedented downturn in the B&C sector, currently reeling from a wave of...
Will Guinea’s bauxite industry mirror Indonesia’s strategic export shift?
The bauxite mining subsidiary of one of the leading aluminium producers recently announced the suspension of its bauxite export operations from Port Kamsar (GNKMR). However, there has been no official justification for the move. How can it impact the Guinean workforce? Despite possessing the world's largest bauxite reserves, the highest-grade iron ore, and significant diamond and gold resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The move raises serious concerns for the future of its Guinean workforce, with potential repercussions for local employment and the broader economic landscape. According to sources close to the situation, this operation pause could lead to significant job losses if not promptly resolved. It is important to note that these types of mining...
September 2024: China’s primary aluminium imports decline 16% M-o-M on limited arbitrage opportunity
According to the General Administration of Customs, China's primary aluminium import receded from its monthly high in September 2024, marking a sequential decline of 16 per cent. Even on an annual basis, the import volume decreased by 31.7 per cent, astonishing the industry for the unprecedented downtrend. The Shanghai Metals Market cautioned about the high chances of an interim fall in China's primary metal imports due to limited arbitrage opportunity because of the narrow price gap between LME and SHFE since the beginning of September. China's domestic imports of primary aluminium mainly relied on long-term contracts from Russia and parts of Southeast Asia. Malaysia's contribution to China was also affected in September due to 100,000 tonnes of production cut because of an accident....
Aluminium and copper prices set to rise: Goldman Sachs raises 2025 outlook following China's demand stimulus
In a significant upward revision, the leading global investment banking, securities, and asset and wealth management firm, Goldman Sachs, has enhanced its 2025 price forecasts for aluminium and copper, driven by increased demand potential in China, the world's largest consumer of these metals. The investment banking giant has adjusted its 2025 average aluminium price outlook to $2,700 per tonne, up from the previous forecast of $2,540 per tonne. Meanwhile, the average copper price forecast has also seen a rise, now set at $10,160 per tonne, an increase from $10,100. These changes come as the London Metal Exchange (LME) reports aluminium trading near $2,634.50 a tonne, following a peak of $2,715—the highest level since May 31. LME copper is currently trading at $9,510.50 a tonne. Goldman...
