Chinese aluminium producers are planning a major expansion overseas, with at least 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of new primary smelting capacity announced or planned across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa. The expansion could push the global aluminium market into surplus , although tighter scrutiny from Beijing and concerns over project profitability may limit how much capacity is built. Around 2.85 MTPA of the planned capacity is already under construction or being brought into operation. This represents 3.8 per cent of the current global annual smelting capacity of 73.78 million tonnes. The new projects, combined with recovering aluminium output in the Middle East, are expected to change the global supply balance. Morgan Stanley forecast in July that the...
As the global aluminium supply chain continues to swing between shifts and crunches, how has Europe fared on the production front in the 2026 year-to-date calendar? Substantially well, going by the output figures. Between January and September 2026, the European continent, including Russia, has produced a total of 5.56 million tonnes of primary aluminium, building a significant year-on-year growth chart. The nine-month growth chart Set against the same period of 2025, the first nine months of 2026 show a clear lift in output. From January to September 2026, Europe, including Russia, produced 5.56 million tonnes of primary aluminium, raising the annual growth rate by 5.69 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) over the 5.26 million tonnes produced in 2025. Explore the production, demand and...
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Globally, industrial emissions are a major contributor to air pollution, and Asia is no exception, negatively impacting both the environment and public health. China and India are the region's leading contributors to industrial emissions and are also ranked among the world's top polluting nations. These emissions release various harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). According to the World Health Organization (2023), air pollution is responsible for over 6.5 million deaths globally each year and is linked to a range of serious issues such as chronic diseases, impaired cognitive function, reduced visibility, acid rain, and climate change. Aluminium is a crucial material for many...
In recent developments across the upstream sector of the aluminium industry, significant changes and milestones have been reported. The upstream sector includes bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has pioneered digital greenhouse gas emissions tracking in the UAE, enhancing transparency and aligning with national decarbonisation goals. Additionally, China's Ministry of Commerce has announced countermeasures against Canada in response to new tariffs on Chinese imports, including aluminium, electric vehicles, and steel, involving WTO dispute proceedings and anti-discrimination investigations. Indian Railways' East Central Railway (ECR) has experienced a notable increase in freight income in the first months of the 2024-25 financial year. In August 2024,...
Beijing has requested talks with Canada at the World Trade Organization, a global trade referee, accusing the latter on the ground of violating WTO rules by imposing 100 per cent tariffs on China-origin electric vehicles and 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel. The news came on Friday, September 6, after China’s Trade Ministry said, “China lodged a request for consultations with Canada at the WTO regarding Canada’s additional tariffs on electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.” The Ministry further said, “Canada has disregarded WTO rules and violated its commitments within the WTO by proposing to impose additional tariffs of 100 per cent and 25 per cent.” It is the second response from China this week, which has added a new twist to the dispute. On Tuesday, September 3,...
On August 20th, Sunstone Development announced the signing of a capital increase agreement with Geely Baikuang to jointly invest 290 million yuan into Tiandong Baikuang Santian Carbon Co., Ltd. Following the capital injection, Sun-stone Development will hold a 66 per cent stake, while Geely Baikuang will own 34 per cent. The funds will be allocated to constructing a 600,000-tonne prebaked anode production facility. About Sun-stone Sun-stone Development has consistently ranked first in China for anode exports over several years as a leading global manufacturer of prebaked anodes. Geely Baikuang, part of the Geely Science and Technology Group, is a major enterprise group involved in coal, electricity, electrolytic aluminium, alumina, carbon, aluminium deep processing, and ecological...
On Thursday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,392 per tonne, with a high of US$2,410 per tonne, a low of US$2,363 per tonne, and closed at US$2,378 per tonne, down US$21.5 per tonne, a decrease of 0.90 per cent. On Thursday, September 5, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price inched down by US$1.5 per tonne or 0.06 per cent to clock at US$2,365.50 per tonne and US$2,366 per tonne. As per the LME graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price moved down by US$5 per tonne or 0.20 per cent and US$6 per tonne or 0.25 per cent to settle at US$2,381 per tonne and US$2,382 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price slipped by US$5 per tonne to halt at US$2,493 per tonne and US$2,498 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 836925...
In a significant policy shift, the government of India announced on September 4, 2024, that it would ease the import norms for calcined and raw pet coke, expanding the scope of allowable inbound shipments. Previously restricted to the aluminium industry, these imports are now permitted to meet the needs of a broader range of domestic sectors. The move is expected to provide a crucial boost to industries reliant on calcined pet coke, including but not limited to aluminium production. By widening the import regulations, the government aims to address the rising demand for pet coke and ensure a steady supply for various industrial applications. This policy change marks a strategic effort to enhance resource availability and support growth across multiple industries, demonstrating the...
On Wednesday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,412.5 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,418.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,370.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,399.5 per tonne, down US$16 per tonne, a decrease of 0.66 per cent. On Wednesday, September 4, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$14.5 per tonne or 0.60 per cent to clock at US$2,367 per tonne and US$2,367.50 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price descended by US$18.5 per tonne or 0.76 per cent and US$17 per tonne or 0.70 per cent to halt at US$2,386 per tonne and US$2,388 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price contracted by US$29 per tonne or 1.14 per cent to peg at US$2,498 per tonne and US$2,503 per...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is the first company in the UAE to have implemented a digital greenhouse gas emissions tracking system. This technology will significantly accelerate the company’s decarbonisation drive, enhancing the transparency in recording GHG emissions aligned with the UAE’s National MRV Transparency System. EGA has deployed the technology following the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment mandate that companies must report greenhouse gas emissions data to track the fulfilment of their commitments towards the 2050 net-zero emissions goal. EGA’s emissions tracking technology is a centralised digital platform that will measure, report, and verify Scope 1 and 2 emissions data. As the system is a digital platform, it will completely automate the greenhouse gas...
On Tuesday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,424 per tonne, with a high of US$2,428.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,394 per tonne, and closed at US$2,415.5 per tonne, down US$8.5 per tonne, a decrease of 0.35 per cent. As per the LME aluminium graph, on Tuesday, September 3, both the cash bid price and official settlement price dipped by US$8.5 per tonne or 0.35 per cent to stand at US$2,381.50 per tonne and US$2,382 per tonne. On the same day, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price lost US$10.5 per tonne or 0.43 per cent to dock at US$2,404.50 per tonne and US$2,405 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price descended by US$11 per tonne and US$16 per tonne to clock at US$2,527 per tonne and US$2,532 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 843925 tonnes. Live...
On Tuesday, China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) announced decisive countermeasures against Canada in response to its decision to impose additional tariffs on Chinese imported products, including aluminium, electric vehicles (EVs), and steel. These measures include plans to initiate dispute settlement proceedings at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and launch anti-discrimination investigations. Chinese officials and experts emphasised that the countermeasures are consistent with Chinese laws and WTO regulations, condemning Canada's alignment with the US and the EU as a flagrant violation of WTO rules. On August 26, the Canadian government announced its intention to mirror the United States' tariffs on goods from China. The plan included imposing 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and...
On Monday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,449.5 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,456.5 per tonne and a low of US$2,411 per tonne, and closed at US$2,424 per tonne, down US$22 per tonne, or 0.90 per cent. As per the LME data, on Monday, August 2, aluminium prices dropped to a two-week low following data revealing a continued slowdown in factory activity in China, the world's largest consumer, during August. Both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price nosedived by US$73 per tonne or 2.96 per cent to clock at US$2,390 per tonne and US$2,390.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price contracted by US$70 per tonne or 2.81 per cent and US$70.5 per tonne or 2.83 per cent to arrive at US$2415 and US$2415.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25...
Aldel (Damco Aluminum Delfzijl Cooperatie U.A.), a Dutch aluminium maker based in Delfzijl, announced on Friday that owing to the continuous high energy costs and insufficient government support, the company has decided to suspend the remaining operations at its Farmsum facility. Reason for the halt Aldel's move is part of a broader trend of companies scaling back or halting production across Europe due to skyrocketing gas and electricity prices, which have surged hundreds of percent compared to 2021. As the only producer of primary aluminium in the Netherlands, Aldel has an annual capacity of 110,000 tonnes for primary aluminium and 50,000 tonnes for recycled aluminium. The company ceased primary aluminium production at its Delfzijl site in the Netherlands in October 2021 but continued...
Africa's primary aluminium production in July 2024 reached a new high compared to the previous six months' data but still stood lower than in the same period last year, found the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). According to IAI, Africa's primary metal output in July 2024 witnessed a month-on-month jump of 6,000 tonnes or 4.65 per cent, standing at 135,000 tonnes, the highest in seven months, but recorded a year-on-year drop of 1,000 tonnes from the production in July 2023. It is to be noted that Africa's primary aluminium production until July 2024 surpassed 130,000 tonnes for only two months. In the remaining five months, the output lingered below 130,000 tonnes, mostly ranging around 128 tonnes. February 2024 was the onlooker of this year's least primary aluminium production in...
The push to minimise emissions is not just limited to major aluminium and steel companies, infact their suppliers are also under pressure to reduce emissions across the supply chain. Renewable energy providers report that demand has surged beyond available capacity, with upcoming production already sold out for the next few years. About CBAM As part of global efforts to combat climate change, the European Union has introduced the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ( CBAM ), a crucial measure aimed at regulating the import of carbon-intensive products, including aluminium. This mechanism imposes a tariff based on the emissions generated during manufacturing. The CBAM is scheduled to take effect in January 2026. In anticipation, the European Union has already begun requesting carbon...
In August 2024, the global aluminium industry experienced notable fluctuations in pricing, reflecting a complex interplay of market dynamics and economic factors. There was a moderate increase in aluminium prices on the LME and the SHFE over the month. This uptick can be attributed to ongoing supply chain constraints and a rise in demand across a few sectors. Despite these gains, market participants remain cautious, with volatility influenced by geopolitical uncertainties and shifting trade policies. As the industry navigates these challenges, stakeholders closely monitor price trends and market signals to strategise their next moves in this ever-evolving landscape. This month was filled with many news stories that impacted the aluminium industry. Below are the highlights from the...
Last Friday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,460 per tonne, with a high of US$2,498 per tonne, a low of US$2,440.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,446 per tonne, down US$25.5 per tonne, a decrease of 1.03 per cent. On Friday, August 30, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$26 per tonne or 1.06 per cent to clock at US$2,463 per tonne and US$2,463.50 per tonne. As per the LME data, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price hiked by US$19.5 per tonne or 0.79 per cent and US$20 per tonne or 0.81 per cent to arrive at US$2,485 per tonne and US$2,486 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price ascended by US$15 per tonne or 0.57 per cent to halt at US$2,613 per tonne and US$2,618 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in...
This week, notable developments have surfaced in the upstream aluminium sector, covering bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. To begin with, a recent report stated that the Canadian government is considering adopting a tariff strategy similar to that of the United States, targeting electric vehicles, aluminium, and steel imported from China. This was followed by the news that the Aluminum Association has expressed strong support for the Canadian Government's recent announcement to introduce a 25 per cent additional tariff on certain aluminium and aluminium products imported from China, mirroring similar actions taken by the United States. However, the news of the Canadian government planning to impose a 100 per cent tariff on China-origin electric vehicles and 25 per cent on aluminium...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world's largest producer of premium aluminium, has reported strong financial results for Q12024, driven by sustained global demand for premium aluminium. EGA's adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) reached AED 4.20 billion ($1.14 billion) for H1 2024, marking a slight increase from AED 4.15 billion ($1.13 billion) in the same period last year. The company's net profit stood at AED 1.84 billion ($500 million), down from AED 1.96 billion ($533 million) in H1 2023, reflecting the impact of the UAE's newly introduced corporate tax, which came into effect on January 1, 2024, at a rate of nine per cent. EGA's aluminium segment adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 27.5 per cent, compared to 26.9 per cent in the first...
