India’s trade deficit with China crossed USD 100 billion in the first nine months of 2026 as imports continued to outpace exports, with aluminium trade data showing a widening imbalance in the latest available period. While India’s overall exports to China recorded strong growth between January and September, the value of its aluminium exports to the neighbouring country declined year on year through July, even as aluminium imports from China increased. Data released by China’s General Administration of Customs showed that bilateral trade rose 25.4 per cent to USD 144.45 billion between January and September 2026. India’s imports from China increased 23.3 per cent to USD 125.19 billion, while exports to China grew 40.7 per cent to USD 19.26 billion. Despite the rise in exports, the trade...
Guinea’s ambition to move beyond bauxite exports into alumina refining and aluminium smelting is running into a major electricity constraint. Producing about 1,000 MW of power at present, it needs another estimated 5,000–10,000 MW for industrialisation. While new alumina refineries could expand intermediate supply, the shortage of reliable electricity is likely to delay additional aluminium production capacity beyond 2030. The challenge emerges as aluminium traded at USD 3,008.5 per tonne, down 8.77 per cent over the month but up 8.43 per cent year on year. Guinea mined an estimated 150 million tonnes of bauxite in 2025, accounting for 34 per cent of global output of 440 million tonnes. Yet it produced only 360,000 tonnes of alumina, or 0.24 per cent of worldwide production of 150 million...
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A supply shock in West Asia is reshaping the global aluminium market. Disruptions to smelters, shipping routes and regional energy supplies have tightened aluminium availability and pushed London Metal Exchange prices to a four-year high, bringing the market closer to the USD 4,000-per-tonne threshold. The disruption comes at a time when the global aluminium market has averaged a supply deficit of less than 0.5 million tonnes over the past five years. Also, the 45 million tonne cap on China's primary aluminium output leaves limited room for the country to increase production and offset any shortfall from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. While consumers grapple with higher costs and supply uncertainty, aluminium producers are benefiting from higher prices. Improved realised...
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices continued to dip on June 4 after the figures eased on the June 3 from USD 3,800 per tonne on the previous close. The session recorded a decline in the aluminium prices, contracts as wells as stocks. The LME aluminium cash bid price eased 1.54 per cent day-on-day, down from USD 3,796.5 per tonne on June 3 to USD 3,738 per tonne on June 4. Representing a difference of 1.53 per cent, the offer shifted from USD 3,797 per tonne to USD 3,739 per tonne. Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations On June 4, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price shifted from USD 3,721 per tonne on June 3 to USD 3,662 per...
The Canadian government announced plans on Wednesday to extend key steel and aluminium tariff measures for another year as it seeks to protect domestic producers from global trade distortions and import diversion. Subject to final approval, Canada's steel tariff-rate quotas for countries outside the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) will remain in place until June 27, 2027. The government will also extend tariff relief measures for eligible US steel and aluminium products until June 30, 2027. Under the framework, imports that exceed quota limits will continue to face a 50 per cent tariff. However, Canada will maintain exemptions for its CUSMA partners, the United States and Mexico, from these quota restrictions. François-Philippe Champagne, Canada's Minister of Finance and...
Rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia are continuing to support higher crude oil prices, while aluminium prices have climbed to four-year highs, creating different outlooks for India's oil and metals sectors. According to Bharat Subramanian, Vice President of Equity Research at BofA Securities, tensions in West Asia remain the biggest factor influencing crude oil prices. He said a lasting ceasefire or truce could ease prices, but without one, the upward trend is likely to continue. Pressure on oil marketing companies Higher crude prices are creating challenges for India's oil marketing companies (OMCs). Rising oil costs are reducing petrol and diesel marketing margins, while losses on subsidised LPG sales have exceeded INR 650 (USD 6.79) per cylinder. Although excise duty cuts...
Mexico’s aerospace industry is preparing for a new phase of regional trade dynamics as the ongoing review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and continued US tariffs on aluminium, steel and derivative products reshape the operating landscape. While the process was initially expected to conclude by July 1, discussions among the three member nations have extended negotiations through the week of July 20. Industry leaders are focusing on adaptation rather than expecting pre-tariff conditions to reappear. The Mexican Federation of the Aerospace Industry (FEMIA) CEO, Luis Lizcano, emphasised that companies must maintain competitiveness under evolving trade rules while identifying opportunities within the new framework. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking...
After the spike in the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices on the June 2 session, June 3 closed with an easing trend. The LME aluminium cash bid price declined to USD 3,796.5 per tonne on June 3 from USD 3,854 per tonne on June 2, marking a decrease of around 1.49 per cent. The LME aluminium cash offer price also eased 1.51 per cent to USD 3,797 per tonne on June 3 from USD 3,855 per tonne in the previous session. In the three-month contract segment, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price stood at USD 3,721 per tonne on June 3, down 0.83 per cent from USD 3,752 per tonne recorded on June 2. The 3-month offer price fell 0.79 per cent to USD 3,723 per tonne from USD 3,752.5 per tonne. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite &...
Aluminium producers in the Gulf are increasing overseas acquisitions and investments as they seek to strengthen supply chains, expand market access and reduce exposure to regional risks. The trend comes as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz highlight the vulnerability of regional supply chains. Gulf producers currently account for close to 10 per cent of global aluminium output. The expansion drive also coincides with expectations of rising global aluminium demand. Industry forecasts project demand to exceed 92 million tonnes by 2031, supported by growth in electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure and sustainable packaging. According to Jamal Banoun, manager of the Riyadh-based SMS Economic Consulting Centre, overseas...
The proposed aluminium smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, has moved to the centre of the state’s gubernatorial race after Oklahoma Attorney General and governor candidate Gentner Drummond filed a lawsuit seeking to stop the project. Drummond said his concerns relate to the facility’s potential impact on local electricity and water supplies, possible effects on air quality and the involvement of foreign ownership in the project. The proposed facility would occupy more than 350 acres at the Port of Inola and has been under development for the past year. The project also received support from Oklahoma lawmakers, who approved a USD 255 million incentive package to help attract the investment to the state. Not all candidates share the same view on the proposal. Governor candidate Mike Mazzei voiced...
Rio Tinto’s New Zealand aluminium operations delivered a robust financial performance in 2025, with parent company Pacific Aluminium (New Zealand) reporting a net profit of USD 176 million, supported by higher aluminium sales revenue and increased production at the Tiwai Point smelter. For the year ended December 31, 2025, Pacific Aluminium recorded a pre-tax profit of USD 246 million. Although lower year-on-year than the USD 1.28 billion reported in 2024, the previous year’s result was significantly boosted by a one-time accounting gain related to the acquisition of the remaining stake in New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS). Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price history is close to being rewritten as the aluminium price hits a four-year high at the close of the June 2 session. Surging past the closing figures of June 1 , prices continue to advance towards the USD 4,000 price tag. Meanwhile, declining stocks and warrants indicated a worldwide aluminium supply shortage. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium cash bid jumped from USD 3,795 per tonne on June 1 to USD 3,854 per tonne on June 2, rising by 1.55 per cent. The offer climbed from USD 3,795.5 per tonne to USD 3,855 per tonne , gaining 1.57 per cent. The aluminium price surpassed a four-year high...
Shares of major aluminium producers in Hong Kong moved higher, supported by rising alumina prices and concerns about future bauxite supplies from Guinea. Among the gainers, China Aluminum Corporation rose 3.4 per cent to HKD 11.25 (USD 1.44), while China Hongqiao Group gained 3.36 per cent to HKD 29.52 (USD 3.77). Shares of Nanshan Aluminum International were also up 1.27 per cent at HKD 36.70 (USD 4.68). The move followed a recent increase in alumina prices. According to industry data cited by China Nonferrous Metals Network, alumina prices have climbed above CNY 2,800 (USD 413.88) per tonne, reaching their highest level in recent months. Market sentiment has been influenced by reports of Guinea introducing new export controls on bauxite beginning in June. Guinea is one of the world's...
Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) has confirmed that the conditions for the third unlocking period of restricted A shares issued under its 2021 restricted share incentive plan have been met. The company said the latest unlocking follows a series of earlier adjustments made to the scheme, including the repurchase and cancellation of restricted shares that did not meet vesting requirements. Previous rounds of share unlockings and listings have also been completed as part of the programme. The incentive scheme is designed to link employee compensation with company performance while helping retain key personnel. The latest unlocking indicates that the relevant performance and vesting conditions have been achieved for the eligible participants. Explore: The most comprehensive and...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is expected to acquire Aluminium Dunkerque, the EU’s largest primary aluminium smelter, in a USD 2.2 billion deal, subject to EU FSR clearance and other regulatory approvals The deal will mark a significant step in Alba’s strategy to build a global low-carbon aluminium platform. The transaction was announced jointly with American Industrial Partners, the current owner of Aluminium Dunkerque, and Bpifrance, which will acquire a minority stake in the company alongside Alba. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Alba and Bpifrance was signed in Paris during the Choose France Summit in the presence of His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Minister of Finance and National Economy and Chairman of Mumtalakat Holding Company, and Nicolas...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium market recorded marginal gains on June 1, with the LME aluminium cash bid price increasing to USD 3,795 per tonne from USD 3,769 per tonne on May 29, marking a rise of around 0.69 per cent. The aluminium LME cash offer price also climbed 0.69 per cent on June 1, to USD 3,795.5 per tonne from USD 3,769.5 per tonne. In the three-month contract segment, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price stood at USD 3,685 per tonne on June 1, slightly up by 0.01 per cent from USD 3,684.5 per tonne recorded on May 29. The 3-month offer price remained largely unchanged at USD 3,685.5 per tonne compared to USD 3,685 per tonne previously, reflecting a marginal increase of nearly 0.01 per cent. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report...
Japan’s aluminium market is facing growing uncertainty as escalating tensions in the Middle East begin disrupting one of the country’s most critical supply routes for the metal. For years, Japan has relied heavily on Gulf producers such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, with the region supplying around 20 per cent of the country’s raw aluminium imports thanks to its low electricity costs and large-scale smelting capacity. But the worsening crisis around the Strait of Hormuz is now exposing the risks of that dependence. The effective blockade of the waterway has disrupted bauxite and aluminium supply chains across the region, forcing some smelters in countries such as Qatar and Bahrain to reduce operations. Adding to the pressure, Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC - one of the...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings could continue benefiting from elevated aluminium prices, prompting Kenanga Research to upgrade its earnings estimates and increase its target price for the company. The brokerage said aluminium prices are likely to remain supported in the near term as supply disruptions in the Middle East continue to affect the market. According to Kenanga, damaged refining facilities in the region may take anywhere between six and 12 months to return to normal operations, keeping supply tight and supporting prices. Spot aluminium prices have seen an average of about USD 3,352 per tonne so far this year, while current market prices are still above USD 3,700 per tonne. Kenanga also pointed to Press Metal’s hedging strategy as an advantage in the current environment. The...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices eased on the May 29 session after shooting up on the May 28 session . The cash price, however, remained above USD 3,700 per tonne. As both near-term and longer-dated contracts continued to rise, stocks recorded a consistent decline. The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer prices gained 0.92 per cent day-on-day on May 29. The bid rose from USD 3,734.5 per tonne to USD 3,769 per tonne as the offer edged up from USD 3,735 per tonne to USD 3,769.5 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook LME aluminium three-month bid price climbed from USD 3,638 per tonne on May 28 to USD 3,684.5 per tonne on May 29,...
The impact of US trade measures on the global aluminium market continues to evolve, but for Rio Tinto, exports to the United States have largely returned to pre-tariff levels. According to Jérôme Pécresse, head of Rio Tinto’s aluminium operations, shipments from Canada to the US have recovered significantly after an initial adjustment period following the introduction of steep import duties. The company had previously redirected substantial volumes of Canadian aluminium to Europe when Washington imposed tariffs on imported metal. At the peak of the disruption, the share of Rio Tinto’s North American aluminium shipped to the US dropped to the mid-60 per cent range. That figure has now recovered to around 80 per cent, closely matching historical trading patterns. Pécresse said the company...
