Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company (QAMCO), which holds 50 per cent of the Qatalum joint venture, reported a net profit of QAR 276 million (USD 75.88 million) for the nine months ended 30 September 2026. This marked a drastic 48 per cent year-on-year dip, despite a rise aluminium selling prices. Shipping constraints and reduced operational activity at its joint venture, Qatar Aluminium Company (Qatalum), weighed on production, sales and financial performance. The decline comes from tonnes, not price. The joint venture produced and sold far less metal because shipping constraints tied to the regional conflict reduced operational activity. Higher realised selling prices and lower operating costs partly offset the pressure on earnings, while its closing cash and bank balance, including...
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...
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India’s downstream aluminium sector has urged the government to reconsider import duties on primary aluminium as manufacturers continue facing higher raw material and energy costs linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict. Industry groups said volatility in global aluminium prices and supply-chain disruptions have sharply increased production costs for downstream manufacturers, particularly MSMEs. At present, India imposes an import duty of around 8.25 per cent, including surcharge, on primary aluminium. According to industry representatives, domestic producers largely follow import-parity pricing, which means higher international prices are also being reflected in local raw material costs. At the same time, several finished aluminium products continue entering India at lower or zero duty...
Rio Tinto is looking at bringing part of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter in Tiwai Point back into use after several years of inactivity. The company has announced plans linked to the possible restart of Line 4, a potline that has been shut down since 2020. The proposal depends on a planned power agreement with Contact Energy. Both sides have signed a letter of intent, opening the door for the arrangement to move forward ahead of a possible restart in 2030. If the project goes ahead, the smelter is also expected to purchase electricity from Contact Energy’s Southland Wind Farm over the long term. Reactivating the line would lift aluminium production at the site by about 30,000 tonnes a year. Rio Tinto believes the move could provide a sizeable economic benefit as well, with estimates...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices edged lower on the May 28 session compared to May 27. While cash prices recorded a marginal decline, the 3-month closing reference price continued its upward movement. The LME aluminium cash bid price slipped 0.08 per cent from USD 3,737.5 per tonne on May 27 to USD 3,734.5 per tonne on May 28. The cash offer price also eased 0.08 per cent from USD 3,738 per tonne to USD 3,735 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month prices eased on May 28 compared with the previous session, with the bid price declining by 0.68 per cent to USD 3,638 per tonne from USD 3,663 per tonne on May 27. The 3-month offer price also slipped by 0.66 per cent to USD 3,640 per tonne from USD 3,664 per tonne. Longer-dated aluminium contracts also edged lower. The Dec-27 bid...
Fresh talks around the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are set to begin as tariffs on aluminium, steel and other goods continue to create uncertainty across North America. Jamieson Greer said tariffs will likely remain in place as long as the United States continues running a trade deficit with major trading partners. The comments come ahead of a broader USMCA review scheduled for July, with negotiations involving Mexico beginning this week in Mexico City. The current tariff environment is already affecting industries across the region, especially sectors tied to aluminium, steel, autos and manufacturing supply chains. The United States currently maintains 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian aluminium and steel imports, including products that comply with USMCA rules. In...
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday held discussions with Anil Agarwal regarding the progress of Vedanta Group’s proposed projects in the state, which together involve investments of more than INR 100,000 million (USD 10,400 million). The meeting reviewed several key projects planned by Vedanta Group, including a 6 million tonnes per annum alumina refinery in Rayagada, a 3 MTPA aluminium smelter and a 6,000 MW power plant in Dhenkanal. The discussions also covered plans for a downstream aluminium park and integrated coal and bauxite operations linked to the broader project pipeline. According to the Chief Minister, the state government will now review progress on Vedanta’s projects every 15 days to ensure faster execution and timely commencement of work. Majhi said the...
LME aluminium prices eased on May 27 compared to the previous session, while December 2027 contracts moved higher and cancelled warrants increased sharply. The LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,737.5 per tonne on May 27, down 0.55 per cent from USD 3,758 per tonne on May 26. The cash offer price slipped 0.56 per cent to USD 3,738 per tonne from USD 3,759 per tonne a day earlier. LME aluminium 3-month prices also declined. The 3-month bid price fell 0.46 per cent to USD 3,663 per tonne on May 27 from USD 3,680 per tonne on May 26, while the 3-month offer price dropped 0.49 per cent to USD 3,664 per tonne from USD 3,682 per tonne. In contrast, longer-dated contracts strengthened. The December 2027 aluminium bid price rose 0.40 per cent to USD 3,265 per tonne on May 27 from USD...
Shares of Alcoa gained sharply after aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) climbed to their highest level in four years, supported by concerns over possible production cuts in China and continued disruptions in the Middle East. Alcoa shares closed at USD 71.38 on May 22 before extending gains to USD 74.57 on May 26 after touching an intraday high of USD 75.57. Between the May 22 and May 26 closing prices, the stock advanced around 4.47 per cent. The rally in the stock followed another strong move in aluminium prices. LME aluminium futures rose around 1.3 per cent to USD 3,697 per tonne as of May 26. According to LME data dated May 26, 2025, the c ash offer price stood at USD 3,759 per tonne , while the three-month offer price was at USD 3,682 per tonne, marking the highest...
Western governments are investing billions of dollars into critical minerals and strategic metals as they try to reduce dependence on China, but industry leaders are warning that the push could recreate the kind of commodity oversupply crises that once flooded global aluminium and other markets. Executives, investors and analysts say the race to secure supply chains for minerals used in electric vehicles, semiconductors, defence systems and renewable energy technologies carries the risk of creating far more production than global markets actually need. Brett Beatty, a partner at Resource Capital Funds, which supplies the US government with niobium and tantalum through its holdings in Global Advanced Metals said, “The biggest risk is we all do our own thing. We all generate multiples of...
Aluminium prices rose higher this Monday, owing to the stronger overseas markets and improved confidence among traders in industrial metals all over again. The broader mood across commodity markets remained positive, helped by expectations of stable demand and easing global uncertainties. At MCX, the actively traded May aluminium contract climbed by roughly USD 0.01 (INR 1.15) to about USD 4.65 (INR 387.10) per kilogram, marking a gain of 0.3 per cent. Trading activity stayed healthy, with turnover reaching 1,712 lots during the session. The June contract also moved upwards, rising by nearly USD 0.01 (INR 0.7), or 0.18 per cent, to around USD 4.61 (INR 384.25) per kilogram. Volumes in the June delivery contract stood at 3,140 lots, reflecting continued participation from market players....
Shares of Hindalco Industries Limited and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) rose up to 5 per cent on Wednesday after global aluminium prices climbed to their highest level in nearly four years. Shares of Hindalco Industries gained 4.32 per cent to INR 1,151.50 on the NSE at around 10:30 am, while NALCO advanced as much as 5 per cent to INR 435.95 per share. The Nifty Metal index also emerged as one of the top-performing sectoral indices, rising nearly 3 per cent during the session. All 15 constituents of the index traded in positive territory, with Hindalco and NALCO leading the gains. Global aluminium prices surged amid concerns over possible production cuts in China and continuing supply disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia. On the London Metal Exchange (LME), aluminium...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices moved higher on the May 26 session compared to May 22 after the market remained closed on May 25 due to a holiday. Cash prices, 3-month contracts and longer-dated contracts all recorded gains during the session, while aluminium stocks largely remained unchanged. The LME aluminium cash bid price increased 1.42 per cent from USD 3,705.5 per tonne on May 22 to USD 3,758 per tonne on May 26. The cash offer price also rose 1.43 per cent from USD 3,706 per tonne to USD 3,759 per tonne. On May 26, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price stood at USD 3,680 per tonne, rising 1.06 per cent from USD 3,641.5 per tonne recorded on May 22. The 3-month offer price increased 1.10 per cent from USD 3,642 per tonne to USD 3,682 per tonne. Explore: The most...
Vietnam is set to begin operations at its first aluminium electrolysis plant during the second quarter of 2026, according to project officials in Lam Dong province. The project, developed by Tran Hong Quan Metallurgical Co., is located at the Nhan Co Industrial Park and is expected to initially produce 150,000 tonnes of aluminium annually. The facility forms the final stage of Vietnam’s broader bauxite-to-aluminium industrial chain, linking bauxite mining, alumina refining and primary aluminium production within the country. According to the company, the plant has been under development since 2015 and all major legal and construction procedures have now been completed. The project covers around 129 hectares and involves total investment exceeding VND 18 trillion (USD 720 million). The...
Vedanta Limited delivered its strongest-ever financial performance in FY26, propelled by record earnings across its core businesses, particularly the segments of Aluminium, Oil & Gas and Power. Higher commodity and LME aluminium prices , operational optimisation, production ramp-ups and robust volumes helped the diversified natural resources major report historic highs in revenue, EBITDA and profit after tax, while also strengthening its balance sheet ahead of the company’s demerger that became effective from May 1, 2026. FY26: Financials snapshot Vedanta posted strong financial figures for the year as well as the January-March quarter (Q4), representing significant gains year-on-year over the financial outcome of FY25 . Annual revenue of INR 1,740.75 billion (USD 18.27 billion) for FY26...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices eased on the May 22 session after shooting up on the May 21 session . The cash price, however, remained above USD 3,700 per tonne. Longer dated contracts continued to rise, and stocks did not record further decline. The LME aluminium cash bid eased 0.34 per cent day-on-day on May 22, down from USD 3,718 per tonne to USD 3,705.5 per tonne. The offer shifted from USD 3,720 per tonne to USD 3,706, representing a difference of 0.38 per cent. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook On May 22, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price slipped from USD 3,648 per tonne on May 21 to USD 3,641.5 per tonne, marking a 0.18 per cent...
The global aluminium industry is entering a phase where the biggest concern is no longer just building more smelters or expanding downstream demand. Across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, the focus is increasingly shifting toward securing stable supplies of bauxite and alumina as geopolitical tensions, trade measures and energy disruptions continue reshaping global supply chains. Governments are accelerating mining investments, producers are expanding refining and smelting capacity, and buyers are searching for safer and more reliable trade routes. From Indonesia’s raw material ambitions to China’s export surge and Europe’s tariff safeguards, the aluminium value chain is being redrawn in real time. The raw material race Indonesia has become central to the global aluminium...
Alcoa received an upgraded stock rating from UBS, which raised its recommendation to “Buy” from “Neutral” and increased its price target to USD 80 from USD 75. The upgrade comes after a strong rally in aluminium markets, with Alcoa shares rising around 139 per cent over the past year. UBS analyst Daniel Major said the brokerage expects prolonged smelter disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict to tighten global aluminium supply and support higher aluminium prices and regional premiums. According to UBS, Alcoa’s current valuation still reflects an assumed London Metal Exchange aluminium price of around USD 3,000 per tonne, which remains roughly 20 per cent below current spot market levels. The brokerage expects the company to report sequentially stronger EBITDA and free cash flow in...
Century Aluminum Company has returned to investor’s focus after its recent quarterly results showed how falling aluminium prices and high power costs are affecting profitability. The company is also continuing to spend on expansion and low-carbon projects, adding pressure to near-term earnings. The aluminium producer operates smelters in the United States and Europe and supplies primary aluminium products to industries such as automotive, packaging, construction and manufacturing. Its financial performance is closely linked to London Metal Exchange aluminium prices, while regional premiums, alumina costs and electricity rates also have a major impact on margins. Power remains one of the company’s most important cost factors because aluminium smelting consumes large amounts of electricity....
As the Middle East conflict continues with full force, the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, and 9 per cent of aluminium production and supply from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hangs by the thread of uncertainty. Compounded by the damages caused by the geopolitical unrest, GCC completes one-third of the April-June quarter (Q2) of 2026, with a staggering 26.87 per cent month-on-month production decline. GCC April’26 rings warning bells Aluminium production in the January-March quarter (Q1) of 2026 declined in the range of 540,000 to 570,000 tonnes or about 3.7 per cent, slipping from 1.55 million tonnes in the October-December quarter (Q4) in 2025 to 1.49 million tonnes in Q1 2026. As the GCC stepped into Q2 2026, the April aluminium output saw a drastic dip, with the daily average...
