Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd is expected to face weaker smelting margins in the second half of 2026 as aluminium supply constraints ease, input costs rise and market sentiment shifts towards a potential surplus in 2027, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research. “The narrative now is increasingly shifting to a potential surplus in 2027. Coupled with falling Japan-Port (MJP) premium and rising alumina as well as carbon anode costs, we foresee sequentially weaker smelting margins in 2H2026,” the research house said in a note on Monday. HLIB Research estimates that Press Metal’s core earnings for the third quarter of 2026 will range between MYR 600 million (USD 146.85 million) and MYR 650 million (USD 159.09 million), representing a decline of 10 per cent to 17 per cent...
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...
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Indonesia’s unwrought aluminium exports rose to their highest level in 28 months in March 2026, rising by over 100 per cent month-on-month, amounting to 88,554 tons against February’s 33,490 tons, based on data by Statistics Indonesia and Trade Data Monitor. This surge is attributed to the availability of new supplies from the expanded smelting facilities and a change in shipping flows, which include an unusual shipment to the United States. Analysts attribute the rise to the constrained global supply situation amid persistent geopolitical instability in the Middle East that has affected aluminium logistics. A key contributor to the March export spike was the first dispatches from the Weda Bay industrial complex on Halmahera Island. The smelter, backed by China’s Tsingshan Holding Group...
Momentum in the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices heightened at the close of the May 5 session. The rising trend from May 1 continued with consistency, while stocks kept edging downwards. 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 as well as offer prices surged by 1.34 per cent from the closing figures on the May 1 session . The bid rose from USD 3,583 per tonne to USD 3,631 per tonne, while the offer climbed from USD 3,584 per tonne to USD 3,632 per tonne. The three-month contract followed a similar trend. The LME aluminium three-month bid and offer prices reported a gain of 1.14 per cent. As the bid edged up from USD 3,522 per...
Amidst the soaring aluminium prices due to the Middle East supply disruption, the smelters in Australia are now bringing their previously closed operations back into form with the aim of gaining a better profit margin. Owing to this strategy, aluminium players like Alcoa and Rio Tinto are also working towards the restart. However, while this price surge is giving a boost to operations, it’s also revealing some significant underlying issues like rising energy costs and long-term sustainability challenges. The rise in global aluminium prices has been sparked mainly because of the on-going geopolitical tension. But, to this, Australia's smelters are discovering that policy and power dynamics will shape how far this price surge goes. Given the current Middle East supply disruption, which is...
The Federal Government of Canada has sanctioned financial aid worth USD 1.5 billion to support companies affected by the recent US tariffs imposed on aluminium, steel and copper products, effective from April 6. Commenting on the funding, Mélanie Joly, the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, stated, "We are taking concrete action to strengthen Canada's economy by standing behind our steel, aluminium and copper industries." Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook Lifting the burden of immediate cash flow pressures on manufacturing and export firms across the metals value chain, which are heavily...
Egypt Aluminum Company reported a 6 per cent year-on-year increase in net profit after tax for the first nine months of fiscal year 2025-26, according to its unaudited financial results filed with the Egyptian Exchange on May 3. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” Net profit rose to EGP 10.447 billion (USD 195.16 million) for the period ending March 31, 2026, compared to EGP 9.894 billion (USD 183.83 million) in the same period last year. The growth reflects steady operational performance despite broader market fluctuations. Revenue also rose during the period to EGP 36.731 billion (USD 686.17 million), from July 2025 to March 2026. That was higher than EGP 32.062...
As of May 1, 2026, Vedanta's intricate demerger has been completed, leading to the separation of its varied operations into five unique business units. As a part of the next step, the firm will establish four new entities, including Vedanta Aluminium Metal, Vedanta Power, Vedanta Oil & Gas, and Vedanta Iron and Steel. With this demerger, the firm plans to gain approval from stock exchanges next week with the aim of starting trading by mid-June. This timeline aligns with CFO Ajay Goel's goal of wrapping up the listings within the first quarter of FY2027. Concerning this demerger, the firm's shareholders will receive four new shares for every one they own as of the record date, which is part of a strategy to spread ownership among the newly formed entities. As of early May 2026, after the...
Various sources, during the week leading to Thursday, April 16, told Fastmarkets that China's Tsingshan Holding Group was under discussion with potential partners about the possibility of constructing a new aluminium smelter in North Maluku, Indonesia. Currently, Indonesia is emerging as a major aluminium production hub, with growth in smelter capacity, especially from Chinese investments. Moreover, as supply issues in the Middle East rise, there's a growing interest in aluminium from alternative sources, which is boosting both premiums and demand for Indonesian aluminium. Both aluminium prices and premiums are being influenced by geopolitical tensions and due to the potential for escalation, the market is continuing to face a bullish momentum. Weda Bay Industrial Park's new aluminium...
Vedanta Aluminium has regarded the Government of Odisha’s issued penalty notice worth INR 2.33 billion (USD 24.55 million) regarding the alleged illegal extraction of water from the Bheden river system, Jharsuguda, as a claim based on "incorrect assumptions". Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook An official statement released by the company follows that Vedanta abides by valid agreements, which allow the extraction of a total drawal of 112.9 cusecs, all being in accordance with the Department of Water Resources. It was mentioned that the actual extraction of water from the Hirakud reservoir is estimated at 80 cusecs, which is within authorised limits. The...
Exports from the Gulf region, a key supplier of primary aluminium, billet, and other alloys to Europe, have been severely limited as the conflict has effectively brought most shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz to a standstill. Aluminium billet, which is a semi-finished product, saw a heightened European premium since the Iran war started. The surge in the premium is mainly because of the shortage arising from the last two months due to the disrupted supply in the Middle East, straining consumers in the construction and transportation sectors. The Gulf region, which is deemed to be the key supplier of primary aluminium, billet and other alloys exported to Europe, has declined post the conflict. The export curb came in after the suspension of the bulk shipping due to the...
Rio Tinto-owned Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter hangs in the balance as union members in the company have decided to go on strike. In a workforce of 670 members, 186 or almost 28 per cent of the smelter’s staff are part of the E tū Union, who have action planned at various intervals for the upcoming period. Ensuring all four shifts at the facility were covered, the strikes would be held from 11 AM to 1 PM on May 4,6, 8 and 10. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook A 2.5-year-long negotiation with the employer failed to meet the points requirement and conditions, which led to a joint decision of the union members at the plant voting for the strike, as reported...
May 2026 opened with an improvement in the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices , following a dip on the April 30 close. The continued tensions between the US and Iran, stirring up the Middle East conflict, are reshaping market trends. As Iran declared on April 30 to retaliate with "long and painful strikes", supply uncertainties intensify with the already blocked Strait of Hormuz and damage to essential aluminium smelters of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). 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 price rose from USD 3,525 per tonne on April 30 to USD 3,583 per tonne on May 1, representing a USD 58...
A fire outbreak damaged part of an aluminium company facility in Ibadan, Oyo State, while another incident affected a residential property in Ogbomoso earlier in the week. The fire at the industrial site happened around the Iyaganku area of Ibadan, where an office building and an attached warehouse were affected. Equipment and other property inside the facility were reportedly damaged before firefighters brought the situation under control. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" Maroof Akinwande confirmed the incident and said firefighters responded after receiving a distress call. According to him, the fire appears to have started from an electrical spark linked to an appliance that had been left plugged in....
Vedanta Aluminium has been asked to pay INR 233.11 crore (USD 24.5 million) for alleged unauthorised extraction of water from the Bheden River in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The amount includes outstanding dues along with penalties and interest, and the company has been given one month to clear the payment. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” According to reports citing records from the Burla irrigation division, the company allegedly extracted around 1,03,680 cubic metres of surface water daily between May 1, 2025, and April 29, 2026. No payments were recorded during this period, leading to a steady accumulation of dues. The total demand includes base water charges, a...
An increase of 21.6 per cent in the aluminium price this year has been observed by the World Bank, in comparison to the previous year. The observation comes after the industry is currently grappling with tight supply, low inventory and a strong demand coming from the emerging industries. The projected price has been exceeding the market level for nearly two months now. The World Bank's forecast of the aluminium price and the market benchmark The World Bank said in its Commodity Markets Outlook report released on April 28, that the aluminium prices are forecasted to be an average of USD 3,200 per tonne this year. This shows a year-on-year rise from USD 2,632 per tonne. Nonetheless, by 2027, the aluminium price is expected to go below and drop to USD 3 thousand per tonne. AlphaMena, a...
The final day of April witnessed a dip in the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices after remaining above USD 3,600 per tonne in the previous session. The close of the April 30 session recorded a decline in the aluminium prices, contracts, as well as stocks. To know the long-term upstream market forecast, book our comprehensive report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer price eased 2.18 per cent day-on-day on April 30 . While the bid went down from USD 3,603.5 per tonne to USD 3,525 per tonne, the offer shifted from USD 3,604 per tonne to USD 3,525.5. On April 30, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price shifted from USD 3,555 per tonne on April 29 to USD 3,480 per tonne, marking a...
Albgaz and Bosnia-based Aluminij Industries have entered separate long-term agreements for US liquefied natural gas supply, with both deals involving Aktor LNG USA. Under the Albanian agreement, Albgaz is set to receive around 1 billion cubic metres of LNG annually beginning in 2030. The contract runs for 20 years, with estimated total revenues of roughly EUR 6 billion (USD 7 billion) over the duration of the deal. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" Alongside the supply agreement, Aktor LNG USA also signed a memorandum with Albania’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy to study the development of a larger energy hub project. Plans under discussion include a gas-fired power plant with capacity of around...
The concern for new pressure for FY27 has been flagged by Vedanta Ltd., which is the result of the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. Due to this, aluminium production costs may push up by USD 50 to USD 100 per tonne in the first half of FY27. The firm raised this concern while projecting the annual aluminium production costs, which were deemed to be between USD 1,650 and USD 1,700 per tonne. Base metals prices saw an uptick in the quarter ending on March 31, mainly because of the supply disruption associated with the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The firm's aluminium, which is deemed to be one of the largest in India, is said to hold around 40 per cent of its revenue stream. Also read: Pallavi Bhatia joins Vedanta to lead HR for the aluminium division Firm’s AL...
After witnessing a slight ease on April 28, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price again rose on April 29. However, the 3-month Asian Reference Price and the LME inventory continued to decline from the previous close. On April 29, the cash bid rose by USD 4.5 per tonne or 0.13 per cent, shifting from USD 3,599 per tonne to USD 3,603.5 per tonne. Similarly, the cash offer also rose by USD 4 per tonne or 0.11 per cent, rising from USD 3,600 per tonne to USD 3,604 per tonne. Don’t miss out- Buyers are looking for your products on our B2B platform The upward trend continued in the LME 3-month bid, increasing by USD 20 per tonne or 0.6 per cent, from USD 3,535 per tonne to USD 3,555 per tonne. Concurrently, the 3-month offer finally settled at USD 3,556 per tonne, up from USD 3,537...
