Global primary aluminium production experienced a sequential recovery in the third quarter of 2026, supported by the gradual restoration of disrupted smelting capacity in the GCC countries, stronger operational performance in Europe and Oceania, and incremental production gains across Asia and China. But beneath this quarterly improvement lies a contrasting reality - global output remained below the corresponding levels of both 2025 and 2024. According to data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), global primary aluminium production reached 18.377 million tonnes in Q3 2026, an increase of 2.1 per cent from 18.003 million tonnes in the preceding quarter. However, compared with Q3 2025, when production totalled 18.683 million tonnes, output declined by 1.64 per cent. Production...
Europe's aluminium industry is facing mounting pressure from rising carbon costs, shifting trade policies and limited willingness among buyers to pay premiums for low-carbon metal. Yet, despite a series of crises since the Covid pandemic, producers remain committed to maintaining their presence in Europe and investing in decarbonisation, said Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium. In an exclusive interview with Fastmarkets at Aluminium Düsseldorf, Voss described the European aluminium industry's condition as bruised but resilient. He highlighted concerns over the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the potential inclusion of indirect (Scope 2) emissions under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the treatment of aluminium scrap in carbon accounting. Reflecting on...
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As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, continued to trend lower over the weekend on brisk demand. Inventories decreased 17,000 tonnes from last Thursday June 18 to 737,000 tonnes as of Monday June 22. The chart below shows the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Primary aluminium stocks in Wuxi, Nanhai and Hangzhou decreased by 13,000 tonnes, 10,000 tonnes and 2,000 tonnes to stand at 253,000 tonnes, 154,000 tonnes and 102,000 tonnes on June 22. Inventories of aluminium in Tianjin and Linyi remained unchanged at 59,000 tonnes, and 10,000 tonnes. Stocks in Chongqing stood at 5,000 tonnes on Monday, 22 June 2020, down 2,000 tonnes from June...
A00 aluminium ingot price registered an increase of RMB 50 per tonne from Friday’s price of RMB 13910 per tonne. The price now stood at RMB 13960 per tonne on Monday, 22 June 2020 and is expected to move within a range of RMB 13940-13980 per tonne. In Foshan and Wuxi, the price rose by RMB 40 per tonne and RMB 70 per tonne to stand at RMB 14040 per tonne and 13980 per tonne. Their average prices are expected to range within RMB 14020-14060 per tonne and RMB 13970-13990 per tonne. Aluminium prices in Hangzhou and Chongqing came in at RMB 13990 per tonne and 13930 per tonne, up RMB 70 per tonne and RMB 60 per tonne. Aluminium ingot prices in Shenyang, Tianjin, Linyi, and Gongyi increased to stand at RMB 13910 per tonne, RMB 13950 per tonne, RMB 13960 per tonne, and RMB 13915 per tonne. The...
The US dollar rose for the fourth consecutive day last Friday and posted its best weekly gain in a month, as fears of a second wave of coronavirus infections boosted demand for safe-haven assets. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, was up 0.2% at 97.622, notching a four-day winning streak. Three-month LME aluminium finished lower at US$ 1,586 per tonne last Friday as it came off after climbed to a session high of US$ 1,605.50 per tonne, with investors covering their bullish positions. Open interest lost 2,775 lots to 831,000 lots. On Friday, June 19, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1578 per tonne after inching down from 1586.50 per tonne on Thursday, June 18. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price...
Aluminium demand is likely to rebound in the second half of 2020 as China’s economy has begun to revive leading to the global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. But the overcapacity may continue to pose challenges to the industry, pointed out Alcoa CFO William F. (Bill) Oplinger in early June. Oplinger, while participating during a virtual presentation for the Deutsche Bank Global Industrials & Materials Summit, said: “China is leading the recovery, and we are seeing some sectors in China reporting growth higher than 2019 levels in areas like industrial production, vehicle production, commercial starts and food and drink sales.” He added, “On top of that was the recently announced Chinese stimulus plan that makes provisions for investments in traditional and new infrastructure areas, so...
On 19 th June’20, The London Metal Exchange (LME) stated that it had penalized warehouse operator ISTIM 30,000 pounds ($37,000) for violating aluminium warrant rules. The LME stated in a notice to members: “Between 12 th September’19 and 9 th December’19, ISTIM erroneously instructed its London Agent to issue primary aluminium warrants containing incorrect brand names and/or shapes on five separate occasions.” It has been declared that ISTIM had also stored metal for 1,107 warrants in a warehouse that was not the one listed on the LME’s system. However, it has been brought to notice that both issues appeared to be the result of human error.
The US has shown a desire to restore the duty benefits to Indian exporters under its Generalised System of Preferences if it receives a competent counter-offer from the Government of India. The officials of the Ministry of Commerce were closed-lipped on the kind of quid-pro-quo concession India Government would offer. However, they said the removal of the GSP benefits had a marginal impact on Indian exporters. The US-India relationship will stand stronger than before as the restoration of the benefits will be an added value. Robert Lighthizer, US Trade Representative, communicated to the US Senate Finance Committee: “We are in negotiations with India, we took away their GSP, and we’re in the process of restoring it if we can get an adequate counterbalancing proposal from them.” Lighthizer...
Hindalco Industries Limited has planned to sell about two-thirds of its aluminium production overseas this year on lower local demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, Bloomberg reported. Managing Director Satish Pai said exports will increase by around 65% of total production compared with last year’s 50%. Hindalco expects to sell 75% to 80% of its total aluminium production to overseas in the April-June quarter. The demand for aluminium in India has decreased due to the coronavirus lockdown. “In the months of April and May, domestic demand was quite low due to the lockdown. This condition is currently mitigated by higher exports by domestic producers,” Pai said in an interview. “Hindalco has exported around 80%-90% of its output in the last two months.” Increased exports would add to...
The US dollar declined on Monday, June 15, amid mounting fears of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, while on Tuesday it rose on the back of a record rise in US retail sales. On Wednesday, the dollar continued to move higher and further expanded on Thursday, June 18. Three-month LME aluminium regained losses from early session last night, as it rallied from a session low of US$ 1,564.5 per tonne and closed 0.73% higher on Monday, June 15, at US$ 1,587.5 per tonne. On June 16, it ended up 1.04% to stand at US$1,604 per tonne and further higher for the third consecutive day on June 17 to US$ 1,607.5 per tonne. On June 18, however, it ended the day 0.47% lower at US$1,600 per tonne. Both LME aluminium cash (bid) and LME aluminium official settlement price began the week on Monday,...
Just when the Industry 4.0 was creating a buzz in the aluminium industry, inspiring smelters and plants to integrate digitalization in their operations management, the COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, made its emergence on the earth causing a pandemic and slowing down lives and livelihoods. The virus has caused radical shifts in workflows all across the globe as millions are practising social distancing and/or complying with self-quarantine recommendations. But while downsizing many industries, the pandemic’s dramatic appearance is believed to have accelerated numerous trends on the other hand, such as Industry 4.0. Industry 4.0 is the current transformation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices with the latest smart technology. This primarily focuses on the...
Hydro has made a second round of donations to support communities near its operations in the state of Pará in northern Brazil. The company announced that it will donate about 11,000 food baskets, after delivering 25,000 food baskets to seven communities in April. The initiative is in support of the cities in the fight against COVID-19 The baskets contain food and hygiene materials such as liquid detergent, soap, and bleach. “In recent months, Hydro has donated 5,000 virus detection kits to local communities, as well as around 100,000 medical items destined for municipal hospitals, health units and field hospitals in Barcarena and Paragominas. Among the items are hospital beds, pulse oximeters, digital infrared thermometers, gloves, masks, aprons and biological protection overalls,” the...
Oman is a free market economy, but the government is at present the most important factor in the economy, both as an employer and as a purchaser of goods and services. The Omani economy has been growing steadily over the last 25 years and considerable development has taken place. Sohar Aluminium is Oman’s first foray into Aluminium industry. The Gulf Nation’s aluminium ingot export during 2017-19 exhibited with dwindling image as the export volume during the phase remained at 583,038 tonnes and the revenue income stood at $708.51 million. The estimated export volume for 2020 has been analysed at 176,942 tonnes and the income to stretch at $233.47 million. However, when the estimated export volume and income have been summed up with the existing three years it stands to 759,980 tonnes and...
The US dollar extended its increase on Thursday. Overnight, LME aluminium fell 0.47% and SHFE aluminium shed 0.65%. Three-month LME aluminium tested support from the 10-day moving average as it fell from a session high of US$1,615.5 per tonne. It ended the day 0.47% lower at US$1,600 per tonne. LME aluminium is likely to trade at US$1,580-1,610 per tonne. As of Thursday June 18, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1586.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1586.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1608 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1608 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1710 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1710 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1610300 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1403775 tonnes,...
Following the two consecutive hikes, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has decreased its aluminium ingots and aluminium products prices by INR 2,600 per tonne or 1.8 per cent with effect from Wednesday, June 17. NALCO’s aluminium ingots price is thus, now hovering at INR 139050-142550 per tonne as compared to INR 141,650-145,150 per tonne as of June 11. With the latest cut, the prices of aluminium billets have come in at INR142,500-145,150 per tonne, while the prices of aluminium wire rods have pegged at INR 143,550 – 147,900 per tonne. Indian aluminium producers generally link the prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. The three-month futures of aluminium are down by more than 10% so far in 2020 due to slower global demand...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a decline for the second consecutive day of RMB 60 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,910 per tonne, as of Friday, June 19. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,890 per tonne and RMB 13,930 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 160-200 per tonne. Hangzhou, Shenyang, and Linyi have seen the highest decline today of A00 aluminium ingot price among the major Chinese markets by RMB 70 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,920 per tonne, RMB 13,855 per tonne, and RMB 13,840 per tonne, respectively. Foshan, Wuxi, and Chongqing have seen a plunge of RMB 60 per tonne to, respectively, hover at RMB 14,000 per tonne, RMB 13,910 per tonne, and RMB 13,870 per tonne. In Gongyi, the price...
According to the recent report, Vedanta has increased its aluminium ingots prices by INR 2000 per tonne or 1.47 per cent with effect from Thursday, June 18. The prices are thus, now ranging between INR 137,750 per tonne and INR 150,750 per tonne, as compared to INR 135,750-148,750 per tonne on Saturday, June 13. With the latest hike following two consecutive declines last week, Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has come in at INR 145,750 per tonne, also up by INR 2000 per tonne or 1.39 per cent from INR 143,750 per tonne on June 13. Like any other Indian aluminium producers, Vedanta also links its aluminium and aluminium products prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. The three-month futures of aluminium are down nearly 11% so far in 2020 due to slower...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, continued to trend lower this week. Inventories came in at 754,000 tonnes in the week ended June 18, down 33,000 tonnes from Thursday June 11. The chart below shows the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Primary aluminium stocks in Wuxi and Shanghai decreased by 19,000 tonnes and 5,000 tonnes from June 11 to stand at 266,000 tonnes and 112,000 tonnes. But inventories in Nanhai increased by 3,000 tonnes to 164,000 tonnes. Inventories of aluminium in Hangzhou, Tianjin and Linyi remained unchanged at 104,000 tonnes, 59,000 tonnes, and 10,000 tonnes. In Gongyi and Chongqing, stocks of aluminium stood at...
Hindalco Industries Limited has increased its aluminium products prices with effect from Thursday, June 18, after two consecutive declines last week. With the latest hike, the company’s aluminium ingot price is now standing at INR 139,500 per tonne, an increase of INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.63 per cent from INR 137,250 per tonne on Saturday, June 13. The prices of Hindalco’s wire rods and billets have also been grown by INR 1,750 per tonne or 1 per cent from INR 148,350 per tonne and INR 144,350 per tonne on June 13. As of today, June 18, Hindalco's wire rods and billets prices are hovering at INR 150,100 per tonne and INR 146,100 per tonne, respectively. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal...
The Brussels-based European Aluminium said: “The European aluminium industry needs additional instruments to address the harmful effects of Chinese subsidies.” European Aluminium is a trade group consisted of more than 80 producers of the metal. The organization lauded that it is calling upon the European Commission “to effectively address the distortive effects of foreign subsidies in the EU single market and help create a level playing field for the aluminium industry in Europe.” European Aluminium stressed a proposed white paper on the topic: “Must be urgently translated into effective measures. The European aluminium industry is buckling under the pressure of subsidized excess capacity from China.” Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium said: “The EU’s current trade toolbox...
