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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Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), on the go to become the world’s largest smelter, has announced the appointment of a new Manager for its Carbon Operations on Tuesday 02 April 2019. Ahmed Shehabi has been promoted to the position of Manager. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray, said: “Alba key strength lies in its people whom we believe in supporting through dynamic learning and development programmes. Ahmed’s promotion emphasizes Alba’s philosophy in developing and educating employees from within the Company along with promoting Bahraini nationals into leadership roles within the Company.” In 1995, Ahmed Shehabi joined Alba as an Operator in Kilns 3 where he quickly rose through the ranks of the Carbon department. He has held the roles of Supervisor, Superintendent and was...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has dropped today, on April 9, by RMB 40 per tonne to come in at RMB 13,780 per tonne. After a sharp decline on April 1 from RMB 13,920 per tonne to RMB 13,740 per tonne, the ingot price showed a constant growth over the week ranging from RMB 13,760 per tonne, as on April 2, to RMB 13,820 per tonne, as on April 8, 2019. So, today’s drop in ingot price is after more than a week. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,760 per tonne and RMB 13,780 per tonne, with spot discount to settle at RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. This indicates a slight growth in spot discount by RMB 10 per tonne. As the plunge in aluminium ingot price today has touched upon all major markets in China, the price in the east...
The US dollar declined against a basket of currencies on Monday as recent strong economic data eased concerns about the global economy. However, the index remained above 97. LME base metals traded mixed on Monday. LME aluminium fell 0.5% and SHFE aluminium fell 0.3%. Three-month LME aluminium fell from earlier highs to US$1,866 per tonne, its lowest in close to four weeks, on Monday and ended 0.5% lower at US$1,873 per tonne. The cash contract closed at US$1858.50 per tonne on Monday. LME aluminium is expected to trade at US$1,860-1,890 per tonne today supported by the weak dollar. As on April 8, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1858 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1858.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1882.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), soon to be the world’s largest aluminium smelter, welcomed the Chief Executive Officer of GE Gas Power Scott L. Strazik on Sunday, April 7 2019. GE and GAMA Consortium is the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for Alba’s Power Station 5 (PS 5), with GE providing three 9HA Gas Turbines, three Steam Turbines and three Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSGs). Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali, Chief Power Officer Amin Sultan, Director of Power & Utilities Steve Davison along with other Alba officials received GE delegation comprising CEO – GE Gas Power Scott L. Strazik and President & CEO Power Services, MEA Joseph Anis; CFO, Power Middle East and South Asia Yoshito Murakami along...
Social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrant, declined slower over the weekend and stood at 1.633 million tonnes as of Monday April 8. Inventories dropped some 8,000 tonnes from Thursday April 4, Shanghai Metals Market data showed. Primary aluminium inventories declined as consumption remained at regular levels while more cargo arrived during the Qingming Festival. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China: Stocks in Wuxi, Jiangsu stood at 582,000 tonnes, down 2,000 tonnes from 584,000 tonnes on Thursday April 4. Inventories in Shanghai and Nanhai, Guangdong decreased 1,000 tonnes and 11,000 tonnes to stand at 293,000 tonnes 374,000 tonnes today. Inventories of primary aluminium in...
The US dollar index rose on Friday after the US government said that job creation was stronger than expected in March, but wages grew at a sluggish pace. LME base metals traded lower on Friday. LME aluminium dropped 1.4% while SHFE aluminium edged up. The Shanghai Futures Exchange closed from Thursday night to Friday night for the Qingming Festival. After it rose to an intraday high of US$1,915 per tonne, three-month LME aluminium dropped past all moving averages to an intraday low of US$1,880 per tonne and ended at US$1,882.5 per tonne on Friday, down 1.4% on the day. LME cash contract ended the day at US$1864 per tonne In the face of a strong US dollar, LME aluminium is expected to hold firm with technical support. It is expected to trade at US$1,880-1,900 per tonne today. As on April...
Vedanta Resources Limited published production results for the year ended 31st March 2019. The company registered record annual production for the alumina and aluminium segments. Vedanta reported record aluminium production of 1,959,000 tonnes in FY2019, an increase of 17% year-on-year, as the production increase stabilised (from ramp up of Jharsuguda smelters). Aluminium production was at 1,675, 000 tonnes in FY2018. Production from Jharsuguda-I stood at 545,000 tonnes in FY2019. This was up 24% from 440,000 tonnes in FY2018. Jharsuguda-II recorded a production of 843,000 tonnes in FY2019, registering a growth of 27% year-on-year from 666,000 tonnes. In H2 FY2019, aluminium production was at 983,000 tonnes, 7% higher from 922,000 tonnes in H2 FY2018. The production was flat as compared...
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said India is planning to host an informal gathering of trade ministers from about 20 member nations of the World Trade Organization next month. The agenda is to discuss the interests of least developed countries amid growing challenges for global trade. "We are planning this (meeting) in May. We will be inviting about 20 WTO member countries this time,” he told PTI. He also said this meeting is important as many countries are questioning over the relevance of the global trade body. Many countries are also taking protectionist measures, impacting global trade. The Trump administration’s duties on imported aluminium and steel products last year prompted this major trade tariff tussle. However, India time and again stressed the importance and...
Shanghai Metals Market updated on April 4 that average operating rates across Chinese prebaked anode manufacturers for commercial use declined 3.07 percentage points in March from the previous month to come in at 54.9 per cent. Output cuts for cost control lowered operations across prebaked anode producers and therefore, their operating rates. Operating rates across medium-sized producers having an annual capacity of 100,000-250,000 tonnes and above recorded a dip by 6.44 percentage points, while small producers with 100,000 tonnes of annual capacity saw the rates fall by 5.3 percentage points. Operating rates across large producers with an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes and above, on the other hand, dropped 0.4 percentage point. Many prebaked anode producers in Zhengzhou resumed...
The US dollar index recovered and settled at 97.3. Most London industrial metals rose on Friday, supported by news that the United States and China are edging closer to a trade deal after months of dispute.Three months LME aluminium traded down 0.2% at $1,892 a tonne yesterday and then rose 0.5 per cent overnight. As on April 4, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1871 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1872 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1892 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1892.50 per tonne; Dec 20 bid price stands at US$ 2017 per tonne, and Dec 20 offer price stands at US$ 2022 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock dropped to 1110275 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled at 730550 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 379725 tonnes. LME...
Bechtel Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brendan Bechtel visited Alba’s Line 6 Expansion Project site on Sunday 31 March 2019. International Bechtel Co. (Bechtel) is the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contractor for Line 6 Expansion Project. Alba said the Bechtel delegation was given a guided tour of the Line 6 Expansion Project site, Carbon and Casthouse areas. Alba’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa said: “We are pleased with the fast-paced progress of our landmark Line 6 Expansion Project. I thank our EPCM contractor Bechtel for embracing Extreme Ownership and for expediting the safe and early commissioning of Potline 6 on 13 December 2018. We also look forward to accelerate the delivery of Potline 6...
Followed by discussion and consultation with departments like IT and agriculture, India has made an offer to the US to resolve trade issues between the two countries. The news came after Union Minister Suresh Prabhu told PTI on April 3 that "We have consulted all the ministries and we have given them an offer.” India has long been pressing the US for the removal of tariffs on its exports of aluminium and steel products, reconsidering export benefits to certain domestic products under Generalised System of Preferences (GSP), and greater market access for products from agriculture, automobile, automobile components, and engineering sectors. The United States has also been demanding greater market access for its agricultural, dairy products, and medical devices besides seeking reduction in...
The US dollar weakened on Wednesday after data showed that US services sector activity slowed to a more than 1-1/2-year low in March however it remains slightly above 97. LME base metals traded higher on Wednesday and aluminium crept 0.6%. SHFE aluminium inched up close to 0.2%. With resistance at US$1,900 per tonne, three-month LME aluminium fluctuated to close higher at US$1,895.5 per tonne on Wednesday, recovering from the previous day’s losses. Aluminium cash contract closed at US$ 1865 per tonne. Three months aluminium is expected to trade at US$1,880-1,910 per tonne today. As on April 3, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1864 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1865 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1893 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$...
Social inventories of primary aluminium across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, declined further by some 37,000 tonnes from March 28 to come in at 1.641 million tonnes on April 4, found Shanghai Metals Market. This drop in primary aluminium inventories marks the third consecutive weeks of decline as consumption continued to recover. Today, the inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu are hovering at 584,000 tonnes while that in Shanghai at 294,000 tonnes. In Nanhai, Guangdong and in Gongyi, Henan, the inventories are seen at 385,000 tonnes and 135,000 tonnes, respectively. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across all major Chinese consumption areas in more details. On the drop of primary aluminium inventories, today, on April...
The US dollar rose against a basket of foreign currencies on Tuesday, with the index hitting 97.51, the highest since March 8. LME base metals traded lower and aluminium slid 0.5%. SHFE aluminium declined some 0.2%. As expected, the news of Rusal’s supply resumption and a strong dollar put pressure on LME aluminium. Three-month LME aluminium came off from earlier highs at US$1,900 per tonne to close the trading day 0.45% lower at US$1,883.5 per tonne. It has lost much of gains made since last week. Overnight gains in the greenback are likely to keep prices under pressure today and LME aluminium is expected to trade at US$1,880-1,900 per tonne. As on April 2, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1857.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1858 per tonne; 3-months...
ELYSIS, the joint-venture technology company of Rio Tinto and Alcoa, announced yesterday that it chose Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region in Quebec for setting up its new research and development facility. It will indirectly employ more than 25 experts when fully operational, said the company on its website. The ELYSIS team is working to commercial a breakthrough technology by 2024 that will eliminate all direct greenhouse gases (GHGs) from the traditional aluminium smelting process, producing pure oxygen instead. The new research and development facility is expected to be fully operational in the second half of 2020. ELYSIS said it chose Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region for its new research centre since the place is known for having expertise in the aluminium sector. Moreover, it receives...
S&P Global Platts, the leading provider of information, benchmark prices and analytics for the energy and commodities markets has recently announced the names of its 2019 Global Metals Awards Finalists. The S&P Global Platts Global Metals Awards, now in its 7th year, recognizes top performers - industry leaders and innovators. AlCircle Pte Ltd has been nominated as a finalist in the "Rising Star Company Award" category. AlCircle, better known as the Virtual Aluminium Ecosystem, has been catering to the global aluminium value chain as the leading exclusive aluminium-based web portal in the world. It offers a range of information and business related services along the entire aluminium value chain from bauxite ore to end users & recycling. Having created a niche of its own as a one of a...
A00 aluminium ingot price increased further to RMB13770 per tonne on Wednesday, 03 April 2019, registering a growth of RMB10 per tonne or 0.07 per cent from yesterday. The average price is expected to range between RMB13750-13790 per tonne, with spot premium to settle at RMB10-30 per tonne. Aluminium ingot price in the East (Wuxi) increased RMB5 per tonne to RMB13755 today, while that in East (Hangzhou) dropped RMB5 per tonne to RMB13770 per tonne. In the south, the price stood at 13760 per tonne, up RMB30 per tonne from yesterday. Aluminium ingot price in the North decreased to RMB13720 per tonne. The average Aluminium Fluoride price declined RMB500 per tonne or 5 per cent to RMB9500 per cent on Wednesday, 03 April 2019. The average price is expected to hover between RMB9400 per tonne...
