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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The US dollar held steady, while the Canadian dollar dipped to a two-month low. Base metals declined for the most part last night. LME aluminium dipped 0.4% and SHFE aluminium fell 0.4%. LME aluminium closed lower from previous day at US$ 1846 per tonne during the day’s closing yesterday. As longs exited and the US dollar remained robust, LME aluminium dropped to a low of US$1,860 per tonne. It settled at US$1,862.5 per tonne, with open interests down 3,711 lots to 660,000 lots. LME aluminium is likely to trade at US$1,840-1,890 per tonne today. As on March 6, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1845.5 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1846 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1868 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1868.5 per tonne; Dec 20 bid...
Today, on March 6, the aluminium price as well its raw materials’ on Shanghai Metals Exchange seem to have decided to mark the day with no movements, neither upward nor downward. To start with, the A00 aluminium ingot price is found to continue at RMB 13,700 per tonne, since when it jumped from 13,630 per tonne yesterday. The average prices of the ingot are expected to range between RMB 13,680 per tonne and RMB 13,720 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 50 per tonne to RMB 10 per tonne. This shows the spot price has increased, however, by RMB 10 per tonne from yesterday. On the other hand, while most of the major markets in China have also determined to record no change in the A00 aluminium ingot price today, the markets in the north and northeast display a little exception as...
The US dollar increased to a two-week high against a basket of currencies as unexpectedly strong data on US services industries and new home sales allayed some worries about the US economy. Base metals ended mix last night. LME aluminium edged down and SHFE aluminium inched up. LME aluminium closed the day’s trading at US$ 1868.50 per tonne. LME aluminium rebounded after it fell below all moving averages. A higher US dollar kept it below the 40-day moving average and ended it lower on the day at US$1,871 per tonne. SMM expects it to trade at US$1,840-1,900 per tonne today. As on March 5, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1868 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1868.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1889 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1890...
On Tuesday, March 5, the mining giant Vedanta announced the appointment of Ajay Kapur as the chief executive officer of its aluminium and power business. Kapur brings with him an experience of over 30 years across various business verticals. He worked at Ambuja Cements as the managing director and CEO for its India business. Vedanta Resources Executive Chairman Anil Agarwal said: "Ajay will provide leadership for unlocking the full potential of our aluminium and power business which is a US$10 billion asset with revenue of US$ 6 billion. His enormous experience in the infrastructure sector will definitely work towards driving growth of India's largest aluminium capacity." In Vedanta, Kapur will be responsible for driving key priorities for the aluminium business, including a strong focus...
The year 2018 was marked by supply and trade disruptions and price volatility in the aluminium sector. Alumina supply was disrupted and price shot up. The U.S. imposed 10% duty on all imported aluminium. Rusal aluminium was sanctioned by the U.S. and banned by LME and the US-China trade war disrupted the market balance. There was a supply concern in the primary sector. However, the beginning of 2019 has indicated a solution to supply issues and prices have started consolidating. The start of 2019 has already witnessed the lifting of sanctions on Rusal by the US Government and trade negotiations between the U.S. and China are taking shape in a positive manner. Concerns over raw material insecurity is also slowing down with Alunorte refinery likely to start full production by the second...
The US dollar increased against a basket of major currencies on traders' bets that China and the US are moving closer to a trade deal. The greenback gained for a fourth consecutive trading day. Base metals declined across the board as LME aluminium led the drops and fell 2.02%. SHFE aluminium also edged down. LME aluminium started the week with a drop. News around China’s further tax cuts depressed upward momentum in LME aluminium, which dipped to the lowest since February 20, at US$1,861 per tonne, after it initially fell below the US$1,900 per tonne level during the European trading session yesterday. We expect LME aluminium to trade at US$1,840-1,910 per tonne today. As on March 4, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1859per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, east China on Monday, March 4, saw brisk trading in spot aluminium market as high purchasing prices offered by aluminium giant Chalco fuelled trading enthusiasm. Spot deals were mostly found at RMB 13,610 per tonne to RMB 13,630 per tonne in Shanghai, up over RMB 70 per tonne over the weekend. The front-month March aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also climbed from Friday. Against the SHFE 1903 contract, spot discounts in Shanghai came in at RMB 60 per tonne to RMB 50 per tonne, wider than RMB 50 per tonne to RMB 40 per tonne on Friday morning. Chalco’s purchasing prices stood close to RMB 40 per tonne higher than the most traded prices earlier in the morning trading hours. The aluminium giant purchased about 3,000 tonnes of spot...
The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange and its clearing house the Dubai Commodities Clearing Corporation plans to launch aluminium and zinc future contracts on March 22. DGCX, an electronic commodity and derivatives exchange offers futures and options contracts covering the precious metals, energy, equities and currency sectors. Commenting on the plan, Les Male, chief executive of DGCX said on Saturday, “The imminent launch of these two products is a response to growing demands and investor feedback, and will play an important role in the DGCX Group’s growth strategy moving forward.” He expects this launch to further strengthen their value proposition in the non-ferrous metals supply chain and expand the existing product portfolio. The aluminium and zinc future contracts will provide...
The US dollar increased to 10-week-highs against the yen last Friday, as risk appetite improved amid a more upbeat outlook on some major economies and on expectations of a trade deal between China and the US. Base metals ended mostly higher last Friday and aluminium rose 0.29%. SHFE aluminium rose 0.59%. LME aluminium rebounded to a high of $1,918.5/mt after a higher US dollar lowered it to US$1,898.50 per tonne. It is expected to trade at US$1,900-1,930 per tonne today. As on March 1, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1890per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1890.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1910 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1910.50 per tonne; Dec 20 bid price stands at US$ 2043 per tonne, and Dec 20 offer price stands at US$ 2048...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based aluminium smelter, announced that the company has moved one step closer to become the world’s largest smelter. Alba’s Line 6 Expansion Project has gained further momentum with the handover of 172 pots for commissioning on 01 March 2019. Commenting on this occasion, Alba’s Chairman of Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, said: “We are pleased to announce that Potline 6 is now in full ramp-up mode with the handover of the next set of 172 pots for commissioning.” “Once the start-up of the additional 172 pots is complete, Alba will have commissioned a total of 212 pots (50% of Potline 6 capacity). We look forward to see the positive financial benefits that this additional capacity will bring to our bottom-line.” Line 6...
Followed by two consecutive falls last week, the A00 aluminium ingot price is found rebounded over the weekend, showed Shanghai Metals Market on Monday, March 4, 2019. While the spot price of aluminium ingot has grown to RMB 13,630 per tonne from RMB 13,550 per tonne, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,610 per tonne and RMB 13,650 per tonne. The spot discounts are likely to settle at RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 20 per tonne. As the surge has touched upon all the major Chinese markets, the east market (Wuxi and Hangzhou) has recorded a growth of RMB 75 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,620 per tonne. The markets in the south and north have witnessed an increase in ingot price by about RMB 110 per tonne and RMB 30 per tonne to hover at RMB 13,680 per tonne and RMB 13,600 per...
Social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, stood at 1.755 million tonnes as of Monday March 4, an increase of 11,000 tonnes from Thursday February 28, Shanghai Metals Market data showed. The weekend gain of 11,000 tones is smaller than the increase of 45,000 tonnes in the previous weekend. The chart below indicates the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China: Inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu and Shanghai increased 11,000 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes from Monday February 25 to 647,000 tonnes and 313,000 tonnes respectively. Stocks in Nanhai, Guangdong and Gongyi, Henan stood at 367,000 tonnes and 158,000 tonnes as of Monday March 4, up 27,000 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes from Monday February 25. Inventories in...
Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau reportedly spoke to the US President Donald Trump on Thursday, February 28, about American tariffs on aluminium and steel. The news came after Trudeau’s office said “The Prime Minister raised the issue of steel and aluminium tariffs and expressed the need for the removal of tariffs,” on Friday, March 1. Ottawa, the capital of Canada, had been strongly objecting to these tariffs imposed on the ground of national securities. Ottawa pressed many times for the removal of tariffs. The US Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue said on February 28 that he tried hard to convince Mr. Trump for protecting the US steel industry with tariff rate quotas, instead of plain tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico. Earlier on Sunday, February 24, Transport Minister...
Shanghai Metals Market found brisk trading in east China on Friday morning, March 1, as lower aluminium prices improved purchasing willingness among traders and downstream consumers. Weekend stockpiling was also an important reason for the improved purchasing and therefore, brisk trading as a result. In Shanghai, spot deals were mostly seen at RMB 13,540 per tonne to RMB 13,550 per tonne, down more than RMB 60 per tonne from Thursday morning. The front-month March aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also fell from the previous day. Against the SHFE 1903 contract, spot discounts in Shanghai narrowed from RMB 80 per tonne to RMB 40 per tonne in the first part of the morning session, as futures prices dropped. Spot discounts were seen at RMB 50 per tonne to RMB 40 per tonne...
The latest data from US Geological Survey indicates that the total aluminium supply in the United States (Primary production, secondary recovery, and imports for consumption) stood at an estimated 9.3 million tonnes through November 2018, down 4% over the same period of 2017, where the supply stood at 9.7 million tonnes. Out of the total supply of aluminium, the US imported about 5.1 million tonnes of aluminium in the period from January to November 2018. Export (excluding scrap) during the same period stood at 1.23 million tonne. Apparent consumption (total supply minus export) during the first 11 months of 2018 stood at about 8.47 million tonne. When we look at the export statistics year over year, we see that the export of crude and alloyed aluminium and semi-finished aluminium stood...
According to an update from Shanghai Metals Market, Guangxi Hualei New Materials has raised its prebaked anode purchasing price today by RMB 24 per tonne month-on-month for March. Guangxi Hualei New Materials is a subsidiary of the state-owned aluminium giant China Aluminium Corporation (Chinalco). Higher transport costs are the main reason for this increase, bringing the purchasing price to RMB 3,958 per tonne. On a broader nationwide basis, however, the prebaked anode prices have continued to show signs of weakness as of March 1. In the eastern market, spot prices have declined by RMB 70 per tonne from the previous day and averaged at RMB 3,350 per tonne, SMM found. Earlier, on February 27, Shandong Weiqiao Group, one of the top aluminium producers in China, had tentatively lowered its...
Vesuvius plc, a global leader in molten metal flow engineering and technology, announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire CCPI Inc, a specialty refractory producer focused on tundish (steel continuous casting) applications (65% of sales) and aluminium (35% of sales). Based in Ohio, USA, CCPI will become part of its Advanced Refractories business unit. The transaction values CCPI at US$43.4 million (£33.1 million) on a cash and debt free basis and will be funded from Vesuvius' internal resources. Patrick André, Chief Executive of Vesuvius, said: "CCPI is a strategically important acquisition for Vesuvius, which significantly expands Vesuvius' North American presence in refractories used in steel tundish applications, while also increasing Vesuvius' exposure to aluminium.” “The...
The A00 aluminium ingot price starts off the month with a decline by RMB 50 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. Today, on March 1, the price has stooped down from RMB 13,600 per tonne to RMB 13,550 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13, 530 per tonne and RMB 13,570 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 60 per tonne to RMB 20 per tonne. Since the decline of aluminium ingot price has touched upon all the major markets in China, the eastern markets (Wuxi and Hangzhou) have recorded a plunge by RMB 65 per tonne and RMB 60 per tonne. The price there is standing now at RMB 13,545 per tonne. The markets in the south and north have seen a price drop by RMB 70 per tonne and RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 13,570 per tonne and RMB 13,570 per tonne, respectively....
