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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Hydro’s underlying EBIT for Primary Metal declined from NOK 1,377 million in Q4 2017 to a loss of NOK 677 million in Q4 2018. This was mainly due to higher alumina and carbon costs, as well as lower sales volumes. Underlying EBIT for Metal Markets improved from NOK 185 million in 2017 to NOK 275 million in 2018, mainly due to increased results from the remelters and positive contributions from currency and inventory valuation effects, partly offset by lower results within sourcing and trading activities. “For 2019, we expect the global primary aluminium market to be in deficit, although increasing macro uncertainty could lead to softening demand growth,” President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg said. Underlying EBIT for Rolled Products decreased from NOK 95 million in 2017 to a loss of...
Aluminium prices softened by 0.29 per cent to Rs 136 per kg in futures trade Thursday as speculators cut bets amid subdued demand at domestic spot market. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in February eased by 40 paise, or 0.29 per cent, to Rs 136 per kg in a business turnover of 4,244 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in March was trading lower by 35 paise, or 0.23 per cent, at Rs 149.95 per kg in 816 lots. Analysts said offloading of positions by participants owing to slackened demand from consuming industries in the physical market weighed on aluminium prices in futures trade.
After lying idle for a decade, Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), located at Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, is all set to start its operations, said the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE). On February 4, local media reported that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari will soon inaugurate the domestic smelting firm, allowing it to begin production once more. According to Nigeria’s Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises Alex Okoh’s statement on Sunday, the BPE, along with other industry interests, will begin by addressing the problem of consistent, affordable supplies of natural gas to the firm. He explained, “Upon the resolution of the gas price and supply issues, a new agreement will be signed in line with the current realities.” He also added, “It will also take...
Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange dropped 0.53 per cent to US$ 1886.5 per tonne on Wednesday, February 6, from US$ 1896.5 per tonne on Tuesday. As on February 6, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1886 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1886.50per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1912 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1912.50 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2053 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 2058 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1292175 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled at 724675 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 567500 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1930.50 per tonne. SME and SHFE Aluminium Price Trend Shanghai Futures Exchange is closed for...
While speaking at the concluding ceremony of INCAL-2019, Narendra Singh Tomar, union mines minister said that foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows raised in the aluminium industry led by the policy of allowing 100 per cent FDI in automatic route for mining and exploration in metal and non-metals sector. He further said the government would continue to develop and encourage greater FDI in the aluminium sector as a means to attract more funding for aluminium projects. “The Mines Ministry is committed to the development of the aluminium sector and will look into the recommendations that come out of INCAL 2019. Mining constitutes an important contributor to the economy. During the last three years, the sector has witnessed major policy interventions to promote exploration and enhance...
LME aluminium contract closed at US$1896.50 per tonne on Tuesday, February 5, up 3.07 per cent from US$ 1840 per tonne on Monday. As on February 5, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1896 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1896.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1922.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1923 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2070 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 2075 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock increased to 1298150 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled at 724675 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 573475 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1922.50per tonne. China market still remains closed for the Lunar New Year Holiday.
With three major smelting companies like Alcan, Century Aluminium, and Alcoa, aluminium is one of the major materials produced and exported by Iceland. As of Q3 2017, aluminium had reportedly accounted for 14 per cent of Iceland’s total exports of goods and services. {newsStudioGallery} Our third-party data shows Iceland’s exports of aluminium (both alloyed & non-alloyed) is recording a year-on-year rise for the past three years. This year, however, the country’s estimated volume of exports is estimated to remain flat at 1 million tonnes. Last year in 2018, Iceland had exported the same amount of aluminium, compared to 978,067 tonnes in 2017. Thus, this shows the country’s exports in 2018 grew 3 per cent from 2017. In 2016, on the other hand, Iceland’s aluminium exports were at 861,053...
LME aluminium contract closed at US$1840 per tonne on Monday, February 4, down from US$ 1872.5 per tonne on Friday. As on February 4, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1839.50per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1840 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1868 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1868.50 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2015 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 2020 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock increased to 1297150 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled at 770900 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 526250 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1882.50 per tonne. Shanghai Futures Exchange remains closed for the Lunar New Year Holiday. Trading will resume on Monday, February 11.
Alcoa Corporation has appointed John Slaven as Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer. Slaven will be responsible for supporting Alcoa’s overall strategy and will oversee the corporate and business development functions, global supply chain, and energy development. Harvey said: “John has extensive experience in the metals and mining business, including global experience in several commodities and industry sectors across the full aluminium value chain.” “His experience spans from early stage exploration through project development and operations, to sales and marketing and end users, which will be an important asset to our Company as we continue to pursue our strategic priorities and multiyear capital allocation framework.” From 2002 through early 2006, Slaven worked for Alcoa...
Sanjeev Gupta’s global GFG Alliance has inaugurated Liberty Aluminium Dunkerque, Europe’s largest smelter, declaring its intention to expand into France’s industrial supply chain. GFG purchased the smelter for around US$500 million from Rio Tinto in December last year. GFG aims to make the 570-worker plant the hub of a manufacturing supply chain providing materials and components for French industry, particularly the automotive sector. The smelter currently produces 285,000 tonnes of primary aluminium per year. Mr Gupta also announced that Liberty Wheels France, already a major customer of the Dunkerque smelter, has won it first major contract since the London-headquartered Alliance took over the plant in May last year. GFG Chairman and CEO, Sanjeev Gupta said: “Our aim is to make this...
With the biggest number of US jobs created in 11 months for January and a rebound in US manufacturing, the US dollar index held stable on Friday. Mild wage inflation, shown in the US nonfarm payrolls, kept the dollar's gains in check. LME base metals traded mixed on Friday. LME aluminium dropped 1.7%. Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange dropped to close at US$ 1872.5 tonne on Friday, February 1. As on February 1, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1871.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1872.50per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1892.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1893 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2037 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 2042 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock decreased to...
The US dollar index fell in the beginning of the week. The dollar extended its loss on Monday after US President Donald Trump decided to extend a March 1 deadline for additional tariffs on Chinese goods, suggesting progressive trade negotiations between the two countries. It rebounded from earlier lows on Thursday, after US data showed growth in the world's largest economy was stronger than expected in the fourth quarter. Both LME and SHFE base metals traded mixed over the week. LME aluminium touched its highest on February 27 at US$ 1898.5 per tonne. News on full production recovery of Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil buoyed the market. The prices then consolidated towards the end of the week and stood at US$ 1890.50 per tonne on Friday March 1. The contract is expected to...
Rio Tinto's BC Works smelter and Kemano Power Operations in British Columbia, Canada, have been certified for responsible production by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The company’s aluminium operations in Canada have all been certified to the industry’s highest standards for responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said "We are committed to leading the industry by meeting the highest international production standards and having ASI Certified Aluminium available to our customers globally, to respond to the increasing demand from end consumers for responsibly sourced products. "This is an essential step to unlock the full potential of aluminium as a key material in our modern world and grow its use in...
Chinese state-owned company China Hongqiao Group announced on Friday, February 1, that it would gradually recommence aluminium production from some of its pots after the shorter set of winter output curbs expired on January 31, 2019. During the winter heating season in November 2018, China Hongqiao Group was asked to close up its annual aluminium smelting capacity. The city of Binzhou in Shandong province, where all of Hongqiao’s 6.46 million tonnes per year of aluminium capacity is located, reportedly listed pot closures at five Hongqiao smelting facilities in a document outlining winter restrictions. Some of the closures which had a total production capacity of 8.5 per cent of that of Hongqiao’s were to cut production for December and January instead of the full four-months winter...
According to a report by Business Standard, Vedanta intends to cut down its aluminium production cost to US$1,700 per tonne from the current cost of US$ 1,900 per tonne. Per the report, the company aims to do this by the end of the financial year. Ajay Dixit, chief executive officer (CEO) of Vedanta’s aluminium and power vertical, said: “We are putting in place a plan to reduce our production cost by the end of this year. The work to this effect has already started.” Vedanta expects that this production cost cut will improve the viability of its aluminium business, especially in the backdrop of recent softening of metal prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME). The LME price of aluminium in April 2018 was at US$2,600 per tonne and now came down to US$1,870 per tonne by January-end of...
The US dollar index recovered on Thursday as the euro slid against the greenback after Jens Weidmann, the Bundesbank president and a member of the European Central Bank Governing Council, painted a bleak picture of the German economy, saying the country's slump will last longer than thought. LME base metals traded higher across the board on Thursday. LME aluminium inched up 0.08% and SHFE aluminium grew 0.2%. LME aluminium closed Thursday's trading at US$ 1880.50 per tonne. LME aluminium jumped past the 60-day moving average to a day-high of US$1,924 per tonne on Thursday before it lost most of those gains to end below the 60-day moving average at US$1,906.5 per tonne. SMM expects the contract to trade at US$1,890-1,920 per tonne today. LME aluminium is expected to see relatively weak...
The Aluminium Corp of China (Chalco) announced on Wednesday, January 30, that it was implementing “flexible production” on about 200,000 tonnes per year of capacity at its Shandong Huayu facility. High electricity tariffs, environmental restrictions, and market environment are some of the factors that prompted the Beijing-based state-owned company for this action. Shanndong Huayu Aluminium and Electricity, with capacity of 220,000 tonnes per year suspended all output on Wednesday, SMM learned. The plant’s capacity of 100,000 tonnes per tonne operated after production cuts in December and November. Huayu’s capacity cut of 50,000 tonnes per year in November was included in Chalco’s announcement of 470,000 tonnes capacity cut on November 30. Chalco had said to the Shanghai Stock Exchange...
Emirates Global Aluminium announced the successful completion of a $6.5 billion term loan facility with a group of leading global and regional banks. Danny Dweik, EGA’s Chief Financial Officer, said: “This refinancing is another major step in the implementation of our capital structure strategy. Building on the previous transaction in 2015, this transaction further consolidates our debt at the EGA level, and strengthens our credit profile. Going forward, EGA will strive to further fortify its balance sheet and diversify its sources of financing.” The term loan facility amends, extends and upsizes the company’s existing $4.9 billion term loan facility agreed in December 2015 and will also be used to fully repay a $1.8 billion term loan facility extended to EGA’s subsidiary Dubai Aluminium...
