In the first half (H1) of 2026, the US imported a total of 1.68 million metric tons of unwrought aluminum (HSN code: 7601), of which 16.96% was sourced from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). How has H1 2026 fared for the momentum of unwrought aluminum exports from the UAE to the US? Year-on-year cooling in trade can be noticed, largely owing to the temporary shutdown of the Emirates Global Aluminium’s (EGA’s) Al Taweelah smelter for repair and maintenance. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” H1 aluminum trade snapshot: 2026 vs 2025 vs 2024 Comparing the H1 2026 figures of unwrought aluminum exported by the UAE to the US, a mixed result...
Norsk Hydro’s earnings outlook for 2027 is facing mounting pressure from falling aluminium premiums, rising operating costs and easing supply tightness in Europe, prompting Goldman Sachs to downgrade the Norwegian producer from ‘buy’ to ‘neutral’ and reduce its price target from NOK 100 (USD 10.71) to NOK 79 (USD 8.46). Goldman said weaker premiums and higher costs were making further earnings growth harder to achieve in 2027. The bank also lowered its core earnings (EBITDA) forecasts for 2026 and 2027 by 6 per cent each, citing lower aluminium prices and rising costs. The changing market conditions come as additional metal from the Middle East reaches the market and Indonesian aluminium supply expands faster than expected, easing European supply constraints sooner than Goldman had...
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IB2 has announced the formal inauguration of its very first large-scale aluminium production factory at Liulin, Shanxi, in China. This success is the result of IB2’s partnership with the Shanxi Senze Energy Technology Group. Image for representational purposes only Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The construction and commissioning of the industrial unit began only 10 months ago and is now running at scale. Internationally, it is the first facility to implement a breakthrough technology that converts low-grade bauxite into high-quality feedstock and therefore can be applied in aluminium production. This innovation has the potential to not only revive exhausted bauxite mines but also enable rare earth and critical mineral...
After the week started with the weak aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME), but during the mid-week, the prices saw an upward tick along with the cancelled warrants. Both the LME cash bid and offer rose by USD 18 per tonne or 0.63 per cent, where the bid reached USD 2,851 per tonne, up from USD 2,833 per tonne. The LME cash offer went up to USD 2,851.5 per tonne, up from USD 2,833.5 per tonne. The upward trend continued in the LME 3 months bid and offer price by USD 14 per tonne or 0.5 per cent, where the bid was seen at USD 2,894 per tonne and the offer price at USD 2,880 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Concurrently, at the LME forward contracts, both the December 26 bid and offer inched up by USD...
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited has announced the release of a second unlocking period under the company’s 2021 Restricted Share Incentive Scheme. This milestone denotes a remarkable step in the equity incentive framework of Chinalco, which may considerably influence its operational plans and shareholder values through a better alignment of the interests of the participants with the long-term objectives of the company. Image source: https://www.chalco.com.cn/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain This outcome can be tallied with the nine-month financial results of CHALCO in 2025. Aluminum Corporation of China or Chinalco is the parent enterprise that has a controlling stake of approximately 35 to 36 per cent in Aluminum...
After months of prolonged struggle to secure a long-term power supply at Mozal Aluminium Smelter in Mozambique, South32 Limited (ASX/LSE/JSE: S32) has finally decided to halt its operations. By March 15, 2026, the company plans for the Mozambique smelter closure and subsequent care and maintenance, as at present, it is not economically sustainable to keep up with the operations once the existing supply contract expires. Image source: https://clubofmozambique.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain According to the company, negotiations were held with multiple stakeholders, including the Mozambican government, Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) and South Africa’s state-owned utility Eskom. Though several discussions had taken...
The United States has been witnessing a collision between AI data storehouses and aluminium smelters, and a tug of war for electricity. All over the US, facilities are faced with electricity generation and transmission challenges. While choosing a customer to supply power, they are opting for the data centre as it can pay more with a rapid scale and also accept shorter terms. Consequently, aluminium smelting depends on a stable and affordable electricity supply. However, owing to the volatile and unstable flow of electricity (both conventional and renewable), aluminium has to bear the brunt of competitiveness erosion. Image for representational purposes only Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Primary aluminium smelting is highly...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices on December 16 showed a slightly lower price than the previous day’s close. On the other hand, at the inventory front, the live warrants and cancelled warrants rose slightly. On December 16, both the LME cash bid and offer fell by USD 7.5 per tonne or 0.3 per cent, where the bid reached USD 2,833 per tonne, down from USD 2,840.5 per tonne and the final offer went to USD 2,833.5 per tonne, down from USD 2,841 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The LME 3-month bid showed no change from the previous day’s close and is still at USD 2,880 per tonne. On the contrary, the LME 3-month offer moved up slightly by USD 0.5 per tonne or 0.02 per cent and settled at USD 2,881 per...
Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) has reaffirmed its “BUY” call on Press Metal Aluminium Bhd. The bank raised its target price to MYR 7.64 (USD 1.84), reflecting stronger earnings visibility. The upgrade is driven by robust aluminium prices, favourable alumina costs and steady operational expansions. Image for reference only (source: Press Metal) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain HLIB said Press Metal is on track for record earnings in FY26. It expects higher contributions from value-added products and rising alumina self-sufficiency. Forecasts for FY25-FY27 were revised up by 8.5 per cent, 15.7 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively. Press Metal Aluminium's operational momentum remains strong even though LME aluminium...
A steady climb has taken National Aluminium Company’s share price to a fresh 52-week high of INR 279.85 ( USD 3.10). The move crowns a year of rising earnings, expanding cash flows, and a balance sheet that has remained largely untouched by debt. The stock’s journey has been notable for its consistency. From a 52 week low of Rs.140 (USD 1.54 ), NALCO has been on a consistent high, recording a cumulative return of 6.41 per cent over the last three trading sessions alone. On 15 December 2025, it not only reached a new annual peak but also outpaced its sector by 0.84 per cent on the same day. NALCO builds momentum amidst a cautious market While NALCO was hitting new highs, the broader market was moving more cautiously. The Sensex opened the day lower at INR 84,891.75 (USD 933.91), slipping...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium cash bid and offer price saw a further decline on December 15 in comparison to the previous day’s close. However, the forward contracts and 3-month bid and offer rose slightly. On December 15, both the LME cash bid and offer dipped by USD 5.5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, where the bid declined from USD 2,845 per tonne to USD 2,840.5 per tonne and the offer price from USD 2,845.5 per tonne to USD 2,841 per tonne. On the other hand, the 3-month bid rose by USD 5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, up from USD 2,875 per tonne to USD 2,880 per tonne. The LME 3-month offer rose by USD 4.5 per tonne or 0.15 per cent to reach USD 2,880.5 per tonne, up from USD 2,876 per tonne. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics At the...
On December 12, Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, announced that Australia’s largest aluminium smelter at Tomago, Newcastle, which is majority-owned by the mining corporation Rio Tinto, is to remain open beyond the expiration of its contract in 2028. Image source: https://www.alcircle.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Located in New South Wales (NSW), north of Sydney, Tomago Aluminium, which employs over 1,000 full-time workers and 200 contractors in the connected area, faced the potential risk of a shutdown post its inability to secure an affordable long-term energy supply. Moreover, in October, Rio Tinto warned that without new energy deals, the smelter was likely to shut down by 2025. The government...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price on December 12 inched down from the previous day’s close. On the other hand, the LME opening stock and cancellations rose, but the live warrant witnessed a dip. The LME cash bid moved down by USD 17 per tonne or 0.6 per cent and settled at USD 2,845 per tonne on December 12. Similarly, the cash offer went down by USD 18.5 per tonne or 0.64 per cent and reached USD 2,845.5 per tonne. Both the LME 3-month bid and offer fell by USD 10 per tonne or 0.34 per cent, where the bid settled at USD 2,875 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,876 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Concurrently, the LME December 26 forward contracts also collapsed by USD 10 per tonne or 0.34 per cent,...
Mexico has approved a major tariff overhaul that will raise duties on imports from China and several other Asian countries by about 50 per cent targeting a broad range of goods from metals to automobiles. The Senate backed the decision on Wednesday, supporting President Claudia Sheinbaum’s plan to encourage local manufacturing. The measures, due to take effect on 1 January 2026, will affect products from China and several Asian economies including Thailand, India and Indonesia, the countries without a free trade agreement. Lawmakers voted 76 in favour, five against and 35 abstentions, endorsing tariff increases of up to 50 per cent on imports such as autos, auto parts, clothing, plastics, textiles and steel. The proposal, earlier passed by the lower house, is a scaled-down version of a...
LME aluminium prices saw modest gains on December 11 across cash, 3-month and deferred contracts compared with the previous session, while exchange inventories continued to ease. The cash bid price rose to USD 2,862 per tonne, up from USD 2,836 per tonne on December 10 — a 0.92 per cent increase. The cash offer price moved to USD 2,864 per tonne, compared with USD 2,836.5 per tonne previously, marking a 0.97 per cent rise. The 3-month aluminium contract also strengthened. The 3-month bid price reached USD 2,885 per tonne on December 11, up from USD 2,865 per tonne — a 0.70 per cent increase. The 3-month offer advanced to USD 2,886 per tonne, compared with USD 2,867 per tonne a day earlier, up 0.66 per cent. Further along the curve, the December 26 contract posted firmer levels. The bid...
Aluminium fluoride (AlF3) has long been a critical ingredient in aluminium production – vital for efficient electrolysis yet scrutinised for its environmental and economic costs. On one hand, it is a necessity, on the other, a dilemma. Functionally, aluminium fluoride is a cornerstone of the Hall–Héroult process as it reduces electrolyte’s melting point from ~2000°C to <1000°C, cuts energy consumption, increases the bath’s conductivity, and helps dissolve alumina into the electrolyte. In short, this additive allows for efficient electrolysis of alumina (Al₂O₃) into molten aluminum metal. But its utility comes at a cost, both literally and environmentally. The price of aluminium fluoride, although varies by purity and supplier, typically ranges between USD 1,000 and USD 1,800 per tonne in...
Japan’s aluminium market may be heading into a much firmer pricing environment next year, with Marubeni Corp signalling that buyers could be paying USD 85 to USD 203 per tonne in premiums through 2026. The trading company expects international price strength to divert metal away from Asia, tightening availability for Japanese importers. Image source: https://2.bp.blogspot.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Although Japan relies heavily on overseas aluminium and typically negotiates quarterly surcharges above the London Metal Exchange cash price, those premiums have slipped to USD 86 per tonne in the current quarter, far below USD 228 agreed at the start of the year. That downward stretch may not last long. Talks for the...
LME aluminium prices showed mixed movement on December 10, while exchange inventories continued to ease, according to the latest market data. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 2,836 per tonne on December 10, up from USD 2,831.5 per tonne a day earlier — a 0.16 per cent increase. The cash offer edged higher to USD 2,836.5 per tonne, compared with USD 2,832 per tonne on December 9, marking a 0.16 per cent rise. In contrast, the 3-month contract softened. The 3-month bid slipped to USD 2,865 per tonne on December 10 from USD 2,867 per tonne on December 9, a 0.07 per cent decline. The 3-month offer eased to USD 2,867 per tonne, down from USD 2,868 per tonne, also a 0.03 per cent drop. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain...
Alcoa has warned that the rapid expansion of energy-hungry data centres poses a growing challenge for the future of aluminium smelting, with operators willing to pay far more for electricity than industrial producers can afford. The US-based aluminium business believes the disparity in power costs is already reshaping the landscape for smelter operations. Addressing the Citi 2025 Basic Materials Conference on December 3, Molly Beerman, Alcoa’s Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, highlighted the widening gulf in energy pricing. She noted that US smelters generally pay between USD 30 and USD 40 per megawatt hour, while data centres are prepared to take power at prices exceeding USD 100 per megawatt hour. That gap, she said, makes it increasingly difficult for smelters to...
China’s steel and aluminium sectors are moving in sharply different directions, with steel exports surging even as aluminium shipments decline. Steel mills, facing weak domestic demand from the flagging property sector and operating near Beijing’s informal output cap of 1.005 billion tonnes, have aggressively pushed into overseas markets. Exports rose 6.7 per cent to 107.72 million tonnes in the first eleven months of the year, while aluminium exports showed absolutely a reverse trend. China’s exports of refined aluminium and related products dropped 9.2 per cent in the January to November period, amounting to 5.59 million tonnes. With domestic production expected to come in near the 45 million tonne annual cap, stronger demand from manufacturing and the energy sector has kept more metal...
