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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As 2025 prepares to make its exit, now is the time for a recap of the top 10 primary aluminium projects and initiatives from across the globe that were announced and commenced this year. The primary aluminium segment of the value-chain has seen it all during the ongoing calendar year — right from tariff imposition to LME price volatility and smelter closure or capacity curtailment. But these stories have steered the industry forward through the fog of uncertainty and promises to do so throughout the upcoming decade. Image for representational purposes Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Oklahoma’s 4B aluminium grant from EGA - a first in 45 years Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma, announced on May 15, 2025, about a USD 4 billion...
LME aluminium prices weakened on December 9 across the cash, 3-month and December 26 contracts, even as exchange inventories moved lower. The LME aluminium cash bid price slipped to USD 2,831.5 per tonne on December 9 from USD 2,867 per tonne the previous day, a decline of 1.24 per cent. The cash offer eased to USD 2,832 per tonne from USD 2,867.5 per tonne, also down 1.24 per cent. The 3-month contract also retreated. The 3-month bid fell to USD 2,867 per tonne on December 9 from USD 2,896.5 per tonne on December 8, a drop of 1.02 per cent. The 3-month offer decreased to USD 2,868 per tonne from USD 2,897 per tonne, lower by 1.00 per cent. The December 26 contract followed the same trend. The bid moved down to USD 2,898 per tonne on December 9 from USD 2,920 per tonne on December 8, a...
India is recognised as one of the most promising markets for low-carbon aluminium by RUSAL, owing to its fast-evolving energy and electrical infrastructure landscape. The Russia aluminium company is aligning its advanced aluminium solutions with India’s ambitions in grid modernisation, renewable energy expansion, and also industrial electrification. India’s growing power demand is driving a fresh look at the materials used across the energy sector. RUSAL believes aluminium fits these needs well, thanks to its strong conductivity, lighter weight and high recyclability. The company is accordingly promoting advanced aluminium alloys for use in power transmission systems, renewable energy projects and heavy electrical equipment, where performance and sustainability are increasingly critical....
The United Kingdom’s aluminium industry has two options ahead to survive - one is by remaining reliant on imported aluminium cast, rolled, extruded, or forged semi-fabricated products with little or no control over embedded carbon, and the other is by developing a domestic recycling-based supply chain aligned with circular economy principles and national net zero goals. Because over the years, almost all the UK’s primary aluminium smelters have shut their operations due to unbearable energy costs. The only remaining smelter is the one owned by Alvanche in Lochaber, capable of producing a small fraction (50,000 tonnes per year) of the UK’s growing aluminium need. UK aluminium demand vs production According to 2024 analysis, aluminium consumption in the UK domestic market was about 296,000...
LME aluminium prices posted marginal gains on December 8 across cash, 3-month and December 26 contracts, even as exchange inventories continued their downward trend. The LME aluminium cash bid rose to USD 2,867 per tonne, up USD 2.5 or 0.09 per cent from USD 2,864.5 on December 7. The cash offer also inched up to USD 2,867.5 per tonne, a 0.09 per cent increase from USD 2,865 a day earlier. The 3-month contract showed a similar uptick. The 3-month bid firmed to USD 2,896.5 per tonne, up USD 4 or 0.14 per cent from USD 2,892.5 on December 7, while the offer improved by 0.14 per cent to USD 2,897 per tonne. The December 26 contract recorded the strongest day-on-day move. The bid price climbed to USD 2,920 per tonne, a gain of USD 10 or 0.34 per cent from USD 2,910. The offer increased to USD...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest one-site aluminium smelter, has signed a 2-year agreement with Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill Company (GARMCO) to enhance the technical capabilities of GARMCO’s Bahrain-based employees. The agreement will allow selected technical employees to join a part-time secondment with Alba, supporting the growth of the country’s industrial ecosystem. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain During the training, visiting employees will gain hands-on experience at Alba’s top-notch facilities. This opportunity enables upskilling in hydraulic and pneumatic systems, reinforcing their technical foundation and accelerating career development at GARMCO. Commenting on the agreement, Alba’s Chief...
After a steady price movement, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price on December 5 slightly moved upward. The opening stock and cancelled warrants inched down, whereas the live warrants remained steady from the previous day’s close. On December 5, the LME cash bid rose by USD 11.5 per tonne or 0.4 per cent to settle at USD 2,864.5 per tonne. Similarly, the LME cash offer rose by USD 11 per tonne or 0.4 per cent to settle at USD 2,865 per tonne. The 3-month bid climbed USD 8.5 per tonne or 0.3 per cent, up from USD 2,884 per tonne to USD 2,892.5 per tonne. Concurrently, the LME 3-month offer also climbed by USD 8 per tonne or 0.3 per cent, up from USD 2,885 per tonne to USD 2,893 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value...
At the 2025 Capital Markets Day, Rio Tinto has indicated a decisive shift in how it intends to build value over the coming decade. Rather than unveiling something radical, the company is reframing its entire operating philosophy around clarity: sharpen the portfolio, simplify the structure, and strengthen returns. Chief Executive Simon Trott outlines how these guiding ideas are being translated into practical measures across the business. At the centre of Trott’s message is the conviction that Rio Tinto already holds the right mix of assets and market exposure, which is the need of the hour. The company is therefore anchoring its strategy around three pillars designed to raise performance to what management believes should be industry-leading levels. The first pillar is focused on...
While most of the public sector stocks tend to slip in and out as per the market conditions, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has shifted firmly back into focus. The aluminium producer has staged one of its strongest rallies in recent years and is now prompting investors to reassess its long-term potential. Even after delivering close to an 88 per cent return this financial year, the stock still appears reasonably valued and supported by sturdier fundamentals than in previous cycles. This has led to the inevitable question: Is there room left to add it at current levels? On Thursday, the company’s shares closed at INR 269.20 (USD 3.00), a 1.01 per cent rise over the previous session’s INR 266.50 ( USD 2.96), taking its market capitalisation to INR 49,442.13 crore (USD 5.49...
Capral Ltd, a leading provider of aluminium products and solutions across Australia, have recently extended its support for the ongoing aluminium operations in Australia. This came into light while national scrutiny of the Tamago Aluminium Smelter’s future is in line, which requires calling the facility to maintain the country’s manufacturing edge and overall industrial strength. It has been noted by the firm that Australia’s aluminium industry currently operates as a vertically integrated chain, beginning from bauxite mining and alumina refining to smelting, extrusion and downstream manufacturing. Through these operations, the firm has generated a total of USD 18 billion in annual economic value and further supported 75 thousand jobs or more. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business...
The global aluminium industry is closing the year on a note that looks calm on the surface but carries deep structural shifts underneath. Prices remained relatively steady, yet the stories shaping the primary metal, alumina, and bauxite markets hinted at a sector adjusting to new geopolitical, economic, and supply-chain realities. Much of the turbulence stemmed from softened Chinese demand, fresh supply pressure from Southeast Asia, and a subtle re of global bauxite routes. Upstream Weekly Recap by AL Circle Pvt Ltd Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain On the primary aluminium front, China’s prolonged economic crisis remains the dominant drag on sentiment. Indian producers, in particular, have been feeling the jolt as weakened...
Michelle Henderson has been appointed as the new general manager of New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS), marking a return to the Tiwai Point operation where she first started her career. Her appointment brings a mix of operational experience, governance expertise and deep regional ties at a time when the smelter is preparing for its next phase. She will succeed Matt Black, who has been acting general manager since May. Henderson takes over on January 28, with Black continuing in the interim. Henderson began at Tiwai as a graduate engineer before moving through several frontline leadership roles, later taking on senior responsibilities across Rio Tinto’s global network. She went on to serve as chief operating officer at PowerNet and has held a range of high-profile directorships,...
Vedanta’s stock has entered a strong momentum zone. The global metal producer hit a new high of INR 542 (USD 6.03) on the BSE on Thursday, December 4, rising 2 per cent in intra-day trade. The stock has now rallied 10 per cent in eight sessions, reflecting a notable shift in investor sentiment. Over the past six months, vedanta limited has surged 24 per cent, sharply outperforming the BSE Sensex’s 5 per cent and the BSE Metal Index’s 12 per cent rise. The current rally is not a one-off. It is the outcome of operational discipline - seen in reduced aluminium cash costs and steady zinc volumes - along with firmer global aluminium premiums, strategic expansion, and stronger global cues that are aligning at the same time. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+...
The Tasmanian Government has moved to stabilise the immediate future of Bell Bay Aluminium (BBA) by extending its power agreement with Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s top renewable generator, for one year. The agreement protects more than 550 jobs and ensures uninterrupted operations while the state finalises long-term arrangements with Canberra. Tasmanian Minister for Energy and Renewables Nick Duigan says this one-year deal creates room to confirm BBA’s eligibility for the Green Aluminium Production Credit Scheme, a key federal mechanism intended to support low-carbon metal production. According to him, it is a small step towards a long-term, sustainable arrangement with Canberra. “ Smelters across the nation are facing headwinds , and this national challenge requires a national response,”...
On Wednesday, December 3, CLSA renewed its outperform rating on Hindalco and lifted the target price to INR 965 ( USD 11.63) per share following a round of investor interactions. The brokerage firm said the conversations pointed to growing confidence in the company’s earnings outlook and in the broader direction of aluminium prices. According to CLSA, even when the LME aluminium benchmark price had eased to USD 2,600 per tonne, a level lower than today’s spot price of roughly USD 2,850 per tonne, Hindalco’s ongoing investments in new capacity and its push for wider margins could place it on course to nearly double its EBITDA within five years. This expansion, it added, would likely translate into much stronger free cash flow as the cycle progresses. Explore- Most accurate data to drive...
Across the Gulf, the primary aluminium and alumina sector has been moving at a noticeably different pace this year. Aluminium output across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been edging lower through 2025, a trend that becomes clear once the latest numbers are lined up against last year’s. In the first ten months, smelters produced 5,128 thousand tonnes, compared with 5,282 thousand tonnes in the same period of 2024 — roughly a 2.9 per cent drop. Many operators sensed the shift even before the figures confirmed it, as daily output that once hovered around 17.2–17.5 thousand tonnes last year has settled closer to 16.7–17.0 thousand tonnes in 2025. Quarterly numbers confirm it. Q1 settled at 1.52 million tonnes compared with 1.58 million tonnes last year same period, and the daily...
On December 4, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price showed no change from the previous day’s close. On the other hand, 3-month prices rose slightly with a decline in the future contracts, but the openning stock and cancelled warrants dipped, but the live warrants held firm. The LME cash bid and offer price showed no change on December 4 in comparison to December 3 and each settled at USD 2,853 per tonne and USD 2,854 per tonne, respectively. The 3-month bid and offer rose by USD 2 per tonne or 0.1 per cent, where the bid reached USD 2,884 per tonne, up from USD 2,882 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,885 per tonne, up from USD 2,883 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The December 26 bid and offer declined by...
With the US imposing tariff rules at the beginning of 2025, India’s exporters face a hit in shipment volumes. Statistics by the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) reveal India’s sales to the United States dropped by 28.5 per cent between May and October, following the implementation of Washington’s revised duties. Exporters experienced early stress with shipments reduced from USD 8.83 billion to USD 6.31 billion, just as tariff adjustments were being introduced. But the situation escalated quickly with US tariffs rising from 10 per cent in April to 50 per cent in late August. GTRI warns that these downturns may translate into employment pressure if demand does not recover soon. The impact has not been limited to consumer goods. Exports of: Industrial metals, including aluminium, iron...
