
Primary aluminium imports: According to data from the General Administration of Customs, domestic primary aluminium imports stood at approximately 186,000 tonnes in August 2026, up 0.2 per cent month-on-month and down 14.6 per cent year-on-year. Cumulative domestic primary aluminium imports from January to August 2026 reached roughly 1.657 million tonnes, a year-on-year decline of 3.4 per cent. Primary aluminium exports: Customs data showed domestic primary aluminium exports were around 22,000 tonnes in August 2026, dropping 30.7 per cent month-on-month and 14.7 per cent year-on-year. Cumulative primary aluminium exports between January and August 2026 totalled approximately 168,000 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of about 9.3 per cent. Net imports of primary aluminium:...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph continues to drop across the pricing and contract segments on the September 24 trading session, reporting declines over the September 23 close . The LME aluminium cash bid slumped from USD 3,239.5 per tonne to USD 3,227 per tonne, rising 0.39 per cent. The offer price moved from USD 3,240 per tonne to USD 3,228 per tonne, dropping by 0.37 per cent. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium three-month bid contracted from USD 3,258 per tonne to USD 3,252 per tonne, decreasing by 0.18 per cent. The offer price plunged from USD 3,260 per tonne to USD 3,252.5 per tonne, representing a 0.23 per cent...
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The US dollar fell against most major currencies on Friday. Base metals, except for LME aluminium, declined across the board last weekend. SHFE metals kept their declines within 1%. LME aluminium price closed Friday’s trading at US$ 1848 per tonne. This was up 0.38 per cent from US$ 1841 per tonne on Thursday. LME aluminium faced pressure from the 10-day moving average after it rose to a high of US$1,888.5 per tonne last Friday night. It is likely to trade at US$1,840-1,900 per tonne today. As on March 8, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1846 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1848 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1870 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1872 per tonne; Dec 20 bid price stands at US$ 2008 per tonne, and Dec 20 offer price...

Norsk Hydro is nominated for a Green Award in the category “Innovation of the year” for its technology pilot in Karmøy. The award ceremony will take place as part of the Green Tech Festival 2019 in Berlin, May 24. “A lot of Hydro people have put so much effort into making the technology pilot a reality. They deserve this award,” said Head of technology in Hydro Primary Metal Thorvald Mellerud. The technology pilot has been in full operation since June 2018 and “aims to verify at an industrial scale the world’s most energy and climate-efficient technology for aluminium production,” the company said. The technology will use 15% less energy during production. “We are honored to be nominated and I hope as many as possible in Hydro will vote for us. The realization of the technology pilot is...

According to a recent report, Canadian aluminium exports to Europe are expected to extend rise this year, if the Section 232 tariff is not lifted by the United States. Since when the Trump administration levied 10 per cent tariff on aluminium and 25 per cent on steel imports in March 2018, Canada had been diverting primary aluminium P1020 shipments to Europe, where Canadian exports have duty free status. Consequently, Canadian aluminium exports to Europe rose by more than 11-fold to 15,927 tonnes in 2018, up from 1,362 tonnes in 2017, trade data showed. Canada’s aluminium deliveries to the US last year thus accounted for 4.5 per cent of the region’s total imports of 353,279 tonnes. The surge in exports was also partly driven by the US sanctions on Russian giant Rusal, as buyers secured...

China’s production of primary aluminium decreased 1.54 per cent in February, and stood at 2.68 million tonnes, as reported by Shanghai Metals Market. Domestic primary aluminium capacity under operation stood at an annualised 35.9 million tonnes by the end of last month, a decrease of 130,000 tonnes per year from a year earlier. Despite new capacity at Inner Mongolia’s Chuangyuan and Guyang smelters, capacity cuts at Shaanxi Hengkang, Shandong Huayu, Shanxi Huasheng, Shanxi Huaze, Jiaozuo Wanfang, and Inner Mongolia Tongshun Aluminum kept operating capacity at lows in February. Primary aluminium output is expected to drop 1.6 per cent year-on-year to 2.98 million tonnes in March. Domestic primary aluminium capacity under operation is estimated at an annualised 36.05 million tonnes by the...

The US dollar increased against a basket of currencies, to a near three-month peak as the euro sold off. Base metals declined for the most part last night. LME aluminium inched up and SHFE aluminium closed slightly lower. LME aluminium price closed lower from previous day at US$ 1841 per tonne during the day’s closing yesterday. This was down 0.27% from US$ 1846 per tonne. LME aluminium rebounded after it dipped to a low of US$1,857 per tonne. The metal ended at US$1,863 per tonne. LME aluminium is likely to trade at US$1,840-1,890 per tonne today. As on March 7, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1840.5 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1841 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1863 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1864 per tonne; Dec 20 bid...

According to Shanghai Metals Market, purchasing enthusiasm among downstream consumers improved across spot aluminium markets in east and south China on Thursday morning as prices dropped. Spot transactions were mostly found at RMB 13,610 per tonne to RMB 13,620 per tonne in Shanghai and Wuxi while in Hangzhou, the spot deals were mostly at RMB 13,610 per tonne to RMB 13,630 per tonne. This represents that the traded price fell by over RMB 70 per tonne this morning compared with yesterday. The front-month March aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange also glided from the previous day. Spot aluminium discounts in Shanghai stood at RMB 50 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne against the SHFE 1903 contract, wider than RMB 30 per tonne to RMB 10 per tonne as on yesterday morning....

RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, announced its results for the year ended 31 December 2018. Total revenue increased by 3.1% to USD10,280 million in 2018, as compared to USD9,969 million in 2017. The company achieved net profit of USD1.698 billion, up 39% from USD1.222 billion in 2017. The recurring net profit stood at USD1.695 billion, as compared to USD1.573 billion in 2017. Evgenii Nikitin, CEO of RUSAL, said: “Despite the OFAC Sanctions, RUSAL’s robust full year results demonstrated skillful crisis management alongside the ability to adapt to a new operations’ environment. It maintained its strong market position through its high managerial competence and operational flexibility. In 12M18, aluminium production totaled 3,753 thousand tonnes which is a 1.2% increase compared...

Social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, stood 1.749 million tonnes as of Thursday March 7, up some 5,000 tonnes from Thursday February 28, Shanghai Metals Market data showed. Inventories declined about 6,000 tonnes from Monday March 4. Growth of stocks of primary aluminium ingots slowed further this week as consumption recovered. The chart below indicates the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China: Compared with last Thursday, Inventories in Shanghai, Nanhai, Guangdong increased 3,000 tonnes and 22,000 tonnes to stand at 313,000 tonnes and 374,000 tonnes respectively. Stocks in Wuxi, Jiangsu and Gongyi, Henan stood at 639,000 tonnes and 156,000 tonnes as of Monday March 7, down 5,000 tonnes and...

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...