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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The IBAAS–IMMT–IIM 2025 conference in Bhubaneswar, held from October 8 to 10, brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry veterans from around the world to talk about the future of aluminium. It wasn’t just another technical meet. It felt more like a statement — that India is ready to take on a leading role in shaping how the aluminium industry evolves over the next decade. Odisha has long been the country’s aluminium heartland, home to some of India’s richest bauxite deposits and major refining operations. But the tone this year was different. Instead of focusing only on output and expansion, much of the discussion turned to sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth — how to make progress without leaving a negative mark on the environment or local communities. The...
US imports of containerised goods fell 8.4 per cent in September compared with a year earlier, reflecting the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Shipments from China dropped sharply by 22.9 per cent, according to new data released on Thursday. The effect was seen on aluminium , footwear and electric machinery as they showed the steepest declines, resulting in China-origin imports drop to 762,772 TEUs. Imports from South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Germany and Italy also weakened, while Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and India gained a modest market share. However, despite the fall, US seaports handled 2.31 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September, marking the third-highest September volume on record, said Descartes. However,...
The upward trajectory of the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices followed on Thursday, October 9, where both the cash bid and offer rose by USD 36 per tonne or 1.3 per cent, marking each at USD 2,786 per tonne and USD 2,786.5 per tonne, respectively. At the same time, the LME 3-month bid and offer also went up by USD 28 per tonne or 1.02 per cent to finally settle at USD 2,780 per tonne and USD 2,781 per tonne. A similar trend is seen in the December 26 bid and offer as well, when it escalated by USD 24 per tonne or 0.9 per cent, and each stood at USD 2,807 per tonne and 2,812 per tonne. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2025 outlook, read “ Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025 ” The aluminium Asian Reference Price also spiked by USD 45 per tonne or 1.6...
India’s leading integrated aluminium producer, National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), recorded 11,005,871 shares on October 8, with a total turnover of approximately INR 244.13 million (USD 27.5 million). The stock opened at INR 218.15 (USD 2.456) and climbed to an intraday high of INR 223.23 (2.514), marking a gain of 2.84 per cent over yesterday’s close of INR 217.07 (2.444). After two consecutive down sessions, the stock has reversed trend and outperformed its sector by 0.82 per cent. In technical terms, it is now trading above its 5-, 20-, 50-, 100- and 200-day moving averages, underlining a strong relative performance. However, investor participation appears muted: delivery volume dropped by 49.49 per cent versus the 5-day average, clocked at 2.423 million on 7 October. The stock...
When aluminium crossed paths with ambition, Carney and Trump found common ground, transforming the landscape of North American trade. Carney mentioned that he and Trump discovered a shared understanding on topics like aluminium, steel and energy, suggesting a potential for closer cooperation within North America. Second round of meet up In early October 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, marking his second trip to the White House since he took office. The main goal of this " working visit " is to tackle ongoing trade disputes, especially the US tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, which shot up to 50 per cent earlier this year. While Canadian officials are cautiously optimistic, they recognise the...
A massive leap in the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price is seen on October 8, 2025, when the price surged significantly. However, the cancelled warrant rose on the same day. Both the LME aluminium cash bid and offer price went up by USD 37 per tonne or 1.4 per cent and each settled at USD 2,750 per tonne and USD 2,750.5 per tonne. Concurrently, the LME 3-Month bid rose by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.3 per cent and is currently at USD 2,752 per tonne. The 3-month offer also rose by USD 35 per tonne or 1.3 per cent and was finally recorded at USD 2,753 per tonne. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2025 outlook, read “ Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025 ” The trend further followed in the December 26 bid and offer, where both surged by USD 30 per tonne or 1.1...
Argentina’s government has suspended export taxes on aluminium , steel and related products from Wednesday to boost export competitiveness and stimulate industrial output. The policy, effective until 31 December 2025, applies only to destinations where import tariffs are at least 45 per cent. It reflects Argentina’s intent to liberalise trade amid domestic economic challenges. The suspension aims to revitalise one of Argentina’s key productive sectors while easing financial strain on exporters. Aluminium and steel producers have faced global price volatility and high production costs. The government hopes this measure will encourage foreign exchange inflows through higher shipments abroad. According to the decree, the tax suspension is a temporary relief for industrial producers and is...
Vedanta Limited has reported record-breaking aluminium and alumina production in its second-quarter (Q2) results for FY2025-26, released on Saturday, October 4. The Indian producer said both first-quarter and first-half aluminium output reached all-time highs, supported by improved operational efficiencies and higher refinery throughput. Quarterly performance analysis According to the company’s data, total alumina production during Q2 FY2025-26 stood at 653,000 tonnes, marking an 11.25 per cent increase from 587,000 tonnes recorded in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, alumina output surged 31 per cent from 499,000 tonnes in Q2 FY2024-25, reflecting consistent capacity utilisation at the Lanjigarh refinery. Total aluminium production for the three months ended September 30,...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), a leader in global aluminium production, is reportedly looking into the possibility of acquiring Companhia Brasileira de Aluminio (CBA), a supplier of low-carbon aluminium, as per two sources who are in the know. CBA's comprehensive operations that cover the entire aluminium value chain make it an attractive option for EGA's strategic growth plans. EGA, which is co-owned by Abu Dhabi's sovereign wealth fund Mubadala and the Investment Corporation of Dubai, is said to be working with Morgan Stanley as its investment banking adviser for a possible acquisition, according to sources aware of the situation. Little on CBA According to data from LSEG, CBA had a market capitalisation of about USD 487 million at the close of the market on Monday. The firm, which is...
The persistent supply chain concerns owing to growing demand in tandem with improved industrial operating rates have reportedly driven aluminium prices up by 0.64 per cent, reaching INR 261.35 (USD 2.94). Limited Chinese aluminium output coupled with supply chain disruptions in Guinea have suppressed the productivity of aluminium smelters, resulting in price hike. China’s manufacturing PMI remained below the expansion threshold at 49.8, which shows a subdued industrial momentum. Nevertheless, production limits continue to underpin prices, as the country’s aluminium output nears its annual cap of 45 million tonnes, restricting further supply growth. Meanwhile, the suspension of Guinea Alumina’s mining licence has raised concerns over potential disruptions to bauxite shipments, particularly...
On Tuesday, October 7, the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash bid rose by USD 1 per tonne or 0.03 per cent and settled at USD 2,713 per tonne. The LME cash bid inched up by USD 0.5 per tonne or 0.02 per cent and is currently priced at USD 2,713.5 per tonne. A similar trend has been witnessed in the LME 3-Month bid and offer price, which rose by USD 2.5 per tonne or 0.09 per cent and USD 2 per tonne or 0.07 per cent. Each on Tuesday was locked at USD 2,717.5 per tonne and USD 2,718 per tonne, respectively. On the contrary, no change has been seen in the December 26 bid and offer price, which is at USD 2,753 per tonne and USD 2,758 per tonne. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2025 outlook, read “ Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025 ” LME aluminium 3-month Asian...
Hub Power Company Limited (HUBC), the largest independent power producer in Pakistan, is looking to set up an aluminium smelter in Karachi. This move could help absorb the country’s surplus electricity while adding industrial value. In a recent meeting, CEO Kamran Kamal and CFO Muhammad Saqib confirmed that leadership has outlined plans ranging from potential aluminium production to a national electric vehicle (EV) network in partnership with Chinese automaker BYD. The aluminium smelter will be located on HUBC’s 1,100-acre industrial site near the coast, leveraging sea and land logistics. Alumina, the primary input, will be imported via port infrastructure, but local bauxite reserves, 200 million tonnes across Khushab, Ziarat, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK),...
Century Aluminum Company has extended its power agreement with South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), securing reliable electricity for the Mt. Holly smelter through 2031, an essential step toward restarting idle capacity at the Charleston-area facility. The renewed PPA advances Century’s ambition to help revive US primary aluminium production. The company plans to invest USD 50 million to bring idle lines back online, adding 50,000 metric tons of output and lifting overall US aluminium supply by 10 per cent. The expansion will create 100+ jobs and enable Mt. Holly, now at 75 per cent capacity, to reach full production by early summer 2026, its first time at that level since 2015. “This expansion at our Mt. Holly plant is thanks to President Trump’s hard work to support...
Oceania’s aluminium and alumina industries are navigating a period of transition. Refinery closures, rising power prices, and shifting global markets have reshaped output across the region. Australia remains at the centre of this activity, continuing to supply much of the world’s bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. Between 2023 and 2025, aging infrastructure, cost pressures, and softer market conditions have gradually weighed on production. Even so, producers are investing in modernisation, environmental improvements, and digital upgrades to make operations more efficient and resilient for the long term. Daily aluminium output holds steady From January to June 2025, Oceania produced 923 thousand tonnes of aluminium, down 1.8 per cent from 940 thousand tonnes in the same period of...
On Monday, October 6, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved up by USD 10 per tonne or 0.37 per cent and 0.36 per cent to halt at USD 2,712 per tonne and USD 2,713 per tonne. As per the data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also added USD 12 per tonne or 0.44 per cent and USD 11 per tonne or 0.40 per cent to settle at USD 2,715 per tonne and USD 2,716 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price inched up by USD 10 per tonne or 0.36 per cent to arrive at USD 2,753 per tonne and USD 2,758 per tonne. Explore our B2B marketplace - AL Biz LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price hiked by USD 22 per tonne or 0.81 per cent to reach USD 2,725 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock settled at 507,300 tonnes. Live warrants...
Vedanta Ltd has again pushed back the date for its ambitious demerger. It has moved the target deadline from September 2025 to March 31, 2026, as it awaits approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and completion of related restructuring formalities. Image source: Vedanta Aluminium The crown jewel of the conglomerate Vedanta’s aluminium assets have long been seen as the crown jewel of its diverse portfolio. Under the original demerger blueprint, the company planned to spin off Vedanta Aluminium as a separate pure-play entity, bundling its bauxite mines, alumina refineries, smelters, and captive power capacity into this vertical. However, this is not the first delay in the plans it has experienced. In fact, in earlier versions of the plan, Vedanta envisaged up to six demerged...
All eyes are on the fourteenth round of EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, scheduled on Monday, October 6, in Brussel, as it promises to build stronger ties of trade and economy between India and the European Union. However, there are a few challenges that have been hindering the deal to reach its ultimate goal. This time, EU Ambassador Herve Delphin has, however, assured that the bloc is committed to delivering a mutually beneficial deal, noting that the EU-India trade partnership holds critical importance at a time when tariffs and market access barriers dominate global discourse. He has also pointed out that in this challenging situation, EU-India economic ties stand apart, with EU companies generating a total annual turnover of 86 million euros in India, which is...
Vedanta Ltd, under the leadership of Anil Agarwal, has revealed plans to invest INR 13,226 crore (USD 148 million) to boost its aluminium production capacity from the current 2.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 3.1 MTPA by FY28. This move underscores the company's dedication to solidifying its presence in India's aluminium industry. Focus: Vedanta’s current AL production expansion The company holds a commanding share of over 50 per cent in the domestic aluminium market. It is setting its sights on aluminium as the key player in achieving its ambitious group-level EBITDA target of USD 8 to 10 billion by FY28, as highlighted in a recent exchange filing. Aluminium, being the second most consumed metal globally after steel, is increasingly important in vital sectors like electric mobility,...
