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...
Grow with
AL Circle
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ali Aseeri as the Acting Manager of Engineering & Projects, effective immediately. With over 20 years of engineering experience, Ali began his career at Alba in 2005 within the Engineering Department. Since then, he has played a key role in major capacity enhancement initiatives, including the Line 6 Expansion, the Line 4 Anode Enlargement Project, and the upgrades of Gas Treatment Centres 1 to 4. Academically, Ali holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic and an MBA from the Arabian Gulf University. He also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project...
Maan Aluminium, a manufacturer and trader of aluminium profiles, has seen a sharp rise in its stock price to INR 122.95 (USD 1.43) as of July 21, marking a significant recovery from earlier lows this year. Image for representational purpose The stock’s recent surge follows a challenging period beginning in late February 2025. On February 25, Maan Aluminium was trading at INR 97.50 (USD 1.12) but quickly slipped amid sector volatility and broader market weakness. After a market holiday on February 26, the stock declined further to INR 92.74 (USD 1.06) on February 27, then dropped below INR 90 (USD 1.03) and closed at INR 89.56 (USD 1.03) by February 28. The downtrend continued into March, culminating in a 52-week low of INR 75.51 (USD 0.88) on March 28. However, the tide began to turn...
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) registered significant growth in almost all areas. To begin with, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.34 per cent to settle at USD 2,591 per tonne and USD 2,591.50 per tonne. As per the LME aluminium price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.34 per cent and USD 35 per tonne or 1.36 per cent to settle at USD 2,595 per tonne and USD 2,596 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price also marked a hike of USD 37 per tonne or 1.42 per cent to arrive at USD 2,635 per tonne and USD 2,640 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price surged by USD 51.5 per tonne or 1.99 per cent to clock at USD...
In mid-July, China's aluminium ingot prices remained stable, supported by elevated raw material costs and ongoing efforts to reduce inventory buildup. Despite increased motorcycle production and government subsidies driving the demand, overall market growth remained subdued due to seasonal slowdowns, export challenges and weaker order volumes. Meanwhile, in Japan, demand for high-purity ingots, particularly from the automotive and aluminium sectors, is providing market support. Image source: IndiaMART For the week ending July 11, 2025, aluminium ingot prices in China remained stable, marking consistent growth from the previous week. Rising raw material costs and a significant reduction in supply-side availability drove this trend. On the supply front, weekly bauxite arrivals at domestic...
European aluminium billet manufacturers entered 2025 with caution, and by mid-year, that caution had hardened into sweeping production cuts. The billet market, once a bellwether for demand in construction, transport, and extrusion-heavy sectors, has weakened considerably in the first half of the year. In response, a notable shift has emerged: aluminium producers are pivoting towards enhanced molten metal trade as an alternative channel to absorb surplus capacity and meet more immediate domestic needs. Image for referential purposes only (source: https://www.syalons.com/) The strategic shift is not merely opportunistic. It’s a calculated survival tactic rooted in price pressures and vanishing demand. The billet problem Aluminium prices, both for primary and alloy grades, have fluctuated at...
The state-owned aluminium smelting firm, PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), has reportedly urged the government to revisit the country's import strategy to strengthen the local market , in lieu of anticipated reduction in exports to the United States due to Donald Trump’s decision of doubling aluminium tariffs from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on May 30, 2025. Inalum, in particulr, expects about 30,000 tonnes of it exports to the US to be affected. “Inalum has been producing semi-finished products, which are then purchased by the domestic industry to be made into finished products,” said Melati Sarnita, Inalum’s President Director, during a parliamentary session on July 16, 2025. Domestic market: a lifeline amid global trade shifts Sarnita urged the Indonesian government to increase...
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) edged lower across key contracts on July 17, with spot, 3-month, and December 2026 prices all registering modest declines. The LME aluminium cash bid price fell to USD 2,556.50 per tonne, marking a USD 11 drop or 0.43 per cent decline from USD 2,567.50 per tonne on July 16. The cash offer settlement price also dipped by 0.43 per cent, from USD 2,568 per tonne to USD 2,557 per tonne. In the forward market, the 3-month aluminium bid price stood at USD 2,560.50 per tonne, down USD 5.50 or approximately 0.21 per cent from USD 2,566 per tonne a day earlier. The 3-month offer price followed suit, decreasing by 0.23 per cent to USD 2,561 per tonne, compared to USD 2,567 per tonne on July 16. Longer-dated contracts also recorded a dip. The...
Aluminium production at Mozal, Mozambique’s largest industrial operation, rose 12 per cent year-on-year to 265,000 tonnes in the nine months ending March 2025, supported by improved operational conditions and the successful execution of South32’s recovery plan following civil unrest after the October 2024 elections. Image for representational purpose According to data reviewed by Lusa, South32 linked the output rise to efforts aimed at “mitigating the impacts of civil unrest” in the country. While quarterly performance improved, full-year FY 2024 production dropped 9 per cent to around 314,000 tonnes from the last year, reflecting persistent challenges around energy supply. The document states, “Operational conditions in Mozambique improved during the first quarter of 2025, allowing the...
Gujarat-based aluminium casting manufacturer Swastika Castal is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on July 21, marking its debut on the capital markets via the BSE SME platform. Image for representational purpose The fixed price issue will be open until July 23, with the allotment of shares expected to be finalised by July 24. The company’s shares are scheduled to commence trading on July 28. Swastika Castal aims to raise INR 14.07 crore through the public issue of 21.64 lakh shares at a fixed price of INR 65 per share. The company plans to use INR 5 crore from the IPO proceeds for the purchase of plant and machinery and the construction of new facilities. An additional INR 5.5 crore is earmarked for working capital requirements, while INR 1.6 crore will be directed towards...
Alcoa and Rio Tinto, two of the biggest aluminium players with significant operations in North America, are publicly challenging the very policy that once appeared to shield them. According to fresh revelations this week, Alcoa claims Trump’s aluminium tariffs have cost it USD 115 million in elevated raw material expenses during the ongoing year’s second quarter, while Rio Tinto has warned of “distortions” in the US market that are “undermining competitiveness rather than enhancing it.” Image for referential purposes only When former US President Donald Trump launched the Section 232 tariffs in 2018, cloaked in the language of national security, American aluminium producers cheered. The logic seemed straightforward. As the nation slapped a 10 per cent import tariff on aluminium, it would...
Primary aluminium has long been the backbone of aircraft construction, valued for its unmatched combination of strength, durability, and low weight. Today, its role is expanding beyond performance, into sustainability. With the aviation industry under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, recycled aluminium is taking centre stage in modern aircraft manufacturing. Image for representational purpose From next-generation commercial jets like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 to legacy models such as the MD-11 and Lockheed C-5M Super Galaxy, the metal continues to shape the skies, now with a greener edge. The backbone of aircraft structures Primary aluminium's versatility and strength-to-weight ratio make it the ideal choice for the structural integrity of aircraft. Aircraft such as the...
Strong results amid market headwinds, Alcoa's Q2 2025 earnings reflect resilience worth noting. On July 17, Alcoa Corporation, an American-based leading aluminium manufacturer, posted its financial performance for the second quarter of 2025. This report represents the firm's strong operational performance with a subsequent increase in its cash deposits, irrespective of the lowered alumina and aluminium prices, with increased tariff costs. Image source: wikipedia.org Q2 in a nutshell In Q2 2025, Alcoa demonstrated strong operational performance, underpinned by robust aluminium production. The company also reported increased sales following the completion of its acquisition of a full 25.1 per cent ownership interest in the joint venture with Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma'aden, effective...
Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest metals and mining corporation, posted a mixed yet overall strong operational performance in the second quarter of 2025, reporting year-on-year growth across bauxite, alumina, and aluminium production. Bauxite and aluminium output rose both compared to Q2 2024 and the previous quarter, while alumina production increased from a year earlier but edged down slightly from Q1 2025. Image source: Rio Tinto Production overview Bauxite production in Q2 2025 rose to 15.6 million tonnes, up 6 per cent from 14.7 million tonnes in Q2 2024. The figure also marked a slight increase from 15 million tonnes recorded in Q1 2025, signalling consistent quarterly growth. Alumina production reached 1.8 million tonnes in Q2 2025, reflecting an 8 per cent year-on-year...
On Wednesday, July 16, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by USD 26 per tonne or 1 per cent to halt at USD 2,567.5 per tonne and USD 2,568 per tonne. As per the London Metal Exchange (LME) data , both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price slumped by USD 29.5 per tonne and USD 29 per tonne to clock at USD 2,566 per tonne and USD 2,567 per tonne. On the same day, both December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price dropped by USD 27 per tonne or 1 per cent to settle at USD 2,603 per tonne and USD 2,608 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price fell by USD 3 per tonne to arrive at USD 2,577.5 per tonne. In contrast, LME aluminium opening stock gained 6,550 tonnes to settle at 423525 tonnes. Live warrants gained 6650 tonnes...
Century Aluminium Company, an integrated producer of bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium products and the largest primary aluminium producer in the United States, has announced the pricing of its previously disclosed private offering of USD 400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875 per cent senior secured notes due August 2032. The company also operates production facilities in Iceland, the Netherlands and Jamaica. The notes will be issued at par (100.00 per cent of their aggregate principal amount) and will pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1 each year, starting February 1, 2026, at a rate of 6.875 per cent per annum in cash. Unless earlier redeemed or repurchased, the notes will mature on August 1, 2032. The transaction is expected to close on July...
All eyes are on Alcoa Corporation’s Q2 2025 earnings, set to be revealed on July 16, 2025. In the meantime, Zacks Investment Research has offered an early outlook, projecting the company’s revenue to reach USD 2.91 billion, reflecting a modest increase of 0.3 per cent from the same quarter in 2024. But the estimation on year-on-year movement says otherwise as Zacks estimates Alcoa to face a decline. Zack’s estimation on Alcoa’s earning per share, on the other hand, shows it has decreased in the past 30 days, amounting to 30 cents. But if the figure is compared with the prior year's quarterly level, it represents an increase of 87.5 per cent. The company's four-quarter earnings show an average of 57.4 per cent, which is significantly higher than the estimate. Supports gained for Alcoa's...
Romanian aluminium producer ALRO, a subsidiary of Cyprus-based Vimetco PLC, marked 28 years of trading on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) and 60 years of uninterrupted industrial activity. Since its listing on October 16, 1997, ALRO’s market capitalisation has soared nearly 21 times and now exceeds RON 1 billion (USD 220 million). Image credit: BVB press release The company’s journey began with the production of Romania’s first batch of aluminium on June 30, 1965, at the Aluminium Plant in Slatina. Since then, more than 12 million tonnes of cast aluminium and 11 million tonnes of electrolytic aluminium have been produced in the country. Over its time on the stock exchange, ALRO has seen over 220,000 transactions involving more than 510 million of its shares, with a total value...
Aluminium prices recorded slight gains across key London Metal Exchange (LME) price chart on Tuesday, July 15, while alumina saw a minor decline. The LME cash bid price for aluminium rose to USD 2,593.50 per tonne, up from USD 2,585.50 per tonne on July 14, an increase of 0.31 per cent. The cash offer price also climbed by 0.31 per cent, from USD 2,586 per tonne to USD 2,594 per tonne. LME’s 3-month aluminium price chart reflected similar momentum, with the bid price rising by 0.41 per cent to USD 2,595.50 per tonne and the offer price increasing by 0.43 per cent to USD 2,596 per tonne, compared to July 14. December 26 aluminium price closed with a bid price of USD 2,630 per tonne and an offer price of USD 2,635 per tonne, both rising by approximately 0.46 per cent from the previous day’s...
