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 European Union is treading a tightrope of de-escalation and retaliation, extending its suspension of retaliatory tariffs on American goods until early August while at the same time drawing up a huge new list of countermeasures and seeking worldwide allies in reaction to new tariff threats from Washington. Image generated by AI for representational purpose The transatlantic confrontation, initially sparked over aluminium and steel , now has the potential to expand into a much wider trade war, placing enormous stress on the worldwide aluminium supply chain. Shots fired The most recent flare-up was fuelled when US President Donald Trump sent a letter about a new 30 per cent tariff on everything the EU and Mexico export to the US, effective August 1. This follows the recent doubling of...
On Monday, July 14, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official price opened the week with a fall of USD 5.5 per tonne or 0.21 per cent. The prices settled at USD 2,585.50 per tonne (cash bid) and USD 2,586 per tonne (official settlement), respectively. As per the London Metal Exchange (LME) data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price dropped by USD 8 per tonne or 0.30 per cent to clock at USD 2,584.5 per tonne and USD 2,585 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price closed at USD 2,618 per tonne and US$2,623 per tonne, after reflecting a drop of USD 9 per tonne or 0.34 per cent. On the same day, LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price decreased by USD11 per tonne to arrive at USD 2,592 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 405550...
Alcoa Corporation, with its joint venture partner, IGNIS Equity Holdings, SL, have recently made an announcement of commencing the restart process of the San Ciprian smelter in Spain. Previously, on April 28, 2025, Alcoa's complex in this location received a wide power outage all across Spain, affecting the operations of both the smelter and the refinery. The production of this joint venture was curtailed in 2021 due to the high power prices. It began the process of restart, but again took a pause due to nationwide power outage in Spain on April 28, 2025, disrupting the overall operations in the adjacent smelter and refinery. Before the curtailment, the facility held the total production capacity of 228,000 tonnes annually, representing a substantial portion of the European aluminium...
Rio Tinto, a leading global mining group, has announced the appointment of Simon Trott as its new Chief Executive Officer. Trott is set to succeed Jakob Stausholm, with the position being effective from August 25, 2025. At present, Trott is working as the Ore Chief Executive, with an exceptional delivery for more than 25 years in dynamic roles ranging from commodities and geographics, focused on a strong value-based performance culture to bolstering partnerships with the stakeholders. He has already made a significant impact in strengthening our core business and deepening our relationships with stakeholders in Australia. In the role of Ore Chief Executive, Simon successfully upheld the business with improved operational performance, with a focus on the financial and safety disciplines....
South32, the global mining and metals giant has flagged a potential impairment about the future of its Mozal Aluminium smelter, in its FY25 financial results due to deepening uncertainty over the smelter’s long-term electricity supply. The mining and metals major stated that ongoing contract negotiations and worsening drought conditions have thrown the future of the smelter into question. The financial hit though not yet quantified could mark a critical turning point for one of Mozambique’s largest industrial operations. South32 stated in a regulatory filing, “HCB has also recently indicated that drought conditions have the potential to impact its electricity generation and capacity to deliver sufficient hydro-electric power to Mozal. “These factors have resulted in increased uncertainty...
The European aluminium industry has set its sights on an ambitious future with Vision 2050 a bold roadmap aimed at building a carbon-neutral, circular, and energy-efficient aluminium value chain by mid-century. On paper, the plan is visionary and inspiring but in practice, however, the journey ahead is fraught with challenges that demand urgent and decisive action. By 2050, global demand for primary aluminium is projected to surge by 50 per cent, reaching 107.8 million tonnes. To meet Europe’s growing needs sustainably, Vision 2050 calls for a carefully balanced approach that combines primary aluminium production with increased recycling efforts. Low-carbon aluminium production in Finland This urgency is already being felt as demand for low-carbon aluminium accelerates, driven by the...
On July 11, 2025, the Chairman of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Homaid Al Shimmari, began the final reduction cell process in the company's next-generation smelting technology pilot project in Al Taweelah. Image source: EGA Within the process of incorporating EX smelting technology, the pilot is the key step required for large-scale industrialisation, upholding the project as an integral foundation of EGA's strategic growth. Not only this, but this project will aid the company to amplify its position as the technology provider in the aluminium industry worldwide. EGA has been developing its aluminium smelting technology in the UAE for nearly three decades now, since the 1990s, reassembling the older potlines. By using its technologies, the firm has successfully been able to reduce the...
Primary aluminium inventories registered with the London Metal Exchange (LME) continued to rise in June, reaching 338,000 tonnes, up from 321,850 tonnes in May and 250,875 tonnes in April. This steady increase in stock levels was largely driven by a significant surge in Indian-origin aluminium entering LME warehouses. Image for representational purpose Indian aluminium inventories climbed sharply from 25,050 tonnes in April to 97,950 tonnes in May, and further to 114,150 tonnes in June. This rise boosted India’s share of total LME primary aluminium stocks to 34 per cent in June, up from 30 per cent in May and just 10 per cent in April, underscoring the growing global presence of Indian metal. In contrast, Russian-origin aluminium inventories at the LME have remained fairly stable in...
While both nations, the US and India, engage in a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) discussion, the latter country has shown an increased retaliatory action as opposed to the current import tariff on aluminium and steel imposed by the US. Recently, India announced to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) its intention to raise an additional USD 3.82 billion in import tariffs with significant adjustment duties on US goods. Does this signal a further trade tension between the two nations or the start of a new trade war? Image source: shutterstock.com The unprecedented hike in the US tariff on aluminium and steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on June 3, 2025, has been the stimulus for India for the additional tariff cost. With the higher duties, the Indian exports will witness an impact worth...
At its 60th Annual General Meeting, Vedanta Ltd. unveiled an ambitious roadmap for its next phase of growth, centred on a transformative 3D strategy of Demerger, Diversification, and Deleveraging. Chairman Anil Agarwal laid out a compelling vision to double Vedanta's size, unlock deep value for shareholders, and transform the company into a leading force in critical minerals, clean energy, and emerging technologies. The centrepiece of this strategy is a major demerger that has already secured over 99.5 per cent shareholder and creditor approval. Under this plan, Vedanta will split into four independent, sector-focused listed companies, each with its own growth trajectory and investor base. The goal: a sharper focus, faster growth, and clearer value creation. But Vedanta isn't stopping...
When it comes to aluminium, China is not just in the game — it is the game. As the world’s top producer and consumer, the country has long been the heavyweight champion in the global aluminium industry, gracefully sidestepping every curveball - be it anti-dumping duties, steep tariffs, or even its own annual production cap. Through it all, the country keeps flexing its muscles with jaw-dropping innovation, insatiable demand, and next-level sustainability goals. And guess what? AL Circle is right into the action – with boots on the ground and eyes on the alloy! The team has participated in one of the biggest trade shows and B2B platforms ALUMINIUM China 2025 as a media partner. That’s not all - we have also rolled out an interactive magazine dedicated to the event - titled " Aluminium...
Chinese tycoons are accelerating the growth of Indonesia’s aluminium industry with multibillion-dollar investments that echo the country’s earlier nickel boom and have the potential to disrupt the global aluminium market. Facing tightening production limits at home, giants like billionaire Xiang Guangda’s Tsingshan Holding Group, China Hongqiao Group, and Song Jianbo’s Shandong Nanshan Aluminium are shifting their focus to Southeast Asia’s largest economy, pouring capital into new smelters and refineries. Indonesia’s aluminium industry is on the cusp of dramatic growth, fuelled by both domestic policy shifts and a wave of foreign investment. According to Goldman Sachs, Indonesia’s aluminium output could increase fivefold by the end of the decade. Currently, as reported by Petromindo.com,...
“Tariff is the most beautiful word in the dictionary,” Donald Trump once declared. That wasn’t a throwaway line, but what seemed to be a transnational battle cry. Six months into his second term, the former and now current US President has turned the word into a policy instrument of unparalleled weight. And as of this week, the tariffs keep coming, swelling in scale, reach, and global consequence. Image for representational purposes only On July 9, Trump expanded his tariff net further , issuing formal notifications to seven new countries — Algeria (30 per cent), Iraq (30 per cent), Libya (30 per cent), the Philippines (20 per cent), Brunei (25 per cent), Moldova (25 per cent), and Sri Lanka (30 per cent) — warning that reciprocal duties on all goods from these nations will take effect...
The United States is on course to collect as much as USD 300 billion in tariff revenue by the end of 2025, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed, highlighting the scale of President Donald Trump’s aggressive trade strategy. Speaking during a White House Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Bessent reported that the US has already secured approximately USD 100 billion in tariff income this year, with revenues accelerating due to sweeping new import duties imposed in the second quarter. Image credit: en.wikipedia.org According to Reuters, the latest measures include a near-universal 10 per cent tariff on all US imports and increased rates on steel, aluminium and automobiles. “So we could expect that that could be well over USD 300 billion by the end of the year,” Bessent said, outlining the...
A quarterly and annual jump in the United States aluminium imports during the first quarter of 2025 comes as no surprise – and here’s why. President Trump’s February 10 proclamation announcing steep tariffs on aluminium and steel imports, effective March 12, sparked a wave of anticipatory buying. US importers rushed to stockpile metal in the weeks ahead of the tariff deadline, setting off a temporary import boom. According to data from the US Geological Survey, aluminium imports surged to 1.6 million tonnes in Q1 2025, marking a 17.65 per cent jump year-on-year and a 20 per cent rise from the previous quarter. March alone saw a 35 per cent month-over-month spike, from 459,000 tonnes to 619,000 tonnes. Of course, Canada, America’s long-standing aluminium supplier, naturally played a...
In a blow to Britain’s steel and aluminium exporters, the UK has officially missed the July 9 deadline to strike a deal with the United States over the continuation of punitive tariffs first imposed by the Trump administration in 2018. The breakdown in talks risks prolonging a trade dispute that many hoped would be resolved by now, leaving British metal producers disadvantaged and frustrated. Image for referential purposes only At the heart of the issue is a failure to agree on mutually acceptable terms for a deal akin to the ones the US struck with the EU, Japan, and other allies. While those nations secured tariff rate quotas (TRQs) that partially restored access to the American market, the UK remains stuck with Section 232 tariffs — 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium....
The wait is almost over! Just one day to go until the inauguration of the 20th ALUMINIUM CHINA , Asia’s leading trade show and B2B platform for the aluminium industry, taking place from the July 9 th to 11th at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Completing two decades of industry excellence, the event will spotlight Vietnam as the Guest Country of Honour, featuring exclusive forums, targeted business matchmaking, and special promotional showcases. The event is an ideal platform that brings together cutting-edge products, breakthrough technologies, advanced processes, and forward-looking applications spanning the entire aluminium value chain. Bringing together 600+ exhibitors and over 29,000 trade visitors and delegations, ALUMINIUM CHINA is not just a showcase or tradeshow, but a...
Note: This is an AI-generated image for respresentational purpose All eyes are now fixed on the trade dialogue between India and the United States that kicked off on June 26. The stakes are high—not for a full-fledged trade deal, but for an interim agreement that could shift the course of escalating tariff tensions. The clock is ticking, as July 9 marks the end of the 90-day suspension period of Donald Trump’s retaliatory 26 per cent aluminium tariffs announced on April 2. Over the past three months, both nations have engaged in a flurry of bilateral exchanges to resolve the tariff deadlock, particularly surrounding aluminium and steel. India even took its grievances to the World Trade Organization, challenging Washington's move as blatant protectionism disguised as trade policy. Yet, all...
