As the global aluminium supply chain continues to swing between shifts and crunches, how has Europe fared on the production front in the 2026 year-to-date calendar? Substantially well, going by the output figures. Between January and September 2026, the European continent, including Russia, has produced a total of 5.56 million tonnes of primary aluminium, building a significant year-on-year growth chart. The nine-month growth chart Set against the same period of 2025, the first nine months of 2026 show a clear lift in output. From January to September 2026, Europe, including Russia, produced 5.56 million tonnes of primary aluminium, raising the annual growth rate by 5.69 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) over the 5.26 million tonnes produced in 2025. Explore the production, demand and...
The proposed $4 billion Oklahoma Primary Aluminum (OPA) smelter, a joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum, is targeting civil works in the second quarter of 2027, with first hot metal expected between mid- and late 2030. Realization of the 750,000-metric-ton project would render it the first new US primary aluminum smelter in nearly 50 years. However, local restrictions, environmental permitting and ongoing legal hurdles clouded its path towards maintaining the construction timeline. A local moratorium and an April 7 ballot sit on the same calendar. 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 ” A...
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The contemporary landscape of international relations is increasingly defined by the deployment of economic sanctions. Once considered a blunt instrument of last resort, these measures have become a favoured tool for nations seeking to exert influence, punish transgressions, or compel policy shifts. Yet, the efficacy and broader ramifications of these economic straitjackets (specifically the European Union’s sanction upon Russia) are far from straightforward. Image for representational purposes only Today, we delve into the intricate world of EU sanction, exploring their genesis, the multifaceted impacts they inflict on both the targeted and the imposing, and the swirling debates that question their very purpose and morality. Unmasking the sanction: origins and objectives The imposition...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has outperformed its sector, reaching an intraday high of INR 192.15 at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 20. This surge in stock price signals strong long-term growth potential for the company. Additionally, NALCO's attractive dividend yield offers shareholders a solid return and reflects a positive overall market trend. Despite a slight pullback as the day progressed, the stock remained resilient, closing at INR 190.27. Compared to Monday, March 17, NALCO's stock price has risen by 2.63 per cent, moving up from INR 185.39. The stock reached its peak on March 7, hitting INR 195.17, but then experienced a decline in following days, dipping as low as INR 186.38 on March 19. However, in just one day, the company's stock has rebounded by 2.1 per cent per...
Vedanta Limited, a massive player in the Indian aluminium industry, is one step closer to announcing its site for what the brand mentions as the world’s first 100 per cent green aluminium manufacturing plant, shares Group Chairman Anil Agarwal in a media interview. He has delineated the company’s pursuits to develop aluminium production further and meld renewable energy into its core operations. Vedanta Aluminium has strategised to boost its production capacity by 3 million tonnes annually. Image Source: https://vedantaaluminium.com/ The public declaration was just in time ahead of Vedanta’s demerger enactment , leading to the composition of five distinctive entities – Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil and Gas, Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials, and Vedanta Power. The...
Okay, first things first to be straightened out — the US aluminium and steel tariff implemented is not the only tariff that businesses have to pay while exporting commodities to the nation’s backyard. If a country was paying a 10 per cent tariff to export aluminium goods to the US, they are now not paying 25 per cent but a 35 (10+25) per cent tariff for the good. All of the secrets lie in the word 'additional'! Image for representational purposes only In February 2025, the US administration reinstated and broadened Section 232 tariffs, imposing a flat 25 per cent ad valorem duty on all steel and aluminium imports, effective from March 12, 2025. The tariffs were imposed through Presidential Proclamations 10895 and 10896, signed on February 10, 2025. The updated tariffs now encompass both...
European Aluminium welcomes the European Commission’s EU Steel & Metals Action Plan as an important step toward addressing the critical challenges facing the aluminium industry. Aluminium is a strategic raw material essential for the green and digital transitions, defence, and other key sectors. However, with the new U.S. tariffs on aluminium in place, the urgency for action has only accelerated. Europe can no longer afford to delay taking the necessary steps to secure the survival of its aluminium industry. "We appreciate the renewed focus on our sector and it's clear that policymakers are beginning to recognise the severity of the challenges our industry faces," says Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium. "There are certainly promising elements in the Plan. But strategy...
In recent developments at Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:CENX), Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer Robert Hoffman executed a stock sale totalling USD 49,974. This transaction involved the sale of 2,500 shares at an average price of USD 19.99 per share. Image for referential purposes onlhy Mr Hoffman's tenure at Century Aluminum spans over two decades, having joined the company in October 2004. His career progression includes roles such as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (2015-2017), Chief Information Officer (appointed in June 2017), and Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Chief Information Officer in 2021. In December 2024, following the departure of former Principal Accounting Officer Theresa Brainerd, Mr. Hoffman was...
In a rapidly evolving global metals scene, the Indian aluminium sector has found itself at a critical juncture. The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has formally called on the government to extend the Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme for aluminium-producing units operating under Advance Authorisation (AA), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). This intervention, as warned by the industry leaders, is essential to safeguard India’s export competitiveness and domestic manufacturing growth. Image for representational purposes only India ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of aluminium, boasting an impressive annual production capacity of 4.1 million tonnes and witnessing investments exceeding USD 20 billion in domestic...
JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd (SZSE:000612) has experienced a 3.9 per cent decline in its stock price over the past week, raising concerns among its predominantly individual investors, who hold a concrete 52 per cent stake in the company. The company's ownership structure reveals that the top 25 investors collectively own 48 per cent of the shares, with the largest shareholder, Zhangshu Hetai Ancheng Investment Center (Limited Partnership), possessing a 14 per cent stake. Kaiman Aluminum (Sanmenxia) Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Jinjiang Group hold 12 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively. Despite the recent stock decline, JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing reported a remarkable 153 per cent increase in earnings per share (EPS) over the past year. However, its...
In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global economic community, US President Donald Trump has imposed sweeping tariffs, notably a 25 per cent levy on steel and aluminium imports. This aggressive stance has elicited a chorus of reactions from world leaders, each grappling with the implications for their respective economies and the broader international trade landscape. Image for representational purposes only Iran is not in agreement to bend or, fend or mend “Won’t negotiate, do whatever the hell you want”, said the Iran President to Trump. “It is unacceptable for us that they (the US) give orders and make threats. I won’t even negotiate with you. Do whatever the hell you want”, state media quoted Masoud Pezeshkian as saying. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on...
The Trump administration's recent tariff hike on metals imports has raised fresh concerns within Europe, as fears mount that subsidised aluminium could flood the EU market. A draft proposal from the European Commission reveals that Brussels is now weighing potential measures to curb rising aluminium imports in a bid to shield its domestic industry. Image credit: Zalco In parallel, the Commission is also considering imposing duties on exports of scrap metals—a strategic move aimed at bolstering Europe's production sector amidst mounting global competition. Last week, the US Administration imposed steep 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium imports, triggering swift retaliation from the EU, which announced tariffs on up to USD 28 billion worth of American goods. While Europe already...
A reminder from President Donald Trump on Sunday, March 16: no exemptions will be granted to countries that have imposed counter-tariffs on the United States. As previously announced by the President, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, South Korea, and the European Union would face reciprocal duties starting in early April. Last month, Trump increased tariffs on aluminium and steel imports to 25 per cent with no exceptions. In response, the affected countries imposed heavy duties on US goods. Starting April 2, it is Trump's turn to retaliate by imposing tariffs on those countries, aiming to level up the playing field and protect American industries. Trump stated the US would impose tit-for-tat tariffs, matching those imposed by other countries—nothing less, nothing more. He also emphasised that the...
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s aggregated aluminium production through January and February 2025 amounted to 7.32 million tonnes, reflecting about 3 per cent growth year-on-year from 7.1 million tonnes. The higher Y-o-Y output could be attributed to the improved profitability of aluminium smelters in China, owing to contracted alumina prices, thanks to the ease of supply constraints. The most active alumina contract (SAOc1) on the Shanghai Futures Exchange fell over the first two months this year, ending at RMB 3,363 (USD464.81) per tonne as of February 28, down by 28 per cent from a peak of RMB 4,700 (USD 649.36) per tonne on January 2. There is a further projection of China’s primary aluminium ingot price hike through the upcoming months, further supporting the...
Russian aluminium boycott by Western countries, drop in product sales, particularly primary aluminium and alloys, and increased alumina costs – nothing could stop Rusal from experiencing a growth in profit in 2024. According to the company’s annual financial and operational results released on Friday, March 14, Rusal’s net profit in 2024 saw a leap of 184.75 per cent Y-o-Y from USD 282 million to USD 803 million, driven by higher prices of aluminium in the global market. The company’s gross profit stood at USD 2,821 million, up by 59.56 per cent from USD 1,768 million. Rusal’s aluminium and alumina production also successfully navigated high alumina costs, recording year-on-year growth of 3.7 per cent and 25.27 per cent. In 2024, the company produced 3.992 million tonnes of aluminium,...
The exports of aluminium from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the United States surged in the first 11 days of March 2025, according to data from the US Department of Commerce. Image credit: EGA; AL Arabiya This sharp increase comes as buyers rushed to secure shipments from their second-largest supplier ahead of the US tariffs that took effect. UAE aluminium exports to US (in tonnes) Data credit: Reuters So far, in March 2025, the UAE has exported 68,560.29 tonnes of aluminium to the US, a significant jump of +300 per cent growth compared to 16,124.88 tonnes for the entire month of March 2024. This volume marks the highest monthly export level in nearly two years. As the second-largest supplier of aluminium to the US, accounting for 8 per cent of total consumption, the UAE is...
Iran's primary aluminium production has surpassed 552,000 tonnes in the first 11 months of the current Iranian year (March 20, 2024 – February 18, 2025), driven by substantial increases in bauxite and alumina output growth. Image credit: Tehran Times The country's four major primary aluminium producers—South Aluminum (SALCO), Iranian Aluminium Company (Iralco), Almahdi, and Iran Alumina—collectively produced 552,185 tonnes of aluminium ingots during the mentioned period, as reported by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). In spite of this significant output, this reflects a slight decline of 5.16 per cent compared with the 582,200 tonnes produced in the same period in the previous fiscal year. IMIDRO is a major state-owned holding...
The global aluminium industry is currently grappling with significant challenges owing to the recently imposed tariffs on aluminium and steel by the United States. While the entire value chain is affected, it is the primary aluminium sector that is most shaken by the fluctuating nature of these tariffs. Donald Trump’s inconsistent approach to tariffs has left the industry puzzled. This week, his back-and-forth announcements—including a declaration to double tariffs on Canada, followed by a sudden reversal—have only added to the confusion. At the onset of the global tariffs on aluminium and steel, Donald Trump announced a dramatic increase in tariffs on Canadian aluminium imports, raising them from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, effective immediately. However, just hours later, the President...
On Wednesday, March 12, Donald Trump's global tariffs on aluminium and steel took effect. Nearly all the United States' trade allies have faced a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium exports, except China. It is the only country whose aluminium and steel products are subject to higher tariffs, with a total rate of 45 per cent. This comes as a result of a 20 per cent across-the-board duty imposed much before March 12, followed by the latest additional 25 per cent tariff. Image soure: Freepik What is China's reaction to it? The country has vowed to implement retaliatory measures in response to Donald Trump's latest 25 per cent tariff imposed on its aluminium and steel exports to the United States. During a press conference, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said, "China will...
War-ridden Ukraine and Russia have faced multi-disciplinary trade and economic losses for the past decade. The war, which escalated dramatically in 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has left both nations grappling with shattered economies. Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the European Union (EU), choking its trade routes and cutting off key industries from global markets. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s critical mineral deals have faced uncertainty, and its infrastructure, including key industrial zones — has suffered extensive damage, further crippling its economic output. Image for representational purposes only The conflict stems from Russia’s demand for a ban on Ukraine ever joining the NATO military alliance — a move Moscow views as a direct threat to its sphere of influence. Russian...
