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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Amid the growing global demand for aluminium, Gulf producers' decision to halt fresh investments in 2025 has come as a bolt from the blue. The news came earlier this week after Mahmoud Al-Daylami, secretary general of the Dubai-based Gulf Aluminium Council, stated in an interview with Saudi Arabic daily Aleqtisadia , "I do not expect any new investments in expansions in the GCC smelters this year. Instead, they will concentrate on upgrading operational efficiency and performance, despite an expected 3 to 5 per cent growth in global output." Image source: Sohar Aluminium In his statement, he even highlighted that aluminium production in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries grew significantly in 2024, reaching nearly 6.45 million tonnes. "Production by aluminium smelters in the GCC...
The aluminium and energy business Norsk Hydro has come together with the world’s second-largest metal and mining company, Rio Tinto, intending to determine and estimate available carbon capture technologies for future implementation in the aluminium electrolysis process. The globally recognised entities have bound themselves into a partnership agreement, proferring each other with particular information exchange, outcomes and costs covering specific research and development (R&D) activities from lab tests with external suppliers to larger, on-site pilots, with the aim of creating improved benefaction of commercially practicable carbon capture technologies from pertinent suppliers. Hydro President and CEO Eivind Kallevik said, “Hydro is accelerating our ambitious roadmap to achieve...
Speculations of a phase-wise ban revolve around the European Union’s 16th sanction package against Russia as the date of implementation draws near. Russia, which has been at gunpoint since its invasion into Ukraine. Opposing the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, a political call by the Russian Federation to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent entities (followed later by Kherson and Zaporizhzhia), and the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU introduced a series of trade-related restrictive measures (till date 16) known as sanction packages. The 16th sanctions package, circulated among member states this week, proposes measures that would cut approximately 15 banks off from the SWIFT banking system....
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a major initiative to revive the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), a key player in the country's industrial sector. Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shaiubu Audu, stated that the revival aims to reinvigorate the local economy, generate employment, and strengthen Nigeria's standing in the global aluminium market. Image Source: Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation During his two-day facility tour of ALSCON in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, from Monday, January 27, to Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Prince Shaiubu Abubakar Audu underscored the critical importance of restoring the company to full operational capacity. ALSCON's revival He emphasised that the revival of ALSCON goes beyond aluminium production; it is...
Amid various speculations raised by Donald Trump's recently proposed import tariffs on aluminium and copper, the most recent one is the possible impact on domestic consumer good prices. Aluminium industry analysts and participants fear that suggested tariffs on US aluminium and copper imports may affect the availability of the metals in the local markets, resulting in stringent end-use production and, eventually, higher costs. This notion arrived on Tuesday after Trump expressed his intent to impose tariffs on aluminium, copper, and all other metals needed to produce US military hardware, including steel, in a speech to Republican lawmakers on Monday, January 27. His objective for the proposed tariffs is to encourage the aluminium producers to bring their production to the United States....
Aluminium prices edged up by 0.08 per cent to close at INR 252.75 (USD 2.92) amid renewed investor optimism over China following comments from former US President Donald Trump hinting at a potential trade deal with the world's largest consumer of metals, as reported by investing.com. Market sentiment was further buoyed by developments within the European Union, which is preparing to impose sanctions on imports of primary aluminium from Russia. This anticipated move, the EU's geopolitical move of continual phasing-out of Russian aluminium, is a trend that has accelerated since European manufacturers began distancing themselves from Russian goods following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Overview of China's aluminium trade front China's aluminium export trade exhibited significant growth...
Australia is on course to achieve a record-breaking performance in aluminium exports, with the metal now ranking as the fourth-largest export category after iron ore, coal, and natural gas. According to the International Trade Administration, Australia’s aluminium exports in the first eleven months of 2024 totalled 1.322 million tonnes, valued at US$3.283 billion. Image source: Freepik Delving deeper into export volume and value According to the historical data from the International Trade Administration, Australia’s year-to-date aluminium export value demonstrated a significant jump of 4.12 per cent from US$3.153 billion to US$3.283 billion. However, on the other hand, export volume decreased by 0.90 per cent Y-o-Y from 1.333 million tonnes to 1.321 million tonnes. In the full year 2023,...
On December 29th, Chinalco (Yunnan) Green Advanced Aluminum-based Materials Co., Ltd. announced the construction of its much-awaited 400,000-tonne aluminium alloy flat ingot project, alongside the unveiling of Chinalco Green Materials (Zhaotong) Co., Ltd. Once the project is completed and operational, it is expected to produce large-size 5 and 6 series aluminium alloy flat ingots. This production line will lead in the domestic market, enhancing both the technical quality and product grade. It is also expected to reduce environmental pollution and metal loss caused by the secondary remelting of aluminium ingots, allowing for a more efficient conversion of electrolytic aluminium resources into industrial advantages. This, in turn, will boost the added value of the products. By 2025, Yunnan...
The aluminium industry has long been the backbone of global economic growth and technological advancement. Today, the wait is over! AL Circle, the world's fastest-growing global ALuminium ecosystem, proudly unveils its much-anticipated industry-focused report, Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025 . This comprehensive report promises to redefine the way stakeholders view the future of the aluminium industry, making it a must-read for industry professionals, policymakers, investors, and enthusiasts alike. Who should read this report? Whether you are a business leader planning your next move, a policymaker shaping regulations, or an investor seeking the next big opportunity, it provides insights into consumer trends, market dynamics, and the growing focus on sustainability. By...
Kepler Cheuvreux, a European financial services firm specialising in research, execution, and asset management, resumed coverage of Norsk Hydro SA shares, assigning a Buy rating with a price target of NOK 88.00. A "Buy" rating from a stock analyst indicates their belief that the stock is either undervalued or has significant growth potential, making it a promising investment opportunity. Analyst Martin Granviken highlighted the cyclical nature of the aluminium market, emphasising the impact of global supply-demand dynamics on prices. Recent market reports indicate an upcoming aluminium supply deficit as Chinese production nears its capacity limit. This development is anticipated to drive aluminium prices higher over the next three years. Granviken noted that alumina prices reached record...
Some of the news headlines this week in the upstream aluminium industry, particularly in the primary aluminium sector, suggest a potential shift in market dynamics in the near term in the wake of aluminium price drop on alumina supply ease and proposed tariffs on aluminium imports by the US President Donald Trump. These two events in the industry have already prompted many aluminium leaders and financial analysts to revise their business strategy and market outlook. In addition, there are some key evaluations on the 2024 aluminium production trend and market analysis to guide your 2025 planning. RBC Capital Markets this week revised its investment outlook for Nork Hydro from “outperform” to “sector perform”, following the company’s share drop by 3.2 per cent on Tuesday, November 21, on...
Donald Trump's tariff threat following his second presidential term inauguration on January 20 has already sparked speculation among aluminium industry leaders from both the domestic and international markets, prompting them to make strategic decisions regarding overseas trade. For instance, Alcoa, an American aluminium producer headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is contemplating redirecting its Australian aluminium output to the United States in response to the proposed tariff on aluminium imports from Canada . Alcoa's CEO, William Oplinger, suggests that shifting trade flows could be a good tactic to avoid paying tariffs to the US. Image source: Alcoa Corporation The speculation among domestic industry leaders also includes potential market disruptions due to tariff threats on...
European aluminium billet market is beginning its new calendar year, keeping a cautious look over its shoulder, as demand remains sluggish amid hidebound buying practices, while production cuts intend to leave the supply chain vulnerable to sudden fluctuations. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has publicised that the European aluminium 6060/6063 billet premium at London Metal Exchange (LME) cash plus $555 per tonne DDP Germany January 10, on net 30-day payment spans, up 46 per cent Y-o-Y, but contemplating a 12 per cent decline from 2024’s peak of $630 per tonne DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) in late August owing to softer demand. The Italian premium was evaluated at LME cash plus $555 per tonne DDP on January 10 for net 60-day payment terms, ascending 48 per cent year-on-year but...
The world's primary aluminium industry has wrapped up 2024 with an annual production of 72.758 million tonnes. Could it break the record of the previous year or surpass AL Circle's outlook? Of course, it did by 2.9 per cent from the earlier year's output of 70.716 million tonnes and by 1.05 per cent of AL Circle's projection of 72 million tonnes. Until November 2024, the production volume was summed up at 66.622 million tonnes, meaning the remaining amount of 6.236 million tonnes was achieved in December alone, marking the highest monthly output ever. Month-on-month, the world's primary aluminium production in December recorded a rise of 3.3 per cent from 6.037 million tonnes, and on a year-on-year, it edged an increase of 3.02 per cent from 6.053 million tonnes. The daily average output...
According to Platts assessment, a division of S&P Global, the premium for Japanese primary aluminium imports in the first quarter of 2025 stands at $228 per tonne over the London Metal Exchange cash price, reflecting a 30.29 per cent rise from $175 per tonne in Q4 2024. Image source: Sumitomo Corporation The main Japanese port aluminium premium has been assessed on the basis of 12 trades done between December 12, 2024, and January 22, 2025, involving a total trade volume of 15,000 tonnes per month. The premium averaged in the first quarter of 2025 is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $205 per tonne. According to Platts, the contributing factor to this spike in Q1 premium is the limited availability of primary metal due to production cuts on high alumina prices,...
2024 has been all about jumping hoops to advance in the industrial progress for the non-ferrous metal, aluminium. The entire extraction and the subsequent production, starting from bauxite mining, progressing through alumina refining and finally reaching the manufacturing of a varied type of aluminium, is a mammoth task. And, producers across the globe, at times, need each other and even external supporting entities to steer forward. Today, we delve into some of the crucial agreements and contracts from the calendar year that shaped the industry smoother than before. NTPC to supply uninterrupted power for NALCO’s smelter expansion NTPC Limited (National Thermal Power Corporation) and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navaratna Company, came together in a non-binding Memorandum...
At the dawn of the new presidential era on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump announced his intent to impose a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese product imports, including aluminium, as early as February 1. Following the news, the three-month aluminium price on the London Metal Exchange decreased by 0.9 per cent to US$2,611 per tonne, feeling the pressure of trade tensions. On his second day in office, the US President called for an investigation into US-China trade to assess potential penalties on Chinese goods. Previously, he had threatened China with a 60 per cent tariff on imports but later adjusted his proposal to a 10 per cent duty, despite which China's blue-chip CSI 300 index and the Shanghai Composite index closed nearly 1 per cent lower, representing the highest fall in nearly two...
Alcoa Inespal SL, a subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation, has reportedly entered into a strategic agreement with IGNIS Equity Holdings, SL, the majority shareholder in the IGNIS Group, the Spanish National Government, and the Xunta de Galicia, to continue to support San Ciprián smelter's operations. All the San Ciprián stakeholders have signed a Memorandum of Understanding outlining some strategic plans to address the current issues at the smelter. The plans include: To correspond with San Ciprián's workers to establish joint efforts to stabilise operations once the smelter becomes fully operational by October 1, 2025. To streamline renewable energy projects and deploy policies for achieving competitive energy costs To reduce CO2 emissions from operations To support residue storage area (RSA)...
