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 deadline for the proposed merger between Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and subsidiaries of Saudi Arabia’s Ma’aden has been extended to the second quarter of 2025. Originally anticipated to be finalised in Q1 2025, the extension was disclosed in a statement to the Bahrain Bourse on 22 December 2024. “This extension will provide both companies with additional time to conduct a thorough due diligence and further evaluation of the potential strategic and financial benefits of this potential business combination,” the posting said. Present scenario The non-binding agreement, signed in September and initially set to expire on 31 December 2024, has been extended to 30 April 2025. Alba’s Chief Executive, Ali Al Baqali, had previously expressed optimism for an earlier conclusion. “With the growth...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s unwrought aluminium alloy imports in November 2024 recorded a month-on-month decline of 11.6 per cent and a year-on-year fall of 8.8 per cent to reach 200,000 tonnes. The cumulative imports reached 1.1076 million tonnes, reflecting an annual rise of 8.6 per cent. Image Source: Shanghai Metals Market Among the sources of imports, Malaysia was the highest, followed by Thailand, South Korea, Russia, and Vietnam. From Malaysia, China imported 37,400 tonnes, which accounted for 37 per cent of the country’s total imports. From Thailand and South Korea, China imported 17,000 tonnes and 12,500 tonnes, 17 per cent and 12.2 per cent of the monthly imports, while the imports from Russia and Vietnam stood at 12,300 tonnes and 4,700 tonnes....
Based on the latest data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute, the world's primary aluminium production is set to surpass the previous year's output, marking a new year's high. In December 2024, the world's primary aluminium output needs to achieve only above 4.194 tonnes to exceed the 2023 total of 70.716 million tonnes. From January to November 2024, the world's primary aluminium production reached 66.522 million tonnes. Image Source: Flickr In November 2024, the world's primary metal output decreased by 3.07 per cent M-o-M, reaching 6.04 million tonnes. However, according to a year-on-year calculation, the production saw an increase of the same percentage, 5.863 million tonnes. However, calculating the daily output of November vs October, the monthly decline was only due...
The primary aluminium sector in the upstream industry particularly captured significant attention this week with intriguing news and updates that may lead to a change in decision-making regarding metal buying and selling, investments in projects, and export or import commodities. In case you have missed the stories, here are their briefs. Ten European Union member states have jointly appealed for stricter sanctions on Russian metals, including aluminium. The demand is led by Poland, who will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union Council from January 2025. This initiative aims to curtail Russia’s revenue from metal exports since it is a critical source of income after fossil fuels. To know more:...
Japanese industry giant Sumitomo Chemical has announced its decision to sell its 2.97 per cent stake in Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co., Ltd. (NAAC) to YKK AP Inc. The sale amount remains undisclosed. This move, coupled with the previously announced sale of shares in two overseas aluminium smelting companies in May 2024, marks the company's complete withdrawal from the resale business of imported aluminium ingots. Aluminium resale is often subject to global price volatility, geopolitical factors, and supply-demand imbalances. The company might seek to mitigate its financial exposure to these risks by stepping away. Sumitomo Chemical’s inorganic materials business, which includes aluminium and alumina, builds on the technological prowess, human talent, and other business resources developed in...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s leading ‘premium aluminium’ producer, is the first company in the Middle East to have joined the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative and the first one in the UAE to have sold its own industrial technology internationally. Among the many firsts, EGA is also the first company in the UAE to implement the digital tracking system, the first in the world to connect metal quality analysis to LME digitally, and the first to ship bauxite cargo using LNG-fuelled ship, achieved in 2024. So clearly, this Middle East-based company has continued to excel in what it does best – leading and inspiring the global metal industry while pioneering numerous areas of the aluminium sector. Image Source: Emirates Global Aluminium All things first, in 2024 First in the...
South32 has provided a consequent update on the current situation at its Mozal Aluminium smelter in Mozambique, which had been facing operational disruptions due to civil unrest. Despite these challenges, the company has prioritised the safety of its workforce and has reported that there have been no security incidents at the facility. Image Source: flickr (Credit - English Pocket Opera Company) South32, the globally diversified mining and metals company, had previously announced the withdrawal of its production guidance for Mozal Aluminium in Mozambique due to escalating civil unrest in the region on December 10, 2024. Recent developments indicate that road blockages, which had previously obstructed the transport of alumina from the port to the Mozal smelter, have largely been cleared....
The European aluminium industry is undergoing a significant transformation as sustainability becomes a top priority. With the need to reduce carbon emissions and use recyclable materials, aluminium is increasingly being used in various industrial sectors. In dedicated interviews published in our recently published e-magazine titled 'Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe' , they express their outlook towards the continent's present and future in sustainable industrial practices. Antonio Perego, Sales Manager of the Aluminium Division at FIMI Machinery, points out, "The need to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere and use recyclable materials will increasingly push the use of aluminium in many industrial sectors." You can find the entire interview by clicking here... In line with this...
Aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro has announced a lump sum investment of NOK 200 million (US$17.66 million) to establish a new sow casting line at its Husnes site. This initiative aims to enhance the flexibility of the primary aluminium casthouse and is an essential part of Hydro's strategy for primary aluminium production, widening the plant's product offerings. Image Source - flickr (Credit - thatsouthafricanguy) Located on the west coast of Norway, the Husnes primary plant produces low-carbon extrusion ingot principally for the European construction and automotive industries. The introduction of the sow caster will enable the plant to produce sow ingots during periods of lower demand for its main products, thereby increasing operational flexibility. Hanne Karine Simensen,...
Shareholders of Century Aluminum (NASDAQ:CENX) are likely to express concern regarding the recent 13 per cent decline in the company's share price over the past month. However, this recent fluctuation does not overshadow the robust performance of the business over the last five years, during which the share price has pumped up by an impressive 159 per cent. For some investors, the recent pullback may be seen as a natural correction following such a rapid ascent. Ultimately, the company's operational performance is the sole determinant of whether the stock price can maintain its positive long-term trajectory. In light of the 12 per cent decrease in the stock over the past week, it is mandatory to examine the longer-term narrative and ascertain whether the fundamentals have underpinned the...
The Aluminum Association, which represents companies that produce around 70 per cent of the primary aluminum as well as downstream products shipped in North America, has released a new policy brief outlining strategic priorities for the incoming US administration and Congress. The brief, titled ‘Aluminum for America,’ calls for a national strategy to prioritise, produce, and defend critical materials like aluminium. According to a recent economic impact study, the US aluminium industry generates nearly £173 billion in direct and indirect economic impact and supports nearly 700,000 jobs, including 164,000 direct industry jobs. Despite this, the US primary aluminium production continues to decline, while the industry has invested over £7.6 billion in mid- and downstream processing and...
In November 2024, China imported 280,000 tonnes of aluminium, including unwrought aluminium and aluminium products. The import volume reflected a double-digit fall, precisely 17.6 per cent, according to China customs data. Image Source: iStock Nonetheless, from January to November, the country’s total imports witnessed a 26.2 per cent Y-o-Y rise, amounting to 3.45 million tonnes. Till October 2024, China imported 175,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, up by 27.5 per cent M-o-M but down by 19.3 per cent Y-o-Y. From January to October, the cumulative import volume of primary aluminium was 1.824 million tonnes, up by 55.5 per cent Y-o-Y. In October, Russia was the highest source of China’s primary aluminium imports, accounting for 55.4 per cent. The other two major sources were India and...
According to a recent report, ten European Union member states have jointly appealed for stricter sanctions on Russian metals, including aluminium. The demand is led by Poland, who will assume the rotating presidency of the European Union Council from January 2025. Poland joins the Baltic States, Denmark, Ireland, Romania, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Finland. This initiative aims to curtail Russia’s revenue from metal exports since it is a critical source of income after fossil fuels. Poland is playing a prominent role in it as it is expected to prioritise support for Ukraine. Currently, the European Union has sanctions on some specific Russian aluminium products like wire, pipes, and foil, which account for less than 15 per cent of the bloc’s total metal imports. Like the United...
The 2024 (22nd) China Business Leaders Annual Conference, hosted by China Entrepreneur magazine, took place in Beijing. Among the distinguished speakers, Zhang Bo, Chairman and CEO of China Hongqiao Group, delivered the opening keynote speech. In recognition of his leadership and impact, Zhang Bo was named one of the "25 Influential Business Leaders of 2024," an accolade awarded by China Entrepreneur. The four-month selection process considered multiple perspectives and evaluated the business performance and social impact of leaders from top companies across various industries over the past year. The selection criteria spanned a broad spectrum, encompassing business achievements, strategic vision, innovation, and social responsibility. The selection of Zhang Bo is a testament to his...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East and the world's largest smelter ex-China with a production of more than 1.548 million tonnes per annum has achieved several milestones in 2024 and marked many crucial benchmarks for the entire global aluminium industry. From enhancing its Industry 4.0 transformation and entering into strategic partnerships for new ventures to attaining 25 million safe working hours without lost time injury (LTI) and robust profit, Alba has outperformed in all spheres. Image Source: Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) Key milestones achieved In May 2024, Aluminium Bahrain launched a new low-carbon aluminium product line called EternAl with two variants: EternAl-30 and EternAl-15. As the names suggest, they have 30 per cent and 15 per cent...
Iran's major state-owned holding company, IMIDRO, which is active in the mining sector, reported that the country's four aluminium smelters produced 400,425 tonnes of aluminium ingots during the first eight months of the Iranian calendar year starting March 20, 2024. This marks a decrease compared to the 419,573 tonnes produced during the same period last year. South Aluminium Corporation (SALCO) was the nation's top aluminium producer, producing an impressive 162,459 tonnes of ingots. Following SALCO, Iranian Aluminium Company (IRALCO) produced 115,624 tonnes, while Almahdi Aluminium Company contributed 99,954 tonnes. Iran Alumina Company rounded out the list with a production of 22,388 tonnes of ingots. The only producer of alumina powder in the nation, Iran Alumina Company achieved...
As the negotiation continued for Japanese aluminium shipment premiums for the first half of 2025, some buyers have agreed to pay less than what was offered by global producers at the end of November 2024. According to a Reuters report, the amount agreed upon by Japanese buyers is $228 per tonne, down by 0.87-12 per cent from the previous offered price of $230-260 per tonne . However, despite the decline, it is the highest premium since 2015 and 30 per cent more than the premium for the ongoing quarter of $175 per tonne. The latest premium for Q1 2025 has also reflected an increase for the fourth consecutive quarter. "Although Japanese domestic demand remains sluggish, we settled at $228 due to overseas supply risks and the possibility that prolonged negotiations could push prices even...
According to a report, the Indian Government may consider addressing the issue of inverted duty structure for some products in the aluminium sector in the forthcoming Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The news came on December 11 after an official said the government would revisit the inverted duty structure to protect and boost domestic manufacturing. Inverted duty structure refers to a situation where the domestic industry pays a higher cost for raw materials in terms of duty while the finished products land at lower duty and cost, leading to credit accumulation and compounding expenses. The Indian aluminium industry already knocked the government in mid-November to remind them about increasing import duties on both primary and downstream aluminium products. The demand is a 10...
