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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Aluminium is an essential component of the global economy, and its growing demand underscores its lasting importance. Despite occasional challenges or disruptions, the market for sustainable aluminium will continue to grow, reflecting the unrelenting need for this eco-friendly material. To begin with, Vedanta Aluminium officially announced that the new 37-km Sardega-Bhalumuda rail project, connecting Odisha and Chhattisgarh, will facilitate smoother and faster transportation of coal from the company's mines once it becomes operational. Apart from this, under the alumina segment, alumina's price also recorded a surge of RMB 7 per tonne on Wednesday (September 18), followed by a growth of RMB 18 per tonne the next and RMB 13 per tonne on Friday. The increase in prices highlights the growing...
On Friday, September 20, Vedanta Aluminium officially confirmed that the new 37-km long Sardega-Bhalumuda rail project connecting Odisha and Chhattisgarh, once operational, would establish a smooth and faster transportation of coal from the company’s mines. Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved three railway projects, including Sardega-Bhalumuda New Double Line. The transition from road transportation to railways for coal shipment from Vedanta’s Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli captive mines in Odisha will significantly reduce carbon footprint and also expenditure associated with logistics. Coal is an integral raw material for primary aluminium production. It is used in two ways: coal tar pitch, which is used to...
Saudi Arabia has reiterated its strong interest in enhancing its presence in the metals and mining sector, aiming to turn it into a third pillar of the kingdom’s economy. A key part of this strategy includes acquiring control over Bahrain’s aluminium smelter and accumulating assets in global companies. Previously, Saudi Arabia expressed a similar interest asserting its aim to become a key global hub for metal production . In line with this future goal, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Ma’aden, has recently signed a series of deals this week, including buying a 20.62 per cent stake in Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) from Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) for over $1 billion. Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has put the aluminium industry as the...
Yesterday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,521.5 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,569 per tonne and a low of US$2,506 per tonne, and closed at $2,540 per tonne, up $18 per tonne or 0.71 per cent. On Thursday, September 19, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved up by US$2.5 per tonne or 0.09 per cent and US$3 per tonne or 0.11 per cent to clock at US$2,522 per tonne and US$2,523 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price added US$8.5 per tonne or 0.33 per cent and US$10 per tonne or 0.39 per cent to settle at US$2,536 per tonne and US$2,538 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price gained US$10 per tonne or 0.38 per cent to settle at US$2,630 per tonne and US$2,635 per tonne. LME aluminium...
The European Union's approach to Russian primary aluminium imports has significantly transformed in a landscape marked by evolving geopolitical tensions, as revealed by a recent report by Eurasia Strategic Consulting. While presently, any formal sanctions on Russian aluminium remain absent, other than the earlier ban on the aluminium wire rod, foil, tubes, and pipes supplied from Russia, the practical reality of self-sanctioning by European importers and the ripple effects of secondary sanctions have dramatically altered the market dynamics. Recent actions from the U.S. and UK governments have significantly influenced the shift in the EU's stance on Russian primary aluminium imports. In April 2024, both nations took decisive steps that led the London Metals Exchange (LME) and the Chicago...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,509 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,542 per tonne, a low of US$2,485 per tonne, and closed at US$2,522 per tonne, up US$15.5 per tonne, an increase of 0.62 per cent. On Wednesday, September 18, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$14.5 per tonne or 0.57 per cent to clock at US$2,519.50 per tonne and US$2,520 per tonne. As per the LME graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price added US$8.5 per tonne or 0.33 per cent and US$7 per tonne or 0.27 per cent to settle at US$2,527.50 per tonne and US$2,528 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price moved up by US$2 per tonne or 0.07 per cent to settle at US$2,620 per tonne and US$2,625 per tonne. LME aluminium opening...
In August 2024, China’s imports and exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products increased, suggesting an increase in domestic production and a gradual recovery in demand aligned with a ramp-up in overseas orders for Chinese aluminium semis. Overview of August imports According to the General Customs data, China’s unwrought aluminium and aluminium product imports in August saw a significant month-on-month hike of 7.69 per cent, while that on a year-on-year basis witnessed a growth of 1.9 per cent. As per the Customs data, China imported 280,000 tonnes of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products in August 2024, compared to 260,000 tonnes imported in July. Thus, the total imports in the first eight months of 2024 amounted to 2.58 million tonnes, up by 51 per cent from the...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,517 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,539.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,505.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,506.5 per tonne, down US$8.5 per tonne, a decrease of 0.34 per cent. On Tuesday, September 17, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price inched up by US$0.5 per tonne or 0.01 per cent to clock at US$2,505 per tonne and US$2,505.50 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price moved up by US$1 per tonne or 0.03 per cent and US$2.5 per tonne or 0.09 per cent to stand at US$2,519 per tonne and US$2,521 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price added US$3 per tonne or 0.11 per cent to arrive at US$2,618 per tonne and US$2,623 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at...
The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB), a high-powered body constituted by the Government of India, has selected Brijendra Pratap Singh as the next Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Schedule 'A' Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). Singh, currently the Director in charge of Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), was chosen from a pool of six candidates. His appointment is now pending requisite clearances and final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He is set to succeed Sridhar Patra, the current CMD, who will retire on October 31, 2024. Once the post becomes vacant, Singh will formally take over on expected from November 1, 2024.
Ma'aden, Saudi Arabia's premier mining company, has reached an agreement to acquire SABIC's 20.62 per cent stake in Aluminium Bahrain (ALBA). This acquisition reflects Ma'aden's ongoing commitment to regional expansion and aligns with its ambitious goal to achieve a tenfold growth by 2040. The announcement follows the news that Ma'aden and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) have agreed on non-binding Heads of Terms to explore the possibility of creating a global aluminium powerhouse in the region. Additionally, Ma'aden revealed plans to consolidate its aluminium business through a Share Purchase and Subscription Agreement with long-term partner Alcoa. Bob Wilt, CEO of Ma'aden, stated, "As we continue in our growth journey, the acquisition of shares in a highly experienced, well-developed regional...
Aluminium stocks at Japan’s three major ports – Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka decreased year-on-year, indicating persistent supply constraints in Asia. Compared to 360,700 tonnes at the end of August 2023, stocks in August 2024 recorded a sharp fall of 9.26 per cent, showed Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate. Nonetheless, the stocks hovered above 300,000 tonnes, marking a month-on-month increase of 9.25 per cent from 299,600 tonnes. According to the data shared by Marubeni, Japanese aluminium stocks at the end of August 2024 stood at 327,300 tonnes. Stocks at three ports At Yokohama, aluminium stocks at the end of August 2024 stood at 152,000 tonnes, down by 8,000 tonnes or 5 per cent from 160,000 tonnes in August 2023. In...
On Monday, September 16, the LME aluminium benchmark price witnessed a leap of US$100 per tonne, reaching above US$2,500 per tonne after precisely three weeks. Only over a night, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price shot up by US$100.50 per tonne and US$100 per tonne to stand at US$2,504.50 per tonne and US$2,505 per tonne, respectively. According to various analyses, the prices rose through key resistance levels – 1) lower inventories, 2) a weaker dollar, and 3) expectations that the US Federal Reserve will announce a bigger rate cut. With the latest cut, the LME aluminium benchmark price demonstrated a month-on-month increase of US$211.50 per tonne from US$2,293.50 per tonne. On the same day, the 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price arrived at...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has taken a major step towards reshaping the global aluminium landscape. In its meeting on September 16, 2024, the company’s Board of Directors approved entering into a non-binding agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) to begin due diligence on a potential business combination. This strategic partnership will position the merged entity as one of the world’s largest aluminium producers. The combination is set to deliver significant synergies, including expanded production capacity, a strengthened global presence, enhanced ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, and improved energy security. By creating a vertically integrated aluminium giant, the collaboration promises to unlock substantial shareholder value, cementing its...
In the first half of 2024, the United States experienced a sharp fall of 39,000 tonnes or 11.50 per cent in its primary aluminium production compared to the same period of the previous year. The drop was consistent each month, averaging a decrease of 7,000 tonnes to 8,000 tonnes per month from January to June 2024. The United States' total production of primary aluminium through the first half of 2024 amounted to 339,000 tonnes versus 378,000 tonnes a year ago. In June 2024, the United States' primary aluminium production was 55,000 tonnes, down by 7,000 tonnes or 11.29 per cent from 62,000 tonnes a year ago. On a month-on-month basis, the output dropped by 2,000 tonnes from 57,000 tonnes. In the second quarter of 2024, the output amounted to 167,000 tonnes, down by 5,000 tonnes from...
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s aluminium production in August 2024 stood firm, marking an annual growth of 2.5 per cent. Attributed to solid profits due to increased aluminium prices, smelters in the domestic market scaled up their production to 3.73 million tonnes during the said month. According to NBS, the output volume marked a two-year high. However, the daily average production dipped month-on-month from 122,333 tonnes to 120,322 tonnes, based on Reuters’ calculation. The strong output this year was due to increased operations by smelters in some of the main Chinese primary aluminium production hubs, especially in Yunnan where metal output rose due to ample hydropower supply. For the interim period, prices in the Chinese domestic market fell due to...
On Friday, September 13, the LME aluminium benchmark price continued to grow for the fourth day in a row and exceeded the US$2,400 per tonne level. The LME graph movement suggests the LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price increased by US$14 per tonne and US$14.50 per tonne, respectively, to close the week at US$2,404 per tonne and US$2,405 per tonne. With the latest rise, the LME aluminium benchmark price recorded a month-on-month increase of 4.86 from US$2,293.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price stood at US$2,421 per tonne and US$2,421.50 per tonne, marking a growth of US$11.50 per tonne from September 12. December-25 bid price and December-25 offer price ascended by US$11 per tonne to reach US$2,522 per tonne and US$2,533 per tonne,...
On September 15, 2024, Alcoa Corporation announced that it had entered into a binding share purchase and subscription agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden). Under this agreement, Alcoa will sell its entire 25.1 per cent ownership stake in their joint venture to Ma’aden for approximately $1.1 billion. The transaction includes roughly 86 million Ma’aden shares, valued at $950 million based on the 30-day volume-weighted average share price as of September 12, 2024, along with an additional $150 million in cash. The joint venture, established in 2009 as a fully integrated mining complex in Saudi Arabia, now consists of two entities: the Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC), which operates the bauxite mine and alumina refinery, and the Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC),...
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, has submitted his resignation from the post, effective September 30, 2024, according to an exchange filing on September 14. Slaven, who took on the role in October 2023, is stepping down citing personal reasons. However, the company has not yet named his successor. John Slaven brings over three decades of expertise in the metals, mining, and modern manufacturing industries. Before joining Vedanta Aluminium, he held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alcoa, where he was responsible for the company's Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminium operations. He has also held prominent executive roles at BHP Billiton, The Boston Consulting Group, and The De Beers Group of Companies. Earlier in his career, he served as a...
