US industrial policy needs to be systematic, not just ad hoc – Part 1
Our current approach can win economic skirmishes, but not the geopolitical conflict. – Part 1 After decades during which the very concept was taboo and the reality swept under the rug, the US has now rediscovered industrial policy. But this rediscovery remains incomplete, as too much of it is...
From black shale to smelter feed: CEM advances North American alumina supply chain
Canadian Energy Metals has demonstrated a process for producing smelter-grade alumina from Saskatchewan black shale and has started a prefeasibility study for its Thor Project. Canadian Energy Metals Corp. (CEM) has taken a step towards developing an alternative North American source of alumina...
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A double-digit decline in India's aluminium scrap imports affects the United States Q3 export volume
The third quarter data from the United States Geological Survey shows a sequential fall in the country’s aluminium scrap exports, in line with a decreased volume of scrap recovery during the same period of 2024. A 2 per cent decline in the United States aluminium scrap recovery during Q3 resulted...
Aluminum Association outlines key policy priorities for incoming US administration and Congress
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...
Upstream aluminium recap: US bauxite imports increase in Q3, contributed by Turkey; Russian aluminium grows in LME warehouses
This week, the upstream aluminium industry has seen the release of several significant reports that have the potential to reshape market dynamics and improve operations across all sectors, including bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. For instance, Boddington bauxite mine life to be extended,...
Increased tariffs under Section 301 on China impact the United States Q3 aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports
The United States imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars stood below 100,000 tonnes for the two consecutive months in the third quarter of 2024, resulting in a dip in the total import volume through Q3. According to the US Geological Survey, the imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars...
US crude and dried bauxite imports uptick in Q3 but remain insufficient to offset Y-T-D decline
The United States crude and dried bauxite imports continued to increase sequentially in the third quarter of 2024 but could not offset the overall year-to-date downfall. The Q-o-Q growth in Q3 import was primarily driven by Turkey with a significantly increased supply of crude and dried bauxite,...
Rising operation costs weigh down the United States primary aluminium output and scrap recovery in Q3
According to the US Geological Survey data, the United States' primary aluminium production slightly rebounded in the third quarter, standing at 167,600 tonnes versus 167,000 tonnes in Q2. However, despite the sequential increase, the Q3 output volume was less than the Q2 production of 172,000...
US aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in August drop 8.5% M-o-M, affected by lower supplies from Canada and UAE
According to the US Geological Survey, the United States’ aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in August 2024 experienced a decline for the second consecutive month, following an increase last seen in June. As per the data revealed, the import volume in August plunged by 25,000 tonnes or 8.5 per...
US aluminium cans recycling rate drops to 43%, prompting associations to revisit policies to meet 70% goal by 2030
A recent survey by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) has shown a surprising downtrend in consumer aluminium cans recycling in the United States. Once averaging at around 52 per cent in the 1990s, the rate has decreased to 43 per cent in 2023. However, a silver...
China’s critical minerals ban: A new front in USA-China trade conflict
Three critical minerals - gallium, germanium, and antimony - have been banned from being exported to the United States by China in an escalation of trade tensions. The decision, unveiled on December 3, 2024, comes just a day after Washington imposed new restrictions targeting China’s semiconductor...
August 2024: Increased aluminium scrap exports to India and Malaysia bring stability to the United States' monthly exports
Aluminium scrap exports from the United States stabilised in August 2024, following two months of decline. According to the US Census Bureau survey, the export volume remained at 168,000 tonnes in August, unchanged from July's figures. Back-to-back, in June and July, the United States' aluminium...
Upstream aluminium recap: World alumina output hits record; Analysts expect volatile market with new trade policies
Updates like record-high alumina production in October, Antam committing $723 million for mining expansion, and global aluminium producers offering 31-49 per cent higher shipment premium to Japanese buyers have taken the aluminium industry by storm this week, indicating an increasing effort towards...
China’s aluminium plate, sheet and strip exports grow aligned with rising production; SMM finds a 34% Y-o-Y hike
China's aluminium plate, sheet and strip exports trended up in October 2024, both monthly and annually. According to China customs data, the export volume in the said month stood at 300,300 tonnes, reflecting a Y-o-Y hike of 34 per cent and a M-o-M rise of 4 per cent. Image Source: Mingtai...
Saint-Gobain pushes for tariffs on sol-gel alumina abrasive imports from China
Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. has officially filed a petition seeking to impose antidumping and countervailing duties on sol-gel alumina-based ceramic abrasive grains imported from China. The move is aimed at addressing what the company claims are unfair trade practices that have impacted...
President-elect Donald Trump reaffirms tariff plans on social media, targeting aluminium and steel industries
On Monday, November 25, US President-elect Donald Trump reiterated his tariff plans on social media, including a 25 per cent duty on all imports from Mexico and Canada. According to Citibank analysts, the tariff on Mexico and Canada would affect the global commodity market, but the maximum impact...
ALTEK and Real Alloy join forces to launch zero-waste aluminium salt slag recycling facility
Enviri Corporation, a global leader in environmental solutions for industrial and specialty waste management, announced that its subsidiary, ALTEK, is collaborating with Real Alloy to establish a zero-waste aluminium salt slag recycling facility. This project is being developed with the U.S....
US aluminium scrap recovery grows at a higher rate in Aug’24 in contrast to sluggish primary metal output
The United States’ increased focus on the secondary aluminium industry led to a year-on-year decline in its primary aluminium production for another month but a rise in aluminium recovery from scrap. According to the data from the US Geological Survey, the United States’ primary aluminium...
Diverse coalition urges swift passage of bipartisan recycling bills
The Aluminum Association and more than 60 trade associations, corporations and NGOs sent a letter to congressional leaders calling for passage of two critical recycling bills before the end of the year. The Recycling Infrastructure Accessibility Act (RIAA) and the Recycling Composting...
Enhancing the recovery of aluminium beverage cans with new recycling initiative
Every Can Count U.S., and Replenish has introduced a new community-focused recycling initiative called Cans for Cash to enhance the recovery of aluminium beverage cans. The program was first launched in Blytheville, Arkansas, and plans to expand with four additional Circularity Centres across...
