Downstream Aluminium Market

Aluminium extrusion market shrinks 29.8% as New Zealand rejects import protection
14 OCT 20266MINS

Aluminium extrusion market shrinks 29.8% as New Zealand rejects import protection

New Zealand's Government has rejected calls for safeguard measures on aluminium extrusion imports, despite an official investigation finding that domestic manufacturers have suffered serious injury. The decision, accepted by Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Cameron Brewer on October 5, has prompted warnings from the Aluminium Extruders Association of NZ (ALENZ) that continued pressure could put local plants and thousands of jobs at risk. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) concluded that imports contributed to the industry's difficulties but were not the sole or primary cause of the injury. It recommended against imposing safeguards, citing the contraction in domestic demand, rising production costs and the potential for higher prices for downstream...

14 OCT 20265MINS

Aluminium ‘metal’ definition clarification: Why Indian Supreme Court’s 1981 ruling still stands strong

In the course of the aluminium trade, a metal and a product made from that metal may share the same material, but they do not necessarily share the same commercial identity. Over four decades ago, the Supreme Court of India drew this distinction in a ruling that continues to offer an interesting perspective on the aluminium value chain today. India’s tax framework has since moved from the earlier state-level sales tax regime to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Yet, the underlying question raised by the 1981 verdict remains relevant to an industry where primary aluminium, flat-rolled products and extrusions serve different markets and applications. The judgment offers a historical lens through which to understand how aluminium ingots and billets came to be distinguished, for the purposes...


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Outdoor living market targets $215b as smart aluminium pergolas gain attention
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Outdoor living market targets $215b as smart aluminium pergolas gain attention

The global outdoor-living market is projected to reach USD 215 billion by 2027, with smart aluminium pergolas gaining attention among homeowners and commercial buyers across North America and Europe. Demand for outdoor structures that combine durability, low maintenance and technology-enabled features is growing as consumers increasingly seek to extend their indoor living spaces outdoors. The shift follows a post-pandemic change in how people use outdoor areas, with greater emphasis on creating functional and stylish spaces that complement indoor environments. Aluminium pergolas are emerging as one option for buyers seeking a combination of practical performance and contemporary design. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our...

Century Aluminum reports $752m in Q2 net sales as output rises 6%
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Century Aluminum reports $752m in Q2 net sales as output rises 6%

Century Aluminum reported net sales of $752 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $103 million in the previous quarter. Net income reached $249 million, while adjusted EBITDA was $327 million. Aluminum shipments totaled approximately 131,000 metric tons, up 6% quarter-on-quarter, following the Mount Holly expansion in the United States and the restart of Line 2 at the Grundartangi smelter in Iceland. Peter Tripkofsky, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Century Aluminum, said higher LME aluminum prices and regional premiums contributed $95 million to the increase in adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter. Capital expenditure totaled $59 million in Q2, with $37 million for the Mount Holly expansion and Jamalco’s new TG4 power...

TaeguTec sharpens its aluminium machining game with TTA101 insert
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TaeguTec sharpens its aluminium machining game with TTA101 insert

TaeguTec has expanded its T-Turn turning insert programme with the introduction of the TTA101 grade, a new tantalum carbide (Ta-C)-coated insert designed to improve tool life, cutting-edge sharpness and surface finish in high-speed aluminium and non-ferrous machining applications. The TTA101 grade is designed for recommended cutting speeds of up to 1,500 m/min when machining wrought aluminium alloys. Its coating technology aims to improve wear resistance while preserving the sharp cutting edge required for consistent surface quality at high cutting speeds. Ultra-thin Ta-C coating preserves cutting-edge sharpness A key feature of the TTA101 grade is its Ta-C coating, which combines exceptional hardness with a very low coefficient of friction. With a thickness of less than 0.5 μm, the...

MINO strengthens India’s aluminium rolling technology as domestic investment grows
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MINO strengthens India’s aluminium rolling technology as domestic investment grows

India’s aluminium industry is moving to expand domestic production of higher-value flat-rolled products, with new investments in rolling capacity and specialised materials highlighting the growing importance of advanced processing technology. However, imports continue to supply a substantial share of the country’s flat-rolled aluminium requirements, leaving scope for further development of domestic manufacturing capabilities. The shift is visible in Hindalco Industries’ January 2026 commissioning of a 170,000-tonne-per-year flat-rolled products and battery-grade aluminium foil facility in Odisha. The project involved an investment of INR 45 billion (USD 490 million), while the company said nearly 40 per cent of India’s flat-rolled aluminium was being imported. Hindalco expects its...

AL Circle analysis: Germany’s aluminium trade surplus, Novelis’ US expansion, Asia’s EV demand & India’s underutilised downstream capacity
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AL Circle analysis: Germany’s aluminium trade surplus, Novelis’ US expansion, Asia’s EV demand & India’s underutilised downstream capacity

Aluminium’s next growth phase is increasingly being shaped by downstream processing, supply-chain resilience and demand from specialised applications. Germany continues to generate a substantial trade surplus in flat-rolled products despite a shrinking primary aluminium base, while North America is investing in recycling and rolling. Across Asia, new manufacturing capabilities and growing demand from electric vehicles, railways and batteries are creating further opportunities. However, declining exports, underutilised capacity and uneven profitability show that investment alone does not guarantee success. For industry leaders, the challenge is to identify where demand is shifting, develop products that meet customer requirements and ensure that new investments translate into sustainable...

CIE Automotive India advances aluminium casting merger as NCLT waives shareholder meetings
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CIE Automotive India advances aluminium casting merger as NCLT waives shareholder meetings

CIE Automotive India Limited has begun dispatching notices to shareholders and unsecured creditors for its proposed merger with wholly owned subsidiary CIE Aluminium Casting India Limited, following an order from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench, dated September 24, 2026. The merger would bring the aluminium casting subsidiary into the parent company’s corporate structure, with the board having approved the scheme on April 23, 2026. The company has cited operational efficiencies, economies of scale and synergies between the businesses as key reasons for the proposed amalgamation. Merger proceeds without new share issuance A key feature of the scheme is that CIE Automotive India will not issue new shares as consideration for the merger. As CIE Aluminium Casting India...

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