Indonesia
Indonesian Aluminium: The shift from mining to smelting
Indonesia is pitched as the next big Asian aluminium hub as the country has released an expansive alumina and aluminium expansion plan, based on the abundant bauxite resource in the country. China has exhausted its aluminium capacity cap and is unlikely to raise installed capacity significantly in the coming years. Additionally, geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, and tariffs have made much of global aluminium capacity inaccessible and vulnerable. This includes Russian aluminium and the Gulf output, along with restricted and costly access to Canadian aluminium for the US smelters. The already tight supply conditions have been made worse after the Iran-Israel-US war that disrupted the Gulf aluminium capacity. Under current supply conditions, India and Indonesia will play a critical role in...
Indonesia launches two aluminium plants as Weda Bay projects attract $10b
Indonesia has launched the development of two aluminium plants at Weda Bay as part of new industrial projects worth billions of dollars. President Prabowo Subianto announced the projects on Thursday and said the government was committed to protecting investments. The four projects launched at the industrial park are worth around USD 3 billion. Investment in six other projects is expected to reach around USD 7 billion, Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani said at the event. Among the companies investing in the projects are PT Weda Bay Aluminium, PT Guang Ching Nickel Cobalt and PT Flatsolar Energy Indonesia, according to the Investment Ministry. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036:...
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
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China’s aluminium imports flat, exports slump; molten-metal shift keeps physical ingot tight despite 163,600 tonnes net inflow
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People’s Republic of China(GACC), China’s primary aluminium imports totalled 185,500 tonnes in August 2026, down 14.65 per cent year-on-year (YoY) and up just 0.16 per cent month-on-month (MoM). For January–August, cumulative imports reached 1.66 million tonnes, down 3.41 per cent YoY. August exports stood at 21,900 tonnes, down 14.53 per cent YoY and 30.48 per cent MoM. Cumulative exports for the first eight months were 167,500 tonnes, up 9.26 per cent YoY. Net imports in August came to 163,600 tonnes, down 14.67 per cent YoY but up 6.44 per cent MoM; the January–August cumulative net import total was 1.49 million tonnes, down 4.65 per cent YoY. In aggregate terms, August imports were essentially flat MoM while...
Aluminum investment across North America and Asia: Who leads reshaping the next phase of growth?
Aluminum investment has been spreading across the entire value chain, from primary smelting and alumina refining to recycling, rolling, extrusion and battery foil, building more integrated and higher-value supply chains. During the past 5 years, the US and Canada in North America and China in Asia have been grabbing headlines pertaining to the aluminum industry. These updates have involved growth stories or have shed light on volatile market situations. How have these headlines contributed to a greater picture for the benefit of the aluminum industries of the two continents? Between 2021 and 2026, major projects across North America and Asia have targeted new primary capacity, lower-carbon production, recycled aluminum and higher-value downstream products. But the investment pattern is...
Alumina turns to net exports in August; net export pattern expected to widen further in September
I. Total volume: Monthly pattern shifts from net import to net export According to the latest data from the General Administration of Customs of China, from January to August 2026, China's cumulative alumina imports reached 2.994 million tonnes, up more than fivefold year-on-year; cumulative exports totalled 2.339 million tonnes, up about 33 per cent year-on-year; cumulative net imports stood at 654,000 tonnes, narrowing from 729,000 tonnes in January–July. Although the net import pattern persists, the scale of net imports has continued to shrink, further easing the impact of imports on the domestic market. On a monthly basis, China imported 349,500 tonnes of alumina and exported 425,000 tonnes in August, resulting in net exports of 75,500 tonnes — the first shift from net imports to net...
India proposes 5-year extension of aluminium foil duties with rates up to $977/t
India may continue imposing anti-dumping duties on aluminium foil from China, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia for another five years, following a recommendation from the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR). The proposed duties on aluminium foil of 80 microns and below range from USD 93 to USD 977 per tonne, depending on the country and exporter. The final decision on the recommendation will be taken by the Finance Ministry. The DGTR said extending the duties was necessary after reviewing submissions from interested parties as part of a sunset review investigation. The review followed an application from Hindalco Industries, LSKB Aluminium Foils, Raviraj Foils, Shree Venkateshwara Electrocast, Shyam Sel and Power Ltd and SRF Altech Ltd. To know the global production, demand and...
RUSAL nears final approval for new bauxite-to-alumina project in Kalimantan, Indonesia
Russian aluminium producer RUSAL is nearing the final stage of the permitting process for a planned bauxite-to-alumina processing project in Kalimantan, Indonesia, according to Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia. The project will process bauxite into alumina as part of Indonesia’s push to expand domestic mineral processing. Lahadalia said the Indonesian government is involved in the overall development, while RUSAL will work directly with Indonesian private companies on the project. Lahadalia said, “They are going to build a downstreaming facility to process bauxite into alumina. It will be located in Kalimantan. The permitting process is already in the near-final stage.” The minister has not yet disclosed the names of RUSAL’s local partners or the expected investment...
China’s 45Mt aluminium cap pushes producers overseas as global dominance grows
China’s aluminium industry is running close to its limits in 2026. As Shanghai aluminium prices near a three-month high, historically low raw material costs and strong smelter margins encourage producers to operate at maximum capacity. National aluminium output remains above Beijing’s 45-million-tonne cap, projected to reach 46 million tonnes by the ned of 2026. But with the ceiling still firmly in place, Chinese producers are taking projects overseas to Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Angola and Saudi Arabia, strengthening China’s position in the global aluminium supply chain. Domestic capacity leaves little room to grow In August, Chinese smelters were operating at 99.7 per cent of effective capacity, estimated by AZ Global Consulting at 45.26 million tonnes. This is in line with AL Circle’s...
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Hua Chin
Indonesia’s aluminium industry must be defined by global credibility, not just production growth
"We are a mining and resources company with a global footprint and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable practices", Victor Tan, CEO, TOP International Holding
“As far as I know, more and more Chinese aluminium smelters are transferring to Indonesia,” Kathy Yuan, Head of Overseas Marketing Department at HWAPENG
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