Southeast Asia
Japan’s aluminium premiums climb in first three quarters of 2026 before Q4 decline
Japan’s quarterly aluminium premiums, known as Main Japanese Port (MJP) premiums, rose sharply in the first nine months of 2026 before falling ahead of the fourth quarter. The premium increased from USD 195 per tonne in January-March to USD 350-353 per tonne in April-June. It then reached USD 395 per tonne in July-September, its highest level in 11 years, as supply remained tight and geopolitical tensions affected the market. The Q1 2026 settlement was around 127 per cent higher than the USD 86 per tonne recorded in Q4 2025. The premium rose by another 79-81 per cent in Q2 and increased by a further 12-13 per cent in Q3. Tight aluminium supplies, lower inventories and competition from buyers in Europe and the US have contributed to the rise. Premiums in both markets have also remained...
Vietnam’s proposed aluminium export tax cuts draw VCCI support, with call for wider 0% rates
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has welcomed Vietnam’s proposed cuts to aluminium export taxes but urged the Ministry of Finance to go further by reducing rates to 0 per cent for additional products. The move could help domestic producers clear excess inventory, ease cash flow pressures and improve competitiveness. The proposal comes as Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance prepares amendments to Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, which governs export and import tax rates. The changes aim to address difficulties businesses face amid volatile international markets, including aluminium producers seeking sales contracts for 2027. The draft decree proposes reducing the export tax floor from 5 per cent to 0 per cent for six groups of aluminium and wood products (76.01, 76.03, 76.04, 44.02,...
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Wire Southeast Asia and Tube Southeast Asia 2025
CIIF (China International Industry Fair) and IME (Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia)
SMM AICE 2026 Southeast Asia Aluminum Conference
Wire Southeast Asia and Tube Southeast Asia 2025
CIIF (China International Industry Fair) and IME (Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia)
SMM AICE 2026 Southeast Asia Aluminum Conference
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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.
LEARN MOREEurope’s recycled aluminium production: Germany, Italy and the UK anchor a competitive market
Global EV sales to hit 35.4 million by 2030, with aluminium usage forecast to rise 38% in North America & 79% in China
AL Circle analysis: How do Germany’s 32.8% automotive aluminium share, 40% Diet Coke can price rise & 3.54Mt North American extrusion demand matter?
AL Circle Analysis: Guinea’s 150Mt bauxite cap, China’s import swings, US tariffs draw aluminium Q4’26
EU approves Germany’s power relief instrument: Could aluminium producers save €459m annually?
News
Dak Nong Aluminum advances operations with safety upgrades and digital training for 146 employees
Dak Nong Aluminum Company - TKV in Lam Dong, Vietnam, is linking workplace initiatives with efforts to improve plant operations, equipment safety and operational efficiency. Pham Ngoc Thanh is a shift supervisor at the thermal power plant. He has suggested several changes to fix problems at the plant. In 2023, suggestions and plans for building a low-pressure steam pipeline between the thermal power plant and the coal gasification plant were given by him. This pipeline provides steam when needed. In 2024, he worked on the A06 return water pipeline to reduce noise, vibration and hot water leaks. The changes also reduced the time needed for equipment repairs. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market...
22nd Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo (AICE 2027) to take place in Suzhou, bringing global aluminium stakeholders together
The 22nd Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo (AICE) , one of China’s most prestigious flagship exhibitions for the aluminium sector, will run from April 15 to 17, 2027, at Suzhou International Expo Center. Organised by SMM, a leading non-ferrous metal authority with over 20 years of expertise in pricing benchmarks, market intelligence and industrial research, AICE receives strong backing from global and domestic industry associations, leading manufacturers and mainstream media. AICE 2027 is set to occupy more than 10,000 sqm of exhibition space, hosting over 300 exhibitors and welcoming upwards of 30,000 professional visitors. Built upon SMM’s robust industrial database, worldwide business network and multi-channel media reach, the event functions as an international aluminium industry...
Vietnam’s Lam Dong bauxite-aluminium chain expands as alumina output hits 1Mt, ingot production begins
Vietnam’s Lam Dong province is expanding its bauxite-aluminium production chain, with alumina output rising in the first nine months of 2026 and the launch of the country’s first aluminium ingot production at Nhan Co Industrial Park in July. Lam Dong’s industrial production index (IIP) increased 12 per cent in the first nine months of 2026 from the same period last year. The bauxite mining industry grew 19 per cent, while processing and manufacturing increased 19.4 per cent. Alumina production rises as aluminium ingot production begins Alumina production in the province reached an estimated around 1 million tonnes in the first nine months, up 1.7 per cent year on year. Third-quarter production was around 380,000 tonnes, an increase of 9.3 per cent. Vietnam produced its first aluminium...
Asian aluminium premium slips to $202/t as MJP Q4 offers fall to $245–260
Asian aluminium premiums are facing more pressure ahead of Q4 talks. CRU’s Asia CIF aluminium premium is now USD 202 per tonne, well below the USD 395 per tonne Main Japanese Port (MJP) Q3 benchmark. MJP Q4 offers have also dropped sharply. They fell from USD 325 per tonne in early September to USD 245–260 per tonne as the new quarter approaches. This shows weaker sentiment in the market. Aluminium premiums are under pressure across Asia, especially in Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan. These markets are more exposed to spot price changes, so premiums can move quickly when supply or demand changes. 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 " Premiums...
Ex-China aluminium market runs steadily as market awaits Q4 MJP settlement
This week, the overseas aluminium market was generally mediocre, with limited trading activity across major markets. In South Korea, purchases were mainly small-scale restocking, with little change in prices. In Thailand, demand remained weak, and some sellers slightly lowered their offers due to shipment pressure. The market focused on Q4 MJP quarterly pricing, with Rio Tinto's latest offer further reduced, and market expectations suggested there is still room for the final settlement price to move lower. South Korea: Mediocre market, transactions mainly small-scale restocking This week, trading in the South Korean market was very subdued, with purchasing demand limited to small-scale restocking and no concentrated procurement seen. Sellers showed moderate willingness to offer, with...
EU aluminium scrap export rules face BIR pushback over India, Malaysia, Thailand cut-off
The EU aluminium scrap market could face disruption if proposed changes to the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) restrict access to major Asian recycling destinations, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has warned. The Brussels-based association issued its response after the European Commission published a draft proposal on September 18 listing non-OECD countries authorised to receive certain non-hazardous materials from the EU . Excluding countries such as India , Malaysia and Thailand from authorised destinations for ferrous and nonferrous metals could weaken recycled material markets rather than strengthen Europe’s recycling capacity. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge Dyszel. At the centre of BIR’s concern is...
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