Summary: As the CUSMA review deadline approaches, negotiations between the U.S. and Canada remain focused on resolving long-standing disputes in the aluminium, steel, and auto sectors. While “Buy Canadian” and “Buy American” policies create friction, officials suggest a deal is still within reach to maintain strong North American trade ties—critical for regional extrusion manufacturers relying […]
Summary: The near-total halt to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has disrupted alumina supplies to Middle Eastern producers. Consequently, these cargoes are being rerouted to China, pushing Chinese alumina imports to a two-year high. This influx is keeping Chinese smelting margins elevated and output high, which may lead to an increase in semi-finished aluminium […]
Summary: Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) and Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) are showing divergent patterns as geopolitical negotiations remain unresolved. While LME prices saw a marginal uptick to $3,553/tonne, the market is facing resistance at short-term moving averages. For extruders, this suggests a period of price consolidation and potential volatility in raw […]
Summary: As we move further into 2026, the industry is pivoting toward multi-chamber extrusion designs. These allow for more complex, lightweight profiles essential for the EV (Electric Vehicle) and aerospace sectors. Integration of real-time AI monitoring on extrusion lines has shown a 15% increase in operational efficiency, helping plants mitigate the high costs of raw […]
Summary: Despite supply chain hiccups, the demand for 6000 Series alloys remains robust. A new market analysis indicates that mill-finished extrusions will hold over 50% of the market share this year, favored for their cost-effectiveness in the construction and automotive sectors. The report emphasizes that AI-driven optimization is now the “gold standard” for reducing material […]
Summary: Major shipping routes in the Middle East remain severed, cutting off roughly 30% of Japan’s supply and impacting global availability. With the Strait of Hormuz restricted, alumina refineries in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain report significant damage. Experts warn that even with a peace deal, it could take a year to restore full production. For […]
Summary: Century Aluminum has officially begun “hot metal” production at its expanded Mt. Holly facility in South Carolina. This expansion increases total U.S. primary aluminium production by 10%. For extrusion manufacturers, this represents a critical move toward securing a domestic supply chain of raw billets, reducing reliance on volatile international shipping routes currently affected by […]
Summary: A new industry report highlights that the global aluminium extrusion market is set to surpass $100 billion this year. For manufacturers, the key takeaway is the dominance of Mill-Finished Extrusions, which now hold a 50.1% market share due to high demand in the construction and automotive sectors. The report also notes that the 6000 […]
Summary: Prices on the LME have surged to historic levels this week due to intensifying supply concerns in the Middle East, a region responsible for roughly 9% of global output. With the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to key smelting facilities like the Al Taweelah plant, analysts are warning of a significant […]
Summary: Century Aluminum has officially begun hot metal production at its expanded Mt. Holly, S.C. facility. This project is expected to increase total U.S. primary aluminium production by 10% by June 2026. For North American extrusion firms, this increase in domestic supply, coupled with the upcoming Oklahoma smelter project (in partnership with EGA), provides a […]