Summary: Aluminum prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have surged to their highest levels since March 2022. The price spike is largely driven by a significant collapse in “live and cancelled warrants,” signaling a severe supply squeeze. For extrusion manufacturers, this indicates rising raw material costs and potential billet scarcity in the immediate term. […]
Summary: Aluminium prices rose by 0.9% this morning following news of a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz. The most significant indicator of market stress is the “backwardation” (the premium for immediate delivery), which jumped 37% to $91.50 per tonne—the highest level since 2007. This suggests a desperate scramble for physical metal as Middle […]
Summary: In a strategic move to challenge the London Metal Exchange (LME), the CME Group has approved its first base metal storage facility in Hong Kong. Operated by GKE Metal Logistics, the site has a 6,500-tonne capacity for aluminium and lead. This expansion into Hong Kong and Taiwan is designed to capture growing Asian trade […]
Summary: Geopolitical tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have triggered a massive supply crunch. Major producers like RUSAL are redirecting shipments from China to Japan as regional premiums skyrocket to $350 per tonne over LME benchmarks. For extruders, this indicates a period of “constrained supply” where physical metal availability is thinning, and LME inventories have […]
Summary: The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) reports that the downstream extrusion segment is operating at only 50-60% capacity. This downturn is driven by broken supply chains and a 25-30% surge in input costs linked to ongoing West Asia instability. The association is calling for government intervention, including working capital support and stricter […]
Summary: Despite supply chain volatility, the extrusion market remains robust. Recent analysis shows the 6000 Series alloy continues to lead the market due to its versatility in construction and infrastructure. A key trend for your manufacturing operations: Mill-Finished extrusions are expected to hold a 50.1% market share this year as cost-conscious industries prioritize functional finishes […]
Summary: With Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) reporting that full production recovery post-strikes could take up to 12 months, Chinese exporters are seeing a massive surge in inquiries. For extrusion companies, this represents a shift in the global supply map. Chinese traders report a 43% month-on-month increase in export profits for semi-finished products, positioning China as […]
Summary: Charles Johnson, President of the Aluminum Association, warned today that geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have disrupted roughly 9% of global smelting capacity. While North American manufacturers are pivoting to Canadian supply, Johnson specifically highlighted that specific extrusion billets are becoming increasingly difficult to source. This […]
Summary: Effective April 6, 2026, a new U.S. Presidential Proclamation has modified Section 232 tariffs. The 50% tariff now applies to the full customs value of aluminum articles (HTSUS Chapter 76), closing a previous loophole where importers only paid on the raw metal content. For extruders using U.S.-smelted and cast inputs, a reduced 10% rate […]
Summary: Following Iranian strikes on major smelters in the Middle East (specifically EGA and Alba facilities), Goldman Sachs has flipped its 2026 market balance from a surplus to a 570,000-tonne deficit. This scarcity is driving LME cash settlement prices toward the $3,600 mark, indicating a “higher-for-longer” raw material cost environment for extrusion manufacturers. Article Link […]