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 […]
Summary: The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (Alemai) has reported acute stress across the midstream and downstream sectors due to the ongoing West Asia conflict. President Jitendra Chopra highlighted that production has scaled down to nearly 50% of normal levels due to rising logistics costs and liquidity issues. The association is seeking policy relief […]
Summary: Citing the “intensified market vulnerability” caused by smelter damages in the Middle East, Goldman Sachs has officially flipped its 2026 market balance from a surplus to a 570,000-tonne deficit. This suggests that the current high-price environment for raw material is not a temporary spike but a mid-term reality for the extrusion industry. Article Link […]
Summary: A new executive order has been issued to close a long-standing “valuation loophole.” Previously, some importers only reported the value of the raw aluminum in a product to minimize taxes. The new rule mandates that the full value (including processing and manufacturing) must be reported. For domestic extruders, this effectively levels the playing field […]
Summary: The ongoing crisis in the Middle East has reached a tipping point. Wood Mackenzie reports that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is now threatening nearly 18% of global exports (excluding China). Major producers like EGA (UAE) and Alba (Bahrain) have faced direct operational disruptions and alumina shortages. This supply vacuum is pushing […]
Summary: New market analysis released today highlights that the 6000 Series aluminium alloy continues to dominate the extrusion market. The construction and infrastructure sectors remain the largest end-users. A key trend for 2026 is the rising demand for “Mill-Finished” extrusions, which are expected to hold a 50.1% market share due to their cost-effectiveness in mass-market […]
Summary: EGA has officially stated that restoring full primary production at its Al Taweelah smelter in the UAE will be a long-term process following infrastructure damage from regional conflict. The Al Taweelah refinery (alumina) and recycling plants may restart sooner, but the loss of primary output from a major global supplier (representing ~9% of global […]
Summary: After a month of extreme volatility driven by Middle East tensions, London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices have slightly cooled. While prices touched a near four-year high of $3,546.50 in mid-March, they have stabilized around the $3,500 mark as of today. Stocks have slipped by 0.62%, indicating that while immediate panic has subsided, supply […]
Summary: The Aluminum Association has issued an urgent update following targeted attacks on aluminum facilities in the Gulf region, specifically impacting Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). These regions supply roughly 9% of global unwrought aluminum. While immediate supply remains available, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is complicating the transport of […]