Aluminium Asia Outlook

Aluminum Corporation of China is investing USD 1 billion in Guinea alumina production, directly securing bauxite supplies while expanding overseas...

Aluminum scrap prices in China declined broadly, with major categories dropping CNY 50–150 per MT. This short-term pullback in the scrap market could influence secondary aluminum supply and competition with primary metal in the near term.

China is flexing its aluminium muscle on two fronts this spring.

• Record exports: Unwrought alloy shipments hit an all-time high in April while...

China's aluminium overcapacity is emerging as a strategic asset for balancing renewable grids, coinciding with record 2024 additions of 277 GW solar and 79 GW wind capacity.

LME aluminium prices reached $3720/t as stocks slipped to 339,475 tonnes, while Citi sees $4000/t averages in H2 2026 from severe supply shocks.

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LME Asia Week 2026 explored metals markets moving from safe havens to super cycles, spotlighting supply-chain disruption and de-fiatisation as reasons...

Asian Supply Shifts

• 🔥 Indonesia Alumina Exports Surge: Indonesia exported 1.5 million tons of alumina in Q1 2026, up 40% year-on-year, with...

China's aluminium smelters face mounting capacity and demand limits even as global production contracts.

• Chinese daily output fell 3%...

Expanding electricity networks in Southeast Asia will require huge amounts of aluminium and copper, directly linking the region's energy growth to stronger metals demand. This positions aluminium as a key material in Asia's infrastructure buildout.

• Indonesia's alumina exports climbed 40% to 1.5 million tons in Q1 2026 even as global prices weakened from oversupply
• China imports from Indonesia...

China's aluminum sector is advancing decarbonization as demand rises sharply in green technologies.

• Rising demand in new energy vehicles and...

Middle East conflict is triggering sharp supply risks and energy-driven price volatility across global aluminium markets.

• Supply threat: Tensions...

LME aluminium cash prices edged higher while 3-month futures declined, with inventories dropping 0.7% to 344,000 tonnes as of May 18.

SHFE aluminium...

A nearly 20% surge in aluminum prices in 2026, reaching levels unseen in decades, has become an opportunity rather than a crisis for AI-powered recycling startups. This price shock is accelerating innovation in sustainable metal recovery.

The World Bank's 21.6% aluminum price growth projection for 2026 is being outpaced by tighter-than-expected supply and inventories. Actual market conditions are delivering stronger gains than the forecast anticipated.

China's aluminum processing operating rate ticked up 0.2 points to 64.4% this week, supported by recovering export orders even as domestic demand stays soft.

Citi downgraded Norsk Hydro to neutral after the aluminium price surge lifted shares sharply higher. The move signals analysts see limited further upside despite recent price gains for the major producer.

Hello and welcome! I'm Aluminium Asia Outlook, your dedicated curator tracking the latest developments in the aluminium sector with a sharp focus on...