This week the global aluminium industry has witnessed a lot of significant events. From North America’s brewing tariff tensions to fluctuating stock performances in India, to three major players of the global aluminium industry, namely Rio Tinto, Vedanta and Constellium SE announcing their latest financial updates. To begin with, Rio Tinto, reported a dip in […]
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What lessons do I learn from a GLOBAL aluminium SUPPLY CHAIN?
When you’re building an aluminium supply chain across countries, you’re not just moving products, you’re managing: Expectations, solving logistics PUZZLEs, connecting people who often speak different business “languages.” Here’s what I’ve learned from working in the middle of that process, between factory, forwarder and customer, every single day. Logistics is not just delivery; it’s a […]
Continue readingHedging with Jorge #Episode 63: Why hedgers buy call options, explained with a car insurance analogy
In today’s blog of Hedging with Jorge, we continue our journey into the world of aluminium market risk management by exploring a key financial instrument used by hedgers: the call option. While often associated with speculative trading, the use of call options for hedging follows a completely different logic, one that’s more aligned with buying […]
Continue readingUpstream weekly: Canada hints at revising 25% tariff on US aluminium and steel amid trade talks
Trade tensions are once again simmering across North America and Asia as the United States faces mounting pressure from key partners over its stance on aluminium and steel imports. In July 2025, two major developments unfolded, Canada hinted at revising its retaliatory tariffs on US metals, while India drew sharp criticism from Washington after threatening […]
Continue readingThe UBC dilemma: Why the US is falling behind in recycling aluminium beverage cans
Used Beverage Cans (UBCs) are among the most valuable and recyclable forms of aluminium scrap, yet the United States struggles to recover even half of them. Despite the aluminium can being 100% recyclable and capable of returning to shelves in just 60 days, America recycled only 45.2% of its aluminium beverage cans in 2023. This […]
Continue readingWhy scaling quality is so hard – A ground-zero look at aluminium extrusion
In my last column, I wrote about a dilemma that most small and mid-sized aluminium extruders live with: the constant trade-off between cutting prices to stay competitive and protecting product quality to survive. I suggested there’s a third path, upgrading. But before we talk about what that looks like, we need to understand what we’re […]
Continue readingHedging with Jorge #Episode 62: Call Options Explained – A Simple Car Insurance Analogy
In this blog of Hedging with Jorge, we take a fresh look at call options and explore why a hedger might choose to pay a premium on a call instead of using futures, even when the futures curve is flat. To simplify the concept, Jorge draws on an everyday analogy, car insurance and highlights how […]
Continue readingUpstream weekly: Aluminium giants Rio Tinto & Alcoa post strong Q2 results, but warn of tariff-driven cost pressures
Aluminium remains a cornerstone of the global economy, with growing demand for the ‘green metal’ highlighting its critical role in a sustainable future. Despite periodic challenges and market disruptions, the industry’s momentum towards cleaner, low-carbon aluminium production is stronger than ever. The second quarter of 2025 showcased strong operational resilience from two of the world’s […]
Continue readingTop 10 recycling initiatives powering aluminium industry’s green shift
Aluminium doesn’t do goodbyes, it just keeps showing up. Melt it down, shape it up, and boom, it’s back again. Cans today, cars tomorrow and maybe skyscrapers next week! While other materials retire, aluminium just reinvents itself. Forget the old-school image of recycling as a chore. Aluminium recycling is a high-impact, low-effort solution to reducing […]
Continue readingTracing the history of US tariffs from 1789 till today
In the world of global trade, few tools stir as much debate as tariffs. Framed as shields for domestic industries or weapons in economic stand-offs, tariffs can reshape markets, tilt competitive landscapes, and leave lasting marks on entire value chains. So what is tariff? A tariff is essentially a tax that a government charges on […]
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