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 aluminium giants Alcoa and Rio Tinto even as broader market pressures persisted. Alcoa reported robust Q2 performance, underpinned by increased cash deposits despite facing weaker aluminium and alumina prices and mounting tariff costs. Meanwhile, Rio Tinto posted year-on-year production gains across bauxite, alumina, and aluminium, with bauxite and aluminium output improving both quarterly and annually. However, beyond their earnings, both companies have sounded alarms over US trade policies. In a joint statement, Alcoa and Rio Tinto sharply criticised former President Donald Trump’s tariff regime, revealing that it added USD 115.321 million in cumulative costs. This underscores a growing concern within the industry, while operational strength remains, policy-induced financial burdens are threatening global competitiveness and long-term sustainability.
Alcoa Corporation, in partnership with IGNIS Equity Holdings, SL, has officially announced the commencement of the restart process for its San Ciprián smelter in Spain. The move follows a major power outage on April 28, 2025, which disrupted operations across the facility, impacting both the smelter and the adjoining refinery. The restart marks a significant step in restoring full production capacity at the site. Click here to know more.
In line with European aluminium industry’s Vision 2050 project company Arctial has launched an industrial and investment partnership to carry out a feasibility study for low-carbon aluminium production in Finland. If realised, this project would add significant value to the region and mark as a major step in reinforcing the region’s supply chain resilience. Want to know how, click here.
Global mining and metals giant South32 has raised the prospect of a potential impairment on its Mozal Aluminium smelter in its FY25 financial results, citing growing uncertainty over the facility’s long-term power supply. The company pointed to ongoing electricity contract negotiations and worsening drought conditions as key factors casting doubt on the smelter’s future viability.
The European Union is walking a fine line between de-escalation and retaliation, opting to extend its suspension of retaliatory tariffs on US goods until early August, even as it prepares a sweeping new list of countermeasures and seeks global allies in response to fresh tariff threats from Washington. Click here to read more.
European aluminium billet producers began 2025 on a cautious note, and by mid-year, that caution had evolved into widespread production cuts. Once a key indicator of demand in sectors like construction, transport, and extrusion, the billet market has seen a marked downturn in the first half of the year. In response, producers are increasingly shifting focus toward molten metal trade—a strategic pivot aimed at absorbing excess capacity and catering to more immediate domestic demand.
China produced 3.81 million tonnes of primary aluminium in June, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) on July 15. While output dipped slightly by 0.5 per cent from May, it rose 3.4 per cent year-on-year compared to June 2024. For the first half of 2025, total production reached 22.38 million tonnes reflecting a steady 3.3 per cent increase over the same period last year, the NBS reported. Click here to know more.
Romanian aluminium producer ALRO, a subsidiary of Cyprus-based Vimetco PLC, is celebrating two major milestones 28 years of trading on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB) and 60 years of continuous industrial operations. Since its debut on October 16, 1997, ALRO’s market capitalisation has grown nearly 21-fold, now surpassing RON 1 billion (USD 220 million). Click here to know more.
Aluminium production at Mozal, Mozambique’s largest industrial facility, climbed 12 per cent year-on-year to 265,000 tonnes in the nine months ending March 2025. The increase was driven by improved operational conditions and the successful rollout of South32’s recovery plan in the aftermath of civil unrest following the October 2024 elections. Click here to know more.
Century Aluminium Company, the largest primary aluminium producer in the United States, has announced the pricing of its previously disclosed private offering of USD 400 million in 6.875 per cent senior secured notes due August 2032. An integrated producer of bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium products, the company also operates production facilities in Iceland, the Netherlands, and Jamaica. Click here to read more.
State-owned aluminium producer PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) has reportedly called on the government to reassess the country’s import strategy in an effort to bolster the domestic market. The appeal comes in response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to double aluminium tariffs from 25 per cent to 50 per cent as of May 30, 2025. Inalum anticipates that the policy shift could impact around 30,000 tonnes of its aluminium exports to the United States. Click here to read more.
LME price update
On Monday, July 14, LME aluminium prices opened the week with a slight decline of USD 5.5 per tonne, or 0.21 per cent. The cash bid price settled at USD 2,585.50 per tonne, while the official settlement price stood at USD 2,586 per tonne.
On Tuesday, July 15, aluminium prices posted modest gains on the London Metal Exchange (LME), while alumina edged slightly lower. The LME cash bid price for aluminium rose by 0.31 per cent to USD 2,593.50 per tonne, up from USD 2,585.50 on July 14. Similarly, the cash offer price increased by 0.31 per cent, reaching USD 2,594 per tonne, compared to the previous day’s USD 2,586.
On Wednesday, July 16, LME aluminium prices declined, with both the cash bid and official settlement prices falling by USD 26 per tonne, or 1 per cent. The cash bid price settled at USD 2,567.50 per tonne, while the official settlement price closed at USD 2,568 per tonne.
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) slipped across key contracts on July 17, with spot, 3-month, and December 2026 prices all showing modest declines. The LME aluminium cash bid price dropped by USD 11, or 0.43 per cent, to USD 2,556.50 per tonne, down from USD 2,567.50 on July 16. The cash offer settlement price also fell 0.43 per cent, settling at USD 2,557 per tonne, compared to the previous USD 2,568.
Under the alumina segment
China’s total alumina production including smelter-grade and other types reached 45.15 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, reflecting a 9.3 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). In June alone, output stood at 7.75 million tonnes, marking a 3.5 per cent rise from May and a 7.8 per cent increase compared to June 2024, the data showed.
On July 14, a railway container train carrying 2,688 tonnes of alumina departed from Baise City in Southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, heading to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the northwest. According to Guangxi Daily, this marks the first full-load alumina container train to operate between the two regions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a significant expansion of alumina producer Rusal’s dredging operations in the Shannon Estuary. The green light allows the Russian-owned company to conduct maintenance dredging near its marine jetty at Aughinish Island, County Limerick, and to dispose of over 450,000 tonnes of dredged material annually at a newly designated offshore site near Foynes Island.
Under the bauxite segment
As global bauxite markets reel under pressure from softening demand and supply imbalances, Guinea the world’s top bauxite exporter finds itself at the centre of a shifting landscape marked by regulatory tension, pricing volatility, and international scrutiny. Bauxite prices have dipped in the first half of 2025, largely driven by reduced Chinese import volumes and rising inventories at refineries and ports. In parallel, Guinea has introduced a controversial mandate requiring 50 per cent of all bauxite exports to be shipped using domestic vessels, a move aimed at strengthening its maritime industry but raising concerns among foreign miners and investors. Meanwhile, Emirates Global Aluminium’s (EGA) sharp stance on potential legal action adds a new layer of uncertainty, sparking speculation over Guinea’s long-term bauxite strategy and its implications for global supply chains.
Canyon Resources Limited (CAY), one of Australia’s leading bauxite producers, has commenced construction of its Inland Rail Facility (IRF) at Makor, Cameroon marking a key milestone in advancing its flagship Minim Martap Bauxite Project toward production. In parallel, the company is upgrading the ore haulage access road, which will facilitate the transport of high-grade bauxite from the mine to the IRF and onward to the Port of Douala for export. Click here to read more.
As of mid-July 2025, China’s bauxite supply chain is facing a pivotal moment—awash with incoming cargo, yet grappling with a sharp drop in port deliveries. According to the latest Mysteel survey dated July 11, seaborne cargo volumes climbed to over 16.38 million tonnes, marking a notable week-on-week increase. Click here to read more.
Other significant news
Rio Tinto has announced the appointment of Simon Trott as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 25, 2025, succeeding Jakob Stausholm. Currently serving as Chief Executive of Iron Ore, Trott brings over 25 years of experience across diverse commodities and geographies. Renowned for his value-driven leadership and strategic acumen, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening Rio Tinto’s core operations and enhancing stakeholder relationships, particularly in Australia. Click here to read more.
Speaking at the 2025 Indonesia Mining & Critical Metals Conference – Aluminum Industry Forum, Melati Sarnita, Business Development Director of PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero) (INALUM), offered key insights on the theme: “Transforming Southeast Asia into a Future Hub for Global Aluminum and Critical Minerals.” Click here to read more.
Gujarat-based aluminium casting manufacturer Swastika Castal is gearing up for its stock market debut with an initial public offering (IPO) set to open on July 21 via the BSE SME platform. The fixed-price issue will remain open until July 23, with share allotment expected to be finalised by July 24. Trading of the company’s shares is scheduled to commence on July 28. Click here to read more.