AlCircle: Latest alumina news update

Jamalco goes off-grid as new power turbine targets $28 million in annual alumina savings

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0530

Jamalco has switched on a new power turbine at its Jamaican alumina refinery, allowing the plant to generate all its electricity independently of the national grid and potentially cut production costs by around USD 28 million a year.

Jamalco has taken a major step towards reducing the cost of producing alumina after bringing a new power-generation turbine online at its refinery in Clarendon, Jamaica.

The turbine, known as TG4, allows the refinery to generate all of its own electricity, reducing its reliance on purchases from Jamaica's national grid. Century Aluminum, which owns a 55 per cent stake in the Jamalco joint venture, expects the change to deliver savings of around USD 20 per tonne of alumina.

With Jamalco capable of producing around 1.4 million tonnes of alumina a year, that works out to potential savings of approximately USD 28 million annually once the full benefit is realised. Century said the savings will be phased in over the remainder of 2026.

Jamalco becomes its own power source

The refinery can now operate independently of Jamaica's national grid, reducing its exposure to electricity costs as well as potential disruptions.

“TG4 allows us to run Jamalco on entirely self-generated energy, eliminating expensive and, as we learned last winter, sometimes unreliable purchases from the Jamaican grid,” said Jesse Gary, president and chief executive officer of Century Aluminum.

Gary described the refinery as being able to operate “as an island within the island”.

The move is particularly significant after Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm in October 2025 and caused prolonged instability across the national electricity grid.

Jamalco recorded USD 10.6 million in hurricane-related costs during the first quarter of 2026. Those exceptional charges had fallen to zero by the second quarter, indicating that much of the refinery's recovery from the storm had been completed.

The new self-generation capacity therefore gives Jamalco another layer of protection against potential grid-related disruptions.

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The timing is important as Jamalco reaches full capacity

Management said Jamalco reached full or near-full production capacity by the end of July, marking the first time in more than a decade that the refinery has reached that level.

That makes the potential USD 20-per-tonne energy saving particularly significant. Producing more alumina while reducing the amount spent on electricity could improve the refinery's overall cost structure as the benefits from TG4 build through 2026.

Century included the turbine in a broader USD 20 million to USD 30 million capital programme for Jamalco covering sustaining operations and new investments.

The company owns 55 per cent of the joint venture, while the Government of Jamaica, through Clarendon Alumina Production Limited, owns the remaining 45 per cent.

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Lower power costs, but bauxite quality remains a challenge

While Jamalco is making progress on the energy side, the refinery continues to face another challenge: bauxite quality.

The company has reported lower-quality bauxite from some of its mining areas. Management has introduced a revised mining plan to address the issue, although it expects the changes to take another couple of quarters to be fully implemented.

The broader raw-material challenge was previously estimated at around USD 10 million sequentially. That figure includes the bauxite-quality issue as well as higher costs for coke, pitch and caustic soda linked to the Middle East conflict and shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz.

For Jamalco, therefore, the new turbine addresses one important part of the refinery's cost equation while the company continues working through raw-material and logistics pressures.

A stronger quarter for Century Aluminum

The Jamalco developments came during what Century described as a transformational second quarter.

The company's other major operating assets, including the Mt Holly smelter in South Carolina and the Grundartangi smelter in Iceland, also reached full or near-full capacity.

Century reported second-quarter adjusted EBITDA of USD 326.9 million, an increase of USD 95.5 million from the previous quarter. Net sales reached USD 752.1 million, while net income attributable to Century stood at USD 249.3 million, or USD 2.39 per diluted share.

For Jamalco, however, the immediate focus is much simpler: generating its own power could help the 1.4-million-tonne alumina refinery lower costs, improve energy security and operate with less dependence on the national electricity network.

Unlock key insights from leading companies and experts across the aluminium ecosystem with our e-Magazine - Mine to Market: Aluminium Producers & Manufacturers 2026

WEEKLY: China alumina slips to RMB 2,600-2,720 per tonne on ample supply; port bauxite stocks hover near record highs

Tue, 11 Aug 2026 03:00:00 +0530

Last week, domestic spot alumina prices moved steadily with a weak bias, and market trading sentiment was muted. As of July 31, the weighted national average spot price for smelter-grade alumina with a minimum purity of 98.6 per cent stood at RMB 2,731/tonne, dropped RMB 13 per tonne from a week earlier, according to Mysteel's price assessment.

On the supply side, domestic alumina operating capacity stands at approximately 97.7 million tonnes per year. No widespread news of concentrated production cuts or maintenance has emerged recently, while resumption efforts at plants in some regions are progressing steadily. In Guangxi, a major alumina refinery, which had been operating below capacity for an extended period due to a boiler malfunction, is recovering smoothly, with daily output now reaching around 10,000 tonnes.

It is expected to return to full production within the month. In Shanxi, another refinery that halted operations earlier due to red mud disposal issues resumed limited capacity only in July; it has recently scheduled a partial restart around mid-August.

As of last Friday (Aug 7, 2026), the national alumina operating rate reached 80.76 per cent, up 0.99 percentage points week-on-week. According to Mysteel's survey, capacity fluctuations across regions remain limited, with individual producers maintaining routine restarts. However, as spot prices edge closer to some producers' cash-cost lines, staged flexible production adjustments may occur.

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Last week, China's traders' alumina inventories stood at 6.441 million tonnes, up 43,000 tonnes from the previous week. New supply continues to hit the market, steadily increasing available tonnage. Previously, constrained by long-haul cross-regional logistics, several smelters saw raw material stocks convert into transit volumes; however, inbound deliveries to downstream aluminium plants picked up last week. Meanwhile, following the futures breach below the RMB 2,700 per tonne threshold, sellers accelerated offloading, leading to modest inventory draws at rail yards and delivery warehouses.

As of August 7, 2026, bauxite inventories at major Chinese ports fell 0.87 per cent week-on-week. A review of port-specific stockpiles shows total bauxite holdings at major domestic hubs edged down last week. However, overall inventory levels remain within a historical high range, indicating that domestic raw material reserves stay ample.

On the demand side, Mysteel data shows domestic primary aluminium smelters consumed approximately 1.6752 million tonnes of alumina last week, a marginal increase from previous week. Domestic aluminium capacity remains elevated, with a stable-to-firm release pace keeping operating rates around 45.42 million tonnes per year. Most smelters hold ample raw material inventories and are purchasing only as needed.

Currently, steady new supply additions have significantly increased market availability, deepening bearish sentiment among holders. The earlier sustained slump in futures dragged spot transaction prices lower. While the recent futures rebound, driven primarily by concentrated short covering, has triggered technical repair, confidence in a price floor remains weak, keeping the market cautiously bearish.

Notably, the futures recovery failed to lift spot prices; instead, it exacerbated selling difficulties for holders and further eroded merchants' pricing power. In the short term, weakening fundamentals will keep alumina prices under pressure, with the expected trading range pinned at RMB 2,600–2,720 per tonne.

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Note: This news is published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel

Guangxi Hetai's green alumina project enters trial production, boosting local aluminium industry chain

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 08:30:00 +0530

Guangxi Long'an Hetai New Materials Co., Ltd.'s Green New Materials Industry Chain Production Site Project has entered the trial production phase. This is the first alumina project in Nanning, filling the upstream gap in the city's aluminium industry chain.

The enterprise uses imported bauxite as raw material and relies on the Pinglu Canal to produce high-end aluminium-based new materials. It has completed construction of capacity for an annual output of 1 million tonnes of alumina, 300,000 tonnes of aluminium hydroxide, and 300,000 tonnes of iron ore concentrates, and has now produced qualified products supplied to local areas in Guangxi as well as to Yunnan, Guizhou, and other places.

Furthermore, the enterprise has jointly created the nation's first circular economy model integrating the aluminium industry with the cement and building materials industry, together with Long'an Huahong Cement Company, converting solid waste such as fly ash and desulfurisation gypsum into raw materials for cement production.

Meanwhile, in collaboration with Northeastern University, it has developed red mud-based alkaline substances to achieve harmless treatment of red mud. Li Xiaoqiang stated that after the Pinglu Canal opens, ex-China bauxite can be shipped directly to the plant, and products can access broader markets via the Pinglu Canal, effectively reducing transportation costs.

Note: This article has been issued by SMM and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

China's alumina imports surge as growing supply surplus keeps prices under pressure

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 22:30:00 +0530

China's alumina imports continued to rise sharply in the first half of 2026, but expanding domestic production and rising inventories have created a supply surplus that is expected to keep alumina prices volatile and largely range-bound in the near term, according to SunSirs.

China imported 2.277 million metric tonnes of alumina between January and June 2026, a 749.1 per cent increase year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. During the same period, alumina exports reached 1.609 million metric tonnes, up 19.8 per cent, leaving cumulative net imports at 668,000 metric tonnes as the country's reliance on imported alumina continued to grow.

On August 4, the most-traded alumina futures contract was quoted at RMB 2,644 per metric tonne, up 0.38 per cent during the session, although analysts expect prices to remain within a narrow trading range in the short term.

Rising imports add to China's growing alumina surplus

While alumina imports have accelerated, domestic production has also continued to expand, resulting in an increasingly well-supplied market.

SunSirs said total alumina inventories have increased by more than one million metric tonnes since the beginning of the year as primary aluminium smelters maintain comfortable raw material stockpiles and imported cargoes continue to lift port inventories. Exchange warehouse receipts have also remained well above long-term averages, reducing support for spot prices.

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New alumina production capacity in Guangxi is continuing to come online, while previously idled refineries are gradually resuming operations, further strengthening domestic supply.

According to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), weekly alumina production remained broadly stable, but ample supply continues to weigh on prices as inventories keep building. SMM added that, in the absence of stronger macroeconomic support in China, the current oversupply is likely to keep alumina prices subdued in the near term.

Overseas supply shifts reshape alumina trade flows

The alumina market has also been influenced by changes in overseas supply.

SMM noted that earlier shipments of lower-priced alumina into China reduced inventories outside the country. More recently, however, restocking demand from new aluminium capacity in Indonesia, together with production resumptions in the Middle East, has tightened ex-China alumina availability and pushed overseas alumina prices higher.

SunSirs also highlighted the resumption of operations at the Atavira alumina refinery in the United Arab Emirates during July, which is expected to improve future global alumina supply and contribute additional pressure on prices.

Despite these developments, China's spot alumina market has remained relatively stable, with prices fluctuating close to production costs. SunSirs expects the main alumina futures contract to trade within a reference range of RMB 2,650 to RMB 2,800 per metric tonne in the near term.

Bauxite continues to provide cost support

Although alumina supply remains abundant, the upstream bauxite market is offering some support to prices.

SunSirs said Guinea continues to maintain strong bauxite shipments to China, helping ensure adequate raw material availability for domestic refineries. At the same time, Guinea's export quota policy has made bauxite prices more likely to rise than fall, strengthening production cost support for alumina.

Combined with steady global bauxite availability and recovering alumina production outside China, these factors are expected to limit further downside in alumina prices, even as oversupply continues to weigh on the market.

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Indonesia resumes mineral exports after easing rare earth byproduct restrictions

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 11:30:00 +0530

Indonesia has resumed exports of minerals containing rare earth element (REE) byproducts, providing relief to exporters of alumina, bauxite, copper cathodes and nickel products after shipment delays caused by mandatory inspections for rare earth content.

The Indonesian government said exports of minerals containing trace amounts of rare earth elements can proceed while it prepares new regulations governing acceptable concentration limits and export procedures.

Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said the restriction applies only to rare earth elements exported as a primary product and does not automatically extend to trace rare earth content found as byproducts in other mineral exports.

"Exporting rare earth elements as a primary product is indeed prohibited. It does not automatically apply to REE content found as accompanying or byproduct elements in primary and derivative mining products," Dudung said.

Alumina and bauxite exports among shipments affected

Exports of alumina, bauxite, copper cathodes and nickel derivatives had faced delays following the introduction of mandatory testing for rare earth content and uncertainty over permissible REE levels in exported minerals.

The absence of clear government guidelines also discouraged surveyors from issuing export documentation after authorities launched investigations into mineral shipments suspected of containing rare earth elements.

Dudung said the latest announcement serves as a transitional measure while the government finalises regulations covering concentration thresholds, laboratory testing methods, verification procedures and surveyor reporting requirements.

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Government clears delayed export approvals

The government said PT Sucofindo, which conducts mandatory rare earth testing, will soon issue 85 surveyor reports that had been delayed after identifying trace rare earth content in export shipments.

According to Dudung, more than 100 vessels affected by the delays are now able to resume exports.

The delayed documentation mainly relates to exporters of alumina, copper cathodes and nickel-derived products.

Last week, Indonesia's nickel industry association FINI said around 120 surveyor reports remained pending because of uncertainty surrounding the inspection requirements.

Indonesia continues developing rare earth industry

While easing export procedures for minerals containing rare earth byproducts, Indonesia continues pursuing its long-term strategy to develop a domestic rare earth industry.

The government said exports of mining products containing naturally occurring radioactive materials may also be permitted provided they meet regulatory safety requirements.

President Prabowo Subianto has established a dedicated mineral agency to oversee the country's rare earth development programme. Earlier this year, the agency identified eight mining blocks with significant rare earth potential and plans to conduct further research into processing technologies.

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BALCO adds second alumina railway rake to support 1 MTPA aluminium expansion

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 06:45:00 +0530

Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (BALCO) has inducted its second Bogie Tank Alumina Powder (BTAP) M-1 (B12) railway rake at its railway yard, strengthening the movement of alumina to support its aluminium production expansion.

BALCO introduced the new rake as it works to increase its aluminium production capacity to 1 million tonnes a year. Alumina is the main raw material for making aluminium, so its transport must be smooth and regular for smelter operations.

The rake has been inducted under Indian Railways' Liberalised Special Freight Train Operator (LSFTO) Scheme, allowing BALCO to increase the share of rail transport in its logistics network. The company said greater use of rail will improve the movement of bulk alumina while reducing dependence on road transportation.

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According to BALCO, rail transport provides more reliable handling of large cargo volumes and is expected to improve logistics efficiency while lowering transportation costs.

The company also said increased rail movement is expected to reduce logistics-related emissions and support Vedanta's target of achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2030.

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The newly inducted rake has been integrated into BALCO's digital logistics system. The company operates a 24-hour control tower with GPS-based tracking, live monitoring and CCTV surveillance to monitor material movement and improve supply chain visibility.

BALCO said the additional railway rake will strengthen raw material availability, improve production planning and support its long-term aluminium expansion plans as it moves towards the 1 MTPA production target.

Australian Vanadium, Alcoa to study long-duration battery system for Western Australia alumina refineries

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0530

Australian Vanadium Ltd has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alcoa to explore the use of long-duration vanadium flow battery (VFB) technology at the company's alumina refinery operations in Western Australia.

The agreement also includes Australian Vanadium's wholly owned subsidiary, VSUN Energy, which will jointly lead the assessment.

The partnership will begin with a scoping study to determine whether a VFB system rated at 50-80 megawatts, capable of storing energy for six to eight hours and potentially longer than eight hours, can be integrated into Alcoa's refining operations. The assessment will focus on how such a system could enhance operational reliability, reduce energy use during peak demand and enable greater use of renewable electricity across the refineries.

Beyond the technical evaluation, the companies will also examine how long-duration energy storage could contribute to industrial electrification while supporting the integration of renewable power into energy-intensive manufacturing.

The MoU will remain valid for 18 months. Although it establishes the framework for the study, it does not commit either party to undertake additional feasibility work or enter into a commercial agreement once the initial assessment is completed.

Study to assess design, costs and commercial viability

Australian Vanadium and VSUN Energy will be responsible for delivering the technical assessment, including the battery system design, engineering specifications, project cost estimates and electrolyte supply requirements for a potential large-scale installation. The companies will also investigate financing structures and available government funding opportunities, with Alcoa supporting the study throughout the process.

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Existing Alcoa refinery sites and adjoining landholdings in Western Australia have been identified as potential locations for deployment, allowing the assessment to consider site-specific operational and infrastructure requirements.

The study is intended to determine whether long-duration energy storage can provide sufficient technical and economic benefits by improving operational flexibility, lowering energy costs and increasing renewable energy utilisation during periods of high electricity demand. If the findings are favourable, the partners may proceed with more detailed feasibility work and begin discussions on commercial arrangements, including possible energy offtake agreements.

Partnership aligns with Australian Vanadium's integrated battery strategy

The project is expected to utilise Australian Vanadium's V-NOMAD electrolyte technology together with VSUN Energy's Lumina platform for utility-scale vanadium flow battery developments.

The initiative also supports Australian Vanadium's broader strategy of building an integrated presence across the vanadium value chain, spanning vanadium production, electrolyte manufacturing and VFB deployment through VSUN Energy.

"Long-duration energy storage will play a critical role in enabling industrial electrification and increasing the utilisation of renewable energy, and VFB technology is particularly well suited to these applications," Chief Executive Officer Graham Arvidson said.

According to Australian Vanadium, vanadium flow batteries are well suited to utility-scale industrial applications because they combine multi-hour energy storage with the flexibility to extend storage duration beyond eight hours.

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WEEKLY: China alumina slides toward ¥2,600-2,750/t range as capacity use dips to 79.77%, stocks hit 6.4Mt

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 03:45:00 +0530

Last week, domestic spot alumina prices moved steadily with a weak bias, and market trading sentiment was muted. As of July 24, the weighted national average spot price for smelter-grade alumina with a minimum purity of 98.6 per cent stood at RMB 2,744 per tonne, dropped RMB 6 per tonne from a week earlier, according to Mysteel's price assessment.

On the supply side, China's domestic alumina operating capacity stands at approximately 95.9 million tonnes per year. Recently, an alumina refinery in Guizhou commenced scheduled maintenance on one of its calciners, expected to last around 10 days and affecting 0.8 million tonnes per year of capacity. Meanwhile, another refinery in Guangxi has concluded its maintenance and will shortly resume normal operations, restoring about 2.5 million tonnes per year of capacity. Additionally, a separate plant in Guangxi plans to begin maintenance on one calciner starting August 8th next month; this is estimated to take roughly 15 days and will impact approximately 0.8 million tonnes per year of capacity.

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As market supply continues to be released, both spot and futures prices have come under further downward pressure, with available spot volume gradually becoming more abundant. Furthermore, driven by the current price spread between northern and southern regions, cross-regional shipments continue to rise. This has strengthened regional price linkages and created a mutually restrictive effect.

As of last Thursday (July 31, 2026), the national alumina capacity utilisation rate was 79.77 per cent on average, down 0.35 percentage points from the previous week. According to Mysteel's research, recent capacity fluctuations were primarily due to routine maintenance, which limits short-term output but has minimal impact on the medium-to-long term. Separately, the resumption progress at a large alumina plant in Guangxi is proceeding relatively smoothly, and it is expected to reach its full production capacity of around 4 million tonnes per year in August.

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Last week, domestic traders' inventory of alumina stood at 6.4 million tonnes, increasing by 26,000 tonnes week-on-week. The surge in cross-regional transportation volumes has facilitated the gradual shift of raw material inventories at downstream aluminium smelters toward ports and goods in transit. Concurrently, widening regional price spreads have exacerbated spot sales pressure in certain markets, leading to a slight accumulation of on-site inventories at alumina refineries.

According to Mysteel statistics, domestic aluminium enterprises consumed approximately 1.67 million tonnes of alumina last week, showing little change from the prior week. Currently, domestic aluminium capacity remains largely stable, operating at around 45.4 million tonnes per year. Some smelters are restocking based on immediate needs, and their willingness to suppress procurement prices in the short term persists.

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Recently, cross-regional cargo flows across the industry have increased significantly. Mounting sales pressure is driving spot prices to continue their mild downward trend. Moreover, as some new and resumed production capacities in the south gradually stabilise, regional supply capabilities have improved. Consequently, inventory pressure at individual plants has also risen. Additionally, some traders remain pessimistic about the market outlook and are still willing to sell at discounts.

In the short term, there are no signs of large-scale production cuts or maintenance in either the north or the south. Given that a weak fundamental pattern is unlikely to see significant improvement, spot prices are expected to maintain a soft trend. The mainstream trading range is projected to be RMB 2,600-2,750 per tonne.

Note: This news is published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel

AL Circle Analysis: H1’26 bauxite export, softer alumina, new aluminium supply risks

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 03:30:00 +0530

The global aluminium value chain faced mixed signals in the first half (H1) of 2026, with production growth in key regions, evolving trade flows and emerging supply risks shaping the market. From Guinea’s record bauxite exports and China’s growing alumina and aluminium output to disruptions in Indonesia and the Middle East, offer important insights for producers, traders, suppliers and buyers.

Guinea’s exports rise, miners under pressure, Africa seeks value addition

During H1 2026, Guinea exported a record 114.8 million tonnes of bauxite, up 15 per cent year-on-year. Strong Chinese demand reinforced shipments despite rising operating costs for smaller mines.

However, weak global bauxite prices, higher fuel and freight prices owing to the Middle East conflict and heavy rains have squeezed smaller operators, forcing some to reduce or suspend production. Despite these challenges, expanding output from major producers and new mining projects are expected to keep Guinea’s bauxite sector on track through 2026.

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Instead of exporting raw materials, African countries are ramping up efforts to process their mineral resources domestically at greater amounts. Leaders at the African Development Bank's Ministerial Forum adopted the Abidjan Declaration to back regional mineral processing, local beneficiation and cross-border value chains.

Africa accounts for about 16 per cent of global bauxite production, with Guinea holding around 30 per cent of the world's reserves. Africa is seeking to develop alumina refining and aluminium production to add greater value from its resources and enhance its standing in the global platform.

Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina export earnings are forecast to recover by 24 per cent to USD 760 million in 2026 as mining and refining operations recover from disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa. Although production and exports declined sharply in Q1, the government forecasts bauxite output would rise about 14 per cent to 6.4 million tonnes by year-end as repair work progresses.

Key takeaway:

Guinea’s bauxite exports of 114.8 million tonnes would provide buyers and traders with a better understanding of near-term raw material availability.

However, heavy dependence on a few supply hubs, i.e., Africa’s 16 per cent share in global bauxite production and Guinea’s nearly 30 per cent of the world's reserves, means any policy change, weather disruption or geopolitical event can quickly tighten markets and trigger price volatility.

For suppliers, maintaining operational efficiency and logistics flexibility would be critical to securing long-term contracts.

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Global alumina trend: production and pricing

Global metallurgical-grade alumina output was broadly stable at 70.24 million tonnes in H1 2026, down just 0.04 per cent from 70.27 million tonnes a year earlier, despite regional disruptions. China offset global weakness by increasing output 1 per cent to 42.82 million tonnes, although oversupply pushed domestic alumina prices down 21.69 per cent Y-o-Y to RMB 2,697 (USD 399.25) per tonne.

Africa and Asia (excluding China) saw production fall 0.9 per cent to 6.93 million tonnes amid tighter bauxite supply from Guinea and weaker refinery margins. In comparison, North America recorded the steepest decline of 11.5 per cent to 747,000 tonnes due to reduced operations at the Gramercy refinery.

Europe's output slipped 1.8 per cent to 2.85 million tonnes as high energy costs continued to weigh on production, and Oceania declined 3.2 per cent to 8.19 million tonnes following Alcoa's Kwinana refinery closure.

South America was the only major region to post growth, with production rising 0.9 per cent to 5.55 million tonnes, supported by expanded output at Hydro's Alunorte refinery in Brazil.

China’s alumina imports surged in H1 2026, rising nearly 749 per cent Y-o-Y to 2.28 million tonnes, largely driven by Australian shipments, which accounted for 91.7 per cent of June imports. The increase was supported by favourable import economics, low comparison volumes from the previous year and shipping adjustments linked to Middle East tensions.

However, strong domestic production combined with higher imports has increased port inventories, keeping China’s alumina market under pressure. Meanwhile, China maintained steady alumina output through new capacity additions despite weaker refinery margins.

Indonesia is working to resolve regulatory uncertainty that has disrupted alumina and nickel exports after authorities raised concerns over trace rare earth elements found in some shipments. The absence of clear limits on permissible rare earth content has affected exporters, particularly alumina producers.

The LME alumina market has moved in the opposite direction to aluminium over the past three years. Alumina prices surged above USD 800 per tonne in late 2024 following refinery disruptions and bauxite supply constraints but declined towards USD 330 per tonne by mid-2026 as new refining capacity in China and Indonesia pushed the market into surplus.

The price correction has improved smelter economics by lowering raw material costs, even as aluminium prices remain firm. However, refiners are facing increasing margin pressure. Guinea’s bauxite policies, Middle East shipping risks and Chinese refinery decisions remain the major factors influencing the future alumina balance.

Key takeaway:

Expanding alumina capacities in China (42.82 million tonnes) and South America (5.55 million tonnes) would help identify the raw material markets to build a strong supply chain.

For traders, the gap in the alumina-to-aluminium price ratio of rising aluminium prices around USD 3,544 per tonne and softer alumina prices around USD 330 per tonne creates opportunities in market trading and inventory planning. At the same time, buyers can use the current oversupply to secure better raw material deals.

Unlock key insights from leading companies and experts across the aluminium ecosystem with our e-Magazine - Mine to Market: ALuminium Producers & Manufacturers 2026

Aluminium supply watch: Australia, China, Middle East

Australia’s aluminium exports remained heavily concentrated in unwrought aluminium during January-May 2026. Total aluminium exports reached 566,386 tonnes, up 1.98 per cent year-on-year, with unwrought aluminium accounting for 565,180 tonnes or 99.79 per cent of shipments.

In 2025, Australia exported 1.45 million tonnes of aluminium products, with unwrought aluminium representing 99.4 per cent of total exports. South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Taiwan and Malaysia remained its largest export markets.

China produced 22.34 million tonnes of primary aluminium in H1 2026, up 2.24 per cent year-on-year. If production follows seasonal trends in the second half, annual output could approach 46 million tonnes, exceeding the country’s 45-million-tonne capacity ceiling.

China continues investing in renewable energy, zero-carbon industrial parks and overseas smelting projects in Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Angola and Kazakhstan. However, coal still supplies around 34.5 per cent of domestic aluminium smelting power, creating challenges for balancing production growth with decarbonisation goals.

The renewed Middle East conflict has highlighted the aluminium industry’s exposure to geopolitical risks. Disruptions at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) could potentially remove 3-3.5 million tonnes of aluminium supply in 2026, equivalent to around 5 per cent of global output.

Beyond production losses, higher war-risk insurance premiums, increased freight costs, Strait of Hormuz disruptions and declining LME inventories have supported aluminium prices. The crisis is also pushing buyers away from purely cost-driven sourcing towards diversified suppliers, strategic inventories and greater supply security.

Key takeaway:

China’s rising aluminium output (22.34 million tonnes in H1) continues to influence global pricing, trade flows and supplier strategies, while the Middle East conflict resulted in about a 5 per cent or 3-3.5 million tonnes of global aluminium supply deficit.

Producers and buyers need to closely track China’s capacity utilisation, import trends, energy transition policies and geopolitical developments to manage future supply risks.

TRUNNANO highlights advanced ceramic crucibles for aluminium and high-temperature industries

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 01:00:00 +0530

TRUNNANO has released a comprehensive guide covering nine advanced ceramic crucible materials, aiming to help engineers optimise material selection for high-temperature industrial processes as aluminium, metallurgy and advanced manufacturing applications demand greater performance, durability and process efficiency, published in the company's advanced ceramics platform, www.ozbo.com

According to Roger Luo, Chief Executive Officer of TRUNNANO, selecting the right crucible material is becoming increasingly important as manufacturers seek higher product purity, longer equipment life and improved process efficiency.

"In high-temperature processes, a crucible is not merely a container - it is a critical factor determining product purity and process success," Luo said.

Material selection is becoming increasingly important

TRUNNANO said industries such as aerospace, speciality alloy production, semiconductor manufacturing and aluminium processing are placing greater demands on crucible materials as operating temperatures and chemical exposure continue to increase.

According to the company, conventional single-material crucibles often struggle to simultaneously provide thermal shock resistance, chemical stability, mechanical strength and cost efficiency, making material selection a key consideration for industrial users.

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Alumina and advanced ceramics support aluminium processing

Among the materials highlighted, alumina remains the most widely used engineering ceramic because of its balanced combination of hardness, electrical insulation and high-temperature performance. TRUNNANO said alumina crucibles can operate at temperatures of up to 1,750°C, making them suitable for a broad range of industrial and laboratory applications.

The guide also highlights alumina-mullite, which combines the high-temperature stability of alumina with improved creep resistance and thermal shock performance. According to TRUNNANO, the material demonstrates significantly higher strength at elevated temperatures, making it suitable for demanding structural and thermal protection applications.

Another material identified as increasingly important is aluminium nitride, whose thermal conductivity of 170–200 W/m·K enables improved temperature uniformity during high-temperature processing. The company said these properties make it well suited for applications requiring efficient thermal management and consistent heating performance.

Beyond these materials, the guide also reviews silicon carbide, silicon nitride, boron nitride, boron carbide, fused silica and silicon carbide-bonded silicon nitride, each offering specific advantages depending on processing conditions and end-use requirements.

Longer service life and lower operating costs

The guide also examines the principal causes of crucible failure, including thermal shock, oxidation, chemical corrosion and melt penetration, noting that selecting materials suited to specific processing environments can extend service life while reducing contamination risks and overall operating costs.

TRUNNANO added that micro-structural defects, including pores introduced during manufacturing, can significantly affect mechanical performance, highlighting the importance of quality control and material inspection for high-temperature applications.

Applications extend across aluminium and advanced manufacturing

According to the company, the ceramic materials covered in the guide are already being used in high-purity metal smelting, aluminium and other non-ferrous metal processing, lithium-ion battery cathode material production, rare-earth permanent magnet manufacturing and semiconductor crystal growth.

Luo said TRUNNANO remains focused on expanding innovation in advanced ceramic materials while helping industrial customers improve production performance through better material selection.

"With this selection guide, we aim to systematise our years of application data and engineering experience across nine core ceramic materials, helping customers mitigate risks at the source and achieve cost reduction and efficiency improvement through scientific material selection," he said.

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