Novelis, world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, has announced its plan to expand its Brazil rolling operations by investing $300 million in Pindamonhangaba. The said action is in response to the growing demand of Aluminum products in South America. Phil Martens, President and Chief Operating Officer, Novelis Inc. is quoted saying: “We are experiencing [...]
China’s premier Wen Jiabao delivered a big speech on Wednesday urging all levels of government to work with an ‘iron hand’ to improve energy efficiency. Click here to access the entire Editorial
The U.S. and the EU have both launched World Trade Organization complaints against China on the grounds that Beijing unfairly helps domestic makers of steel and aluminum, by blocking overseas exports of raw materials.
Despite the recent recovery in LME aluminum prices; demand for the stainless steel component remains in the dumps. Without any idea of when demand may stage a comeback, aluminum miners are bracing for more tough times.
Aluminum’s fundamentals remain dire, despite the upswing in Chinese Imports. Imports in the country are rising due to an arbitrage opportunity as Shanghai Futures Exchange aluminum is selling at a premium of $400-$500 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange.
Aluminum producer’s cutbacks have done little to stabilize the metal’s free fall. In London, the price of aluminum fell to $1,321 per tonne from $1,345. In New York, it was selling for 59 cents per pound. Six months ago, the metal’s going rate was $1.50 per pound.
Aluminium for delivery in three months on the London Metal Exchange fell to a low of $1,279 a tonne – the lowest level since November, 2001. Record high stocks were responsible for the overwhelming downward pressure. Aluminium LME warehouse inventories leapt by 13,125 tonnes to stand at 3.17 million tonnes, their highest ever.
Aluminum prices are near five-year lows as orders drop from automakers, builders and appliance manufacturers. The global recession, collapsing consumer and corporate confidence and plunging demand for industrial metals have combined to drop the aluminum prices on the LME to their lowest monthly rate since April 2003.
Aluminum industry executives sent a warning to other market leaders that unless large aluminum producers make deeper output cuts, the entire industry will likely take many years to recover from the current slump. Just 10% of world aluminum output is slated to be taken offline, and unless this number is pushed higher by more output cuts long-lasting damage to the sector is possible.
The price of aluminum has slumped some 50 percent since peaking at $3,380 per tonne last July as the global economic downturn has hit demand for the metal. To kick off 2009, the aluminum market received some positive news as the metal climbed to a three-week high in Shanghai trading.
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