AMU Survey: MWP/UBC expectations and scrap outlook
January AMU survey results show firmer Midwest premium expectations, stabilizing UBC outlooks, and a split between recycler responses and those of producers, manufacturers, and traders.
Category: Building & Construction
Construction end market check-in: 2025 Backlog and momentum indicators
Non-residential construction indicators show how planning and backlog shaped aluminum demand heading into 2026.
The question of aluminum and substitution
Decisions to swap materials are not made in the spur of the moment. Significant engineering changes have to be made, tooling has to be redesigned. With current lead times for heavy industrial equipment, substitution could take 1-2 years to execute. Substitution, whether good or bad for aluminum, is not happening quickly.
Lead time takeaways from AMU's survey
December survey data showed lead times rising across aluminum products even as respondents reported steadier conditions.
ALUKO Group expands US manufacturing footprint
ALUKO Group plans to establish a second US manufacturing facility in Tennessee, expanding its domestic manufacturing presence beyond the EV-focused Jackson site.
MMG Extrusions completes multi-year expansion at New Hampshire facility
MMG Extrusions completed a multi-year expansion at its New Hampshire facility that increased extrusion capacity and added automated aging, packing, and downstream processing.
AKFA Aluminum Solutions to build first US manufacturing facility in Kentucky
AKFA Aluminum Solutions will establish its first US manufacturing facility in Bowling Green, Kentucky, introducing a new extrusion-focused aluminum producers into the regional secondary market.
AI needs data centers. What this means for metals.
AI is seeing an aggressive buildup, but some cracks are beginning to show.
Hoover enters aluminum cladding with acquisition of Arconic asset
Hoover Treated Wood Products is entering the aluminum-cladding market through its acquisition of Arconic's AAP LLC operation in Eastman, Ga., adding ACM production to its portfolio while Arconic retains its Kawneer building-system assets.
Scrap Musings for December
Scrap discounts remain exceptionally wide to the Midwest transaction price. Some seasonal tightness may occur, but still affords rolling mills and extruders excellent earnings potential.