Category: Growth Markets

CRU's May outlook reduced 2026 growth expectations for several aluminum product categories, while its largest long-term forecast revision occurred in rolled products.

The labor contract covers workers at Alcoa's smelters in Massena, N.Y., and Warrick, Ind.

The company said the elimination of 57 of its 99 positions is permanent.

A June 1 proclamation expanded the list of equipment products eligible for temporary 15% Section 232 tariff treatment and established an 85% domestic content threshold for products eligible for a 10% rate.

Trade data shows Chinese beverage can sheet imports more than doubled from January through most of May despite tariffs, higher conversion fees, expanding domestic capacity and a weaker US dollar.

The Lebanon facility will effectively double the company's total annual processing capacity to an estimated 240 million pounds.

The contract covers roughly 3,400 workers in Davenport, Iowa; Alcoa, Tenn.; Lafayette, Ind.; and Massena, N.Y.

Meanwhile, USW reached a tentative agreement with Arconic on a three-year master agreement covering workers at four facilities.

Before the second Trump administration, many automakers banked on an electrified future, with federal and state tax breaks incentivizing consumers.

CRU Senior Analyst David Leah said at the CRU World Aluminium Summit 2026 in London that automotive aluminum demand continues increasing, though growth is shifting unevenly between castings, extrusions and rolled products as automakers reassess vehicle designs.