Contributor: Greg Wittbecker

Greg Wittbecker

Veteran aluminum executive Greg brings over 40 years of leadership experience from Alcoa, Cargill, and CRU. He offers rare depth in commercial strategy, policy analysis, and industry evolution, with expertise spanning the trading floor to the boardroom. You can reach Greg at Greg.Wittbecker@crugroup.com or 865-621-4564.

Midwest premiums: Falling Canadian imports are telling

The US has seen a drastic decline in imports from Canada.

Midwest premiums: How high is high?

The Midwest premium has risen beyond replacement economics, driven by thin liquidity, depleted US inventories, slow import response, and limited near-term substitutes - raising questions about sustainability and forward risk.

How Venezuela figures into the aluminum sector

New Year's resolutions for the aluminum Industry

There are some tactical resolutions in this list that are essential for the companies involved to achieve their financial results for 2026. Some are aspirational and may take more than 2026 to happen.

Focus on Demand: Trailer orders take a turn for the worse

Trailers represent a significant source of demand for aluminum extruders and sheet mills, consuming a lot of 6061 alloys. So, any softness in trailer orders is not welcome news.

Aluminum Explainer: Options as a risk management tool

An explainer on how aluminum options function as price insurance, outlining common strategies and practical use cases for producers and consumers.

To hedge or not to hedge

As aluminum markets head into 2026, LME prices appear structurally supported while the Midwest premium looks increasingly risky and politically distorted, forcing buyers and sellers to hedge very differently.

Tomago smelter gets a lifeline

Australia is hardly alone in intervening in heavy industry.

Mexico's tariffs on China: Important move ahead of USMCA Talks

Mexico’s Congress authorized up to 50% tariffs on goods from countries with which it does not have a bilateral trading agreement. This is gives Mexico some cover over concerns it bowed to US pressure to block just Chinese goods flowing through Mexico to the US.

Misery loves company: The plight of low recycling in plastics

Despite competing fiercely for market share, aluminum and plastics share the same structural recycling failures rooted in incentives and policy resistance.