Contributor: Nicholas Bell

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.

Where are the commercial undertakings?

Commercial participation in LME aluminum declined over the past year even as prices increased, inventories tightened and financial market activity expanded.

Trump expands Section 232 tariff treatment for equipment imports

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.

Rio Tinto begins commissioning AP60 expansion at Arvida

Rio Tinto has started commissioning its AP60 expansion at Arvida, adding 160,000 metric tons of annual primary aluminum capacity while replacing older production assets.

Chinese can sheet regains US share

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.

AMU Survey: Scrap availability rebounds as logistics costs rise

AMU's May survey results showed higher obsolete scrap availability as respondents continued reporting elevated freight costs and UBC price expectations moderated.

IAI April aluminum output falls as GCC declines outweigh gradual Western restarts

The International Aluminium Institute's April figures showed Gulf production losses and the Mozal shutdown outweight modest gains from Europe, China and North America.

AMU Survey: Tightening aluminum market not met by inventory rebuilding

AMU's May aluminum market survey showed lengthier rolled product lead times coupled with shrinking extrusion and primary booking windows, though inventory building and forward demand sentiment remained cautious.

Automotive aluminum demand shifts as OEM priorities change

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.

GCC disruptions tighten global aluminum VAP supply chains

CRU’s Ross Strachan and Paul Williams outline at the CRU World Aluminium Summit 2026 how GCC disruptions are tightening billet, slab and foundry alloy supply more sharply than primary aluminum availability, increasing pressure across downstream manufacturing markets.

Q1 Construction Part Two: Large contractors, megaprojects show stronger activity

Construction indicators strengthened entering Q2, though most momentum was concentrated in data centers and infrastructure projects.