Global Trade
July 20, 2026
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Alcoa cut its production guidance for alumina for the full year, citing issues at its Pinjarra refinery in Western Australia.
Despite the ongoing Iran war upending aluminum supply chains, the company said alumina prices remained relatively stable.
EGA has restarted 631 of Al Taweelah’s 1,262 reduction cells and still expects the smelter to return to full production in Q1 2027.
Recycler forward views shifted toward undersupply in October even as Midwest Premium and UBC expectations moved lower.
Aluminum sheet lead times rose modestly in October, while broader supply indicators remained largely stable after September’s shift.
Alcoa expects two other unnamed sites to follow the Massena East sale.
A Luxembourg court withdrew an order blocking a potential sale of Ardagh Metal Packaging, allowing Ardagh Holdings to resume preparations.
