Global Trade
March 27, 2026
Written by Greg Wittbecker
AMU Explainer is a series where we demystify parts of the aluminum industry. We invite your feedback and suggestions. And as always, feel free to reach out for any clarification about this or other topics.
All aluminum smelters active in both international P1020 markets and value-added product markets use netback calculations to determine production mix and market allocation.
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.
