Global Trade
October 6, 2025
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Century Aluminum Co. has made another step toward restarting idle capacity at its Mt. Holly smelter outside of Charleston, S.C.
The Chicago-based producer said Monday it signed an extension of its power agreement with South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper) to secure energy for the smelter through 2031.
LME aluminum prices returned to February levels despite a 50% decrease in warehouse inventories and a substantial narrowing of the cash-to-three-month contango.
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Outside of energy, base metals had a mixed week. Tin lost almost 4% on the week, finishing at $53,000/ton. Prices dropped to a low of $51,259/ton at one point. Aluminum was another loser, off by about 1.6% on the week. Investors are expecting more aluminum supply going forward, especially out of China and Indonesia.
US aluminum scrap imports increased faster than exports through August, while similar tonnage gains kept net exports near year earlier levels.
Stellantis’ Etobicoke Casting Plant faces uncertain production commitments and potential operational disruption as Unifor prepares strike authorization votes.
