Export Growth
March 16, 2026
Written by Greg Wittbecker
The past several weeks have seen Midwest premiums rise steadily amid the Iran conflict.
Nominal Midwest premiums were quoted as high as $1.10 per pound over the LME cash settlement.
ClearFlow Metalworks plans a $28 million aluminum billet casting facility in Kentucky, with initial annual casting capacity of 100,000 tons.
Growth was driven largely by imports of semi-fabricated aluminum products rather than increased shipments from domestic producers, the Aluminum Association found.
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.
Alcoa expects two other unnamed sites to follow the Massena East sale.
