Export Growth
June 23, 2026
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
Primary aluminum production rose to 6.15 million metric tonnes (mt) globally in May, a gain of 3.5% month over month, according to the latest figures from the International Aluminum Institute (IAI).
However, May’s total was lower than a year earlier, when production reached 6.25 million mt.
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.
The shipment was part of an offtake agreement between private investment group Heeney Capital, Mercuria Energy Group and the Venezuelan government.
Rio Tinto maintained third quarter aluminum production as its Arvida smelter transition continued, while the company delayed two capacity projects at the Quebec complex.
