Global Trade
February 10, 2026
Written by Greg Wittbecker
January imports of unwrought aluminum were 245,972 metric tons, down 7.6% from December. January’s numbers are also a drop compared to 336,389 tons in January 2025, according to the US International Trade Administration.
Canadian imports were 144,009 tons compared to 169,781 tons in December and 248,125 tons in January 2025. Month on month, that’s a whopping 15.2% decline.
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.
