Global Trade
January 15, 2026
Written by Nicholas Bell
At the beginning of the year, aerospace offers a useful reference point for aluminum market participants, even though it remains a smaller demand driver than automotive or construction.
Aircraft production concentrates demand in 2000- and 7000-series alloys and their related scrap streams, where copper content matters more than in most other alloy groups.
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.
