Global Trade
September 1, 2026
Written by Stephanie Ritenbaugh
The US Department of Defense is providing about $174 million in equity financing for Alcoa’s gallium production facility in Australia.
The gallium plant is part of Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery. It’s expected to produce 100 metric tons of gallium metal annually.
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.
