Aluminum Scrap Markets
January 6, 2026
Written by Greg Wittbecker
Midwest premiums are approaching 93 cents per pound (¢/lb) over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash settlement, up nearly 5¢/lb in a single month.
Consumers have now endured seven consecutive months of steady increases, rising from the high “50’s” in early June 2025.
At ADI’s facility in Mississippi, all three cold mills are now operational, which will allow ADI to access the full 650,000-metric-ton annual capability, the company said.
Recycler forward views shifted toward undersupply in October even as Midwest Premium and UBC expectations moved lower.
Rio Tinto maintained third quarter aluminum production as its Arvida smelter transition continued, while the company delayed two capacity projects at the Quebec complex.
US aluminum scrap imports increased faster than exports through August, while similar tonnage gains kept net exports near year earlier levels.
The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) has filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, challenging the district court’s decision to uphold Oregon’s version of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that are popping up across the country.
