AMU survey: Supply concerns grow despite mixed lead times
AMU’s July survey showed selective lead-time pressure in sheet and billet while transportation-focused respondents expressed stronger concern about future supply.
AMU’s July survey showed selective lead-time pressure in sheet and billet while transportation-focused respondents expressed stronger concern about future supply.
The incentive is geared toward companies who commit to building new facilities or expanding or refurbishing existing plants.
Matalco recorded its highest quarterly recycled aluminum production since the Canton closure began, while Rio Tinto's primary output held nearly steady and US shipments decreased.
The first half of 2026 has been turbulent for the aluminum market, with the Iran war sparking the largest supply shock in the history of the industry, CRU Group said.
Additional attacks on commercial shipping, renewed US military operations and a resumed naval blockade coincided with aluminum prices recovering from early July lows.
Aluminum prices retreated as markets priced a return to Middle East stability, but shipping attacks, military strikes and LME indicators suggest that assumption may have outpaced events.
The Inola Town Council approved a 60-day moratorium that temporarily pauses development actions affecting the proposed EGA-Century Aluminum smelter while officials review legal and zoning options.
EGA reported progress restoring its Al Taweelah complex while US import data highlighted changing aluminum trade flows following the regional conflict.
Markets were somewhat adrift this past holiday-shortened week as there was not much meaningful news to go by.
Magnitude 7 Metals plans to restart one potline at its idled Missouri primary aluminum smelter before the end of 2026, returning 75,000 metric tons per year of production after more than two years offline.