
As voices from aluminium associations across US trade-allied nations grow louder, one consensus is becoming clear that the United States’ decision to increase tariffs on aluminium imports to 50 per cent is unlikely to benefit its global partners.
Jun 13, 2025 09:35[Aluminium Scrap Recovery Growth Helps US Maintain Balance Despite Trade Shifts] In February 2025, the US exported 162,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap, up 5.88% month-on-month, while imports fell 5.84% to 59,700 tonnes, according to USGS data. Compared to February 2024, exports rose 2.53% and imports surged 24.8%. The rise in exports was supported by an 8% increase in domestic scrap recovery, reaching 321,000 tonnes, with 50.46% of it exported and 159,000 tonnes retained locally—forming a buffer ahead of a 25% import tariff effective March 12, 2025. Most of the recovered scrap came from new sources (184,000 tonnes), with the rest from old scrap (137,000 tonnes). Export volumes to India, Malaysia, South Korea, and China all increased, while exports to Thailand declined. On the import side, shipments from Canada dropped by 17.31%, while imports from Mexico rose. For January–February 2025, total exports reached 316,000 tonnes and imports 123,000 tonnes—both higher than a year earlier. This growing scrap recovery is helping the US maintain supply stability despite shifting trade dynamics.
May 27, 2025 11:44[Aluminium Dunkerque inaugurates €13 million recycling furnace] On May 2025, Aluminium Dunkerque officially launched a €13 million melting furnace, known as Furnace 8, dedicated to aluminium recycling. The new unit will process 7,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap annually and deliver 20,000 tonnes of low-carbon metal, cutting CO₂ emissions per tonne of ingots by 10%. This equates to 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ and 96 GWh of electricity saved each year. The installation also created eight new jobs. Furnace 8 incorporates advanced technologies such as oxy-fuel burners and a closed-loop industrial water system, boosting environmental performance. With a capacity of 10 tonnes per hour, the furnace strengthens France’s domestic recycling capacity and supports industrial decarbonisation, especially in the automotive sector. Aluminium Dunkerque, France’s last major primary aluminium smelter, produces 300,000 tonnes of aluminium annually for use in automotive, defense, transport, and packaging industries.
May 20, 2025 09:27[Hydro to Close Extrusion Site Amid Downstream Market Weakness] Norwegian aluminium producer Hydro has announced the closure of its extrusion site in Birtley, UK, and an anodising facility in Luce, France, citing continued weakness in the downstream aluminium market and compressed recycling margins. Additionally, Hydro will reduce recycling capacity in Puget, France by 30,000 tonnes. Decommissioning is already underway in Birtley and will be completed by the end of June, while the Luce facility will shut down by September. The company attributed the decision to tightened aluminium scrap supply and declining margins, which are impacting re-melt production. In response, Hydro aims to cut hot metal costs by USD 20–30 per tonne by 2030, with one-third of those savings targeted for realization by 2025. In its Q1 2025 financial update, Hydro reported an 18.3% drop in EBITA to NOK 1,174 million, driven by lower extrusion sales and weakened recycling margins. While European extrusion demand fell 1% year-on-year in Q1 2025, it rose 16% from the previous quarter, partly due to seasonal factors.
May 12, 2025 09:56The return of U.S. aluminum tariffs under Trump’s administration has reignited global trade tensions, affecting supply chains and market trends. While tariffs aim to support domestic production, the U.S. still relies heavily on imports, driving up aluminum prices and raising costs for industries like automotive, construction, and packaging. Despite government backing, primary aluminum production remains limited, with recycling and secondary output expected to become more important. Global trade patterns may change as key suppliers like Canada look for new markets, while uncertainty over U.S. trade policies keeps market sentiment cautious.
Feb 15, 2025 00:28Since July, the domestic supply of aluminium scrap has remained tight. Coupled with multiple policy adjustments in the recycled metal industry, this has led to a decline in industry activity. Some secondary aluminium processing enterprises are facing difficulties in procuring aluminium scrap raw materials and poor industry profitability.
Sep 2, 2024 10:36With the development of the scrap metal industry, companies are paying more attention to scrap aluminum varieties and price points across different geographical regions. To meet market demands and provide more comprehensive spot price information, SMM, after extensive market research and preliminary communication, have launched the following price points for local scrap metal prices in Malaysia and Thailand on November 3, 2025: Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Introduction to the new SMM Malaysian scrap aluminum price points: SMM, taking into account the local and international demand for overseas aluminium scrap prices primarily in Southeast Asia, and based on overseas policies and market changes, has decided to launch several price points in reflection of the Southeast Asian aluminium scrap markets and trade. The specific details are as follows: Price Point 1: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 2: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 3: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launced) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 4: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 (Launched) Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) We welcome more companies from both upstream and downstream industries to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry chain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at (+86)15021973263 or Chin Khai Yuen at (+60)124247012, or email adrian.chin@metal.com.
PriceNov 3, 2025 17:51With the development of the scrap metal industry, companies are paying more attention to scrap aluminum varieties and price points across different geographical regions. To meet market demands and provide more comprehensive spot price information, SMM, after extensive market research and preliminary communication, plans to launch the following price points for local scrap metal prices in Malaysia and Thailand on November 3, 2025: Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Introduction to the new SMM Malaysian scrap aluminum price points: SMM, taking into account the local and international demand for overseas aluminium scrap prices primarily in Southeast Asia, and based on overseas policies and market changes, has decided to launch several price points in reflection of the Southeast Asian aluminium scrap markets and trade. The specific details are as follows: Price Point 1: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 2: Addition of Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Malaysian Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Malaysia, including VAT, MYR/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 3: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – Talon (Aluminium Wire and Cable), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) Price Point 4: Addition of Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans) Name and Definition : Thai Aluminium Scrap – UBC (Used Beverage Cans), ExWorks Thailand, including VAT, THB/tonne Launch Date : November 3, 2025 Updated Frequency : The new price point will be updated before 12:00 PM on the first working day of each week (Kuala Lumpur time) We welcome more companies from both upstream and downstream industries to participate and support SMM in better serving the new energy industry chain. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Liu Xiaolei at (+86)15021973263 or Chin Khai Yuen at (+60)124247012, or email adrian.chin@metal.com.
PriceOct 27, 2025 17:51