In the days following the US President's decision to double the import tariffs on steel and aluminum from 25% to 50%, non-ferrous metal market participants expressed various concerns about fundamental changes at an industry event held from June 2 to 5.

Emirate Global Aluminium’s recent announcement of setting up a primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma, close to the Tulsa Port of Inola, is going to be the first new primary aluminium plant built in the US in 45 years.

On April 16, at the AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Aluminum Industry Expo — Aluminum Plate/Sheet, Strip and Foil Industry Development Forum, co-hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd., SMM Metal Trading Center, and Shandong Aisi Information Technology Co., Ltd., and co-organized by Zhongyifeng Jinyi (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Lezhi County Qianrun Investment Service Co., Ltd., Feng Hua Gao, Senior R&D Engineer at Gränges Aluminum (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., introduced the new journey and breakthroughs — the innovation path of Gränges Asia's medium-thickness plates. **Technical Requirements and Characteristics of Medium-Thickness Plate Products** **Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates - Definition and Classification** **Definition** - According to GB/T 8005.1-2008 "Aluminum and Aluminum Alloy Terms Part 1: Products and Treatment Processes," plates with a thickness >6mm are called thick plates. - In Japan and Europe: Plates with a thickness ≥6mm are called thick plates. - ASTM standard: Plates with a thickness ≥6.35mm (0.25 inch) are called thick plates. The national standard does not include the term "medium-thickness plates," but due to the wide thickness range of aluminum alloy thick plates, the industry refers to the practices of the steel industry and subdivides them by thickness: - Medium plates: 6.0~25.0mm - Thick plates: >25.0mm **Classification** - Non-heat-treatable: 1-series/3-series/5-series, accounting for about 40%; - Heat-treatable: 2-series/6-series/7-series, accounting for about 60%. He also introduced Gränges Group and Gränges Asia. Gränges Group is a global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. The company has a net sales of SEK 23 billion (excluding the Shandong plant), a capacity of 810,000 mt/year, and holds about 25% of the global market share for rolled aluminum used in brazed heat exchangers. He also elaborated on the company's significant position in the global market, serving four major end-user markets [other segments (including medium-thickness plates), special packaging, automotive industry, HVAC industry], the company's development history and overview, and the main products and application areas. **Production Process of Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates** **Technical Challenges of Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates** **Casting Ingot:** High melt quality, large size, crack-free casting, and excellent microstructure control. **Rolling:** Microstructure evolution during rolling and control of thickness deformation uniformity. **Heat Treatment:** Homogeneous phase transformation and solution heat treatment residual phases and hardenability. **Pre-Stretching:** Control of pre-stretching deformation and its impact on subsequent precipitation and internal stress. **Aging:** Development of multi-stage aging systems and microstructure control. **Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates — Shipbuilding Aluminum Plates** **Opportunities:** Lightweight, energy-saving, environmental protection, and corrosion resistance: Aluminum alloy thick plates, due to their low density and high strength, can effectively reduce ship weight, increase load capacity, and lower fuel consumption and operating costs, complying with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulations on ship carbon emissions and modern ship requirements for lightweight and energy efficiency. Additionally, their excellent corrosion resistance extends the service life of the hull. **Market and Demand:** Over 70% of the ship plate market is overseas. With the US initiating the so-called 301 investigation into China's shipbuilding industry and the transition to LNG energy, the demand for aluminum alloy plates for ships overseas is expected to grow significantly. **Challenges:** High performance: As the requirements for ship strength and speed increase, traditional aluminum alloys may not meet the performance requirements, necessitating the development of new high-strength, high-corrosion-resistant alloys, such as 5059 alloy with higher Mg content. High quality: Residual emulsion from low-temperature rolling, plate shape, lower surface scratches, and A-level flaw detection for LNG aluminum plates. Wide specifications: Ultra-wide and ultra-thick aluminum plates for LNG. **Aluminum Alloy Medium-Thickness Plates — Aerospace and Low-Altitude Economy Aluminum Plates** **Opportunities:** Market demand: With the rapid development of domestic large aircraft and the low-altitude economy in recent years, the demand for aluminum semis has been increasing year by year in industries such as drones, civil aviation, and military aviation. According to the International Aluminum Association, global commercial aviation aluminum usage surged by 30% YoY in 2024, reaching a ten-year high. **Challenges:** High metallurgical quality, low residual stress: High technical barriers exist in casting, homogenization, hot rolling, solution, aging, and stretching processes, making it difficult to obtain thick plates with high melt quality, high strength, high toughness, corrosion resistance, and near-zero residual stress. New technologies: R&D and application of various new heat treatment processes and technologies, melt purification and modification technologies, and the development of a new generation of alloys that are lightweight, high-strength, high-toughness, high-fracture toughness, and stress corrosion resistant. He also listed relevant cases of aluminum plates for semiconductor equipment. He introduced Gränges Asia's medium-thickness plate products, detailing products such as 5052 medium-thickness plates, 6061 medium-thickness plates, and how advanced equipment is crucial for producing high-performance medium-thickness plates. He also introduced Gränges Group and Gränges Asia. Gränges Group is a global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling. The company has a net sales of SEK 23 billion (excluding the Shandong plant), a capacity of 810,000 mt/year, and holds about 25% of the global market share for rolled aluminum used in brazed heat exchangers. He also elaborated on the company's significant position in the global market, serving four major end-user markets [other segments (including medium-thickness plates), special packaging, automotive industry, HVAC industry], the company's development history and overview, and the main products and application areas. **Click to view the special report on AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Aluminum Industry Expo.**

▶ Environmental Responsibilities and Industry Pain Points in the Aluminum Industry Environmental Responsibilities in the Aluminum Industry As a high-energy-consumption and high-carbon-emission industry (aluminum production accounts for approximately 2% of global carbon emissions), the aluminum industry needs to accelerate its transition to low-carbon practices to support global climate goals (such as the Paris Agreement). The international community's surging demand for "green aluminum" (low-carbon aluminum, zero-carbon aluminum) is driving collaborative emission reductions across the industry chain. Industry Pain Points Global carbon emission standards for the aluminum industry have not yet been unified, and the ambiguous definition of green aluminum has led to market confusion. Developing countries' energy structures rely heavily on fossil fuels, and insufficient green electricity supply limits the development of low-carbon aluminum. The recycling system is imperfect, and the proportion of secondary aluminum needs to be significantly increased (currently, global secondary aluminum accounts for about 35%, and it needs to move towards 50%+). Key Paths to Building a Green Aluminum Ecosystem 1. Life Cycle Carbon Reduction Upstream: Promote renewable energy-powered aluminum production (e.g., hydropower aluminum, PV aluminum), improve bauxite mining efficiency, and reduce energy consumption in alumina production. Midstream: Optimize aluminum production technology (e.g., inert anodes, digital energy efficiency management), and promote the application of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). Downstream: Strengthen the recycling of aluminum products (increase closed-loop recycling rates to 90%+), and design lightweight, recyclable products. 2. Standards and Data Systems Establish globally unified green aluminum certification standards (e.g., IAI collaborating with multiple parties to define "low-carbon aluminum" and accounting methods); improve carbon emission databases, and promote data transparency across the industry (e.g., IAI's global aluminum industry greenhouse gas accounting tool). 3. Green Finance and Market Mechanisms Develop carbon trading and green electricity trading markets, and incentivize emission reductions through carbon pricing. Encourage green premiums, guiding consumers to pay reasonable costs for low-carbon aluminum. Industry Collaboration and Policy Recommendations 1. International Cooperation Promote the transfer of low-carbon technologies from developed to developing countries, and support energy transition (e.g., green electricity infrastructure investment); establish cross-border green aluminum trade mechanisms to avoid carbon leakage (e.g., the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, CBAM). 2. Policy Drivers Governments need to set clear emission reduction targets and timetables (e.g., energy consumption limits for aluminum production, green electricity consumption ratios); strengthen public funding support for green aluminum technology R&D (e.g., hydrogen-based aluminum smelting, aluminum scrap sorting technology). 3. Corporate Actions Top-tier enterprises should lead by committing to carbon neutrality goals (e.g., IAI member companies joining the SBTi Science-Based Targets initiative); achieve supply chain collaborative emission reductions (e.g., prioritizing green aluminum procurement in the automotive and construction industries). IAI's Role and Future Directions 1. Core Functions As the global authoritative platform for the aluminum industry, coordinate industry stakeholders (governments, enterprises, NGOs) to reach consensus. Publish industry reports (e.g., "Global Aluminum Industry 2050 Carbon Neutrality Roadmap") to provide data support and action guidelines. 2. Key Plans Promote the sustainability advantages of aluminum (e.g., lightweighting's contribution to emission reductions in the transportation sector). Advance the circular economy, and increase global aluminum scrap recycling rates (target: 50% of demand met by secondary aluminum by 2050). Please join us at the AICE 2025 Aluminum Industry Expo hosted by SMM, April 17, at the Suzhou International Expo Center for the [AICE 2025 Aluminum Industry Conference - Main Forum] , where you will gain in-depth insights from industry leaders! Master of Science from the London School of Economics, joined the International Aluminum Association in 2007, leading the IAI Environment and Nature Committee to advance the industry's sustainable development agenda. Responsible for the collection, analysis, and reporting of global aluminum industry data to promote transparency and informed decision-making. Collaborates with international standards organizations on product carbon footprint disclosure and life cycle assessment methodologies to evaluate and reduce the environmental impact of aluminum. The International Aluminum Association (IAI) is the only organization representing the global primary aluminum industry, aiming to promote the sustainable development of the aluminum industry and increase demand for aluminum products by raising awareness of their unique and valuable properties. Founded in 1972, its member companies are engaged in bauxite, alumina, and aluminum production, aluminum recycling or processing, or as joint venture partners in such businesses. AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Expo will invite government representatives, aluminum industry entrepreneurs, experts, scholars, and industry associations from around the world to engage in in-depth discussions and exchanges on global aluminum market trends, aluminum price forecasts, supply-demand balance, business opportunities, and technical exchanges. Meanwhile, AICE will also focus on low-carbon economy and environmentally friendly supply chain construction, exploring how to drive the aluminum industry towards cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable development, and jointly address global climate change and environmental challenges. Time: April 16-18, 2025 Location: Suzhou International Expo Center Conference Agenda AICE 2025 Aluminum Industry Expo, in conjunction with the concurrent CLNB 2025 New Energy Industry Expo, will facilitate resource sharing and networking opportunities. In the technical forum direction, AICE integrates the concurrent new energy PV ESS forum and low-altitude economy forum with the new energy industry exhibition, based on the technological and scientific development of the aluminum industry, providing extended empowerment to every AICE participant, increasing opportunities for upstream and downstream exchanges, and driving industry-wide resonance.

India's Refined Copper Production Up 7.1%, Iron Ore Production Up 4.4% YoY in FY 2024-25. On March 30 (Sunday), preliminary data released by the Indian Ministry of Mines showed that India's aluminum production increased slightly by 0.9% to 3.836 million mt during April-February of FY 2024-25. Meanwhile, refined copper production in FY 2024-25 rose 7.1% to 497,000 mt. India is one of the top 10 refined copper producers globally, ranks fourth in iron ore production, and is the second-largest aluminum producer worldwide. (Webstock Inc.)

The Aluminum Association of Canada: Replacing Canadian aluminum with US domestic aluminum supply would threaten 700,000 US jobs and require an energy supply equivalent to four Hoover Dams, with costs reaching $100 billion. Canada relies on clean energy to produce aluminum, providing the US with a stable, low-carbon supply and reducing carbon emissions. Shifting to domestic production would not only be costly but also increase resource burdens and hinder sustainable development.