SMM, February 28th， Driven by the global clean energy transition, the energy storage industry is achieving steady growth. Its core value lies in effectively mitigating the inherent intermittency and volatility of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power, providing critical assurance for stable clean electricity output. This development trend will sustainably drive demand for key metals across the energy storage supply chain. As one of the core materials, aluminum applications in energy storage systems primarily focus on aluminum sheets, strips, foils, and extrusions. I. Scale of Aluminum Consumption in ESS According to SMM calculations, each 1GWh energy storage system consumes approximately 1,780 tons of aluminum , of which aluminum extrusions account for about 44%, aluminum sheets and strips account for about 39%, and aluminum foil accounts for about 18%. From the perspective of industry growth drivers, global energy storage cell production is entering a period of rapid growth: According to SMM estimates, the global demand for energy storage cells will be approximately 559 GWh in 2025, and is expected to reach 779 GWh in 2026, with a year-on-year increase of 39%; even as the base expands, the annual demand from 2027 to 2030 will still maintain a growth rate of over 20%. In terms of aluminum demand, Chinese enterprises dominate the energy storage market, driving increased domestic aluminum consumption. SMM research indicates China's energy storage battery cabinet shipments will reach approximately 400GWh in 2025, accounting for over 80% of global share. Based on SMM's calculation of 1,780 tons of aluminum per GWh for energy storage systems and global battery cabinet shipments, the global aluminum demand for energy storage systems in 2025 will reach 850,000 tons, with China consuming approximately 710,000 tons. Domestic demand for aluminum in energy storage is projected to increase by 280,000 tons in 2026. However, it should be noted that with the continuous iteration of large-cell technology, the unit consumption of aluminum structural components in energy storage systems has room for reduction. In the long term, there is still potential for optimizing aluminum consumption per unit. II. Calculation of Aluminum Profile Materials per Unit of ESS Due to design variations across different energy storage products, this section separates aluminum consumption calculations for energy storage cells from other system components . 1.Core Application Scenarios of Aluminum Materials in EES Aluminum materials, with advantages such as lightweight, corrosion resistance, and excellent processing performance, have been deeply integrated into the core components of ESS, with their main applications concentrated in three major areas: Energy Storage Cell Component: Primarily used for cell aluminum foil, aluminum casings, and tabs. Pack Component : Primarily used for battery trays, liquid cooling plates, battery end plates, and battery enclosures, etc. Energy Storage System Component: Main applications include energy storage system enclosures, radiators, etc. 2.Aluminum Consumption in Energy Storage Cells Aluminum usage in energy storage cells primarily involves battery foil, aluminum casings, and tabs. Currently, the aluminum consumption per cell is approximately 615t/GWh, with aluminum foil accounting for 300-330 t/GWh. 3.Aluminum Consumption in ESS Due to variations in technical approaches and application scenarios, different manufacturers employ distinct design solutions for energy storage systems. When calculating aluminum consumption, we use industry average values: In industrial, commercial, and residential energy storage projects, each rack is on average configured with 4.5 battery packs. In grid-side energy storage projects, each rack averages 8 battery packs, with each system containing an average of 12 rack. The aluminum components of the battery pack include the tray, liquid cooling plate, box body, and end plate. The structure of the battery tray is similar to that of new energy vehicle battery trays, but the product specifications are smaller and the cross-sectional design is more simplified. SMM calculates the aluminum consumption of a single battery pack based on the average weight data of components provided by mainstream aluminum production enterprises. In addition, the core equipment of the energy storage system, the power conversion system (PCS), and its supporting radiator also need to consume aluminum materials.While aluminum enclosures exist for ESS, market research indicates steel enclosures currently dominate the market, with aluminum enclosures holding less than 20% market share. The weight range per unit is from several hundred kilograms to 2 tons. Based on the above parameter calculations: the comprehensive aluminum consumption of industrial, commercial, and residential energy storage systems is 2030 tons/GWh,while for grid-side energy storage systems it is 1,720 tons/GWh. Weighted by the shipment share of different energy storage system types, the final comprehensive aluminum consumption for energy storage systems is calculated as 1,780 t/GWh. 4.Consumption Structure of Aluminum Materials in Energy Storage Systems From a production process perspective, the manufacturing methods for core components such as aluminum casings and liquid cooling plates encompass multiple pathways including sheet metal stamping, profile processing, and casting. This section breaks down the consumption structure of aluminum material categories in energy storage systems based on the proportion of mainstream process applications: aluminum extrusions account for approximately 44%, aluminum sheets and strips account for approximately 39%, and aluminum foil accounts for approximately 18%.

The champagne corks in Brussels may have popped too soon. On January 14, 2026, the European Commission released a soaring press statement celebrating the official entry of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) into its "Definitive Regime." In the official narrative, this was a triumph of digitalization: over 10,000 customs declarations verified in real-time, with the system running as smooth as silk. However, if we shift the lens from the desks of Brussels to the customs brokers in Hamburg, the steel traders in Rotterdam, and the customs officials currently drowning in paperwork across the continent, a starkly different picture emerges. What we are witnessing is a carefully whitewashed administrative "cardiac arrest." Forensic-level investigation into the first seven weeks of 2026 reveals that the landing of CBAM is far from the glitz claimed by officials. On the contrary, plagued by suspected low-level data errors, catastrophic approval backlogs, and teetering temporary patches, the mechanism is currently mired in a dual crisis of legality and operations. I. The Absurd "Default Values": When Taiwan’s Stainless Steel "Became" Indonesian Coal If one were to find a single representative footnote for this chaos, the "Default Value Controversy" would be the undisputed choice. For importers unable to obtain precise carbon emission data from upstream factories, the EU’s official "default values" are a lifeline. This was supposed to be a baseline derived from rigorous scientific calculation. Yet, in the 2,400-page document released on December 31, 2025, mere hours before the new rules took effect, industry experts witnessed a jaw-dropping scene. This is not merely a margin of error; it looks more like a metallurgical farce. Industry bodies have pointed out that when the Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union (DG TAXUD) established the carbon emission default values for stainless steel from the Taiwan region, the data tables contained suspected structural errors, bearing traces of a "copy-paste" job from Indonesian data structures. The consequence? In the physical world, processing a steel slab into a precision tube requires significant electricity, meaning the finished product should logically have higher emissions than the semi-finished one. Yet, in the table published by the EU, industry players have flagged phenomena where "Taiwanese semi-finished stainless steel allegedly emits more than the finished product," vehemently questioning its rationality. In metallurgy, this is impossible; in a bureaucratic Excel sheet, it became legal reference. More fatally, Taiwan’s stainless steel industry relies primarily on Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) and scrap recycling, resulting in a relatively low carbon footprint. In contrast, the Indonesian stainless steel industry is highly dependent on Nickel Pig Iron (NPI) and coal-fired power, yielding extremely high emissions. This suspected "slip of the hand" by the EU is akin to forcefully assigning the calorie count of a rich braised pork belly to a light garden salad. This has directly resulted in European buyers of Taiwanese stainless steel facing artificially inflated financial costs. II. A 27% Pass Rate: The 15,000-Strong Army Blocked at the Gate If data controversies are "soft tissue damage," the backlog in administrative approval is a fatal "compound fracture." The core rule of the CBAM definitive stage is simple: without "authorized declarant" status, you cannot import. This means every company wishing to ship a screw or an aluminum sheet into Europe must first secure an "entry ticket." The reality is brutal. According to the Commission’s official press release, by January 7, over 12,000 operators across the EU had submitted applications, with just over 4,100 approved (a pass rate of roughly 34%). However, industry estimates suggest that by late February, applications swelled to approximately 15,000, causing the pass rate to slide to around 27%. Where did the massive remainder go? They are stuck in the overwhelmed approval systems of National Competent Authorities (NCAs). In Germany, due to the deluge of applications, logistics giant DSV issued a public notice stating it could not support clients with CBAM authorization and registration, bluntly forcing thousands of SMEs to crash into the complex reporting system like headless flies. In France, the labyrinthine digital authentication process has turned the application into a maze only a hacker could navigate. To prevent European ports from paralysis, the EU was forced to administer a "painkiller": Customs Code Y238. This is a temporary "hall pass" allowing companies that applied before March 31 but have not yet been approved to keep goods moving for now. But make no mistake, this merely lengthens the fuse on the bomb. III. The Strategy of Silence and the Risk of "Retroactive Reckoning" Faced with industry skepticism, Brussels seems to have chosen the oldest PR strategy: silence. Although industry giants like the Gerber Group issued detailed technical warnings as early as January 9, pointing out the absurdity of the Taiwan/Indonesia data, the industry notes that as of late February, no official "Corrigendum" has been issued to legally revise the default values. The updated Excel version released on February 13 merely added a disclaimer: "information only." This rigid attitude transfers all risk to the enterprises. For companies currently relying on the Y238 temporary arrangement, the real danger is not "whether goods are released," but "whether they will be retroactively penalized." Competent authorities have publicly warned that if an authorization application is ultimately rejected, member states can, under Article 26 (2)/(2a) of the CBAM Regulation, retroactively penalize goods imported during the waiting period. Such fines can, in certain cases, reach 3 to 5 times the standard penalty. In other words, this is not a procedural flaw; it is a compliance risk that could land directly on cash flows and balance sheets. Conclusion: Who Pays the Price for Hubris? CBAM was supposed to be the crown jewel of the EU’s climate ambition, a lighthouse for global green trade. But the opening scene of 2026 makes it look more like an unfinished Tower of Babel. From the "data ghosts" haunting the industry to the severely backlogged approval channels, this "hard landing" exposes a chasm between regulatory ambition and administrative capability. For European importers, every day now is an exercise in navigating through fog. They are forced to calculate not just carbon emissions, but the cost of policy uncertainty. And for the European Commission, if it cannot step out of this arrogant "silence" and clarify these glaring operational controversies, what CBAM loses will be more than just data accuracy; it will be the trust of its global trading partners.

On May 10-11, 2025, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and State Department Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a new round of tariff negotiations with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva. Both sides agreed to reduce EO 14257 "reciprocal tariffs" to a baseline of 10% within 90 days and suspend further increases. Additionally, the 24% tariff was suspended for 90 days. Since the reciprocal tariffs did not cover aluminum and aluminum semis already covered by Section 232, the above agreement did not change the current tariffs on aluminum semis exported to the US. The Section 301 tariffs imposed during Trump's first term targeting China, the Section 232 tariffs in 2025 to protect the US steel and aluminum industry, and the 20% "fentanyl tariff" (Executive Order 14195 and 14228) imposed on all goods of Chinese (including Hong Kong) origin under the pretext of "combating the synthetic drug supply chain" were not addressed in this negotiation. So, how many layers of tariffs are currently imposed on aluminum semis directly exported from China to the US? What are the final tariff rates for each product? MFN Most Favored Nation tariff —the "first threshold" universally applicable to all WTO members; Section 301 tax surcharge on China —only applicable to aluminum semis of Chinese origin, with rates of 25% or 7.5% depending on the list; Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs —a 25% tariff imposed by the US on all imported aluminum and aluminum semis starting from March 12, 2025; "Fentanyl" tariff —a 20% tariff on all goods of Chinese origin; AD/CVD trade remedy measures —anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing (CVD) deposits imposed on specific categories such as extrusions, aluminum sheets, and aluminum foil. Current effective anti-dumping product summary: *AD/CVD items are subject to the latest announcements by the US Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. Typical product quick reference: In 2024, aluminum semis directly exported from China to the US accounted for only 4.08% of total exports, so the tariff war had a relatively small impact on direct aluminum semis exports. However, some end-user finished products not under the 76 code, such as home appliances, electronics, and auto parts, if not listed under Section 301 or Section 232, will be subject to the 10% tariff agreed upon in the US-China negotiations and the 20% fentanyl tariff, and the 24% suspension for 90 days may stimulate a rush to export, thereby boosting aluminum demand in the short term. SMM will focus on the recent downstream production and order situation.

From May 10 to 11, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a new round of tariff negotiations with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Geneva. Both sides agreed to uniformly reduce the EO 14257 "reciprocal tariff" to a 10% baseline within 90 days and suspend further increases. Additionally, the implementation of the remaining 24% tariff was suspended for 90 days. The Section 232 tariffs , which are designed to protect the US domestic steel and aluminum industries, as well as the Section 301 tariffs targeting China, were not addressed in this round of negotiations. Therefore, the 25% tariff imposed by the US on steel and aluminum products remains unchanged , but this round of negotiations has left room for further negotiations on possible "substantial tax reductions". It is worth noting that the US has also retained a 20% "fentanyl tariff" specifically targeting Chinese goods valued at less than US$800 entering the US through international mail or express delivery channels , in an effort to combat the smuggling of chemical precursors. Industrial-grade aluminum semis are typically cleared through regular sea or air freight customs declarations, so this tax surcharge has no substantial impact on the tax burden of aluminum industry exports . So, how many layers of tariffs are currently imposed on aluminum semis directly exported from China to the US? What are the final tariff rates for each product? Currently, there are five main layers of tariffs: MFN (Most Favored Nation) tariff rates – the "first threshold" universally applicable to all WTO members; Section 301 additional tariffs on China – only targeting aluminum semis of Chinese origin, with tariff rates of 25% or 7.5% depending on the list; Section 232 steel and aluminum tariffs – starting from March 12, 2025, the US will impose a 25% tariff on all imported aluminum and aluminum semis; EO 14257 reciprocal tariff – currently exempted , temporarily set at 0%; AD/CVD trade remedy measures – imposing anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) deposits on specific categories such as extruded profiles, aluminum sheets, and aluminum foil. Tariff Tier Current Tariff Rate Scope of Application (Typical HTS) Cumulative with Other Tiers? Tier 1 MFN (Column 1-General) Aluminum and aluminum semis (7601-7609) 0–5% Aluminum wheel hubs 2.5% 7,601-7,609, 7,610-7,616, 8,708.7 Must Tier 2 Section 301 tax surcharge on China List 1-3: 25% (effective from May 10, 2019) List 4A: 7.5% (effective from February 14, 2020) List 1-3: Most of 7,601-7,609; List 4A: Some products of 7,610-7,616; Aluminum wheel hubs 8708.70.45 fall under List 3 Yes (only of Chinese origin) Tier 3 Section 232—General 25% tax surcharge on steel and aluminum 25% (effective from March 12, 2025) 7,601-7,609 + 7,616.99.51/70, etc. Yes Section 232—Auto parts (including aluminum wheel hubs) 25% (effective from May 3, 2025) Annex I lists 8,708.70, etc. Yes Tier 4 EO 14257 reciprocal tariff Exemptions for aluminum and auto parts = 0% — — Tier 5 AD/CVD trade remedies (anti-dumping and countervailing duties) See the table below Extruded materials, general alloy plates, foil, disposable meal boxes, etc. Yes Summary of currently effective anti-dumping/countervailing products: Product AD Bond CVD Bond Federal Register Notice Profiles 7,604, 7,608 33–86% 7–374% A-570-967 / C-570-968 General alloy aluminum plates 7,606 49.50% 51% A-570-073 / C-570-074 Household aluminum foil ≤0.2 mm 7,607 56–106% 17–81% A-570-053 / C-570-054 Disposable aluminum meal boxes 7,615.1, 7,615.9 94–168% — A-570-157 (final determination in 2025) Quick reference for typical products: Product Category (HTS Examples) MFN Section 232 Section 301 EO 14257 AD/CVD* Total Nominal Tariff Unwrought Aluminum Ingot (7601) 0% 25% (Aluminum) 25% 0% None 50% Aluminum Extrusion (7604/7608) 5% 25% (Aluminum) 25% 0% AD 33–86% CVD 7–242% ≥ 88% (Median) Common Alloy Aluminum Sheet and Coil (7606) 3% 25% (Aluminum) 25% 0% AD 49.5% CVD 46.48% ~ 149% Aluminum Foil ≤0.2 mm (7607) 0–5.8% 25% (Aluminum) 25% 0% AD 48–106% CVD 17–81% ≥ 117% Aluminum Heat Sinks/Structural Parts (7610, 7615, 7616) 2.5–5% 25% (Derivatives) 7.5% (List 4A) 0% New AD 94–168% (Disposable Meal Boxes, etc., A-570-157, Final Determination on March 11, 2025) ≥ 137% Aluminum Alloy Automobile Wheel Hubs (8708.70.45/.60) 2.50% 25% (Auto Parts) 25% 0% Under Investigation, None for Now 52.50% *AD/CVD items are subject to the latest announcements from the US Department of Commerce and the International Trade Commission. In 2024, China's direct exports of aluminum semis to the US accounted for only 4.08% of total exports. Therefore, the tariff war had a relatively small impact on the direct exports of aluminum semis. However, for some terminal finished products, such as home appliances, electronics, and auto parts, if they are not included in the Section 301 or Section 232 lists, they will be subject to the 10% tariff under the current Sino-US negotiation agreement. Additionally, the 24% 90-day suspension window may stimulate a rush in exports, thereby boosting aluminum demand in the short term. SMM will closely monitor recent downstream production and order situations.

Recently, Sichuan Chimaite Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. was officially established against the backdrop of Jiuda Group's continuous deepening of its industrial layout and promotion of high-quality development. As a subsidiary of Jiuda Group, Chimaite Aluminum Industry will focus on the domestic and overseas sales of high-performance aluminum semis. Its main products cover multiple categories, including aluminum coils, aluminum sheets, aluminum discs, aluminum rods, etc., and are widely used in various industries such as construction, transportation, new energy, power electronics, and more.

Recently, Sichuan Chimaite Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. was officially established against the backdrop of Jiuda Group's continuous deepening of its industrial layout and promotion of high-quality development. As a subsidiary of Jiuda Group, Chimaite Aluminum will focus on the domestic and overseas sales of high-performance aluminum semis. Its main products cover multiple categories, including aluminum coils, aluminum sheets, aluminum discs, aluminum rods, etc., and are widely used in various industries such as construction, transportation, new energy, power electronics, and more.

Recently, there have been rumors in the steel market that the industry will implement production restrictions totaling 50 million mt to address changes in the market's supply and demand structure in recent years. At Baosteel's earnings conference on April 28, the company's management responded that production restrictions are highly likely, but the company is confident in its ability to cope. Baowu Group will strictly adhere to national regulations, and as Baosteel, a core subsidiary of Baowu Group, the group will provide preferential support in terms of capacity. Cai Yanqing, Deputy General Manager of Baosteel, stated that if production restrictions are implemented in the industry, on the one hand, the company will receive support from the group in terms of resources. Through internal adjustments and resource optimization, the company will ensure full production and sales under the backdrop of production restrictions, maximizing production efficiency. Additionally, Baosteel will leverage the synergistic advantages of its multiple bases to flexibly allocate orders and resources, optimize production plans, and ensure high-load, high-efficiency production at the company. At the earnings conference, the company's senior management also engaged in in-depth exchanges with investors on key issues such as the company's strategic planning and competitive landscape in the industry. An investor inquired about the synergistic effects between Baosteel and Magang after Baosteel's equity participation in Magang, as well as the company's layout planning for long products. Zou Jixin, Chairman of Baosteel, responded that in this equity participation in Magang, Baosteel not only values Magang's industry heritage and unique advantages but also focuses on the synergistic potential between the two parties in terms of efficiency, quality, cost, and management. Magang has significant room for optimization in areas such as improving sheet quality, controlling iron costs, and enhancing marketing and procurement management. Baosteel will leverage its own experience and technological advantages to assist Magang in achieving efficiency improvements. Baosteel plans to develop Magang into a base for the third-generation core strategic products, with Magang playing a crucial role in the strategy for high-quality long products. In response to an investor's question about the competitiveness of Baosteel's automotive sheet business, Liu Baojun, a director and General Manager of the company, stated that despite the intensified competition in the steel industry, Baosteel's management remains confident in the future development of its automotive sheet business. Although the structure of the automotive market has changed, and the rise of new energy vehicles (NEVs) presents new challenges to traditional automotive materials, Baosteel's advantages in product R&D, supply chain management, and technical services remain prominent. The company will continue to increase R&D investment in new materials such as high-strength steel and high-end aluminum sheets, while also meeting the demand for lightweight, high-performance materials in NEVs by improving production efficiency and service capabilities. Regarding the impact of trade frictions between China and the United States on Baosteel, which investors were concerned about, Zou Jixin stated that there is almost no direct impact on Baosteel's exports, while indirect exports have been slightly affected. The company will take proactive measures: on the one hand, it will adjust its export product mix and optimize overseas marketing channels to mitigate the impact of trade frictions; on the other hand, it will actively explore emerging markets along the "Belt and Road" initiative, achieving remarkable results. In addition, the company will also respond to unreasonable trade policies through legal means to strive for a fair and equitable trade environment. Zou Jixin also responded to questions about the company's future capital investment planning. He stated that Baosteel has always maintained a rational approach to capital expenditures. In the future, the company will continue to make necessary investments in areas such as green and low-carbon development, strategic products, and equipment upgrades and replacements, while optimizing investment intensity. The company's capital expenditures will be gradually optimized, with a projected decrease in new project investments each year and a gradual decline in capital expenditure intensity. Future investment priorities will include the development of strategic investment projects, hardware investments in the field of artificial intelligence, and green, low-carbon, and smart manufacturing. The company plans to further enhance its competitiveness and market value through these investments.

In the wave of the global automotive industry accelerating its transformation towards the new energy sector, China is boldly reshaping the competitive landscape of the global automotive industry. In this fierce competition of technology and industry chain, the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet independently developed by Chalco High-end Manufacturing Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Chalco High-end") has become a milestone in China's transition from a "follower" to a "leader" in high-end aluminum alloy materials, thanks to its excellent application performance and a self-owned brand certificate. It is also a passionate declaration of China's manufacturing industry breaking through the "bottleneck" dilemma. The successful R&D and industrialisation of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet, like a resounding horn, powerfully proves to the world that Chinese enterprises are fully capable and wise to build a self-controlled technology system in the field of high-end materials. This alloy sheet, led by Chalco High-end, not only smoothly passed the strict certification of various domestic automakers but also successfully obtained European patent authorization, achieving a "full-chain breakthrough" from theoretical research in the laboratory to actual production on the production line, and from the domestic market to the international market, shining all the way. The significant breakthrough achieved by Chalco High-end is by no means accidental. Facing the dual challenges of international trade barriers like thorns and the urgent need for industrial upgrading like war drums, Chalco Group has proposed the strategic goal of "strengthening technological innovation" and meticulously reconstructed the "3+4+4+4" technological innovation system, carefully crafting a closed-loop innovation ecosystem of "strategic guidance-resource coordination-mechanism guarantee-achievement transformation," like building a precisely operating technological engine. Under the coordination of Chalco Group, Chalco High-end has seized the opportunity to fully build an "digital forward R&D-pilot verification-industrialisation implementation" full-process innovation chain. Taking the R&D of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet as an example, the R&D team, with the help of full-process simulation, machine learning, and other digital R&D technologies, like having a pair of eyes that can accurately foresee the future, can precisely predict material performance. Combined with the pilot and industrial verification of Southwest Aluminum and Chalco Ruimin, it only took 3 years to overcome numerous difficulties, completing the leap from the laboratory to mass production, achieving a qualitative leap. President Xi Jinping pointed out that technological innovation and industrial innovation are the basic paths to develop new quality productive forces. The R&D process of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet is a vivid and lively practice of the deep integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation. First, demand has become a powerful driving force for R&D. Chalco High-end actively cooperates with automakers to jointly establish a joint laboratory for automotive aluminum, addressing the stringent requirements of NEVs in lightweight, pedestrian protection, and recycling, establishing the impact relationship between application performance and material composition, organization, and process, like finding the direction of the lighthouse in the dark, accurately exerting force. Second, the manufacturing sector has effectively fed back innovation. Relying on the specialized automotive sheet production lines of Southwest Aluminum and Chalco Ruimin under Chalco High-end, the rapid transformation of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet from initial samples to qualified products, and then to popular commodities, has been successfully achieved. Finally, the market has become a key force in defining standards. Chalco High-end, in cooperation with relevant automotive sheet manufacturing units and mainstream automakers, has led the formulation of a series of product and technical standards for automotive aluminum alloy sheets, promoting Chinese standards to stride onto the international stage, aligning with international standards, and letting Chinese standards shine on the world stage. In the current era of accelerating changes in the century-old situation, the practice of Chalco High-end profoundly interprets the profound truth that "everything changes, only change remains unchanged." The R&D of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet has brought about three significant changes. At the technical level, the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet has achieved a magnificent transformation from the previous "imitation and follow" to the current "forward design." The strain rate sensitivity coefficient of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet has significantly decreased compared to traditional materials, and its pedestrian protection performance has jumped to the top tier globally, becoming a model of industry technological innovation. At the industrial level, the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet has successfully built an ecological chain of "material + automotive + circular economy." The 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet and the engine hood outer panel belong to the 6-series alloy. This characteristic significantly reduces the technical difficulty of recycling automotive materials, adding strong momentum to help the automotive industry achieve carbon neutrality goals, and promoting the industry towards green and sustainable development. At the rule level, the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet, with its self-owned brand, has successfully broken the long-term monopoly of Europe and the United States, actively promoting the "going out" of Chinese automotive material standards, deeply embedding the Chinese solution in the world automotive aluminum product system, demonstrating China's strong influence in industry rule-making. This transformative courage stems from the deep logic of the "New Chalco" strategy, which is to reshape the competitive advantage of the entire industry chain through technological innovation, and to achieve the strategic goal of "R&D is the market" through the dual-drive model of "professional research institute + industrial base." Just like the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet smoothly moving from the laboratory to the automotive factory, China's high-end materials are reshaping the global industrial map at an astonishing "China speed," attracting worldwide attention. Standing at a new historical position, the mission journey of Chalco High-end has just begun. The success of the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet is only the prelude to the breakthrough battle of China's high-end materials. Facing the eager demand for advanced materials in strategic emerging industries such as aerospace, rail transit, shipbuilding and marine engineering, and high-end chips, Chalco High-end has initiated the construction of the source of original technology for high-end advanced materials, actively promoting the special action to enhance innovation capability and the quality of excellent products, and is carefully formulating the "15th Five-Year" technology and product plans, aiming to achieve 100% self-control of high-end advanced materials by 2030, laying a solid foundation for the development of national strategic emerging industries. This journey of climbing the peak has no end, just like the 6B05 automotive aluminum sheet showing unyielding resilience in automotive crash tests, China's will for technological self-reliance is as firm as a rock, unshakable. When the "Chinese brand" becomes the universal "passport" in the global high-end materials field, and when the "Chalco solution" continuously contributes Chinese wisdom to the world, we will finally deeply understand: the real competitiveness always belongs to those who dare to define standards and create value, they will lead China's manufacturing industry to continue to shine on the world stage, writing a more brilliant chapter.

On April 16, at the AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Aluminum Industry Expo—Aluminum Casting Technology 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., He Xiangwen, Chief Engineer of the Process Department at China Nonferrous Metals Processing Technology Co., Ltd., discussed the innovation and application of short-process aluminum processing technology. 01 Overview of Short-Process Aluminum Processing Technology 1.1 Overview of Short-Process Aluminum Processing Technology Definition of Short-Process Technology: Short-process technology refers to the process of directly producing the desired product from liquid aluminum, omitting some intermediate steps in traditional processes, such as directly casting and rolling liquid aluminum into thin sheets, reducing energy consumption and production time. This process features a short flow, low energy consumption, and high production efficiency, meeting the modern aluminum processing industry's demands for efficiency, energy savings, and environmental protection. Advantages of Short-Process Technology: Energy Consumption Reduction: In traditional aluminum processing, liquid aluminum undergoes multiple cooling and reheating steps, resulting in high energy consumption. Short-process technology eliminates these steps, directly producing products from liquid aluminum, significantly reducing energy consumption. Production Efficiency Improvement: By omitting intermediate steps, the production cycle is shortened, and production efficiency is improved, enabling faster response to market demands. Current Application Status of Short-Process Technology: Currently, the application of short-process technology in the aluminum processing industry is gradually increasing, particularly in the production of thin sheets, strips, and other products, where it shows significant advantages. For example, some companies use short-process technology to produce automotive aluminum sheets, foils, and general 1-series, 3-series, and 8-series aluminum sheets, not only improving production efficiency but also reducing costs. This discussion focuses on the production of plate and strip materials, as their production process is generally the longest, most energy-intensive, and requires the highest investment in aluminum processing. 1.1 Main Short-Process Aluminum Processing Technologies Twin-Roll Casting Process, Micromill Continuous Casting and Rolling Process, Hazelett Continuous Casting and Rolling Process 1.2 Main Equipment for Short-Process Technology 02 Innovation and Development of Twin-Roll Casting Process 2.1 Typical Casting and Rolling Production Line Twin-Roll Caster: The twin-roll solidifies liquid aluminum into cast-rolled strips, with common strip thicknesses ranging from 5-12mm (fast cast-rolled strip thicknesses range from 3-8mm), and common alloy series include 1XXX, 3XXX, 8XXX, and some 5XXX. 2.1 Main Configuration of Casting and Rolling Production Line Note: The above configuration omits auxiliary facilities such as electromagnetic stirring devices, online treatment devices, dust removal, and furnace-side degassing devices. 2.2 Main Layout Methods of Casting and Rolling Production Line Mirror Layout of Adjacent Casters: Advantages: Adjacent casting lines can be managed by one team, reducing the number of personnel. Same-Direction Layout of Adjacent Casters: Advantages: Caster equipment components can be shared, reducing the number of spare parts. 2.3 Classification of Melting Furnaces/Holding Furnaces 2.4 Innovative Technologies in Casting and Rolling Process ►Innovation in Caster Roll Technology: The application of new caster roll materials and surface treatment technologies has improved the service life of caster rolls and the quality of cast-rolled coils. For example, caster rolls made of nano-composite materials or copper roll sleeves have higher thermal conductivity and wear resistance. ►Innovation in Casting and Rolling Process Control Technology: The application of automated control systems in the casting and rolling process has achieved precise control over the process. Through sensors and computer technology, parameters such as liquid aluminum temperature, composition, and caster roll speed are monitored in real-time and automatically adjusted to ensure stable quality of cast-rolled coils. ►Innovation in Liquid Aluminum Purification Technology: Advanced liquid aluminum purification technologies, such as electromagnetic stirring, ultrasonic treatment, and fine filtration, effectively remove impurities and gases from liquid aluminum, improving the purity of cast-rolled coils and altering their grain size. The application of these technologies has significantly enhanced the mechanical properties and surface quality of cast-rolled coils. 2.5 Optimization and Improvement of Casting and Rolling Process ►Intelligent Development of Casting and Rolling Process: Intelligent technologies will be more widely applied in the casting and rolling process. Through artificial intelligence and big data technologies, intelligent control and optimization of the casting and rolling process will be achieved. ►Development of High-Precision Casting and Rolling Process: With increasing market demands, high-precision casting and rolling processes will become a future trend. By further optimizing process parameters and equipment technology, thinner and more uniform cast-rolled coils will be produced. Adding a roll gap adjustment system for automatic roll gap adjustment before casting and rolling. Depending on the alloy grade, adding edge milling functionality to reduce large-area cracking of cast-rolled strips. ►Green Development of Casting and Rolling Process: Green development is an inevitable choice for the casting and rolling process. More environmentally friendly production processes and equipment will be adopted to reduce energy consumption and environmental pollution, such as using gas refining instead of solid particle refining agents. 03 Innovation and Development of Continuous Casting and Rolling Process 3.1 Micromill Continuous Casting and Rolling Process Configuration •Micromill technology combines casting and rolling into one process, using twin-roll high-speed cooling during casting. High-speed casting and rolling are performed horizontally, solving the central segregation issue and production speed limitations of traditional casting and rolling technologies. •Micromill has a faster production speed, requiring timely and sufficient liquid aluminum supply for the casting section. Therefore, the furnace is generally larger and has at least two interchangeable units, preferably using liquid aluminum as the main raw material. The throughput of online degassing and filtration is also correspondingly larger, generally matching the liquid aluminum supply. 3.1 Overview of Micromill Continuous Casting and Rolling Process •Alcoa officially announced the commercial production of Micromill technology by the end of 2015. Currently, there are only two pilot lines, located at the San Antonio and Reno plants. •This technology is suitable for producing 5XXX and 6XXX series alloys. The cast product width can exceed 1,700mm, with thickness generally ranging from 2-7mm, casting speed from 27-61 m/min, and cast billet temperature at 567℃, which can be further rolled into 1-4mm thin sheets by a continuous rolling mill (San Antonio plant data). •The main product is the blank for automotive inner and outer panels, with the biggest advantage being the ability to replace automotive panels currently produced by hot rolling. 3.1 Characteristics of Micromill Continuous Casting and Rolling Process •Short Process Flow: Traditional hot rolling of slabs takes about 20 days to convert aluminum melt into coils, while Micromill completes this in just 20 minutes. •Small Footprint, Low Energy Consumption: The footprint is 1/4 of traditional hot rolling lines, and energy consumption is 1/2. •Superior Product Performance: High solidification speed greatly improves the microstructure, resulting in fine grains. Formability is 40% higher and strength is 30% higher than traditional automotive aluminum sheets, providing greater design flexibility and better vehicle performance for customers. 3.2 Hazelett Continuous Casting and Rolling Process Configuration •Hazelett continuous casting and rolling technology consists of continuous casting and rolling, with the core being continuous casting. During casting, aluminum melt enters a mold cavity formed by two fully tensioned steel belts and two rectangular metal block chains that can move according to width requirements. The steel belts and metal block chains move simultaneously, and cooling water indirectly cools the steel belts to solidify the melt in the mold cavity, completing the casting. •Hazelett continuous casting and rolling has a higher hourly production capacity than Micromill, requiring more timely and sufficient liquid aluminum supply for the casting section. Therefore, the furnace is generally larger and has at least 3-4 interchangeable units, preferably using liquid aluminum as the main raw material. The throughput of online degassing and filtration is also correspondingly larger, generally matching the liquid aluminum supply. 3.2 Overview of Hazelett Continuous Casting and Rolling Process •Domestically, Longding Aluminum in Luoyang, Henan (commissioned in 2012) and Liansheng Light Alloy in Inner Mongolia (commissioned in 2016) each introduced one Hazelett aluminum plate and strip production line. •This method has a fast casting speed and is matched with subsequent rolling mills. The main products are aluminum foil rolling blanks and general 1XXX, 3XXX, 8XXX, and some 4XXX, 5XXX, 6XXX series products. The cast product thickness generally ranges from 16-50mm, with a casting speed of 3-8 m/min, which can be further rolled into thin sheets with thicknesses of 1.0-7.0mm and widths of 1,300-1,935mm. •The main products that can be produced include packaging foil, cable strips, container foil, and air-conditioner foil. 3.2 Characteristics of Hazelett Continuous Casting and Rolling Process •Fully enclosed liquid aluminum feed pool, maintaining natural and stable liquid aluminum flow. •The feed nozzle tip is made of special ceramic material with good thermal stability, allowing gases released from the liquid aluminum to permeate through the nozzle tip. •Steel belts have good stability and are preheated to 150℃ by induction. •High-strength magnetic support rolls are used to suppress local thermal deformation. •Special coatings are applied to the contact surface between the cast billet and the continuously moving, water-cooled steel belts. •Inert gas is injected into the mold cavity through the upper and lower parts of the nozzle tip, allowing adjustment of the steel belt cooling rate as needed. 3.3 Other Continuous Casting and Rolling Processes 1. Kaiser Micro Twin-Belt Continuous Casting and Rolling Machine •An advancement on the Hazelett continuous casting and rolling line, initially intended for specialized production of can body stock. •However, the stability and uniformity of its can stock quality are far inferior to hot-rolled blanks, so it has not been widely adopted. 2. Launa Method (Caster II) Continuous Casting and Rolling Machine •The casting principle is essentially the same as the Hazelett continuous casting and rolling line, with the difference being that the upper and lower surfaces of the mold cavity are not steel belts but chill blocks moving in the same direction. •Mainly used for producing hot-rolled coils for cold-rolled aluminum foil strips, it is also unstable in can stock strip blanks, so it has no fundamental difference compared to Hazelett continuous casting and rolling. 3. MAN Continuous Casting and Rolling Machine (UK) •Liquid aluminum enters the mold cavity formed by a steel belt and a mold groove ring mounted on a crystallization wheel. Heat is removed by the steel belt and mold groove ring, solidifying the aluminum, which is then exported from the outlet as the crystallization wheel rotates, entering subsequent rolling mills. •The product width of such production lines is generally no more than 500mm, with a thickness of about 20mm, and the hot-rolled coils are 2.5mm thick for cold rolling, limiting its adoption. 3.4 Innovation in Continuous Casting and Rolling Process Innovation in Casting Technology: Different casting technologies are adopted by optimizing nozzle structure, cooling cavity structure, and casting parameters to improve casting quality and production efficiency. For example, new nozzle materials and structures are used to allow more uniform flow of liquid aluminum into the casting mold area; different forms of cooling cavities are used to enhance the cooling capacity of continuous casting. Innovation in Rolling Technology: Advanced rolling technology is adopted to improve the quality of strips by optimizing the structure of rolling mills and rolling parameters. For example, multi-stand tandem hot rolling mills and cold rolling mills are used to precisely control the thickness and surface quality of strips. Innovation in Automation Control Technology: Highly automated control systems are employed to monitor and control various parameters in the casting and rolling processes in real-time through sensors and computer technology. For instance, the Automatic Gauge Control (AGC) and Automatic Flatness Control (AFC) systems are used to precisely control the thickness and flatness of strips. Innovation in Cooling Technology: Advanced cooling technology is utilized to enhance cooling efficiency by optimizing the structure and parameters of the cooling system. For example, multi-point cooling technology is applied to ensure uniform cooling of strips at different positions. 04 Conclusion 4.1 Conclusion Applicability: Short-process casting technology is compared to the process route that requires hot rolling for billet opening. By tightly integrating melting and casting with subsequent rolling, it produces products close to the final products of aluminum processing plants, making it highly suitable for large-scale production of single products. Advantages: Low comprehensive energy consumption, small footprint, low unit cost, and minimal personnel occupancy. Disadvantages: Product performance still needs improvement, and product variety needs to be increased. Although the short-process technology cannot completely replace hot rolling, its advantages in producing certain large-scale single products are still significant. Therefore, vigorously developing short-process technology is imperative! 4.2 Conclusion Click to view the special report on AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference and Aluminum Industry Expo

Novelis Closes Two Plants Within a Week, Affecting Nearly 300 Jobs. In April 2025, Novelis, a recycling and secondary aluminum company under Hindalco, announced that it will close two aluminum processing plants in Richmond, Virginia, and Fairmont, West Virginia, on May 30 and June 30, respectively, resulting in a total of nearly 270 job cuts. This move reflects the company's ongoing structural adjustments in the North American market. The Richmond plant primarily uses molten particle casting technology to produce aluminum rolled sheets & plates for the construction and building industry. The plant will close on May 30, with 72 employees being laid off. The Fairmont plant mainly produces aluminum sheets & plates and lightweight aluminum foil, which are widely used in the packaging and industrial sectors. It is scheduled to cease operations on June 30, affecting 191 employees.