Novelis said Europe’s aluminium demand is expected to rise by about 30% by 2040, driven by EVs, renewable energy, construction and packaging. While recycled aluminium has become increasingly important due to its 95% lower energy consumption than primary production, the company said recycling alone cannot meet future demand for high-performance applications such as aerospace, electrical systems and advanced automotive alloys. Novelis called for a balanced strategy combining expanded recycling with competitive low-carbon primary aluminium production.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Magnitude 7 Metals will restart potline one at its New Madrid, Missouri aluminium smelter, bringing an additional 75,000 tpy of primary aluminium capacity online by the end of 2026. The American Primary Aluminum Association (APAA) welcomed the decision, noting that the restart, together with Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly restart, could increase US domestic primary aluminium production by more than 20% while creating hundreds of manufacturing jobs and strengthening supply chain resilience.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Norsk Hydro said its majority-owned Slovak joint venture, Slovalco, has secured an agreement with the Slovak government to partially restart primary aluminium production in Q4 2026 following a four-year shutdown. The restart will initially bring back 75,000 tpy of smelting capacity, supported by a new long-term power supply agreement and compensation for indirect carbon costs under the EU Emissions Trading System. Slovalco plans to invest €100 million to resume operations, while the restart of the remaining 100,000 tpy of capacity will depend on market conditions and additional power contracts beyond 2030.

Hindalco Industries has commissioned a new aluminium bicycle component manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, Maharashtra, strengthening its presence in the mobility sector. The plant will serve both domestic and international markets and produce aluminium bicycle frames, rigid forks, wheel rims, handlebars and other lightweight components. Equipped with advanced manufacturing and finishing technologies, the facility is expected to produce approximately 500,000 bicycle frames and forks, 750,000 handlebars and 800,000 pairs of wheel rims annually. The investment aligns with Hindalco’s strategy to expand its portfolio of value-added aluminium products and increase its focus on mobility applications. The company continues to diversify beyond primary aluminium into higher-value segments, including flat-rolled products, extrusions, aluminium foils and aerospace-grade aluminium alloys, supporting growing demand for lightweight and sustainable transportation solutions.

Vedanta-owned Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) highlighted the importance of its aluminium wire rod business in supporting India’s power transmission, distribution and infrastructure sectors. Produced at BALCO’s Korba facility in Chhattisgarh, the electrical-grade aluminium wire rods are supplied to cable and conductor manufacturers for use in power lines, electrical networks and industrial applications. The company offers both conductor-grade and specialty alloy wire rods for applications ranging from building cables to high-voltage transmission systems. As India continues expanding its power grid and renewable energy capacity, demand for aluminium conductors and cables is expected to grow steadily. BALCO’s integrated production model, covering alumina, primary aluminium and finished wire rods, helps ensure product quality and supply stability. However, the business remains exposed to fluctuations in aluminium prices, energy costs and competition from domestic and international suppliers.

Data released by the London Metal Exchange (LME) on June 19: Total stocks stood at 313,800 tonnes, a change of -1,500 tonnes; Registered warrants: 247,575 tonnes, unchanged; Cancelled warrants: 66,225 tonnes, a change of -1,500 tonnes.

As resource security and decarbonization become increasingly important, major economies are strengthening efforts to retain aluminum scrap. From the EU's review of export controls and the U.S. strategic asset proposal to Japan's circular economy initiatives and policies in the UAE and South Africa, these developments could reshape global scrap flows and affect secondary aluminum markets.

Novelis has published Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for selected aluminium products in its European architecture and construction portfolio, providing transparent and independently verified environmental data for customers. The EPDs cover primary aluminium, high-recycled-content alloys and anodized products containing more than 90% recycled aluminium. The company said demand for low-carbon and high-recycled-content aluminium continues to rise as environmental regulations and sustainability certification requirements tighten across the European construction sector. Markets believe the new EPDs will further support the adoption of circular and low-carbon aluminium materials in building applications.

Aluminum Bahrain (Alba) is expected to acquire Aluminum Dunkerque, Europe’s largest primary aluminum smelter, in a USD2.2 billion deal, subject to EU Foreign Subsidies Regulation (FSR) clearance and other approvals. Aluminum Dunkerque produces around 300,000 tones of aluminium annually, and the acquisition is expected to strengthen Alba’s global low-carbon aluminum strategy. At the same time, French state investment bank Bpifrance will invest EUR100 million for a 6% stake and join the company’s board. Markets believe the deal could further strengthen Europe’s low-carbon primary aluminium supply chain amid growing regional demand for sustainable aluminium.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Rio Tinto has begun commissioning its US$1.5 billion AP60 low-carbon aluminium smelter expansion at Complexe Arvida in Quebec. The project will add 160,000 tpy of primary aluminium capacity through 96 new AP60 pots, lifting AP60 production to 220,000 tpy by the end of 2026. The expansion, together with a planned recycling centre, is expected to offset production losses from the closure of older Arvida potlines while strengthening North America’s low-carbon aluminium supply.