Aluminium

THINKING ALOUD

Nothing should be ruled out if Iran war drags on for much longer

Religious convictions on every side are also weighing on the willingness to fight

The closures are the latest impact on the Middle East aluminium sector from the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Bahrain’s Alba shuts 19% of aluminium capacity as Hormuz disruption continues

The company has initiated a controlled shutdown of three lines

Rusal has shifted sales to Asia over the past four years as European clients, which once accounted for about half of its demand, became less eager to buy Russian metal.

Iran war forces Japanese auto-parts suppliers to turn to Russia’s Rusal

Sources say aluminium producers are likely to ask for long-term agreements for urgently needed supply

The company is now one of the lowest-cost producers globally through power plants in China, bauxite mines in Guinea and alumina plants in Indonesia.

Aluminium’s surge propels Chinese tycoon to US$48 billion fortune

Zhang Bo, the world’s largest private producer of the metal, has a grip on low-cost output at a critical moment for global demand

Meanwhile, shipments from Canada, the most obvious alternative for US buyers, have continued to decline under Trump’s tariffs

US aluminium buyers hunt for alternatives as Iran war upends global supply

The Middle East supply turmoil comes at a particularly fragile moment for American aluminium consumers

Aluminium is widely used for a range of products – from auto parts and appliances, to beverage cans and window frames – and it is prized by manufacturers for its abundance and low cost.

Aluminium traders brace for turmoil as Iran crisis chokes supply

Manufacturers in Europe, Asia and the US face shortages in spot supply if Middle East smelters are overcome by the disruptions

UMS Integration says it will fund the deal through internal resources and/or bank borrowings.

UMS buys out aluminium alloy products supplier

The deal is not expected to have a material impact on its FY2026 net tangible assets or earnings per share

Exporters of high-carbon industrial products such as steel, iron, aluminium (above), cement and fertilisers will be most affected.

Can the EU withstand the pushback against its carbon levy?

Brussels must defend its climate goals and prove its policy is the future of trade

Tomago Aluminium, employer of more than 1,000 full-time staff and 200 contractors, might be forced to shut down, after failing to secure new, affordable energy supplies.

Australia unveils rescue bid for Rio Tinto's Tomago aluminium smelter

“If Australia doesn’t produce aluminium, then the knock-on effect in other industries is significant,” warns Prime Minister Anthony Albanese