AMU
January 17, 2025
Written by Matthew Abrams
US industrial materials producer, Brimstone, announced last week that it would soon start the production of smelter grade alumina thanks to its “deeply decarbonized” cement manufacturing process. As such, the Brimstone plant could represent the first new, domestic source of smelter grade alumina in a generation, the statement said.
Recycler forward expectations swung toward oversupply in September as inventory drawdowns eased and export demand lost August’s improving responses.
Kibar Americas said production has started at its aluminum plant in Fairmont, W.Va., where it will manufacture products for the HVAC, packaging, automotive and industrial sectors.
China is bumping up against its official primary production capacity limit of 45.3 million metric tons/year, but production can still increase through “capacity creep.”
Automotive aluminum demand is rising as extrusions, sheet, and castings gain ground across vehicle applications and powertrains.
Recycler demand increased while fewer respondents reported sufficient obsolete scrap, even as inventory drawdowns remained widespread.