Aluminium inventories extend declines on robust downstream consumption

The Aluminum Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has released a new industry manifesto calling for stronger government support to improve aluminium packaging recycling and increase recycled material availability in the UK. The report said rising costs and stricter regulations are pressuring industry competitiveness. Alupro proposed measures including improvements to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, prioritising “can-to-can” recycling under the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), and encouraging higher recycled aluminium usage in packaging. Markets believe the UK and Europe are continuing to strengthen policy support for recycled aluminium and low-carbon packaging to improve domestic supply-chain resilience.

Rio Tinto has started commissioning its USD1.5 billion AP60 aluminum smelter expansion at the Arvida plant in Quebec, Canada, with full start-up expected by the end of 2026. The project will add around 160,000 tones of annual primary aluminum capacity, increasing total AP60 production capacity to 220,000 tones per year. Rio Tinto said the AP60 technology, combined with Canadian hydropower, generates only one-sixth of the industry-average greenhouse gas emissions per tone of aluminum and can reduce particulate emissions by up to 90%. Markets believe the project will further strengthen North America’s low-carbon primary aluminum supply capability.

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.