[SMM Flash News] LME Aluminium Stocks Draw by 1,900 tonnes on 30 July

[SMM Aluminum Flash] Upstream raw materials for aluminum fluoride are showing divergent trends. Fluorite prices are firm and strengthening, further solidifying the cost floor, while aluminum hydroxide and sulphuric acid prices have pulled back slightly, only offsetting some of the cost pressure. Overall production costs in the industry remain high. Producers’ profitability is hard to restore, and their willingness to start production remains sluggish. Supported by the rigid cost floor, the industry’s low supply, and the boost to industry chain sentiment from a sharp raise in August hydrofluoric acid long-term contract prices, aluminum fluoride market prices are expected to hold up well overall in August.

[SMM Aluminum Express] The World Trade Organization released the latest data showing that global merchandise trade growth in Q1 2026 exceeded expectations. Trade in AI-related electronic components surged, offsetting the negative impact of the Middle East war in the final month of the quarter. On a seasonally adjusted basis, global merchandise trade volume in Q1 this year was up 1.9% QoQ and up 3.2% YoY. Asia's exports and imports in Q1 rose 12.9% and 14.6% YoY, respectively, driven mainly by economies such as China, Singapore, South Korea, and Thailand. North America's exports rose 7% YoY, while imports fell 10.7% YoY. The WTO expects trade data for the next quarter to more fully reflect the trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Guangdong Diwei Metal Products Co., Ltd. proposed to construct a project with an annual capacity of 50,000 mt of aluminum extrusions and 5,000 mt of powder coatings. The project is currently in the public notice phase for proposed approval decisions. The total project investment amounts to 500 million yuan, and upon completion, its annual output will be: aluminum extrusions, 50,000 mt (all powder-coated aluminum extrusions, of which 15,000 mt will be used to produce wood grain aluminum extrusions); powder coatings, 5,000 mt (including 2,500 mt of fluorocarbon powder coatings and 2,500 mt of general powder coatings); small-scale spray-painted aluminum extrusions, 120 mt.