Vietnamese Firm Develops $1B Project in Laos, Aiming for 2028 Production Start

Data released by the NBS showed that in Q1 this year, profits of China's above-designated-size industrial enterprises grew 15.5% YoY, with the YoY growth rate up 0.3 percentage points from January-February. By industry, profits of the computer, communications, and other electronic equipment manufacturing industry surged 1.2 times YoY, while profits of the automobile manufacturing industry declined 17.7% YoY.

[SMM Update] SHFE data showed that on April 27, the total registered cast aluminum alloy warrants were 32,203 mt, an increase of 904 mt from the previous trading day. By region: Shanghai (1,822 mt, unchanged), Guangdong (10,908 mt, down 61 mt), Jiangsu (4,377 mt, up 390 mt), Zhejiang (9,477 mt, up 575 mt), Chongqing (4,143 mt, unchanged), and Sichuan (1,506 mt, unchanged).

Alcoa is evaluating the restart of a fourth aluminum production line at its Warrick facility in Indiana, which would require about USD 100 million and take one to two years. The plant currently operates three lines, and restarting the fourth could add around 50,000 tones of capacity. The company said the line is in poor condition and would require replacement of key electrical equipment with long lead times. Electricity availability in both the short and long term will be a key factor in the decision. The project remains under evaluation, with progress depending on cost, energy and operational feasibility.