Large purchases improve spot aluminium trades

Published: Feb 13, 2019 13:32

Save

Spot discounts in Shanghai were heard at 30-10 yuan/mt against the SHFE 1902 contract

SHANGHAI, Feb 13 (SMM) – Spot aluminium transactions across eastern and southern markets in China further improved from the previous day, on Wednesday February 13, bolstered by large purchases and as some downstream consumers resumed from CNY closures.

The front-month aluminium contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange came off from earlier highs on Wednesday morning. Spot discounts in Shanghai were heard at 30-10 yuan/mt against the SHFE 1902 contract, narrower from the previous morning.

Spot transactions occurred at 13,290-13,310 yuan/mt in Shanghai, Wuxi and Hangzhou, some 20 yuan/mt up from the previous morning. A buyer procured close to 9,000 mt of spot aluminium in the eastern markets this morning.

Spot transactions occurred at 13,320-13,330 yuan/mt in Guangdong with a further smaller Guangdong-Shanghai price spread of 30 yuan/mt.

Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) purchased about 7,000 mt of spot aluminium in the southern markets this morning.

As aluminium processing plants in Guangdong have yet to return from holidays, trades between traders accounted for the majority of trading activities in Guangdong.

Market commentary Aluminium

Data Source Statement: Except for publicly available information, all other data are processed by SMM based on publicly available information, market communication, and relying on SMM's internal database model. They are for reference only and do not constitute decision-making recommendations.

For any inquiries or for more information, please contact: lemonzhao@smm.cn

For more information on how to access our research reports, please contact:service.en@smm.cn

Related News

22 hours ago

【SMM Aluminum Flash News】VBX secures environmental approvals to expand Wuudagu bauxite project

VBX Limited has obtained approval from the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Australian Government's environment department to modify the development plan for its Wuudagu bauxite project in northern Western Australia. The revised proposal reduces the project's indicative footprint by almost 10 per cent to about 1,775 hectares while increasing planned mining and beneficiation rates to up to 9 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). One of the major changes involves shifting the beneficiation plant inland from Guy Point. VBX said the move is intended to lower potential impacts on coastal and marine environments. Other proposed changes include narrower sealed haul roads, a distributed bore field with an optional desalination plant for water supply, and the co-location of port infrastructure to limit disturbance across the project area.

22 hours ago

[SMM Aluminum Flash News] Rising UK Aluminium Scrap Exports Raise Concerns Over Domestic Supply Security

Britain’s growing aluminium scrap exports are raising concerns about the long-term availability of a critical raw material for domestic industries. According to Make UK, aluminium scrap exports reached 624,314 tonnes in 2025, up 43% from 2016 levels, while shipments to India increased 94% to nearly 199,000 tonnes. Exports to the US surged 989% year-on-year to 23,560 tonnes after aluminium scrap was excluded from Section 232 tariff measures. Make UK estimates the UK could require up to 6 million tonnes of recyclable aluminium scrap to support total aluminium demand of 8 million tonnes by 2035. The organisation warned that continued scrap outflows could weaken domestic manufacturing, discourage investment and reduce supply chain resilience. It called for greater investment in scrap collection, sorting and processing infrastructure, improved recycling standards and measures to retain critical aluminium alloys within the UK’s circular economy.

22 hours ago

[SMM Aluminum Flash News] UK Scrap Aluminium Sector Needs 25% Annual Growth to Meet Future Demand

New analysis from Make UK suggests the UK’s aluminium scrap collection and sorting sector will need to grow by around 25% annually to meet future demand outlined in the country’s Modern Industrial Strategy. The report highlighted that aluminium scrap exports have risen 84% over the past decade, reducing domestic availability of a key raw material for industries including defence, clean energy, digital technologies and automotive manufacturing. In 2024-25, UK scrap aluminium exports to the US surged from 2,000 tonnes to 24,000 tonnes after Section 232 tariffs excluded aluminium scrap, while exports to India reached approximately 200,000 tonnes. Make UK estimates total UK aluminium demand could reach 8 million tonnes by 2035, requiring around 6 million tonnes of recyclable scrap. The organisation warned that continued export growth could weaken domestic manufacturing competitiveness, investment and supply chain resilience, and called for greater investment in scrap collection, sorting and processing capacity within the UK.

22 hours ago