LME Aluminum to Strengthen (2017-7-4)

According to foreign media reports, Rusal (Russal) plans to build a bauxite-alumina integrated facility in Indonesia as part of its regional expansion strategy (Pacific diversification strategy). On September 3, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto confirmed the cooperation with the Russian aluminum producer while speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF-2026). He revealed, "Rusal is currently cooperating with Indonesian companies to build the relevant facilities." In late July, Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Sergey Tolchenov stated in an interview that Russia and Indonesia had achieved significant results in aluminum industry cooperation—Rusal had increased its finished product shipments to the Indonesian market. Back in 2014, Rusal and Indonesia's PT Arbaya Energi signed a memorandum of understanding to mine bauxite and produce alumina in the country.

According to foreign media reports, NALCO, India's national aluminum company, signed an agreement in Dubai on Monday with EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium) to introduce EGA's DX+ Ultra aluminum smelting technology to NALCO's 500,000-ton-per-year smelter expansion project in Anugola, Odisha. The proposed expansion is expected to commence production by the end of 2030. Combined with NALCO's existing capacity, this expansion will bring NALCO's total annual aluminum production capacity to approximately 1 million tons.

Overall, China's total petroleum coke production in September will continue its MoM rebound. Supported by incremental supply from independent refiners, the nationwide YoY supply decline is expected to narrow further, but dragged down by maintenance at state-owned refiners, a YoY turnaround to positive growth remains difficult to achieve, with the overall pace of supply recovery mild and weak.