Insights of Top-Tier Entrepreneurs at AICE 2025

On April 18, the AICE 2025 SMM (20th) Aluminum Industry Conference & Expo, hosted by SMM Information & Technology Co., Ltd. (SMM), co-organized by Zhongyifeng Jinyi Technology (Suzhou) Co., Ltd. and Lezhi County Qianrun Investment Promotion Service Co., Ltd., and sponsored by Shangli County Keyuan Metallurgical Materials Co., Ltd., Press Metal International Ltd., Delta Metal (Holdings) Limited, Jinqiao Light Alloy Technology (Jiangmen) Co., Ltd., and other entities as forum title sponsors, Sunstone Development Co., Ltd. and Shanghai Jialang Industrial Co., Ltd. as forum co-organizers, and supported by various specially invited supporters, conference supporters, conference acknowledgment units, and media partners, successfully concluded at the Suzhou International Expo Center in Jiangsu!

The summit featured multiple sessions, including the Alumina and Aluminum Raw Materials Forum, Aluminum Melting and Casting Technology Forum, Aluminum Die Casting Industry Development Forum, Supply and Demand Exchange - Domestic and International Aluminum Scrap Supply and Demand Forum, Aluminum Plate/Sheet, Strip and Foil Industry Development Forum, Main Forum, Aluminum Industry Chain Sustainable Development Forum, Global Secondary Aluminum Industry Development Forum, and Industrial Aluminum Extrusion Forum. As the annual pinnacle event for the global aluminum industry, this conference, with the strategic pillars of "Global Vision, Industry Insights, Green Future," brought together over a hundred international authoritative experts, academic giants, leading entrepreneurs, and government representatives to build a platform for intellectual exchange. The conference focused on core topics such as aluminum market trend analysis, price trend forecasting, supply-demand pattern dissection, business opportunity matching, and cutting-edge technology exchanges, conducting in-depth discussions from multiple dimensions to set the direction for industry development. Attendees directly addressed industry pain points, explored paths for industrial innovation, and unlocked new paradigms for clean and sustainable development around key themes such as green and low-carbon transformation and intelligent upgrading. Through innovative drive and cross-industry thinking collisions, the conference fostered consensus, integrated resources, and actively responded to global climate change and environmental governance challenges. This event established a high-end dialogue and resource integration platform, empowering industrial upgrading with wisdom and injecting strong momentum into the high-quality development of the global aluminum industry, jointly drawing a new blueprint for the industry's future.

In addition, SMM meticulously prepared roundtable interview sessions across multiple forums, inviting many renowned industry experts and corporate executives to engage in intense intellectual collisions on various hot topics, including the green transformation of the aluminum industry - the development and outlook of the low-carbon aluminum market, internal and external challenges - exploring new paths for aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil enterprises in the fog, roundtable interview: discussing new models for integrated die-casting cooperation from a supply chain perspective, China's aluminum industry from a global perspective, analysis of factors influencing aluminum prices in 2025 and market forecasts for the second half of the year, building a global green aluminum ecosystem (ESG aluminum prices, CBAM), and the market business models and overseas investment opportunities of global secondary aluminum.

Main Forum & Top-Tier Entrepreneur Forum

Speech Topic: In-Depth Analysis of China's Aluminum Processing Industry: Hot Topics and Future Development Trends

Guest Speaker: Mo Xinda, Director of the Light Metals Department and Deputy Secretary General of the Aluminum Branch of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association

► Bauxite

In 2024, Guinea exported 146 million tons of bauxite, with China importing 110 million tons from Guinea, accounting for 70% of total imports.

She also analyzed the average import unit price of bauxite and the price trend of alumina.

► Aluminum

Supply-side structural reform + large-scale transformation + green transformation

► Secondary Aluminum

Secondary aluminum production continues to increase. In 2024, secondary aluminum production reached 10.55 million tons, up 8.9% YoY.

Secondary aluminum is shifting towards applications in wrought aluminum alloys. With the integrated development of secondary aluminum and aluminum processing, it is expected that by 2025, the usage of secondary aluminum in wrought aluminum alloys will exceed 50%. Secondary aluminum is transitioning towards closed-loop recycling and downcycling.

Panel Discussion: China's Aluminum Industry from a Global Perspective

Moderator: Wen Xianjun, Former Vice President of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association and Honorary President of the Shandong Aluminum Industry Association

Panelist: Jiang Zhen, General Manager of the Sales Headquarters of Shandong Hongtuo Industrial Co., Ltd.

Sang Xiyue, Special Assistant to the Chairman of Sunstone Development Co., Ltd.

Li Wei, Party Secretary of Henan Shenhuo Group Co., Ltd.

Qian Yu, General Manager of Henan Zhongfu Industrial Co., Ltd.

Huang Fen, Chairman of Fen'an Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd.

Speech Topic: The Role and Significance of Price Discovery in Industry Strategic Positioning within the Framework of Global Restructuring

Guest Speaker: Qi Shijun, Price Discovery Economist

Two Types of Demand in the Commodity Market

In the commodity market, there are two distinct types of demand. This is a type of speculative behavior originating from the futures market. Participants in this behavior need to accurately predict the highs and lows of price trends, especially ensuring no errors in judging the overall price direction.​

Another source of demand comes from production and sales enterprises of commodities, as well as related industries. These entities need to forecast price trends for the next year, or even five or ten years ahead. Futures and spot markets enable three-dimensional trading. If enterprises can engage in three-dimensional trading combining futures and spot, it will be an inevitable choice for their current and future development. This approach helps enterprises better cope with price fluctuations of commodities, seize opportunities, and avoid risks in a complex market environment.

The Strategic Position of the Aluminum Industry Amidst the Reshaping of the Global Landscape

To understand the aluminum industry's position within the concept of the global landscape, a multi-dimensional analysis is required. From the perspective of price trends, the lowest price of SHFE aluminum in 2,015 was 9,620 yuan/mt, before steadily climbing to 16,680 yuan/mt by September 2,017. In early April 2,020, the price was 11,225 yuan/mt, and it surged to 24,765 yuan/mt by 2,021, marking a 157% increase. Traditional market analysis attributes the rise in aluminum prices to the supply-demand relationship, such as surging demand from the automotive industry and the PV power generation industry, along with factors like reduced capacity on the supply side and tightened upstream raw material supply. However, this analysis has limitations, as it overlooks the key variable of changes in the global landscape.​

Speech Topic: Planning and Development of the Aluminum Industry in Lezhi County

Guest Speaker: Luo Yu, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Lezhi County Committee and Deputy County Head of the People's Government of Lezhi County, Sichuan Province

Speech Topic: Exploring Growth Opportunities in the Challenging International Aluminum Market

Guest Speaker: Inga Simonenko, Head of Marketing and Low-Carbon Solutions at Rusal

Speech Topic: Technology and Data-Driven, Combining Trade and Finance to Empower the New Ecosystem of the Aluminum Industry

Guest Speaker: Dong Chen, Co-founder of SMM, Chairman & General Manager of SMM Metals Trading Center Co., Ltd.

Changes in the internal and external environment have drawn high-level attention to the management of commodity prices and trade circulation.

Advances in technology and data applications have led to the restructuring of the bulk trade circulation model.

Shanghai: 8 periods of the new ecosystem for bulk commodities

The SMM Trading Center connects various periods, effectively serving the industry chain.

Serving every link in the industry chain

"A decade of refinement," steadily building a new-type spot platform

Our Mission

Functions and Mission:

1. Facilitate Transactions: Introduce a large number of high-quality traders to the non-ferrous metals industry nationwide, match transactions, and promote deal closures;

2. Ensure Transaction Security: Build a highly secure trading platform and payment channels to fully safeguard transaction security.

3. Reduce Costs and Increase Efficiency: Leverage the broad coverage and rapid dissemination of the internet to enhance transaction efficiency and reduce transaction costs.

4. Price Discovery: Transaction data aids in price discovery, which is incorporated into SMM's pricing.

5. Provide Financial Services: Recommend high-quality clients, identify premium assets, and facilitate the entry of financial resources into the real economy industry chain.

Panel Discussion: Analysis of Factors Influencing Aluminum Prices in 2025 and Market Forecast for H2

Moderator: Wang Yanchen, Managing Director of SMM London Office

Panelists:

Inga Simonenko, Head of Marketing and Low-Carbon Solutions, Rusal

Leung Wing Cheung, Head of Asia Metals & Mining Sustainability, Bloomberg Intelligence

Panthea Geramishoar, CEO, Societe des bauxite de Dabola-Tougue

Liu Xiaolei, Director of SMM Big Data

Speech Topic: Europe's First Low-Carbon Aluminum Greenfield Project in 30 Years

Guest Speaker: Torbjörn Sternsjö, CEO of Arctial

He stated: Arctial will conduct a feasibility study on low-carbon aluminum production in 2025.

Company's Starting Point: Attractive market conditions to establish a European greenfield aluminum business;

Working Method: A partnership-driven approach enables expertise and the best available technology;

Scope of Study: Arctial will conduct technical and financial feasibility studies in 2025 and assess economic, social, and environmental impacts.

Industrial Partnerships: Establish partnerships with leading industrial, energy, and climate technology companies: Rio Tinto, Mitsubishi Corporation, Fortum, ABB, Siemens, Tesi, and Vargas.

Establish partnerships with leading industrial, energy, and climate technology companies

He introduced: The final investment decision will be made in 2026-2027.

The new smelter will be located in Finland, Europe: He elaborated on aspects such as the large industrial area in Kokkola, Finland, the transportation and infrastructure in Kokkola, and Finland's industrial culture and metallurgical traditions.

The smelter will have a capacity of 550,000 mt of low-carbon primary aluminum per year, utilizing Rio Tinto's AP60 reduction technology, and is planned to commence production in 2029.

In addition, he elaborated on Arctial's significant position in the aluminum value chain.

Panel Discussion: Building a Global Green Aluminum Ecosystem Chain (ESG Aluminum Prices, CBAM)

Moderator: Liu Xiaolei, Director of SMM Big Data

Panelists: Torbjörn Sternsjö, CEO of Arctial

Dong Chunming, General Manager of Shangqing Times Metal, Founder of Shangmei.com, and Advisor to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

Ron Knapp, Advisor to the Chairman's Office of China Hongqiao Group Limited

Wu Linlin, Manager of Environment, Statistics, and Standards at the International Aluminium Institute (IAI)

Panel Discussion: Challenges and Opportunities for High-Performance Aluminum Alloys - Prospects for Aluminum Applications in New Energy, Aerospace, and Marine Sectors Amidst the Lightweighting Trend

Moderator: Pan Baowen, General Manager of Guangdong GoldEx Light Alloy Co., Ltd.

Panelists: Cheng Shuai, Chairman of CSMET Group

Huang Yuanchun, Second-Level Professor/Doctoral Supervisor, Central South University

Cui Zaimin, Advisor to Zhongyi Fengjinyi (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd.

Zhou Wenbiao, Deputy Dean of Weiqiao (Suzhou) Lightweight Research Institute Co., Ltd.

Zhong Jinguo, Specially Appointed Researcher at the Shanghai Research Institute for Civil-Military Integration Development

Aluminum Industry Chain Sustainability Forum

Speech Topic: Progress in Implementing Global Aluminum Industry Chain Sustainability Standards and Building a Sustainable Aluminum Value Chain

Guest Speaker: Guo Qi, Assurance Manager of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)

Speech Topic: Sustainability in the Automotive Industry and Related Requirements for the Aluminum Supply Chain

Guest Speaker: Tao Zhiyuan, Head of Supply Chain Sustainability at NIO

Speech Topic: Roadshow for CYCAL, Press Metal International's Secondary Aluminum Brand

Guest Speaker: Luo Weijie, Marketing Manager of Press Metal International Ltd.

Speech Topic: Impacts and Opportunities of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and Due Diligence Act on the Aluminum Supply Chain

Guest Speaker: Yue Qingsong, General Manager of China and General Manager of the Energy & Low Carbon Business Unit at SGS Risk Management Solutions Center

Speech Topic: Interpretation of National Standards for Carbon Footprint Accounting of Aluminum

Guest Speaker: Zhang Shuchao, Executive Deputy Director of the National Light Metal Quality Inspection and Testing Center and Chief Engineer for Analysis and Testing at China Aluminum Corporation Group Limited

Relevant Background - Domestic Actions

Carbon Footprint: Selective and Alternative; Carbon Trading; Energy Use Rights; Emission Rights.

Relevant Background - Domestic Emissions

2024: Primary energy consumption: 5.97 billion tons of standard coal (2.62 CO2/t); Coal: 4.85 billion tons, including 110 million tons imported; Crude oil: 750 million tons, including 536 million tons imported; Natural gas: 430 billion m3, including 180.7 billion m3 imported; Cement production: 1.825 billion tons; Steel production: 1.005 billion tons; Non-ferrous metals industry: Emissions account for approximately 7%; Aluminum: 44.005 million tons; Copper metal: 13.64 million tons; Magnesium metal: 937,000 tons; Silicon metal: 4.975 million tons; Non-CO2 emissions: 1.1 billion tons; Total emissions: ?

2. Standard Content

Standard Content - Relevant Basis

ISO 14064-1:2018: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and removals

ISO 14064-2:2019: Specification with guidance at the project level for quantification, monitoring, and reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions or removal enhancements

ISO 14064-3:2019: Specification with guidance for the validation and verification of greenhouse gas (GHG) assertions

ISO 14065:2020: Requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) validation and verification bodies for use in accreditation or other forms of recognition

ISO 14067:2018: Greenhouse gases - Carbon footprint of products - Requirements and guidelines for quantification

ISO 14068-1:2023: Greenhouse gas management and related activities - Carbon neutrality

GB/T 32154 series: Aluminum industry: GB/T 32151.4-2024: Requirements for greenhouse gas emissions accounting and reporting - Part 4: Aluminum smelters

GB/T 24068-2024: Greenhouse gases - Carbon footprint of products - Requirements and guidelines for quantification "Guidelines for Verification of Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emission Reports (Trial)"

GB/T 44905-2024 "Greenhouse Gases - Product Carbon Footprint - Quantification Methods and Requirements - Aluminum"

►ISO 14064: A standard designed for carbon management at the organizational level, focusing on helping enterprises account for, report, and verify their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.Its goal is to help organizations establish a systematic carbon management framework, support the implementation of emission reduction projects, and ensure the reliability of carbon emission data. ►ISO 14067: Focuses on the carbon footprint assessment of a single product, helping enterprises quantify carbon emissions at various stages of the product life cycle (from raw material procurement to use and disposal). The core of this standard is the "Product Carbon Footprint Label," which provides enterprises with a transparent and accurate tool to demonstrate the environmental protection of their products.

Standard Content—Carbon Footprint

He elaborates from the perspectives of general products (intermediate products), end-use products, etc.

Standard Content—Aluminum Electrolysis Process

Panel Discussion: ESG Construction and Sustainability Requirements for the Aluminum Supply Chain

Moderator: Yanting Yi, Vice President of SMM

Guest: Jianguo Wang, Raw Material Project Manager of Decathlon China

Yeshan Wu, Product Management Manager for Automotive Business in Asia, Novelis

Jiong Gu, Vice President of Supply Chain & Sustainability, Gränges Asia

Yuanqiang Song, Sustainability Manager, Geely Automobile Research Institute (Ningbo) Co., Ltd.