[SMM Aluminum Flash News] Rio Tinto and Century Aluminum Raise US Billet Premiums by Around 12%

[SMM Aluminum Alloy Daily Review] Futures side, the most-traded aluminum alloy 2606 futures contract opened at 24,095 yuan/mt today, hitting an intraday high of 24,200 yuan/mt and a low of 23,735 yuan/mt, before closing the morning session at 24,000 yuan/mt, down 0.54%. Spot side, driven by a significant rise in primary aluminum prices, cost support strengthened notably, and most enterprises chose to raise prices by 100 yuan/mt. However, demand side, downstream acceptance of high prices was limited, transactions were lackluster, and some enterprises lacked the momentum to raise prices, opting to hold steady and wait.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Tsingshan Holding Group, led by Chinese tycoon Xiang Guangda, is in advanced discussions with global trading houses Mercuria Energy Group, Glencore Plc, and Trafigura Group for minority investments in a proposed $3 billion aluminum smelter at the Weda Bay Industrial Park in Indonesia. The planned 800,000-tonne facility (likely in two 400,000-tonne phases) would give the traders direct access to aluminum output while helping Tsingshan reduce its capital burden and gain stronger support from Indonesian authorities. This move comes as global aluminum markets face strain from supply disruptions in the Gulf region and reflects Tsingshan’s continued expansion in Indonesia’s metals sector.