US Adds 172,000 Jobs in May, Exceeding Expectations; Unemployment Steady at 4.3%

As resource security and decarbonization become increasingly important, major economies are strengthening efforts to retain aluminum scrap. From the EU's review of export controls and the U.S. strategic asset proposal to Japan's circular economy initiatives and policies in the UAE and South Africa, these developments could reshape global scrap flows and affect secondary aluminum markets.

The total investment of the Chalco Aluminum Foil New Energy High-Precision Plate, Sheet, Strip and Foil Project is RMB 1.82 billion, and physical progress has currently reached 40%. The roofing of the factory building will be completed by June 30 this year, and equipment commissioning and acceptance will be finished by month-end December, followed by trial production. It is understood that the project is expected to be officially completed and put into operation on May 31, 2027. After commissioning, it will achieve an annual output of 170,000 mt of high-precision aluminum plate/sheet, strip and foil, primarily used for the positive electrode current collectors of high-end power batteries, with an output value projected to reach 4 billion yuan.

On the morning of June 2, a project with an annual capacity of 30,000 mt of aluminum-based metal composite materials and 5 million pieces of deep-processed material products was signed in Huaibei High-tech Zone. The project integrates new material R&D, intelligent manufacturing, and precision deep processing. Its products are mainly applied in NEVs, energy storage equipment, PV, wind power, and other fields.