Aluminium

Aluminium is a lightweight, silvery-white metal known for its corrosion resistance and high strength-to-weight ratio. It is primarily extracted from bauxite ore and refined into alumina before smelting. China, Russia, and Canada are the top producers of aluminium. Aluminium is used in the automotive, construction, and packaging industries, making it one of the most versatile metals in global manufacturing.

Sub-Category	Abbreviation	Core Content Range	Size Range
Alumina	Al2O3	Various	n/a
Aluminium Fines	Al Fines	Al 96-100%	1-80 mm
Aluminium Granules	Al granules	Various	n/a
Aluminium Grit	Al powder	Various	n/a
Aluminium Oxide	Al2O3	Various	n/a
Aluminium Powder	Al powder	Al2O3 99.4-100%	0-0.075 mm
Aluminium Scrap	Al scrap	Al 84.5-100%	1-10000 mm
Aluminium Wire	Al wire	Al 97.1-100%	n/a
Deoxidation Aluminium 1-Notch Ingot	DeOx Al 1-notch	Al 96-100%	25-500 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium 10-Notch Ingot	DeOx Al 10-notch	Al 96-100%	0-3700 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium 2-Notch Ingot	DeOx Al 2-notch	Al 96-100%	n/a
Deoxidation Aluminium Briquettes	DeOx Al Briqs	Al 96-97%	n/a
Deoxidation Aluminium Cylinder	DeOx Al Cylinder	Various	n/a
Deoxidation Aluminium Drops	DeOx Al Drops	Al 95-100%	0-500 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium Granules	DeOx Al Granules	Al 96-100%	0-80 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium Ingot	DeOx Al Ingot	Al 85-100%	0-700 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium Pyramid	DeOx Al Pyramid	Al 99-100%	2-15 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium Slugs	DeOx Al Slugs	Al 90-100%	n/a
Deoxidation Aluminium Spirals	DeOx Al Spirals	Al 99.5-100%	0-60 mm
Deoxidation Aluminium Star	DeOx Al Star	Al 98-100%	10-770 mm
Ferroaluminium	FeAl	Al 30-95%	10-50 mm
Primary Aluminium Ingots	Al Ingot	Various	n/a

Please note that the above listed sub-categories including its core content and size ranges are just a snapshot of Metalshub’s currently traded raw materials. We are adding new sub-categories on a monthly basis and would be happy to assess your specific requirements to this category.

Metalshub provides producers and consumers of aluminium with a software solution to improve the way they buy or sell it. Our software connects over 2,000 companies in a joint trading network. This allows sellers to discover new buyers of aluminium and buyers to discover new suppliers of aluminium.

For buyers, Metalshub’s Procurement Solution allows smelters and other consumers to digitalise their procurement process in order to increase sourcing efficiency, ensure compliant buying, and take data-driven decisions. For sellers, Metalshub’s Sales Solution allows miners, traders, and other sellers to digitalise their sales process, manage inventory, and optimise their sales book.

Several key providers offer aluminium prices:

1. London Metal Exchange (LME): The LME provides official settlement prices for aluminium, including futures contracts. LME aluminium prices are widely used in the physical market for pricing transactions.
   1. Aluminium: London Metal Exchange (LME)
   2. Aluminium Alloy: London Metal Exchange (LME)
   3. North American Special Aluminium Alloy Contract (NASAAC): London Metal Exchange (LME)
2. Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE): The SHFE provides real-time aluminium futures prices, particularly relevant for the Chinese market, and is a critical platform for traders looking to engage in the Asia-Pacific region.
3. Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME): CME Group offers aluminium futures quotes for contracts on its Globex platform, with real-time data available for traders and investors ​(CME Group).
4. CRU Group: CRU offers journalistic price assessments and forecasts for aluminium through its Aluminum Monitor (CRU).
5. Metis: For deoxidation aluminium, robust transaction-based price data is made available by Metis. The prices are adjusted considering FCA warehouse in a major European sea port and prepayment (Metis).

Beyond these five examples, other providers may also provide prices.

The leading countries for aluminium production are:

• China – ~55% of global output, the largest producer and consumer.
• Russia – ~10%, focusing on both domestic use and exports.
• Canada – ~<10%, mainly exporting to the United States.
• India – ~5%, with increasing refining capacity.
• UAE – ~5%, producing from imported bauxite.

Some of the key aluminium producers include:

• Chalco (China) – ~15% of global aluminium production
• Rusal (Russia) – ~10% of global aluminium production
• Rio Tinto Alcan (Canada) – ~10% of global aluminium production
• Norsk Hydro (Norway) – ~5% of global aluminium production
• Emirates Global Aluminium (UAE) – ~5% of global aluminium production

Aluminium is extracted from bauxite, which is refined into alumina and then smelted using an electrolytic process to produce pure aluminium. Sub-categories like deoxidation aluminium ingots, aluminium granules, and aluminium scrap are critical for use in various manufacturing processes, including steel deoxidation and aluminium alloy production.

Aluminium is used predominantly in the construction (~35%) and automotive (~25%) industries due to its light weight and corrosion resistance. It is also used in packaging (~15%), making cans, foils, and containers. Sub-categories such as aluminium powder, fines, and deoxidation aluminium are utilised in specialised applications like coatings, electronics, and in metallurgical processes to remove oxygen from steel and other metals during production.