← Back to archive

Thursday, 30 April 2026

3 stories · Alex's Daily Alu Digest

LME Aluminium $3,604/t +$4 (+0.1%) Cash settlement · USD/t
ECDP $585/t $0 (0.0%) P1020A in-whs dp Rotterdam · USD/t

Constellium SE gains on strong aluminium automotive structures segment

Constellium reported Q1 2026 results on 29 April with its automotive structures segment delivering above-market performance, driving a 22.3% share price gain over the trailing three months. Management expects continued benefit from automotive FRP supply shortages and improved North American scrap spreads into at least early H2 2026.

Novelis angle

Constellium's commentary on persistent automotive FRP supply shortages and improving North American scrap spreads signals competitive tightness in two segments — automotive sheet and secondary aluminium — where Novelis competes directly.

READ FULL STORY ↗

Aluminium's challenge now beyond moving the metal

Fastmarkets reports that CBAM costs are now fully embedded in its benchmark EU duty-paid P1020A, billet, and primary foundry alloy (PFA) premiums effective January 2026; EU aluminium traded at approximately $3,545/t as of 29 April, up ~48% year-on-year.

Novelis angle

Embedding CBAM in Fastmarkets P1020A benchmarks creates a structural cost floor for EU duty-paid primary aluminium that raises input costs for Novelis's non-recycled metal mix while widening the cost advantage of its high recycled-content strategy over primary-intensive FRP rivals.

READ FULL STORY ↗

Rio Tinto reports steady aluminium output in Q1 2026 despite disruptions in bauxite

Rio Tinto maintained steady aluminium output in Q1 2026 despite bauxite supply disruptions, with production remaining close to its annual 3-million-tonne capacity during a period of curtailments at EGA and Alba.

Novelis angle

Rio Tinto maintaining output partially offsets Middle East-driven curtailments from other primary producers, reducing upward pressure on European P1020 premiums relative to peak supply-shock scenarios.

READ FULL STORY ↗