Aluminium billet premiums in Brazil and Thailand edged lower on Friday July 3 due to continued poor demand, while liquidity for billet across the globe remained low.
Stagnant European premiums Brazil under pressure Thailand edges lower Lack of demand doesn't dampen US market European premiums mostly stable
Demand in Italy for aluminium billet increased slightly as the third quarter began but tonnages remain low and overall demand is weak.
Fastmarkets' weekly assessment of the aluminium 6063 extrusion billet premium, ddp Italy (Brescia region) was at $240-270 per tonne on Friday, unchanged from the week before.
Traders noted increased inquiries from buyers compared with previous months but said a number of consumers are still out of the market.
"The market is quiet; a few people will ask for billet but they only want a few hundred tonnes not thousands. Some exotic brands can trade even lower than $240 per tonne," a trader said.
Participants told Fastmarkets that tier-one producers were still offering around $280-300 per tonne but no consumers were willing to buy at...