From supply chain disruptions to London Metal Exchange spreads, aluminium market participants discussed a wide variety of topics during LME Week, and what they could mean for the market in the months ahead.
Fastmarkets breaks down the winners and losers across the various topics discussed during the week of October 11-15.
Embedded supply chains - winners
While costs along the supply chain continue to increase, market participants are becoming increasingly concerned about their margins. Producers with embedded supply chains benefit once again.
Fastmarkets' benchmark daily
alumina index, fob Australia, was $482.77 per tonne on Tuesday October 19, up by more than 75% from the same time last year. The raw material has been well supported by supply shortages in the Atlantic market, strong aluminium demand, and high LME aluminium prices.
Consumers buying alumina on a floating basis and covering shorts on the spot market have seen rising costs, compared with aluminium producers who also produce their own raw materials.
"People are looking to localize their supply chains, and that isn't always easy," an alumina trader said. "But the aluminium producers with their own...