Prices for secondary aluminium alloys in the United States rose across the board on Thursday September 17, but producers - who have seen their margins erode due to output constraints and higher freight and scrap costs - said the climb has been too slow.
Fastmarkets assessed the price for aluminium alloy A380.1, delivered Midwest at 75-77 cents per lb on September 17, widening upward from 74-75 cents per lb previously and its highest since mid-June 2019, when the assessment stood in this same range.While some deals were heard at 74 cents early in the pricing session, late in the week ended September 11, deals recently have trended toward the new range.Fastmarkets assessed the price for aluminium alloy 319.1, delivered Midwest at 78-80 cents per lb on September 17, up by 2 cents from 76-78 cents per lb the previous week and its highest since early August 2019.Prices for the 356.1, A360.1 and A413.1 alloys also moved higher, although the scrap grades required to produce those alloys reportedly have been easier to acquire than those needed for A380.1 or 319.1, producers said.Fastmarkets assessed...