Metalex aluminium special – Ringing the changes 

As expert aluminium extrusion suppliers, aluminium plate suppliers and aluminium sheet suppliers, we’re watching with fascination as the world’s most prevalent metal encounters supply issues, dramatic swings in demand, and mounting consumer pressure. This is the week in which aluminium prices have hit a ten year high. Welcome to our aluminium special. 

Aluminium prices soar to a ten year high 

China is the biggest producer of aluminium, which is used in a huge variety of products and scenarios. They’ve been making sharp cuts in aluminium production in a bid to cut pollution and fight climate change. As concerns about shortages mount worldwide, aluminium prices have hit their highest level in a decade. At the same time tin and copper prices have risen to record highs thanks to a combination of growing demand and pandemic-driven supply chain problems.  

Bloomberg says China’s Guangxi province might soon bring about reductions in steel production, too. This is all happening against a backdrop of electricity shortages in China, which have impacted metals production across the board. South-west Yunnan province has suffered particularly badly thanks to hydro-electricity rationing after an unusually long dry season. 

Releasing China’s national reserves of copper, aluminium and zinc 

China plans to release more copper, aluminium and zinc from its national reserves soon. They’re due to sell off 30,000t of copper, 70,000t of aluminium and 50,000t of zinc stocks during the first week of September 2021, in line with the government’s determination to boost domestic supplies while calming overheated market prices.

Dubai’s aluminium scene returns to profit 

Emirates Global Aluminium is one of the planet’s biggest aluminium producers. It has just become profitable again following recent price hikes for the metal and has just seen its strongest ever first-half results. 

UK Coca-Cola bottler suffers a shortage of aluminium drinks cans 

Coca-Cola’s UK and European bottling facilities are struggling with supply chain issues, with a shortage of aluminium cans, as highlighted by consumers on social media. Supplies of Diet Coke and Coke Zero are becoming scarce in the shops. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners say they’ve faced several logistical issues recently, including the Brexit-fuelled shortage of HGV drivers and the pandemic. 

Consumers tipped to begin demanding ethically sourced aluminium 

Consumers are, apparently, about to revolt in favour of ethically sourced aluminium packaging, including fizzy drinks cans and deodorant containers. The news comes from energy experts including Lord Barker, the chairman of the aluminium producer EN+ Group. He says growing demand for greener metals could also result in tens of thousands of new jobs at innovative UK plants powered by renewable energy. 

Lord Baker predicts that within a decade heavy industry will return to the UK to take advantage of the country’s ‘plentiful supply of affordable, renewable electricity’, which we enjoy thanks to our world leadership in pioneering offshore wind. It’s good news when most of China’s plants currently run on coal. 

Elopak removes aluminium from packaging 

Elopak’s new aseptic carton has the usual aluminium layer removed, a move predicted to slash its CO2 footprint by an impressive 28%. They’ve managed to create a carton without the aluminium layer traditionally used in this kind of packaging that looks and performs just as well as the original version. The new pack is fully recyclable. 

Elopak is no stranger to CO2 reduction initiatives. Between 2014 and 2020 they reduced the CO2 footprint of an average carton with a closure from 32 gCO2e to 25 gCO2e, giving them much stronger environmental credentials than alternatives like plastic bottles. 

Walk this way for top quality aluminium products 

We don’t just sell aluminium in many of its popular forms. We also know aluminium inside out. We understand how it’s made, what it’s used for, its properties, its downsides and advantages. Next time you need reliable, professional aluminium stockists, we’ll be delighted to help. 

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