Why has the European aluminium billet premium doubled since the Iran war began?

The European aluminium billet premium has doubled due to two months of disrupted Middle East supply caused by the Iran war, which largely suspended bulk shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and hit production in the region—accounting for 9% of global aluminium supply—and led to depleted Gulf producer stocks in Europe.

What specific supply disruptions have directly affected European aluminium billet availability?

Three key disruptions are cited: (1) curbed Gulf exports due to halted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz; (2) Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) declaring force majeure on some billet contracts after one of its UAE smelters was struck by an Iranian attack in late March; and (3) Kubikenborg Aluminium (Kubal) halting deliveries from April 9 amid a Swedish sanctions-related investigation into its CEO, compounding near-term scarcity despite ongoing production.

European aluminium billet premium doubles after Iran war disrupts supply, squeezes consumers

ChemBrief

European aluminium billet premium doubles after Iran war disrupts supply, squeezes consumers — ChemBrief Topics

European aluminium billet premium doubles after Iran war disrupts supply, squeezes consumers

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