- India narrows aluminium anti-dumping duty scope
- Attero invests in copper recycling capacity
London Metal Exchange (LME) base metal prices showed mixed movements at the close of trading in the week ended 19 December. Aluminium prices strengthened by 2.40% w-o-w to $2,945/t, even as LME stocks remained largely flat, edging down marginally by 0.01%. Nickel also traded higher, gaining 1.36% w-o-w to $14,803/t, while warehouse inventories increased by a modest 0.60%.
Copper prices rose 0.69% w-o-w to $11,882/t, aided by a notable 3.32% decline in LME stocks to 160,400 t, indicating tighter supply. In contrast, zinc prices fell sharply by 2.77% w-o-w to $3,073/t, despite a substantial 61.32% surge in inventories, reflecting weak demand sentiment. Lead prices were largely unchanged, slipping 0.03% w-o-w to $1,985/t, while stocks increased 10.17% over the week.
India’s imported aluminium scrap prices were mixed in the week ended 20 December, despite positive momentum in LME prices, with selective gains and declines across key grades. BigMint assessed Middle East-origin Tense (8-9%) at $1,930/t, unchanged w-o-w, while US-origin Tense (6-7%) also remained stable at $2,000/t.
India’s automobile sector recorded steady y-o-y growth in 11MCY’25 (January-November 2025), with sales reaching 24.61 million units, reflecting an increase of 2.8% y-o-y from the previous year’s 23.94 million units, supported by higher OEM sales, rising production, and resilient domestic demand, according to data from SIAM.
India’s domestic aluminium market recorded modest w-o-w gains, driven by price revisions from primary producers in line with a firmer LME price and renewed global supply concerns. BigMint’s assessment showed India’s domestic P1020 ingot (99.7%) prices rising by INR 3,000/t w-o-w to INR 285,000/t ex-Delhi NCR
Additionally, a leading Indian automaker has raised its ADC12 settlement price by INR 3,300/t m-o-m to INR 235,900/t for January 2026.
Imported copper scrap prices in India moved higher w-o-w on 19 December, supported by positive momentum in London Metal Exchange (LME) futures. Domestic scrap prices also firmed up as market sentiment stabilised. Buying remained cautious, however, with LME’s brief move towards the $11,800/t mark on 12 December again tempering aggressive restocking.
According to BigMint’s assessment, Birch/Cliff was assessed at $10,790/tonne (t), up by $90/t w-o-w, while US motors mix stood at $1,340/t, up by a minor $10/t w-o-w (both CFR Mundra).
India’s domestic brass honey prices edged lower w-o-w on subdued market activity and multiple demand-side pressures. According to BigMint’s assessment, brass honey was assessed at INR 615,000/t exw-Jamnagar, a decrease of INR 7,000/t w-o-w.
The Indian zinc scrap market recorded mixed trends during the week ending 20 November. Tight spot supply led to a slight uptick in prices of imported diecast scrap, though gains in other grades were limited by softer global zinc prices and subdued domestic demand.
BigMint assessed zinc diecast scrap (Middle East origin) at $2,450/t CFR west coast India, up $30/t w-o-w, supported by limited spot availability despite a correction in London Metal Exchange (LME) futures.
Domestic zinc spot prices stood at INR 315,000/t exw-Delhi, down by 3.67% w-o-w. HZL zinc prices were down by 3.89% w-o-w at INR 314,500/t ex-Chanderiya.
Lead
Domestic primary lead ingot prices stood at INR 191,500/t, down by 0.78% w-o-w, while re-melted ingots stood at INR 181,000/t, down by 1.09% w-o-w.
Meanwhile, HZL lead prices stood at INR 207,200/t ex-Chanderiya, down by 1.8% w-o-w.
Other updates
India amends anti-dumping scope for aluminium flat rolled products
India has amended the scope of anti-dumping duties on certain aluminium flat rolled products imported from China by excluding lithograde aluminium coils with a width above 1,150 mm. The revision, issued by the DGTR on 10 December 2025 following a Delhi High Court ruling, brings lithograde coils in line with other excluded products such as can-body stock and thin aluminium foil. The move provides greater clarity to importers and customs authorities, eases cost and compliance pressures for printing and packaging industries, and continues to safeguard domestic producers for products that remain within the duty ambit.
EGA plans major expansion of aluminium recycling operations in Germany
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced a $170 million expansion of its Leichtmetall recycling operations near Hannover, Germany. The new facility will add 110,000 t/year of scrap sorting and 153,000 t/year of melting and casting capacity, lifting total output more than sixfold. Commissioning is targeted for 2028, featuring advanced sorting, energy-efficient furnaces, and near-total salt recovery to supply high-grade secondary aluminium for Europe’s automotive and industrial sectors.
Attero announces INR 150 crore investment to expand E-waste, copper recycling capacity
Recycling company Attero announced an investment of INR 150 crore to expand its copper and e-waste recycling infrastructure in India on 17 December. The copper recycling unit in Reengus, Rajasthan, will add 25,000 t of annual capacity, taking total planned capacity additions to 100,000 t/year. The expansion aims to boost secondary copper availability and reduce dependence on primary imports.
Vedanta files fresh petition seeking expert committee on Tuticorin copper plant
Vedanta Ltd has filed a new petition seeking the constitution of an expert committee to review environmental and safety aspects related to the proposed reopening of its copper smelter in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The move aims to reassess earlier findings and evaluate compliance measures, amid continued legal and regulatory scrutiny. The plant, with a capacity of around 400,000 t per annum, has remained shut since 2018, as per reports.
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