- ADC12 bids stay below prevailing offer levels
- Alloy makers expect limited correction in prices
India’s aluminium ADC12 alloyed ingot prices range-bound m-o-m in August 2025 with marginal dips across both northern and southern India, according to BigMint‘s benchmark assessments.
BigMint’s monthly assessment for the OEM grade of ADC12 stood at INR 230,000/tonne (t) in Delhi and INR 232,000/t in Chennai.
The spread between scrap and semi-finished products stood largely steady m-o-m at INR 33,000-34,000/t in both Delhi NCR as well as Chennai.
Meanwhile, three-month London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium average prices hovered at around $2,585/t in early-August, down by 0.8% m-o-m from the previous month’s $2,605/t. At the time of reporting, LME aluminium prices had decreased to $2,590/t. Inventories at LME warehouses in August had increased by 13% to 466,758 t from 413,946 t in July.
LME aluminium stockpiles rose, putting downward pressure on prices. This contributed to a more bearish market sentiment, with the modest inventory build-up amplifying concerns already fuelled by global trade uncertainties.
Investor confidence weakened as a result, prompting market participants to adopt a cautious stance while they awaited clearer macroeconomic signals to gauge the direction of future price movements.
Market insights
Offers for ADC12 remained on the higher side in both north and south India, hovering between INR 233,000-234,000/t in Delhi and INR 235,000-236,000/t in Chennai.
Bids in the north were heard at INR 228,000-229,000/t and in the south at INR 230,000-231,000/t.
A trader from the north noted, “The aluminium scrap market continues to face a shortage, preventing the significant price correction that buyers had anticipated. The current dip in scrap prices is primarily linked to the recent decline in LME aluminium levels, rather than improved availability.”
Offers for ADC12 in Chennai stood at INR 238,000/t for 45-day credit payment terms.
An alloy maker form the south informed BigMint, “ADC12 prices are expected to stabilise or see a slight correction, as imports from Malaysia may resume. Four to five major Malaysian alloy suppliers have already received BIS certification, and more producers are gradually gaining approval, improving supply prospects.”
Indicative ADC12 prices for 30-day payment terms in the west were heard between INR 231,000-233,000/t ex-Pune.
Alloy imports plunge y-o-y, exports remain nil
Imports: According to BigMint‘s latest data, India’s ADC12 alloy market witnessed a dramatic contraction in imports during the first half of 2025 (H1CY’25), with inbound volumes plunging by 87% y-o-y. Total ADC12 imports stood at just 1,511 t, down sharply from 11,811 t in H1CY’24. The drop was particularly from Malaysia due to BIS certificate issues.
Most of the imported material was from Malaysia followed by Tanzania and Senegal.
Export: India’s ADC12 exports in H1CY’25 stood at 5,181 t. While export volumes were notable in the first two months, they began to decline from March 2025 onward due to strong domestic demand.
Raw material price trends
In early-August, prices of the basic raw material for aluminium alloys, that is scrap, saw a dip m-o-m. US-origin Tense scrap inched up by $55/t m-o-m to $1,985/t, while UK-origin Wheels fell by $5/t to $2,580/t. Meanwhile, Zorba 95/5 from the UK stood at $2,135/t CFR west coast, India, down by $30/t m-o-m.
In the domestic market, Tense scrap prices held steady at INR 197,000/t in Delhi, while prices in Chennai also remained unchanged at INR 200,000/t ex-Chennai.
Silicon price trends
According to BigMint’s assessment, prices of China’s 553-grade silicon gained by $15/t m-o-m to $1,380/t CFR Mundra. The spike was primarily due to a slight improvement in demand.
Outlook
Looking ahead, ADC12 prices are likely to stabilise as several Malaysian alloy ingot producers have received BIS certification, improving import availability. However, strong domestic demand ahead of the festival season is expected to support current price levels, limiting any major correction.
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