US secondary aluminum alloys prices pushed higher on Friday for most grades as secondary smelters gained from better global demand for aluminum alloys.
The weekly Davis Index for A380.1 was better at 73.5¢/lb delivered US consumer on Friday, up by 1.5¢/lb. The index for A360.1 moved down by just over a penny to 83.5¢/lb delivered US consumer while A413.1 climbed by one-tenth of a penny to 84.5¢/lb delivered US consumers.
The three-month LME aluminum contract closed on Friday at $1,789/mt, down by $8.50/mt from $1,797.50/mt on August 28.
The demand for secondary aluminum alloys has picked up in Asia with China, Japan, and India hungry for the material. Automotive sales are increasing in those areas as an alternative to public transportation, which poses a health risk due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With China unable to buy the aluminum scrap they want due to shipping concerns at their ports, some of their capacity remains offline for the time being, helping prop up the prices for secondary alloys worldwide.