For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The AL6XN Price Index in North American market showcased a significant upward movement in the first quarter of 2025, with AL6XN sheet (3 mm) spot prices settling at USD 29,277/MT DEL Houston.
• Prices of the product increased by 6.7% compared to the final quarter of 2024, driven by limited supply conditions due to import restrictions, port congestion, and logistical inefficiencies.
• Why did the price of AL6XN change in April 2025 in USA? Prices were rising as April began, carried over from Q1 supply constraints and robust domestic demand.
• Domestic demand strengthened, especially from production and process industries, further supporting the bullish momentum.
• The U.S. registered the most noticeable price gains, with supply disruptions amplifying upward pressure on the Al6XN Spot Price.
• The Al6XN Demand Outlook remains strong in North America, supported by downstream industries and limited inventory levels.
• Al6XN Production Cost Trend faced upward pressure due to logistical expenses and constrained supply chains.
• The Al6XN Price Forecast for the coming quarter hints at potential moderation, provided global shipping and import channels stabilize.
Europe
• The AL6XN Price Index in Europe showed a downward trajectory, with prices closing Q1 2025 at USD 19,695/MT FD-Werdohl (Germany), marking an 11.5% quarter-over-quarter decline.
• Why did the European price of AL6XN change in April 2025? Prices were low, reflecting sustained downward pressure from oversupply and weak demand.
• Germany, the region's key market, saw the most pronounced impact due to sluggish industrial activity, particularly in the construction and automotive sectors.
• A global oversupply situation added to regional stockpiles, which—combined with economic uncertainty—pushed prices further down.
• Despite minor operational disruptions, overall production was unaffected enough to counter the soft demand.
• The Al6XN Demand Outlook remains weak in Europe for the near term due to macroeconomic challenges and muted industrial activity.
• The Al6XN Production Cost Trend remained relatively stable, though cost pressure did little to offset bearish sentiment.
• The Al6XN Price Forecast suggests continued pricing weakness unless demand recovery occurs in the construction and engineering sectors.
Asia Pacific (APAC)
• The AL6XN Price Index in the APAC region posted a positive increase in Q1 2025, closing at USD 15,114/MT Ex-Shanghai, with China leading the surge.
• Prices in China rose by 2.2% quarter-over-quarter, driven by high demand and supply chain inefficiencies.
• Why did the AL6XN price change in April 2025 in Asia? Prices were high, reflecting continued demand growth and constrained shipping availability.
• Production challenges and delays in global logistics contributed to the bullish pricing sentiment.
• Despite China’s focus on scrap recycling, rising demand in downstream applications outpaced supply availability, lifting the Al6XN Spot Price.
• Seasonal transitions and limited vessel availability further pushed costs upward, keeping prices firm through April.
• The Al6XN Demand Outlook remains positive in APAC due to infrastructure developments and industrial expansion.
• The Al6XN Production Cost Trend rose moderately due to rising logistics and raw material costs.
• The Al6XN Price Forecast indicates stable to firm pricing through early Q2, assuming persistent demand and logistical bottlenecks.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The fourth quarter of 2024 saw a notable downward trend in prices across North America, with particular emphasis on the U.S. market. The quarter concluded with AL6XN sheet (3 mm) prices at USD 25,651/MT DEL Houston, marking a 2% decrease from Q3 2024.
Moreover, the price decline was primarily driven by an imbalance between supply and demand fundamentals. Supply chains demonstrated increased availability of material, stemming from both higher import volumes and shifts in domestic production patterns. This supply expansion occurred against a backdrop of weakening demand, creating downward pressure on prices.
Additionally, Key end-user sectors, particularly automotive and manufacturing, showed reduced consumption patterns. The manufacturing sector's performance was especially significant, with decreased factory orders contributing to the sluggish demand environment. This sectoral weakness played a crucial role in maintaining the bearish price trend throughout the quarter. While the price decline was observed across North America, the U.S. market experienced the most pronounced effects. The combination of increased material availability and subdued industrial activity created a consistently bearish pricing environment, making Q4 2024 a challenging period for market participants.
Europe
The European AL6XN market experienced a downward price trajectory during Q4 2024, with prices settling at USD 21,740/MT FD-Werdohl in Germany by quarter-end. This pricing environment reflected broader regional challenges and shifting market fundamentals. Additionally, the quarter was characterized by an oversupply situation, as global steel dynamics led to increased material availability across Europe. This supply expansion occurred simultaneously with weakening demand, creating significant downward pressure on prices. Germany, as the region's key market, experienced the most pronounced effects of these market conditions. Moreover, multiple sectors showed reduced consumption patterns, particularly in construction and automotive industries. The decrease in industrial activity across Europe, especially in Germany, contributed to the weakening demand scenario. Economic challenges and evolving consumer behaviour patterns further amplified this trend. While the entire European region faced pricing challenges, Germany emerged as the focal point of market dynamics. Despite some operational disruptions at production facilities, the persistent oversupply coupled with decreased demand maintained downward pressure on prices throughout the quarter.
APAC
The APAC region's AL6XN market faced significant downward pressure during Q4 2024, with prices concluding at USD 14,103/MT Ex-Shanghai in China. This represents an 8% decline from Q3 2024, reflecting substantial market challenges across the region. In China, as the region's dominant market, experienced the most pronounced price movements. The quarter was characterized by surplus production capacity, leading to increased export volumes at competitive prices. This oversupply situation, coupled with operational disruptions at mining facilities, created a complex market environment affecting regional pricing structures. Additionally, key end-user sectors, particularly construction and automotive, showed weakened demand patterns. China's domestic demand slowdown had ripple effects across global markets, creating additional downward pressure on international prices. While the entire APAC region faced pricing challenges, China's market conditions proved particularly influential. Despite maintaining resilient production levels, the combination of surplus capacity and weakened demand created persistent downward pressure on prices. The market experienced more pronounced decreases between the first and second half of Q4, reflecting ongoing adjustments to challenging market conditions.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, the North America Region witnessed stable prices for AL6XN, reflecting a balanced and consistent pricing environment. Several factors influenced market prices during this quarter. The supply chain remained robust, with consistent production levels and increase in demand. Moreover, Seasonal trends and market dynamics played a role in increasing the prices. Additionally, the correlation in price changes between different regions contributed to the overall equilibrium in pricing. The manufacturing sector also contributed to the rising demand for AL6XN, as factory orders and steel exports witnessed an increase in volumes.
In the USA, where the most significant price changes were observed, the market experienced bullish prices. Moreover, the quarter saw a 4% increase from the previous quarter, with prices remaining consistent throughout. Furthermore, the AL6XN supply in the USA decreased due to weaker import dynamics and shifts in domestic production. Additionally, On the other hand, the demand increased, particularly in the automotive and manufacturing industries, leading to a price rise in the market.
The quarter-ending price for AL6XN sheet (3 mm) DEL Houston in the USA stood at USD 26651/MT, indicating a firm and stable pricing scenario.
Europe
In Q3 2024, the Europe Region witnessed an increase in AL6XN pricing. Several factors contributed to this upward trend. Additionally, the region experienced a decrease in supply, driven by global steel dynamics and a significant increase in demand for products. This influx of supplies puts pressure on local suppliers, leading to an increase in prices. Additionally, demand for AL6XN saw a incline, influenced by economic challenges and changing consumer behavior, particularly in sectors like construction and automotive.
Meanwhile, Germany experienced the most significant price changes in the region during the quarter. The market faced supply constraints and an increase in demand, impacting prices. Moreover, the overall trend in pricing for AL6XN in Germany reflected a consistent increase, with fluctuations observed between the first and second half of the quarter. Additionally, the market has shown resilience, with an increase in demand for AL6XN in German market, reflecting a positive shift in industrial activity.
Despite some disruptions and plant shutdowns, the quarter-ending price for Al6XN Sheet (3 mm) FD-Werdohl in Germany stood at USD 24671/MT, indicating a challenging pricing environment characterized by decreasing prices.
APAC
In Q3 2024, the APAC region experienced a challenging period for AL6XN pricing, marked by a significant decrease in prices. Various factors contributed to this downward trend, including weakening demand in key sectors such as construction and automotive, oversupply in the market, and global economic slowdown. The quarter saw a notable -17% decrease from the previous quarter, reflecting the bearish market sentiment.
Meanwhile, China witnessed the most substantial price changes, with a drop between the first and second half of the quarter. Additionally, the country's steel market faced surplus production capacities, leading to increased exports at competitive prices, further declining global prices. Moreover, Furthermore, the global steel market is feeling the repercussions of China's weakening demand, leading to downward pressure on prices internationally.
The quarter-ending price for AL6XN plate Ex Shanghai in China stood at USD 14955/MT, highlighting the prevailing negative pricing environment. Despite some resilience in production levels, disruptions in mining facilities and plant shutdowns added operational complexities and cost pressures, contributing to the overall challenging market conditions.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
In Q2 2024, the AL6XN market in North America experienced significant price increases, driven by multiple intertwined factors. The quarter was marked by persistent supply constraints, notably due to limited raw material availability and rising costs of stainless and alloy steel scrap. Increased shipping expenses from East Asia further compounded the supply-side pressures. These factors collectively resulted in elevated prices for AL6XN.
In the USA, the market saw the most substantial price changes, influenced by robust demand across various sectors. The automotive industry demonstrated a notable uptick in new vehicle sales, contributing to the heightened demand for AL6XN. The manufacturing sector also showed signs of recovery, with increased orders for durable goods and stainless-steel products. This surge in demand outpaced the available supply, leading to a bullish pricing environment.
Seasonal trends indicated a correlation between higher construction activities and increased AL6XN prices. The second half of Q2 witnessed a more pronounced price increase compared to the first half, reflecting a 5% rise. This trend underscores the sustained demand and limited supply dynamics at play.
The latest quarter-ending price for AL6XN sheet (3 mm) DEL Houston in the USA reached USD 26079/MT, indicating a stable yet positive pricing environment. This consistent upward trend reflects the ongoing supply-demand imbalances and the inflationary pressures on raw material and shipping costs.
Overall, Q2 2024 has been characterized by a positive pricing environment for AL6XN, driven by strong demand and persistent supply constraints. The market dynamics suggest a continued upward trajectory in prices, underpinned by robust industrial activity and limited raw material availability.
Europe
In Q2 2024, the European market for AL6XN experienced considerable price increases, driven by supply constraints and escalating production costs. The limited availability of raw materials and scrap significantly impacted production volumes, thereby exerting upward pressure on prices. The market also faced challenges from rising energy costs and extended supplier delivery times, exacerbated by ongoing geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Additionally, heightened shipping costs due to prolonged transit times further strained the market.
Focusing on Germany, which witnessed the most pronounced price changes, the situation reflects a bullish market sentiment. The German AL6XN market demonstrated a notable price inflation of 3% from the previous quarter, consistent with an overall trend of increasing prices. Seasonal factors, such as heightened demand from the construction sector and a recovering automotive industry, have played pivotal roles in influencing price dynamics. The second half of the quarter saw a continued upward trajectory, with prices rising by an additional 3% compared to the first half.
Germany's AL6XN market showcased a robust response to the evolving supply-demand dynamics, culminating in a quarter-ending price of USD 24823/MT for AL6XN Sheet (3 mm) FD-Werdohl. Despite the challenges posed by supply-side disruptions and escalating costs, the pricing environment has been predominantly positive, reflecting strong market demand and constrained supply. This period underscores the resilience of the German market in navigating complex economic and industrial pressures, maintaining a consistent upward price trend throughout Q2 2024.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the pricing landscape for AL6XN in the APAC region has experienced a notable downward trend, driven by several key factors. The supply chain has faced significant disruptions, including plant shutdowns and logistical challenges, which have contributed to increased shipping costs and extended delivery times. Inventory levels have remained high, adding to the supply glut and further pressuring prices downward. The demand for AL6XN has also softened due to geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, which have curbed industrial activities and infrastructure projects. Additionally, fluctuations in raw material costs, particularly nickel and chromium, have impacted production economics, leading to reduced market confidence and lower pricing stability.
Focusing on China, where the most pronounced price changes have occurred, the market has seen a consistent decline. Seasonal factors, such as reduced construction activities during certain periods, have exacerbated the downward pressure on prices. The overall trend has been negative, reflecting a bearish market sentiment throughout the quarter. Compared to the same period last year, prices have shown a significant decrease. From the previous quarter in 2024, prices have declined by 3%, when comparing quarter first comparing with quarter second.
The quarter-ending price for AL6XN plate Ex Shanghai in China was USD 18020/MT, underscoring the continued negative sentiment in the market. Despite some intermittent demand spikes, the pricing environment has predominantly been unfavourable, marked by persistent supply chain issues and a cautious economic climate.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is the current price of AL6XN in the North America region?
As of Q1 2025, AL6XN prices in the US hovered around USD 29,277/MT (DEL Houston).
2. Who are the top AL6XN producers in the United States?
Key U.S. producers include Allegheny Technologies (ATI), Rolled Alloys etc.
3. What factors impacted the AL6XN Production Cost Trend in Q1 2025?
Rising logistics costs, import restrictions, and supply chain inefficiencies were major drivers affecting production costs.
4. What is the Al6XN Demand Outlook for Q2 2025?
• Strong in North America and APAC, especially in industrial sectors.
• Weak to moderate in Europe due to economic slowdown and oversupply issues.
