For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Aluminum Foil Prices in North America
- In United States, the Aluminum Foil Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging production costs.
- The Aluminum Foil Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the Producer Price Index rose 4.0%.
- United States domestic primary aluminum supply expanded as a major regional producer restarted operations in Q1 2026.
- The Aluminum Foil Demand Outlook strengthened in March 2026, supported by a 4.0% retail sales growth.
- Industrial production grew 0.7% and the Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, boosting packaging material needs.
- Consumer Price Index inflation reached 3.3% in March 2026, pushing up energy-intensive smelting and rolling expenses.
- A 4.3% unemployment rate and 91.8 consumer confidence index in March 2026 sustained baseline consumer spending.
- The Aluminum Foil Price Forecast remained elevated in Q1 2026 as global exchange inventories plummeted significantly.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in March 2026 in North America?
- United States industrial electricity prices surged in Feb 2026, elevating energy-intensive aluminum smelting and rolling expenses.
- Global primary aluminum feedstock costs spiked in Q1 2026 due to tightening global supply chains.
- Chinese aluminum foil export volumes to global markets fell year-over-year in March 2026, tightening supply.
Aluminum Foil Prices in APAC
- In China, the Aluminum Foil Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by constrained primary aluminum supply.
- Consumer prices rose 1.0% year-over-year while retail sales grew 1.7% year-over-year in March 2026, limiting packaging demand.
- The Aluminum Foil Production Cost Trend increased as producer prices rose 0.5% year-over-year in March 2026.
- The Aluminum Foil Demand Outlook strengthened as industrial production grew 5.7% year-over-year in March 2026.
- Unemployment reached 5.4% in March 2026, and consumer confidence hit 91.6 in February 2026, dampening household spending.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, reflecting increased industrial procurement for technical aluminum foil grades.
- High electricity costs exerted persistent upward pressure on domestic aluminum smelting economics in Q1 2026.
- Aluminum foil export volumes weakened slightly in Jan-Feb 2026 due to post-holiday off-season market effects.
- The Aluminum Foil Price Forecast remained elevated in March 2026 due to depleted domestic primary aluminum inventories.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Domestic primary aluminum supply remained heavily constrained by national production capacity ceilings in Q1 2026.
- High electricity costs exerted persistent upward pressure on domestic aluminum smelting operations in Q1 2026.
- Electric vehicle battery packaging demand expanded in Jan-Feb 2026, driven by growing battery pack sizes.
Aluminum Foil Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Aluminum Foil Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging energy costs.
- The Aluminum Foil Production Cost Trend increased as consumer inflation reached 2.7% in March 2026.
- Producer prices declined 0.2% in March 2026, easing upstream pressures for the Aluminum Foil Price Index.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, boosting the industrial Aluminum Foil Demand Outlook.
- Industrial production stagnated at 0.0% in February 2026, while automotive registrations fluctuated in February 2026.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% and unemployment held at 4.2% in February 2026, supporting packaging demand.
- Consumer confidence hit -24.7 in March 2026, negatively impacting durable goods demand during Q1 2026.
- European smelters halted partial operations in Q1 2026 due to elevated energy costs, tightening supply.
- The Aluminum Foil Price Forecast stayed elevated as raw material imports plummeted in February 2026.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Natural gas and electricity prices spiked in February 2026, inflating primary aluminum production costs.
- Primary aluminum supply plummeted in Q1 2026 following geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.
- European imports of raw materials plummeted in February 2026 due to regional shipping halts.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Aluminum Foil Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Aluminum Foil Price Index rose in Q4 2025, driven by escalating production costs.
- Aluminum Foil production costs increased in Q4 2025, influenced by rising industrial electricity in November 2025.
- Industrial production in the United States grew 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, boosting demand.
- Retail sales in the United States increased 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, supporting packaging.
- Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, indicating inflationary pressures.
- Producer Price Index (PPI) increased 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, reflecting higher input costs.
- Manufacturing output in the United States declined in Q4 2025, despite a December 2025 monthly rise.
- Construction spending in the United States inched up in October 2025, contributing to Aluminum Foil demand.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in December 2025 in North America?
- Rising industrial electricity costs in November 2025 significantly increased Aluminum Foil production expenses.
- Strong consumer spending, with retail sales up 3.3% in November 2025, supported packaging demand.
- Increased industrial production, up 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, drove industrial demand.
Aluminum Foil Prices in APAC
- In China, the Aluminum Foil Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by declining input costs and mixed demand signals.
- Aluminum Foil production costs decreased in Q4 2025, driven by falling alumina prices and softening bauxite costs in December 2025.
- Industrial Production rose 5.2% year-on-year in December 2025, indicating robust industrial demand for Aluminum Foil.
- Consumer demand remained subdued, with CPI at 0.8% and Retail Sales at 0.9% year-on-year in December 2025.
- China's Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, despite a negative PPI of -1.9% year-on-year.
- Aluminum supply tightened in Q4 2025 due to power shortages and environmental policy constraints in October 2025.
- Alumina stocks in China reached record highs in November 2025, contributing to persistent oversupply.
- Automotive sector demand remained robust throughout 2025, with passenger and commercial vehicles recovering.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Alumina prices dropped in December 2025; bauxite costs softened in Q4 2025.
- Subdued consumer spending, with CPI at 0.8% and Retail Sales at 0.9% in December 2025.
- Increased social inventories of aluminum ingots from late November to late December 2025.
Aluminum Foil Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Aluminum Foil Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by contracting industrial activity in December 2025.
- Aluminum Foil production costs eased in Q4 2025 as alumina spot prices declined due to increasing supply.
- German wholesale electricity prices remained elevated in December 2025, however, impacting overall production expenses.
- Demand for Aluminum Foil faced headwinds as Germany's Manufacturing Index was Contracting in December 2025.
- Industrial production increased by 0.8% in October 2025, providing slight support for Aluminum Foil demand.
- Retail sales rose by 1.1% in November 2025, positively impacting Aluminum Foil demand for packaged goods.
- Consumer confidence was significantly negative at -17.5 in December 2025, dampening consumer-related demand.
- Residual and excess inventories in certain aluminum segments persisted throughout Q4 2025, pressuring prices.
- German exports remained on a six-month high in October 2025, driven by dynamic EU demand.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Falling industrial producer prices by 2.5% in December 2025 reduced Aluminum Foil input costs.
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in December 2025 indicated weakening industrial demand for Aluminum Foil.
- Excess inventories in Q4 2025 across aluminum segments exerted downward pressure on prices.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Aluminum Foil Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Aluminum Foil Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by persistent inflation and rising producer costs.
- Aluminum Foil production costs increased, with the Producer Price Index rising 2.6 percent year-over-year in August 2025.
- Demand for Aluminum Foil in consumer sectors was supported by a 5.42% year-over-year increase in retail sales in September 2025.
- Industrial demand for Aluminum Foil faced headwinds as total industrial production grew only 0.1 percent year-over-year in September 2025.
- Consumer confidence declined to 94.2 in September 2025, suggesting a cautious outlook for household Aluminum Foil purchases.
- US primary aluminum production trended down in September 2025, while a major regional smelter remained idle in Q3 2025.
- Residential construction spending surged in August 2025, positively impacting Aluminum Foil demand in related applications.
- The Aluminum Foil price forecast indicates continued upward pressure due to supply constraints and elevated input costs.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in September 2025 in North America?
- Producer Price Index rose 2.6 percent year-over-year in August 2025, increasing manufacturing input costs.
- US primary aluminum production trended down in September 2025, tightening raw material supply.
- Consumer Price Index increased 3.0 percent year-over-year in September 2025, reflecting broader inflationary pressures.
Aluminum Foil Prices in APAC
- In China, the Aluminum Foil Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, influenced by contracting manufacturing activity.
- Aluminum Foil production costs were impacted as alumina feedstock strengthened and industrial electricity fees increased in Q3 2025.
- Automotive demand for Aluminum Foil strengthened in Q3 2025, driven by robust exports and New Energy Vehicle sales.
- Packaging demand for Aluminum Foil peaked in August 2025, while construction demand declined in Q3 2025.
- China's CPI decreased by 0.3% and PPI by 2.3% year-over-year in September 2025, indicating deflationary pressures.
- Industrial Production increased by 6.5% and Retail Sales by 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and demand.
- Consumer confidence at 89.6 and unemployment at 5.2% in September 2025 suggested cautious consumer spending.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Manufacturing Index contracted in September 2025, dampening industrial demand for Aluminum Foil.
- CPI decreased by 0.3% year-over-year in September 2025, indicating deflationary pressures on consumers.
- PPI decreased by 2.3% year-over-year in September 2025, reflecting lower input costs or weak demand.
Aluminum Foil Prices in Europe
- In Germany, Aluminum Foil Price Index remained stable in Q3 2025, influenced by declining industrial production and mixed costs.
- Aluminum Foil production costs impacted by a 1.7% year-on-year decrease in Producer Price Index in September 2025.
- LME aluminum inventories increased significantly in July and September 2025, indicating higher material availability.
- Demand for Aluminum Foil affected by a 1.0% year-on-year decline in industrial production in September 2025.
- Retail sales rose 0.2% year-on-year in September 2025, supporting consumer-facing Aluminum Foil applications.
- A 3.9% unemployment rate in September 2025 suggests stable consumer purchasing power, influencing packaged goods.
- European primary and secondary aluminum production continued to decline in Q3 2025, tightening regional supply.
- Elevated industrial electricity prices in Germany during Q3 2025 contributed to sustained Aluminum Foil production costs.
- The Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating broader inflationary pressures.
Why did the price of Aluminum Foil change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Producer Price Index fell 1.7% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating lower production costs.
- Industrial production declined 1.0% year-on-year in September 2025, reducing demand from key sectors.
- LME aluminum inventories increased in Q3 2025, suggesting higher availability despite mixed feedstock.
