US secondary aluminum smelters reported mixed market indications July 13 as demand continues to sputter, while scrap flow remains inconsistent. The Platts A380 assessment was unchanged at 67-70 cents/lb, as smelters had mixed success pushing higher offer levels to cover scrap costs. A smelter official who sold six or seven truckloads at 67.25-68.00 cents/lb said margins were the worst they’ve been since 2018, but conceded, “it seems pretty bad out there.” Another producer said demand has “leveled off” at about 70%-75% of prepandemic levels, but smelters couldn’t restart furnaces.
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