U.S. Gulf:
Sources reported Gulf spot import price ideas firming to $80-$85/mt CFR, up from $70-$75/mt CFR in the prior report.
Aluminum smelters in North America churned out 3.98 million mt of aluminum in 2020, a 4.4 percent year-over-year increase, according to data compiled by the International Aluminum Institute and reported by Platts. December production was reported to total 338,000 mt, increasing from 327,000 mt in November and the year-ago 324,000 mt.
The firmer 2020 numbers represented the industry’s second consecutive annual increase after posting a recent low of 3.77 million mt in 2018. Prior to that, outputs had steadily declined from 4.92 million mt recorded in 2013.
In the domestic U.S. markets, 2021 sulfuric acid contracts were valued at $85-$110/st for delivery to the Midwest, falling from $90-$120/st DEL in the prior year. Reduced West Coast supply uncertainty prompted 2021 contracts to soften to $100-$130/st DEL, down from $110-$150/st DEL in 2020.
Pricing for the Gulf Coast was reported even with the Midwest at $85-$110/st DEL. Sources noted Lower Atlantic contracts falling in the $90-$110/lt DEL range.
Brazil:
Brazil import price ideas were reported at $85-$90/mt CFR, increasing from $75-$80/mt CFR in the prior report.