Aluminium ingot prices accelerated into early March 2026 as acute inventory drawdowns and Middle East tensions reshaped supply dynamics. The Strait of Hormuz closure severed Gulf exports—which satisfy a substantial portion of U.S. import demand—compounding existing tariffs and injecting extreme volatility. Declining exchange stocks, rising cancelled warrants, and stretched downstream lead times further tightened prompt availability of aluminium ingot. By early March, weekly assessments surged 8.0% as buyers scrambled for prompt aluminium ingot delivery. With a large amount of feedstock stranded at sea and vessel disruptions mounting, regional premiums are poised to surge. The near-term outlook for aluminium ingot remains firmly positive, though subject to shifts in inventories or demand.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
