Europe 9M 2026 Primary Aluminium Production Hits 5.56Mt As Smelter Restarts Accelerate
Europe’s primary aluminium output (including Russia) reached 5.56 million tonnes over the first nine months of 2026, a 5.69% year‑on‑year increase from 5.26 Mt in 2025. Production growth accelerated quarter‑by‑quarter across the year, climbing from 3.88% YoY in Q1 to 7.18% YoY in Q3 2026.
Quarterly breakdown shows steady expansion:
Q3 2026: 1.91 Mt (+7.18 % YoY; +3.08 % Q‑o‑Q)
Q2 2026: 1.85 Mt (+5.95 % YoY; +3.23 % Q‑o‑Q)
Q1 2026: 1.80 Mt (+3.88 % YoY)
The output gain mainly comes from restarting previously curtailed smelter capacity and improved operational performance, rather than brand‑new greenfield projects. Alcoa’s San Ciprián smelter in Spain returned to full operation in April 2026 after a 2025 power‑related shutdown. In Norway, Alcoa boosted capacity at the Lista plant while Norsk Hydro achieved record liquid‑metal output across its domestic smelter fleet. Century Aluminum’s Iceland‑based Norðurál plant also restored a second potline to near‑full output. Higher production from RUSAL further lifted regional supply.
Looking ahead, Slovakia’s Slovalco targets restarting 75 000 tonnes per annum of idle capacity by end‑February 2027; its remaining 100 000 tpa capacity is conditional on future power deals. Russia’s Boguchany smelter also represents a longer‑term potential supply addition.
Market observers note most low‑hanging restart opportunities have now been realised. Sustaining Europe’s production momentum will hinge on successful execution of the project pipeline and stable, affordable power access for energy‑intensive smelting operations.
Source: AlCircle industry analysis, data as of 28 October 2026. For reference only, not investment advice.
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