Sourcing aluminium in 2025 has become far more complicated. Business owners now have to navigate global disruptions, energy market swings, and local supply issues. Here’s what’s affecting lead times, pricing, and availability this year, with practical insights from Simmal and our position in the UK supply chain.

Geopolitical and Trade Disruptions

Ongoing trade tensions, especially between China and Europe, are reshaping aluminium flows. Europe has maintained duties on Chinese aluminium and is exploring further restrictions to protect domestic industries. Meanwhile, China’s internal demand for aluminium has soared, driven by electric vehicles and solar projects, which reduces exports.

The UK banned Russian aluminium in 2024, and the EU is now following with its own proposed sanctions. Russian aluminium, once a major supply for Europe, has largely shifted to Asian markets. This shift has driven up premiums for non-Russian aluminium, making sourcing more expensive for UK buyers.

Energy Costs and Smelting

Producing primary aluminium is energy-intensive. With ongoing energy price volatility, many European smelters have reduced output. Western Europe’s production has dropped to levels not seen in decades, with more than 50% of smelting capacity idle due to high electricity costs.

The UK relies on imports due to minimal domestic smelting. Aluminium was added to the UK’s critical minerals list in 2024, highlighting concerns over supply. Even when global prices ease, UK and European premiums remain high because of limited regional production.

China has capped aluminium output at 45 million tonnes per year due to environmental policies. This limits China’s ability to respond to global supply shortages, adding further pressure.

Recycling and Scrap Limitations

Recycled aluminium uses up to 95% less energy than primary production, making it an attractive option. However, scrap availability is limited. UK manufacturers face constraints due to strong export demand for scrap and reduced domestic industrial output.

Scrap prices have surged, and quality control remains a challenge. Not all recycled material meets the required standards for precision applications. Even major recyclers such as Constellium report recycled content plateaus around 40% due to supply and quality limits.

At Simmal, we support recycled aluminium use where appropriate, but many industries still require a mix of primary and secondary material to meet strict specifications.

UK-Specific Factors

Brexit continues to affect aluminium imports. Although tariffs were avoided, new customs requirements add costs and delays. EU-UK trade friction has introduced extra paperwork, slowing down lead times.

Transport issues also persist. The HGV driver shortage, worsened by the end of free movement, has made domestic deliveries slower and more expensive.  Infrastructure gaps further complicate logistics. While the government has committed to improving trade corridors, bottlenecks remain, especially at busy ports.

As a UK supplier, Simmal has responded by offering same-day collection options and maintaining a broad stock range. Customers rely on our ability to provide fast, local supply when international routes are delayed.

How Businesses Are Adapting

UK industries are adjusting. Many have increased inventory to protect against delays. For example, manufacturers are ordering larger volumes and storing more aluminium on-site. Simmal customers often choose our bulk-buy and call-off service to manage this more effectively.

Others are diversifying supply chains, sourcing from multiple countries to reduce reliance on any single region. Near-shoring is on the rise, with more firms turning to UK and EU suppliers to shorten delivery times.

Flexibility is now essential. Businesses value suppliers who can react quickly to changes. At Simmal, we’ve adapted by working with a variety of international mills, offering in-house cutting and machining, and holding stock ready for immediate despatch. We’ve also increased our buffer stock of high-demand profiles and alloys, expanded our supplier network to include additional EU partners, and invested in faster turnaround capabilities for both standard and custom extrusion orders. These measures allow us to continue meeting customer needs even when the broader market is disrupted.

In 2025, aluminium sourcing is more unpredictable than ever. Global trade tensions, high energy costs, recycling limits, and UK-specific issues are all making it harder to plan. UK businesses are responding by holding more stock, sourcing closer to home, and working with suppliers who offer flexibility.

At Simmal, we understand these pressures. We work with our customers to navigate shifting lead times and pricing. Whether through bulk-buy options, local stock availability, or alternate sourcing, we help businesses stay one step ahead in a disrupted market.