How flat-rolled aluminum price is built
Nobody publishes flat-rolled aluminum prices because they change daily. What can be explained is how the price is built. Enter today's LME quotation and your estimates for premium and FAB to see the price per metric ton.
The three components
- **LME**: the price of primary aluminum on the London Metal Exchange, public and in US dollars per metric ton. The same for every mill in the world.
- **Regional premium**: what it costs to have physical metal in the region; in North America it is the Midwest premium. Public, moves with logistics and tariffs.
- **FAB or conversion cost**: what the mill charges to melt, cast, roll, slit and certify. Depends on product (coil, circle, foil), alloy, gauge, width and volume. It is the only part that differs between suppliers.
Why an import price is not directly comparable
An FOB price from Asia excludes ocean freight, insurance, handling, tariffs, customs broker and the financial cost of a 30% deposit and inventory in transit for two to three months. Once added, the gap against a North American mill narrows. The honest comparison is delivered price at your plant, per metric ton, with a delivery date.
The default premium and FAB values in the calculator are illustrative and not an Almexa offer. The real price is quoted per product with the day's LME.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a ton of aluminum coil cost?
It is quoted per metric ton as LME plus premium plus FAB. LME and premium are public and change daily; FAB depends on gauge, width, temper and volume. Request a quote with your spec and you receive the price with the day's LME.
Where do I check the LME aluminum price?
On the London Metal Exchange site (lme.com), Aluminium section, which publishes the official daily quotation in US dollars per metric ton.
Does Almexa quote in US dollars?
Yes. The metal reference is in US dollars per metric ton (LME) and export quotes are in US dollars.
Send your spec and get a price with the day's LME.
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