ALUMINIUM CHINA 2026, the 21st edition of Asia's premier aluminium industry exhibition, concluded successfully on July 10 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Co-located with Copper China, Lightweight Asia, Magnesium China and the 2026 Shanghai International Metal Recycling Expo, this joint event built a professional platform for full-chain integration across the entire non-ferrous metals industry. With "Resilient Connections, Shared Future" as its guiding vision, the show brought together over 680 exhibitors and 36,134 professional visitors, including 4,011 international attendees, across 60,000 square meters of exhibition space -- embodying the "Hello China, Hello World" spirit of bridging borders and fostering cross-border collaboration.

Opening Ceremony: A Vision for the Future

The grand opening ceremony on 8 July featured a stunning robot dance performance, with intelligent robots executing precise and seamless choreography that captivated the audience and set a futuristic tone for the event. This dynamic display of cutting-edge robotics underscored ALUMINIUM CHINA's commitment to staying at the forefront of technological innovation and embracing the intelligent transformation reshaping the global aluminium industry.

A Record-Breaking Showcase: Global Reach and Industry Depth

This year, over 680 exhibitors -- the highest in the event's history -- participated in the exhibition, demonstrating cutting-edge technologies and solutions across the entire non-ferrous metals value chain. Longstanding international exhibitors such as Pyrotek, SMS group, Wagstaff, Andritz, ABB, Kawasaki, Ebner, Karl Deutsch, RHI Magnesita, Tenova, TMEIC, Otto Junker, Hycast/TC Engineering, and Inductotherm continued their engagement with the event, underscoring its value as a trusted platform for market expansion and international cooperation. 

Industry Forums: Driving Dialogue and Innovation

Eight high-level forums explored key industry topics including:

· 2026 China International Aluminium Processing Forum

· 2026 Aluminum Industry Hedging and Risk Management Exchange Conference

· 2nd Future Innovation Forum for the Nonferrous Metals Industry – Robotics Session

· 2026 Forum on Application and Development of Magnesium-based New Materials

· 2026 High-end Applications Forum on Copper-based New Materials

· 2026 International Forum on Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling and Sustainable Development

· 7th Automotive Lightweight Process Technology and Innovative Materials Application Forum - NEV Session

· 12th Aluminum Packaging and Sustainable Development Forum

These sessions addressed global trends, policy updates, and innovation strategies shaping the future of the non-ferrous metals sector. Among them, the 2026 International Forum on Non-Ferrous Metal Recycling and Sustainable Development gathered leaders from CMRA, BMR, MRAI, VMRF, and MRA to discuss regional recycling landscapes and pathways for collaboration, alongside insights from IAI, ASI, NIO Inc., and IKEA on advancing circularity and low-carbon development. Meanwhile, the 2026 China International Aluminium Processing Forum brought together industry experts to discuss technological innovation, high-end material recycling, EU CBAM compliance, and emerging market potential.

Special Zones: Innovation in Focus

Four themed zones highlighted the diverse applications and future potential of non-ferrous metals:

· Innovative Applications of Non-Ferrous Metal Materials and Advanced Equipment Exhibition Zone

· Guangdong Advanced Materials Pavilion Zone

· Non-Ferrous Metals Empower Robotics Zone

· Exclusive Aluminium China Souvenirs Zone

These zones offered attendees a curated experience -- from breakthrough technologies and foreign trade matchmaking to intelligent manufacturing synergies and creative expressions.

Business Matchmaking: Targeted Connections for Global Growth

The event's business matchmaking programme facilitated 864 domestic sessions and over 200 international sessions across the event, connecting buyers with targeted suppliers from upstream material manufacturers, intelligent equipment enterprises, and full-process supporting service providers. This service provided a tailored platform for technical exchanges, procurement discussions, and long-term collaboration -- ensuring efficiency and alignment across borders and sectors.

Factory Tour: On-Site Insights into China's Aluminium Manufacturing

The event featured two factory tour programmes. On 10 July, participants visited Jiangsu Giansun Precision Technology Group Co., Ltd. for firsthand insights into aluminium production. From 10 to 12 July, the ALUMINIUM CHINA 2026 Business Study Factory Tour brought buyers from 15 countries to Anhui Province, visiting Chizhou Anan New Material Technology Co., Ltd., Anhui Krant Aluminium Co., Ltd. and Anhui Yubo Aluminium Co., Ltd. to explore industrial profiles, architectural aluminium, and recycled aluminium alloys. Both tours enhanced international buyers' understanding of China's aluminium capabilities and fostered valuable industry connections.

The next edition of ALUMINIUM CHINA will be held at Halls E1–E7, Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 7–9 July 2027. With expanded showcases, enhanced matchmaking services, and deeper cross-border engagement, the event will continue to serve as a vital platform for innovation, cooperation, and growth in the global aluminum industry.