ALUMINUM PACKAGING

Aluminium Knowledge: The Lightweight Metal of the Future Aluminium is not just an ordinary silver metal — it is the “metal that changes the world”, driving modern industries toward being lighter, more flexible, and environmentally friendly

“Peace Restored, Metals Ignite! Hormuz Strait Reopens, Global Supply Unlocked – Copper Surges, Aluminium Plunges, Zinc Fragile, Lead Oversupplied” : SO OK TRADING | 16 June 2026 With the USA–IRAN agreement and the reopening of the Hormuz Strait, the global metals market (LME) has reignited overnight! The easing of geopolitical tensions has “unlocked” the supply chain for base metals, driving prices in sharply different directions depending on the metal. Some, like Aluminium, are correcting downward as stocks recover, while Copper is soaring on demand from AI and clean energy. Zinc remains balanced but vulnerable to industrial recovery, and Lead faces oversupply due to the EV transition away from lead-acid batteries.

“Packaging Crisis 2026: Plastic Struggles, Aluminum Surges, and the Future of the Industry”

Gold Pauses – Oil Drops – Base Metals Surge: Global Market Shift ✨ The global market is undergoing a major turning point! Gold: Watch for short‑term selling pressure, but long‑term investors see this as a fresh accumulation opportunity. Oil: Sharp decline after peace news, with a clear downtrend emerging. Base Metals: Strong rebound, reflecting renewed confidence in the global economy.

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Aluminum Heats Up! MJP Premium Set to Reach a New High Again in Q3/2026 The global aluminum market remains red-hot — Japan’s MJP Premium is expected to surge to a new 11-year high, while LME Cash Price holds firm at $3,450–$3,700/MT, up more than 19% since the start of the year! Supply disruptions in the Middle East, Guinea’s bauxite export restrictions, and Europe’s CBAM policy are driving the global metals market into a true era of “tight supply.”

Global Non-Ferrous Metals Heat Up! Aluminum Drops Hard – Copper Holds Firm – Gold, Lead & Tin Plunge

Non‑Ferrous Metals Market – June 2026: Battlefield of Volatility! By SO OK TRADING | 7 June 2026 This month, the Non‑Ferrous Metals market on the London Metal Exchange (LME) has become a true battlefield of volatility. Copper and aluminium, which had surged to multi‑year highs earlier in 2026, corrected sharply in late May before beginning to establish new bases in early June. Meanwhile, lead, tin, nickel, and zinc each show unique trajectories worth close attention.

“Steel Price War 2026: Asia Falls, the West Rises — Thai Buyers Gain the Edge While Producers Struggle to Survive, Analyzing Global Trends and Green Steel Opportunities” The global steel market has entered one of the fiercest “two‑world battles” of the year: Asia: Oversupply and China’s slowdown have pushed iron ore prices down to around $101–102 per ton, dragging rebar, hot‑rolled coil, and wire rod prices lower across the region. The West: The US and EU imposed import tariffs of up to 50%, while energy and coking coal costs surged by 16%, driving steel prices upward despite weak demand. Thailand’s situation: Buyers benefit: Cheaper imports from China and Vietnam have pulled retail prices down by more than 8%. Producers under pressure: Electricity and shipping costs have soared by over 50%, squeezing margins and forcing reliance on state measures such as Anti‑Dumping and CBAM. Tin Plate packaging: Sales dropped by -1.2% to -4.5%, but raw material costs fell 9–10%. With a recycling rate of 92%, Tin Plate remains aligned with ESG and Green Steel trends.

Aluminum P1020: Global Supply Crisis, New Opportunities for Thailand in the EV and Clean Energy Era ⚡ The year 2026 marks a major turning point for the global metals industry. “Aluminum P1020” (99.7% purity) has become a strategic metal that every nation needs — from the Middle East conflict that wiped out more than 900,000 tons of supply, to Asian premiums soaring to their highest level in 11 years. Thailand, which relies almost entirely on imported primary aluminum, now faces both challenges and opportunities at the same time: Premiums and LME prices have surged past $3,700+/ton Foundries and rolling mills are struggling with delivery delays, as lead times stretch from 30–45 days to 60–90 days Yet demand in EVs, clean energy, premium construction, and eco‑friendly packaging continues to grow steadily This is a critical turning point for Thai businesses — shifting from dependence on primary aluminum to adopting secondary ingot (recycled aluminum), while sourcing new supply from Indonesia and Australia’s clean‑energy smelters. SO OK TRADING Your trusted partner in the global metals market

Aluminum on Fire! Prices Break $3,800/ton, Shaking Global Markets – Impacting Thailand War, bauxite, EV demand, and tariffs push aluminum to the highest level in 4 years! Thai businesses face heavy pressure: soaring costs, packaging squeeze, and booming scrap market. Strategies to cope: Hedging • Scrap Premium • Monitor Japan’s MJP SO OK TRADING FAST • SHARP • RELIABLE

ALUMINUM MARKET SURGE! June 2026 – The Hottest in 4 Years SO OK TRADING | 1 June 2026 Global aluminum prices are on fire this June! LME Aluminum futures have skyrocketed to $3,675–$3,769 per ton, marking the highest level since 2022 — up more than 50% year-on-year. Driven by the perfect storm of Middle East conflicts, Guinea’s export restrictions, China’s production cap, and soaring energy costs, the market is facing one of the most severe supply shocks in history. With global inventories at record lows, prices continue to climb relentlessly. Major financial institutions now forecast aluminum to stay strong: Morgan Stanley: $3,700–$3,800 World Bank: $3,300–$3,600 Goldman Sachs: $3,150–$3,500 SO OK TRADING: $3,500–$3,900 Thailand’s industries are feeling the heat — from EVs and solar panels to packaging — yet rising scrap prices and export opportunities to the U.S. and EU offer golden chances for local producers. ✨ June 2026 marks a turning point for the global aluminum market — a month of record highs, supply shocks, and strategic opportunities for Thailand’s exporters. SO OK TRADING Your Business Partner — FAST • SHARP • RELIABLE

Deep Dive into Thailand’s Aluminum Packaging Market 2026 From SMEs to 10 Million Cans per Month Article by SO OK TRADING | 30 MAY 2026 In today’s era, packaging is no longer just a container — it is the face of the brand. Thailand’s aluminum packaging market is heating up and expanding rapidly across food, beverage, and cosmetics industries. Prices range from as low as 0.75 THB per unit to more than 60 THB per unit, depending on type, size, and order volume. The larger the order, the lower the unit cost — opening the door to “Mega‑Volume” deals that global manufacturers use as their key strategy. SO OK TRADING takes you on a journey from SMEs ordering a few thousand units to industrial contracts of 10–12 million cans per month, revealing the real pricing structures of beverage cans, food cans, and Easy Open End (EOE) lids in the Thai market.

Aluminum Scrap: From Waste to Strategic Asset in the Circular Economy Era SO OK TRADING | 30 May 2026 Aluminum scrap, once seen as “waste,” has now transformed into a premium raw material fiercely sought after worldwide. Prices have surged to the highest level in four years, earning it the title of the “new gold” in the recycling industry and the electric vehicle (EV) revolution. As the world advances toward the Circular Economy and Decarbonization, aluminum scrap is no longer just leftover metal—it is a strategic asset. Recycling aluminum consumes up to 95% less energy compared to primary smelting, making it a cornerstone of lightweight EV manufacturing. The global market is expanding rapidly—from USD 56.77 billion in 2026 to a projected USD 91.49 billion by 2034. The Asia-Pacific region leads with a 39% market share, driven by China and India, while Thailand is emerging as a market to watch.

Aluminum Sow vs. Remelt Block: Recycling Giants Transforming Global Industry Toward the Net Zero Era By SO OK TRADING – 18 May 2026 As industries worldwide accelerate toward the Net Zero era, aluminum is no longer just an ordinary raw material. It has become a tangible source of energy driving the Circular Economy forward. Today, let’s explore the two key players in the recycling world — Aluminum Sow and Remelt Block — the dynamic duo reshaping global industry, from massive smelters to everyday foundries. Aluminum Sow: The giant of smelting, weighing hundreds to thousands of kilograms. Perfect for large-scale industrial furnaces, offering lower unit costs and efficient bulk transport. Remelt Block/Ingot: Smaller in size, weighing 5–100 kilograms. Easy to move, quick to melt, and highly flexible — ideal for foundries that require precise temperature control and adaptability. Together, they are crucial gears in the system, reducing energy consumption by up to 95% compared to primary aluminum production, while also helping industries avoid Europe’s carbon tariffs (CBAM). Thailand is no exception — we are the hub of aluminum recycling and mid-to-downstream processing in ASEAN, especially in the EEC (Chonburi–Rayong) region, where the EV and clean energy boom is driving demand for Aluminum Sow to new heights. ✨ Aluminum Sow is not just a massive ingot, but a bridge to a green future through the Circular Economy. SO OK TRADING is ready to be your trusted partner at every step — from sourcing high-quality metals to powering the transition toward a carbon-free world.

Naphtha Crisis 2026 – Latest Situation Update Positive Outlook | SO OK TRADING Since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict in late February, the global energy market has been shaken dramatically. Crude oil prices surged past $150 per barrel, driving Asian naphtha prices to nearly double. By mid‑May, prices corrected to $897 per ton, though still 62.54% higher than last year. Even as prices begin to ease, supply chain “lag effects” remain — shipping delays of 15–20 days and congested ports due to competition for raw material shipments from the Middle East continue to pressure industries across Asia. In Thailand, SCGC declared force majeure and temporarily shut down the Rayong Olefins plant, while PTTGC and SCGC are studying the establishment of a joint venture to enhance flexibility and reduce long‑term costs. In Japan, leading snack brand Calbee announced a packaging strategy shift, reducing color printing on 14 products to black‑and‑white to cope with ink and resin shortages — reflecting the rising trend of “minimalist design” during the crisis. At the same time, recovery signals are emerging: Naphtha prices dropped from the peak of $1,020 → $897 per ton Spreads rebounded: Ethylene–Naphtha +250–280 / Propylene–Naphtha +310–330 Plastic prices remain high but show signs of stabilization If the Middle East situation does not flare up again, this crisis is expected to ease by late June – early July 2026. SO OK TRADING FAST • SHARP • RELIABLE Your Trusted Business Partner

**“Aluminium – The Eco-Friendly Packaging Dominating the Global Market ♻️ In an era driven by Circular Economy and Net Zero, aluminium is emerging as the rising star material, replacing single-use plastics for both Thai and international brands. With its ability to be infinitely recycled, strong yet lightweight, and premium in appearance, aluminium is more than just packaging — it is a global environmental strategy and a powerful brand image asset. The global market is booming: from USD 52 billion in 2025 to USD 67.7 billion in 2030, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4%. This is a golden opportunity for businesses ready to embrace a green future

Recycling – From “Waste” to “Strategic Capital” In an era where the world is accelerating toward Net Zero and the Circular Economy, recycling is no longer just about “being eco-friendly.” It has become a new global business rule that every industry must adapt to. Discarded materials are now being redefined as strategic resources driving clean energy, electric vehicles (EVs), and AI data centers. Today, “waste” is not something to be disposed of — it is a resource to be seized. Recycling is the capital of the future, shaping the trajectory of the global economy in the decade ahead