Aluminium’s downstream and end-user world is having one of those fortnights where a beer can, a luxury sports car, a German construction site and an Indian furnace all end up in the same conversation. The metal may begin its life far upstream, but its real fuss is playing out in cans, cars, extrusions, buildings and factories, where tariffs, trade policy, energy costs and demand cycles decide who wins. This fortnight highlights that aluminium demand is moving towards electric vehicles, lightweight transport and long-life infrastructure, even as packaging and construction feel the pinch of cost and weak activity. Meanwhile, producers from Vietnam to New Zealand are arguing over the oldest question in the business of how much protection, taxation or openness does a downstream industry need...
Malaysia has opened a limited route for raw rare earths exports while pursuing a broader ambition to develop domestic processing capabilities, highlighting the challenge of attracting international investment without giving up opportunities to create more value locally. The country has approved its first application to export unprocessed rare earths under a revised regulatory framework, with the shipment authorised for research and development purposes. Malaysia’s Department of Mineral and Geoscience granted the approval, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, which confirmed the decision in response to a Bloomberg query. The ministry did not identify the applicant or disclose further details. The approval follows new guidelines issued earlier in...
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Bang & Olufsen has unveiled the final two models in its five-part Atelier series to mark its 100-year anniversary, introducing the Monarch and Zenith editions of the Beolab 90 at a price of USD 450,000 per pair. It is priced similarly to expensive property purchases in locations like Australia and is limited to 10 pairs per edition. Both versions are built on the existing Beolab 90 platform but shift the focus heavily towards design, especially through the use of aluminium and high-end materials. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The Monarch features sculpted rosewood lamellas layered over an aluminium frame, giving it a furniture-like finish rather than a typical speaker look, reflecting the company’s...
The European Commission has set the first official price for Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) certificates at EUR 75.36 (USD 88.14) per tonne for the January–March quarter of 2026, formally launching the EU’s carbon pricing framework for imports. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The pricing is linked to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS), with certificate values based on the average auction prices of allowances. The aim is to ensure that imported goods face similar carbon costs as products made within the EU under its emissions trading system. The price was first shared by the European Energy Exchange (EEX), which calculated it based on the average price of carbon permits sold in auctions...
The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) has launched the ‘Aluminium Bharat’ initiative to strengthen India’s aluminium value chain. The initiative was introduced by Jitin Prasada, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry in New Delhi. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " ALEMAI said India’s midstream and downstream aluminium segments are contracting, with production declining by 40–50 per cent. Despite an installed capacity of 4.2 million tonnes, utilisation remains low, with extrusion output at 1.2–1.3 million tonnes and rolled and flat products at around 1.5 million tonnes. Jitendra Chopra, President of ALEMAI, said the sector is under pressure due to a combination of...
Ghana’s decision to cancel the Nyanahin bauxite lease awarded to Rocksure International is now sparking a wider debate and renewed scrutiny around policy consistency, fairness and institutional credibility. What began as a legal and procedural issue is increasingly being viewed as a test case for the government’s broader Resetting Agenda in the mining sector, especially its focus on transparency and support for local participation. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The Resetting Agenda and the Nyanahin case Retired Major Mohammed Bogobiri has urged the government to reconsider the decision, calling for the lease to be restored and pushed through parliamentary ratification. He has argued that if the...
Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC, as revealed in its latest filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission in the fourth quarter, acquired new stakes in Kaiser Aluminum Corporation. Of the firm's industrial products company, the investment company brought a total of 41,712 shares, which is deemed to be worth nearly USD 5,018,000. By the end of the latest reporting period, the investing firm will own a 0.26 per cent stake in Kaiser Aluminum. In the near future, many hedge funds and institutional investors made credible changes in their holdings in Kaiser Aluminum. This includes the Royal Bank of Canada surging its investment in the firm by 212.6 per cent in the first quarter, which brings the total to 5,815 shares valued at USD 352 thousand, after adding 3,955 shares last...
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 Restricted trade from the Gulf countries through the Strait of Hormuz and EGA’s Al Taweelah smelter becoming inoperative for a year due to Iranian strikes are seen as an opportunity for China’s aluminium export growth by many market analysts. Whether this ambition may turn real or not is something to be assessed, but it stems from the void being caused in the market due to the Gulf region's inability to serve the global aluminium demand at this moment. The Gulf not only produces 10 per cent of the world’s aluminium but also supports the global supply chain by contributing 9 per cent to the total. In figures, Gulf countries export more than 5 million tonnes of wrought and unwrought aluminium to the world. As per the International Trade Administration data of 2025,...
The Australia-headquartered mining company Canyon Resources has reported steady progress with its Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon. With the first shipment planned in September, the company is aiming to capitalise on the ongoing supply crunch and sustained demand for high-grade bauxite, positioning itself as a potential new entrant in the global supply chain. Peter Secker, CEO, elaborated on the project’s progress across mining , logistics and financing. He emphasised that, transitioning from development to production, the project is about to reach a milestone. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain High-grade resource advantage One of the project’s defining strengths is its fine ore quality. Minim...
The completion update of one of the three reverberatory furnaces in Hammond, Indiana, has been shared by Jupiter Aluminum, a firm that transforms tonnes of recycled aluminium into a valuable coil. At the normal pace, completing this project takes nearly three-and-a-half to four months; however, in this case, the firm managed to complete it in just 55 days with an investment of USD 2.5 million. This has been significantly possible with the help of American Industrial Services. As noted by the plant manager, Chris Porter, the installation of the new furnace and the revamped interior has enabled the firm to improve flow characteristics by almost 20 per cent. Besides this, the firm has also boosted the melt rate by about 15 per cent, without making any severe changes to the other designs....
The recent escalation of conflict in the Middle East, notably a US-Israeli movement involving Iran in early 2026, has sent tremors through global aluminium markets. Gulf-region smelters account for roughly 9 per cent of the world’s primary aluminium supply (and over 20 per cent if China and Russia are excluded). Over 6.16 million tonnes per year of aluminium are produced in the Gulf states, and about 75-80 per cent of that is exported to global consumers. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively shut to shipping, exports from Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE and other Gulf producers have been disrupted, forcing curtailments and raising fears of a major supply squeeze. As one recently published article by S&P Global notes, “trade via the Strait of Hormuz – a vital shipping corridor for aluminium – has...
A few hours before the official announcement of a two-week ceasefire in the US-Israel and Iran conflict, the Iranian media reported that the US-Israel launched strikes on the Iran Aluminium Company (IRALCO), the largest aluminium plant of the country, as well as the Amirkabir Petrochemical Complex in Mahshahr. The facilities have been struck as the US President Donald Trump’s assigned deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz without any official agreement was not observed by the Iranian government. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Located in Arak, central Iran, the Iran Aluminium Company (IRALCO), the country’s largest aluminium production hub, had a production capacity of 160 thousand to 200...
On April 7, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices further rose from the previous close on April 2. There has been a significant rise in the offer settlement price as well as in the forward contracts. Concerning the inventory, there has been a slight dip along with the LME alumina platts price. This indicates that the on-going tension in the Middle East and the sudden attack on the two major aluminium sites owned by EGA and Alba are set to create market discrepancy even further. Both the LME cash bid and offer rose by USD 95 per tonne or 3 per cent, where the bid had shifted from USD 3,504.5 per tonne to USD 3,599.5 per tonne and the offer from USD 3,505 per tonne to USD 3,600 per tonne. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics A similar...
Autostructures UK, a long-running UK manufacturer of steel and aluminium components, has entered administration after 68 years in operation. The Telford-based company appointed administrators in late March. It had a long-standing relationship with JCB, working with the company for around 30 years, supplying more than 22,000 chassis frames and contributing to the development of the world’s fastest tractor. The firm also worked on specialized wheel components for JCB’s Fastrac model, which reached speeds of 153.771 mph. According to Companies House, the business was originally incorporated on March 10, 1958, under the name Alexander Socket Screws Limited. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " A notice on the...
TRUNNANO has launched a surface-modified spherical alumina powder, marking progress in functional materials used across aluminium-related thermal management applications in electronics. A KH570 silane coupling agent is used by the product for surface treatment and is designed to be used in high-performance thermal fillers with applications like thermal interface materials, thermally conductive potting compounds, conductive plastics and copper-clad laminates to support high demands for efficient heat dissipation in electronic components. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Spherical alumina is also used widely in such applications due to high thermal conductivity, high packing density and low abrasion,...
A global aluminium shortage is likely to lower electric two‑wheeler margins in India, as prices close to four‑year highs push up production costs and lead to some price hikes. Supply problems in the Gulf and higher commodity prices put pressure on EV affordability, while makers try to manage costs, prices, and demand in a competitive market. Electric two‑wheeler makers are bracing for a tough April after record sales in March, as a global aluminium shortage threatens to push up production costs, squeeze margins, and lead to price hikes that could weaken consumer demand. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Aluminium prices are around USD 3,500-3,600 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange, near four‑year...
RIMOWA has introduced the Classic Aluminium Grid, a limited-edition collection built around its historic aluminium suitcase designs from 1969, with a total of 1,969 numbered pieces. The collection pulls directly from the brand’s archival hand-carry cases, reworking its signature grooves into a more structured, geometric grid pattern. The design is embossed onto RIMOWA’s silver aluminium shell, giving it a sharper visual identity while keeping the durability and strength the material is known for. Inside, the cases feature leather detailing and a quilted lining that mirrors the same grid layout, so the design doesn’t just stay on the outside. There’s also a shift in accents, leather touchpoints come in a blue finish, a nod to one of RIMOWA’s older colour themes, tying the whole archival...
Ball Corporation’s 2025 combined annual and sustainability report is the message that sustainability well fits into a business’ profitability, as a part of the same industrial system. The numbers bear that out. Ball shipped 111.9 billion packaging units in 2025, up from 107.4 billion in 2024 and 106.5 billion in 2023. Net sales reached USD 13.16 billion, comparable diluted earnings per share rose to USD 3.57 from USD 3.17 a year earlier, and EVA dollars increased to USD 378 million from USD 366 million in 2024 and USD 141 million in 2023. The company also returned USD 1.54 billion to shareholders through buybacks and dividends. Sustainability metrics move into core business indicators The sustainability metrics are just as concrete. Ball Corporation discloses that renewable electricity...
Aluminum du Maroc, an aluminium business which has caught attention of global investors recently, is a major aluminium producer in Morocco and one of the leading domestic companies in the sector, listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange under the ISIN MA0000010936. It delivers investors with a vantage base into North Africa’s industrial growth, fueled by rising construction, auto parts and packaging demand spanning Africa to Europe. Aluminum du Maroc takes raw aluminium and turns it into extrusions, sheets, billets, rods, and parts like window frames, doors, and car components. It buys materials nearby to meet hot demand, and sells to Europe and Africa for building projects. Being close to ports keeps shipping cheap. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive...
Younglimwon SoftLab, an enterprise solution company, has completed an ERP implementation project for aluminium smelting and alloy manufacturer Poongjeon Bicheol. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, read our report “ Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 ”. The project marks Poongjeon Bicheol’s efforts to upgrade its management systems and enhance data utilisation. The firm deployed Younglimwon’s K-System Ace, integrating core operations, including management, sales, procurement, production, human resources and finance, into a unified platform. It also standardised the data frameworks and streamlined workflows. The system introduces a refined cost management structure by incorporating by-product-based costing while enabling real-time access to management...
