India's aluminium market is expected to record stronger demand in the second quarter of FY2026-27, with consumption estimated to reach 1.735 million tonnes, a 6 per cent increase from the corresponding period last year, according to Hindalco Industries Ltd. Growth is being driven primarily by demand from the automotive and electrical sectors, highlighting the expanding role of aluminium across key industrial applications. Hindalco's Q2 FY2027 presentation estimates Indian aluminium demand at 1.735 million tonnes, compared with 1.643 million tonnes in Q2 FY2026. The latest estimate also represents a recovery from the 1.427 million tonnes recorded in Q1 FY2027. Domestic aluminium supply and imports increase Domestic primary aluminium supply is estimated at 735,000 tonnes in Q2 FY2027,...
Sampat Aluminium Limited reported a net profit of INR 47.4 million (USD 502,121) for the half year ended September 30, 2026, supported by a non-recurring gain of INR 57.1 million (USD 604,875) from the sale of old plant and machinery. The company's revenue from operations increased to INR 1,250.9 million (USD 13.25 million) from INR 811.4 million (USD 8.60 million) in the corresponding period last year. However, its profit before exceptional items and tax declined significantly, highlighting the impact of the machinery sale on reported earnings. The company's profit before exceptional items and tax stood at INR 5.887 million (USD 62,363), compared with INR 62.5 million (USD 662,079) in the first half of the previous financial year. After including the exceptional gain, profit before tax...
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Customs data shows that China's aluminium foil exports totaled 128,200 tonnes in September 2026, up 6.8 per cent M-o-M and up 13.3 per cent Y-o-Y, marking the second-highest level of 2026, trailing only June's 131,500 tonnes. In January-September 2026, China's cumulative aluminium foil exports reached 1.0527 million tonnes, up 3.8 per cent Y-o-Y. Unbacked aluminium foil accounted for approximately 85.9 per cent, while backed aluminium foil made up about 14.1 per cent. By region, Southeast Asia remained the top destination with a 22.5 per cent share, pulling back from 24.8 per cent in August. The Middle East (16.7 per cent, +14.6 per cent M-o-M), North America (13.0 per cent, +16.2 per cent M-o-M), and East Asia (11.7 per cent, +18.1 per cent M-o-M) expanded in tandem, forming the bulk of...
Dutch development bank FMO has signed a financing agreement with Kong Solaire SAS for the development of a 50 MWp solar power plant near Kong in northern Côte d’Ivoire. FMO will provide up to EUR 55.5 million (USD 62 million) in long-term financing with a 20-year tenor, covering the project’s entire long-term financing requirement. The project company is owned by Africa Via, AXIAN and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) through its project development solution, InfraCo. The financing structure has been adapted to reflect the specific conditions of emerging markets in West Africa. Benjamin Memmi, CEO of AXIAN Group’s Energy division, said, “ With an installed capacity of 50 MWp, the project will help diversify the national energy mix and meet growing electricity demand with...
China's domestic bauxite prices held steady last week. Supply tightness at China's inland mines persisted, prompting some traders to blend and sell ores sourced from Turkey and Pakistan. Meanwhile, the sharp decline in ocean freight rates restored arbitrage margins for bauxite from non-mainstream origins; imports from origins compatible with domestic bauxite blending are likely to rise. In terms of imported bauxite, freight rates showed no sign of bottoming out. Rates on the Baltic Exchange C3 route fell to around US USD 30 per tonne, with November-loading vessel offers quoted near US USD 29 per tonne. The sustained freight drop revived shipment plans for small and mid-sized Guinean miners, pointing to potential supply ramp-up for Guinean bauxite. Guinean ore offers increased markedly...
Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, has launched this academic year’s Engineer the Future programme, which aims to inspire children’s interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at another 25 schools. Over 44,000 students from more than 170 schools across the UAE have participated in EGA’s Engineer the Future programme since its launch in 2017. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are vital fields for the UAE’s industrial future. EGA employs over 1,500 STEM experts, including more than 500 UAE Nationals. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said: “Building a globally competitive industrial economy requires a strong pipeline of scientific and...
After a soft 2025 and a near-flat 2026, North American aluminum extrusion demand is forecast to climb from 2.91 million tons in 2025 to 3.54 million tons by 2035. The lift is expected to come less from construction volume and more from transportation, data centers, grid and solar, and engineered industrial profiles. North America’s aluminum extrusion forecast: 630 thousand tons of new demand by 2035 North America is one of the most mature aluminum extrusion markets in the world, and its forecast reflects that. Usage is projected to rise from 2.91 million tons in 2025 to 3.54 million tons in 2035, an addition of about 0.63 million tons and a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 1.99%. That is slightly below the 2.29% CAGR expected for global extrusion demand, which is set to grow...
Solar panels could benefit from a simple cooling arrangement made from aluminium fins and discarded plastic bags, according to a laboratory study that explored ways to limit heat-related power losses without consuming additional electricity. The combination increased a panel’s output power by 11.6 per cent under simulated sunlight, only marginally higher than the 11.5% gain recorded with aluminium fins alone. The findings point to a potential use for waste plastic in solar panel cooling, although outdoor testing is still needed to establish whether the approach can deliver similar results under changing weather conditions. Aluminium fins offer a simple way to manage solar panel heat Photovoltaic panels can lose electrical performance as their temperature rises under strong sunlight. To...
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices declined across cash, three-month and December 2027 contracts on October 20 compared with October 19. The cash offer price fell by 0.51 per cent to USD 3,003.5 per tonne , while the three-month offer price decreased by 0.50 per cent to USD 2,997 per tonne. The LME aluminium cash bid price declined by 0.51 per cent from USD 3,018.50 per tonne on October 19 to USD 3,003 per tonne on October 20. The cash offer price decreased by 0.51 per cent from USD 3,019 per tonne to USD 3,003.5 per tonne. Similarly, the three-month bid price fell by 0.47 per cent from USD 3,010 per tonne to USD 2,996 per tonne, while the offer price dropped by 0.50 per cent from USD 3,012 per tonne to USD 2,997 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking...
According to SMM survey statistics, the operating rate of the secondary aluminium alloy industry in September was 35.0 per cent, up 3.1 percentage points M-o-M but down 6.7 percentage points Y-o-Y. Industry production continued its recovery trend, but the overall operating level remained below the same period last year. On the demand side, September marked the traditional peak consumption season, with downstream orders recovering from August. End-use demand from automobiles and other sectors improved marginally, but the peak season effect has yet to fully materialise. According to CAAM data, automobile production in September was 2.99 million units, up 11.4 per cent M-o-M but down 8.7 per cent Y-o-Y. NEV production was 1.814 million units, up 12.2 per cent Y-o-Y. CAAM noted that China's...
China’s growing red mud waste problem could offer an opportunity for the construction industry, as new research has demonstrated how aluminium industry residue can be converted into stronger cementitious materials. The study found that sulphate activation using flue gas desulphurisation gypsum achieved a compressive strength of 7.33 megapascals (MPa), more than double that of untreated mixtures. Researchers also identified the fractal geometry of microscopic pores as a potential indicator of material strength. The findings could support efforts to develop low-carbon construction materials from industrial waste, including red mud generated during alumina refining. However, the results also highlight a key engineering trade-off: the activation method that delivered the highest compressive...
Europe’s aluminium scrap exports to the US have risen by 243 per cent, highlighting a growing concern over the continent’s access to strategic raw materials as it pursues recycling, decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness. Evangelos Mytilineos, Executive Chairman of METLEN, raised the issue, linking scrap outflows to the broader challenges facing European industry, energy security and strategic autonomy. Aluminium scrap outflows raise industrial concerns Mytilineos referred to the contrasting US tariff treatment of aluminium products, i.e., a 50 per cent tariff on primary aluminium, compared with zero tariff on scrap . With European aluminium scrap exports to the US increasing by 243 per cent, he questioned whether Europe could strengthen its industrial base while allowing valuable...
German aluminium producer Speira has launched CORIS, a new product label for high-purity aluminium designed for advanced technology applications, including semiconductors, electronics, aerospace, medical technology and electrification. The CORIS range covers aluminium purity levels from 99.9% (3N) to 99.9999% or higher (6N+). Speira said the products are designed to meet the growing demand for materials with high electrical and thermal conductivity, precision and reliability. The company controls trace elements at parts-per-million (ppm) levels to maintain consistent material quality and performance. High-purity aluminium is used in applications where even small amounts of impurities can affect the material's properties. Join the fourth edition of webinar " Hedging for recyclers - Become...
London Metal Exchange (LME) three-month aluminium prices have returned to just above USD 3,000 per tonne, close to their levels in early February, before US and Israeli military operations against Iran began. However, the apparent stability in prices masks continuing pressure across the physical aluminium supply chain, following Iranian missile attacks on Gulf smelters and disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Almost 3 million tonnes of aluminium production capacity has been knocked out by the disruptions. Eight months later, the market appears relatively unconcerned, with traders relying on rising output from Indonesia and increased Chinese exports of aluminium products to compensate for the shortfall until Gulf smelters recover and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz...
Metro Mining has lowered its 2026 bauxite shipment guidance to 6.0–6.5 million wet metric tonnes (WMT), following below-plan performance in September at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Far North Queensland, Australia. The revised outlook factors in ongoing mitigation measures, mine productivity improvements, channel maintenance and potential weather-related constraints as the company seeks to maximise shipments before its planned February maintenance shutdown. The revised guidance was considered by Metro Mining’s Board of Directors on October 19, following the company’s September operational update issued on October 12. The company acknowledged investor disappointment after a challenging year, while maintaining that it is working to improve operating performance and deliver bauxite to market at...
Australia’s Mount Ridley Mines is expanding its Selectro processing technology beyond critical minerals, with a second provisional patent application targeting industrial feedstocks such as bauxite and potentially opening new licensing and partnership opportunities. Mount Ridley Mines Ltd (ASX: MRD) has lodged a second provisional patent application for its proprietary Selectro hydrometallurgical technology, seeking to protect an adapted version of the process designed to recover metals from industrial feedstocks. Filed on October 15 2026, with IP Australia through its wholly owned subsidiary, Mount Ridley Tech, the application follows the company's initial Selectro patent filing in August 2026. The new application covers an adaptation of the technology in which the reagent molecule has...
The US aluminum industry, through its troubled journey over the past four decades, has been holding on to its remaining active smelters to maintain domestic aluminum production. However, its production figures reveal how little ground it has regained. Stability has been a strong suit, with 339,000 metric tons produced in H1 2026, yet matching the volume recorded in H1 2024. With domestic primary production still constrained, the focus is shifting to whether the Century Aluminum’s Mt Holly restart and the proposed Oklahoma primary aluminum smelter can turn modest gains into a sustained supply revival. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ”...
Domestic alumina spot prices edged lower last week, though trading activity picked up modestly. On the supply side, China's operating alumina capacity stood at around 98.9 million tonnes per year recently. One Guangxi refinery with a normal run rate of 2.3 million tonnes per year curtailed another production line, bringing current operating capacity down to 1 million tonnes per year. Separately, a newly commissioned alumina project in Guangxi has begun shipping finished product. The plant started feeding on September 21 and is now in a phase of quality optimisation and ramp-up, targeting full production next month at around 2 million tonnes per year. With industry margins compressing further, higher-cost operators face mounting pressure; coupled with recent weather-related disruptions in...
Enova, a state enterprise owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Climate and Environment, has awarded Hydro close to NOK 82 million for a feasibility study for the next phase in the development of HalZero, Hydro’s technology for aluminium production with net-zero CO2 emissions. The funding from Enova will be used for concept development and planning of an industrial pilot facility (Industrial Concept Pilot, ICP), laying the foundation for further development and scaling of the technology. “The support from Enova enables us to further develop the plans for the next phase of HalZero. This is an important step in developing and scaling the technology toward potential deployment at industrial scale,” says Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal. HalZero is Hydro’s...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart continued to report gains over the October 15 close across the pricing segment on the October 19 trading session. Near-term and long-term contracts, however, registered an eased trend. The LME aluminium cash bid jumped from USD 3,013 per tonne to USD 3,018.5 per tonne, rising 0.18 per cent. The offer price moved from USD 3,014 per tonne to USD 3,019 per tonne, up 0.17 per cent day-on-day. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium three-month bid contracted by 0.05 per cent to USD 3,010 per tonne from USD 3,011.5 per tonne. Meanwhile, the offer price reported no change from USD 3,012 per tonne....
