Aluminium-intensive vehicle design could reduce electric vehicle (EV) weight, battery requirements and manufacturing complexity, according to a joint theoretical study by Stellantis and Alumobility. Using Stellantis’ STLA Medium platform as its reference, the study found that an optimised aluminium-based architecture could cut total vehicle mass by around 20 per cent and create the potential to reduce battery capacity by 15 per cent while maintaining equivalent range. Presented at EuroCarBody 2026 in Bad Nauheim, Germany, on October 22, the study examined how aluminium could be incorporated across the vehicle structure rather than simply replacing steel components on a like-for-like basis. The concept reduced body-in-white mass - the vehicle’s structural body before components such as...
Rio Tinto’s planned USD 1.9 billion investment in the Kangwinan bauxite project is expected to support more than 1,300 construction jobs in Queensland, while helping secure the long-term future of its Weipa mining operations as existing sources of production approach the end of their lives. Located on Western Cape York Peninsula, Kangwinan will add 20 million tonnes of annual bauxite production capacity, with first output targeted for 2029 and full production expected by 2032. The project will raise Weipa Operations’ annual capacity to around 44 million tonnes from current production of approximately 38 million tonnes. Construction is scheduled to ramp up in 2027. Beyond the immediate employment boost, the investment is expected to help sustain Rio Tinto’s residentially based workforce of...
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Designer, extruders, machine and finish custom aluminium profiles supplier, BOAL Extrusion UK's Managing Director, Emma Swann, has now been appointed as the new Vice President of the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), a non-profit organisation dedicated to representing and supporting the UK aluminium industry. With a rich background of experience, strong leadership, and a genuine passion for the aluminium industry, her appointment will take place at a time which shall aid both the sector and the broader UK manufacturing scene. Also read: India mandates BIS certification for aluminium products under QCO 2026 As a Vice President, she will be collaborating closely with the firm's CEO, Nadine Bloxsome and the President, Wendy Giles, from Amari Metals Ltd, along with the entire board of members. As...
The global downstream aluminium is shaped by infusing a blend of operational milestones, financial resilience, strategic partnerships and the ever-changing market dynamics. The global market is witnessing everything from production successes and investor activity to innovations driven by sustainability and shifts in geopolitical supply. This sector is a reflection of both stability and the pressures lurking beneath the surface. All these factors together indicate a market that’s not just looking for growth opportunities but also learning to adapt to various structural and regional challenges. Focusing on the growth, milestones & projects Trimet Aluminium’s foundry in Essen, Germany, has cast 10 million tonnes of aluminium since 1971, the time of its inception. On March 5, the landmark...
India’s state-owned energy giant NTPC Ltd has taken a further step toward expanding its renewable portfolio, with new capacity now entering commercial service in Gujarat. Through its step-down subsidiary, NTPC Renewable Energy Ltd, the company has begun supplying 165 MW of power from the Khavda-II Solar PV project, which has a planned total capacity of 1,200 MW. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " This latest development represents the operationalisation of the fourth phase of the project, and the commercial operations are going to start from March 19, 2026. This tactical approach shows the Khavda-II project’s size and intricacy, which is an important solar initiative that also supports India’s clean...
Orora’s Helio direct-to-can digital printing technology has been used on aluminium cans for Pirate Life Brewing’s latest limited-edition release, Mosaic Discotheque, highlighting its ability to create high-build, tactile finishes on aluminium packaging. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The project is part of a wider set of Helio-based applications, reflecting its use in short-run, design-focused aluminium can production.Developed to mark Pirate Life’s 11th anniversary, the 500ml aluminium can carries a disco ball-style design created by layering gloss and matte spot varnishes over a white-to-grey gradient. This effect comes from Helio’s high-build coating process, where a specialised coating is applied...
The ongoing Iran-US conflict has disrupted aluminium supplies, creating challenges for automakers such as Toyota, Honda, and Nissan. The disruption is linked to issues in the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route, where Gulf producers have declared force majeure, affecting around 10 per cent of global aluminium supply. Japan remains heavily dependent on imports for aluminium, which is widely used by auto-parts manufacturers for components such as wheels and engine parts. Toyota CEO Koji Sato said, “With regard to the materials like aluminium; about 70 per cent of it comes from the Middle East. And so if this situation (Iran-US War) prolongs, needless to say, there's going to be procurement problems, I think there should be alternative sources and to explore and depending on how long the...
Alcoa has reported an increase in orders as supply disruptions in the middle east continue to alter global aluminium trade flows, tightening availability across key markets. The shift follows the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which has redirected significant volumes of metal. Alcoa, which typically ships around 4 million tonnes of aluminium to the Middle East each year to supply smelters, is now placing those volumes in alternative markets. According to Beerman, material that would normally move into the region is being absorbed elsewhere. Molly Beerman, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Alcoa said, “If you look at the Gulf smelters, they are producing just under seven million tonnes of aluminium. That's about 9 per cent of the global supply. And if you exclude...
Rio Tinto has temporarily shut its Amrun and Andoom bauxite mines in Queensland after Cyclone Narelle hit northeast Australia. These two mines produce about 30 million tonnes of bauxite each year, which is used to make aluminium. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The company said it has activated its cyclone response plans. It stated that the priority is the safety of workers and the protection of site operations. Rio Tinto added, “We will continue to closely monitor the situation and take all necessary precautions.” Cyclone Narelle brought strong winds, heavy rainfall, and power outages across parts of northeast Australia. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors and prepare for possible damage....
Alcoa, a global industry leader in bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium manufacturing, witnessed an 11 per cent fall in its early trading on Thursday. However, on the London Metal Exchange (LME), the aluminium futures dropped the largest since 2018. The decline is mainly owed to the growing tension regarding the global economic fallout from the ongoing conflict in Iran, leading to widespread losses in the industrial metals markets. Looking at the LME benchmark for three-month aluminium, a drop of 8 per cent, totalling USD 3,115 per tonne, was seen. This was before the price bounced back to USD 3,214 per tonne. Nonetheless, this directly implies that the gains that had built up since the start of the conflict in the Middle East had raised concerns about the stability of aluminium...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is exporting aluminium through Jeddah, as the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. CEO Ali Al Baqali said the company is sending 40–60 per cent of its exports through Saudi Arabia. The route involves land transport of about 1,400 km (870 miles) to Jeddah. He said this adds land costs, but overall transport costs have not increased significantly. The company is still meeting delivery commitments. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " In Baqali’s words, “We are incurring the land cost. However, we are able to meet our commitment to our customers on time.” Alba has already declared force majeure and reduced production. It is also managing raw material supply. The company has about one month...
As we are aware that the current geopolitical tension has created a temporary halt to the passage of goods through the Strait of Hormuz, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price soared to an all-time high. However, now the market is slowly but steadily witnessing a return to the range it was previously in. The LME cash bid moved down by USD 201.5 per tonne, shifting from USD 3,399.5 per tonne to USD 3,198 per tonne. The cash offer also changed by USD 200 per tonne, from USD 3,400 per tonne to USD 3,200 per tonne, where both the bid and offer reflected a 6 per cent change from the previous day’s close. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics The downward trend continued at the longer-dated contracts, where both the LME 3-month bid and offer...
SABIC recently launched new compounds for ADAS thermal management, exterior parts that are made of recycled materials and EV battery structures at PIAE 2026 in Baden-Baden. Among the materials introduced are LNP ELCRIN SLX compounds made using post-consumer recycled content. SABIC also presented the LNP KONDUIT WTF2C compound designed for thermal management in ADAS applications. These materials are part of SABIC’s wider portfolio aimed at enhancing performance, supporting circularity, and enabling design flexibility. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics Two new LNP ELCRIN SLX grades — SLX2373RCC and SLX2375RCC — incorporate 30 per cent and 45 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, respectively. The LNP ELCRIN SLX compounds offer...
Preference for aluminum cans in South Korea appears to be steadily increasing, reflecting a gradual shift in choice toward more sustainable packaging solutions. A recent survey conducted by the Seoul Korea Federation for Environmental Movements (KFEM), which included 1,011 respondents nationwide, highlights this trend. Released on March 18 to mark Global Recycling Day, the findings show that 34.7 per cent of participants selected aluminum cans as their preferred beverage packaging, representing a 10.8 percentage point increase compared to the previous year. While plastic bottles continue to rank highest at 43.4 per cent, the rising preference for aluminum cans suggests a growing inclination toward materials that are more environmentally sustainable. Public understanding of environmental...
Strengthening supply chains for critical minerals has become an urgent priority worldwide, and against this backdrop, Peru and Canada have moved to reinforce their collaboration through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The arrangement places particular emphasis on critical minerals, sustainable mining practices and long-term economic cooperation. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The accord, completed on 18 March, brought together key representatives from both governments. It was signed by Jean-Dominique Ieraci, Canada’s Ambassador in Peru, acting on behalf of Tim Hodgson, and Peru’s Energy and Mines Minister, Angelo Victorino Alfaro Lombardi. At its core, the initiative seeks to drive innovation,...
Ball Corporation partnered with Grupo Mariza to launch Nutrinéctar juice in cans in Brazil. This is the first juice in the country packaged in aluminium, certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is an international organisation that sets standards for responsible aluminium production. It certifies companies based on environmental, social, and governance practices across the aluminium supply chain. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The cans carry the ASI Responsible Aluminium Sourcing label. This shows that the aluminium comes from a certified supply chain and meets environmental and social standards. The label also provides information on the source of the...
Australia is negotiating a complex support package to keep the Tomago Aluminium smelter active. The push could lock taxpayers for up to a decade into annual subsidies of a minimum of USD 300 million. Owing to rising energy costs and a lack of affordable long-term renewable power, Australia’s largest aluminium smelter, the Tomago facility, faces potential closure by 2028. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Under the proposed deal, the federal government-owned Snowy Hydro would supply electricity to the smelter. In this structure, Snowy Hydro is likely to acquire renewable energy through long-term contracts at market rates and relay it to Tomago at a lower price, as the government covers the difference....
Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) reported that in the first 11 weeks of 2026, global bauxite shipments increased by 16 per cent year-on-year. The growth was mainly because of demand from China for supplies from Guinea. Guinea accounted for 79 per cent of total shipments, while shipments from other countries declined by 3 per cent. China received about 88 per cent of global bauxite shipments as one of the largest aluminium producers contributing 65 per cent of global output. Bauxite is used to produce alumina, which is then used in aluminium production. Filipe Gouveia, shipping analyst manager at BIMCO, said, “Bauxite has been one of the fastest growing dry bulk commodities, growing 10 per cent on average between 2021 and 2025.” For the global aluminium value-chain 2026...
Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) awarded a 625 MWp solar power tender at a tariff of INR 2.34 per unit (USD 0.025) to Welspun Energy and NLC India Limited. Out of the total capacity, 300 MW was allocated to each. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The awards come nearly five months after the tender was floated. The projects can be developed anywhere in India, including sites that are already commissioned or under construction, offering flexibility to developers. More than 20 developers participated in the auction, with prices per unit ranging from INR 2.34 (USD 0.025) to INR 2.60 (USD 0.028). Also Read: India's push to localise the solar supply chain with ingot and wafer mandate from 2028...
What was once treated as a stubborn by-product of mining may now find a second life in industry. Researchers at the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology have worked out a way to convert leftover bauxite residue into refractory bricks capable of withstanding very high temperatures. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Residue from the bauxite extraction has, over time, added to the dust pollution and significantly altered the chemistry of nearby water bodies, thus making them more acidic. However, managing this residual material is a significant concern, especially in areas where mining activity is concentrated. The Bhubaneswar team has explored its potential as a raw material instead of...
