Aluminium production depends on high-temperature processes where furnace efficiency, thermal management and equipment durability are essential for maintaining operational performance. However, refractory materials used in melting, holding and casting operations face continuous exposure to extreme temperatures, thermal fluctuations, chemical corrosion and mechanical wear. These conditions can lead to premature furnace-lining failure, molten-metal penetration, corundum formation and heat loss, increasing maintenance requirements and operating costs. Addressing these challenges requires materials that can withstand demanding operating conditions while keeping equipment efficient and reliable. Alkegen, a supplier of high-temperature refractory and insulation materials, serves this requirement...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has strengthened its profitability despite a challenging nine-month period marked by operational disruptions, constrained exports and reduced aluminium production. The UAE-based producer reported an improved adjusted EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2026, supported by higher realised aluminium prices, a stronger value-added product mix and cost-control measures. Meanwhile, the company is progressing with the restoration of its Al Taweelah facilities, expanding its international recycling footprint and advancing its global smelting technology partnerships. EGA recorded adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of USD 1.572 billion (AED 5.773 billion) during January-September 2026, compared with USD 1.738 billion...
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Aluminium extrusion manufacturer FONNOV Aluminium has launched new surface treatment aluminium, a new product with fluorocarbon paint coating (PVDF finish) and waterborne paint coating. The company claims the new product will make a breakthrough in city architecture and home decoration. FONNOV Aluminium manufactures colour anodized aluminium profiles, powder coated aluminium profiles, wood finish extrusion aluminium, fluorocarbon coating aluminium extruded profiles for architectural and engineering industries like window and door, building and constructions, transportation, infrastructure, automotive, energy, and etc. PVDF coating aluminium is mainly used in large-scale curtain wall construction. PVDF coating normally offers excellent weather resistance, strong abrasion resistance in...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has shown a little rise today, January 10, from RMB 13,290 per tonne to RMB 13,310 per tonne. This marks a growth of RMB 20 per tonne, compared to the plunge yesterday by RMB 20 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,290 per tonne and RMB 13,330 per tonne, with spot discount to settle at RMB 40 per tonne. The average spot discount is expected to be at RMB 20 per tonne, marking a slight hike by RMB 10 per tonne. As the growth in aluminium ingot price has touched all the major markets in China, the markets in the east (Wuxi and Hangzhou) have recorded a rise by RMB 25 per tonne and RMB 30 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,320 per tonne and RMB 13,335 per tonne, respectively. In the north, the price has...
The US dollar dipped to a three-month low as the latest minutes of US Federal Reserve's policy meeting hinted at less monetary tightening and as hopes grew after US-China trade talks. Base metals ended mostly higher last night. LME aluminium fell 0.3% and SHFE aluminium went up 0.19%. LME aluminium contract closed Wednesday’s trading at US$ 1842 per tonne. The European trading session saw LME aluminium decline to a low of US$1,837.5 per tonne on news that Hydro aims to bring Alunorte alumina refinery back to full capacity within weeks or months. LME aluminium closed lower overnight at US$1,853 per tonne. It is likely to trade at US$1,840-1,875 per tonne today. As on January 9, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1841.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1842...
Fitch Solutions Macro Research study shows that in spite of a positive outlook for India’s bauxite mining industry, tightening environmental regulations and tribal tensions may pose downside risks by slowing new projects. Nevertheless, the study also indicates that India’s bauxite output growth will accelerate to serve growing demand from the domestic aluminium industry. Fitch Solutions said in its report, "We forecast Indian bauxite production to grow from 30.9 million tonnes in 2018 to 50.7 million tonnes by 2027....tightening environmental regulations and tribal tensions pose downside risks..." In February last year, the Odisha government had approved long-term linkage (LTL) policy for bauxite. The state cabinet had also approved the amendment of the LTL policy to specify detailed...
According to the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA), retail sales of passenger vehicles in China shrank 6% in 2018 from a year earlier. This marked the first decline in more than 20 years. In December 2018, about 2.26 million passenger vehicles including sedans, SUV, multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) and mini-vans were sold, standing 19 per cent lower than December 2017, CPCA said on Wednesday January 9. The total sales of passenger vehicles are expected to register a decline of 6.6 per cent year on year in January 2019, according to the report jointly issued by the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) and WAYS. The estimated sale is expected to stand at 2.26 million.
According to a report by Shanghai Metals Market, Chinese authorities had raised concerns about the possibility of excessive production capacity across the alumina industry in China at the end of last year. They had even cited the projects which were in the pipeline. The news came based on the Notice of Promoting Orderly Development of Alumina Industry issued jointly by The National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on December 28, in a bid to control blind expansion and lower the risks of overcapacity. The notice published that many domestic firms commenced new alumina projects or planned to start new projects just for the growing price of alumina last year. Factors like Rusal sanctions, the partial closure of Norsk Hydro’s Alunorte...
Norsk Hydro aims to bring Alunorte alumina refinery back to full capacity within weeks or months, although the process still remains uncertain, Chief Executive Svein Richard Brandtzaeg told Reuters. The alumina refinery has been operating at half capacity since March after state environmental authorities and the court ordered the alumina refinery to reduce production by 50%. Speaking on the sidelines of an industry conference, Brandtzaeg said: “We are talking about weeks or months before we go back to full operations.” Brandtzaeg told Reuters that the recent election campaign in Brazil had delayed the process. Now that a new president is in place, as well as a governor for the state of Para where the plant is located, “things are falling into place ... and the decision process will be...
Seoul-based designer Jeonghwa Seo has once again proved that creativity knows no bound by furnishing a café and wine bar with an unfinished quality of cast aluminium, oak, and brass. Infusing a theme like furniture that celebrates the qualities of raw materials, Jeonghwa has custom-made the space of Et Cetera in Seoul that features a raw concrete interior. Seo said, “The most important aspect of this project was to show the pure quality of the materials. I wanted to create a space where people can experience them.” Cast aluminium, welded into elongated and elliptical shape, has been used as a base for larger pieces of furniture. To add a further twist, the welding join-lines have not been ground down so can show off the making process. "I have been using aluminium throughout my previous...
Sterling Vineyards, a division Treasury Wine Estates, has launched three new varieties of wines in recyclable and re-sealable aluminium bottles. Sterling Vineyards brand director Rob Knott said: “It’s no surprise that we are bringing something different and very much in tune with what consumers expect from Sterling.” The aluminium bottles comes with an optional custom cap with an integrated straw, an end cap/table dispenser display that takes advantage of the bottles unique shape to feed the bottles as consumers remove them. It also offers other tools such as a 'make your own' four-pack carrier and a clear plastic tote that can carry up to four bottles with ice. These aluminium bottles are expected to become popular at sporting and concert events and other on-the-go occasions. The 375 ml...
The global aluminium powder and flakes market is growing steadily driven by the automotive paints and sealants and other industrial pigments sectors. As per a report, the aluminium powder and flakes market across the world is likely to be valued at US$3,453 million by 2021 growing at a CAGR of 3.51 per cent from US$2,808 million in 2015. Amidst this positive market, Germany which is one of the notable importers and exporters of aluminium powder and flakes last year recorded growth in both imports and exports of the product. But this year, the country is estimated to witness a drop in aluminium powder and flakes import and export. {newsStudioGallery} According to the global export-import data, Germany’s estimated import volume in 2018 was at 17,586 tonnes, compared to 15,675 tonnes in...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, China’s total alumina production in December came in at 6.18 million tonnes, a growth by 11.22% from a year ago. The average daily output stood at 199,000 tonnes, from 203,000 tonnes in November. In 2018, China's alumina production totalled 70.48 million tonnes, 3.01% higher than the same period last year. Source:Shanghai Metals Market Tight supplies of natural gas in the heating season affected production across northern alumina producers. Air pollution warnings across Henan province and environmental curbs in Shanxi province affected alumina production in December. Maintenance on roasting furnaces at some south-western mills also accounted for the decrease. This, together with renovation on generators at some mills, is estimated to affect alumina...
Since the beginning of the New Year 2019, the alumina spot price has been found to record either a plunge or restraint; and today is not an exception. The alumina spot price in China has again registered a drop to RMB 2,893 per tonne after being at RMB 2,928 per tonne from January 4 to January 8, 2019, Shanghai Metals Market found. Today’s drop marks second this year as the first one was on January 4 from RMB 2,934 per tonne to RMB 2,928 per tonne. As the drop in alumina spot price has touched all the major markets in China, the east market has witnessed a price plunge by RMB 50 per tonne to RMB 2,920 per tonne. The prices in both the central and north markets have dropped RMB 30 per tonne each and hovering at RMB 2,910 per tonne and RMB 2,880 per tonne, respectively. In the south market,...
The US dollar rebounded from a nearly three-month low, as investors focused on the risk of a eurozone recession after data showed more signs of slowing in the region. Weakness in the euro supported the dollar, which rose 0.21% against a basket of currencies to 95.88. Base metals ended mixed last night. LME aluminium lost over 1% and SHFE aluminium dipped 0.26%. LME aluminium contract closed Tuesday’s trading at US$ 1837 per tonne. It is likely to remain its rangebound trend and hover around US$1,850-1,875 per tonne today. Reuters reported aluminium prices fell on Tuesday as bearish speculators kept up selling pressure, while other base metals were lacklustre ahead of the conclusion of U.S.-China trade talks. Ross Strachan, senior commodities economist at Capital Economics in London said:...
China’s primary aluminium production for the month of December 2018 stood at over 2.99 million tonnes, down 0.3% from a year ago, but up 1.1% on the month. This lowered overall production by 0.6% year on year to 36.12 million tonnes in 2018, according to the data shared by Shanghai Metals Market. Source:Shanghai Metals Market By the end of December, domestic primary aluminium capacity under operation stood at 36.06 million tonnes per year, down 1.64 million tonnes per year from a high at the end of June. More aluminium plants cut capacity in December, including high-costs mills in provinces of Shandong, Gansu, Shanxi, Ningxia, and Henan. Aluminium capacity cuts exceeded 3 million tonnes in 2018. Established aluminium capacity stood at 42.12 million tonnes per year by the end of December,...
Aluminium is a key part of our daily lives: from cars and planes to cell phones, buildings and food packaging. Aluminium cans are becoming increasingly popular as the pack of choice for soft drink beverages such as tea and juice, which were not traditionally sold in a can. 2018 saw some developments from opening of new plants to companies focussing more about aluminium recyclability in order to bring environmentally-friendly beverages to the world. {newsStudioGallery} The companies of the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL) produced nearly 3.3 billion cans in the first half of 2018, representing a growth of about 5 per cent in comparison with the previous year. In our recap 2018 coverage, we take a look back at the top packaging news from our...
Staticus, one of the largest façade engineering contractors in Northern Europe specialised in providing design, production and installation services, has reportedly won a contract to install a combination of unitised timber and aluminium stick facades across the area of 8,700 square metres of Two New Bailey Square. Staticus will manufacture the unitised façade panels in its factory in Lithuania and install over the next 12 months. Two New Bailey Square is designed by architect Allford Hall Monaghan Morris and developed by English Cities Fund and Muse Developments. Per the report, it will provide 180,000 square metres of commercial space in Salford Central with private balconies on each floor. “An interesting aspect of this project is the external structural steel frame with its visible...
According to a Reuters report, the London Metal Exchange (LME) confirmed that it would lift its suspension on aluminium produced by Russia’s Rusal once the U.S. lifts the sanctions on the company. The exchange said in a statement that consultation with LME consumers had not raised any objections to the plan about lifting the ban. The LME first proposed removing its block on Rusal metal on Dec. 19, 2018, after the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) struck a deal with Rusal and two other firms controlled by Oleg Deripaska under which they agreed to sever the Russian oligarch’s control over their management. The LME statement also said that sanctions on the company were expected to be removed on or around Jan 18. Rusal is the largest producer of aluminium outside China....
Tesla has begun constructing a new manufacturing plant for its electric cars in Shanghai, China. Tesla's CEO Elon Musk said that construction will be completed in the summer and production of its lowest-cost model, the Model 3, will start by the end of the year. This is the largest foreign-invested manufacturing project in the city, according to the Shanghai government. "We think with the resources here we can build the Shanghai Gigafactory in record time and we're looking forward to hopefully having some initial production of the Model 3 towards the end of this year and achieving volume production next year," Elon Musk said. The electric carmaker aims to produce 250,000 pure electric cars annually at first. Annual capacity will expand to 500,000 units upon full production.
