ASSA ABLOY has agreed to acquire Brazilian aluminium solutions manufacturer Rometal, strengthening its manufacturing presence in Latin America while expanding its portfolio of door systems, furniture fittings and aluminium products. Announced on November 12, 2026, the proposed acquisition would bring an established Brazilian business with approximately 500 employees into the Swedish group's Americas Division. Rometal recorded sales of approximately BRL 332 million (USD 59 million) in 2025, equivalent to approximately SEK 580 million (USD 57.57 million) in ASSA ABLOY's announcement. The purchase price has not been disclosed. ASSA ABLOY described the company's EBIT margin in 2025 as strong and expects the transaction to be accretive to earnings per share from the start. Rometal acquisition...
Finland-based renewable heat technology developer Coolbrook has joined Australia’s Heavy Industry Low-carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) as an affiliate partner, bringing its electrified heating technology into research aimed at decarbonising alumina refining and the wider aluminium industry. The collaboration would explore how high-temperature electric heating can support next-generation alumina refineries, reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Coolbrook would work alongside major alumina and aluminium producers, including Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Alcoa, Rio Tinto, South32 and Hydro, as well as research organisations of CSIRO and Adelaide University. Initially, it would focus on HILT CRC’s Alumina Refineries’ Next-Generation Transition (AlumiNEXT) project,...
Grow with
AL Circle
Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange surged significantly after the U.S. Commerce Department recommended implementation of a quota on aluminium imports from specific countries- a 7.7 per cent tariff on aluminium shipped from all countries, or a 23.6 per cent tariff on imports from five specific countries and territories, including China and Hong Kong. The uncertainty created drove prices up to US$2,266 per tonne on Monday, February 19. Reuters identified support and resistance as the 38.2 per cent and 61.8 per cent retracements respectively, on the downtrend from US$2,290-US$2,112.50 per tonne. A break below US$2,181 per tonne mark may cause LME aluminium to fall back at US$2,155 per tonne, while a break above the resistance may cause further gain, but within a limited...
Leading business intelligence provider on global metal markets, CRU shared in its latest market insight that aluminium demand from electric vehicles will increase 10-fold from 2017 growing up to 10 million tonnes by 2030. The usage of aluminium automotive body part components made of extrusions and rolled products will be higher in comparison with the present day vehicles with internal combustion engines. On the contrary, secondary aluminium castings used in today’s vehicle parts will witness a gradual decline as more than 90 per cent of the vehicles on road will be battery powered. EVs will specifically boost primary aluminium demand while imposing a limit on aluminium scrap demand, CRU noted. As per forecast global battery-powered electric vehicle (BEV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicle...
Shares of Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Co. fell after the U.S. Commerce Department recommended higher tariff on imported aluminium and steel. The possibility of these tariffs raising the prices of raw materials for vehicles has generated concern in the market bringing down the share performances. Both companies reversed gains after Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross proposed a 24% global tariff on steel shipments into the U.S. and a 7.7% duty on aluminium imports. The American Automotive Policy Council, a Washington-based trade group that represents GM, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, forecasted earlier in 2017 that import restrictions would hurt the car industry and its workers. Ford closed down 1.4 per cent while GM dropped 1.8 per cent in Friday trading. Fiat Chrysler’s U.S....
In response to the latest U.S. Commerce Department recommendations to raise tariffs on Chinese steel and aluminium imports, China’s Ministry of Commerce published a statement calling the reports “baseless” and “totally inconsistent with the facts.” Wang Hejun, chief of the trade remedy and investigation bureau at China’s Ministry of Commerce said the country has the right to retaliate if such tariffs are imposed. Mr Hejun urged the Trump Administration to show restraint and comply with “multilateral trade regulations” in his statement published Saturday. On Friday, Feb 16, U.S. Commerce Department recommended implementing a quota on each country’s steel imports, a tariff of at least 24% on steel imports from all countries, or a tariff of at least 53% on imports from 12 countries,...
Australia bought USD 221.4 billion worth of goods from around the world in 2017. Australia being one of the top producers and exporters of alumina, imports substantial amount of alumina to feed its smelters. The country's alumina import is estimated to decline in 2018. Australia imports huge amount of alumina from China. China remains the top exporter of this product in 2017. Australia’s alumina imports volumes jumped to 3036 tonnes last year. As shown in the data, Australia imported about 8595 tonnes of alumina in 2016. The amount increased in 2017 to reach 9798 tonnes. The country is estimated to import about 8647 tonnes of alumina in 2018. The cost of alumina import stood at USD 9.6 million in 2016. In 2017, the import generated a cost of USD 9.95 million. The cost of import for...
Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange closed 2 per cent higher at US$2,189.50 per tonne on Friday, February 16, as spreads tightened and price competition grew among market participants. Aluminium spreads have widened to a US$10 premium for cash over benchmark aluminium as the major contract is nearing expiry. This likely to trigger deliveries, Reuters analysed. Based on current price trend it can be said that further rise in LME aluminium is likely though within a narrow range. As on February 16, LME official cash buyer aluminium price (Bid Price) stands at US$2,189 per tonne, cash seller & settlement aluminium price (Offer price) is US$2,189.50 per tonne, 3M Bid Price is US$2,180 per tonne, 3M Offer Price is US$2,180.59 per tonne, Dec19 Bid Price is US$2,233 per tonne, and...
U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the Department’s findings from the 232 investigations into the impact on national security from imports of wrought and unwrought aluminium on Feb 16, and he outlined recommendations for the president to impose tariffs or quotas on aluminium imports. Aluminium industry representatives applauded the report and expected the president would take a final decision that will help support continued growth of the U.S. aluminium industry. Century Aluminum Company President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Bless issued a statement today in response to the release of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Section 232 report. “We strongly support today’s release by the Department of Commerce of the Section 232 Aluminum Report. The report demonstrates this...
WernerCo, an international manufacturer and distributor of access products, fall protection equipment, secure storage systems and light duty construction equipment, has acquired ZARGES Group, following receipt of regulatory approvals. Edward Gericke, President of Americas business of WernerCo said: “ZARGES Group is a strong market player in continental Europe and will join WernerCo’s portfolio of industry leading brands. Both companies operate in complementary markets with the same understanding on product quality, design and delivery.” Image Source: ZARGES Germany based ZARGES Group manufactures aluminium products for access, storage solutions and special construction. The company’s aluminium product gives stability and high corrosion-resistance. The company has three production sites in...
As reported by the Aluminum Association, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the Department’s findings from the 232 investigations into the impact on national security from imports of wrought and unwrought aluminium on Feb 16, and he outlined recommendations for the president to impose tariffs or quotas on aluminium imports. The Commerce Department found that aluminium is essential to U.S. national security, namely to satisfy Defence Department requirements for military capabilities (including armour plate for armoured vehicles, aircraft structural parts and components, naval vessels, space and missile structural components, and propellants) as well as critical infrastructure sectors (including power transmissions, transportation systems, manufacturing industries, construction,...
Car park areas are no longer going to be the same monochromatic, sci-fi lab like architectures as they used to be. Maple and Morgan Sindall along with architects AHR are working on a façade made of aluminium panels for a new multi-storey car park in Manchester’s Salford. The façade with the kite-shaped aluminium panels will lend the new building a striking 3-D hexagonal look that will be a far cry from other concrete car parks of the city. Source: www.maplesunscreening.co.uk The concept comes from an Abu Dhabi skyscraper where similar aluminium facades have been used. The façade will provide glare and sun protection from all angles while allowing ample sunlight inside the building. Maple technical design team has been working closely with AHR architects since May 2016. The project is...
Research and production corporation United Wagon Company (UWC) will supply 114 hopper cars to the Republic of Guinea. UWC won an international tender organized by RUSAL, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers. Freight cars will be used to transport bauxites from Dian-Dian deposit in the Boké Region. The hopper cars which are designed to carry bauxites have a 101.5 tonne capacity and a cargo carrying volume of 54 cbm. The hopper cars are manufactured at the TikhvinSpetsMash plant (part of UWC). Image Source: UWC Yakov Itskov, Director of Alumina Division at UC RUSAL, said: “The Dian-Dian deposit is developed in accordance with the schedule. Forming a car fleet will provide for stable bauxite transportation from the mine to the shipping port. Collaboration with a Russian company...
China is taking sincere steps towards green car by boosting electric vehicle productions and sale. While the government is increasing subsidy on EVs they are also making sure that automakers are encouraged and compelled to make EVs with higher range on a single charge so that more and more people can afford EVs and substitute gas fuel cars with them. Under the new subsidy rules, which took effect Monday 12 Feb, China is increasing subsidies for electric vehicles that can travel with a range of 400 kilometers (249 miles) and more on a single charge, to 50,000 yuan ($7,900) from 44,000 yuan. This was confirmed by a finance ministry statement. Subsequently, the new rules have specified at least 150 kilometers on a single charge as benchmark to be eligible for incentives, which used to be 100...
Purdue Research announced last month that researchers have developed technology that can change aluminium’s microstructure to boost ductility and offer strength equivalent to stainless steel. The technology is meant to do away with complications that arise in case of aluminium alloys during collision repair. As said by Professor Xinghang Zhang from Purdue School of Materials Engineering they want to improve the softness and low mechanical strength of some lightweight aluminium alloys, to make way for more widespread industrial application. High-strength, lightweight aluminium alloys with strength of stainless steels, according to him, would revolutionize the automobile and aerospace industries. He believes once commercially available, this process can make aluminium closures even more...
SMS group, a plant supplier to the metallurgical industry for steel, aluminium, copper and metals, has supplied two high-capacity aluminium hot rolling lines to Chinese aluminium producer Tianjin Zhongwang Aluminium Co. Ltd. The first aluminium hot coil rolled in the expanded finishing mill on January 26, 2018. Tianjin Zhongwang Aluminium, based in Tianjin, China, produces aluminium rolled plates, sheets, and coils for aerospace, aircraft, shipping, and others. Image Source: SMS group According to SMS group press release, “In January 2018, one of the two lines in 1+1+3 configuration, i.e. two reversing roughing stands and a three-stand finishing mill, received a further finishing stand. SMS group completed the line expansion to 1+1+4 configuration during a shutdown period of only 23...
Norsk Hydro reports record alumina and bauxite production along with improved financial results for both the segments, mostly driven by higher realized alumina price. The bauxite mine in Paragominas reached record yearly production of 11.4 million tonnes. Bauxite production for Q4 2017 stood at 3,049 million tonnes. . The alumina refinery at Alunorte produced 6.4 million tonnes of alumina for the full year 2017 and 1,693 million tonnes for the fourth quarter 2017. Underlying EBIT for Bauxite & Alumina increased significantly compared to Q3 2017 mainly due to higher alumina prices and LME prices. Underlying EBIT for Q4 2017 for Bauxite & Alumina stood at NOK 1,872 million in comparison to NOK 413 million in Q3 2017 and NOK 711 million in Q4 2016. For the full year 2017, it stood at NOK...
India transport ministry is close to finalizing the policy to scrap 15 plus-year old vehicles. The policy aimed to curb vehicular pollution in the country will make raw materials for vehicles like aluminium, copper, plastic, and rubber cheaper as secondary aluminium and other materials generated from the scrap will be used for auto parts manufacturing, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said yesterday in New Delhi. "We have almost finalised the scrapping policy for vehicles with NITI Aayog," the minister said. The proposal once accepted will result in an INR 10,000 crore boost in tax revenues that will eventually benefit India’s automobile sector. Mr. Gadkari said that India is on the verge of becoming the hub for automobile and ancillary industry in Asia, and a vehicular scrapping policy as...
Brazil’s exports of commodities increased 13.8 per cent year-on-year to USD 16.968 billion last month. The country’s exports of alumina grew in January from a year earlier. According to Brazil’s Ministry of Industry, Foreign Trade and Services (MDIC), Brazil shipped 861,336 tonnes of alumina in January 2018 in comparison to 839,283 in January 2017 and 781,366 tonnes in December 2017. As the data shows, in H1 2018, Brazil is estimated to ship 5 million tonnes of alumina, from 4.43 million tonnes in the corresponding period previous year. In H2 2018, shipments will reach 3.77 million tonnes, from 4.85 million tonnes in the corresponding period previous year. In H1 2018, alumina export value is estimated to stand at USD 1.61 billion, from 1.31 billion in H1 2017. In H2 2018, total export...
Norsk Hydro reports positive Fourth quarter 2017 results driven by higher realized all-in metal and alumina prices that was slightly offset by higher raw material and fixed costs. Hydro's underlying EBIT increased from NOK 2,446 million in Q3 2017 to NOK 3,555 million in Q4 2017, mostly driven by higher realized alumina and aluminium prices. For the full year 2017 Hydro's underlying EBIT increased to NOK 11,215 million from NOK 6,425 million for 2016, again driven by higher all-in metal price and alumina sales price. "2017 marks the start of new chapter in Hydro's history. With the Sapa acquisition, Hydro is now the world's leading integrated aluminium company, with 35,000 employees in 40 countries serving 30,000 customers globally. I am pleased with the strong, full-year and quarterly...
