Mexico hopes to secure a favourable response from the United States to its request for lower tariffs on aluminium, steel and vehicles before the end of 2026, Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said. The Trump administration imposed 50 per cent tariffs on Mexican aluminium and steel and 25 per cent tariffs on vehicles, with an exemption for vehicles with US content. The duties were introduced on national security grounds under Section 232 of the US Trade Expansion Act. Speaking at a press conference in Mexico City, the Economy Minister said Mexican officials had presented technical arguments and supporting evidence to US authorities to justify reducing the tariffs. He argued that the United States runs a steel trade surplus with Mexico, making the tariffs on the metal unjustified from the...
A proposed AUD 3.7 billion data centre at the former Hydro Aluminium Kurri Kurri industrial site in New South Wales, Australia, could repurpose a major industrial property for digital infrastructure, with an estimated peak construction workforce of 1,210 people and around 254 ongoing jobs. The Kurri Kurri Data Centre project, proposed at Hart Road, Loxford, is seeking approval for the fit-out and operation of a large-scale data storage facility with a planned power consumption of 550.5 megawatts (MW). The development application, listed as a State Significant Development under reference SSD-128819490, is currently at the public exhibition stage. The proposal highlights how former aluminium industry sites could find new uses as demand for data storage and computing infrastructure expands....
Grow with
AL Circle
SeAH Aerospace Materials, a subsidiary of SeAH Besteel Holdings, has made an announcement of signing a long-term agreement with Boeing to provide high-strength aluminium alloy materials to the latter, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world. Under the contract, starting from 2026, SeAH will be supplying Boeing with aluminium alloys that are employed in aircraft fuselages and wings. Image source: https://www.seahaerospace.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The deal followed a direct agreement between Boeing and SeAH Aerospace last year, which highlighted the quality competitiveness of the latter and its ability to meet the rigorous standards of the aerospace industry, as well as the meticulous certification criteria...
The aluminium beverage cans linger to be one of the strongest proofs that the aluminium industry’s circularity is attainable at scale. Not in theory, but in practice. A recent white paper presented by Innoval at COP30 shows that the evidence lies purely in metallurgy, process control and measurable emissions outcomes. Image for reference only Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain An Innoval spokesperson has said, “Can-to-can recycling is not only a technical success but a critical climate solution. By optimising metallurgy and processing, we can unlock real environmental benefits while maintaining quality.” Cans are not made from generic aluminium. They rely on two engineered alloys. One where the can’s body stock uses AA3104 and...
Recently, a soil examination conducted by scientists from the University of the Philippines–Diliman has confirmed a Karst bauxite deposit in Paranas, Samar, containing aluminium and rare earth elements. Image source: Wikipedia Karst bauxite deposit is primarily formed by the prolonged exposure of silicate rocks to intense tropical weathering. Over the years, due to weather conditions, the less stable materials got stripped, thus allowing aluminium-rich minerals to concentrate within the rock mass. The team carried out sampling from test pits reaching depths of up to four metres. Additional samples were taken from an existing drill core extending more than 11 metres below ground. Leveraging modern X-ray techniques, lab analysis was conducted to evaluate both mineral composition and...
Impact Minerals Limited (ASX: IPT) appointed its new Executive Director, Scott Phegan, on December 12. A chemical engineer with over 30 years of experience in alumina, bauxite, and speciality materials, and global expertise in technical work, operations and project development, he is expected to contribute to the HiPurA® HPA processing technology and succeed in high-purity alumina extraction. Image source: https://au.linkedin.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Having spent a large part of his career at Alcoa, he fulfilled roles of senior leadership and operations across Australia, Brazil and the US. These included multibillion-dollar technology upgrades, refinery expansions and operational turnarounds. Consequently, he...
Electric vehicles are slowly becoming mainstream in India’s net-zero plans, though industry leaders are still a little apprehensive about it. Speaking at the ETAuto EV Conclave 2025, policymakers and executives expressed considering electric vehicles and decarbonisation as synonymous is risky. Instead, they suggest India must explore a multi-pathway, well-to-wheel strategy, aligned with technology choices, grid decarbonisation, business viability and workforce readiness. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and EVP for Corporate Affairs and Governance at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said decarbonisation must be assessed beyond the tailpipe. He pointed out that strong hybrids already deliver emissions of around 110 grams of CO₂, and with higher ethanol blending, figures can drop further to around 91...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium cash bid and offer price saw a further decline on December 15 in comparison to the previous day’s close. However, the forward contracts and 3-month bid and offer rose slightly. On December 15, both the LME cash bid and offer dipped by USD 5.5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, where the bid declined from USD 2,845 per tonne to USD 2,840.5 per tonne and the offer price from USD 2,845.5 per tonne to USD 2,841 per tonne. On the other hand, the 3-month bid rose by USD 5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, up from USD 2,875 per tonne to USD 2,880 per tonne. The LME 3-month offer rose by USD 4.5 per tonne or 0.15 per cent to reach USD 2,880.5 per tonne, up from USD 2,876 per tonne. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics At the...
A new strategic agreement has emerged between Wheels India Limited and Tokyo's Topy Industries via the Technical Assistance Agreement. The main aim of this agreement is to boost Wheels India's designs, development and manufacturing skills in the aluminium alloy wheels market. Toby Industries, as part of the agreement, will be providing the company with cutting-edge technical know-how and engineering support. This will be beneficial for Wheels India to solidify its standing in the cast aluminium wheel industry. A globally recognised wheel manufacturer, Topy Industries, has gained over 100 years of experience and, in this partnership, will be providing advanced technologies related to aluminium wheels. This collaboration will support in understanding the latest technical know-how and...
The fourth-largest bauxite deposit in Pará State, Brazil, is expected to set a new course for Brazilian mining history. Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN) has announced that the discovery is of key strategic importance and the operations are soon to begin in the following years. Image for referential purpose only (source: https://www.alcircle.com/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain MRN has greenlit its New Mines Project on this major bauxite deposit spanning Oriximiná, Terra Santa, and Faro in Pará state. The initiative will receive an investment of BRL 5 billion, and Ibama has granted it preliminary environmental licenses. Its primary aim is to meet the rising demand of industries by boosting the global supply of durable,...
Australian-based industrial technology company Metallium has agreed to work with a US company called ElementUSA to extract two important metals, gallium and scandium, from red mud at its demonstration facility in Gramercy, Louisiana.The project will focus on using Metallium’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, which involves passing of a direct current through a material, where the resistance of the material itself converts electrical energy into heat energy. Being home to a nationally significant alumina refinery, Gramercy holds around 30 million tonnes of red mud feedstock that offers long-term processing potential. Under the agreement, Metallium will receive up to USD 10.1 million (AUD 15.16 million) in non-dilutive funding. This funding will be used to install and...
On December 12, Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, announced that Australia’s largest aluminium smelter at Tomago, Newcastle, which is majority-owned by the mining corporation Rio Tinto, is to remain open beyond the expiration of its contract in 2028. Image source: https://www.alcircle.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Located in New South Wales (NSW), north of Sydney, Tomago Aluminium, which employs over 1,000 full-time workers and 200 contractors in the connected area, faced the potential risk of a shutdown post its inability to secure an affordable long-term energy supply. Moreover, in October, Rio Tinto warned that without new energy deals, the smelter was likely to shut down by 2025. The government...
An event held at the Manitowoc Public Library is set to showcase the display of nearly 56 aluminium Christmas trees. The countdown for Christmas has been kicked off by Taylor Zee-bell with a peek at the "Enchanted Evergleam forests" representing the aluminium Christmas tree. At the Manitowoc Public Library, the Christmas trees are hard to miss because of the bright display of the aluminium Christmas trees. Manitowoc Aluminum Kitsch, a Manitowoc-based aluminium speciality company, produced and branded these trees from 1959 to 1972 and is deemed to be the largest producer of aluminium trees in the country. Two aluminium tree enthusiasts, Jordan Kabat and Barbara Bundy, are hosting the event, where they are celebrating and teaching the community about the rich history of the aluminium trees....
India’s exporters are bracing for a setback after Mexico approved a sweeping rise in import tariffs that analysts say could disrupt nearly three-quarters of India’s shipments to the country in the coming financial year. Image for reference only (source: https://www.orfonline.org/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The decision was cleared by Mexico’s Senate on December 11 and approved by both chambers of Congress. From January 1, 2026, Mexico will levy higher duties, typically ranging from about 5 per cent to as much as 35 per cent, on imports from countries without a free trade agreement. India is among those affected. The move is likely to reshape the business case for Indian firms in Mexico, particularly in sectors that have...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price on December 12 inched down from the previous day’s close. On the other hand, the LME opening stock and cancellations rose, but the live warrant witnessed a dip. The LME cash bid moved down by USD 17 per tonne or 0.6 per cent and settled at USD 2,845 per tonne on December 12. Similarly, the cash offer went down by USD 18.5 per tonne or 0.64 per cent and reached USD 2,845.5 per tonne. Both the LME 3-month bid and offer fell by USD 10 per tonne or 0.34 per cent, where the bid settled at USD 2,875 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,876 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Concurrently, the LME December 26 forward contracts also collapsed by USD 10 per tonne or 0.34 per cent,...
Austria started a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on January 1, 2025, and it closed the first year with 1.2 billion PET bottles and aluminium cans returned by the end of November, showing strong public participation and early operational stability. Austria introduced a EUR 0.25 (USD 0.29) deposit on single-use beverage containers from 0.1 to 3 litres. The scheme is run by EWP Recycling Pfand Österreich and supported by its core technology partner Sensoneo. According to Sensoneo, 75 per cent of consumers support the system, driven by visible reductions in litter and improved recycling as key motivations. Weekly returns of aluminium cans and PET bottles rose gradually during the initial days and stabilised at 7–9 million units per week. Also read: Secondary aluminium on track to add 22 MT of...
Gamme Telco, a division of Group Mitjavila, has unveiled its newly developed all-aluminium solar carport named Electra Design 3 for residential and commercial application. The uniqueness of this carport is it generates solar power while providing shelter to the parked cars, besides being fully customisable and compatible with standard PV modules. The all-aluminium frame is fully recyclable and backed by a 5-year warranty. Company president Frédéric Arpin explained, “No special modules are required, as we adapt the structure to fit 99 per cent of the panels available on the market, typically between 30 mm and 35 mm thick.” This flexibility is central to its design. Every installation can be tailored to the buyer’s preferred panels or layout. Arpin added, “The dimensions are flexible. We...
Huawei’s MatePad SE 11 arrives as a tablet shaped around comfort, everyday practicality and a dash of refinement. The aluminium frame is the first thing that stands out. It feels reassuringly solid and carries a level of finish rarely seen in its price bracket. The clean, well-cut edges add to its tidy appearance and show that care has been taken in how the device has been put together. The 11-inch Full HD+ display continues to focus on ease of use. It comes with low blue light and flicker free certification, both of which are designed to make longer sessions less tiring on the eyes. That makes a noticeable difference during reading, film watching or even when children are using it for extended periods. It also reflects Huawei’s wider attempt to build devices that suit the whole family,...
Anil Ambani’s Reliance Group is moving into a new phase of its clean-energy ambitions, rolling out plans for two manufacturing platforms under Reliance Infrastructure and expanding its renewable generation arm, Reliance NU Energies. Together, the initiatives are designed to give the group an integrated foothold in solar manufacturing, battery storage and round-the-clock green power. A core part of the plan is a fully integrated solar manufacturing complex that will bring ingot, wafer, cell and module production under one roof. In a filing to the BSE, Reliance ADAG said the facility will be built around advanced technologies such as TopCon+, along with future-ready back-contact and tandem cell designs. The group believes this timing aligns well with government incentives, pointing to ALMM...
The global aluminium semi-fabricated and consumer product stories this week didn’t move in a straight line. It zigzagged across corporates, trade corridors, design studios, and even distant mountain towns, with each turn bringing forth an industry pulled forward by markets it can’t fully control and reshaped by choices it can no longer postpone. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Ball set the tone early by stepping deeper into Europe’s beverage can landscape, announcing its plan to acquire a majority stake in local manufacturer Benepack after two years of relying on its capacity under a supply agreement. The deal wasn’t framed as expansion for expansion’s sake; it was an insurance policy. Beverage cans’ demand has held firm, but...
