Aluminium’s downstream and end-user world is having one of those fortnights where a beer can, a luxury sports car, a German construction site and an Indian furnace all end up in the same conversation. The metal may begin its life far upstream, but its real fuss is playing out in cans, cars, extrusions, buildings and factories, where tariffs, trade policy, energy costs and demand cycles decide who wins. This fortnight highlights that aluminium demand is moving towards electric vehicles, lightweight transport and long-life infrastructure, even as packaging and construction feel the pinch of cost and weak activity. Meanwhile, producers from Vietnam to New Zealand are arguing over the oldest question in the business of how much protection, taxation or openness does a downstream industry need...
Malaysia has opened a limited route for raw rare earths exports while pursuing a broader ambition to develop domestic processing capabilities, highlighting the challenge of attracting international investment without giving up opportunities to create more value locally. The country has approved its first application to export unprocessed rare earths under a revised regulatory framework, with the shipment authorised for research and development purposes. Malaysia’s Department of Mineral and Geoscience granted the approval, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, which confirmed the decision in response to a Bloomberg query. The ministry did not identify the applicant or disclose further details. The approval follows new guidelines issued earlier in...
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Global carmakers are in a race to secure vital rare earth minerals before new Chinese export restrictions take effect in November. According to industry veterans, restrictions on exports by the Chinese Government will cause a massive shortage of key mineral products, which will further impact the production timeline. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Rare Earths: Powerhouse for modern cars Rare earth minerals are used in the manufacturing of various crucial car components, including motors, oil pumps, mirrors, and braking sensors. In electric cars, they are even more critical, as they power the systems that make EVs efficient and quiet. Analysts estimate it controls around 70 per cent of global mining, 85 per cent of refining...
At the Aluminum Association’s annual meeting in Washington this September, the topic that dominated was not tariffs, not trade, but energy. As the US government doubles down on its Made in America agenda, aiming to restore domestic aluminium production, executives warned that the dream of a primary aluminium revival may ultimately hinge on one factor alone: affordable electricity. Aluminium has always been an energy story disguised as a metal story. It takes immense electricity to turn alumina into molten aluminium — roughly 11 terawatt-hours (TWh) per smelter every year, enough to power a city like Boston or Nashville. “When you think about the energy intensity that is required for an aluminium smelter, you’re talking about basically powering a city,” Kelly Thomas, Aluminum Association...
Africa is blessed with sunshine. In fact, the African Development Bank notes that the continent has “almost unlimited” solar potential, roughly 10,000 gigawatts (10 terawatts) of capacity. This equates to more than 50 times the world’s current power needs. Yet ironies abound. Some 600 million Africans (about 43 per cent of the population) still lack reliable electricity, and roughly 80 per cent of all the people on earth without power live in sub-Saharan Africa. Here lies both a challenge and an opportunity: Africa’s abundant sunshine could be the key to closing its energy gap – and in doing so, transforming industries like aluminium that desperately need clean, affordable power. Image for referential purposes only (source: https://unsdg.un.org/) Also read: Reliance Industries’ mega solar...
Australia’s South32 is currently in talks with the Mozambican government about the future of Mozal, which is the largest aluminium smelter and a key industrial employer in the country. Even with these discussions underway, the company is preparing for a potential halt in operations starting in March, 2026. Recent development South32 has announced that it’s actively working with the Mozambican government, the Cahora Bassa Hydroelectric Plant (HCB) and South Africa’s Eskom, which buys electricity from HCB and supplies it to Mozal, to ensure that Mozal, the second-largest aluminium smelter in Africa, has enough affordable power. This facility, located just outside of Maputo, employs around 5,000 workers. South32, in its quarterly report released on Tuesday, October 21, noted that despite...
Mukesh Ambani-owned Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is all set to start solar power generation in the first half of FY 2026 at its Kutch facility hub. This is indeed a great move towards realising India’s clean energy ambitions. The upcoming renewable energy facility in Kutch, Gujarat, spanning over 5,000 acres, is going to be among India’s largest renewable hubs. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain This initiative is the realistic version of Ambani’s much-awaited vision to transform RIL from its petroleum-based legacy to a leader in sustainable energy innovation. For this, he has had pledged an investment of USD 10 billion. The project forms part of the larger Dhirubhai Ambani Green Energy Giga Complex in Jamnagar, designed to be...
A Midlands company, Bridgnorth Aluminium Limited, has been fined GBP 300,000 (USD 401,451) after a worker sustained serious injuries when a 1.5-tonne hydraulic arm malfunctioned at its Bridgnorth site. The incident took place on 10 May 2023, when the employee was undertaking preparatory activities for the casting of aluminium blocks from molten aluminium. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The worker, in his early 40s, was kneeling inside a casting mould, inserting ceramic string around the edges while wearing heat-resistant clothing. The hydraulic arm failed above him, with its exterior temperature reportedly around 100°C, causing severe crush injuries. As per reports, the worker was trapped for three minutes before the mould...
ABx Group has secured another crucial Research and Development (R&D) tax offset of AUD 300,000 (USD 479,847) from the Australian Taxation Office for the R&D work carried out during FY 2024. The refund will be invested to strengthen ABx’s ongoing efforts for further exploration and processing technologies for rare earth materials. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The R&D activities covered by the rebate include exploration, drilling, and processing work centred on ionic adsorption clay rare earth deposits, with particular emphasis on ABx’s fully owned Deep Leads Rare Earths Project in northern Tasmania. The project remains a cornerstone of the company’s strategy to expand Australia’s domestic supply of rare earth elements,...
Norðurál Grundartangi ehf, a wholly owned subsidiary of Century Aluminum Company, has temporarily paused operations on one of its two potlines due to an electrical equipment failure at its aluminium smelter in Grundartangi, Iceland. The company has assured that there were no injuries from the incident and they are currently working to evaluate the impact of the disruption and get production back on track. The company has announced that it is currently evaluating the situation and plans to provide more information during its quarterly earnings call on November 6. It is anticipated by the firm that insurance will help cover the losses from this incident. Additionally, it will be working closely with both customers and suppliers to reduce any disruptions to their business. As a top global...
Alucast, a Black Country-based aluminium casting foundry, has invested £1 million (USD 1.22 million) in new machinery and research and development. This move aims to bolster its position in the rail, aerospace and defence sectors. The company employs over 100 staff at its Wednesbury facility. The investment focuses on low-pressure die casting and the development of a new lightweight alloy. The goal is to meet increasing demand for high-strength, low-weight components. A significant addition is the HDTD low-pressure die casting machine, which enhances production efficiency. This technology enables faster production of larger parts. Alucast has also developed ALU-HP1, a new alloy that is one-third the weight of SG Iron 420:10. Despite its reduced mass, ALU-HP1 meets critical performance...
India’s bauxite trade rode a wave of highs and lows through the first half of 2025. Global demand shifts, changing tariffs, and mining hurdles at home kept exports swinging sharply from one month to the next. Even with the volatility, India’s performance between January and June (H1 2025) was far stronger than a year earlier. Export earnings rose 143 per cent to USD 12.81 million, compared with USD 5.27 million in H1 2024, while shipments increased 80 per cent to 385,641 tonnes from 214,575 tonnes. Month on month data The year began steadily before turbulence set in. In January 2025, exports grew 88 per cent in value to USD 2.08 million, though volumes dipped slightly to 53,001 tonnes. February brought a clear rebound — earnings jumped 255 per cent to USD 1.21 million, with shipments up...
Nearly five years since the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced the US automakers to stop production, and now factories are hitting the same brakes once more. A shortage of domestic aluminium, restrictions on semiconductor exports and increasing tariffs are causing delays for key models, like Jeep SUVs and Ford’s high-end vehicles. Additionally, supply chain issues and geopolitical tensions are slowing down America’s auto industry, leaving us to wonder how long production can keep moving forward. Reasons troubling the US automotive industry The US automotive industry is facing a major setback due to a fire at Novelis, a leading aluminium supplier. This incident occurred last month at its facility in Oswego, New York and it is particularly concerning because Novelis provides a significant...
Aluminium prices edged higher on the London Metal Exchange (LME) on October 21, supported by tighter stock levels and steady demand trends. The LME aluminium cash bid stood at USD 2,780 per tonne, up 0.32 per cent from the previous day’s USD 2,771, while the cash offer increased 0.29 per cent to USD 2,781 per tonne. The three-month contract also gained ground, with the bid rising 0.61 per cent to USD 2,782 per tonne and the offer up 0.61 per cent to USD 2,783 per tonne. Further out, the December 26 contract advanced the most, with the bid up 0.82 per cent to USD 2,815 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,820 per tonne, also up 0.82 per cent from October 20. The LME 3-month Asian Reference Price was reported at USD 2,781 per tonne. On the inventory front, LME aluminium opening stocks declined...
With a resurgence of demand for metals in the global markets, both precious and industrial metals are drawing investment. While gold has approached record highs near USD 2,700 per ounce, silver has edged close to an all-time high, and platinum prices have surged by 80 per cent so far this year. This renewed growth surrounding metals suggests a broader shift in investor sentiment towards commodities, since inflationary pressures and industrial demand remain strong. Aluminium steps out of copper’s shadow So far, copper has a dominating market due to its key role in electrification and renewable energy infrastructure. Simultaneously, aluminium has been a second priority but praised for its lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and highly recyclable nature. Although bauxite, the ore from which...
Ferrari writes a bold new chapter as it prepares to unveil its first fully electric car. The upcoming model is not just a significant shift for the legendary Italian marque but also a defining moment that preserves its heritage while aligning with the idea of futuristic performance. The new model will reportedly be named Ferrari Elettrica, which is likely to debut in 2026. As per the makers, the Ferrari Elettrica will certainly deliver electrifying performance while staying true to the brand’s unmistakable DNA. Classic Ferrari line powered by futuristic technology As mentioned earlier, Elettrica reflects Ferrari's design line by retaining the sleek, timeless proportions of a two-door coupé. There will be no combustion engine in this new line of supercars, which is a historic leap for the...
Arafura Resources and Alcoa Corporation are going to emerge as the first organisations to benefit from a new partnership between the US and Australia. Jointly driven by both governments, the partnership aims to boost investment in projects across Western Australia and the Northern Territory that focus on essential raw materials. After the disclosure of the deal, Arafura Resources’ shares jumped by 18.5 per cent, while Alcoa’s stock saw a mild fall of around 1.3 per cent. The Australian government has committed several hundred million dollars to support key ventures under a wider AUD 13 billion (USD 8.4 billion) strategy to grow the country’s critical minerals capacity. The funding is intended to secure supply lines, build local processing facilities, and cut dependence on imported...
KTM has recently launched a new sports bike in the market named KTM 990 RC R in the sports segment of the bike within the EU and US markets. The frame of the bike is made up of a die-cast aluminium sub-frame along with a powder-coated steel trellis frame to support the main frame. The sub-frame is made of aluminium as it is lightweight and strong, which helps to reduce the overall weight of the bike, enhancing its overall performance. Many KTM models (like the Duke and RC series) use cast or forged aluminium swingarms, which help to connect the rear wheel to the frame of the bike. The aluminium makes it lightweight and Corrosion-resistant, which helps to keep the structure safe even at high speeds. Also Read: Proposed acquisition of Telwater by Yamaha raises competition concerns in the...
Winning International Group is a prime example of how a Singapore-based company can take advantage of the city-state’s strategic benefits to grow its operations far beyond Southeast Asia. Its Simandou mine, nestled in Guinea’s mountainous region, is poised to make a notable impact on the global iron-ore market. Why choose Simandou mine? The Simandou iron ore project in Guinea is set to make a big splash with around 1.5 billion tonnes of high-grade ore in its reserves, this project aims to ramp up to an impressive annual production capacity of 60 million tonnes within the next 30 months. To support this, there’s a plan to build over 600 kilometers of rail and port facilities, making it easier to transport the ore to global markets. The sheer size and infrastructure of this project are...
China’s economic rise across Latin America and the Caribbean has quietly redrawn the map of global influence. What began as scattered infrastructure projects has evolved into a network of ports, energy facilities, and data hubs that increasingly serve Beijing’s strategic interests. For years, Washington paid little attention. Successive administrations focused elsewhere, assuming geography and history would secure US dominance in the hemisphere. That assumption no longer holds. The Trump–Rubio (United States Secretary of State) administration countering China’s growing presence in the Americas has become a core foreign policy priority, closely linked to national security, trade competitiveness, and the protection of vital supply chains. Washington’s new doctrine: Hemispheric resilience...
