Russia’s aluminium market could face a new competitive dynamic after Sual Partners signed a production-sharing agreement with state-controlled hydropower group RusHydro, potentially giving Sual access to up to 150,000 tonnes of aluminium from the Boguchany smelter in Siberia. The arrangement could challenge Rusal’s near 20-year dominance of Russia’s primary aluminium market, allowing Sual to target both domestic and overseas customers with the metal. The agreement, announced on October 15 during Russian Energy Week, provides for a production-sharing mechanism at the Boguchansky aluminium plant, which is co-owned by RusHydro. The arrangement could give Sual access to as much as a 50 per cent share of the smelter’s output, putting it in a position to compete directly with Rusal, its...
The Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) has called for closer UK-EU relations, warning that proposed European industrial policies could affect British manufacturers supplying the aluminium, steel and automotive industries. Stephen Morley, CBM President and Chair of the Euroforge Automotive Sector, made the call at the organisation's autumn meeting in Munich. He said stronger cooperation between the UK and EU was important for protecting manufacturing jobs, investment and cross-border supply chains. He stated, “ We need to protect British industry, but we also need to recognise that the UK and European automotive sectors are deeply connected. What damages one part of the supply chain will inevitably affect the other. ” Join the fourth edition of webinar " Hedging for recyclers -...
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In September 2025, India issued over 3,628 MW of tenders for renewable energy as solar capacity additions exceeded 25 GW in the first eight months of 2025. The total renewable capacity reached 242.6 GW, and investments of USD 2,245 million were made, according to JMK Research & Analytics. Major tenders signal strong government intent The Deendayal Port Authority invited bids for a 1,000 MW solar project in Gujarat, while the government-owned public sector firm SJVN (formerly known as Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam) sought proposals for a 600 MW ISTS-connected wind project. On the EPC side, over 3,000 MW of new tenders were floated, led by Coal India Limited’s 3,000 MW solar plan across five states. These moves underline the Centre’s ambition to speed up renewable deployment and attract...
Vedanta Ltd has again pushed back the date for its ambitious demerger. It has moved the target deadline from September 2025 to March 31, 2026, as it awaits approval from the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and completion of related restructuring formalities. Image source: Vedanta Aluminium The crown jewel of the conglomerate Vedanta’s aluminium assets have long been seen as the crown jewel of its diverse portfolio. Under the original demerger blueprint, the company planned to spin off Vedanta Aluminium as a separate pure-play entity, bundling its bauxite mines, alumina refineries, smelters, and captive power capacity into this vertical. However, this is not the first delay in the plans it has experienced. In fact, in earlier versions of the plan, Vedanta envisaged up to six demerged...
All eyes are on the fourteenth round of EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, scheduled on Monday, October 6, in Brussel, as it promises to build stronger ties of trade and economy between India and the European Union. However, there are a few challenges that have been hindering the deal to reach its ultimate goal. This time, EU Ambassador Herve Delphin has, however, assured that the bloc is committed to delivering a mutually beneficial deal, noting that the EU-India trade partnership holds critical importance at a time when tariffs and market access barriers dominate global discourse. He has also pointed out that in this challenging situation, EU-India economic ties stand apart, with EU companies generating a total annual turnover of 86 million euros in India, which is...
Bridgnorth Aluminium has made a strong comeback in 2024, with its turnover soaring to nearly GBP 230 million (USD 287.5 million) and impressive performance improvements across the board. This Midlands-based company, the only fully integrated producer of flat-rolled aluminium coils in the UK, managed to boost its sales by 9% even in a challenging trading climate. The past year has been a turning point for Bridgnorth Aluminium. After facing some tough times in 2023, the company has bounced back thanks to smart operational changes and the hard work of its team. The firm boosted productivity, cut costs, built stronger relationships with customers and successfully rolled out new projects, all of which have played a key role in this impressive recovery. Some of the key highlights include...
Pakistan has sent its very first shipment of enriched rare earth elements and essential minerals to the United States, kicking off a USD 500 million partnership that was officially established just last month. The shipment that arrived at the US Strategic Metals (USSM) on Thursday is expected to influence the strategic partnership between Pakistan and the US significantly. Inking the deal In September, Pakistan's Frontier Works Organisation (FWO) teamed up with USSM from Missouri to ink a USD 500 million Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at establishing a poly-metallic refinery in Pakistan. The shipment & its content Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the recent shipment as a significant step towards creating secure and diverse supply chains that will benefit both...
Vedanta Ltd, under the leadership of Anil Agarwal, has revealed plans to invest INR 13,226 crore (USD 148 million) to boost its aluminium production capacity from the current 2.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 3.1 MTPA by FY28. This move underscores the company's dedication to solidifying its presence in India's aluminium industry. Focus: Vedanta’s current AL production expansion The company holds a commanding share of over 50 per cent in the domestic aluminium market. It is setting its sights on aluminium as the key player in achieving its ambitious group-level EBITDA target of USD 8 to 10 billion by FY28, as highlighted in a recent exchange filing. Aluminium, being the second most consumed metal globally after steel, is increasingly important in vital sectors like electric mobility,...
On Friday, October 3, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium cash bid price rose by USD 2.5 per tonne or 0.1 per cent, up from USD 2,699.5 per tonne to USD 2,702 per tonne. The LME aluminium official settlement price added USD 3 per tonne or 0.11 per cent to halt at USD 2,703 per tonne, up from USD 2,700 per tonne. The LME 3-month bid price gained by USD 1.5 per tonne or 0.06 per cent, halting at USD 2,703 per tonne. On the other hand, the 3-month offer price showed no change from the previous day and remained at USD 2,705 per tonne. Explore our B2B marketplace - AL Biz December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price went up by USD 3 per tonne or 0.11 per cent to clock at USD 2,743 per tonne and USD 2,748 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price inched up by USD 17 per...
Solarvest Holdings Bhd and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd will co-develop a 100MWac solar photovoltaic plant in Mukah, Sarawak, with an estimated investment of RM380 million. Mukah is a coastal town located in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, by the South China Sea. In separate Bursa Malaysia filings, the partners said their joint venture, Mukah Solar Powerplant Sdn Bhd (MSPSB), has signed a power purchase agreement with Syarikat Sesco Bhd to build and operate the facility, targeted to commence operations by November 30, 2027. “At the state level, the Mukah Solar PV Plant contributes to Sarawak state’s target of achieving 10 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity by 2030, a key goal under Sarawak’s Energy Transition Strategy (SET-P) and the Post-COVID-19...
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Washington next week for a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump. This marks Carney's second visit to the White House since taking office, and expectations are high for progress on long-standing issues, particularly steel and aluminium tariffs. The meeting, described as a "working visit," will take place on Tuesday, with Carney accompanied by key ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Industry Minister Melanie Joly, and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Get your hands on - American Aluminium Industry: The Path Forward The primary focus of the visit will be strengthening the economic and security relationship between Canada and the US, with both nations working to resolve trade disputes, especially...
Metro Mining has just hit a significant milestone at its Bauxite Hills Operations in Queensland, reporting record shipments of 2.3 million wet tonnes for the third quarter, bringing the year-to-date total to an impressive 4.1 million wet tonnes. In September 2025, Metro Mining reported that it shipped 779,000 wet tonnes from its Bauxite Hills Operations, representing a solid 3.5 per cent increase compared to the 753,101 wet tonnes shipped in August. The company achieved a remarkable daily shipment record of 38,952 wet tonnes. It has also set impressive three-day and seven-day averages of 33,498 and 31,395 wet tonnes, respectively. Additionally, the firm has recently scheduled a 36-hour shutdown of OFT Ikamba to enhance the materials handling chutes. However, the availability of dozers has...
After acquiring Polish aluminium recycler Alumetal S.A. two years ago, Hydro is now on the road to finishing the integration of Alumetal's operations in both Poland and Hungary. As part of a rebranding effort, the plants will now operate under Hydro's name, which will help the company solidify its position as a leader in the European foundry alloy market. The company's complete integration and rebranding of Alumetal marks a strategic move to tap into new commercial opportunities by presenting a unified market front, all while ensuring that its current operations continue smoothly. Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal, stated, "We are setting up a true one-stop shop for recycled and low-carbon foundry alloys that includes the full strength of Hydro's R&D...
Eural Gnutti, a manufacturer and seller of semi-finished aluminium products, has rolled out a new lead-free aluminium alloy specifically designed for the automotive industry, meeting the growing demands of stricter regulations. This development is in line with the changing standards in the automotive industry, which is increasingly focusing on lighter, safer and more sustainable options. Eural is taking a proactive approach to tackle regulatory and environmental challenges by developing alloys that comply with the updated End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive. This new regulation, which will come into effect by the end of 2027, significantly reduces the maximum allowable lead content in vehicle materials and components from 0.4 per cent down to just 0.1 per cent. The Council of the...
A new project in Nigeria is aiming to turn a major waste problem into a clean energy solution. DESPRAY Environmental, a Dutch specialist in aerosol recycling, has partnered with Lagos-based FREEE Recycle Limited to launch Food Fuel , an initiative that will convert discarded aerosol gases into safe and affordable cooking fuel. Image for representational purpose The agreement was signed at DESPRAY’s headquarters in the Netherlands, with CEO Eelco Osse and FREEE Recycle founder Ifedolapo Runsewe present alongside government representatives. The concept behind Food Fuel dates back to 2018, when DESPRAY Co-founder Mike MacKay began exploring ways to tackle the reliance on firewood, kerosene, and other polluting fuels widely used in African households. The first installation will be set up in...
The global aluminium trade is undergoing significant shifts, driven primarily by the impact of US tariffs on semi-fabricated aluminium products and key export markets. South Korea, a major player in the aluminium export sector, is feeling the brunt of these changes. With the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel, the country's exports to the US have been severely affected, particularly in sectors like automotive and non-ferrous metals. This economic strain has forced South Korea to seek strategic responses, including diversification of markets and tariff negotiations, to mitigate losses. On the other side of the globe, the United States is grappling with a slowdown in imports of semi-fabricated aluminium products, driven by the sharp rise in tariffs and weakening demand...
US tariffs have had a serious adverse impact on Korea as the country’s economy leans heavily on exports to the American market. The strain is already visible in the country’s trade performance, with export growth slowed to 3 per cent Y-o-Y, down from 5.8 per cent in July. Although that marked the third consecutive month of growth, it was the weakest in the streak, underlining the impact of Washington’s trade barriers. A new study by the CODIT Global Evidence-Based Policy Institute, “U.S. Imposes 50% Tariffs on Aluminum and Copper: Strategic Responses for Korea,” underscores the structural vulnerabilities of Korea’s non-ferrous metals industry, valued at KRW 57 trillion (USD 40.5 billion) and dominated by small and mid-sized companies. The study finds that aluminium and steel form the...
Elementary schools across the United States are turning empty aluminium beverage cans into both classroom resources and environmental lessons, as the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Recycling Society kick off the latest edition of the Million Cans Recycling Contest. Image for representational purpose More than 50 schools are participating in the 2026 competition, which runs through April 30. The programme challenges students to collect used beverage cans, with proceeds from local scrap sales going directly back to schools for programs, equipment, and infrastructure. In addition, top-performing schools will win prizes such as pizza and ice cream parties, plus year-end bonuses for the most cans recycled per student. “This nationwide contest pairs elementary schools with our US can...
Stadler has strengthened its American manufacturing footprint by opening a new aluminium welding hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, a move that aligns with Buy America requirements and reinforces local supply chains. Image source: Stadler The 50,000-square-foot facility, an expansion of the company’s existing US plant, enables Stadler to weld train car bodies directly in the United States for the first time. Until now, aluminium bodies were shipped from Europe for final assembly. By bringing this stage of production in-house, Stadler expects to reduce shipping delays and raise the proportion of domestically produced content in its trains to around 80 per cent. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall welcomed the development, describing it as “a shining example of what can happen when global...
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication, Jean Simard, the President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. As of October 2025, Jean Simard, President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, is the only individual from the aluminium industry publicly recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. “It was with great pride and humility that I was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal last January for my contribution to promoting Canadian aluminium and for my commitment to the arts, at the Fondation du Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec, and at the Petits Chanteurs du Mont- Royal (PCMR),” expressed Jean Simard. This esteemed honour highlights his...
