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 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...
Semi-fabricated aluminium products (plates, sheets, and bars), recorded a slowdown in imports into the United States during the first half of 2025. According to the latest data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the decline reflected subdued demand from downstream industries and the sharp rise in tariffs that raised import costs. Semi-fabricated aluminium imports fell 617,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025, down 2.2 per cent from 631,000 tonnes a year earlier. Monthly inflows reflected mixed trends. In January, imports jumped to 125,000 tonnes from 98,400 tonnes a year earlier, an increase of 27 per cent. February shipments rose 3.4 per cent year-on-year to 101,000 tonnes from 97,700 tonnes. March also posted growth of 3 per cent, with imports rising to 98,600 tonnes from...
In today’s world, where sustainability and energy efficiency are more critical than ever, industries are finding innovative ways to meet both environmental and financial goals. A perfect example of this is Crown BevCan España. The Spanish can manufacturer has not only tackled energy consumption but has also demonstrated how a smart retrofit of existing systems can lead to impressive sustainability outcomes. This article dives into how heat recovery technology transformed operations at their Sevilla plant, bringing remarkable energy savings, financial gains, and environmental benefits. Crown BevCan España, a leader in beverage can production, initially set out to meet its energy efficiency goals with a standard energy-saving setup. In 2020, they installed three Pneumofore UV50 VS90 vacuum...
Echoing the last year’s trend, the world metallurgical-grade alumina production in August 2025 recorded a month-on-month rise, touching an all-time high. Notably, the output neared 12.5 million tonnes, with daily average production above 400,000 tonnes. The monthly production stood above 12 million tonnes earlier in July, March, and January of this year, but daily output above 400K occurred for the first time ever. However, it is to be noted that although the production in August followed last year’s M-o-M growth trend, the rate of expansion was marginally below the 1.54 per cent achieved in August 2024. According to the data shown by the International Aluminium Institute, the world alumina production in August 2025 stood at 12.495 million tonnes, led by daily average output of 403,100...
The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) bench in Ahmedabad recently dismissed an appeal concerning the applicable customs duty on imported aluminium foils. The case centred on the date that determines the duty liability and whether the increase in duty rate, from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent, should apply based on the vessel's earlier arrival or the actual date of unloading at the port. Background of the case The appellant, Jil Pack, based in Ahmedabad, had imported aluminium foils from China. The goods were shipped on a vessel carrying cargo for two different importers, one in Thane and the other, Jil Pack. The vessel first arrived at Bombay Port on 27 February 2016 , where the goods destined for the Thane importer were offloaded. However, Jil Pack's consignment was...
On Thursday, October 2, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added USD 16.5 per tonne or 0.61 per cent to halt at USD 2,699.5 per tonne and USD 2,700 per tonne. As per the data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price gained USD 17 per tonne or 0.63 per cent and USD 16.5 per tonne or 0.61 per cent to settle at USD 2,704.5 per tonne and USD 2,705 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December offer price went up by USD 12 per tonne or 0.43 per cent to clock at USD 2,740 per tonne and USD 2,745 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price inched up by USD 4 per tonne or 0.14 per cent to halt at USD 2,692.50 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock lost 5000 tonnes to come in at 508,425 tonnes. Live warrants remained unchanged at 412,675...
Drip Water has given a second life to more than 80,000 empty aluminium bottles from the defunct Almighty Water brand, cutting waste while meeting commitments to retail partners. When its regular can supplier fell short, Drip purchased the pre-branded bottles from Leicestershire-based Drinks Chef, then filled them and worked with Prism eLogistics to re-sleeve them in its own branding. The refreshed SKU rolled out in July across WH Smith Travel, Holland & Barrett, and Morrisons Daily. Peel off the sleeve on Drip’s aluminium bottles and the original Almighty Water branding is revealed underneath. Allaying any concern about the origin of the product inside the bottles, the Drip spokesman said,“At Drip, we pride ourselves on the promises we make to our customers and retailers, and would...
Beside Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania, ABX Group is building a pilot plant that converts smelter waste into hydrogen fluoride (HF) for aluminium fluoride (AlF₃), opening a new pathway into rare earths. Managing Director of ABX Group, Mark Cooksey outlines how the project turns a costly liability into a high-value, multi-market opportunity. Rather than starting from scratch, ABX has leased and repurposed an existing Rio Tinto facility adjacent to the Bell Bay smelter. The first months were spent stripping out legacy equipment and completing safety-critical civil works so that the pilot plant can be installed cleanly. Cooksey stresses that the execution is tracking to plan – “In fact, some of the minor equipment has already been manufactured, is ready to be shipped to...
For years, zamak and glass have been the workhorses of luxury packaging, prized for their shine and heft but dogged by questions of weight and sustainability. TNT Group, a French player with a growing reputation in high-end metal components, believes it has found a way to break that deadlock. Its new patent-pending process, anodised injected aluminium, takes the design freedom usually associated with die-cast alloys and marries it with the circular credentials of aluminium. The result, TNT says, is a part that looks and feels like zamak but is lighter, easier to shape, and fully recyclable in standard waste streams. For beauty brands under pressure to prove their green commitments, that combination could be a game-changer. The company has already built a track record with cold-compressed...
A single government decree has crystallised a conflict at the heart of modern extractive politics: how far can a resource state push for value-addition and control before it destroys the investment bedrock it claims to need? The answer (for now) may hinge on an arbitration filing lodged in New York that demands USD 1 billion in damages after Guinea revoked the mining licence of Axis Minerals, one of the country’s largest private bauxite operators. Image for referential purpose only Also read- Odisha's AL renaissance: Angul Aluminium Park sets the stage for a global manufacturing hub A purge was announced on television On 14 May 2025, Guinea’s transitional authorities moved to “clean up” the national mining cadastre. The action, deemed public, swift and sweeping, saw the cancellation or...
Hydro's R100 exhibition, which has already made waves in Milan and Copenhagen, is gearing up to make a grand return to its roots during Dutch Design Week 2025. This exciting showcase will take place at Kazerne Home of Design, located at Paradijslaan 2-8 in Eindhoven, from October 18 to 26. The initiative kicked off in November 2024, aiming to gather 52 tonnes of locally sourced aluminium scrap from demolished greenhouses and retired light poles throughout the Netherlands. This post-consumer aluminium was transformed into five unique design pieces, demonstrating the concept of urban mining in action. All the production happened within a 100-kilometre radius in the Benelux region, showcasing Hydro's commitment to reducing emissions in both manufacturing and transportation. The exhibition...
Aluminium prices have climbed steadily through 2025, tightening the pulse of global markets. From April onwards, momentum built, with benchmark prices reaching USD 2737 per tonne by September, catching even seasoned analysts by surprise. The rally has been driven by constrained supply, fragile geopolitical trade flows, and persistent energy cost pressures that have taken capacity offline in multiple regions. Against this backdrop, Maybank Investment Bank Research has raised its outlook on Malaysia’s Press Metal Aluminium Holdings, suggesting the company is well-positioned to capture upside despite volatility. Image for representational purpose only Also read: Alba Receives RoSPA President’s Award at Safety Summit 2025 The bullish view is not without caveats. Press Metal earns...
Queensland's energy landscape is on the brink of a significant shift, as mining giant Rio Tinto reveals its plans to potentially retire the Gladstone Power Station ahead of schedule, aiming for March 2029, six years earlier than initially planned. This coal-fired power plant, which has been operational since 1976, has played a crucial role in supplying energy to the region, boasting a generation capacity of up to 1,680 megawatts across its six turbines. On October 1, 2025, CS Energy officially notified the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) about the possible closure. This formal notice gives the market the necessary 3.5-year lead time as outlined in the National Electricity Rules. Why exit early? The recent move is in line with the expiring supply contracts with Boyne Smelters Ltd,...
SIMPEC has landed a hefty USD 115 million contract, highlighting its rising prominence in Australia's mining services industry. This industrial services deal with Alcoa is designed to boost operational performance at the Pinjarra Alumina Refinery by introducing cutting-edge residue management technology. The goal of this initiative is to enhance environmental outcomes while maximising processing efficiency at one of Western Australia's vital industrial sites. With a value of about USD 115 million and officially signed on September 29, 2025, the initiative is already in the mobilisation phase, aiming for completion in the first quarter of 2027. This project focuses on implementing Residue Filtration Stage Two, which is a key upgrade for Alcoa's operations. Work is already in progress to...
Aluminium Products Company (ALUPCO), a key player in aluminium extrusion in Saudi Arabia, has partnered with Asia Aluminum Group (AAG), a top aluminium extrusion manufacturer based in Hong Kong with operations in Mainland China. This collaboration is set to create the largest integrated downstream aluminium industrial hub in Saudi Arabia. The partnership signed in Hong Kong is set to launch three joint ventures, bringing together AAG affiliates AluHouse and MacMetal. With a hefty investment of up to USD 500 million, this collaboration aims to develop Saudi Arabia's largest integrated downstream aluminium industrial hub, focusing on aluminium extrusion, modular housing and the production of solar panel frames. The agreement was officially signed by Khaled Abdel-Moneim, the CEO of ALUPCO,...
If your company is in the business of supplying materials for smartphone housings, heatsinks, or structural alloys, you'll want to pay attention. Samsung is set to move away from titanium and embrace aluminium for the upcoming Galaxy S26 Ultra. As reported by Fudzilla, this shift is largely due to the high costs associated with titanium and the better thermal conductivity that aluminium offers. It's a strategic decision aimed at protecting both profit margins and performance. Apple's recent choice to switch back to aluminium for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, primarily due to rising costs of titanium alloys and the impact of Trump's tariffs, is shaking things up in the industry. Now, Samsung is reportedly looking to follow suit with a similar material approach for its upcoming...
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices inched up on October 1 compared to the previous day. Both the cash bid and offer price rose by USD 15 per tonne or 0.6 per cent and settled at USD 2,683 per tonne and USD 2,683.5 per tonne, respectively. A similar trend was followed in the LME 3-month bid and offer price when it went up by USD 10.5 per tonne or 0.4 per cent to USD 2,687.5 per tonne and USD 2,688.5 per tonne. Further out, the December 26 contract also elevated, with the bid and offer price escalating by USD 8 per tonne or 0.2 per cent to USD 2,728 per tonne and USD 2,733 per tonne. Also read: The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032 The LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price inched up by USD 8 per tonne or 0.2 per cent and is currently at USD 2,688.5...
Ball Corporation, a top player in the global aluminium packaging scene, has teamed up with Brazilian brands Soffie and Aeroflex to roll out the world's very first aluminium aerosol cans that have received certification from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The ASI certification ensures that the aluminium used meets strict environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards throughout the entire value chain, from extraction all the way to the final product. A packaging with an ASI seal provides a clear sign that the products are made with responsibly sourced materials. Ball framed the launch as something beyond just a typical product rollout by positioning it as a meaningful initiative aimed at making sustainability easier for retail customers. The goal is to provide certified...
