The US aluminum industry is placing renewed emphasis on workforce safety, domestic production, and material recovery, with the Aluminum Association’s sold-out Casthouse Safety Workshop in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlighting the importance of safe molten aluminum handling. The program trained more than 120 industry workers and has been running for over 30 years, with the Association describing it as a global benchmark for casthouse operators and supervisors. The workshop comes as the industry continues to focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and supply chains. Alongside workforce training, the Aluminum Association has called for bipartisan permitting reform to accelerate investment in US aluminum production, arguing that faster approvals could help unlock the...
Ball Corporation has appointed two senior executives to lead its beverage packaging businesses across North and Central America and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), bringing experience in commercial growth, regional management and global operations to the roles. Carey Causey, currently Ball’s senior vice president and chief growth officer, has been appointed senior vice president and president of Beverage Packaging North and Central America, effective immediately. She succeeds Kathleen Pitre. Scott Vail, Ball’s senior vice president and chief supply chain and operations officer, will take over as senior vice president and president of Beverage Packaging EMEA, succeeding Mandy Glew, who will retire in January 2027. Ball said the departures were not related to any disagreement...
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India’s automobile sector is on alert as supplies of rare earth magnets from China remain suspended, two weeks after Beijing promised to ease export restrictions. Despite high-level talks between the two countries, automakers and component suppliers say little has changed on the ground, and concerns are mounting that production could be disrupted during the upcoming festive season, when demand typically spikes. Why Beijing tightened the screws? The trouble dates back to April 2025, when China’s Ministry of Commerce issued Announcement No. 18. The directive imposed new licensing rules and export controls on seven key rare earth elements, including dysprosium, terbium, and samarium. These materials are indispensable for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, defence hardware, aerospace...
Alcoa presented at Morgan Stanley’s 13th Annual Laguna Conference, with EVP & CFO Molly Beerman highlighting financials, strategic initiatives, and market trends. Alumina prices remain stable at USD 360–370/t, aluminium demand is strong in Europe and steady in North America, and Q3 shipments are slightly lower but full-year guidance is unchanged. Alcoa is advancing smelter restarts, Western Australia mine projects, and maintaining a strong balance sheet, positioning the company to navigate market and regulatory challenges globally. Update focus: Alumina market Alumina prices eased from late-2024 highs due to supply issues, with China cutting 7–10 million tonnes of annual capacity in Q2, keeping prices steady at USD 360–370 per tonne. The market is expected to remain in surplus through...
The United States’ sharp 50 per cent tariff on aluminium and steel imports seem to have spared no end-user sector, not even farm equipment manufacturers. Reports indicate that the punitive duty has driven up production costs and disrupted supply chain stability, leaving equipment makers grappling with uncertainty. The situation is especially concerning as farmers head into the crucial harvest season, where reliable access to machinery is vital. Although steel is a major constituent, the tariffs also jack up the price of high-strength aluminium, used more and more in newer farm equipment for parts such as engine blocks, wheels, and structural elements to save weight and improve fuel consumption. The tariffs directly influence the US Midwest Premium, the principal physical aluminium price...
TRUNNANO, a China-based chemical materials firm, has announced a big step forward in producing high-purity spherical aluminium nitride (AlN) powder. The company stated that the new material overcomes long-standing technical challenges. This includes challenges with sphericity, purity, and particle distribution. The powder is made with 99.5 per cent purity and very low oxygen content, and so it offers potential for high thermal conductivity and consistent performance in real-world applications. Spherical AlN is important for thermal interface materials in EVs, where unwanted heat must be managed effectively. It is also important for high-performance ceramic substrates for power electronics and for additive manufacturing of complex heat-resistant components. Traditional AlN production often...
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a European Union (EU) regulation which is designed to put a price on carbon emissions in certain imported goods to subdue emissions, mirroring the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), will launch the definitive phase on January 1, 2026. With the launch, CBAM shall expand the market, especially between the domestic producers who are already subject to the EU's ETS, along with the international producers who are not under this. Hydro states certain loopholes to be looked at before CBAM comes into force. CBAM: Why take the plunge? CBAM aims to implement a carbon price on the emission of industrial products like aluminium, iron, cement, steel and fertilisers penetrating the EU. All importers of these products are deemed to undertake the CBAM...
Nothing has always been about making the ordinary feel extraordinary—and its latest teaser proves just that. The upcoming Ear (3) is not just another set of wireless earbuds, but a statement piece that blends transparent minimalism with a sleek new aluminium finish . With an official reveal set for September 18, 2025, fans are already buzzing about what’s to come. Bye-bye plastic At first glance, the Ear (3) stays true to the transparent aesthetic that has become Nothing’s hallmark. The earbuds themselves closely resemble their Ear (2) predecessors, but the charging case has undergone a dramatic evolution. Out goes the all-plastic build of earlier generations, making way for recycled anodised aluminium . According to Nothing, this switch not only enhances durability but also delivers a...
Australia’s South32 has reported a 75 per cent rise in annual profit, lifted by strong alumina operations and higher prices across its portfolio, though the result fell short of analyst forecasts. For the year ended June 30, underlying earnings came in at USD 666 million, up from USD380 million a year earlier but just a bit less from USD697.7 million that was expected by Visible Alpha. Shares slipped 2.1 per cent to AUD 2.85 in early trade, even as the broader index was little changed. Alumina was the standout performer, benefitting from a near 45 per cent surge in prices. That alone boosted divisional operating earnings by USD 714 million to USD 1.08 billion. The aluminium unit also enjoyed stronger prices, supported by supply tightness and higher costs across the sector. Copper and...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price has shown huge growth on Thursday, September 11. As per the data, both cash bid price and official settlement price surged by USD 32.5 per tonne or 1.23 per cent to settle at USD 2,655.5 per tonne and USD 2,656 per tonne. On the same day, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also gained USD 29.5 per tonne 1.12 per cent and USD 28 per tonne or 1.06 per cent to halt at USD 2,649.5 per tonne and USD 2,650 per tonne. Explore our B2B market at - AL Biz December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price moved up by USD 12 per tonne to clock at USD 2,677 per tonne and USD 2,682 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price shot up by USD 48.5 per tonne or 1.84 per cent to peg at USD 2,673.5 per tonne. On the other hand, LME aluminium...
The Belgian printing consumables manufacturer Eco3 (ex-Agfa) has studied the overall environmental impact of the offset plate at the request of its printing customers. This particular study has been carried out by an independent German organisation, Telusio, which mainly focused on analysing the whole life cycle of the offset plates from the raw material to their final delivery. According to the study carried out by German organisation Telusio, "Our carbon footprint calculation uses an activity-based approach, which captures greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product lifecycle from birth to customer, eco3 details. This includes all relevant stages from raw material extraction, manufacturing, to product delivery." The analysis showed that almost 75 per cent of the entire offset...
Sun Chemical and X-Rite Incorporated have joined forces to expand the PantoneLIVE™ digital colour ecosystem, bringing innovation to aluminium can packaging . The expansion plan is focused on incorporating exclusive colour libraries that will facilitate precise visualisation and reproduction of Pantone and brand colours on two-piece aluminium cans. Image for representational purposes only Also read: Toyota to shut down one of its two EV production plants in US amidst rising tariffs They are using metal deco inks with a matte finish to enhance colour predictability and consistency. It will help brands using aluminium cans preserve their visual identity across various substrates and finishes. Accommodating growing demand for non-gloss finish The new packaging is available through the Print...
Aluminium foil (HSN 7607), which comes under the broader segment of aluminium flat and rolled products, acts as an obstacle and prevents air leakage and insulates ducts, preventing consistent temperatures and minimising energy loss. It is also commonly used to wrap air conditioning coils, improving their thermal efficiency and extending their operational lifespan. Source: Chalco According to global market trends, the development of air conditioner heat exchangers is progressing toward ultra-thin profiles and higher strength. While the sheet thickness in the 1980s ranged between 0.15–0.2 mm, modern designs have reduced this to just 0.09–0.15 mm. However, to reinforce durability, minimise energy consumption, improve airflow, and optimise cooling performance, a variety of functional coatings...
Vedanta is pressing ahead with plans to establish a new 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) aluminium smelter in Dhenkanal, Odisha, a senior company official confirmed. The projects, once completed, will effectively double the company's existing aluminium capacity. Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta's Aluminium business, said the company is currently in the process of securing land for the proposed "mega aluminium plant." Vedanta currently operates with an aluminium capacity of 3 MTPA, and the new project is set to raise its total capacity to 6 MTPA . Unlock in-depth aluminium insights from – AL Circle reports section "We are moving towards setting up a new mega aluminium plant at Dhenkanal, Odisha, with a capacity of three million tonnes. We want to go to six million tonnes, for which we are...
Arrow Minerals, the West Africa-focused bauxite explorer, has announced that it's putting a hold on operations at its Niagara bauxite project in Guinea. The reason is the ongoing dispute about whether its mining permits are valid. The Australian miner reported this in its September 8 half-year update. The Guinean military-led government annulled 129 mineral exploration licenses to reclaim inactive permits and transfer rights to more active investors. The licenses were cancelled without prior discussion to tighten government control over resources. The move may shut down idle projects, cause losses for inactive license holders, and shift the regional mining investment landscape, creating opportunities for operators that actively engage and meet local development expectations. First EGA,...
The aluminium industry has spent years wrestling with geopolitical turbulence, energy volatility, and erratic trade regimes. In the same breath, it has leaned on technology and artificial intelligence to squeeze out efficiencies and carve a path toward a greener future. But the same digital tools that promised opportunity are now breeding a new, more insidious risk: deepfakes. Synthetic media — doctored video, cloned voices, AI-fabricated documents — may not move molten metal, but they can sway markets, fracture trust, and throw supply chains off balance. For a sector as global and strategically critical as aluminium, the threat is far from abstract. Image for referential purposes only Also read: Indian brands to slash prices: Almost all AL-inclusive goods are cheaper with 'GST 2.0'...
The global aluminium plates, sheets, and strips trade has undergone a reshuffle in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024. While China still towers above everyone else in export value, but several traditional exporters have slipped, and a new entrant, Italy has made its way into the top ranks. The reshuffling reflects a mix of policy changes in Beijing, energy and raw material costs in Europe and the US, shifting demand patterns, and rising competition from newer players. China holds the crown China remains the world’s largest supplier. Exports in H1 2025 were valued at USD 5 billion, up slightly from USD 4.9 billion a year earlier. Yet the volume tells another story: shipments slipped from 1.6 million tonnes to 1.5 million tonnes. That decline is tied directly to...
Constellium (CSTM) announced that it has extended its long-term partnership with Embraer, strengthening its role as a key provider of advanced aluminium solutions for the aerospace sector. The move underscores the company’s ongoing collaboration with leading industry players. Over the past month, Constellium’s share price has risen 1.85 per cent, closely mirroring broader market momentum as the S&P 500 reached record highs. The announcement likely added to the positive sentiment, highlighting investor confidence in companies with strategic aerospace partnerships during a period of favourable market performance. Also Read: Aluminium Flat Rolled Products: Insights & Forecast to 2030 A partnership that will bring positive changes Constellium’s renewed partnership with Embraer strengthens its...
The German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles, BMW has officially taken the wraps off its much-anticipated 2026 BMW iX3 “Neue Klasse” all-electric SUV, delivering a blend of strong performance and a 20 per cent boost in driving range. And this time, the company has doubled down on renewable energy and recycled materials like aluminium to make the all-new iX3 not only faster but also cleaner than any BEV it has built before. The automotive aluminium market is on the fast track to growth. Valued at USD 97.86 billion in 2024, AL Circle projects it will almost double to USD 205.24 billion by 2032, accelerating at a strong CAGR of 9.7 per cent from 2025 onward. What’s fuelling this rise? Automakers worldwide are racing to integrate lightweight, durable, and endlessly recyclable...
Novelis, the world leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, has made a move to enhance its aluminium recycling capabilities. It has commissioned a new, state-of-the-art shredding and sorting system from WENDT CORPORATION. The system will be installed at its Guthrie, Kentucky, recycling facility. Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/ Also read: Toyota to shut down one of its two EV production plants in US amidst rising tariffs The high-capacity system is a cornerstone of the Guthrie plant, designed to process a wide variety of aluminium scrap with exceptional efficiency and purity, directly supporting Novelis’ goal of increasing the recycled content in its high-value products. An upgrade for improved efficiency The turnkey system, engineered and installed by WENDT, features the...
