Vietnam-based custom motorcycle studio Bandit9 has unveiled the Bandit9 (RED) 800, a limited-edition Ducati-based motorcycle that combines sculptural aluminium bodywork with a charitable commitment to healthcare programmes. Its defining feature is a hand-painted finish that fades from deep Racing Red at the front into exposed, hand-brushed aluminium towards the rear, making the metal itself a central part of the design. Limited to just nine units worldwide, the motorcycle is priced at USD 49,900, with Bandit9 pledging a fixed USD 14,000 from each bike to (RED), the organisation that raises funds to fight AIDS and other preventable diseases. If all nine examples are sold, the commitment would total USD 126,000. Red paint gives way to sculpted aluminium The Bandit9 (RED) 800 builds on the...
COROS has introduced the DURA 2 SOLAR, a second-generation GPS cycling computer featuring an anodised aluminium alloy frame and a braided carbon fibre back. The new model combines aluminium construction with a larger touchscreen, updated navigation functions and extended battery life. The device features an aluminium upper frame with a profile measuring just 5.7 mm at its thinnest point. Its construction combines the metal with carbon fibre to keep the overall weight at 99 grams without a mount, increasing to 138 grams with a compatible mount. The use of aluminium is part of a broader redesign that gives the cycling computer a slimmer profile. COROS has also expanded the screen size from 2.7 inches in the original DURA to 3.5 inches in the new model, improving the available display area...
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National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) gained market interest by rising 2.07 per cent in the day’s trade to finish at INR 192 (USD 2.23) on July 22, 2025. This indicates NALCO's continuing positive trend, which had clocked a monthly gain of 4.23 per cent, outstripping the BSE Metal index at a gain of 3.94 per cent and the SENSEX, which declined by 0.59 per cent in the same time period. The BSE Metal index had also moved in a positive direction, increasing by 0.44 per cent to INR 31,599.08 (USD 366.29) today, with Vedanta Ltd up 1.1 per cent and Hindalco Industries Ltd up 0.96 per cent in a similar period as NALCO. So, while other indices in the metal sector also gained, NALCO was showing a stronger trend. Recent trading patterns show strong investor interest The current price movement is...
Amid an uncertain market trend across the globe, Norsk Hydro from Norway has managed to show resilience in its fiscal Q2 2025 performance, supported by firm aluminium and energy prices. The company reported a 33.41 per cent year-on-year increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching NOK 7,790 million from NOK 5,839 million. However, beneath these headline numbers lies a more nuanced narrative that reveals both strengths and vulnerabilities shaping Hydro’s strategic trajectory. Caution behind confidence While Hydro’s annual EBITDA growth is noteworthy, the sequential figures suggest growing headwinds. Adjusted EBITDA declined 18.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter from NOK 9,516 million. Revenue followed a similar trend, contracting by7 per cent from Q1, although it still rose 4.26 per cent Y-o-Y to NOK...
In a bold and decisive operation, the Selangor Customs Department, part of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD), has once again emerged as a formidable force against smuggling. With its latest high-stakes interception, the department has reinforced its reputation as a game-changer in the ongoing battle to curb illegal trade and protect Malaysia’s borders. The department has recently thwarted a major smuggling attempt involving 1,964 tonnes of scrap metal valued at RM9.17 million. A total of 83 containers were seized within the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ). The operation has been going on for over two months since May in coordination with the National Targeting Centre (NTC). According to Selangor Customs director Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi, out of the goods, most of them were...
Guinea’s bauxite exports saw yet another hike in Q2 2025, bringing the total export volume in H1 to 99.8 million tonnes, driven by strong Chinese demand that outweighed the impact of regulatory constraints. In comparison with H1 2024, the export volume recorded an annual hike of 36 per cent from 73.4 million tonnes. In Q1 2025, Guinea exported 48.6 million tonnes of bauxite, which rose 5.4 per cent Q-o-Q to 51.2 million tonnes in the second half of 2025. China's leading state-owned aluminium producer, CHALCO, exported approximately 8.9 million tonnes of bauxite from Guinea in the first half of 2025. Complementing this, CDM-CHINE, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and the Guinean government, shipped around 4.1 million tonnes and SPIC contributed 1.8 million tonnes. Also read: Guinea...
The future of Mozambique’s Mozal Aluminium Smelter is under a cloud, with South32 set to write down the value of its majority stake due to unresolved power supply issues. After six years of unsuccessful negotiations for a new electricity agreement, the company now faces growing doubts over the smelter’s long-term viability. Image credit: South32 The company said it will record an impairment charge in its 2025 financial results, citing rising uncertainty over the smelter’s operations beyond March 2026. Aluminium production is highly power-dependent, and without a new, affordable supply agreement in place, South32 is reassessing Mozal’s long-term value. South32 stated, “We have been working with the government of Mozambique, HCB, and Eskom for the last six years to secure electricity supply...
As the Trump administration pushes ahead with plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Japanese imports including vehicles, steel, and aluminium from August 1, Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are gearing up for impact. Image for representational purpose Tokyo-based Mitsuwa Electric, a 92-year-old precision parts maker led by Yuji Miyazaki, is one such firm. Despite the rising trade tensions, Miyazaki remains optimistic that his firm can weather the disruption. Miyazaki told AFP, “We are providing very specialised products for specialised industries, where it is difficult to change suppliers or supplying countries just because of boosted tariffs. I’m not worried too much, because if American companies can’t produce parts on their own, they have no choice but to import those...
Crown Holdings, Inc., a leading aluminium beverage can manufacturer, has been recognised by Forbes as the top packaging company on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. The recognition comes as part of Forbes’ third annual list of Net Zero Leaders, which evaluated 200 companies across various industries for emissions projections, risk management, financial strength, governance and organisational preparedness. Crown secured the 22nd spot overall, cementing its position as one of the top performers. Image credit: crowncork.com “Crown’s recognition as one of Forbes’ Net Zero Leaders for 2025 is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of our global team members who are driving consistent, notable progress toward our sustainability goals,” said Timothy Donahue, Chairman,...
As the United States deepens its bilateral trade ties with Indonesia and Vietnam, a lion’s share of European exports to these Southeast Asian economies faces a potential risk of trade dislodgment. According to a recent media analysis, around 10 per cent of the European Union’s total exports to these two nations are now under competitive threat due to newly signed preferential trade agreements between Washington and the two southeastern nations. Image for referential purposes only Scale of the potential disruption In 2023, the EU exported EUR 11.4 billion of goods to Vietnam (and imported EUR 47.7 billion), while trade with Indonesia stood at EUR 11.3 billion of export goods (and import of EUR 18.4 billion), as per Eurostat data. Based on a modelling assumption, if 10-12 per cent of that...
Aluminium gained ground on the LME between July 18 and July 21, with key contract prices rising over 2 per cent amid steady demand and marginal inventory increases. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed 2.22 per cent to USD 2,648.50 per tonne on July 21, compared to USD 2,591 per tonne on July 18. The cash offer price followed closely, rising from USD 2,591.50 per tonne to USD 2,649 per tonne. Prices for the 3-month contract strengthened as well. The bid increased by 1.89 per cent to USD 2,644 per tonne, while the offer rose 1.93 per cent to USD 2,646 per tonne, up from USD 2,595 per tonne and USD 2,596 per tonne respectively. Longer-dated contracts also saw gains. The December 26 bid price rose 1.44 per cent to USD 2,673 per tonne, while the offer moved up to USD 2,678 per tonne, from...
In response to India's earlier warning about imposing retaliatory tariffs if the US doubled duties on aluminium, steel, and automobile imports, Washington has pushed back. On July 17, 2025, the US told the World Trade Organization (WTO) that India has "no legal basis" to retaliate using safeguard measures. US dismisses India’s WTO appeal In a notification to the WTO’s Safeguards Committee, India previously conveyed its concerns that the US safeguard tariffs on steel and aluminium revised in February 2025 could impact USD 7.6 billion worth of Indian exports with duties totalling USD 3.82 billion. And tariffs on automobiles and parts could impact USD 2.89 billion worth of trade with duties of USD 723.75 million. However, the US responded strongly in a communication circulated at its...
AL Circle is delighted to announce its partnership with Lillian Group Marketing, LLC as a channel partner in North America. With over 30 years of expertise in integrated marketing communications, public relations, and strategic business development, Lillian Group will play a key role in strengthening AL Circle’s brand presence and sales footprint across the region. Image source: Wikimedia Commons This collaboration stems from a shared vision to elevate AL Circle’s brand positioning and amplify the aluminum ecosystem it has meticulously built over the years. North America, a powerhouse in aluminum demand and consumption, is witnessing a strong pivot towards sustainability and recycled aluminum. Together, AL Circle and Lillian Group aim to harness this momentum to create deeper engagement...
A new development has surfaced in the US–Canada trade relationship. As of July 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a potential revision of the existing 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on US aluminium and steel products. This move is contingent upon the outcome of trade negotiations between the two nations and if no agreement is reached within the next 30 days, the tariff structure will be reassessed. The announcement follows a formal policy update issued in July, establishing a conditional framework to guide tariff adjustments based on the progress and direction of ongoing bilateral discussions. A throwback to the ongoing trade tension between the US and Canada The trade tensions between the US and Canada escalated when the US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian...
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), run by the oligarch Mukesh Ambani, announced that it would operationalise a series of green energy gigafactories in Jamnagar, Gujarat, over the upcoming four to six quarters. These facilities, focusing on the production of solar panels, batteries, and electrolysers, will represent the heart of the USD 10 billion (initially made in 2021) pivot into clean energy, Reliance disclosed. This initiative, aligned with RIL’s commitment to becoming net-zero by 2035, is also expected to lower their internal energy costs by at least 25 per cent, according to a company presentation. Strategic scale and vision The green energy complex spans an astounding 44 million square feet, almost four times the size of Tesla's Nevada gigafactory. Located next to the world's largest...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ali Aseeri as the Acting Manager of Engineering & Projects, effective immediately. With over 20 years of engineering experience, Ali began his career at Alba in 2005 within the Engineering Department. Since then, he has played a key role in major capacity enhancement initiatives, including the Line 6 Expansion, the Line 4 Anode Enlargement Project, and the upgrades of Gas Treatment Centres 1 to 4. Academically, Ali holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic and an MBA from the Arabian Gulf University. He also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project...
With an agreement that expects to reconfigure India’s rare earth supply chain, India’s BatX Energies and Germany’s Rocklink GmbH recently signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to design the first fully integrated rare earth magnet recycling and refining ecosystem in India. Announced on July 18, 2025, the cooperative agreement highlights the more comprehensive objectives of enhancing Indo-European cooperation in critical minerals as part of the EU–India Trade and Technology Council (TTC). Image source: Fortune The project aims to tackle an urgent chokepoint in manufacturing clean tech around the world: rare earth elements (REE). The REEs include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. All of these are key materials in electric vehicle motors, generators for...
The US Department of Commerce signed a landmark commercial agreement between Boeing and Bahrain’s Gulf Air for the purchase of up to eighteen 787 Dreamliner aircraft, valued at USD 7 billion. The deal is expected to support more than 400,000 US jobs during production and delivery, reinforcing Gulf Air’s commitment to operating an all-Boeing widebody fleet. Image Source: International Trade Administration Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said, “Today’s deal between Boeing and Gulf Air is yet another example of how companies are working with this administration to invest in America at historic levels. American workers, industry, and technology are the best in the world, and this deal demonstrates that.” The agreement adds to a record-breaking year for US commercial deals, with 87...
Auto components major Sona BLW Precision Forgings (Sona Comstar) has signed a binding term sheet with China’s Jinnaite Machinery Co. (JNT) to establish a joint venture (JV) for manufacturing and supplying driveline systems and components to automotive manufacturers in China and globally. Image Credit: Sona Comstar As per the stock exchange filing on Sunday, Sona Comstar will invest USD 12 million, while JNT will contribute USD 8 million in assets and business during the first phase. The JV is slated to begin operations in the second half of the current financial year, marking a key milestone in Sona Comstar’s expansion into the Chinese electric vehicle (EV) market. “Sona Comstar, a leading global supplier of driveline solutions for various automotive segments, is strategically expanding...
The United States’ dumping allegation against India has now extended beyond aluminium to include solar panels. Indonesia and Laos are also carrying similar accusations, as a group of US solar panel manufacturers have claimed that an influx of cheap products from these countries is harming the domestic market of solar items. Image source: Britannica On Thursday, July 17, the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade filed a formal petition, citing the surge in imports from Indonesia, Laos, and India intensified following the imposition of steep tariffs of up to 3,500 per cent on solar panels imported from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The allegation is clear that the countries hit by US tariffs are rerouting their solar exports through these new channels to sidestep...
