Kaiser Aluminum is seeing stronger demand across aerospace, defence, packaging and semiconductor-related markets, with customer bookings extending into 2027. However, the aluminium producer’s latest results highlight a challenge: converting rising shipments and record conversion revenue into stronger profitability as planned outages, lower scrap utilisation and startup costs weigh on margins. The company reported third-quarter 2026 shipments of 300 million pounds, up from 270 million pounds in the same period last year, while conversion revenue climbed 25 per cent year-on-year to a record USD 439 million from USD 351 million. Net sales reached USD 1.21 billion. Despite the growth, adjusted EBITDA increased by only USD 3 million year-on-year to USD 84 million. A USD 29 million unfavourable...
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...
Grow with
AL Circle
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...
Arrow Minerals Limited has announced a strategic amendment to its Share Purchase Option Agreement for the Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea, underscoring its commitment to the long-term development of this key West African asset. As per the revised terms, the first milestone payment has been deferred until the project's permit is renewed or granted to an Arrow-related entity for a minimum term of two years, with an expiry date beyond June 2027. The second milestone payment, payable in cash or shares, has been made conditional on the declaration of a significant mineral resource. Suppose the permit renewal is granted to an Arrow-related entity, and Arrow chooses to advance the project within 12 months of the renewal. In that case, the vendor of the Niagara Bauxite Project will remain...
Maan Aluminium, a manufacturer and trader of aluminium profiles, has seen a sharp rise in its stock price to INR 122.95 (USD 1.43) as of July 21, marking a significant recovery from earlier lows this year. Image for representational purpose The stock’s recent surge follows a challenging period beginning in late February 2025. On February 25, Maan Aluminium was trading at INR 97.50 (USD 1.12) but quickly slipped amid sector volatility and broader market weakness. After a market holiday on February 26, the stock declined further to INR 92.74 (USD 1.06) on February 27, then dropped below INR 90 (USD 1.03) and closed at INR 89.56 (USD 1.03) by February 28. The downtrend continued into March, culminating in a 52-week low of INR 75.51 (USD 0.88) on March 28. However, the tide began to turn...
The European Commission has officially announced imposition of provisional anti-dumping duties on fused alumina imports from China. This time, it is a move to resolve to protect Europe’s domestic industry from market distortions. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/1456, adopted on July 17, 2025, delivers a stern warning to China’s state-backed industrial juggernaut: unfair trade practices will no longer be overlooked. Image for referential purposes only At the core of the Commission’s decision lies the recognition that fused alumina, rather commonly known as artificial corundum, derived from melting bauxite or aluminium oxide at over 2,000 °C, has been imported from China at dumped prices, causing material injury to the European Union’s domestic producers. The action follows a...
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) registered significant growth in almost all areas. To begin with, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.34 per cent to settle at USD 2,591 per tonne and USD 2,591.50 per tonne. As per the LME aluminium price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.34 per cent and USD 35 per tonne or 1.36 per cent to settle at USD 2,595 per tonne and USD 2,596 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price also marked a hike of USD 37 per tonne or 1.42 per cent to arrive at USD 2,635 per tonne and USD 2,640 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price surged by USD 51.5 per tonne or 1.99 per cent to clock at USD...
At first glance, a pile of empty soda cans might seem insignificant, but for Erie Trap and Release, those aluminium scraps are a vital resource. This dedicated local non-profit organisation is on a mission to humanely manage Erie’s feral cat population through a trap-neuter-release (TNR) programme. Image for representational purpose Their work involves nurturing stray cats, by providing essential medical treatments such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, and then returning the animals safely to their outdoor homes. But providing this level of care requires funding. Rather than seeking traditional donations, the organisation is asking for something a little more surprising: your used aluminium cans. Aluminium is not just recyclable, it’s infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be...
In mid-July, China's aluminium ingot prices remained stable, supported by elevated raw material costs and ongoing efforts to reduce inventory buildup. Despite increased motorcycle production and government subsidies driving the demand, overall market growth remained subdued due to seasonal slowdowns, export challenges and weaker order volumes. Meanwhile, in Japan, demand for high-purity ingots, particularly from the automotive and aluminium sectors, is providing market support. Image source: IndiaMART For the week ending July 11, 2025, aluminium ingot prices in China remained stable, marking consistent growth from the previous week. Rising raw material costs and a significant reduction in supply-side availability drove this trend. On the supply front, weekly bauxite arrivals at domestic...
A strategic collaboration has emerged, reinforcing digital transformation while redefining the aluminium recycling and die-casting landscape. Indofen Furnaces LLP, a leading manufacturer of furnaces for the aluminium and die-casting sector, has partnered with Siemens, the German industrial automation leader, to drive data-driven advancements through real-time operational insights in aluminium recycling and die-casting. Image source: IndiaMART This move by the collaborating businesses will unlock higher levels of efficiency, scalability for customers and sustainability, creating a diversified change within the aluminium foundry and recycling sector. In the die-casting sector, where fuel intensity, operational continuity and process consistency play a critical role, striking the right...
Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest producer, has begun a path-breaking project to convert red mud, a big industrial waste from the alumina refining process, into a useful agricultural resource. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research - Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (ICAR-CTCRI) for developing and commercialising this "waste-to-wealth" technology. Red mud to green gold The research partnership seeks to confront the sustainable management of bauxite residue, or red mud. For each tonne of alumina produced, approximately two tonnes of red mud are generated. This extremely alkaline residue is conventionally disposed of in vast engineered ponds, taking up large areas of land. You can read our recent market report on it...
Desiring to master the ins and outs of EV component manufacturing, German automaker supplier Schabmüller is strengthening its partnership with toolmaker Mapal. They are leveraging Mapal's expertise in high-performance machining to improve the manufacturing of electric vehicle chassis and suspension parts. These kinds of partnerships are an emerging trend in German industry. Last year, Sandvik inked a deal to acquire Almü Präzisions-Werkzeug GmbH (Almü) , a renowned cutting tool and solution provider for aluminium machining. Image source: Mapal An old master prepares for the EV era Based in Großmehring, Germany, Schabmüller has been a premium supplier of machined engine and chassis parts to leading manufacturers including Audi, Porsche, and Volkswagen for years. With the transition of the...
To commemorate Okocim Brewery’s 180th anniversary, CANPACK has partnered with the iconic brand to create a special limited-edition can collection. Featuring refreshed designs for flavoured non-alcoholic and low-alcoholic beer lines, the cans proudly display the anniversary logo and are now part of the brewery’s portfolio. Image credit: www.canpack.com Okocim, deeply rooted in Brzesko’s culture and history for nearly two centuries, continues to embody tradition through brewing techniques passed down through generations and flavours crafted with care. Since its founding in 1845 by Jan Goetz, Okocim has remained committed to using the finest barley malt, hops, yeast and water. Acquired by Carlsberg Group in 1996 and becoming part of Carlsberg Polska in 2001, the brewery has also pioneered...
Aden Group, a global leader in integrated industrial services, has launched a pioneering deployment of sustainable bauxite refining technology at a 15,000 sqm facility in Shanxi, China. In partnership with French technological start-up IB2, this pilot represents a crucial pivot for China’s aluminium supply chain,converting surplus, low-quality domestic bauxite into high-quality inputs, while minimising emissions and increasing resource use efficiency. Image source: LinkedIn Pioneering technology, local impact The key to this approach is IB2's unique refining process, which was developed in collaboration with entrepreneur Romain Girbal and chemist Yves Occello. The t echnology focuses on China's underexploited reserves of low-quality bauxite , which has traditionally been dismissed because...
Guangdong Hongte Technology Co., Ltd., or simply Hongte Technology, popularly engaged in manufacturing precision die casting of aluminium alloys, has unveiled its sweeping expansion blueprint with €78 million investment funds that it plans to raise. The finances are planned to be deployed strategically across four areas, which include the construction of a Thai auto parts production facility (Phase I), a state-of-the-art research and development centre at headquarters, a technical upgrade at the Zhaoqing plant, and boosting working capital to navigate market shifts with greater agility. But why now amid the volatile global economy? It is only because of the recovery of the automotive industry that prompts Hongte Technology to fast-track its technological transformation and enhance...
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) has announced strategic measures to help local manufacturers navigate the growing trade tensions with the US. In response to newly imposed US tariffs, the BoI has ceased promotional incentives for solar panel production, citing the industry's vulnerability to trade shifts and lack of technological advancement. Image for representational purpose According to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BoI, the decision is part of an effort to focus support on higher-tech sectors. Instead of promoting full photovoltaic (PV) panel assembly, the BoI is now encouraging investment in components such as aluminium frames, tempered glass, and silicon solar cells. These component manufacturers continue to benefit from corporate tax breaks and import duty...
Hydro, a leading aluminium and renewable energy company, has voluntarily agreed to terminate a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Cloud Snurran AB and is deemed to receive a settlement compensation amounting to nearly EUR 90 million (USD 98.1 million). The amount for compensation is dependent on the realised values from the future sales process as well as the agreed value sharing mechanism. Initially, the PPA between Hydro Energy AS and Cloud Snurran AB could be traced back to 2018, which was initiated for an annual baseload supply of 300 GWh for a decade starting from 2020 to 2030. Additionally, a 500 GWh annual baseload supply was agreed for the period between 2031 and 2049. Why the sudden revocation of the agreement? Cloud Snurran AB came into a major financial struggle and...
Manaksia Aluminium Company, a leading Indian manufacturer and supplier of aluminium products, has reported a score adjustment reflecting shifts in its technical trends. In the past six months, the company has recorded a 25.15 per cent rise in net sales and demonstrated a substantial operating profit to interest ratio. But despite these positive indicators, the company's long-term fundamentals remain weak, highlighted by a high debt-to-EBITDA ratio. According to the report of Moving Average Convergence Divergence (MACD), a shift in the firm's stock technical indicators have signalled bullish movement week-on-week, where the month-on-month remains mildly bearish. On the other hand, Bollinger Bands show a bullish trend for both the week-on-week and month-on-month periods, suggesting a...
As trade tensions between the European Union and the US reach a critical point, the EU is preparing a second wave of retaliatory tariffs targeting billions of dollars in US exports each year. This move comes amid stalled negotiations and the looming threat of the US imposing steep 30 per cent tariffs on nearly all EU goods starting August 1. Caught off guard by the sudden threat of these duties, the European Commission swiftly responded with plans to impose counter tariffs on US exports valued at EUR 72 billion, a measure that could also impact the EU’s own economy. With both sides gearing up for a potential trade showdown, the stakes are higher than ever for industries on both continents. What is the EU’s second retaliatory tariff package? The European Commission has tabled plans to...
European aluminium billet manufacturers entered 2025 with caution, and by mid-year, that caution had hardened into sweeping production cuts. The billet market, once a bellwether for demand in construction, transport, and extrusion-heavy sectors, has weakened considerably in the first half of the year. In response, a notable shift has emerged: aluminium producers are pivoting towards enhanced molten metal trade as an alternative channel to absorb surplus capacity and meet more immediate domestic needs. Image for referential purposes only (source: https://www.syalons.com/) The strategic shift is not merely opportunistic. It’s a calculated survival tactic rooted in price pressures and vanishing demand. The billet problem Aluminium prices, both for primary and alloy grades, have fluctuated at...
