Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd is expected to face weaker smelting margins in the second half of 2026 as aluminium supply constraints ease, input costs rise and market sentiment shifts towards a potential surplus in 2027, according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB) Research. “The narrative now is increasingly shifting to a potential surplus in 2027. Coupled with falling Japan-Port (MJP) premium and rising alumina as well as carbon anode costs, we foresee sequentially weaker smelting margins in 2H2026,” the research house said in a note on Monday. HLIB Research estimates that Press Metal’s core earnings for the third quarter of 2026 will range between MYR 600 million (USD 146.85 million) and MYR 650 million (USD 159.09 million), representing a decline of 10 per cent to 17 per cent...
South Asia’s beverage-can manufacturing capacity continues to expand, with Bangladesh preparing to enter the industry through a USD 100 million aluminium beverage can plant while new and expanded facilities advance across India, Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the planned Bangladeshi project still faces a key infrastructure hurdle: securing a gas connection before production begins. Chinese-owned Alu Hi-Tech Industries Ltd is developing Bangladesh’s first aluminium beverage can plant at Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park in Gazipur, north of Dhaka. The facility is designed to produce around 1 billion cans annually, with approximately 90 per cent of its output earmarked for export markets. The company registered with the hi-tech park in 2024, when work on the project began. Construction has...
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As Indian and U.S. officials engaged in closed-door negotiations to finalise trade deals ahead of July’s tariff hikes, a parallel development added friction to an already delicate situation. The Trump administration formally rejected India’s request for consultations at the World Trade Organization (WTO)—its second such attempt—this time over the steep 25 per cent tariff on auto parts. Image source: vecteezy.com The juxtaposition of collaborative trade discussions and WTO resistance has triggered a wave of speculation about Washington’s real intentions. While on one hand, Trump has defended its position by citing national security grounds, which exempts the tariff from WTO jurisdiction, on the other, he has expressed his willingness to hold one-on-one discussions with India on the auto...
Vedanta Aluminium, an Indian multinational mining company, has once again proven the Indian aluminium production is not about male workers working in factories and plants and sites. The firm has empowered women by deploying an all-woman locomotive engine team in its Jharsuguda aluminium smelter. This will significantly contribute to India's commitment to fostering a diversified, equitable and inclusive workplace. Image source: vedantaaluminium.com At the beginning of this year, in Odisha, the firm's entire smelter line had begun its operations with a team of only women. This newly developed team has four loco drivers working in shifts, two support staff and one gatewoman. The firm aims to bring women professionals to the forefront of the plant, especially in the most critical logistical...
Japanese general trading house Marubeni Corp reported that aluminium inventories at Japan’s three major ports (Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka) increased for the second consecutive month. As of the latest end of May data, the stocks rose to 331,000 metric tonnes, marking an increase of 3.3 per cent from April 2025. Continued increase in stocks in addition to premium drop underscores the ongoing weakness in aluminium demand in the Asian country. Moreover, the recent news reporting 0.2 per cent GDP shrinkage in Japan, albeit better than the initial estimation, further reflects the subdued market sentiment. How stocks moved M-o-M This month-on-month build-up started in April when stocks rose 3.4 per cent. In contrast, inventory levels in February 2025 saw a 3.5 per cent decline from the previous...
Sunjay J. Kapur, the prominent chairman of Sona Comstar and former President of the Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA), tragically passed away at the age of 53. The industrialist suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while playing polo in the United Kingdom, in a sudden incident reportedly triggered by an insect sting or swallowing during the match. In a poignant parallel to his demise, just hours prior, Kapur had expressed condolences on X for the victims of the June 12 Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad (India), “Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.” Kapur, who steered Sona Comstar into a global auto components powerhouse, was not only an...
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has reportedly secured six new bauxite mining licences and achieved an essential milestone towards realising the country’s long-standing vision of building a fully integrated aluminium industry. Image source: Ghana Bauxite Company The news came on Thursday, June 12, after Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, confirmed the arrival of new mining licences that would help Ghana unlock its full mining potential of estimated 920 million tonnes of bauxite in three major locations - Nyinahin, Awaso, and Kyebi. “This is the foundation of a fully integrated aluminium value chain that begins in the soil and ends with high-grade aluminium products for global export.” Mr Ankrah aptly remarked, highlighting...
In a country where water scarcity is both a rural crisis and an industrial liability, few sectors are as thirsty and as scrutinised as the aluminium industry. With primary aluminium production requiring anywhere between 20,000 to 40,000 litres of water per tonne, efficient water use isn’t just an operational concern; it’s a socio-environmental imperative. While reliance on dated, extractive water systems and rudimentary discharge mechanisms usage remains a key focus area to work upon as an industry, Vedanta Aluminium has helmed sustainable operations with a narrative of an apt blend of recycling, zero-liquid discharge, and community water stewardship. Image for representational purposes only What typically happens to water in aluminium production Water is integral across the aluminium...
Stockholm-based packaging tech innovator Meadow and Novelis, the global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions is embarking on a new partnership to enhance the circularity within the packaging chain. Through this newly signed agreement, Novelis joins Meadow’s trusted network of aluminium supply chain partners bringing world-class expertise and a strong sustainability focus to support Meadow’s cutting-edge packaging solutions. The partnership supports a shared ambition to boost the use of recycled aluminium in producing Meadow’s innovative pre-fill solution the Meadow KAPSUL ™ advancing its mission to create a more circular and sustainable option for the global consumer packaging market. With Novelis now on board, alongside industry leaders like Ball Corporation, DRT Holdings, and...
Century Aluminium is set to invest $10 million in maintenance at its Sebree smelter in Kentucky this quarter. The US-based aluminium producer announced that the facility's consistently strong performance has enabled it to advance major maintenance work on the carbon plant, originally scheduled for next year. The plan involves temporarily shutting down the green section of the carbon plant to refurbish the anode press and related equipment. CEO Jesse Gary, in the company's quarterly report released on May 8, explained that moving the outage forward will help mitigate risks and enhance the reliability and efficiency of the carbon plant ahead of the peak summer season. “We will reap the benefits of the increased reliability and operational security of this key area of the plant over the back...
Constellium and TARMAC Aerosave have unlocked a new milestone in aerospace recycling and sustainability for end-of-life aircraft. The initiative titled 'The successful recycling and remelting of aluminium from end-of-life aircraft into high-performance material ready for future aerospace applications' underscores aluminium's vital role in advancing circular economy goals within the aerospace industry, delivering sustainability without sacrificing performance. Image Source: TARMAC Aerosave After months of collaborative research and development, with key support from Airbus and ValoER, Constellium has successfully remelted aluminium recovered by TARMAC Aerosave from decommissioned commercial aircraft. The result is a high-quality material that meets the demanding performance standards...
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has recommended that the existing 15 per cent ad valorem customs duties on aluminium rolled products should remain in place. The decision aims to continue protecting domestic manufacturing and preserving employment opportunities. ITAC initiated a review of these duties in February 2023, covering aluminium plates, coils, sheets, can stock, strips and foil, key inputs across various sectors including automotive, marine, construction, electronics, solar energy, packaging and white goods. The commission assessed the impact of tariff support and ensured that the existing duty structure was not causing unintended consequences. Their findings highlighted continued challenges in domestic manufacturing, such as high...
Norsk Hydro has been in the headlines for contradictory reasons. On the one hand, they have been announcing closures, curbs, and a temporary hiring freeze, and on the other, they have made news for investments, expansions, and inaugurations in the past few months. Given Norsk Hydro’s repeated reaffirmations of its strategic commitment to its 2030 vision, it is time to assess its actions’ substance and scope. Image for referential purposes only The most recent announcement made by Hydro is that it is temporarily freezing its hiring of ‘white collar workers’ for affected areas. However, it has also been mentioned that hiring in the Business areas will remain unaffected. This measure, as mentioned in the official press release, is explicitly undertaken to strengthen the company’s “future...
Lighthouse Funds, a prominent mid-market private equity firm in India, has invested INR 300 crore (approximately $35.2 million) in Knest Manufacturers, a Pune-based construction technology company known for its cutting-edge building systems. Founded in 2015, Knest specialises in aluminium formwork and patented hydraulic safety screens, offering advanced construction solutions that aim to speed up project timelines, improve worker safety, and minimise environmental impact. “We are building far more than formwork—we are building the future of Indian construction, of high rises, sprawling skylines, and sustainable urban ecosystems. With this partnership, we gain not just capital but a like-minded partner in Lighthouse who shares our vision for innovation, operational excellence, and...
As voices from aluminium associations across US trade-allied nations grow louder, one consensus is becoming clear that the United States’ decision to increase tariffs on aluminium imports to 50 per cent is unlikely to benefit its global partners. Now, whether this bold move by Donald Trump will favour his own domestic market or not is the pressing question that continues to divide the aluminium industry. The United States relies heavily on overseas suppliers for primary aluminium, downstream products, as well as scrap. Imposing such a steep tariff across these categories raises concerns over potential supply disruptions within the country, yet some US-based producers are betting on gains. Image source: X Century Aluminum, a primary aluminium producer, sees the tariff as an opportunity,...
Serentica Renewables, a leading renewable energy provider focused on India's Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector, has successfully closed its second round of External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) financing. The company has secured over US$ 100 million in debt funding from global financial powerhouses Rabobank and Société Générale to support the development of a 300 MW solar power project in Rajasthan. The capital will fuel the development of a 300 MW solar power project in Rajasthan, an ambitious initiative designed to supply clean, reliable energy to Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), one of India's top aluminium producers and a key subsidiary of the Vedanta Group. This project marks a major stride toward decarbonising India's industrial core and accelerating the nation's...
Renewed hope is emerging for Emirates Global Aluminium's (EGA) subsidiary in Guinea as it hopes to restart conversations with the Guinean government. The discussion will centre around revoking the measures restricting continuing bauxite mining operations. A dispute between the firm and the Guinean government has hovered since October 2024 as the authorities pulled strings from mining operations and bauxite exports. The customs authorities of Guinea blocked GAC's bauxite exports by significantly highlighting concerns regarding customs duties. Also read: EGA's bauxite mining licence to be revoked by military-governed Guinea? However, as reported by Reuters, a process was launched to revoke the EGA's Guinea bauxite mining wing’s licence for failing to build a domestic alumina refinery. On...
As the global economy pivots toward decarbonisation and circularity, recycled aluminium is stepping out of the shadows to become a material of strategic significance. The automotive industry is projected to register the highest usage of recycled aluminium during the forecast period, with manufacturers' marketing driven by the need for lightweight materials to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Other sectors, such as packaging and construction, are integrating recycled aluminium into their net-zero targets as a key focus market; it is no longer just an environmentally sound option but an economic imperative. The world secondary aluminium market is projected to grow from USD 107.05 billion in 2023 to USD 160.81 billion by 2032 , underscoring its critical role in shaping the...
Fives, an international leader in industrial engineering, has taken a significant leap forward in strengthening its footprint in India with the inauguration of its new Service Centre in Sambalpur, Odisha. Sambalpur is a city located in the northwestern part of the Indian state of Odisha. Officially opened on June 4, 2025, this state-of-the-art facility marks a pivotal moment in Fives' ongoing mission to empower the aluminium industry with innovation, efficiency, and world-class support. This initiative by Fives has been warmly appreciated by Mr Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, who shared his support through a special video message. "Our sincere thanks to Hindalco Industries Limited & Vedanta Limited - Aluminium Business Management for encouraging this initiative for...
Tomahawk Elementary School (TES) took an initiative that aimed to aid the Ronald McDonald House Charities by providing aluminium pop tops. The students of TES, in the past six years, have collected 1,062 pounds of aluminium pop tops, helping to raise USD 394. Ronald McDonald House Charities recycles the donated aluminium for funding and resourcing lodges for families facing severe medical conditions and staying away from their homes. The funds raised by TES students will be given to the families whose children are in hospital. The School District of Tomahawk stated, "Tomahawk Elementary's contribution stands as a shining example of how small actions can lead to a big impact." This initiative has benefited the charity house and taught the students how small things make a huge difference...
