Iran has ruled out reopening the Strait of Hormuz until the United States meets seven conditions outlined in a June memorandum of understanding, prolonging uncertainty over a critical global energy shipping route as diplomatic efforts continue. Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said Tehran’s position remained firm, state media reported on October 4. Iran had presented a proposal during the United Nations General Assembly under which normal maritime passage through the strait could resume within seven days if its conditions were met. Washington responded to the proposal last week through Qatari intermediaries. “The position of the Islamic Republic of Iran is completely clear and firm, and the Strait of Hormuz will not be opened until our seven conditions, based on the...
Australia plans to give greater attention to critical minerals refining and processing under an updated strategy, as competition for investment grows and concerns over supply chains continue. Resources Minister Madeleine King said the revised strategy would guide the industry's next stage of development, with a focus on creating greater economic and strategic value from critical minerals. She said Australia would prioritise processing activities where it already has, or could develop, a competitive advantage. Australia is a major supplier of critical minerals, including rare earths used in defence and renewable energy. However, China dominates the refining stage of the supply chain. Western countries are seeking to expand their own processing capabilities and diversify supplies of...
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Western Australia is riding a wave of record-breaking growth, with its booming resources sector now employing nearly 136,000 people, the highest number in the state's history. In 2024 alone, the mining industry hit a new milestone, clocking 135,693 on-site full-time equivalent (FTE) roles. That marks an impressive eight years of consecutive employment growth. Adding to the surge, the exploration sector contributed another 4,263 on-site FTE positions, while the petroleum industry brought in 7,870 more. Driving this employment upswing are key commodities like alumina, bauxite, iron ore, gold, lithium, and nickel, each playing a vital role in fuelling both the job market and the economy. Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael hailed the achievement, noting that Western Australia's...
The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) is set to enter China's recycled metal futures market with the introduction of cast aluminium alloy futures and options. As reported on May 26, 2025, the exchange has secured approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission for this launch. The move is viewed as a long-term strategic initiative aimed at benefiting the global market by improving access to China’s cast aluminium alloy futures and options. China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of cast aluminium alloy, with an annual production capacity of about 13 million tonnes. According to the data from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, China’s actual production of cast aluminium alloy in 2024 was 6.2 million tonnes, and an apparent consumption was 6.73 million...
PATH’s latest drop, the MUSA Bottle, isn’t just a tribute to American pride; it’s a limited-edition aluminium marvel that ticks every box for the eco-conscious patriot. Produced, filled, and shipped entirely within the United States, the bottle doesn’t just hydrate; it helps support domestic manufacturing jobs and cuts down on the carbon costs of international shipping. KLYR Rum, a Pennsylvania-based distillery, has unveiled a limited-edition bottle that transforms into an American flag, a bold statement of patriotism and innovation in the spirits industry. This release aligns with a growing trend of brands embracing patriotic packaging to resonate with consumers’ national pride. Distilled 12 times and filtered 18 times, KLYR Rum offers a clean, gluten-free spirit with zero sugar and...
That’s the quiet revolution behind the latest HackberryPi CM5 — a thinner, aluminium-enclosed single-board computer designed by open-source innovator Zitao Liu. It’s not just a cosmetic facelift. This redesign aims to fix what Raspberry Pi users have griped about for years: thermal throttling, limited onboard connectivity, and, yes, the boxy plastic shells. Image for representational purposes only (source: https://www.hackster.io/) Unveiled on Hackster.io, the new HackberryPi CM5 shrinks the footprint but upgrades the muscle. It retains compatibility with Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4 (CM4) standards but wraps it in a machined aluminium chassis that doubles as a heatsink. “The thinner form factor and the full-aluminium body improve thermal dissipation while reducing bulk,” notes Zitao....
In a quiet alley in Fukuoka’s Minami Ward, what began as a routine garbage patrol turned into a tense showdown. “You’re not allowed to take that!” howled a Fukuoka city employee, catching a man red-handed with a bag of non-burnable waste stuffed with aluminium cans. The man lunged, shoving the official and trying to flee in a small car. After a brief scuffle, two city workers managed to pin him down and hand him over to the police. His backseat? Crammed with five bags of stolen aluminium cans. This wasn’t his first offence. The man, in his 20s, had already received three warnings, both written and verbal. But the lure of aluminium had proven too strong. From trash to treasure Aluminium theft in Japan is no longer a petty nuisance. It is becoming an organised, nationwide problem. In...
In February 2025, the United States recorded a 5.88 per cent month-on-month increase in aluminium scrap exports, reaching 162,000 tonnes compared to 153,000 tonnes in January, according to data published by the US Geological Survey (USGS). In contrast, aluminium scrap imports declined by 5.84 per cent month-on-month to 59,700 tonnes, down from 63,400 tonnes in the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, both exports and imports demonstrated upward trends. Aluminium scrap exports rose by 2.53 per cent from 158,000 tonnes in February 2024, while imports surged by 24.8 per cent from 50,800 tonnes. The uptick in export volume was likely driven by increased domestic aluminium scrap recovery, which totalled 321,000 tonnes in February, marking an 8 per cent rise from 297,000 tonnes in...
In a sharply worded communique, the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has fired a warning shot at the West’s growing reliance on sanctions as an instrument of energy policy. At the latest BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting held under Russia’s presidency, the five-nation grouping condemned what they call “unilateral sanctions” and “arbitrary restrictions,” signalling an urgent geopolitical realignment that is beginning to redraw the contours of the global energy map. “We express concern about unilateral sanctions and arbitrary restrictions on energy trade and investment in the energy sector that disregard international law... and pose a threat to the security of the critical energy infrastructure,” the BRICS group said in a joint statement. This declaration comes...
Primero Group, a leading engineering and construction company, has been awarded the tank design, fabrication, testing, and delivery package for South32’s Biological Oxalate Destruction (BOD) Project at the Worsley Alumina Refinery near Collie in Western Australia. Image for representation purposes only The BOD Project aims to implement a new process for managing sodium oxalate, a byproduct of alumina refining. This initiative utilises technology similar to that employed at Alcoa’s Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries, promising environmental benefits for ongoing operations at Worsley. Primero will collaborate with its sister company, RCR, based in Bunbury, to execute the project, thereby supporting local employment in the South-West region. The partnership underscores a commitment to regional...
On May 23, 2025, Group Nirmal announced a major capital expenditure to expand its output. The company will invest INR 1 billion (about USD 12 million) this fiscal year to boost steel wire and aluminium production. According to the company-issued release, steel wire capacity will increase by 7,000 tonnes per month and aluminium capacity by 5,000 tonnes per month. The bulk of the investment will equip the Khurda (Odisha) plant, with the remainder directed to the Deulti (West Bengal) facility. Image source: https://www.groupnirmal.com/ Company director Varun Saraf explained that the project is on a fast track, “Given our ongoing production cycle and short lead times, we aim to complete this expansion within the current calendar year to meet growing demand efficiently,” he said. Group Nirmal...
If you're the kind of traveller who packs four outfits for every day "just in case," we've got exciting news. CASETiFY, the Hong Kong-based company, is levelling up its luggage game with the launch of the brand-new 29" Bounce Check-In Trunk Suitcase. Crafted using aerospace-grade aluminium, the 21" Bounce Carry-On is designed for today's modern, creative travellers who demand space, durability, and a personal touch. The Bounce Check-In Trunk effortlessly blends premium engineering with CASETiFY's iconic style. The use of aluminium in suitcases is a perfect blend of style and strength. Built to endure the bumps and bruises of travel, they shrug off rough handling with ease. Thanks to their natural oxide layer, they resist corrosion—even in harsh weather—while their sleek metallic finish...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), the Navratna CPSE, under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has announced the financial results for FY2025, breaking all the previous records, including revenue and net profit. As per the audited results approved by the Board of Directors, NALCO has achieved a historic milestone, setting a new benchmark in net profit, amounting to INR 5,325 crore, up by 158 per cent Y-o-Y. The company’s revenue totalled INR 16,788 crore at the end of the financial year, recording the highest-ever figure. NALCO’s whopping net profit gain at the end of FY2025 followed a Y-o-Y surge of 105 per cent in Q4 from INR 1,016 crore to INR 2,078 crore. The revenue from operations also jumped 47 per cent from INR 3,579 crore in Q4 FY2024 to INR 5,268 crore in Q4...
Nissan's Casting Australia Plant in Dandenong South has officially received the Australian-made certification, allowing all its towbars and aluminium castings to display the iconic green-and-gold kangaroo logo proudly. This certification is granted under rigorous standards, confirming that the final, significant transformation of the product occurs within Australia. The Australian-made logo is one of the nation's most trusted and recognised symbols. According to Roy Morgan's research, it enjoys 99 per cent national recognition, with 91 per cent of Australians expressing a desire to see more Australian-made products available in the market. "The Nissan Casting Australia Plant is a true local automotive manufacturing success story, and it's one we're incredibly proud of. Earning official...
The aluminium industry is on a determined mission to build a truly closed-loop supply chain, and the spotlight is firmly on aluminium dross. Around the globe, smelters are ramping up efforts to minimise waste and supercharge recycling, driven by ambitious sustainability goals. Thanks to cutting-edge advances in dross processing technology over the past few years, companies are making remarkable strides. The impact - Of the total aluminium dross generated in 2024, an estimated 60-70 per cent was recovered and processed in various in-house facilities of aluminium producers as well as at third-party recycling facilities. Not only this, top region wise also the aluminium recovery rate from dross has shown significant results. Like – China generated over 2 million tonnes of dross, of which...
Emirate Global Aluminium’s recent announcement of setting up a primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma, close to the Tulsa Port of Inola, is going to be the first new primary aluminium plant built in the US in 45 years. The USD 4 billion investment by the Middle Eastern business will strengthen domestic aluminium production and support supply chain resilience. But, in the heartland of America, a silent battle is unfolding — wherein at stake is the future of US aluminium smelting, an industry once thriving but now teetering under the weight of soaring electricity costs and the insatiable energy demands of Big Tech’s data centres. Now, the Aluminum Association estimates that a new US smelter would need a minimum 20-year power contract at a price of not more than USD 40 per MWh to be viable at...
Capral Aluminium marks the 20th anniversary of its Bremer Park facility in Bundamba, Queensland, which also gives the company a reason to celebrate the evolution of Australia's aluminium extrusion industry. The facility was opened in 2005 as the largest extrusion plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Since then, it has stood tall as a symbol of Capral's commitment to innovation and local manufacturing excellence. Image source: Capral Aluminium The Bremer Park facility, which was built as part of Capral's USD 120 million-worth development project for rejuvenating Southeast Queensland's industrial landscape, has been a sign of modernisation with three state-of-the-art extrusion presses capable of manufacturing extruding profiles up to 420mm wide, 20kg/m weight, and 16m in length, utilising...
Ball Corporation, an American aluminium can manufacturing company, will bid farewell to its Chief Financial Officer, Howard Yu, as he has decided to step down from his role effective June 30, 2025. While announcing the news with heavy heart, Ball Corporation clarified that the departure is pursuant to a mutual agreement and is not related to any disagreements concerning accounting practices, financial statements, internal controls or operations. When talking about the departure of his colleague, Daniel W. Fisher, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We appreciate Howard's contributions during his tenure as chief financial officer. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its balance sheet and delivered on its financial commitments to shareholders. We thank him for nearly two...
Image for representational purposes only The global commodities landscape is witnessing a significant shift as investment funds retreat from copper, citing heightened volatility and policy uncertainties, and increasingly turn their attention to aluminium. The US government's initiation of a Section 232 investigation into copper imports has introduced considerable turbulence into the copper market. This probe has led to pronounced price fluctuations and a notable decline in market participation. Specifically, fund positioning on the CME copper contract has decreased from 134,000 to 82,000 contracts, with both long and short positions being reduced. This instability has diminished copper's traditional role as a reliable economic indicator, prompting bearish funds to seek alternatives....
DTE and Dynamic Concept have joined forces to bring a cutting-edge molten metal analysis and handling solution to the aluminium industry. This powerful partnership blends DTE’s advanced laser-based technology with Dynamic Concept’s expertise in metal transfer systems and automation—creating a fully integrated offering for aluminium producers. At the heart of the solution is DTE’s real-time molten metal analysis system. Using laser-based sensors and AI-driven insights, it delivers instant, continuous data on molten metal composition—giving operators a live, full-process overview like never before. This not only boosts process efficiency and control but also helps cut operational costs and carbon emissions. Ásdís Virk Sigtryggsdóttir, CCO at DTE, said, “Aluminium producers are seeking ways...
