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...
Grow with
AL Circle
In April (30 days) 2025, the world's primary aluminium production decreased by 3.27 per cent M-o-M despite no decline recorded in daily average output. According to IAI, the world’s daily average aluminium production in April was 201,100 tonnes, remaining flat compared to 201,200 tonnes in March. However, on an annual basis, the output increased by 2.25 per cent, showed the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). Decoding the output trend of April According to IAI data, the world primary aluminium production in April was 6.033 million tonnes, compared to 6.237 million tonnes a month ago and 5.9 million tonnes a year earlier. Throughout the year so far, the world primary aluminium production recorded the second monthly fall, but it is important to analyse if this has been a trend over the...
Atomik AM, a trailblazing UK spinout from the University of Liverpool, has secured a £600,000 (US$760,000) boost from the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II to supercharge its growth. Founded by renowned additive manufacturing expert Professor Kate Black, Atomik AM is set to scale its cutting-edge manufacturing solutions with this fresh injection of capital. The funding, provided by NPIF II – Praetura Equity Finance and managed by Praetura Ventures, will fuel a 40 per cent team expansion and support the company's move into larger premises, marking a major leap forward in its mission to revolutionise advanced manufacturing. Hot on the heels of a £125,000($158,337.5)investment from LYVA Labs earlier this year, Atomik AM has secured fresh momentum in its mission to transform metal 3D...
Since January, US President Donald Trump has announced the probable implementation of tariffs. He did not disclose the details then, but the history made aluminium traders susceptible to the future of the global aluminium import-export scenario, which, with time, proved to be true. China’s downstream aluminium product exports deflated while domestic consumption numbers balanced the production vs demand scenario. Image for representational purposes only China’s downstream aluminium domestic sector remained a cornerstone of its industrial economy in the first quarter of 2025, with total domestic consumption touching 9.7 million tonnes. This consumption, spanning multiple industrial segments, was valued at approximately USD 25.2 billion. Q1: Production and consumption The construction sector...
Rio Tinto announced that Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm will step down later this year, following the completion of a planned succession process. Jakob joined Rio Tinto in 2018 as Executive Director and Chief Financial Officer, and was appointed Chief Executive in January 2021. Under his leadership, Rio Tinto has sharpened its strategic focus, positioning the company to seize the opportunities of the global energy transition. He has set a clear course for long-term, profitable growth, laying the foundation for Rio Tinto’s next chapter as a leader in responsible, future-facing materials. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said, “It has been an absolute privilege to lead Rio Tinto, one of the great mining and materials companies in the world. I would like to thank the deeply...
The age of smart recycling is here, and it's making sustainability not just necessary, but revolutionary. Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have found a way to transform everyday waste into a powerhouse of sustainability. Think used batteries and crumpled aluminium foil, normally destined for landfills, reborn as nanocatalysts that fight climate change. These microscopic marvels don't just recycle waste, they upcycle it. The nanocatalysts are capable of converting harmful carbon dioxide (CO₂) into methane, a clean-burning fuel that can power everything from factories to freight. It's a radical rethinking of waste: not just reducing harm, but actively creating value. This isn't just a lab experiment. It's a glimpse into a greener future where yesterday's trash fuels tomorrow's...
Rio Tinto is set to launch early works and final engineering studies for a major expansion of its Amrun bauxite mine on Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, targeting first production by 2029. The proposed project, named Kangwinan at the request of the Wik Waya people, the Traditional Owners of the land, marks a significant step forward for Rio Tinto’s Weipa Southern operations. It will see the development of a new mine and the expansion of the existing Amrun port, with plans to nearly double the current bauxite output. If given the green light, the project will see the development of a new mining hub located 15 kilometres south-east of Rio Tinto’s Amrun site, an operation launched in 2018 following a US$1.9 billion investment. Kangwinan is set to create over 800 construction...
Since the end of 2024, market analysts in India consistently signalled strong growth prospects in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, urging the manufacturing industry to gear up for a major transformation. A central narrative in this shift was the soaring demand for aluminium, a vital material used extensively in engine parts, chassis, body panels, and wheels. Even ex-Vedanta CEO John Slaven had highlighted last year that the growing impact of electric vehicles, particularly four-wheelers, on the aluminium industry. He had explicitly said, “I think (electric) four-wheelers is where we expect to see the largest growth. There’s more (aluminium) content per vehicle than in a two-wheeler. And then also, as the four-wheelers become electrified, there’s more aluminium per EV than there is per IC...
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing has teamed up with the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), the organisation behind America Makes. Their mission? To push the boundaries of Additive Manufacturing using Constellium’s Aheadd CP1 aluminium alloy. The initiative focuses on enhancing the alloy’s use in the defence and aerospace sectors. Backed by $2.1 million in funding from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense’s Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech) through America Makes, the project covers the initial two phases of a broader, multi-phase program. Key partners include Constellium, ASTM International, and 3Degrees, along with a consortium of leading defence metal AM specialists from Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, RTX, General Atomics, and Honeywell...
In a strategic move to strengthen its footprint in the automotive aluminium sector, ALMAC announced on Wednesday, May 21 that it has invested an additional $7.5 million (approximately 10.4 billion won) in AR Aluminum through a shareholder rights offering. This marks the second round of equity investment, bringing ALMAC’s total commitment to the venture to $10 million. EA IAL Aluminum, a joint venture formed by ALMAC and a US manufacturer, focuses on producing billets and extruded aluminium products for high-performance automotive applications. This latest injection of capital underscores ALMAC’s long-term vision to dominate the lightweight metals arena. The company emphasised that the move builds on a foundational investment agreement signed in 2023. Adding to its industrial momentum, AR...
Manaksia Aluminium Co., an India-based mining and metal company engaged in manufacturing secondary aluminium products like aluminium rolled, sheets and coils, has announced its financials for the March 2025 quarter, highlighting increased sales and net profit. Image source: equitybulls.com Q4 financials In the last quarter of FY 2024-25, the firm witnessed an increase in sales by 16.45 per cent, amounting to INR 137.07 crores (USD 16.46 million) vs INR 117.71 crores (USD 14.09 million), in Q4 FY2023-24. In case of net profit, the firm generated INR 2 crore (USD 2.42 million) in Q4 FY2025, which was 27.4 per cent higher than INR 1.57 crore (USD 1.90 million) during the corresponding period of the previous year. Q1, Q2 and Q3 at a glance In the financial year 2024–2025, the firm began with...
India’s renewable energy landscape is poised for a significant turnaround with three major solar project announcements from Adani Green Energy, Jindal India Thermal Power and Alpex Solar. These developments come at a critical juncture, as the country witnessed a notable 25 per cent drop in new solar capacity additions in the first quarter of 2025. Image source: britannica India added just 6.7 gigawatts of solar capacity in Q1 2025, down from 9 gigawatts during the same period in 2024. The decline was attributed to delayed project commissioning, supply chain bottlenecks and cautious investor sentiment. However, recent announcements in the sector signal a revival in momentum that could help bridge this capacity gap in the coming months. Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has commissioned 187.5...
At the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) Conference & Exposition held this May in San Diego, panellists at the "Spotlight on Aluminum" session explored the emerging market for Vesper, newly introduced recycled grade aluminium. Developed in collaboration with Novelis Inc., a leading aluminium recycling and rolling company based in Atlanta, Vesper represents a significant step forward in advancing sustainable aluminium solutions. Vesper consists of wrought aluminium materials, including sheet, extrusion, and/or plate grades that are carefully separated from zorba or twitch shredded aluminium streams. To meet the specification, the material must not contain more than 1 per cent free magnesium, 1 per cent free zinc, and 0.50 per cent analytical iron. Gary Gallo, senior manager,...
Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has acquired 100 per cent equity in EMIL Mines and Mineral Resources Ltd. (EMMRL). The acquisition is a strategic step aimed at securing a long-term, reliable coal supply for Hindalco’s aluminium smelters, ensuring uninterrupted production in an increasingly competitive and energy-intensive industry. The acquisition of EMMRL takes on an added layer of strategic alignment, as the company is a subsidiary of Essel Mining and Industries, also under the Aditya Birla Group umbrella, making this a related-party transaction. Hindalco’s board gave the green light to the deal on May 20, with the transaction expected to close within six to nine months, pending regulatory approvals. EMMRL holds the mining lease for the Bandha coal...
Where companies fear losing rights and concessions, Lindian Resources, an Australian mining entity, is confident about its safety in the Guinean mining business. But where is this confidence stemming from? The answer lies in three nouns — Lelouma, Gaoual and Woula. Lelouma bauxite project, described as a ‘Tier 1’ bauxite project, is a recently secured (April 2025) Lindian Resources’ 100 per cent ownership project. It boasts a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource of 900 million tonnes at 45 per cent aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) and 2.1 per cent silicon dioxide (SiO₂). The project aims to produce direct shipping ore (DSO), meaning it won’t require extensive processing. It’s strategically located near existing infrastructure, including a railway line and the Kamsar port. The Gaoual bauxite project,...
CANPACK SA, part of CANPACK Group, Inc., and a leading aluminium beverage can manufacturer, is launching an investment project in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The expansion project will significantly boost production capacity at the site, and planned spending exceeds USD 110 million. Image source: canpack Aluminium is preferred in beverage packaging due to its recyclability and durability. With a rising shift towards eco-conscious choices, aluminium helps brands reduce their environmental footprint. The expansion reflects aluminium’s increasing role in circular economy strategies. The investment plan covers expanding the plant’s infrastructure, acquiring advanced machinery, and upgrading existing production lines. This project will help CANPACK retain over 450 jobs and generate more than 100 new...
Amid challenging market headwinds, Hydro has announced the permanent closure of its Birtley extrusion plant in the United Kingdom. The Norwegian aluminium giant cited a sharp drop in demand and tightening recycling margins across the downstream aluminium sector as key drivers behind the decision. The plant, a longstanding part of Hydro's UK operations, is set to cease operations by the end of May, marking a significant shift in the company's regional footprint. The decision follows a detailed consultation process with employees and their representatives. The closure will result in approximately 100 redundancies. Hydro has expressed a strong commitment to supporting affected employees, including offering roles at its other UK sites and providing transition assistance for those leaving the...
May 20, 2025: Hindalco Industries Limited announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended March 31, 2025, posting highest-ever revenue, profit after tax (PAT), and EBITDA. The results include the performance of both Hindalco and its subsidiary, Novelis, for the year 2025. Image source: Hindalco Industries Limited Hindalco – consolidated financial highlights In the last quarter of the financial year 2025, Hindalco’s revenue stood at INR 64,890 crore (USD 7.6 billion), bringing the full-year’s revenue to INR 238,496 crore (USD 27.86 billion). While the company’s Q4 revenue grew 16 per cent Y-o-Y, the full-year’s revenue rose 10 per cent. Profit after tax was INR 5,284 crore (USD 617 million) in Q4 FY2025, up by 66.5 per cent Y-o-Y from INR 3,174 crore (USD 371...
ADNOC and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have inked a landmark five-year supply deal worth $500 million (AED 1.84 billion), securing up to 1.5 million tonnes of calcined petroleum coke (petcoke), a crucial ingredient in aluminium production. Announced at the high-profile 'Make it in the Emirates' event in Abu Dhabi, the agreement highlights ADNOC's drive to power the UAE's industrial future and strengthen homegrown supply chains. This strategic partnership not only fuels EGA's aluminium operations but also reinforces the nation's vision of becoming a global hub for sustainable, value-added manufacturing. Under the new agreement, ADNOC Refining will meet at least 30 per cent of EGA's calcined petcoke needs directly from its Ruwais Refinery over the next five years. This move marks a...
