
Nespresso is expanding its aluminium coffee capsule recycling network across New Zealand, adding 25 JB Hi-Fi stores as collection points and bringing the total number of participating retail locations to 138. The move gives coffee drinkers more places to return used capsules, helping make recycling a little easier after that final, satisfying sip. The new collection points join existing locations at Briscoes and Noel Leeming stores. The expansion also complements other return options available through Nespresso, including its boutiques, public collection points, NZ Post drop-off locations and courier collections from customers’ homes. The aim is to make returning used capsules more convenient, recognising that a single collection method will not work for everyone. For those who enjoy...
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...
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On April 2, 2025, Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Minister Bahlil Lahadalia responded to concerns that state-owned mining firm PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) cannot sell its bauxite due to ongoing export restrictions. Bahlil said he would review the situation but reaffirmed that the government is committed to its domestic processing mandate, enforced through Domestic Benchmark Pricing (HPM). The measure, implemented to add value within Indonesia, has led to concerns over its market impact. Image source: antam.com The export ban on bauxite remains in effect, with all sales now required to go through the HPM system. Several lawmakers argue that this pricing mechanism has disrupted market absorption, as buyers are unwilling to purchase bauxite at the government-set prices. The...

Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP), a global leader in supplying sustainable and infinitely recyclable metal beverage cans, has reported strong performance for the first quarter of 2025 (Q1 2025) supported by global shipments growth, region-wise growth and double-digit Adjusted EBITDA per cent growth. As per Oliver Graham, CEO of AMP, "Our first quarter performance represents a strong start to the year, with 6 per cent global shipments growth and double-digit Adjusted EBITDA % growth versus the prior year, ahead of our initial guidance." The Luxembourg-based company achieved revenue of $1,268 million for the three months ended March 31 2025, marking an increase of $127 million, or 11 per cent, compared to $1,141 million in the same period last year. On a constant currency basis, revenue rose by...

Bengaluru, an Indian city known as the Silicon Valley of India, has pulled several eyeballs of aluminium manufacturing and supplying businesses. Bengaluru’s transformation from a pure‐play IT powerhouse into a specialised aluminium manufacturing hub is due to its fast rise in infrastructure, accompanied by a deep talent pool and a supportive policy environment. Over the past five years, the Tier I city has seen new extrusion lines, high‐precision CNC machining centres and powder‐coating facilities spring up, catering to sectors ranging from aerospace to renewable energy. Image for referential purposes only India, as an entirety, now produces over 4.2 million tonnes of primary aluminium annually, making it the world’s second‐largest producer. Yet, Bengaluru has shifted its focus from bulk...

From morning brews to meaningful action—Asda shoppers are turning their daily coffee habits into a force for good. Since the beginning of 2025, customers have recycled over 3 million coffee pods through the retailer's innovative new scheme. Through the Podback scheme, both plastic and aluminium coffee pods are recycled within the UK. Rolled out in January in partnership with Podback, the initiative provides a hassle-free way for coffee lovers to drop off their used pods at more than 600 Asda stores across the UK. The used coffee grounds undergo anaerobic digestion, converting them into renewable energy and nutrient-rich soil improvers. Meanwhile, the recovered aluminium and plastic are repurposed into new products, including drink cans, construction materials, and outdoor furniture. In...

Following the record-breaking fiscal year 2025, marked by the highest-ever double-digit profits and all-time high aluminium production, Vedanta Limited announces yet another positive outlook for FY2026. The company anticipates its aluminium business to emerge as the most profitable segment in the coming year, with margins exceeding USD 1,000 per tonne level compared to the current USD 850 per tonne. Image source: Vedanta Aluminium With full conviction, Chief Financial Officer Ajay Goel said, "Our focus remains on aluminium. We are working on volume augmentation and cost completion." Vedanta's focus on the aluminium business is also indicated by its plans to allocate a major share of increased capex into the aluminium and power segment. Out of USD 1.7 billion capex budgeted for FY2026,...

In a volatile fusion of tariff tensions, supply chain snarls, and shifting trade dynamics, US aluminium import costs have surged to multi-year highs, reshaping the metals market and sending shockwaves through American manufacturing. Image for representational purposes only On April 9, 2025, the United States imposed additional aluminium tariffs — 20 per cent on EU-origin goods and 10 per cent on UK imports, building on the existing 25 per cent base duty introduced under Section 232 in 2018. For EU producers, the effective tariff rate now stands at a crushing 45 per cent, sending shippers and buyers scrambling. The Midwest Premium, the benchmark regional surcharge that includes transport, handling, and tariffs, has reacted dramatically. According to Reuters and CME Group data, the Midwest...

Incat, Australia’s Tasmania based boatbuilder has cut the ribbon to reportedly the world’s largest electric ship. The brand tags the vessel as “a giant leap forward in sustainable shipping” and the “most important” project it has ever accomplished. The craft, called Hull 096, was conjured by the South American ferry operator Buquebus to build a vessel to operate between the Argentinian capital, Buenos Aires, and Uruguay. During the launch of the ship in Hobart on Friday, the manufacturing brand has disclosed that it would operate entirely on battery-electric power, with onboard passenger capacity of 2,100 and 225 vehicles across the River Plate, which forms the border between Argentina and Uruguay. Australia is also the home to the largest aluminium-hulled catamaran in the world. Echo...

On May 2, 2025, National Aluminium Company (NALCO) reported a gain of 3.01 per cent, a trend reversal after witnessing a decline for two consecutive days. However, the year-to-date performance of the company reflects a decline but is showing an increase in terms of the last five years. The company's stock had outperformed within its operating sector, showing a gain of 2.59 per cent connecting the sector's performance exceeding by 1.26 per cent. The stock price of the company reached INR 159.70 as of May 2, 2025 3:30 IST (USD 1.89), reflecting about a 2.66 per cent increase. Concerning the monthly averages, National Aluminium Company is representing an upward graph above its 50-day and 20-day moving averages. Nonetheless, the monthly averages are deemed to be lower than the 50-day, 100-day...

The heated exchange of words for over two months between the US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ultimately led to a diplomatic breakthrough, culminating in a strategic agreement on critical minerals and other natural resources. The deal grants the United States long-term access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, while also guarantees continued defense support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Key provisions and mutual commitments The agreement, signed on Wednesday, April 30, includes key provisions such as the creation of a reconstruction fund for Ukraine – an initiative that Ukrainian officials hope will serve as a platform to secure ongoing American military support. While Ukraine is expected to contribute 50 per cent of all...

The UK government has facilitated a technical consultation on draft legislation for its own Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), clarifying its scope, calculation and administration ahead of a July 3, 2025 deadline. From January 1 2027 (a year after the European Union’s CBAM implementation), the nation-imposed CBAM will place a carbon price on imports of emissions-intensive goods, including aluminium, safeguarding domestic producers against ‘carbon leakage’. It targets UK businesses importing over GBP 50,000 of specified goods in a 12-month period while exempting certain scrap products. The mechanism ensures that imported goods “face a carbon price which is comparable to the carbon price paid by domestic producers”. Image for representational purposes only Consultation, timeline and...

Born from a relentless pursuit of perfection, Porsche has added another feather to its existing collection of products. The brand known for its cutting-edge vehicles has introduced an aluminium suitcase collection, drawing both aesthetic and engineering inspiration from one of Stuttgart's most celebrated creations: the 911 Targa. The word "Stuttgart" in the Porsche logo directly references the city of Stuttgart, Germany, home to Porsche's headquarters. For anyone who dreams of owning a Porsche, one model of the sports car edition which often comes to mind is the iconic 911—a replica of thrilling performance and everyday practicality for the past 60 years. Dubbed as the Roadster Aluminum collection, the suitcase is inspired by Targa's iconic brushed aluminium roll bar—which redefined...

On April 30, 2025, Cymat Technologies, a Canada-based innovative materials company that manufactures and produces Stabilised Aluminium Form (SAF), has recently joined hands with France-based NUVIA. This collaboration has been signed for a decade, with an agreement in the nuclear energy industry securing seamless integration of the Cymat SmartMetal panels. Image for representational purposes France, within its nuclear energy plants, at present, is deemed to be undertaking life extension programmes. At present, the majority of the sectors are providing extra attention to nuclear electricity generation as it is a safer option for conducting low-carbon energy production. This collaboration will serve to support both companies' joint marketing initiatives, which shall extend beyond the...

RevoCast is set to build a state-of-the-art aluminium remelting facility in Langley, British Columbia, Canada, covering an area of approximately 11,148 m². Designed with sustainability at its core, the facility will operate using high recycled content and advanced technology to recycle and remelt a wide range of raw materials. Its primary goal is to lower carbon emissions while supplying remelt billets to the North American extrusion market. The groundbreaking ceremony for the facility is planned for the second quarter of 2025, with commissioning and the start of operations targeted for 2026. Thomas Martini, President & CEO of RevoCast, said, "By closing the loop and giving aluminium a second life, we're not only reducing our environmental impact but also ensuring a reliable and resilient...

Vedanta Limited, a leading player in India’s metals and mining sector, has announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter of FY2025, ended March 31, showcasing robust performance in both financial metrics and production output. Financial outcome – outpaces previous benchmarks Thanks to favourable commodity prices and expense reduction strategy, Vedanta has seen the highest-ever quarterly profit after tax (PAT), recording a jump of 118 per cent Y-o-Y to INR 4,961 crore (USD 591.5 million). Revenue also stood the highest-ever at INR 39,789 crore (USD 4.74 billion), registering an increase of 14 per cent Y-o-Y. Quarterly EBITDA grew 30 per cent, reaching INR 11,618 crore (USD 1.4 billion), mainly driven by higher volumes and higher premiums but partly offset by input...

Indian conglomerate Vedanta, spanning metals to oil has announced plans to increase its capital expenditure for the current financial year. As per Chief Financial Officer Ajay Goel, Vedanta plans to increase it between $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion, up from $1.5 billion in the previous fiscal. The majority of the investment of around $700 million is expected to be allocated to aluminium and power business, followed by $400–$450 million set aside for the zinc division. "With our augmented volume base, with our compressed cost base, our operating free cash flows will be sufficient to fund the growth and, at the same time, leave money for deleveraging both Vedanta India and Vedanta Resources. We are looking at 10 per cent higher volume, and 10 per cent lower cost in the current year. So,...

Europe’s pluckiest penny-pincher in the skies, Ryanair, has donned its boxing gloves this week and squared up to Boeing. In a letter to a senior US lawmaker, chief executive Michael O’Leary declared that if President Trump’s plan to impose tariffs goes ahead, Ryanair might just give Boeing the cold shoulder on its 330 737 MAX orders, worth over USD 30 billion on sticker price. Image Source: https://centreforaviation.com/ In what might be described as a strongly worded message, Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, penned a letter to a senior US lawmaker that essentially reads like a “it’s not me, it’s your president” note. “If the US government proceeds with its ill-judged plan to impose tariffs, and if these tariffs materially affect the price of Boeing aircraft exports to Europe,...

Asahi Beverages, a member of Asahi Group Holdings, has launched a state-of-the-art canning system at Yatala brewery in Queensland to meet the rising consumer preference for aluminium cans over stubbies. The $60 million production line can produce over two million cans per day, including popular brands such as Great Northern, Victoria Bitter, and Carlton Dry. With an annual capacity of 400 million cans, the new line marks a major expansion of the Yatala facility's capabilities. Located between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Yatala is Australia's largest brewery. Sustainability remains a key focus for Asahi, which has committed to purchasing 40,000 MWh of renewable energy annually for eight years starting in 2023. "This new canning line is a major investment in south-east Queensland...

On Thursday, May 1, the US aluminium giant Alcoa Corporation informed the media and stakeholders that its order book for the second quarter remains stable, despite US tariffs. CEO William Oplinger stated that the company has yet to observe any negative impact on bookings due to the tariffs; but could not give a positive outlook for the months to come, citing customer feedback that signals potential challenges ahead. Outlook under review amid tariffs and power outage In addition to the tariff pressure, Alcoa is now grappling with a new obstacle and that is power outage in Spain, which has disrupted operations at both its aluminum smelter and alumina refinery . The company is currently assessing the full extent of the operational and financial damage at its San Ciprián facility, the largest...