A Swiss-Polish research team has achieved up to 97.9 per cent relative density in extrusion-printed AA6061 aluminium by removing the solvent-debinding stage and extending the sintering process. The approach offers a potential alternative to conventional processing routes for sinter-based aluminium additive manufacturing, where oxidation has remained a major obstacle. The study, led by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), was published in Progress in Additive Manufacturing on October 15, 2026. An earlier version appeared as a preprint in May, making the journal publication the latest stage in the research’s release. The researchers combined a single-step wick-debinding process with a longer sintering hold to improve the density of printed aluminium...
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...
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Uzbekistan and Russia have accelerated their collaboration in the aluminium industry, leveraging the 5th International Industrial Exhibition “Innoprom. Central Asia” in Tashkent as a launchpad for agreements on standards harmonisation, joint projects and cutting-edge materials such as aluminium-zirconium alloys. Image for representational purposes only (Source: https://oren.ru/) The potent partnership builds on over 650 existing joint ventures worth USD 67 billion, aligns with Uzbekistan’s robust 6.5 per cent economic growth in 2024, and taps into Russia’s industrial expertise across energy, transport and construction, promising to modernise infrastructure and boost regional supply chains. Expanding horizons At Innoprom Central Asia, Denis Manturov, First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia,...
According to data from the US Geological Survey, the United States' imported 1.34 million tonnes of alumina in 2024, showing a slight decline from 1.36 million tonnes in 2023. This year-on-year dip occurred despite Australia emerging as one of the top suppliers of the ore to the US starting in the third quarter of the year. Quarterly performance: a mixed bag The United States’ alumina imports saw back-to-back growth in the second and third quarter of 2024, amounting to 325,000 tonnes and 378,000 tonnes, respectively. It was in Q4 when the import volumes decreased by 7 per cent Q-o-Q to 352,000 tonnes, offsetting the 16 per cent growth in the previous two quarters. Even on an annual basis, the imports in Q4 dropped by 2 per cent from 359,000 tonnes to 352,000 tonnes. Similarly, the imports...
Constellium SE, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high value-added aluminium products, has reported robust financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Despite ongoing challenges, including reduced shipment volumes and lingering impacts from severe flooding in Switzerland, the company posted a solid increase in revenue and a strong rebound in net income. Revenue for Q1 2025 reached USD 2 billion, reviving by 16.2 per cent from USD 1,721 million in the previous quarter and marking a 5 per cent rise year-over-year. Net income amounted to USD 38 million, reflecting a significant improvement from a net loss of USD 47 million in Q4 2024, and up 73 per cent from USD 22 million in Q1 2024. Ajusted EBITDA in Q1 2025 was USD 186 million, up by 50 per cent from USD...
In the first quarter of 2025, Gränges AB demonstrated resilience and foresight despite coming across multiple obstacles, achieving record-breaking results despite facing a complex global market landscape. Gränges reported a significant 24 per cent increase in sales volume, reaching 151.6 thousand tonnes, up from 122 thousand tonnes in the same period the previous year. This surge was accompanied by a 15 per cent rise in adjusted operating profit, totalling SEK 409 million, marking the company’s strongest first-quarter performance to date. The profit for the period climbed to SEK 261 million, with diluted earnings per share increasing to SEK 2.34. Image for representational purposes only (source: https://www.granges.com/) Gränges’ CEO, Jörgen Rosengren, attributed the company’s strong...
In April 2025, Russian aluminium producer United Co. RUSAL (Rusal) publicly warned that it would pursue legal action against Germany after a German takeover of a bank disrupted a currency‐hedging deal. The bank in question was VTB Bank (Europe) SE – the Frankfurt-based subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned VTB Bank – which German authorities effectively took over in April 2022 amid EU sanctions on Russia. A German-appointed trustee later liquidated the bank (renamed OWH SE) in 2023, and by August 2024, its licence was revoked. This AI-generated image is used for representational purposes only Rusal says this sequence of events illegally expropriated its subsidiary’s rights under a hedging contract, culminating in a London arbitration award ordering Rusal to pay EUR 213 million to the bank’s...
What if every bottle you returned helped build a cleaner, greener future? That’s exactly the vision the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) brought to life with the launch of its ambitious Bottle Return Scheme in 2023. In collaboration with Sparklo, its strategic oversight partner and cleantech leader, the initiative has sparked a city-wide shift in sustainability—recovering over 2,000 tonnes of bottles and amassing a remarkable 23 million recyclables in 2024 alone. Out of this, 18,000 kg were aluminium, and 544,000 kg were plastic. Maxim Kaplevich, Founder and CEO of Sparklo, said, “The partnership with EAD exemplifies the success of government-private sector collaboration. With EAD’s unwavering support, we have expanded the RVM network, contributing directly to Abu Dhabi’s...
The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) has urged the Indian government to extend the RoDTEP scheme to aluminium exporters, highlighting the financial stress faced by domestic producers. FIMI has submitted the request to ensure a level playing field in global markets. Image source: iStock The RoDTEP scheme offers refunds on embedded central, state and local taxes that are not currently reimbursed through other means. Until February 2025, aluminium units operating under Advance Authorisation (AA), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zones (SEZs) were eligible. The scheme aims to support export competitiveness by offsetting unclaimed taxes. The call for extension comes after the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) stressed the importance of this benefit. FIMI...
Alcoa’s San Ciprián complex was thrown into turmoil by the massive power outage that swept across Spain on April 28, hitting both the aluminium smelter and alumina refinery hard. “Alcoa’s San Ciprián complex was impacted by the widespread power outage across Spain. As a result of the outage, both the refinery and smelter at the complex were affected. The company is conducting a thorough assessment of the facility to determine the full extent of the operational and financial impact,” the company confirmed in a recent statement. The catastrophic event has shaken businesses, enthusiasts, and investors alike as the impact of what looks like just a power cut can curtail millions of dollars’ worth of business for the company and the nation. Image for representational purposes only The blackout...
Alumex PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading manufacturer of aluminium extrusion products, has strengthened its commitment to supply chain excellence by entering into a strategic partnership with the Institute of Supply and Materials Management (ISMM). This collaboration was officially established through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Alumex PLC Managing Director Pramuk Dediwela and ISMM President Jayantha Gallehewa in attendance. Under the MoU, ISMM will grant institutional membership to Alumex, while Alumex will extend priority access to ISMM students by offering internships and job placements. These opportunities will enable students to gain practical experience in supply chain management within Alumex’s advanced manufacturing environment. Alumex PLC Managing Director...
Hydro has reportedly announced the first quarter results of 2025 where it has shown positive effects of alumina and all-aluminium prices on its financial performance during the period. However, higher raw material costs, lower extrusion volumes and margins, and lower alumina sales volumes have offset the result to an extent, said Hydro. Here are the key takeaways from Hydro’s Q1 results: Strong upstream results, driven by bauxite and alumina’s record performance Suffered from economic uncertainty and risk of low demand due to tariff Bearish extrusions outlook due to uncertain markets, leading Hydro to adjust portfolio and cut costs Recycling executing on hot metal cost improvements, one-third of 2030 target to be realised in 2025 Financial performance review In the first quarter of 2025,...
Sidel has introduced the EvoFILL Can Compact, a high-performance and versatile filling solution tailored for premium beverage producers, including those in the beer and carbonated soft drink industries. This cutting-edge system is engineered to address the rising demand for high-quality, flexible filling solutions in the rapidly growing beverage industry. EvoFILL Can Compact also meets the growing demand for flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability, particularly in low-to-medium speed production environments, with capabilities of up to 40,000 cans per hour. As per Global Data, Packaging Global Report, beverage production globally is on the rise, with alcoholic beverage volumes expected to reach 492.1 billion units, and non-alcoholic packaging is projected to hit 1.3 trillion units by...
China, the leading alumina and aluminium producer, heavily relies on imported bauxite, which surged to 57 per cent in 2024 , owing to declining domestic ore grades and export restrictions from Indonesia. The country is thus prompted towards an urgent search for nearer-sourced supplies. Australia’s Metro Mining has reportedly seized this moment, with an urge for optimising production at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland, and having ramped capacity up to 7 million tonnes per annum in H2 2024 and shipping 184,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) in Q1 2025 to satisfy Chinese demand. Backed by long-term supply agreements totalling 6.9 million tonnes in 2025 and 6.1 million tonnes in 2026 with major Chinese partners, the company stands at a sub-USD 30 per dry tonne delivered cost target and a...
Capral Aluminium is on a roll – from developing Shop.Capral the online gateway for premium quality aluminium solutions to launching its latest cutting-edge Revit 3D Library, the company is going everyway to empowering architecture. Developed in collaboration with IGS BIM Solutions—Australia’s leading experts in BIM content—and informed by feedback from leading architectural firms, the Capral Revit 3D Library offers a high-performance, user-friendly solution for seamlessly integrating aluminium windows and doors into Revit-based design workflows. The library is a powerful digital resource that elevates architectural design. Featuring a comprehensive range of commercial windows, doors, glazing systems, and curtain walls, this high-performance BIM content is purpose-built to align with...
A new sustainability partnership has emerged recently! Hydro, an aluminium and renewable energy-based company, has signed a long-term offtake agreement with NKT, a power cable solution provider of wire rods for power cables. This agreement has been struck for ramping up the production to meet the growing market demand of medium and high voltage power cable solutions in Europe. Image source: hydro.com Partnership benefiting both companies As per the signed agreement, Hydro will supply around 274,000 tonnes of wire rods to NKT, effective from 2026. The deal is valid through 2033, with an option to increase the amount upon request. As of now, the committed volume shall be used to make medium-voltage cables. The estimated value of the wire rod to be shipped from Hydro to NKT is EUR 1 billion...
Rio Tinto has expressed uncertainty around the future of operations for its Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania after six years of unsuccessful negotiations for a renewable power supply agreement with Hydro Tasmania. The company has eight months left on its current agreement with the state-owned Hydro Tasmania. Image source: bellbayaluminium.co Rio CEO Jakob Stausholm has committed to a low-carbon future for its Australasian smelters, despite past closure threats. Key decisions loom this year for both the Tomago and Bell Bay smelters. Rio has warned ASIC that Bell Bay faces "material uncertainty" due to its expiring power deal. In documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Rio Tinto stated, "There are a number of potential outcomes that could result from...
Six companies have expressed interest in serving as the system operator for the government’s proposed Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), aimed at regulating the use of non-biodegradable materials such as glass bottles, aluminium cans and plastic bottles. To address queries related to the appointment process, the state government—keen to become the first in the country to roll out the DRS—recently conducted a pre-bid meeting with the interested firms. A DRS product refers to non-biodegradable materials listed in the Schedule of the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, including multi-layered plastics used for packaging goods sold in the state. To support the scheme, over 300 automated collection machines will be installed across Goa, strategically placed based on consumer and tourist...
Metro Mining Limited, an Australia's Queensland-based mining and exploration company has reported the Q1 2025 bauxite shipment, marking a record of 184,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) generating USD 9 million in the FOB (Free on Board) revenue. Image source: MarineLink For the entire year of 2025, the company has set a target of shipping 6.5 to 7 million WMT bauxite. In order to achieve this, the company is focused on leveraging strategic offtake agreements as well as maintaining an industry-leading cost position despite volatile market conditions. Comparison with 2024 On January 6, 2025, Metro Mining Limited reported that its total capacity for shipping bauxite for the year would be 7 million WMT. As of 2024, the company had shipped a total of 5.7 million WMT bauxite, marking a growth of 24...
Novelis, a global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions and the world's largest aluminium recycler, has announced the opening of the Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Centre. With this facility, Novelis anticipates reducing carbon emissions by 420,000 tonnes annually. This reduction is equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of around 19 million trees, assuming an average of 22 kilograms per tree. The new facility, a joint venture between Novelis and Kobe Steel, represents a $65 million investment and boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium sheet ingot. "The Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Centre is a strategic investment aimed at meeting growing customer demand for sustainable, low-carbon aluminium across beverage packaging, automotive, and speciality product...
