Singapore is exploring solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles that could allow heritage buildings to generate clean electricity without compromising their traditional appearance, as the Energy Market Authority (EMA) steps up efforts to advance solar technologies through partnerships with public and private sector organisations. EMA will collaborate with Swiss technology innovation centre CSEM and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to pilot the use of solar PV roof tiles on heritage State buildings. Designed to resemble traditional clay roof tiles, the technology could enable more roof space to generate clean electricity while preserving the overall appearance of historic properties. Traditional clay-tile roofs are an integral part of the character of Singapore’s heritage precincts....
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...
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For the past two decades, China has dominated the global aluminium landscape with unparalleled force. From producing just 4 million tonnes in 2004, the country now commands a staggering 43 million tonnes of primary aluminium smelting capacity, accounting for 60 per cent of the world’s total. But now, in 2025, the dragon appears to be nearing its limits. As China approaches its government-imposed production ceiling with a 2.6 per cent growth rate during the first quarter of the calendar year, a monumental shift is on the horizon — one that could recalibrate global supply chains, trade dynamics, and pricing structures. Image for representational purposes If China’s aluminium production growth rate progresses in a similar pattern, the national production will reach 44 million tonnes, just...
US President Donald Trump announced on April 16 a tariff escalation from the previously announced 145 per cent to a whopping 245 per cent that has evidently caught the global construction industry off-guard and, in turn, caused a ruffle in sourcing downstream (semi-finished) metals from the world’s largest aluminium-producing nation, China. Transnational builders are now in a rat race with the sudden slap of cost surges, which has reflected in a 5.41 per cent plunge according to MetalMiner’s April Construction Monthly Metals Index, tracking everything from H-beam steel to rebar. This AI-generated image is for referential purposes only Economists warn that the true sting lies in the unpredictability of the regime, deterring investment and complicating procurement strategies. Despite...
Alcoa, the Pittsburgh-based aluminium giant, is preparing to absorb up to USD 90 million costs this quarter (Q2) as a result of tariff impact. Yes, you read that correctly! Despite being a US-headquartered aluminium manufacturer, the company is preparing for the financial hit from these tariffs. And it doesn’t end there. Alcoa is expecting this steep cost after posting a strong performance in Q1, with a double net income of USD 548 million. The truth is Alcoa has already experienced a cost of USD 20 million since the tariff being implemented by the US government. Why? Because Alcoa’s 70 per cent of the aluminium production takes place in Canada, which is now subject to Donald Trump’s 25 per cent import duty. Alcoa’s CEO William Oplinger analysed that this quarterly cost equates to an...
On Wednesday, April 24, WM, the operator of curbside recycling for D.C. and Baltimore, unveiled a state-of-the-art $50 million recycling facility in Elkridge, Maryland. Having started operations in late 2024, the facility is set to significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of recycling services across the District and nearby communities, according to company executives. WM officials report that the facility's enhanced sorting technology is already yielding positive results, with recyclable bale quality improving by over 10 per cent, according to Hemmer. Around 60 per cent of the recovered cardboard and paper is exported to international markets, while all non-fibre materials—such as aluminium cans and plastic bottles—are processed and reused within the U.S. "This facility...
London Metal Exchange, on April 23, 2025, stated in a meeting with its respective stakeholders that it is currently working on establishing a system where it would add a premium to the prices of sustainable metals, including both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The four major metals at a focus for premia pricing include aluminium, zinc, copper, and nickel. Image source: Wikipedia.com This initiative for producing sustainable metal pricing is available for LME-approved brands. However, not all companies listed under LME can attain these premia prices because it is only for those who have met the criteria of low-carbon footprint requirements in the nonferrous metal certification bodies. Some of the companies that produce low-carbon aluminium and are also listed under LME are Hindalco, whose...
Construction Éco-bâtiment, in partnership with ACAL System, unveiled the world’s first aluminium volumetric apartments in Québec, Canada. The project, named Lofts de l’Aluminium, also called ‘a world-first’, was developed to promote sustainable and efficient housing solutions. The six-unit, three-storey complex showcases the potential of aluminium in modular construction. Image source: eco-batiment.ca From a carbon perspective, the aluminium used in the project is produced in Québec using hydroelectricity, considered one of the greenest power sources globally. Its use in prefabricated volumetric modules, built off-site and assembled on-site, combined with EPS insulation, reduced foundation needs and costs by around 30 per cent. The collaboration between Construction Éco-bâtiment and ACAL...
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, an American aluminium producer specialised in highly engineered, semi-fabricated products, has announced its first quarter results of 2025 ended March 31, describing the period as a strong start to the year in terms of financial output amid an uncertain macroeconomic environment. Except for the aerospace product unit, Kaiser's all other business divisions supported the company in achieving an increased sales value of USD 777.4 million versus USD 737.5 million during the corresponding period of the previous year. Image source: Freepik Sector-wise sales, shipment, and revenue conversion In the packaging business unit, Kaiser Aluminum achieved net sales of USD 314.2 million and conversion revenue of USD 127.4 million in Q1 2025, compared to last year's net sales...
HPQ Silicon Inc., a technology company pioneering next-generation processes for advanced material manufacturing, is proud to announce that its France-based affiliate, NOVACIUM SAS (“Novacium”), has been invited to present at ENSURE 2025 — the 3rd International Conference on Environmental Sustainability through Waste and Recycling. The event is scheduled to take place from April 23 to 25 in Houston, Texas. Novacium will present its latest research in a talk titled “Closing the Aluminum Loop: An Innovative Process for Black Dross Valorisation,” showcasing key insights from its Waste-to-Energy (W2E) project. Organised by the United Scientific Group (USG), ENSURE 2025 is a prominent international conference that brings together a diverse community of scientists, industry leaders, academics,...
In a recent development for the London Metal Exchange’s (LME’s) Asian strategy, the announcement of its approval of the first four warehouse facilities in Hong Kong in April 2025 floated in the trading market. These newly approved warehouses, operated by a trio of company pairs, are slated to commence storing LME-warranted metal within three months of the announcement. This expansion marks a notable step for the LME, particularly considering its acquisition by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX) in 2012. This AI-generated image is for referential purposes only The central question that arises from this decision is why the LME, who facilitate trillions of dollars in transactions annually across numerous approved metals, including aluminium, copper, and zinc, chose Hong Kong, a...
AML3D Limited, based in Edinburgh, Australia, has secured a contract worth AUD $0.83 million with BAE Systems in London, UK. Under the agreement, AML3D will supply 8.5 tonnes of nickel aluminium bronze (NAB) wire feedstock. The deal represents a significant milestone in AML3D’s strategy to scale up its manufacturing operations in Australia and contribute to defence initiatives in both the UK and Australia. This development follows the launch of the company’s US facility in December 2024. Ebert highlighted that AML3D is advancing into its next growth strategy phase by capitalising on demand from the US Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base to broaden its reach into allied defence markets. In addition to the contract with BAE Systems, the company is actively pursuing further opportunities with...
On April 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced sweeping tariffs, including on aluminium, from the White House Rose Garden. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned on April 22 that these tariffs threaten global growth. The IMF lowered its global economic forecast due to rising trade tensions and policy unpredictability. Image for representational purposes only Trump’s baseline 10 per cent tariff on aluminium and additional 245 per cent duties on China have triggered global concern. Though some tariffs are paused, such as the “reciprocal” ones on major trade partners like the EU, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan until July for bilateral deal talks, key sectors, including aluminium and steel, remain affected. The IMF highlighted that these moves could unsettle trade flows and undercut...
Vedanta Aluminium marked the 55th Earth Day, themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, quite literally by strengthening their sustainability milestones. By collaborating with PwC, the company achieved success in waste-to-wealth initiatives, renewable energy adoption, and biodiversity conservation. This marks the organisation's commitment towards integrating sustainability into industrial practices. Image source: vedantalimited.com Vedanta Aluminium, since 2022, has successfully provided over 1.5 million tonnes of fly ash to cement producers and 3 million tonnes to NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) projects. Besides this, the organisation has also delivered over 0.3 million tonnes of fly ash to MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) for effective brick production. This also marks the...
BigMint's latest assessments indicate that Tense scrap from the US stood at $1,925/t, while Wheels from the UK remained stable at $2,425/t, both on a CFR west coast India basis. On the London Metal Exchange (LME), aluminium prices remained largely range-bound, with the benchmark price averaging $2,375/t, slightly down from $2,388/t last week. Meanwhile, LME-registered warehouse inventories climbed by 5.2 per cent to 462,450 t, up from 439,325 t in the previous week. Domestic scrap prices up w-o-w In the domestic market, Tense scrap prices in both Delhi and Chennai inched up by INR 3,000/t compared to last week. According to BigMint's assessment, domestic Tense scrap stood at INR 187,000/t ex-Delhi-NCR and INR 188,000/t ex-Chennai. In India, the aluminium market is experiencing an...
The International Aluminium Institute has revealed the world’s primary aluminium production for the first quarter of 2025, highlighting a year-on-year increase of 1.34 per cent. But if compared to the growth rate of last year, it is about a 3 per cent less. In Q1 2024, the world primary aluminium production was 17.869 million tonnes, up by 4.31 per cent from 17.131 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. Let’s delve into why global primary aluminium production experienced a slower growth rate in Q1 2025, examine the total output during this period, and assess whether it aligns with the industry’s outlook for the year. 1. Q1 2025 production In the first quarter of 2025, the world primary aluminium production was 18.108 million tonnes, compared to 17.869 million...
Imagine driving an electric vehicle (EV) without worrying about finding a charging station or running out of battery mid-journey. This vision is fast becoming a reality, thanks to an ambitious project in Sweden. It’s not just a technological breakthrough—it’s a bold step toward a fossil-free tomorrow. The country is building the world’s first permanent electrified highway, where EVs will charge seamlessly as they drive. Set to be completed by 2025, this game-changing e-motorway promises to eliminate range anxiety, transforming the way we think about electric mobility and paving the way for a sustainable, emission-free future. “If we electrify 20,000km of highways, that will definitely be enough. The distance between two highways is never more than 45km, and electric cars can already...
The City of Greenville, Mississippi, launched an aluminium can recycling initiative on April 22, 2025. The programme, in partnership with Every Can Counts, US, Washington and Replenysh, Los Angeles, aims to promote sustainability and increase the recovery of aluminium beverage cans. Image source: MRCTI Recycling aluminium reduces landfill waste, saves energy and minimises carbon emissions. It also conserves natural resources by lowering the need for virgin material extraction. This process supports the circular economy and helps fight climate change. The partnership of Every Can Counts, a non-profit, with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI) focused on can recycling awareness. Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons stated, “Thanks to the collaboration of MRCTI, Replenysh...
A recent study has found that three out of Australia’s four aluminium smelters face a serious risk of closure under proposed shifts in energy policy, a development that could shake the entire nation’s economy and threaten thousands of jobs. Why such a speculation? The federal opposition has pledged to construct seven nuclear power plants across five states if elected, arguing that their modelled plan could be 44 per cent cheaper than Labor’s renewable roadmap. This AI-generated image is for representational purposes only So, what could unfold if the Coalition forms government and pushes this nuclear initiative forward? Australia’s aluminium smelters are among the highest industrial energy users in the country. The Tomago smelter in New South Wales alone accounts for 12 per cent of the...
In celebration of Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22nd, the spirit of sustainability has taken a bold and artistic form in Preston’s Avenham Park. Every Can Counts (ECC), the non-profit organisation that promotes recycling of aluminium beverage cans has unveiled a striking new installation at the Avenham Park in Preston to highlight the importance of recycling. Created from more than 700 recycled drink cans, the '#EveryCanCounts CANvas' is a collaborative effort between the non-profit recycling initiative Every Can Counts and Preston City Council. The ‘CANvas’ was brought to life by local mural artist Shawn Sharpe, renowned for his vibrant work across the North West and his mural workshops for both children and adults in Preston. Shawn painted the Earth Day-themed artwork directly onto the...
