The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart continued to rally, reporting gains over the October 26 close in the October 27 trading session across the pricing and contract segments. Asian Reference Price gained 1.5 per cent, while aluminium inventories continued to falter. The LME aluminium cash bid price gained 1.02 per cent on October 27, rising to USD 3,077.5 per tonne from USD 3,046.5 per tonne. The offer price surged to USD 3,078 per tonne from USD 3,047.5 per tonne , up 1 per cent day-on-day. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium three-month bid as well as offer prices reported a 1.22 per cent rise. The bid surged to USD 3,062...
Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy have commenced front-end engineering and design for a 30 MW/360 MWh thermal energy storage project at the Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone, Queensland, marking a potential milestone in the use of heat batteries to reduce emissions from alumina refining. The Rondo Heat Battery will store energy as high-temperature heat in refractory bricks and supply continuous process heat to support Rio Tinto’s alumina refining operations. If progressed, the project would be one of the first large-scale demonstrations of thermal energy storage for industrial process heat globally and a world-first for the alumina industry. Heat batteries target round-the-clock industrial demand Australia regularly experiences four to six hours of surplus solar-generated renewable...
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Indian conglomerate Vedanta, spanning metals to oil, is seeking a global partner for expansion projects worth $20 billion, according to a tender document. Led by billionaire Anil Agarwal, the company—soon to be split into five entities:Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil and Gas, Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials, and Vedanta Power. Vedanta has not disclosed specific details about the tender issued last week. However, its plans include a $2 billion to $2.5 billion investment to expand subsidiary Hindustan Zinc's production. Another unit, Cairn India, has outlined a $5 billion strategy to increase oil output fivefold. Meanwhile, Vedanta's power division aims to double its 5-gigawatt (GW) capacity and expand into nuclear energy and power distribution. In February, the company...
The long-awaited joint venture between Alcoa Corporation and IGNIS Equity Holdings, SL (IGNIS EQT) has officially been established to ensure the continued operation of Alcoa’s San Ciprián complex. Initially announced in October of the previous year, the joint venture has come to fruition as of March 31, 2025, following extensive discussions with the Spanish National Government, having all agreements remain intact. Alcoa, as a major shareholder of the JV with a 75 per cent stake, has contributed USD 81 million, and IGNIS Equity, with a remaining 25 per cent share, has invested USD 27 million in forming the joint venture under a financial and mergers & acquisitions (M&A) advisory by FTI Consulting Spain and FTI Capital Advisors Spain. Going ahead, Alco will invest up to USD 108 million if...
A grand success witness, Sandhar Ascast, a subsidiary of Sandhar Technologies, a leading automotive parts manufacturer, after the acquisition of Sundaram-Clayton’s Hosur aluminium die-casting business. In the present market condition, the acquiring company witnessed an increase of 2.82 per cent, amounting to INR 397 or USD 4.63 (as of April 2, 2025, 15:43 IST) in their shares. Image source: Freepik Sandhar Ascat, with the procedure laid down by a Business Transfer Agreement , acquired Sundaram-Clayton’s Hosur aluminium-die casting unit at an all-cash deal, which was valued at INR 163 crore (USD 19.03 million) with the vision to streamline their core business areas, shareholder value and the overall operations. The parent company, with the acquisition of the aluminium die casting business...
With an agenda of counteracting persistent overcapacity and subsequently stabilising global alumina prices, China has come up with a bunch of measures (of course, in a series) aimed at curtailing the rapid expansion of alumina production. The new directives, outlined in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s (MIIT) Action Plan for the High-Quality Development of the Aluminium Industry (2025–2027), extensively highlight the need to shift the country’s approach to managing its aluminium supply chain. Policy overview and strategic objectives The latest policy mandates that firms who are planning to establish new alumina projects must secure adequate bauxite supply to ensure a balanced and sustainable growth model. This requirement is a successor to the earlier guidance...
On Tuesday, April 1, Unilever announced the acquisition of personal care brand Wild, further advancing its portfolio optimisation strategy toward premium and high-growth categories as part of the Growth Action Plan 2030. Founded in 2020 by Charlie Bowes-Lyon and Freddy Ward, Wild has transformed the natural deodorant market with its innovative reusable aluminium cases and biodegradable refills. Image Source: Wild website Building on this success, the brand has expanded its product line to include body wash, hand wash, and lip balms, all featuring sustainable, refillable packaging. This acquisition marks a strategic step forward for Wild in its commitment to sustainability and innovation. Partnering with Unilever will unlock access to world-class research and development, extensive...
A strategic yet surprising agreement occurred in late March 2025 between Berlin-based Yamaha Motors and a German automotive part manufacturer, Brose. This agreement was for the acquisition of the German company’s bicycle drive unit (eKit) as Yamaha Motor Europe’s subsidiary to expand their business within the continent. However, the agreement shall be officially finalised by June 2025 as it is yet to be approved by the antitrust authorities. Image source: Yamaha Motor Europe As of 2024, the share of Brose was at 7 per cent with respect to the market condition of the European e-bike motor. If compared, Yamaha Motors Europe only held a 5 per cent share within the e-bike motor European market. With this agreement, the motor company gained an advantage to start the operation of Yamaha Motor...
Hyundai Mobis is set to integrate low-carbon aluminium, produced using solar energy, into the manufacturing of key automotive components starting this year. This initiative is a crucial step in the company’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. The company announced that it has signed a contract with Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA), a leading global aluminium producer, to secure 15,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium. Headquartered in Dubai, UAE, EGA produces this eco-friendly aluminium using solar power. As a vital material for lightweighting electric vehicles and other mobility solutions, aluminium plays a key role in sustainable transportation. By prioritising eco-friendly raw material procurement, Hyundai Mobis aims to strengthen its green supply chain and support the...
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), India’s National Standards Body, has reportedly mandated certain products, mostly belonging to the aluminium industry, to adopt BIS standards and obtain licenses to sell products in the domestic market. BIS plays a crucial role in product certification schemes, offering third-party assurance of quality, safety, and reliability to consumers. Although the BIS certification scheme is typically voluntary, the Central Government has made it mandatory for certain products to obtain licenses in the interest of consumer protection, environmental safety, fair trade practices, and national security. This mandate comes after two consecutive raids by BIS at aluminium casting factory , Ibex Engineering Pvt. Ltd. in Karnataka, and at aluminium alloy ingot...
For the second time in just a year, West Virginia faces the brunt of business closures and job cuts. Following the shutdown announcement of Novelis’ Buckhannon plant in March 2024, the aluminium giant is now closing its Fairmont manufacturing facility. After days of speculation, workers were informed on April 1, 2025, that the plant was shutting down permanently. Simultaneously, Novelis is also set to close its facility at 1801 Reymet Road in Chesterfield next month. A company spokesperson stated that the move is part of a broader restructuring strategy, with the Chesterfield shutdown costing over 70 jobs. According to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) filed in West Virginia, the Fairmont plant will close on June 30, 2025. “This closure is permanent and will affect...
Portugal is set to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use beverage containers by 2026, aiming to enhance recycling rates and strengthen its waste management system. SDR Portugal will oversee the initiative, with Sensoneo providing the technological infrastructure. This collaboration underscores Portugal's commitment to environmental sustainability and positions it as a leader in Southern Europe's recycling efforts. Image source: OECD Sensoneo's technology will manage the entire DRS process, including collection, reverse logistics and waste tracking. The system will feature user-friendly mobile applications to encourage public participation and simplify recycling. By leveraging Sensoneo's expertise, Portugal joins other European nations that have successfully implemented...
A preliminary survey was recently conducted on Forest Department land in Narlam in preparation for proposed bauxite mining operations. The inspection was led by M.C. Kishore, Additional Director of State Mining and Geology, with the participation of Revenue and Forest officials. Bauxite deposits have been identified across 150 hectares, and the survey aimed to assess the land available for mining. A detailed survey is scheduled to begin next week and is expected to be completed within a month, after which a report will be submitted to the State government. Mining activities will be confined to forest land, focusing on rocky areas while avoiding soil-rich zones, residential areas, and places of worship. Officials estimate that at least 100 hectares will be available for extraction. Mining...
Equispheres, a leader in optimised aluminium powders for Additive Manufacturing (AM), has partnered with mobile AM pioneer Fieldmade to introduce NOMAD®03—a breakthrough mobile aluminium 3D printing micro-factory. This innovation extends laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) beyond conventional manufacturing settings, enabling on-demand aluminium part production in remote and field locations where safety and performance are critical. Image Source: Fieldmade Fieldmade’s NOMAD®03 micro-factory—a mobile, deployable AM system—now enables aluminium part production using Equispheres’ NExP-1 non-explosive aluminium powder, broadening the scope of metals processed in the field. With tunable parameters for diverse applications, NExP-1 supports rapid build speeds, exceptional part quality, and consistent...
As the countdown begins for Donald Trump's reciprocal tariffs on April 2, several of the United States' major trade partners are preparing countermeasures. The European Union, which shares a long-standing trade relationship with the US, is also working on its strategy to respond to fresh tariffs. Image source: Shutterstock Brussels, the EU's administrative centre, known for its tit-for-tat tactics in response to US tariffs, ensuring that their retaliatory actions match, but never exceed, the US administration's moves, is again gearing up for a similar strategy. In 2018, the target of the countermeasure was the iconic American brand Harley-Davidson, which saw a 25 per cent additional tariff on imports, while this year, the sights are set on big tech companies such as Elon Musk's social...
Botanical soda brand Moment has partnered with Crown Holdings, Inc. to enhance its sustainability efforts by upgrading the aluminium packaging for its botanical and adaptogen-based beverages sold across the U.S. Image Source: Crown Holdings By transitioning from shrink-wrapped aluminium cans to directly printed cans—renowned for their superior sustainability—Moment aims to significantly improve packaging circularity and reduce its environmental footprint. The company selected Crown for its extensive packaging expertise, advanced graphic design capabilities, technical support, and strong commitment to sustainability. Additionally, Capsules and Closures, LLC, a key partner, is providing further support in this transition. "Moment represents an exciting corner of the beverage industry that...
Yamaha Motor Australia Pty. Ltd. has signed a purchase agreement with subsidiaries of BRP Inc., a Canada-based company, to acquire full ownership of Telwater Pty Ltd, an Australian aluminium boat manufacturer. The completion of this acquisition is subject to obtaining necessary clearances, permits, and regulatory approvals, including those related to competition laws. With its iconic brands, QUINTREX and STACER, Telwater has been a leader in designing and manufacturing aluminium boats in Australia for nearly four decades. Its integration into the Yamaha Motor Australia Group aligns with Yamaha Motor’s global commitment to delivering top-quality products and the ultimate *Kando experience to customers. This acquisition strengthens Yamaha Motor’s foundation for expanding its market presence...
In a calculated move to tackle the overstuffing of the ‘material in question’ in its domestic aluminium industry, the Indian government imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil imports from China. Effective from March 17, 2025, this measure levies duties ranging between USD 619 and USD 873 per tonne on aluminium foil up to 80 microns in thickness, with the exception of foil below 5.5 microns intended for non-capacitor applications. This action follows the Directorate General of Trade Remedies’ (DGTR) preliminary findings, which concluded that the influx of low-priced Chinese aluminium foil has inflicted material injury on India’s domestic producers. The DGTR’s investigation revealed that Chinese imports had seized nearly 30 per cent of the Indian market despite the...
As of March 31, 2025, Wisconsin Aluminium Foundry, the leader in aluminium and copper-based alloy casting, has officially announced its strategic expansion plan by acquiring Anderson Global, based out of Michigan. Image source: iStock The acquisition intent of Wisconsin Aluminium Foundry is foremost to accelerate its internal capabilities alongside the other foundry facilities that are currently operating in North America. This shall further generate job opportunities and make further investments in advanced technologies and equipment to make the process of each foundry streamlined. With over 40 years in the world of foundry, Anderson Global have successfully accumulated more than 50 journeymen machinists, superlative engineering talent and advanced machinery that help in producing...
After an initial aggressive uptick at the beginning of March, the premium for Japanese aluminium’s outbound trade during the second Quarter of 2025 (April to June) has reportedly crashed to USD 182 per tonne, which is clearly a 20 per cent decrease from the past quarter (Q1’25), reveals six sources involved in the pricing discussions. The downturn in premiums is the first quarterly drop in the recent five quarters, USD 46 down from January to March, with a premium of USD 228 per tonne. Aluminium has turned out to clasp a premium below initial offers from global production houses, which ranged from USD 245 per tonne to USD 260 per tonne, now raising the question of why such a premium fell. On March 27, Platts evaluated the CIF main Asian ports (MAP) spot P1020 aluminium premium at USD 173...
