Chevron Australia has entered a new natural gas supply agreement with South32’s Worsley Alumina business, reinforcing the importance of reliable energy supplies to Australia’s alumina refining industry. The deal will support operations at the Western Australian facility, where energy availability remains central to mineral processing and industrial activity. Under the contract, Chevron will supply natural gas to South32 Worsley Alumina Pty Ltd from 1 January 2028. The arrangement continues a longstanding commercial relationship between the companies, with the fuel allocated to the alumina producer’s processing requirements. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade...
Mexico’s aluminum industry is looking to capitalize on rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, electric mobility, automotive manufacturing, and aerospace. Expanding technology investments and international market opportunities are expected to support sales growth, while the country’s reliance on imported aluminum highlights the importance of strengthening domestic processing capabilities. Ramón Beltrán, president of Mexico’s National Chamber of the Aluminum Industry (Canalum), expects the country’s domestic and international aluminum sales to gain momentum in 2026, supported by demand from advanced technology applications and established manufacturing sectors. “We expect to close out this year with growth of between 7.5% and 7.8% in domestic and international...
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The global aluminium industry is currently grappling with significant challenges owing to the recently imposed tariffs on aluminium and steel by the United States. While the entire value chain is affected, it is the primary aluminium sector that is most shaken by the fluctuating nature of these tariffs. Donald Trump’s inconsistent approach to tariffs has left the industry puzzled. This week, his back-and-forth announcements—including a declaration to double tariffs on Canada, followed by a sudden reversal—have only added to the confusion. At the onset of the global tariffs on aluminium and steel, Donald Trump announced a dramatic increase in tariffs on Canadian aluminium imports, raising them from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, effective immediately. However, just hours later, the President...
Novelis has just pulled off something big! They have rolled out the world's first aluminium coil made entirely from 100 per cent recycled, end-of-life automotive scrap. This is one of the major breakthroughs for the European automotive market and a huge leap towards a more circular and sustainable future. Image source: Linkedin (Novelis) What makes this even more impressive? This pilot material isn’t just a green gimmick — it’s strong, sleek, and perfectly suited for car body outer skins, meeting the highest standards for surface quality and formability. In short, it’s proof that sustainability doesn’t mean compromising on performance. Novelis has long been on a mission to boost the recycled content in its products, working hand in hand with automakers and industry partners. This latest...
On Wednesday, March 12, Donald Trump's global tariffs on aluminium and steel took effect. Nearly all the United States' trade allies have faced a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium exports, except China. It is the only country whose aluminium and steel products are subject to higher tariffs, with a total rate of 45 per cent. This comes as a result of a 20 per cent across-the-board duty imposed much before March 12, followed by the latest additional 25 per cent tariff. Image soure: Freepik What is China's reaction to it? The country has vowed to implement retaliatory measures in response to Donald Trump's latest 25 per cent tariff imposed on its aluminium and steel exports to the United States. During a press conference, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said, "China will...
War-ridden Ukraine and Russia have faced multi-disciplinary trade and economic losses for the past decade. The war, which escalated dramatically in 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has left both nations grappling with shattered economies. Russia has been heavily sanctioned by the European Union (EU), choking its trade routes and cutting off key industries from global markets. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s critical mineral deals have faced uncertainty, and its infrastructure, including key industrial zones — has suffered extensive damage, further crippling its economic output. Image for representational purposes only The conflict stems from Russia’s demand for a ban on Ukraine ever joining the NATO military alliance — a move Moscow views as a direct threat to its sphere of influence. Russian...
The Middle East aluminium industry has witnessed unprecedented growth, transforming the region into a powerhouse of production, innovation, and sustainability. As the global landscape shifts towards decarbonisation, efficiency, and value-added manufacturing, industry leaders are seeking insights that drive strategic decisions. To capture these dynamics, AL Circle proudly presents its 30th e-Magazine, ‘ Aluminium Middle East: Focus 2025’ , —a definitive resource for industry professionals navigating the evolving aluminium ecosystem. A deep dive into the region's aluminium industry The Middle East is not just a producer of primary aluminium; it is a key player in shaping the global supply chain, emphasising sustainability, downstream integration, and technological advancements. ‘ Aluminium...
Parallel Architectural Products, the Colorado-based designer and manufacturer of versatile aluminium systems, has unveiled its latest innovation: self-mating aluminium battens. Expanding on the company's popular two-part batten system, this new product line offers increased design flexibility and exceptional structural strength for even the most demanding environments. Image Source: Parallel Architectural Linkedln The self-mating battens in various sizes empower architects, designers, and contractors to explore new applications, from edge installations to flat-lay configurations. Unlike traditional two-part systems, these battens use identical pieces for installation, streamlining inventory management with a single SKU. Ideal for outdoor privacy screens, striking facades, or distinctive...
GJR Aluminium, based in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, has emerged as a key player in export negotiations, navigating complex global trade dynamics. Since early 2025, the company has been actively seeking partnerships with US firms, focusing on securing a substantial $5 million annual contract to supply aluminium components for air conditioners, heat exchangers, and transformers. Image Source: Ministry of SMEs and Startups Despite its efforts, the company — like many others — has faced significant challenges following the tariffs introduced by the US government during the Trump administration. U-Kerun, head of GJR Aluminium, emphasised the impact, stating, "We are having difficulties in export negotiations due to the Trump administration's tariff measures." This statement echoes a wider...
The US steel and aluminium tariff has come into effect from March 12, and in response to it, the European Commission has launched immediate countermeasures on US imports into the European Union (EU). In a decisive retaliation against the US steel and aluminium tariffs, the European Commission has unveiled a package of countermeasures targeting US imports worth up to EUR 26 billion. The move signals a firm stance: if the US chooses to escalate the trade conflict, the EU will respond with equal force. Persuasion strategy tastes the dust President Donald Trump’s latest tariffs, a steep 25 per cent on industrial steel and aluminium imports — took effect on March 12, impacting an estimated USD 28 billion in EU exports. This isn’t entirely unexpected. Trump has long expressed his scepticism of...
Laminazione Sottile, one of the leading European players in the aluminium transformation industry, renowned for producing high-quality rolled products like coils, sheets, and circles, has officially accepted the new hot finishing mill at its Caserta plant in Italy. Image Source: Mino The acceptance was followed by a rigorous phase of trial production and performance testing. Supplied by MINO, this advanced mill enhances the facility’s capabilities, positioning it as one of the few plants globally that can cast 600 mm slabs and roll them to ultra-thin gauges using equipment from a single manufacturer. The Caserta plant alone produces over 120,000 tonnes of aluminium annually, offering coil, sheet, and circle products with thicknesses ranging from 6 mm to an ultra-thin 6 microns. For more...
A couple of days after implementing the 25 per cent tariff on all aluminium and steel imports, US President Donald Trump exempted neighbouring nations Canada and Mexico from tariffs, but only for commodities included in the trade agreement of 2019 — the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). However, the tariff payments made between March 4 and March 6 — when importers had already paid for goods in transit — will not be refunded, according to White House officials. Image source: https://mr.usembassy.gov/ In a fresh twist, mere hours after threatening to end Canada's exemption, the US has now imposed a staggering 50 per cent tariff just as Canada attempted to negotiate by leveraging energy supply tariffs from them to the US. Official statements regarding the exemption are...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, revealed its financial and operational results for 2024, showcasing increased revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, driven by higher alumina and hot metal production, cost optimisation, and increased share of value-added product sales. A notable rise in low-carbon CelestiAL aluminium production and secondary metal output was another key highlight in the results. Financial and operational results EGA reported that its annual revenue increased by 1.69 per cent in 2024, amounting to AED 30 billion ($8.2 billion) versus AED 29.5 billion ($8.0 billion) in 2023. The company’s Adjusted EBITDA was AED 9.2 billion ($2.5 billion), reflecting a surge of 19.48 per cent from AED 7.7 billion ($2.1 billion), attributed to higher...
Are you excited? iPhone has again created hype among the audience with its upcoming iPhone 17 pro leaks earlier this year. As per the latest information the upcoming model is touted to showcase more upgraded specifications. Apple’s iPhones have consistently set the pace, redefining the boundaries of technology and design. With the rumours of the much-awaited iPhone 17 pro around the corner, rumours suggest that the flagship smartphone is set to debut with a sleek, redesigned aluminium frame, an expanded camera island, and the cutting-edge A19 Pro chip. Meanwhile, Apple’s 2025 lineup could also welcome the ultra-slim iPhone 17 Air, blending style with performance. Although the iPhone 16 series is still fresh and a top seller, tech analysts and Apple enthusiasts are already buzzing with...
The aluminium trade scammer involved in the metal inventory fraudulence in China that havocked more than USD 1 billion in losses nationwide businesses has been sentenced to life imprisonment by a judicial court in the eastern province of Zhejiang. Image for representational purposes only Chen Xi, who managed quite a few trading houses and warehousing firms, was jailed in June 2022 over his involvement in a high-profile over-pledging ruse when borrowers discovered that the metal they had invested in was nothing but thin air. As mentioned by Bloomberg, the court decree quoted him as the architect and directed Xi’s personal possessions to be seized by the state. This tops the string of high-profile metal fraud controversies that shocked the industry in the past years. Chen’s stance was about...
US President Donald Trump is keeping the global aluminium market on edge for sure with his eccentric decisions on tariffs. For the first time in history, a single day saw both the announcement and the reversal of tariffs. On Tuesday, March 11, the President announced his plan to double tariffs on Canada to 50 per cent, with immediate effect—only to retract his decision moments later. Why at all did Mr President decide to raise tariffs, escalating the ongoing trade tensions with his neighbouring country, and then what led him to backtrack so quickly? Donald Trump's decision to double aluminium tariffs on Canada followed Ontario's announcement to place a 25 per cent surcharge on electricity, a move that could serve as a hurtful retaliatory measure potentially impacting three big US states:...
Good news is on the horizon for China's domestic aluminium smelters, as they are poised to see higher profits due to two contrasting sequences – 1) a drop in alumina prices and 2) an increase in primary aluminium prices driven by increased demand in the solar energy and automobile sectors. According to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) survey, China's domestic alumina prices have decreased to RMB 3,357 per tonne (USD 462.36 per tonne) as of March 11 from a record high of RMB 5,770 per tonne (USD795 per tonne) in 2024. Image - Chinalco smelter Going forward, China's average alumina price in the spot market is likely to reach even below RMB 3,000 per tonne, the weakest since the end of 2023, as projected by Zhang Meng, an analyst with AZ China Ltd. This shift in Chinese aluminium raw...
A new state-of-the-art aluminium cans manufacturing and beverage bottling plant is set to begin operations in Uzbekistan. Backed by East Can Solutions, a foreign-invested enterprise, the upcoming facility is expected to begin operations in June 2025. With a total investment of $90 million, including an $18 million loan from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the plant aims to reduce reliance on imported aluminium packaging while opening new opportunities for the country to access international markets. This will also drive export growth. Around 30 per cent of the plant's output will be supplied to Russia, Kazakhstan, and other CIS countries, with potential annual export revenues reaching $50 million. Located within the "Yangi Avlod" Free Economic Zone in Tashkent, the facility...
Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP), a global leader in supplying sustainable and infinitely recyclable metal beverage cans, has reported strong financial outcomes for 2024, supported by robust operations and a comprehensive sustainability strategy. Image source: Ardagh Metal Packaging Backed by 4 per cent growth in European beverage can shipments and 2 per cent in American shipments, the Luxembourg-headquartered company achieved a revenue of $4,908 million in 2024, up by 2 per cent Y-o-Y from $4,812 million in 2023. The European business unit contributed USD 2,161 million to the Group's annual revenue, while the Americas business unit added USD 2,747 million. Ardagh's Adjusted EBITDA grew by 12 per cent from $600 million to $672 million, resulting in a minimised loss per share. According to the...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, depends on uninterrupted plant operations to maintain around-the-clock metal production. To enhance operational efficiency and safeguard continuous performance, EGA implemented a hybrid cloud strategy powered by Azure Arc. Azure, a Microsoft product acts as a bridge, extending the Azure platform to enable seamless application and service development across data centres, edge locations, and multi-cloud environments. It empowers to build cloud-native solutions with a unified approach to development, operations, and security, ensuring consistency wherever your workloads run. As per the report published by Microsoft, by leveraging a hybrid infrastructure managed by Azure Arc, EGA seamlessly integrated its...
