The USD 4 billion Oklahoma aluminium smelter project planned by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum is facing a new hurdle in Inola, where the city council has extended a moratorium on smelter permits and called a referendum on the proposed facility. The 750,000-tonne-per-year aluminium smelter, announced in January, is expected to more than double current US primary aluminium production and would be the first new primary aluminium smelter in the country in almost 50 years. It would also become the largest source of primary aluminium in the Western Hemisphere. The project has taken on added importance as the US imports roughly 60 per cent of the primary aluminium it uses. Aluminium is essential to transportation, defence, aerospace and electrical infrastructure, making...
Prysmian and Rio Tinto are supplying electrical cables made with ELYSIS aluminum for installation at an Amazon data center near Columbus, Ohio, marking what the companies describe as the first known use of aluminum produced with inert-anode smelting technology in a data center. The collaboration brings together aluminum produced using ELYSIS technology, Prysmian’s cable manufacturing, and Amazon’s data center infrastructure. The cables are being produced and shipped from Prysmian’s facility in Sedalia, Missouri. ELYSIS technology is designed to eliminate direct greenhouse gas emissions from the aluminum smelting process, producing oxygen instead of carbon dioxide and perfluorocarbons. Prysmian and Rio Tinto previously announced the introduction of ELYSIS-produced aluminum into building...
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On Tuesday, July 22, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved down by USD 10.5 per tonne or 0.39 per cent to settle at USD 2,638 per tonne and USD 2,638.50 per tonne. As per the London Metal Exchange (LME) price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price lost USD 6 per tonne or 0.22 per cent to peg at USD 2,638 per tonne and USD 2,640 per tonne. On the same day, December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price dipped by USD 5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to settle at USD 2,668 per tonne and USD 2,673 per tonne. Also Read: Aluminium offer price hits $2,649/t on LME as market trends upward LME aluminium opening stock came in at 438,450 tonnes after adding 4,025 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants closed at 428,475 tonnes and 9975...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest smelter on one site, recently launched an inspiring initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of safety advocates from within its own community: the children of its employees. This endeavour was a key component of Alba’s “Summer is Here! Ring the Safety Bell” Safety and Health Campaign. Taking centre stage on 17 and 22 July, the Young Albawees captivated the audiences with their unique safety messages. To further develop their capabilities, nine participants attended an intensive two-day Toastmasters workshop at Alba Club to enhance their public speaking abilities before they delivered safety messages like avoiding shortcuts, ensuring road safety, and coping with extreme heat. This initiative aligns closely with one of Alba’s...
Australian mining firm Metro Mining has announced its performance result for Q2 FY2025, posting record bauxite shipments as well as solid growth in revenue and margin. The total volume of shipment increased by 19 per cent year-on-year, supported by a 41 per cent increase in FOB net unit revenue to USD 72 per tonne, showing an ever-improving operational profile at its flagship Bauxite Hills mine despite the challenges of market and weather effects. In May 2025, Metro Mining had shown a 26 per cent year-on-year increase in monthly bauxite shipments, amounting to 671,934 wet metric tonnes (WMT). Despite these great numbers, Metro's share price dipped 4.23 per cent to USD 0.068, but appears more consistent with overall market motion than any fundamental weakness related to the company. Per...
National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) gained market interest by rising 2.07 per cent in the day’s trade to finish at INR 192 (USD 2.23) on July 22, 2025. This indicates NALCO's continuing positive trend, which had clocked a monthly gain of 4.23 per cent, outstripping the BSE Metal index at a gain of 3.94 per cent and the SENSEX, which declined by 0.59 per cent in the same time period. The BSE Metal index had also moved in a positive direction, increasing by 0.44 per cent to INR 31,599.08 (USD 366.29) today, with Vedanta Ltd up 1.1 per cent and Hindalco Industries Ltd up 0.96 per cent in a similar period as NALCO. So, while other indices in the metal sector also gained, NALCO was showing a stronger trend. Recent trading patterns show strong investor interest The current price movement is...
Amid an uncertain market trend across the globe, Norsk Hydro from Norway has managed to show resilience in its fiscal Q2 2025 performance, supported by firm aluminium and energy prices. The company reported a 33.41 per cent year-on-year increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching NOK 7,790 million from NOK 5,839 million. However, beneath these headline numbers lies a more nuanced narrative that reveals both strengths and vulnerabilities shaping Hydro’s strategic trajectory. Caution behind confidence While Hydro’s annual EBITDA growth is noteworthy, the sequential figures suggest growing headwinds. Adjusted EBITDA declined 18.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter from NOK 9,516 million. Revenue followed a similar trend, contracting by7 per cent from Q1, although it still rose 4.26 per cent Y-o-Y to NOK...
In a bold and decisive operation, the Selangor Customs Department, part of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD), has once again emerged as a formidable force against smuggling. With its latest high-stakes interception, the department has reinforced its reputation as a game-changer in the ongoing battle to curb illegal trade and protect Malaysia’s borders. The department has recently thwarted a major smuggling attempt involving 1,964 tonnes of scrap metal valued at RM9.17 million. A total of 83 containers were seized within the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ). The operation has been going on for over two months since May in coordination with the National Targeting Centre (NTC). According to Selangor Customs director Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi, out of the goods, most of them were...
Moscow, RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, has launched commercial production of Primary Equivalent Foundry Alloys (PEFA) with post-consumer scrap content for the automotive industry. The project has been realised at Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter along with increasing the share of recycled metal in the alloys that now reaches up to 40 per cent. Image source: linkedin.com RUSAL started trial production of PEFA with 20 per cent of aluminium end-of- life scrap in early 2023 and has been gradually increasing the recycled content. The production technology is based on adding consumer scrap metal to the molten low-carbon ALLOW aluminium, produced with renewable energy. Its carbon footprint, times lower than market average, has been verified by independent globally trusted third...
China's spot alumina prices edged higher during the week of July 11-17 amid temporary supply tightness in the domestic spot market. Image for referential purposes only According to Mysteel's price assessment, the national price for smelter-grade alumina with purity above 98.6 per cent had risen by 1.1 per cent from July 10 to reach Yuan 3,193/tonne ($445/t) on July 17. This followed a 1.2 per cent increase recorded during the previous week. Last week's price gains were largely driven by reduced availability of spot goods, as output growth slowed. This was primarily due to ongoing maintenance stoppages at two alumina producers in Shandong province and the Guangxi autonomous region which began in early July and have continued to constrain production, market analysts noted. During the same...
Guinea’s bauxite exports saw yet another hike in Q2 2025, bringing the total export volume in H1 to 99.8 million tonnes, driven by strong Chinese demand that outweighed the impact of regulatory constraints. In comparison with H1 2024, the export volume recorded an annual hike of 36 per cent from 73.4 million tonnes. In Q1 2025, Guinea exported 48.6 million tonnes of bauxite, which rose 5.4 per cent Q-o-Q to 51.2 million tonnes in the second half of 2025. China's leading state-owned aluminium producer, CHALCO, exported approximately 8.9 million tonnes of bauxite from Guinea in the first half of 2025. Complementing this, CDM-CHINE, a joint venture between a Chinese firm and the Guinean government, shipped around 4.1 million tonnes and SPIC contributed 1.8 million tonnes. Also read: Guinea...
The future of Mozambique’s Mozal Aluminium Smelter is under a cloud, with South32 set to write down the value of its majority stake due to unresolved power supply issues. After six years of unsuccessful negotiations for a new electricity agreement, the company now faces growing doubts over the smelter’s long-term viability. Image credit: South32 The company said it will record an impairment charge in its 2025 financial results, citing rising uncertainty over the smelter’s operations beyond March 2026. Aluminium production is highly power-dependent, and without a new, affordable supply agreement in place, South32 is reassessing Mozal’s long-term value. South32 stated, “We have been working with the government of Mozambique, HCB, and Eskom for the last six years to secure electricity supply...
As the Trump administration pushes ahead with plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Japanese imports including vehicles, steel, and aluminium from August 1, Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are gearing up for impact. Image for representational purpose Tokyo-based Mitsuwa Electric, a 92-year-old precision parts maker led by Yuji Miyazaki, is one such firm. Despite the rising trade tensions, Miyazaki remains optimistic that his firm can weather the disruption. Miyazaki told AFP, “We are providing very specialised products for specialised industries, where it is difficult to change suppliers or supplying countries just because of boosted tariffs. I’m not worried too much, because if American companies can’t produce parts on their own, they have no choice but to import those...
Crown Holdings, Inc., a leading aluminium beverage can manufacturer, has been recognised by Forbes as the top packaging company on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions. The recognition comes as part of Forbes’ third annual list of Net Zero Leaders, which evaluated 200 companies across various industries for emissions projections, risk management, financial strength, governance and organisational preparedness. Crown secured the 22nd spot overall, cementing its position as one of the top performers. Image credit: crowncork.com “Crown’s recognition as one of Forbes’ Net Zero Leaders for 2025 is truly a testament to the hard work and dedication of our global team members who are driving consistent, notable progress toward our sustainability goals,” said Timothy Donahue, Chairman,...
As the United States deepens its bilateral trade ties with Indonesia and Vietnam, a lion’s share of European exports to these Southeast Asian economies faces a potential risk of trade dislodgment. According to a recent media analysis, around 10 per cent of the European Union’s total exports to these two nations are now under competitive threat due to newly signed preferential trade agreements between Washington and the two southeastern nations. Image for referential purposes only Scale of the potential disruption In 2023, the EU exported EUR 11.4 billion of goods to Vietnam (and imported EUR 47.7 billion), while trade with Indonesia stood at EUR 11.3 billion of export goods (and import of EUR 18.4 billion), as per Eurostat data. Based on a modelling assumption, if 10-12 per cent of that...
Futures Market: Overnight, the most-traded AD2511 cast aluminium alloy futures contract opened at the lowest point of RMB 20,125 per tonne. The futures market fluctuated upward, reaching a high of RMB 20,250 per tonne, a new record high since its listing, and finally closed at RMB 20,215 per tonne, up RMB 50 per tonne or 0.25 per cent from the previous trading day. Trading volume totalled 1,613 lots and open interest stood at 9,750 lots, with bears reducing their positions. Image credit: indiamart.com Spot-Futures Price Spread Daily Report: According to SMM data, on July 21, the theoretical premium of the SMM ADC12 spot price over the closing price of the most-traded cast aluminium alloy futures contract (AD2511) at 10:15 a.m. narrowed to RMB 80 per tonne. Industry Dynamics: (1) According...
Aluminium gained ground on the LME between July 18 and July 21, with key contract prices rising over 2 per cent amid steady demand and marginal inventory increases. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed 2.22 per cent to USD 2,648.50 per tonne on July 21, compared to USD 2,591 per tonne on July 18. The cash offer price followed closely, rising from USD 2,591.50 per tonne to USD 2,649 per tonne. Prices for the 3-month contract strengthened as well. The bid increased by 1.89 per cent to USD 2,644 per tonne, while the offer rose 1.93 per cent to USD 2,646 per tonne, up from USD 2,595 per tonne and USD 2,596 per tonne respectively. Longer-dated contracts also saw gains. The December 26 bid price rose 1.44 per cent to USD 2,673 per tonne, while the offer moved up to USD 2,678 per tonne, from...
In response to India's earlier warning about imposing retaliatory tariffs if the US doubled duties on aluminium, steel, and automobile imports, Washington has pushed back. On July 17, 2025, the US told the World Trade Organization (WTO) that India has "no legal basis" to retaliate using safeguard measures. US dismisses India’s WTO appeal In a notification to the WTO’s Safeguards Committee, India previously conveyed its concerns that the US safeguard tariffs on steel and aluminium revised in February 2025 could impact USD 7.6 billion worth of Indian exports with duties totalling USD 3.82 billion. And tariffs on automobiles and parts could impact USD 2.89 billion worth of trade with duties of USD 723.75 million. However, the US responded strongly in a communication circulated at its...
AL Circle is delighted to announce its partnership with Lillian Group Marketing, LLC as a channel partner in North America. With over 30 years of expertise in integrated marketing communications, public relations, and strategic business development, Lillian Group will play a key role in strengthening AL Circle’s brand presence and sales footprint across the region. Image source: Wikimedia Commons This collaboration stems from a shared vision to elevate AL Circle’s brand positioning and amplify the aluminum ecosystem it has meticulously built over the years. North America, a powerhouse in aluminum demand and consumption, is witnessing a strong pivot towards sustainability and recycled aluminum. Together, AL Circle and Lillian Group aim to harness this momentum to create deeper engagement...
A new development has surfaced in the US–Canada trade relationship. As of July 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a potential revision of the existing 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on US aluminium and steel products. This move is contingent upon the outcome of trade negotiations between the two nations and if no agreement is reached within the next 30 days, the tariff structure will be reassessed. The announcement follows a formal policy update issued in July, establishing a conditional framework to guide tariff adjustments based on the progress and direction of ongoing bilateral discussions. A throwback to the ongoing trade tension between the US and Canada The trade tensions between the US and Canada escalated when the US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian...
