Aluminium’s decarbonisation challenge extends beyond the electricity powering its smelters. Inside the reduction cell, electrode quality influences how efficiently that electricity is used, how much carbon is consumed and how consistently the process performs. Improving electrodes therefore offers producers a practical opportunity to address operating costs and emissions together. For Switzerland-based R&D Carbon , understanding the relationship between raw materials, electrode quality and industrial performance has been a focus for four decades. Founded in 1986 by Werner K. Fischer, the company built on carbon research previously undertaken at Swiss Aluminium Ltd., or Alusuisse. Today, it operates from Granges, near Sierre, with a team of 30 specialists serving more than 150 customers...
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...
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The West African nation and the world's largest producer of bauxite, Guinea, has been under military rule since September 2021, when Colonel Mamady Doumbouya led a coup against President Alpha Condé, citing widespread corruption, human rights violations, and economic mismanagement. According to global media reports, Guinean Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah announced that the country will return to constitutional rule in 2025. He further stated that a constitutional referendum is planned, followed by legislative and presidential elections within a reasonable timeframe. Guinea's former president, Alpha Condé, had a long and tumultuous reign that ultimately paved the way for the 2021 coup, aimed at restoring stability in the nation, which stands as Africa's largest producer of bauxite. Elected...
Researchers from Ateneo de Manila University and the Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a groundbreaking, low-cost method to transform ordinary aluminium into a transparent, glass-like material with remarkable durability. By using microdrops of acid and just two volts of electricity, they produce transparent aluminium oxide (TAlOx) without relying on expensive equipment or harmful processes. A cost-effective, low-impact approach This innovation paves the way for sustainable applications across industries, including touch screens, solar panels, protective coatings, and miniaturised electronic devices, potentially reshaping modern technology with a more accessible, eco-friendly material. The innovative method relies on "droplet-scale anodising," a process that uses tiny...
Constellium SE, a Paris-based global manufacturer of aluminium rolled products, extruded products, and structural components made from advanced alloys, described 2024 as a challenging year, citing extreme weather conditions and weak demand from end markets as significant operational setbacks. At the end of February 2025, the company reported its financial results, mirroring the prolonged market downturn throughout the year. The company’s revenue saw a hit of 6 per cent compared to the previous year and amounted to $7.3 billion, while its shipments decreased by 4 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes. Consequently, its net income plunged by 61.78 per cent from $157 million in 2023 to $60 million in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the whole year was $623 million, down by 5.89 per cent Y-o-Y from $662...
Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium and steel, set to take effect on March 12, has left many domestic industries worried about rising prices and declining orders. As a result, India's small engineering goods exporters have called on the government to lower import tariffs on select US products in a bid to secure more favourable trade conditions, as President Donald Trump moves forward with new steel and aluminium duties. USA is a major importer when it comes to Indian engineering products like machinery and equipment parts. The EEPC and other industry chambers have urged government to reduce tariffs on select US goods with low import volumes, Chadha told Reuters on Wednesday. "Of India's $20 billion annual engineering goods exports, nearly $7.5 billion worth of...
A leading global aluminium manufacturing giant has recently sought a premium of USD 260 per tonne from Japanese buyers for April-June (Q2) primary metal shipments, which is a notable 14 per cent increase from the current quarter (Q1, 2025). This development is nothing but a ripple effect of the persistent volatility in the primary metals market, a simultaneous event along with geopolitical tensions and production constraints continuing to reshape global supply chains. Image Source: Wikipedia Japan, a major importer of aluminium in Asia, plays a pivotal role in regional price formation. The premiums for primary metal shipments are determined quarterly over the London Metal Exchange cash price (CMAL0), a benchmark that reflects prevailing market conditions. Japanese buyers had agreed to a...
China's aluminium industry remains the world's largest, driven by high production capacity and growing downstream demand. However, rising inventories, fluctuating raw material costs, and cautious buyer sentiment are shaping market dynamics. Despite challenges, facility expansions and policy shifts continue influencing the sector's long-term trajectory. Aluminium market analysis The global aluminium market has witnessed notable price movements over the past week. The London Metal Exchange (LME) average aluminium price saw a slight increase of 0.64 per cent, reaching USD$ 2,665 per tonne. Conversely, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium price declined by 0.31 per cent, settling at RMB 20,656 per tonne (USD 2,880 per tonne). Spot market prices also trended downward due to rising...
YKK AP America, a brand that designs and manufactures high-quality architectural products for the construction industry, has unlocked a significant milestone. YKK AP will now source 80 per cent of its aluminium from low-carbon suppliers across North America. This is a great achievement in a time when sustainability is one of the most sought-after criteria. The company's commitment goes beyond sustainable materials, extending to its vertically integrated manufacturing processes for full control over production, quality, and sustainability. According to company officials, this milestone is part of YKK AP's "Evolution 2030" initiative. YKK AP melts and casts its own aluminium billets in-house, ensuring consistency while embracing a circular production model — recycling 100% of in-house...
On Wednesday, March 5, news emerged of a multi-year strategic deal between Press Metal Aluminium and Novelis Korea Limited, where the former will supply its low-carbon certified aluminium product, GEM, made with renewable energy, to the latter. Image source: Press Metal GEM is a new series of low-carbon aluminium from the house of Press Metal, emitting less than 4 tonnes of CO2 emissions per tonne of aluminium (in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions) while being produced, an ideal choice for Novelis as it aims to push the boundaries of its products by infusing up to 75 per cent of recycled content, from today's 63 per cent, in a bid to become a leading supplier of flat-rolled aluminium products with the least emissions, lower than three tonnes of CO2e. Doing justice to its name,...
Death Wish Coffee Co., the top-selling Fair Trade coffee brand in the U.S., has introduced its newest creation: premium aluminium canned lattes. Available in three bold flavours — Vanilla, Mocha, and Original — these lattes deliver the signature strength Death Wish Coffee is known for while catering to the growing demand for clean, convenient energy options. With aluminium canned coffee being the go-to choice for Gen Z and Millennials, the market has been missing a healthier alternative that aligns with their dynamic lifestyles — until now. Aluminium stands at the forefront of the circular economy thanks to its ability to be infinitely recycled without losing its original properties. In this sustainable cycle, aluminium cans emerge as the most eco-friendly beverage packaging option. Each...
Over the past week, the United States and Ukraine have dominated news headlines — but not for the right reasons. After the US announced its support for Russia in blocking Ukraine's draft resolution at the United Nations, global attention shifted towards the US-Ukraine meeting held on February 28, 2025. However, what followed took an unexpected turn, leaving the world stunned. The meeting, which was meant to be a diplomatic milestone, focused on the Mineral Resources Agreement for joint investment in Ukraine's natural resources - including rare-earth elements – quickly spiralled into a heated exchange between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The talks that were intended to seal a significant partnership in the mineral and metal...
Westlake Royal Building Products™ ("Westlake Royal"), a subsidiary of Westlake, has expanded its Cedar Renditions™ aluminium siding collection. The U.S. lineup now features five new solid colours — Aluzinc, Ironstone, Charcoal, Frost, and Black Silk — while a new premium woodgrain finish, Natural Whitewash, is available in the U.S. and Canada. Image Source: Westlake Royal The new colours introduce a fresh, versatile palette, giving homeowners and designers more choices to create their ideal aesthetic. Each shade brings its own distinct character, adding depth and style to any design: Aluzinc — A sleek, metallic grey, Aluzinc delivers a modern, monochromatic look, perfect for builders and architects seeking contemporary style. Ironstone — A striking evolution of charcoal, the shade brings...
Battery waste poses a significant environmental threat, containing substances harmful to human health and ecosystems. However, these discarded batteries also contain valuable materials like nickel, which is essential for manufacturing new batteries. Thus, the development of efficient recycling methods is more urgent than ever. Researchers at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) have devised an innovative process for extracting nickel from spent nickel-metal hydride batteries. But their breakthrough goes even further: By combining this recovered nickel with used aluminium foil , such as kitchen foil, they have created a nanocatalyst capable of converting CO₂ into valuable methane. This dual-purpose solution tackles the growing problem of battery waste and provides a climate-neutral...
A few years back, the word ‘nothing’ had little significance in our daily lives. But today, standing here in 2025, the tables have turned – ‘Nothing’ is not just another word but a brand that stands out in its own form. Image Source: Nothing website Premium design, fast charging & lots more Founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei in 2020, the British consumer electronics manufacturer based in London has finally unveiled its much-awaited mid-range smartphone - the (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro series. Departing from the plastic and back panel of the previous Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus, the new Phone (3a) series now features aluminium and glass, delivering a more premium feel and enhanced durability. The mid-range smartphone market has seen little innovation, leaving a gap for something new....
The state government of Kerala, India, has begun the process of auctioning bauxite blocks in Kasaragod, according to Industries Principal Secretary A P M Mohammed Hanish. On the occasion of the GSI's foundation day celebrations, he commended the agency for identifying bauxite reserves in the district, emphasising that this discovery presents significant opportunities for the state at this time. At the event, Hanish hailed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as an “unsung hero” for its invaluable contributions to geological research. As part of the occasion, two books—Kerala’s Geological Sentinel: Glimpses of Geological Survey of India and Reminiscences: Echoes from Office Desk to Field Adventures—were released, along with the magazine Bhoumakairali. The event also featured a technical...
China's factory activity accelerated in February, fuelled by stronger supply, rising demand, and a rebound in export orders, according to a private-sector survey released Monday. Seasonal factors linked to the holiday period also contributed to the growth. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI climbed to 50.8 per cent, up from 50.1 per cent in January, reaching a three-month high and surpassing analysts' expectations of 50.3 per cent, as predicted in a Reuters poll. However, towards the end of December, China's aluminium demand faced a major backlash due to the construction sector's deteriorating market condition. As a result, the government introduced some extensive stimulus measures to help the industry grapple with the ongoing challenges. Spearheaded by the People's Bank of China...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has become the Sea Cargo Charter's latest signatory, strengthening the organisation's global presence in the aluminium sector and reaffirming its commitment to decarbonisation and transparency. As the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter, Alba produces around 1.62 million tonnes of aluminium and exports significant quantities of aluminium products annually to more than 270 customers worldwide. With a robust international presence, including sales offices in Zurich and Singapore and a subsidiary in the U.S., Alba serves markets across the Americas, MENA region, Europe, and Asia. Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (ALBA): Aluminium production, 2023-24 (in million tonnes) Source: Alba website Rasmus Bach Nielsen, Chairman of Sea Cargo Charter, said, “With the...
Hindustan Power, a leader in renewable energy focusing on the Indian market, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Assam to invest INR 620 crore (US$ 70.96) in renewable energy projects. The company, led by Ratul Puri, signed the MoU for its upcoming 100 MW battery energy storage facility and 100 MW solar plants in Assam. Hindustan Power's ambitious 5 GW goal The agreement was formalised during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit held in Guwahati. Hindustan Power aims to build a 5 GW energy portfolio within the next three years, with its investment in Assam playing a key role in this growth. Ratul Puri, Chairman, Hindustan Power, said, “We are proud that Hindustan Power was the first company to develop a large solar power plant in...
Indonesia has introduced a new sovereign wealth fund, Daya ‘Anagata Nusantara or Danantara’, with an initial commitment of US$20 billion. President Prabowo Subianto launched it last week. Danantara aims to serve as both an investment vehicle and a holding company for the country’s influential state-owned enterprises. While it has the potential to boost Indonesia’s economy significantly, its success will depend on effective management and adherence to international standards. Danantara will allocate $20 billion in its first investment round to more than 20 projects spanning bauxite, nickel, copper processing, artificial intelligence development, oil refineries, renewable energy, and food production. The president made the announcement before an audience of hundreds, including foreign...
