Hydro has begun construction of a new 5,900 metric ton indirect aluminum extrusion press line at its Cressona facility in Pennsylvania, backed by a $53.5 million investment aimed at modernizing production, expanding specialist extrusion capacity, and strengthening the company’s North American manufacturing operations. The groundbreaking took place on October 27, with operations expected to commence in the first quarter of 2028. The new press will replace equipment dating from the 1950s and introduce Industry 4.0 technology, advanced automation, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced safety performance. New press targets growing demand for specialist extrusions The investment comes as demand for indirect aluminum extrusions continues to grow across commercial transportation, automotive,...
France-headquartered Drone Volt has unveiled its Hercules 100 heavy-lift cargo drone, combining an aluminium-and-carbon chassis with a payload capacity of up to 100 kilogrammes (kg). Introduced in flight at the UAV Show in Bordeaux on October 9, 2026, the foldable octocopter is designed for industrial logistics, civil protection, firefighting and defence. Designed and assembled in France, the aircraft marks the company’s move from the 25 kilogrammes class to a 100 kilogrammes payload platform. Aluminium and carbon highlight the design The Hercules 100 has a maximum take-off weight of 197 kg. It weighs 52 kg without batteries and 97 kg with its battery pack, leaving capacity for a full 100 kg payload. Its chassis combines aluminium and carbon fibre, with a wheelbase of 3,300 mm. When...
Grow with
AL Circle
The past week has been all about the dynamic shift driven by rising domestic prices, US tariff policies, and fluctuating supply-demand dynamics in the global aluminium market. According to various news platforms, Chinese aluminium spot prices have hiked to RMB 20,524 per tonne (USD 2,862 per tonne) in South China, followed by RMB 20,504 per tonne (USD 2,859 per tonne) in East China. Both the regions were separately up 1.67 per cent and 1.65 per cent week-on-week. This increase was fuelled by a 0.84 per cent gain in LME prices to USD 2,636 per tonne, trending higher by 1.51 per cent week-on-week along with stronger downstream demand. Meanwhile, a potential speed-breaker looms as the US, under the Trump administration, has imposed a 10 per cent tariff from February and intends to slap...
RJS Aluminium, renowned for its excellence in aluminium fabrication and installation, celebrated a major milestone with the grand opening of its new factory on Saturday, 15 February 2025 in 16-18 Donald Street, Old Guildford, Australia. Founders Robert and Sophia Sarkis hosted the event, welcoming family, friends, and distinguished guests to mark this significant expansion. The new factory marks a significant step in RJS aluminium’s growth and innovation, enhancing its capabilities to serve clients better. With this new chapter, the Sarkis family remains committed to upholding their legacy of excellence in the industry. A traditional blessing ceremony led by Buddhist monks added a profound spiritual dimension to the occasion. Through prayers and rituals, the monks invoked harmony,...
Makers are constantly coming up with innovative projects using the Raspberry Pi, but someone goes above and beyond every now and then. One such creator, Ideatracker, crafted a remarkable aluminium case using a CNC machine to passively cool their Raspberry Pi. Image Source: Ideatracker This case offers a fantastic alternative to traditional fans, effectively keeping temperatures low while also reducing noise. According to Ideatracker, the material for the case cost just $15. Notably, the design was developed before the release of the Raspberry Pi 5, meaning the case is compatible with both the latest model and the older Raspberry Pi 4. This isn't the first metal case for the Raspberry Pi. Previously, another metal case titled the Galactic Case by DeSalvo Systems featured aerospace-grade...
The aluminium industry is witnessing a digital transformation, with path-breaking technologies redefining processes, boosting efficiency, and driving sustainability. From AI-powered recycling solutions to real-time in-line testing and advanced additive manufacturing software, digitalisation is solving industry challenges while unlocking new possibilities. In this roundup, we explore seven exciting stories showcasing how digital innovation is accelerating progress and reshaping the aluminium landscape. Revolutionising aluminium wheel scrap sortation with Austin AI The increasing demand for aluminium in the automotive industry, particularly for electric vehicles, has highlighted the need for efficient recycling of aluminium wheel scrap, as shared by Judit Jeney, Managing Director, Austin AI...
After a challenging first half of 2024, members of Aluminium Deutschland's Tubes, Cans, and Impact Extruded Parts Division observed a significant turnaround in the German market for aluminium tubes and aerosol cans during the second half of the year, with deliveries to Germany showing signs of recovery. Navigating the challenges After a 10.3 per cent decline in the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, the aerosol cans market rebounded in the second half, growing by 7 per cent year-over-year, with 285 million cans delivered to Germany. While demand showed signs of recovery following the sharp drop earlier in the year, overall deliveries to the national market in 2024 totalled 562.5 million cans, marking a 2.3 per cent decline compared to the previous year. While the...
Japan has officially requested an exemption from US President Donald Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium, as well as other reciprocal tariffs, according to a report from Tokyo-based Kyodo News. Meanwhile, Vietnam is prepared to engage with the United States to discuss the new tariffs on steel imposed by Washington, aiming to avoid the risk of additional duties, as stated by a spokesperson for its foreign ministry. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya made the request during a brief exchange with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. Iwaya also expressed Japan’s eagerness to hold high-level security talks between the foreign and defence ministers of both nations “at an early date.” According to a statement from...
Officials from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) raided Ibex Engineering Pvt. Ltd. on Monday, sealing the factory for operating illegally for the past two years. The company, engaged in aluminium casting for manufacturing, storing, and selling aluminium cast products, had been operating without the mandatory license introduced in 2023. The officials seized approximately 5,000 unlicensed products produced and stored on-site. BIS had provided a two-year window, requiring companies to obtain the necessary Quality Control Order (QCO) license by December 1, 2024. However, Ibex Engineering failed to comply with the regulations. During a primary inspection conducted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in January 2025, it was discovered that the factory was manufacturing products without...
Founded in 2002, China-based Henan Wanda Aluminum, known for specialising in producing and selling aluminium sheets, strips, and foils, was recently recognised as an innovative enterprise for 2024. In collaboration with relevant departments, the Provincial Department of Science and Technology announced the selection of 166 innovative enterprises for 2024. The "Implementation Plan for the Step-by-Step Cultivation of Innovative Enterprises in Henan Province (2024-2026)" outlined the review and selection process for innovative enterprises. Innovative enterprises are defined as those with significant influence and leadership in their respective industries, known for their strong innovation capabilities, extensive industry experience, and promising market prospects. Being selected as one of...
Brompton Solar Ltd has submitted plans for a large solar farm on fields adjacent to the A1(M) in North Yorkshire. The A1(M) in North Yorkshire is a section of the A1 motorway that runs through the county, serving as an upgraded portion of the main A1 road linking London to Edinburgh. The proposed development, spanning 80 hectares on both sides of the motorway north of Brompton-on-Swale, would feature solar panels mounted on aluminium frames. According to the applicants' representatives, the farm would generate up to 39.3MW of energy. The site will operate as a solar farm for 40 years before being restored to farmland. Brompton Solar Ltd, a subsidiary of Knaresborough-based Harmony Energy, has submitted plans for the new solar farm. The submitted documents state that the solar panels will...
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s leading aluminium manufacturer, launched an AI-powered drone system at its Jamkhani coal mine in Odisha. The drone, which started operations on February 13, 2025, provides a real-time solution for blasting clearance and danger zone monitoring. Image Source: https://vedantaaluminium.com/ Equipped with advanced software, the AI-powered drone offers real-time aerial views and automatically captures the movements of humans, animals, and vehicles within a 500-meter blasting zone. This enables officials to remotely monitor operations and receive automated alerts about any activity on the ground through live streaming. The system also allows seamless audio communication between officials, the drone pilot, and the blasting officer, ensuring precise coordination and...
On Friday, February 14, a major fire broke out at a factory known for storing aluminium dross in Labis. As per the reports, the factory storing recyclable materials has been burning for two days. The blaze began in Kampung Usaha Jaya and has prompted ongoing firefighting efforts. Sharfini Nasar, the operations commander at Labis Fire Station, confirmed the location of the fire and provided updates on the situation. He explained that firefighting efforts had to be paused overnight because the excavators needed to control the blaze couldn’t be operated. By Saturday (February 15), only 30 per cent of the fire had been put out. “The factory’s 160ft by 60ft (48.8m by 18.2m) open shed, which stored aluminium dross, caught fire. Firemen tried putting out the fire using alternative techniques as...
During the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto met with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) CEO Abdulnasser Ibrahim Saif Bin Kalban on Wednesday, February 12. The meeting focused on advancing EGA's cooperation plan to boost aluminium production, mainly through developing a smelter that processes bauxite in Indonesia. Image Source: COORDINATING MINISTRY FOR ECONOMIC AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA For this, EGA , the world's largest producer of premium aluminium and the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) outside the oil and gas sector, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (INALUM). CEO Abdulnasser emphasised Indonesia's significant potential as a key...
In a major milestone for its electric vehicle (EV) division, Xiaomi Group announced that its electric vehicle segment has cumulatively delivered 160,000 vehicles so far. The news was declared by Xiaomi Founder and Chairman Lei Jun during a live-streaming event for the Chinese Lantern Festival on February 13, 2025. Image Source: https://www.mi.com/ Lei further shared that Xiaomi EV's top three delivery markets are Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou, with the automaker achieving monthly deliveries exceeding 20,000 units for four consecutive months. Looking ahead, Xiaomi EV provided updates on its upcoming models. The YU7, set to launch in mid-2025, demonstrated impressive range during testing, requiring only two charging stops over a 1,000 km distance. Meanwhile, the high-performance SU7 Ultra...
The aluminium industry has been under the radar ever since Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. However the latest update has sent another shockwave amongst the industry. In a controversial move, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, pushing major trade partners to seek exemptions. Scheduled to take effect on March 4, 2025, the tariffs have drawn widespread criticism and raised fears of escalating trade tensions. What will happen next is the most common and highly anticipated question. However, other important updates surrounding the upstream aluminium industry includes Nalco setting a new benchmark with 3-fold increase in net profit, Hydro’s 2024 performance, and others have created significant impact...
The Science and Technology Department of Henan Province recently released the "Announcement on the Selection Results of Leading Innovative Enterprises in Henan Province," with Luoyang Aluminum Foil earning a place on the prestigious list. The selection process for Henan Province's leading innovative enterprises is known for its rigorous evaluation. Following multiple stages—including enterprise application, city-level recommendations, expert assessments, and conference deliberations—a total of 166 enterprises were ultimately chosen. Luoyang Aluminum Foil distinguished itself through its exceptional innovation capabilities and influential role in the industry, securing its well-deserved recognition. In recent years, Luoyang Aluminum Foil has fully committed to transforming scientific and...
Hindalco Industries, the flagship metal-driven business of the Aditya Birla Group, has reported a strong 60 per cent surge in its consolidated net profit for the December quarter (Q3 FY2025). The company's net profit reached INR 3,735 crore (USD 450 million), up from INR 2,331 crore (USD 279.72 million) in the same period a year earlier. Image Source: Wikipedia The company's operational revenue for Q3 FY2025 grew 11 per cent to INR 58,390 crore (USD 7 billion), compared to INR 52,808 crore (USD 6.34 billion) in the corresponding quarter of the previous financial year. However, Hindalco saw a 4.4 per cent sequential decline in profit after tax (PAT), down from INR 3,909 crore (USD 469.08 million) in Q2 FY2025. Revenue, on the other hand, recorded a slight quarter-on-quarter increase of...
The aluminium industry stands at a turning point in its path to sustainability. With mounting regulatory pressures, bold corporate ambitions, and accelerating innovation in clean energy technologies, the industry is keenly engaged in decarbonising its footprint. The shift is not without difficulties, but it also holds tremendous opportunities to align with global climate ambitions. This article discusses the most important factors influencing the decarbonisation roadmap based on the Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025 . The transition to renewable energy: The use of renewable energy is one of the most important measures to decrease carbon emissions in the aluminium industry. Renewables will provide 45 to 50 per cent of the world's power supply by 2030 and rise to 60 to 70 per cent by...
Norsk Hydro’s 2024 was challenging, but the business had an overall growth-hinting year. There have been several superlative financial, environmental, and social achievements during the calendar year. Financial performance While there was a drop in adjusted Return on Average Capital Employed (RoaCE) from 22.2 per cent in 2022 to 8.5 per cent in 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA standing at NOK 26.3 billion. Hydro has overseen the pursuit of its profitability target of over 10 per cent across the cycle. The company reported NOK 10.1 billion (USD 907.98 million) in accumulated improvements through its ongoing programme against the 2018 baseline, edging closer to its target of NOK 9.5 billion by 2024. Commercial ambitions also saw NOK 2.6 billion in accumulated improvements, reinforcing Hydro’s...
