Mexico’s expanding electric vehicle (EV) market is creating new opportunities across battery production, materials, charging infrastructure and electronics, as Chinese companies look to move beyond vehicle exports towards broader overseas supply-chain partnerships. Hong Kong could play a strategic role in connecting Mexican businesses with mainland China’s manufacturing capabilities, investment and research resources. According to the source commentary, Mexico’s EV market has evolved considerably over the past 16 years, with more brands offering vehicles across different price ranges and driving ranges, alongside the expansion of residential, corporate and industrial charging infrastructure. However, demand for EV purchases is growing faster than the capacity to maintain them,...
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,...
Grow with
AL Circle
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...
Chinalco Ruimin has successfully passed the re-examination for 'National High-Tech Enterprise' status and has been awarded the national high-tech enterprise certificate. The certificate is jointly issued by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Taxation Administration of the People's Republic of China. The re-evaluation of national high-tech enterprises has reaffirmed that Chinalco Ruimin meets the highest national standards across multiple key areas like: the accumulation of independent intellectual property in core technologies the establishment of strong R&D teams a high proportion of revenue from high-tech products efficient organizational management operational excellence growth potential ability to transform scientific and technological...
On January 8, 2025, LI hosted its inaugural Annual Forum on Climate Change and Carbon Neutrality in Beijing. During the event, LI, Lizhong Group, and other partners officially launched the construction of a circular aluminium supply chain. LI actively advocates for the development and reuse of sustainable materials. By advancing aluminium applications and establishing a recycled aluminium supply chain, LI addresses the growing challenge of increasing aluminium waste year by year. For the past 40 years, Lizhong Group has been dedicated to recycling aluminium resources, continuously advancing its green and sustainable development strategy. As a leader in recycled aluminium processing, the company has built a comprehensive domestic and international recycling network for sourcing and sorting...
Aluminium recycling is not just a process of reusing materials; it is a powerful engine driving economic growth, supply chain resiliency and environmental sustainability. At Novelis , we have long championed the benefits of recycling aluminium, recognising its critical role in shaping a sustainable and prosperous future, writes Chris Cerone, the company’s vice president, public affairs & communications. Creating jobs and boosting the economy The aluminium recycling industry is a significant contributor to job creation and economic activity. According to data from the Aluminum Association , the aluminium recycling sector in the US accounts for 37.5 per cent or 60,000 of the industry’s 164,000 jobs. Novelis alone employs approximately 5,000 people in the US, with another 1,000 people to be...
Australia has responded to the trade statement revolving around the country’s aluminium export. The nation’s trade minister, Don Farrell, proclaimed on February 13 that Australia’s surge in its aluminium supply to the United States, with Washington’s complete acknowledgement and approval, while addressing a hurdle to Canberra’s request for an exemption from US tariffs on aluminium and steel. However, this move has not been without controversy. Image Source: https://www.trademinister.gov.au/ Earlier this week, United States President Donald Trump stated he would consider an exemption for Australia from a 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports. Yet, one of his closest advisers soon after claimed that Australia was “killing our aluminium market”. The aluminium import from...
German metal recycling company Gerhard Lang Recycling GmbH has integrated an Autosort Pulse unit from TOMRA Recycling at its metals sorting facility in southwestern Germany. This installation is part of a research project supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. Image Source- TOMRA website Previously, the Gerhard Lang Recycling team sold the mixed material to aluminium manufacturers immediately after shredding. With the installation of the Autosort Pulse, the company can now efficiently separate 5xxx and 6xxx series aluminium scrap by alloy family. Curious to know about such groundbreaking technologies? Explore AL Circle's latest content on technological advancements and innovations! KANAL project The KANAL project, short for Kreislaufsystem für...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a collaborative endeavour aimed at enhancing sustainability throughout the value chain, announced the successful ‘General Supporter’ membership certification to the first media house and marketplace AL Circle Private Limited. Abhimanyu Prakash, CEO of AL Circle, shared on a spirited note, “We are thrilled to join the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) as part of our commitment to sustainable and responsible aluminium production. By aligning with ASI’s rigorous standards, we aim to enhance our environmental, social, and governance practices, contributing to a more sustainable future.” The company is optimistic that this membership in ASI will bolster its dedication to transparency, innovation, and collaboration within the aluminium value chain....
Baotou Aluminum's high-purity aluminium division has achieved a significant milestone with the successful batch export of high-performance, high-purity aluminium products. This accomplishment sets a strong foundation for the company's first-quarter performance. These exports are primarily destined for the international high-end market, serving critical applications in electronic products, components, high and low-voltage electrolytic capacitors, high-performance wiring, and other advanced technology sectors. In recent years, Baotou Aluminum has actively implemented Chinalco Group's strategic directives, advancing digital transformation and technological innovation. The company has successfully developed 5N high-purity aluminium, expanding its market reach. Today, its aluminium packaging...
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China recently released the "2024 Green Manufacturing List Publicity," featuring three categories: green factories, green industrial parks, and green supply chain management enterprises. Yongjie Aluminum, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Yongjie New Materials, has been recognised as a national "green factory" for 2024. The company has actively developed green factories by establishing a comprehensive organisational and management framework, continuously seeking areas for improvement, and maximising the use of green energy to reduce carbon emissions. It has completed carbon footprint verification and certification for multiple products, consistently elevating its sustainability efforts. Significant progress has been made in infrastructure,...
National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), an Indian public sector company with integrated and diversified operations in mining, metal and power, has reported a remarkable 232.83 per cent year-on-year surge in net profit, reaching INR 1,566.3 crore (USD 180 million) for the third quarter, compared to INR 470.6 crore (USD 54.12 million) in Q3 FY24. This impressive performance was driven by a 39.3 per cent jump in revenue from operations, which climbed to INR 4,662.2 crore against INR 3,347.6 crore in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. At the operating level, NALCO's EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) soared by an astounding 200.89 per cent to INR 2,327.6 crore (USD 267.68 million) in the third quarter of this fiscal, up from INR 773.8 crore...
The United States is one of the leading aluminium scrap exporters in the world. As per the United States Geological Survey (USGS) data, in November 2024, a total of 196,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap was exported from the US, which, when compared to Y-o-Y, reflected a significant surge of 20.24 per cent or 33,000 tonnes. For November 2023, the amount stood at 163,000 tonnes. The USGS data further revealed that from January to November (2024), a total of 1,920,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap was exported from the US. Y-o-Y comparison showed that for the same span of time in 2023 a total of 1,900,000 tonnes of scrap was exported, recording a modest year-to-date (Y-T-D) hike of 20,000 tonnes. Month-on-month (M-o-M), aluminium scrap exports in November recorded a substantial 12.64% growth...
The US President’s surprise move to impose a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports has sent shockwaves across global markets. However, industry experts have reinstated their trust upon Hindalco’s 100 per cent subsidiary Novelis, confirming that it is well-equipped to weather this storm. The 20-year-old Atlanta-based business has been owned by Indian metals company Hindalco Industries since 2007. Novelis, a major exporter of aluminium to the US, has made a recent USD 2.5 billion investment in a new plant in Alabama and is seen as a strategic hedge against potential tariff impact. Brokerage firm Nuvama says ‘the effect of tariff imposition, if it happens, shall be minimal on Novelis’s earnings’. The Hindalco management has indicated that any increase in aluminium prices due...
On December 4, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump announced that Peter Navarro, 75, will serve as Senior Counsellor for Trade and Manufacturing in his upcoming administration. In this role, Navarro will be responsible for advancing and effectively communicating Trump's Manufacturing, Tariff, and Trade Agendas, Trump stated in a series of posts on Truth Social. Navarro, a key trade advisor during Trump's first term, will once again play a pivotal role in shaping the administration's economic policies. Australia successfully negotiated an exemption when the first Trump administration imposed new tariffs on aluminium and steel imports in 2018. However, the US claims a verbal agreement was made, under which Australia pledged not to exploit its exemption by significantly increasing aluminium...
Coca-Cola is reportedly considering raising prices of its aluminium-packaged products to offset the impact of tariffs, aligning with earlier predictions that the US-imposed 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium would ultimately drive up consumer product costs. The US-origin soft drink company is also exploring the possibility of partially replacing aluminium with plastic for its beverages, developing a more cost-effective packaging strategy ahead of the tariffs set to take effect on March 12, 2025. Image source: Coca-Cola The news surface this morning after Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey stated: “If the price of aluminium increases because of the tariffs, the company may opt for more plastic bottles (PET) to counterbalance higher costs.” Sustainability efforts at risk Replacing aluminium,...
The United States’ aluminium sector is facing an existential crisis, with the number of operational smelters dwindling to just four. Despite the 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium imports introduced by the Trump administration, the primary aluminium industry remains in decline, struggling with high energy costs and competitive pressures from overseas—particularly China. Tariffs and the reality on the ground Trade groups representing US steel and aluminium producers have welcomed decisive trade actions, including tariffs, arguing they are necessary to counter unfair competition. However, the CEO of the Aluminum Association has acknowledged a harsh reality, “There is not enough smelting capacity in the United States to supply the growing aluminium industry with the input materials it...
Volkswagen Group's Centre of Excellence Battery and Volkswagen Emden's Press Shop have closed the material loop for aluminium in battery housings for the first time in a groundbreaking pilot project. Image Source: Volkswagen Linkedln page Novelis & Volkswagen Group In collaboration with Novelis, a global leader in aluminium recycling, aluminium from MEB pre-series battery cases undergo shredding, sorting, and alloy identification. The material is then transformed into coils and repurposed for new components, such as the outer door panel of the Volkswagen ID.7. Novelis is proud to collaborate with Volkswagen Group on this groundbreaking initiative, showcasing the potential of aluminium recycling. By transforming battery housings into high-quality flat-rolled aluminium for new car...
The newly re-elected President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, on February 10, 2025, signed executive orders to enforce a 25 per cent tariff on aluminium and steel imports starting March 12, 2025, under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, escalating a long-anticipated trade war despite warnings from Europe and China. The orders eliminate specific exemptions from the duties, broaden their coverage to include more products and increase the tariffs on applicable aluminium goods from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. President Trump implemented Section 232 duties on steel and aluminium products in 2018, during his first term in office. The European Union promptly pledged to respond with decisive and proportionate countermeasures. Australian media reported that US...
Groundbreaking designs have demonstrated that aluminium components used across various transport modes can be made nearly 50 per cent lighter without sacrificing strength. Coventry-based casting firm Sarginsons Industries has unveiled new designs showcasing a significant breakthrough in automotive lightweighting. However, did you know that the global aluminium castings consumption is on a steady rise and is expected to reflect a 3.36 per cent growth in 2025? To learn more, get your hands on AL Circle's recently curated report, "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025," which provides more information about the industry. About the technology These designs are the initial outcomes of the Performance Integrated Vehicle Optimisation Technology (PIVOT) project, led by Sarginsons in...
