PV aluminium extrusion: This week, operating rates among sampled PV frame enterprises showed divergence. Some top-tier PV frame enterprises in Anhui and Hebei continued to run at relatively full operating rates; some other small and medium-sized integrated industrial extrusion enterprises reported that, for profitability considerations, they have proactively controlled production and reduced PV frame orders after the holiday, but their PV frame orders are limited, having little impact on the overall PV aluminium extrusion operating rate. From the downstream module side, October module scheduled production is expected to edge up from September, but the growth falls short of expectations, with China's scheduled production increasing by only 1-2 GW, providing limited support for PV-related...
This week, the overseas aluminium market overall remained in the doldrums. Weak demand continued to be the core issue across major markets, with offer prices in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the US, and China generally under pressure. Trading activity was sluggish, and the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers persisted, with the market lacking clear directional guidance overall. Japan: MJP negotiations continue, market sentiment remains subdued The Japanese market remained relatively quiet this week, with focus still on the progress of Q4 MJP negotiations. Some sellers are still negotiating premiums with buyers, but the two sides have significant differences in price expectations, and negotiations are progressing slowly. As a result, the MJP market remains subdued, with limited spot...
Grow with
AL Circle
ABx Group’s proposed Sunrise bauxite project in Queensland, Australia, has reached a milestone in the federal environmental approval process. Its referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is open for public comment until October 26. The greenfield mine is proposed for Binjour, about 115 km southwest of the Port of Bundaberg and 25 km west of Gayndah. Project documents indicate annual production of 600,000 to 800,000 tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) and product bauxite, with an upper limit of approximately 1.2 million tonnes per annum. The mine is expected to operate for 20–25 years. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows...
Rio Tinto’s third-quarter (Q3) 2026 production results report contrasting trends across its aluminium value chain, with bauxite production declining 4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), alumina output amounting to 6.11 million tonnes and primary aluminium stood at 2.52 million tonnes. The company maintained its full-year 2026 production guidance for all three commodities, while highlighting operational improvements, upcoming refinery constraints and progress on Pacific aluminium smelter repowering. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott stated, “We delivered strong operational performance in the third quarter.” He further highlighted progress on decarbonisation, noting that the company’s “Pacific Aluminium smelter repowering arrangements” were “now well progressed.” Explore the production,...
Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (Fraunhofer IPA), headquartered in Stuttgart, has developed a new aluminium anode technology for lithium-ion batteries in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart, addressing a key challenge that has limited the material’s practical use. The patented cell and electrode design manages the volume changes that occur during charging and discharging, helping prevent electrode damage and maintain electrical contact over repeated cycles. The technology also eliminates graphite and silicon from the anode, replaces conventional copper foil with aluminium foil and removes a separate electrode coating process. Aluminium anode technology targets electrode degradation Aluminium has long attracted interest as an...
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has welcomed Vietnam’s proposed cuts to aluminium export taxes but urged the Ministry of Finance to go further by reducing rates to 0 per cent for additional products. The move could help domestic producers clear excess inventory, ease cash flow pressures and improve competitiveness. The proposal comes as Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance prepares amendments to Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, which governs export and import tax rates. The changes aim to address difficulties businesses face amid volatile international markets, including aluminium producers seeking sales contracts for 2027. The draft decree proposes reducing the export tax floor from 5 per cent to 0 per cent for six groups of aluminium and wood products (76.01, 76.03, 76.04, 44.02,...
Vidya Metal Manufacturing Company Private Limited (VMI Group) has increased its installed aluminium winding wire and strip capacity to 25,000 tonnes per annum (TPA), up from 18,000 TPA in early 2025. The expansion follows the commissioning of its new facility at Bandapur, Rajasthan. Abhinav Goyal, Group Director, VMI Group, said, “ Every distribution transformer, every solar inverter and every motor that India adds needs winding wire, and aluminium is the metal that lets OEMs grow without their raw-material cost running away from them. ” The group also produces around 12,000 TPA of copper products across its seven plants. The capacity expansion comes amid growing demand from transformer, motor, inverter and switchgear manufacturers in India, where aluminium is gaining ground as an...
LME aluminium prices declined across cash, three-month and December 27 contracts on October 13 compared with October 12, with losses ranging from 0.62 per cent to 0.93 per cent. Meanwhile, opening stocks edged lower by 250 tonnes, while live and cancelled warrants remained unchanged. On October 13, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,035.5 per tonne, down 0.62 per cent from USD 3,054.5 per tonne on October 12. The cash offer price decreased by 0.62 per cent to USD 3,036 per tonne from USD 3,055 per tonne. The LME aluminium three-month bid price fell by 0.72 per cent to USD 3,036 per tonne on October 13 from USD 3,058 per tonne on October 12. The three-month offer price declined by 0.75 per cent to USD 3,037 per tonne from USD 3,060 per tonne over the same period. Explore- Most...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from manufacturers, investors and potential joint-venture partners to establish aluminium fluoride (AlF3) production facilities as it prepares to expand its Angul smelter capacity from 0.46 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to approximately 0.96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The proposed facilities would produce high bulk density and low bulk density grades of aluminium fluoride, a critical input in the Hall-Héroult process used for aluminium smelting. Through the initiative, NALCO aims to secure a reliable, cost-competitive supply of the material and reduce its dependence on imports. According to the EOI document, NALCO/BD/ST/2026/5805, dated September 21, 2026, interested parties must submit their...
Conservatory Outlet Group, one of the UK’s leading home improvement groups, is set to establish a new aluminium manufacturing facility in Doncaster, marking its first move into in-house aluminium production. The investment will transform a 15,000-square-feet factory into a purpose-built facility equipped with dedicated CNC machines, cutting centres and crimpers. The project is expected to create 20 new jobs and expand the product range available to the group’s home improvement businesses and 30-retailer network. The announcement was made at the group’s annual Gala Dinner in Malaga, attended by nearly 100 guests from its ‘Network’. The event marked the largest gathering in the group’s 20-year history. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions,...
The global outdoor-living market is projected to reach USD 215 billion by 2027, with smart aluminium pergolas gaining attention among homeowners and commercial buyers across North America and Europe. Demand for outdoor structures that combine durability, low maintenance and technology-enabled features is growing as consumers increasingly seek to extend their indoor living spaces outdoors. The shift follows a post-pandemic change in how people use outdoor areas, with greater emphasis on creating functional and stylish spaces that complement indoor environments. Aluminium pergolas are emerging as one option for buyers seeking a combination of practical performance and contemporary design. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our...
The 2026 Audi Q3 is all set to arrive in India with a redesigned look, a technology-packed cabin and a few metallic touches that help its interior shine. Aluminium inserts add a premium edge to the dashboard and cabin surfaces, complementing the soft-touch materials and digital displays. Under the bonnet, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 201 BHP and 320 Nm of torque, while Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) adds confidence on the road. The engine is also E20-compatible, a relevant consideration for motorists in India as the use of ethanol-blended petrol grows. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis &...
Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Alumina Plant could go up for a privatisation auction in the first quarter of 2027, according to Dmytro Natalukha, head of Ukraine's State Property Fund. The government must approve the final auction date, which Natalukha expects to be announced by the end of October 2026. In a recent interview with NikVesti, Natalukha said, “This is one of the few enterprises on our books that attracts regular and persistent interest. However, a change of ownership would not necessarily mean an immediate restart of production. An investor could acquire the facility and keep it idle until operating conditions improve. To know the futuristic market and value proposition of red mud, explore the report " A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource...
Australia, one of the world’s major alumina production and export hubs, witnessed a significant shift in its trade flows in the first half (H1) of 2026. Although the country’s total alumina exports declined, shipments to China surged nearly 19-fold, making it Australia’s one of the largest export destinations. Meanwhile, exports to the UAE and South Africa fell, while Indonesia and Oman recorded increases. Australia exported 6.7 million tonnes of alumina worldwide in H1 2026, down 9.46 per cent from 7.4 million tonnes in H1 2025. Compared with 7.5 million tonnes in H1 2024, exports declined by 800,000 tonnes, or 10.67 per cent, over two years. The contrasting performance across major destinations highlights how Middle East shipping disruptions, changes in aluminium production requirements...
Germany’s construction industry has endured several years of contraction, weighed down by elevated financing costs, expensive building materials and subdued residential investment. The downturn has also affected the country’s aluminium industry, with estimated construction-related aluminium consumption declining by around 12 per cent between 2022 and 2025. However, the outlook is beginning to change. With Germany’s construction industry projected to return to growth in 2026 and accelerate further in 2027, opportunities are emerging for aluminium suppliers across residential construction, transport infrastructure, energy networks and commercial developments. At the same time, efforts to strengthen closed-loop aluminium recycling in buildings could provide an additional avenue for growth....
Century Aluminum reported net sales of $752 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $103 million in the previous quarter. Net income reached $249 million, while adjusted EBITDA was $327 million. Aluminum shipments totaled approximately 131,000 metric tons, up 6% quarter-on-quarter, following the Mount Holly expansion in the United States and the restart of Line 2 at the Grundartangi smelter in Iceland. Peter Tripkofsky, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Century Aluminum, said higher LME aluminum prices and regional premiums contributed $95 million to the increase in adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter. Capital expenditure totaled $59 million in Q2, with $37 million for the Mount Holly expansion and Jamalco’s new TG4 power...
Alcoa Corporation is drawing market attention ahead of its third-quarter results as firmer aluminium and alumina prices shape expectations for the integrated producer. The company is scheduled to report its results on October 15, 2026, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The broader metals market has also attracted interest, with copper and precious metals strengthening and materials companies benefiting from renewed investor attention. Aluminium remains a key industrial metal within this environment, placing producers such as Alcoa in focus as investors assess market conditions ahead of the earnings update. Aluminium prices and energy costs shape the outlook Aluminium is widely used in transport, packaging, construction and electrical applications because of its...
Oswal Pumps Limited plans to invest INR 4.65 billion (USD 47.3 million) in a 1.2 GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility through its wholly owned subsidiary, Oswal Solar Energy Private Limited (OSEPL), as the company seeks to strengthen backward integration and reduce reliance on external suppliers. Commercial production is expected to begin by April 2028, subject to the necessary approvals. According to a regulatory filing dated October 10, 2026, OSEPL’s board has approved the proposed project. The facility is expected to meet approximately 75% of the subsidiary’s solar cell requirements, with the remaining demand continuing to be sourced from external suppliers. The investment marks a shift in priorities towards solar cell manufacturing, as Oswal Pumps looks to secure a more...
A shipment of 168,000 tonnes of bauxite from Guinea has arrived at Fangchenggang Port in Guangxi, southern China. The first batch of cargo was transported by rail to Wanzhou in Chongqing on October 3, supplying raw materials to a mineral production base in the city. The new route connects overseas bauxite supplies with inland industries through Beibu Gulf Port. According to Beibu Gulf Port Group, it offers a direct sea-rail transport link from the port to Chongqing. The route cuts transit time by about 25 days compared with the traditional river-sea route via the Yangtze River. It is expected to improve the movement of bulk raw materials to industrial businesses in southwest China. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global...
Aluminium futures in the UK fell to around USD 3,060 per tonne on October 12, 2026, reaching their lowest level since February, as a stronger US dollar, easing concerns over Middle East supply disruptions and expanding Indonesian production weighed on prices. The decline reflects a shift in market sentiment as the prospect of additional supply improves, while weaker demand expectations in China add pressure to London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices. Middle East smelter restarts ease supply concerns The faster-than-expected recovery of aluminium smelters in the Middle East has prompted a reassessment of the global supply outlook. Macquarie recently lowered its forecast for the global aluminium supply deficit as smelter restarts in the region progressed more quickly than anticipated....
