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,...
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The people of Kilkenny have recycled over 4.5 million aluminium cans and plastic bottles in just one year through the Return scheme. According to SuperValu and Centra, their stores alone have facilitated the recycling of an amount equivalent to 42 containers per person in Ireland during the first 12 months of the Deposit Return Scheme. Kilkenny is a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the South-East Region and in the province of Leinster. PET bottles can be recycled up to seven times through the Deposit Return Scheme, while aluminium cans can be infinitely recycled. Collected from SuperValu and Centra stores at the end of each week, the containers are transported to a recycling facility in Limerick, where they are sorted by material and colour, with any waste removed from...
Though it is only the conclusion of quarter two for Impact Minerals in December 2024, the company’s entire calendar year 2024 performance data have poured in with its December quarterly report publication. Throughout the year, Impact Minerals has taken quite a few steps ahead across various exploration and development projects, notably its flagship Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project in Western Australia. The consolidated report focuses on the numbers throughout the year, along with the company’s activities and milestones across the four quarters. Third Quarter FY24 (Ending March 2024) Impact Minerals has focused heavily on advancing its Lake Hope Project as planned earlier since the beginning of the year with other exploration activities. Lake Hope, WA: The project achieved...
Monomoy Capital Partners, a private investment firm specialising in private equity and credit investments in the middle market, is excited to announce the sale of Astro Shapes, LLC, a top manufacturer of custom aluminium extrusions, to Wynnchurch Capital. "The success Astro Shapes has experienced during our partnership with Monomoy is not only due to tactical improvements but also the holistic value-creation approach we have executed together. In Monomoy, we established a team of thought partners who deeply understand family-led companies and helped equip us with the necessary resources to continue my father's legacy. On behalf of my family, we are proud of the Astro Shapes team and grateful for Monomoy's leadership, and we wish Steve and the entire company continued growth and success,"...
Donald Trump proposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico and 10 per cent tariffs on China are set to take effect on Tuesday, February 4, following his executive orders on February 1 directing the administration to impose duties on these three trade partners. As per the report, an additional 25 per cent tariff will be applicable to all imports from Canada and Mexico, except energy resources, which will face a 10 per cent duty instead. Image source: Britannica The President's order specifies the tariffs will apply to those products entering the US for consumption or withdrawn from warehouses for consumption on or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on February 4, 2025. Goods already in transit to the United States with scheduled arrival at 12:01 a.m. on February 1 are exempt from...
The aluminium industry in 2025 stands at a pivotal juncture, shaped by evolving market dynamics, geopolitical uncertainties, and the accelerating drive toward sustainability. Stakeholders must navigate these complexities to position themselves for a transformative year ahead. The "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025" provides a comprehensive view of the industry, offering data-driven insights that outline both opportunities and looming threats across production, consumption, and market trends. Whether industry leaders, investors, or policymakers read this report, it will be more than another forecast. The global aluminium market size from 2025-2030, with a projected value of $355 billion by the end of the forecast period. The market is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth...
Viva, Asia's leading manufacturer and supplier of aluminium composite panels (ACP), has unveiled its FR A1-rated Honeycomb Panels, redefining industry standards for fire safety and architectural innovation. Designed for superior performance, these panels integrate cutting-edge fire-resistant technology with aesthetic adaptability, providing a groundbreaking solution for safety-critical applications. Importance of fire safety Fire safety at home is essential for protecting lives and property, and using fire-resistant materials can significantly enhance a building's safety. Proper fire safety measures, such as having an evacuation plan and keeping fire extinguishers accessible, can make a critical difference in emergency situations. Additionally, using fire-rated building materials in...
This week has been highly eventful for the upstream aluminium industry, especially the bauxite sector, which has dominated the headlines. Key highlights include Metro Mining's record-breaking bauxite production, Ukraine's seizure of $50 million worth of raw materials from Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, an increase in bauxite shipments on Capesize vessels surpassing coal, and the successful completion of Canyon’s RC and diamond drilling program at the Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon. Alumina and primary aluminium sectors also did make to some of the top headlines this week, such as Vedanta’s 1 lakh crore dream project of an alumina refinery and aluminium smelter coming to fruition, a 2.6 per cent year-over-year increase in alumina production in 2024,, NALCO’s share price rising by...
Vedanta Aluminium, a key subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, has announced a historic performance for Q3 FY25, achieving its highest-ever third-quarter EBITDA of INR 11,284 crore (US$1.34 billion), marking a significant 30 per cent year-on-year increase. Image Source: https://www.vedantalimited.com/ Record production amid rising domestic demand Aluminium production for the quarter stood at 613 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 2 per cent Y-o-Y growth. However, production increased marginally from 609 thousand in Q2 FY25 ( up 0.7 per cent Q-o-Q). Alumina production surged by 7 per cent to 505 thousand tonnes, supported by advancements at the Lanjigarh refinery. Notably, Vedanta Aluminium recorded its best-ever quarterly value-added product (VAP) sales at 317 tonnes, a 16 per cent Y-o-Y increase....
Sweden-based Gränges AB, a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, announced its production and financial results for 2024, reporting record-high sales volume and earnings. Gränges operates recycled-content aluminium facilities in Sweden, China, Poland, and the United States. In the US, it operates a scrap-fed melt shop and casting facility, commencing in 2023. Fiscal achievements In the fourth quarter of 2024, Gränges sold 130.3 thousand tonnes of recycled and rolled aluminium products, up by 21 per cent Y-o-Y, and earned SEK 6,184 million (US$558.205 million). For the full year, the sales volume amounted to 505.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 9.2 per cent rise Y-o-Y, valued at SEK 23,506 million (US$2,118.27 million). With the increase in sales volume, the company's adjusted...
At the recently concluded Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) international conference held in Jaipur from 28 to 30 January, Mohan Agarwal, managing director and chairman of a prominent secondary smelter CMR Green Recycling, projected robust growth in India’s secondary aluminium demand. Agarwal forecasted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7-9 per cent between 2023 and 2028, with demand expected to rise from 1.7 million tonnes in 2023 to approximately 2.4-2.5 million tonnes by 2028. The automotive sector is poised to be a key driver of this growth, with demand anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 7-11 per cent. India’s automotive sector, already the third-largest market globally, surpassed Japan and now trails only China and the US, according to government reports from...
National Aluminium Company (NALCO) experienced an eventful trading session on January 31, 2025, surpassing the nation’s aluminium sector. Despite trading below past key moving averages, it delivers a high dividend yield. The stock’s recent performance contrasts with broader market trends. NALCO’s share price is steadily more dependent on international fluctuations in alumina prices, as alumina is a primary raw material used in the production of aluminium. The state-run company is integral to the alumina as it sells a considerable portion of its manufactured goods in the open market. The company has upped by 3.18 per cent on January 31, 2025. This performance has marked the stock at an outperforming position as compared to its sector by 1.91 per cent, highlighting its relative strength in...
China wrapped up 2024 with a staggering growth of aluminium foil exports, reaching above 1.5 million tonnes. Although the export volume in December decreased significantly by about 28 per cent month-on-month following the cancellation of export tax rebates and the looming threat of increased tariffs in some countries, China’s annual export volume saw no adverse impact. Image source: Nantong Hengjin Composite Material Co., Ltd. According to the International Trade Administration, China’s aluminium foil exports at the end of 2024 amounted to 1.55 million tonnes, reflecting an impressive rise of 18.32 per cent from 1.31 million tonnes in 2023. The historical data shows China’s aluminium foil exports have grown consistently over the past ten years since 2014 when the export volume was 867,634...
Commodity markets are factoring in heightened chances that US President Donald Trump’s sanctions on Canadian imports will include raw materials such as oil, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which cautioned that petrol prices in the Midwest could rise if the penalties affect crude flows. Differences in regional pricing for commodities such as aluminium and crude copper indicate an 85 per cent probability of a 10 per cent tariff being imposed, analysts including Samantha Dart and Daan Struyven said in a note. Lower probabilities were associated with higher eventual tariffs, they added. Canada is by some margin the largest supplier of primary metal to the United States, accounting for 79 per cent of total imports in the first 11 months of 2024. On the other hand, the re-elected...
Cargo through the Port of Toledo saw a slight overall decline of about 3 per cent in tonnage for 2024. However, the general cargo sector experienced a significant increase of over 30 per cent. This included a record-breaking year for aluminium, with 330,208 tonnes passing through the Toledo docks, according to Joe Cappel, the port authority's vice president of business development. Image Source: Port of Toledo website Record-breaking year for aluminium Mr Cappel noted that it remains uncertain how the aluminium, which was entirely sourced from Canadian smelters, might be impacted in 2025 by President Trump's threat of tariffs on Canadian imports. He also stated that Toledo's status as a London Metals Exchange delivery point for aluminium has boosted traffic in the metal, which typically...
Canyon Resources Limited, an Australia-based bauxite resource development and exploration company, has reportedly completed Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling and Diamond drilling programme at its Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon. The RC and Diamond drilling program involves conducting reverse circulation drilling first to obtain preliminary geological data, followed by diamond drilling to collect high-quality core samples. Image source: Canyon Resources Within the four months since the signing of the Mining License for its Minim Martap Bauxite Project, Canyon Resources has successfully accomplished its initial drilling targets and recovered outstanding drill core samples upon completing the RC & Diamond drilling programme. By the first half of 2025, the results of the drilling...
Anuj Bareja, Founder and Managing Director of Asier Metals Private Ltd, stated at the LME Mumbai Forum on January 27, 2025, that establishing London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses in India could help mitigate the carbon footprint associated with transporting aluminium. With sustainability measures concerning aluminium and the future implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) levies, having these warehouses locally would eliminate the need to transport aluminium to LME-registered facilities in Southeast Asia for storage and delivery. “Why does India need to ship out 1.5 million tonnes of aluminium to Southeast Asia? Are we not burning fuel?” Bareja said, emphasising the need for LME warehouses in India where the metal can be stored and drawn out domestically. There...
Net Zero Foods, a leader in sustainable food and beverage innovation, is excited to introduce ROBOT Kombucha—the world’s healthiest cola. This cool, super-premium Coke-style drink packed in 100 per cent recyclable aluminium cans blend the health benefits of organic kombucha with the natural sweetness of organic honey, offering a game-changing alternative to traditional sugary soft drinks. Image Source - ROBOT Kombucha website A healthy option to choose By using organic honey, the brand also highlights the critical need to protect pollinators. With no organic honey currently produced in the UK due to pesticide use, ROBOT Kombucha supports ethical beekeeping abroad while advocating for sustainable farming practices at home. Traditional colas are often linked to high sugar content and...
The aluminium industry is at a crossroads. As the world races towards digitalisation, traditional manufacturing sectors—long bound by legacy processes—must either embrace this evolution or risk obsolescence. The launch of AL Circle’s latest e-Magazine, “Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry: Drivers & Changemakers of 2024” , comes at a pivotal time when automation, AI, and advanced data analytics are redefining efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in aluminium production and processing. Why should you read this? The aluminium industry, long reliant on traditional methods, is at a crossroads. Companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind in an industry increasingly driven by smart manufacturing and real-time data. This edition of the e-Magazine “Digital...
