The story of the aluminium industry is starting a chapter wherein scrap availability, recycling technology, trade policy, carbon costs and demand growth are becoming increasingly interconnected. From the US and Canada to Europe, India, New Zealand and China, recent developments show that the global aluminium supply chain is being reshaped on several fronts at once. These developments point to a changing aluminium business model: access to metal alone may no longer be enough. Quality of recycled feedstock, domestic processing capacity, carbon intensity, trade exposure and the ability to meet increasingly specific customer requirements could become equally important competitive factors. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge...
According to SMM statistics, as of September 11, days of in-factory inventories at aluminium rod plants in China recorded 8.06 days, up 0.43 days W-o-W; the inventory ratio rose from 100.95 per cent to 102.86 per cent, up 1.91 percentage points. Looking at the trend over the past five weeks, inventories continued to consolidate at highs, with the inventory ratio staying above 100 per cent in the upper range for the year, as destocking and restocking alternated without a clear one-way trend. Over the same period, the combined operating rate of industry leaders in the aluminium rod sector recorded 72.50 per cent, down 0.46 percentage points W-o-W, pulling back slightly after stabilising at 72.96 per cent for three consecutive weeks, and overall remaining at low levels. The combination of...
Grow with
AL Circle
DISA has established a new test foundry in Denmark to help aluminium, steel, brass, bronze, and iron casting producers adopt the highly efficient green sand moulding process. Designed by DISA's foundry technology experts, the facility will conduct production trials to demonstrate that the green sand method can meet both casting specifications and cost requirements. DISA aims to make it easier for casting producers to switch from more expensive processes like die casting or no-bake, potentially reducing costs by up to 20 per cent, says DISA President Ulla Hartvig Tønnesen. "We typically see a 15 per cent lower cost per casting by switching to green sand, but it can be 20 per cent or more. It's a big opportunity for non-iron foundries currently using processes like shell, no bake and die...
The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) has announced a strategic partnership with the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, aimed at bolstering the UK aluminium sector’s international trade and technical capabilities. Unveiled during ALFED’s House of Lords lunch last week, the partnership marks a pivotal moment for the UK aluminium industry as it faces both emerging opportunities and critical challenges. Attended by industry leaders, parliamentarians, and government officials, the event served as a platform to highlight the aluminium sector’s role in building sustainable, competitive, and resilient supply chains for the future. Among the key issues discussed were the need to support the UK’s Net Zero ambitions, retain the economic value of secondary aluminium within the UK, and...
With sustainability becoming the core of every industry, Vedanta Aluminium, the world's leading aluminium producer, has taken a bold step that not only helps to uphold sustainability but also empowers women in the metal industry. Currently, the firm is on the road to establishing a one-of-a-kind women-led fly ash brick manufacturing facility, which shall aid in producing almost one crore bricks annually. The firm has taken this initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Subhalaxmi Cooperative to set up the facility in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Image source: IndiaMART Subhalaxmi Cooperative, which is deemed to be India's largest rural women's cooperative, would be supplied with fly ash by Vedanta Aluminium at no cost, which would be sourced from Vedanta's mega aluminium...
The Pahang Customs Department is proving to be a formidable force in Malaysia's ongoing battle against smuggling, striking yet again with the recent interception of seven containers packed with electronic waste (e-waste) and aluminium scrap worth an estimated MYR 4.4 million (USD 937,200) at Port Klang, Selangor. The high-stakes operation, carried out in collaboration with the Selangor Department of Environment (DoE), exposed the importer's attempt to dodge regulations by falsely declaring the e-waste as "copper concentrate" to avoid the required import permit. State Customs Director Mohd Asri Seman confirmed that further investigations revealed the shipments lacked both proper permits and accurate customs declarations. "The importer had falsely declared the e-waste as' copper...
At a time when global bilateral trade relations face mounting uncertainty, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are moving into a new alliance centered on premium aluminium and steel. According to a report on July 2, Union Steel Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy and UAE Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri met as part of a high-level engagement to advance India-UAE cooperation under the CEPA (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) framework. The meeting was focused on joint development of high-grade aluminium and steel, which are vital for India’s growing automobile and strategic sectors. “We see clear synergy in jointly producing and trading high-quality steel and aluminium for use in sectors such as automobiles, mobility, and high-end manufacturing,” Shri Kumaraswamy said while...
In a significant step for Chhattisgarh's mining industry, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has reportedly launched the e-auction process for new blocks of bauxite, iron ore, and limestone minerals. A pre-bid conference was arranged at Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, aimed at attracting investors to encourage them to invest in local development and make the state's abundant mineral riches accessible for industrial investment. The meeting served as an opportunity for potential investors and other industrial stakeholders to demonstrate their interest in accessing the various mineral resources of Chhattisgarh. The Mission of the pre-bid was to highlight the economic potential of new mineral blocks as well as build interest in subscribing to a fair and transparent auction process. Digital-first approach...
This week, the domestic aluminium scrap market continued to fluctuate at highs, with significant price differentiation. Spot primary aluminium prices fluctuated at highs during the week. As of July 3, the SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices closed at RMB 20,860 per tonne, up RMB 250 per tonne from last Thursday. Secondary aluminium raw materials: Due to off-season demand suppression, the overall fluctuation of aluminium scrap was limited: shredded aluminium tense scrap, with its supply remaining tight, showed strong resilience against price drops, with quotes stable at RMB 15,800-17,300 per tonne (tax not included). Baled UBC, affected by weak orders from downstream scrap utilization enterprises, experienced rangebound fluctuations during the week, ultimately closing at RMB 15,350-15,850 per...
On July 1, 2025, Ma'aden, Saudi Arabian Mining Company, finalised its acquisition of almost 25.1 per cent stakes in MBAC (Ma'aden Bauxite and Alumina Company) and MAC (Ma'aden Aluminum Company), two critical pieces of Saudi Arabia's aluminum value chain. Previously, Alcoa held a 25.1 per cent ownership stake in the company, whereas Ma’aden held a stake of about 74.9 percent. Image Source: Asharq Al Awsat The general assembly meeting of Ma'aden approved the increase in capital and the issue of new shares to help the full ownership of the company. In this new decision made by Ma’aden, Alcoa Saudi would be receiving a 1.74 per cent stake in Ma'aden's share capital, whereas AWA Saudi would be receiving a 0.47 per cent stake. Ma’aden has decided to purchase Alcoa’s 25.1 per cent stakes in MBAC...
China’s move to restart rare earth exports to the US has eased pressure on American industries after nearly two months of restrictions. While some European firms have also secured limited export licenses to avoid production disruptions, India despite being a major importer of Chinese rare earths has not been granted similar relief. Image Source: ip-quarterly/Thorsten Kirchhoff China’s export ban, imposed on April 4, 2025, as a response to US tariffs, disrupted global access to critical rare earth materials such as scandium. Though used in small amounts, scandium is vital for producing high-performance aluminium-scandium alloys, which play a key role in electric vehicles, electronics, and defence industries. China’s Ministry of Commerce said, “China will approve the export application of...
The Maharashtra government has unveiled an ambitious plan to make electric vehicles (EVs) account for 30 per cent of all vehicle registrations in the state by 2030. The announcement was made by Maharashtra Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who emphasised the need for sustainable mobility solutions amid growing urban congestion and rising fuel costs. The state’s vision has been formalised in the Maharashtra Electric Vehicle Policy 2025, which introduces a series of financial and structural incentives to accelerate EV adoption across sectors. Image for referential purposes only To encourage early adoption, the policy offers a range of benefits, including road tax and registration fee exemptions, interest-free loans, and direct purchase subsidies. In fact, the country’s first 45-horsepower...
LB Aluminium Bhd announced that it is acquiring a 6.74-acre leasehold industrial land along with existing buildings in Banting, Selangor, for RM 22 million (USD 5.21 million). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the aluminium extrusion manufacturer said the property is being purchased from Lucksoon Coatings Sdn Bhd. As part of the agreement, LB Aluminium will enter into a contra arrangement with Lucksoon Coatings and its related company, Lucksoon Metal Works Sdn Bhd, to offset RM 4.01 million of outstanding debt owed by Lucksoon Metal, using part of the purchase price. Additionally, LB Aluminium said it will enter into a three-year tenancy agreement to lease the property back to Lucksoon Metal, which currently occupies the site for its metal works operations and metal product trading...
As of Thursday, this week, the SMM alumina index stood at RMB 3,112.73 per tonne, down RMB 11.94 per tonne from Thursday last week. In Shandong, prices were reported at RMB 3,050-3,110 per tonne, down RMB 15 per tonne from Thursday last week; in Henan, prices were at RMB 3,080-3,120 per tonne, unchanged from Thursday last week; in Shanxi, prices were at RMB 3,050-3,110 per tonne, down RMB 15 per tonne from Thursday last week; in Guangxi, prices were at RMB 3,160-3,200 per tonne, down RMB 10 per tonne from Thursday last week; in Guizhou, prices were at RMB 3,130-3,230 per tonne, down RMB 10 per tonne from Thursday last week; and in Bayuquan, prices were at RMB 3,160-3,240 per tonne, down RMB 50 per tonne from Thursday last week. Overseas Market: As of July 3, 2025, the FOB Western...
A seminar, jointly organised by BetterCans, LLC and Ohio State University, is gaining attention in the metal packaging space. Designed for canmakers, non-canmakers, and brand owners, the event will feature key voices from the canmaking and beverage industries. With the theme " A Young Packaging for Future Generations, " the focus will be on two-piece aluminium cans for beverages. This two-day seminar provides a comprehensive overview of the key processes and materials used in aluminium canmaking and beverage packaging. Participants will learn how two-piece aluminium cans are manufactured and explore the regulations governing materials that come into contact with ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The seminar will follow the full lifecycle of a beverage can, from aluminium coil to the...
Germany-based TOMRA Recycling welcomed Katrin Fricke as the new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Head, ushering in a new era of growth and a fresh chapter for the company. Succeeding Dr Volker Rehrmann, whose remarkable career with TOMRA spanned more than two decades, Katrin has expressed gratitude, stating, "A big thank you to Dr Volker Rehrmann for the thoughtful handover. I'm honoured to continue writing the story of TOMRA Recycling alongside a great team of experts, and I'm excited about what lies ahead." Katrin Fricke brings a wealth of leadership experience to her new role, having held key positions across diverse industries with a strong focus on operations management, corporate strategy, and digital transformation. With a background in production engineering and a passion for...
Vedanta Limited, an Indian multinational company, has represented solid returns in the first 6 months of 2025. The share price of the firm is poised to reach the INR 500 (USD 5.99) mark and has gained nearly 5 per cent over time, while continuing with the previously announced demerger activities. Under this demerger plan, the company will divide itself into five new companies, creating a significant opportunity for investors. Image source: vedantaaluminium.com On July 3, at 11:42 AM, Vedanta Limited's share price stood at INR 464 (USD 5.56). The price is expected to rise today and reach its highest value of INR 472.35 (USD 5.66), which reflects on the same price as achieved on March 27, 2025, where the value stood INR 472.35 (USD 5.66). On June 16, a week ago, the share price stood at INR...
Southern Tasmania is placing greater emphasis on recycling. The region already known for aluminium recycling and green movements has unlocked another significant achievement in Goodwood with the opening of its first bulk recycling depot. Inaugurated on Wednesday, July 2, the recycling depot provides locals with a convenient drive-through location to exchange drink containers like aluminium, plastic, glass, etc., for 10-cent refunds while supporting employment for people with disability. “This collaboration with SEED is a terrific example of the extended community benefit potential of Tasmania’s container refund scheme. [The depot] provides employment, training and fundraising opportunities for people with disability, all while creating clean streams of recycling and helping keep our...
TAHA International for Industrial Services, headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain, has been awarded the prestigious Power List Middle East Award 2025 in the category of Sustainable Manufacturing. The award was presented during the second edition of the annual Power List Awards ceremony, hosted by Roshcomm, and held in the presence of His Excellency Ali Bin Saleh Al Saleh, Chairman of the Shura Council, who personally presented the awards to the winners. This recognition represents a major milestone in Taha International’s journey and stands as a testament to the company’s pioneering role in advancing aluminium hot dross processing technology. Through its ongoing commitment to a zero-waste circular economy and its proactive engagement with pressing environmental and climate challenges,...
Advancing innovation, sustainability, and manufacturing growth in Southeast Asia. Visitor registration is now open for wire and Tube Southeast Asia 2025, taking place from 17–19 September 2025 at BITEC, Bangkok. Marking the 16th edition of wire Southeast Asia and the 15th edition of Tube Southeast Asia, the region’s specialist trade fairs for the wire, cable, tube, and pipe sectors return as a premier international platform for business exchange, strategic sourcing, and cross-border collaboration. Set against the backdrop of Southeast Asia’s rapid infrastructure expansion, ongoing digital transformation, and growing emphasis on sustainability, the 2025 editions will feature 300 exhibitors from over 30 countries, showcasing the latest machinery, materials, manufacturing technologies, and...
