
China-based China Aluminum International Engineering Co., Ltd. (CHALIECO) has won a bid for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract valued at approximately USD 833 million for a proposed alumina project in Vietnam, adding to investment activity in the country’s mineral processing sector. The project, being developed by Binh Phuoc Ore Mining and Beneficiation Joint Stock Company, is designed to process 2.4 million tonnes of alumina annually. The proposed contract is valued at around CNY 5.595 billion (USD 839.04 million), with completion expected within 27 months of the contract’s effective date. CHALIECO to oversee turnkey refinery development Under the proposed turnkey arrangement, CHALIECO’s responsibilities will cover the full project delivery process, from...
50 billion in revenue and 20 billion in profit is what Vedanta Group is looking forward to over the next two years, said the Founder & Chairman, Mr Anil Agarwal, during an interactive session organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at Taj Bengal, Kolkata on October 28, 2026. While he sees India as a powerhouse of metals and minerals, his attention is caught by West Bengal, located in the Eastern part of India. Mr Agarwal believes the future of Bengal looks bright, as the state has a strategic geographical location with major mining states like Jharkhand and Odisha as its neighbours. By directing high hopes for Bengal and praising the double engine government, Agarwal expressed his willingness to invest in the state in sectors like mining, minerals and power. He also met the...
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Officials from the Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund and the Glass Center Kyrgyz-Uzbek announced a joint venture after a heart-to-heart wherein an assignment is set — to set up a factory in the Chuy region of Kyrgyzstan aimed at producing double-glazed windows, doors, and facades crafted from aluminium profiles, reports Trends. Image Source: Uzbek-Kyrgyz Development Fund During the meeting, the sides negotiated about the minutia of the project, taking into account the optimisation of the financing structure. Agreements were then made to further fortify future cooperation and designate unambiguous paths for hassle-free project execution. The meeting was held in a constructive and productive ambience, kickstarting a concrete foundation for long-term cooperation. In 2024, the industrial entities...

Kepler Cheuvreux, a European financial services firm specialising in research, execution, and asset management, resumed coverage of Norsk Hydro SA shares, assigning a Buy rating with a price target of NOK 88.00. A "Buy" rating from a stock analyst indicates their belief that the stock is either undervalued or has significant growth potential, making it a promising investment opportunity. Analyst Martin Granviken highlighted the cyclical nature of the aluminium market, emphasising the impact of global supply-demand dynamics on prices. Recent market reports indicate an upcoming aluminium supply deficit as Chinese production nears its capacity limit. This development is anticipated to drive aluminium prices higher over the next three years. Granviken noted that alumina prices reached record...

According to shipbroker Arrow, the surge in bauxite demand in China has resulted in capesize fleet carrying more bauxite than coal for the first time. The capesize vessels are traditionally used for coal shipments, but now, due to increased demand for the ore in the Chinese market, they are being repurposed to carry larger volumes of bauxite. Image source: MarineLink Arrow stated in a report that bauxite shipment from Guinea to China surged at the beginning of the year as panamaxes vessels cannibalised capesize coal cargoes. That made bauxite the second-largest capesize commodity after iron ore. In 2024, China imported 159 million tonnes of bauxite, up by 18 million tonnes from 2023, with 77 per cent of all shipments carried out on capes, leading to Guinea's higher capesize share of...

Marine Air Flow International has opted for sustainability in its filtration systems, which remove salt mist particles from the air. The company, well-versed in engine ventilation equipment manufacturing, has collaborated with Capral to use the latter brand’s LocAl Super Green extruded products to manufacture many of their components within a carefully engineered and high-performance solutions range. Image Source: Linkedin (Capral Aluminium) In 2022, Capral unveiled LocAl, its low-carbon aluminium solution with a lump sum reduction of CO2 emissions, as low as 4kg CO2e per 1kg of aluminium as opposed to the industry average of 12.46kg CO2e per 1kg. As per Capral’s official statement earlier, in 2024, 25 per cent of the primary aluminium billet (a major source of extruded aluminium) Capral...

Some of the news headlines this week in the upstream aluminium industry, particularly in the primary aluminium sector, suggest a potential shift in market dynamics in the near term in the wake of aluminium price drop on alumina supply ease and proposed tariffs on aluminium imports by the US President Donald Trump. These two events in the industry have already prompted many aluminium leaders and financial analysts to revise their business strategy and market outlook. In addition, there are some key evaluations on the 2024 aluminium production trend and market analysis to guide your 2025 planning. RBC Capital Markets this week revised its investment outlook for Nork Hydro from “outperform” to “sector perform”, following the company’s share drop by 3.2 per cent on Tuesday, November 21, on...

Encore-Alcom, prominent aluminium doors and windows manufacturer based in Hyderabad, announced the commencement of operations at its new manufacturing plant in Surat, Gujarat, on Tuesday. This facility, the largest in India for aluminium doors and windows production, is the country’s first to feature automated robotic technology. Spanning 184,000 square feet, the plant employs 500 people. The company plans to invest INR 60 crores in the facility in phases. Encore has already established a strong presence in wooden door manufacturing, marketing its products under the Encore brand in the south and the Alcom brand in the north. “We used German technology for the state-of- the-art new plant which has a capacity to produce 35,000 square feet per day. We will showcase our latest and innovative...

Emirates is preparing to launch its brand-new Airbus A350 aircraft in India on Republic Day, January 26, 2025, a commemoratory date in the Indian calendar. This launch on Republic Day is a token of appreciation for its Indian customers, paying respect to the Indian Republic. The noteworthy debut will feature daily flights to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. With this addition, Emirates will now serve five destinations in its network. The introduction of Emirates’ new aircraft to India, which boasts the airline’s latest interiors as well as industry-first technologies and innovations, underscores Emirates’ commitment to its customers in India and beyond, offering exceptional levels of comfort on board. The aircraft benefits from advanced aerodynamics, ensuring a smooth ride and increased efficiency....

Alcoa is set to invest US$163 million (AU$260 million) in a now-mandatory water management system at its caustic red mud storage site in Kwinana, as savings from the shutdown of its 60-year-old alumina refinery have been slower than anticipated. The closure, announced in January 2024, was initially expected to cost up to US$200 million (AU$319 million), including US$81 million earmarked for water management and US$55 million allocated for the redundancy or redeployment of 800 employees. Furthermore, Alcoa intends to spend US$70 million in 2024, preparing for a shift to a new mining area within the Jarrah forest, with more significant investments expected in 2026. This comes as the company continues to face scrutiny in Western Australia (WA) after revelations two years ago that its strip...

Donald Trump's tariff threat following his second presidential term inauguration on January 20 has already sparked speculation among aluminium industry leaders from both the domestic and international markets, prompting them to make strategic decisions regarding overseas trade. For instance, Alcoa, an American aluminium producer headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is contemplating redirecting its Australian aluminium output to the United States in response to the proposed tariff on aluminium imports from Canada . Alcoa's CEO, William Oplinger, suggests that shifting trade flows could be a good tactic to avoid paying tariffs to the US. Image source: Alcoa Corporation The speculation among domestic industry leaders also includes potential market disruptions due to tariff threats on...

European aluminium billet market is beginning its new calendar year, keeping a cautious look over its shoulder, as demand remains sluggish amid hidebound buying practices, while production cuts intend to leave the supply chain vulnerable to sudden fluctuations. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has publicised that the European aluminium 6060/6063 billet premium at London Metal Exchange (LME) cash plus $555 per tonne DDP Germany January 10, on net 30-day payment spans, up 46 per cent Y-o-Y, but contemplating a 12 per cent decline from 2024’s peak of $630 per tonne DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) in late August owing to softer demand. The Italian premium was evaluated at LME cash plus $555 per tonne DDP on January 10 for net 60-day payment terms, ascending 48 per cent year-on-year but...

The world's primary aluminium industry has wrapped up 2024 with an annual production of 72.758 million tonnes. Could it break the record of the previous year or surpass AL Circle's outlook? Of course, it did by 2.9 per cent from the earlier year's output of 70.716 million tonnes and by 1.05 per cent of AL Circle's projection of 72 million tonnes. Until November 2024, the production volume was summed up at 66.622 million tonnes, meaning the remaining amount of 6.236 million tonnes was achieved in December alone, marking the highest monthly output ever. Month-on-month, the world's primary aluminium production in December recorded a rise of 3.3 per cent from 6.037 million tonnes, and on a year-on-year, it edged an increase of 3.02 per cent from 6.053 million tonnes. The daily average output...

According to Platts assessment, a division of S&P Global, the premium for Japanese primary aluminium imports in the first quarter of 2025 stands at $228 per tonne over the London Metal Exchange cash price, reflecting a 30.29 per cent rise from $175 per tonne in Q4 2024. Image source: Sumitomo Corporation The main Japanese port aluminium premium has been assessed on the basis of 12 trades done between December 12, 2024, and January 22, 2025, involving a total trade volume of 15,000 tonnes per month. The premium averaged in the first quarter of 2025 is the highest since the fourth quarter of 2021 compared to $205 per tonne. According to Platts, the contributing factor to this spike in Q1 premium is the limited availability of primary metal due to production cuts on high alumina prices,...

2024 has been all about jumping hoops to advance in the industrial progress for the non-ferrous metal, aluminium. The entire extraction and the subsequent production, starting from bauxite mining, progressing through alumina refining and finally reaching the manufacturing of a varied type of aluminium, is a mammoth task. And, producers across the globe, at times, need each other and even external supporting entities to steer forward. Today, we delve into some of the crucial agreements and contracts from the calendar year that shaped the industry smoother than before. NTPC to supply uninterrupted power for NALCO’s smelter expansion NTPC Limited (National Thermal Power Corporation) and National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navaratna Company, came together in a non-binding Memorandum...

At the dawn of the new presidential era on January 20, 2025, Donald Trump announced his intent to impose a 10 per cent tariff on Chinese product imports, including aluminium, as early as February 1. Following the news, the three-month aluminium price on the London Metal Exchange decreased by 0.9 per cent to US$2,611 per tonne, feeling the pressure of trade tensions. On his second day in office, the US President called for an investigation into US-China trade to assess potential penalties on Chinese goods. Previously, he had threatened China with a 60 per cent tariff on imports but later adjusted his proposal to a 10 per cent duty, despite which China's blue-chip CSI 300 index and the Shanghai Composite index closed nearly 1 per cent lower, representing the highest fall in nearly two...

Aluminium recycling goes beyond sustainability; it serves as a key catalyst for economic growth, enhances supply chain resilience, and supports environmental responsibility. And talking about recycling, Novelis, the global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, is leading the way in end-of-life vehicle recycling, going beyond just production scrap. Image Source: Novelis By utilising advanced scrap sortation and segregation technologies, the company aims to capture specific aluminium alloys from decommissioned vehicles, preserving their value and quality. In partnership with key industry players, Novelis is driving a circularity platform for end-of-life vehicles, optimising material flow, increasing access to high-quality recycled aluminium, and minimising landfill waste. Collaborating...

The grocery aisle is a kaleidoscope of colourful packaging crafted to grab the attention of the buyers and entice them to make a purchase. Be it aluminium cans, bottles, and other materials, the packaging story doesn't end once it is opened and recycled; the real story begins when the material returns to the shelves as a new product or is transformed into something very different. The latest report from the Australian Packaging Covenant Organisation (APCO) paints a reasonably positive picture: in 2022–23, packaging across all industries in Australia contained an average of 44 per cent recycled content. However, this figure hides significant variation between materials. To explore the differences, ABC Science examined three commonly used and relatively easy-to-recycle packaging materials —...

The conversation around bauxite mining in Western Australia (WA) is heating up, with politicians and stakeholders engaging in a spirited debate over its future. The Greens have proposed a bold plan to phase out bauxite mining in WA’s native forests, aiming to preserve the region's rich biodiversity and water resources. AI generated image for referential purposes only However, industry leaders, workers, and the state government see a different path — one that balances environmental stewardship with economic vitality. A vision for sustainability The Greens have committed to banning new bauxite mining in WA’s native forests and gradually winding down existing operations over the next decade. They emphasise the irreplaceable value of WA’s South West forests for climate regulation, water...

The share value of a leading mining company, based in India, specialising in the extraction, manufacturing, and trading of minerals and their derivative products, surged by 10 per cent following the signing of a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Railway. Price hike stance With a market capitalisation of INR 5,075.30 crore (approx. US$618.94 million) as of Monday, shares of Ashapura Minechem Ltd (NSE: ASHM) rose by 10 per cent, reaching a high of INR 571.55 (USD 6.62) per share compared to the previous closing price of INR 519.60 (USD 6.02) per share. The back story Ashapura Minechem Limited, through its overseas subsidiary, has been bound in a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Railway. The company specialises in the mining, manufacturing, and...