China recorded the highest reported bauxite price among five major markets in the third quarter of 2026, at USD 90 per tonne, while the USA had the lowest assessment at USD 77 per tonne. India, Australia and Germany recorded prices of USD 82, USD 80 and USD 79 per tonne, respectively, highlighting regional differences in bauxite procurement costs. The USD 13-per-tonne gap between China and the USA reflects differing regional price assessments. However, the available data does not establish the precise contribution of individual factors or indicate whether prices rose or fell compared with the previous quarter. China tops regional bauxite price rankings China's bauxite price of USD 90 per tonne placed it at the top of the five-market comparison. Its substantial alumina refining industry...
Japanese aluminium manufacturer UACJ Co Ltd has signed a 20-year solar power purchase agreement (PPA) with Hokuriku Electric Power Biz Energy Solution Co Ltd to supply renewable electricity to its Fukui Works. The 7.43 MW solar project in Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, is expected to deliver 8.5 GWh of electricity annually while reducing UACJ’s carbon dioxide emissions by 27,694 tonnes per year. Private-line solar supply to begin in November Under the agreement announced on October 26, 2026, Hokuriku Electric Power Biz Energy Solution will supply UACJ’s Fukui Works through a dedicated 4.2 km private power line. The offsite solar plant has a capacity of 5 MWAC/7.43 MWDC, with electricity deliveries scheduled to begin on November 1, 2026. Built on a 75,197-square-metre site, equivalent to...
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The latest data from the US Geological Survey reflects a shift in the market dynamics for aluminium scrap in Thailand and Malaysia. Thailand, which usually happens to be the third-largest aluminium scrap importer from the United States, ranked second in September, beating Malaysia’s import volume. According to the USGS data, Thailand accounted for 18 per cent of the United States aluminium scrap exports, while Malaysia contributed 17 per cent. On a month-on-month basis, the United States aluminium scrap exports to Thailand grew by 20.45 per cent, but exports to Malaysia decreased by 4.5 per cent. Thailand imported 31,800 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the United States in September, compared to 26,400 tonnes in August. On a year-on-year basis, the import in September 2024 increased by 37...
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has granted a conditional loan guarantee of US$1.45 billion to Hanwha Qcells, a Korean-owned solar manufacturer, to support the development of its vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Cartersville, Georgia. Image Source: FREEPIK This loan, part of the DOE's Title 17 Clean Energy Financing program, will aid in the construction of a facility with a 3.3GW nameplate capacity. The plant will produce silicon ingots, wafers, cells, and modules, where aluminium is a common metal impurity mixed with silicon wafers. This is added to improve the ability of the devices to conduct electricity. This process is called doping. With this, the plant also aims to become the largest vertically integrated solar manufacturing hub in the U.S. Qcells initially...
Kolkata Metro Railway is re-commits to conclude the replacement of the existing steel third rail with aluminium resorts on the down line of the Blue Line corridor, spreading between Belgachia and Tollygunge (Mahanayak Uttam Kumar), by August 2025, a spokesperson announced on Sunday, January 5. According to the Press Information Bureau, in Kolkata Metro Railway, the power to the metro rake is supplied to rolling stock at 750V DC through steel third rail. The Third Rail Current Collector (TRCC) made of steel fitted on metro rake collects the current from third rail. Kolkata Metro Railway has been using steel third rail for the last 40 years. Kolkata Metro Railway decided in August 2023 to use composite aluminium third rail in all the upcoming corridors being undertaken for construction...
Metro Mining has achieved a new annual high with 5.7 million tonnes of wet bauxite shipment. The consistent growth month-on-month since August 2024 has led to a yearly shipment increase of 24 per cent. But despite the growth, the Australian mining company has failed to achieve its annual target of 6 million tonnes. The company’s growth pattern In August 2024, Metro Mining's bauxite shipment was 720,000 tonnes , recording a month-on-month growth of 13 per cent. In the subsequent month, the shipment volume reached 780,000 tonnes, bringing the total shipment in Q3 to 2.13 million tonnes. The Australian mining company shipped more bauxite in October, achieving 69.5 per cent of the annual target with 793,420 tonnes. On a month-on-month basis, the shipment volume in October rose 1.72 per cent,...
There is an increasingly urgent need for lightweight components in the aerospace industry, with aluminium (Al) alloys being the preferred material for aircraft structural parts since their use in the Junkers F.13 aircraft in the 1920s. Compared to other metals, Al alloys have a lower density, which helps reduce the total weight of the aircraft, improving fuel efficiency and load capacity. An article on ScienceDirect, backed by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Science and Technology Development Program of Jilin Province, and the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, details the use of non-ferrous metals in the aviation industry. The strength and hardness of Al alloys can be significantly enhanced through alloying and heat treatment, making them suitable for...
Nigeria exported aluminium alloy worth N682 billion (441.45 million USD). between January and September 2024, according to an analysis of the Foreign Trade Statistics report from the National Bureau of Statistics. Labelled as unwrought aluminium alloys, the exports comprised ingots, blocks, billets, and slabs. Image Source - Pixaby Quarterly breakdown A quarterly breakdown reveals that – N84 billion (54.69 million USD) was exported in the first quarter (Q1) N480 billion (312.53 million USD) in the second quarter (Q2) N116 billion (75.54 million USD) in the third quarter (Q3) Japan emerged as the largest importer, accounting for N218.3 billion (142.13 million USD of the exports, followed by China with N43.5 billion. Nigeria's thriving aluminium export industry persists despite the...
South32 concluded 2024 on a strong note, securing State Government approval for its Worsley Alumina mine development project in Western Australia. On December 20, WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby granted approval for the project following his decision to amend specific conditions previously recommended by the WA Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). Image Source - Freepik Worsley Alumina recently earned certifications from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, affirming its alumina production aligns with global standards for responsible practices. The project extension is anticipated to receive Federal Government approval in early 2025. The Chamber of Minerals and Energy (CME) WA applauded the WA Government’s decision on Worsley Alumina, with CMEWA Chief Executive Officer Rebecca...
China is bracing its position as a key player in the global minerals market, with a sharp focus on bauxite, a critical raw material for aluminium production. In the first nine months of last year alone, China's bauxite imports surged by 20 per cent, among other minerals, a judicious progress to secure resources vital for its domestic industries. Image source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bauxite This drive comes as the world increasingly pivots towards green energy and innovative technologies, both of which rely heavily on minerals like bauxite, copper, and cobalt. Aluminium, derived from bauxite, is essential for renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics. According to S&P Global, China's reliance on imported bauxite is as high as 57 per cent. Guinea,...
Aluminium is an essential component of the global economy, and this week, the upstream sector witnessed some significant events. For instance, India's bauxite mining sector has grown in the non-ferrous segment, achieving an output of 23.93 million tonnes in FY 2023-2024. As of April 2024, production surpassed the previous year by 86 thousand tonnes. Chinese enterprise State Power Investment Corp. (SPIC) generated significant buzz at the start of the year with its announcement of a new heavy-duty alumina refinery in Guinea. This latest initiative follows three successful years of bauxite production in the West African nation. The Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), strategically positioned on India's East Coast, has started the New Year on a high note, showcasing impressive growth. Playing...
C.S. Aluminium Corporation (CSAC), one of Taiwan's largest rolled aluminium product manufacturers, has been successfully recertified with the ASI Performance Standard V3. The certification has been provided for producing aluminium plates, rolls, sheets, and foil at its Siaogang District, Kaohsiung, Taiwan facility. Image Source: ASI website Its diverse portfolio includes aluminium plates, sheets, coils, foil, wire rods, drops, aluminium alloy ingots, zinc alloy ingots, zinc anodes for electroplating, and hot-dip zinc ingots. These products find application across various industries, such as: Transportation: Vessel plates, automotive sheet metal, and transport vehicle bodies. Building Materials: Curtain walls, aluminium cladding, corrugated sheets, and Venetian blinds Food Containers: Can...
IndyCar is considering replacing its traditional magnesium wheels with aluminium alternatives by 2026 or 2027, aiming to reduce costs and address supply challenges. Magnesium wheels, valued for their lightweight and rigidity, have been standard in high-performance racing, including IndyCar and Formula 1, since the 1990s. However, sourcing these wheels has become increasingly difficult due to limited vendor availability and the large quantities required for all IndyCar entries. Image Source: https://www.hyveeindycarweekend.com/ O.Z. Racing and BBS are the primary suppliers of IndyCar wheels, with O.Z. being the more prominent provider. The scarcity of magnesium wheels has prompted IndyCar to explore aluminium as a more readily available and cost-effective alternative. Discussions are...
The Indian multinational mining and metal giant, Vedanta reported a 3 per cent year-on-year increase in total aluminium production, reaching 614,000 tonnes (0.614 million tonnes) in Q3 FY25, compared to 599,000 tonnes (0.599 million tonnes) in Q3 FY24. The nine-month production numbers for FY25 were 1.89 million tonnes, a 3 per cent rise from the same period last year when they totalled 1.77 million tonnes. Vedanta Aluminium Production (in million tonnes) At the diversified minerals company's alumina refinery at Lanjigarh, alumina production rose 7 per cent year over year and 1 per cent quarter over quarter, totalling 505,000 tonnes (0.505 million tonnes) over 4,70,000 tonnes. In the nine months, it stood at 1.54 million tonnes, a 16 per cent year-over-year jump. However, the saleable...
Aluminium dross is a by-product formed during the melting and processing of aluminium. When aluminium is in its molten state, it undergoes oxidation on the surface, forming a ‘skin-like’ layer known as dross. In the past, aluminium dross was disposed of in landfills, a practice deemed hazardous to the environment. In addition, valuable aluminium content and other elements were lost in landfills. In recent years, with the aluminium industry’s growing focus on sustainability and environmental issues, there has been significant improvement in dross processing technologies, enabling higher metal recovery from dross than conventional methods. Discover in-depth insights into aluminium dross processing technologies, key players in the industry, their groundbreaking projects, and regional trade...
Alcoa's (NYSE: AA) share value has dropped nearly 60 per cent since March 2022, which was its all-time peak. During the same period, the S&P 500 index has increased by 33 per cent, yet this has not been enough to offset Alcoa's incredibly sharp decline compared to its peers. For instance, Century Aluminum Co. has seen a 33 per cent decline, while Kaiser Aluminum Corp. has dropped 28 per cent. Alcoa is well-positioned in the aluminium products and alumina production sector. The gradual sell-off of its stock has been influenced by various macroeconomic factors, which have hindered the strong rally in aluminium prices that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic. Image credit: Flickr (handle: abasstreppas) Generic market scenario Aluminium prices have greatly decreased from a peak of around...
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) showed negative trends, with zinc recording the highest drop of 2.76 per cent d-o-d. Meanwhile, inventories at LME-registered warehouses witnessed outflows, except for nickel stocks, which increased by 1.21 per cent d-o-d. COMEX market update Copper prices on the COMEX market stood at $8,797/tonne (t), stable compared to the previous close. Indian market overview In India's non-ferrous metals markets, BigMint assessed domestic copper armature scrap at INR 743,000/t ex-Delhi. Aluminium Tense scrap prices remained stable d-o-d, with ex-Delhi at INR 174,000/t and ex-Chennai at INR 175,000/t. Global updates Global factory activity weakens as economic concerns rise Factory activity in Europe, Asia, and the US ended 2024 on a weak note, with...
The Realme GT 7 Pro, launched in Malaysia in November 2024, stands out as a cutting-edge flagship phone and is one of the first to feature a Silicon Anode battery. The Realme GT 7 Pro's frame is crafted from non-glossy aluminium, offering a premium feel and exceptional durability. Image Source: Realme website In the fast-paced world of smartphones, where compactness and durability are paramount, aluminium stands out as a preferred material. As manufacturers push the boundaries of hardware capabilities—incorporating more RAM and high-precision cameras—ensuring lightweight yet sturdy designs becomes essential. Its solid build quality rivals that of other flagship devices, and at just 222 grams, it's lightweight enough for comfortable use over extended periods. Powered by the robust Qualcomm...
The smelter grade alumina refinery (SGAR) multi-phased project of PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia (BAI) as a joint venture between PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) and PT Aneka Tambang (Antam), is projected to give economic benefits for Mempawah region, West Kalimantan. Image Source: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/ The project, which involves a total of US$ 900 million (RP 14.5 trillion) worth investment, is scheduled to be executed in phases. The project will positively boost employment in the region as the opening of SGAR will attract job openings to the surrounding community. The development of Indonesia's aluminium industry holds substantial promise despite the slow progress seen in recent years. A senior government official had earlier revealed that till date one of the...
Shares of Goa Carbon Ltd, a leading Indian manufacturer of calcined petroleum coke (CPC), a crucial raw material for the aluminium and steel industry, surged by 9.4 per cent on Thursday during trading on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), reaching an intraday high of INR 762.5 per share. The rally followed the company’s announcement that its Bilaspur unit in Chhattisgarh had resumed normal operations. Calcined petroleum coke plays a vital role in refining aluminium and producing graphite. It is primarily used in the manufacture of carbon products such as graphite electrodes and anode arcs. Additionally, it is widely utilised in steelmaking, non-ferrous metal production, and aluminium smelting, making it a critical component across these industries. Reason behind the growth The rise in Goa...
