Saudi Arabia’s aluminium consumption could climb to as much as 1.8 million tonnes a year by 2030, as the Kingdom ramps up infrastructure and industrial development ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. Ahmad Al-Alshaikh, executive vice president of Maaden’s Aluminum Business Unit, said demand is expected to reach at least 1.6 million tonnes annually by 2030, up from around 1 million tonnes currently. Consumption could potentially double over the next five to seven years, he said. Speaking on the sidelines of the Fastmarkets International Aluminium Conference in Budapest, Al-Alshaikh said construction of 15 new stadiums for the football tournament is helping to support aluminium demand, Reuters reported. Major exhibitions and preparations for the World Cup are also expected to contribute to...
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...
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Vedanta Aluminium, an Indian multinational mining company, has once again proven the Indian aluminium production is not about male workers working in factories and plants and sites. The firm has empowered women by deploying an all-woman locomotive engine team in its Jharsuguda aluminium smelter. This will significantly contribute to India's commitment to fostering a diversified, equitable and inclusive workplace. Image source: vedantaaluminium.com At the beginning of this year, in Odisha, the firm's entire smelter line had begun its operations with a team of only women. This newly developed team has four loco drivers working in shifts, two support staff and one gatewoman. The firm aims to bring women professionals to the forefront of the plant, especially in the most critical logistical...
What began as a humble Brisbane rubber stamp shop 150 years ago, has grown into one of Australia's most enduring manufacturing success stories. For more than 70 years, Albert Smith Signs has helped shape the identity of the built environment producing signs for the country's biggest brands and landmarks, and exporting to regions as far afield as Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. At the centre of this story is Rodney Smith, a hands-on CEO with deep roots in the business his family built. " I love making things," he says with a grin. "I still sketch ideas on whiteboards. I build prototypes in my shed. I've always liked solving problems with my hands — and I've never stopped doing that." The company's evolution mirrors the shifts in Australia's industrial landscape — from...
Japanese general trading house Marubeni Corp reported that aluminium inventories at Japan’s three major ports (Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka) increased for the second consecutive month. As of the latest end of May data, the stocks rose to 331,000 metric tonnes, marking an increase of 3.3 per cent from April 2025. Continued increase in stocks in addition to premium drop underscores the ongoing weakness in aluminium demand in the Asian country. Moreover, the recent news reporting 0.2 per cent GDP shrinkage in Japan, albeit better than the initial estimation, further reflects the subdued market sentiment. How stocks moved M-o-M This month-on-month build-up started in April when stocks rose 3.4 per cent. In contrast, inventory levels in February 2025 saw a 3.5 per cent decline from the previous...
Sunjay J. Kapur, the prominent chairman of Sona Comstar and former President of the Automotive Components Manufacturers Association (ACMA), tragically passed away at the age of 53. The industrialist suffered a fatal cardiac arrest while playing polo in the United Kingdom, in a sudden incident reportedly triggered by an insect sting or swallowing during the match. In a poignant parallel to his demise, just hours prior, Kapur had expressed condolences on X for the victims of the June 12 Air India flight crash in Ahmedabad (India), “Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour.” Kapur, who steered Sona Comstar into a global auto components powerhouse, was not only an...
The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) has reportedly secured six new bauxite mining licences and achieved an essential milestone towards realising the country’s long-standing vision of building a fully integrated aluminium industry. Image source: Ghana Bauxite Company The news came on Thursday, June 12, after Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah, confirmed the arrival of new mining licences that would help Ghana unlock its full mining potential of estimated 920 million tonnes of bauxite in three major locations - Nyinahin, Awaso, and Kyebi. “This is the foundation of a fully integrated aluminium value chain that begins in the soil and ends with high-grade aluminium products for global export.” Mr Ankrah aptly remarked, highlighting...
In a country where water scarcity is both a rural crisis and an industrial liability, few sectors are as thirsty and as scrutinised as the aluminium industry. With primary aluminium production requiring anywhere between 20,000 to 40,000 litres of water per tonne, efficient water use isn’t just an operational concern; it’s a socio-environmental imperative. While reliance on dated, extractive water systems and rudimentary discharge mechanisms usage remains a key focus area to work upon as an industry, Vedanta Aluminium has helmed sustainable operations with a narrative of an apt blend of recycling, zero-liquid discharge, and community water stewardship. Image for representational purposes only What typically happens to water in aluminium production Water is integral across the aluminium...
Stockholm-based packaging tech innovator Meadow and Novelis, the global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions is embarking on a new partnership to enhance the circularity within the packaging chain. Through this newly signed agreement, Novelis joins Meadow’s trusted network of aluminium supply chain partners bringing world-class expertise and a strong sustainability focus to support Meadow’s cutting-edge packaging solutions. The partnership supports a shared ambition to boost the use of recycled aluminium in producing Meadow’s innovative pre-fill solution the Meadow KAPSUL ™ advancing its mission to create a more circular and sustainable option for the global consumer packaging market. With Novelis now on board, alongside industry leaders like Ball Corporation, DRT Holdings, and...
This week, the domestic bauxite market remained calm, with stable operations prevailing. Image for referential purposes only As of today, in Shanxi, the transaction price for bauxite with an Al/Si ratio of 5.0 and 60 per cent alumina content, excluding VAT, for self-pick-up at the crushing plant, was approximately 580-620 per tonne. In Henan, the transaction price for bauxite with an Al/Si ratio of 5.0 and 60 per cent alumina content, excluding VAT, for self-pick-up at the crushing plant, was around RMB 550-590 per tonne. In Guizhou, the transaction price for bauxite with an Al/Si ratio of 5.5 and 58 per cent alumina content, excluding VAT, for self-pick-up at the crushing plant, was RMB 410-450 per tonne. In Guangxi, the transaction price for bauxite with an Al/Si ratio of 6.0 and 53 per...
Futures Market: Overnight, the most-traded alumina 2509 contract opened at RMB 2,890 per tonne, with a high of RMB 2,896 per tonne, a low of RMB 2,833 per tonne, and closed at RMB 2,837 per tonne, down RMB 58 per tonne or 2.00 per cent, with open interest at 310,000 lots. Ore Market: As of June 12, the SMM Import Bauxite Index was reported at USD 74.35 per tonne, up USD 0.01 per tonne from the previous trading day; the SMM Guinea Bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 74.5 per tonne, unchanged from the previous trading day; the SMM Australia Low-Temperature Bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 70 per tonne, unchanged from the previous trading day; the SMM Australia High-Temperature Bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 65 per tonne, unchanged from the previous...
Century Aluminium is set to invest $10 million in maintenance at its Sebree smelter in Kentucky this quarter. The US-based aluminium producer announced that the facility's consistently strong performance has enabled it to advance major maintenance work on the carbon plant, originally scheduled for next year. The plan involves temporarily shutting down the green section of the carbon plant to refurbish the anode press and related equipment. CEO Jesse Gary, in the company's quarterly report released on May 8, explained that moving the outage forward will help mitigate risks and enhance the reliability and efficiency of the carbon plant ahead of the peak summer season. “We will reap the benefits of the increased reliability and operational security of this key area of the plant over the back...
Constellium and TARMAC Aerosave have unlocked a new milestone in aerospace recycling and sustainability for end-of-life aircraft. The initiative titled 'The successful recycling and remelting of aluminium from end-of-life aircraft into high-performance material ready for future aerospace applications' underscores aluminium's vital role in advancing circular economy goals within the aerospace industry, delivering sustainability without sacrificing performance. Image Source: TARMAC Aerosave After months of collaborative research and development, with key support from Airbus and ValoER, Constellium has successfully remelted aluminium recovered by TARMAC Aerosave from decommissioned commercial aircraft. The result is a high-quality material that meets the demanding performance standards...
The International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa (ITAC) has recommended that the existing 15 per cent ad valorem customs duties on aluminium rolled products should remain in place. The decision aims to continue protecting domestic manufacturing and preserving employment opportunities. ITAC initiated a review of these duties in February 2023, covering aluminium plates, coils, sheets, can stock, strips and foil, key inputs across various sectors including automotive, marine, construction, electronics, solar energy, packaging and white goods. The commission assessed the impact of tariff support and ensured that the existing duty structure was not causing unintended consequences. Their findings highlighted continued challenges in domestic manufacturing, such as high...
Norsk Hydro has been in the headlines for contradictory reasons. On the one hand, they have been announcing closures, curbs, and a temporary hiring freeze, and on the other, they have made news for investments, expansions, and inaugurations in the past few months. Given Norsk Hydro’s repeated reaffirmations of its strategic commitment to its 2030 vision, it is time to assess its actions’ substance and scope. Image for referential purposes only The most recent announcement made by Hydro is that it is temporarily freezing its hiring of ‘white collar workers’ for affected areas. However, it has also been mentioned that hiring in the Business areas will remain unaffected. This measure, as mentioned in the official press release, is explicitly undertaken to strengthen the company’s “future...
India's refractory sector is on a transformative growth trajectory, fueled by rapid industrialisation, surging steel production, and an ambitious “Make in India” agenda. At the forefront of this momentum stands Almatis, reinforcing its legacy as a global leader in specialty alumina with its state-of-the-art fully integrated Tabular Alumina plant in Falta, West Bengal. Since its inauguration in 2022 Almatis Falta facility has emerged as a cornerstone in the regional and global supply chain. This locally manufactured tabular alumina delivers unmatched quality, consistency, and just-in-time availability, addressing the evolving needs of India’s steel, cement, and technical ceramics industries. Production in India, for India Almatis' journey in India began in 1995 with a joint venture focused...
Lighthouse Funds, a prominent mid-market private equity firm in India, has invested INR 300 crore (approximately $35.2 million) in Knest Manufacturers, a Pune-based construction technology company known for its cutting-edge building systems. Founded in 2015, Knest specialises in aluminium formwork and patented hydraulic safety screens, offering advanced construction solutions that aim to speed up project timelines, improve worker safety, and minimise environmental impact. “We are building far more than formwork—we are building the future of Indian construction, of high rises, sprawling skylines, and sustainable urban ecosystems. With this partnership, we gain not just capital but a like-minded partner in Lighthouse who shares our vision for innovation, operational excellence, and...
As voices from aluminium associations across US trade-allied nations grow louder, one consensus is becoming clear that the United States’ decision to increase tariffs on aluminium imports to 50 per cent is unlikely to benefit its global partners. Now, whether this bold move by Donald Trump will favour his own domestic market or not is the pressing question that continues to divide the aluminium industry. The United States relies heavily on overseas suppliers for primary aluminium, downstream products, as well as scrap. Imposing such a steep tariff across these categories raises concerns over potential supply disruptions within the country, yet some US-based producers are betting on gains. Image source: X Century Aluminum, a primary aluminium producer, sees the tariff as an opportunity,...
Serentica Renewables, a leading renewable energy provider focused on India's Commercial & Industrial (C&I) sector, has successfully closed its second round of External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) financing. The company has secured over US$ 100 million in debt funding from global financial powerhouses Rabobank and Société Générale to support the development of a 300 MW solar power project in Rajasthan. The capital will fuel the development of a 300 MW solar power project in Rajasthan, an ambitious initiative designed to supply clean, reliable energy to Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), one of India's top aluminium producers and a key subsidiary of the Vedanta Group. This project marks a major stride toward decarbonising India's industrial core and accelerating the nation's...
Renewed hope is emerging for Emirates Global Aluminium's (EGA) subsidiary in Guinea as it hopes to restart conversations with the Guinean government. The discussion will centre around revoking the measures restricting continuing bauxite mining operations. A dispute between the firm and the Guinean government has hovered since October 2024 as the authorities pulled strings from mining operations and bauxite exports. The customs authorities of Guinea blocked GAC's bauxite exports by significantly highlighting concerns regarding customs duties. Also read: EGA's bauxite mining licence to be revoked by military-governed Guinea? However, as reported by Reuters, a process was launched to revoke the EGA's Guinea bauxite mining wing’s licence for failing to build a domestic alumina refinery. On...
