Novelis is cutting roughly one-third of its workforce at its Kingston, Ontario, aluminium facility, with the company citing the impact of US tariffs on aluminium imported from Canada. The company is reducing its salaried workforce by 10 employees and temporarily laying off approximately 70 hourly workers, according to a statement issued by Novelis on Friday, September 18. The cuts affect roughly one-third of the facility's workforce. “These are difficult decisions that affect our colleagues and their families, and we are supporting those impacted through this transition,” Novelis said. Novelis pointed to the Section 232 duties imposed by the US on aluminium imported from Canada as the reason behind the workforce reduction. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of...
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...
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In February 2025, the United States recorded a 5.88 per cent month-on-month increase in aluminium scrap exports, reaching 162,000 tonnes compared to 153,000 tonnes in January, according to data published by the US Geological Survey (USGS). In contrast, aluminium scrap imports declined by 5.84 per cent month-on-month to 59,700 tonnes, down from 63,400 tonnes in the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, both exports and imports demonstrated upward trends. Aluminium scrap exports rose by 2.53 per cent from 158,000 tonnes in February 2024, while imports surged by 24.8 per cent from 50,800 tonnes. The uptick in export volume was likely driven by increased domestic aluminium scrap recovery, which totalled 321,000 tonnes in February, marking an 8 per cent rise from 297,000 tonnes in...
In a sharply worded communique, the BRICS bloc — Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa — has fired a warning shot at the West’s growing reliance on sanctions as an instrument of energy policy. At the latest BRICS Energy Ministers’ Meeting held under Russia’s presidency, the five-nation grouping condemned what they call “unilateral sanctions” and “arbitrary restrictions,” signalling an urgent geopolitical realignment that is beginning to redraw the contours of the global energy map. “We express concern about unilateral sanctions and arbitrary restrictions on energy trade and investment in the energy sector that disregard international law... and pose a threat to the security of the critical energy infrastructure,” the BRICS group said in a joint statement. This declaration comes...
Futures market: On Friday, the most-traded alumina 2509 futures contract opened at RMB 3,150 per tonne during the night session, with a high of RMB 3,170 per tonne, a low of RMB 3,103 per tonne, and closed at RMB 3,103 per tonne, down RMB 66 per tonne or 2.08 per cent. The open interest was 390,000 lots. Ore: As of May 23, the SMM Import Bauxite Index was reported at USD 72.86 per tonne, up USD 0.7 per tonne from the previous trading day. The SMM Guinea Bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 74 per tonne, up USD 2 per tonne 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,...
Two recycling groups are celebrating after being recognised in a national awards scheme that champions outstanding recycling efforts. The initiatives, run by LINK19 College in Gravesend, Kent, and The Welfare Park in Parkeston, North East Essex, were named winners of the Green Can Award by not-for-profit organisation, Every Can Counts, in recognition of their achievements after collectively raising more than GBP 4,200 for local causes. Image for referential purposes only (Source: https://everycancounts.co.uk/about-us/) LINK19 College has improved its recycling practices and raised awareness of the importance of protecting the planet, including by installing dedicated aluminium recycling bins for learners and staff, which have collected over 500 kg of cans in the last year alone. The GBP...
Primero Group, a leading engineering and construction company, has been awarded the tank design, fabrication, testing, and delivery package for South32’s Biological Oxalate Destruction (BOD) Project at the Worsley Alumina Refinery near Collie in Western Australia. Image for representation purposes only The BOD Project aims to implement a new process for managing sodium oxalate, a byproduct of alumina refining. This initiative utilises technology similar to that employed at Alcoa’s Pinjarra and Wagerup refineries, promising environmental benefits for ongoing operations at Worsley. Primero will collaborate with its sister company, RCR, based in Bunbury, to execute the project, thereby supporting local employment in the South-West region. The partnership underscores a commitment to regional...
On May 23, 2025, Group Nirmal announced a major capital expenditure to expand its output. The company will invest INR 1 billion (about USD 12 million) this fiscal year to boost steel wire and aluminium production. According to the company-issued release, steel wire capacity will increase by 7,000 tonnes per month and aluminium capacity by 5,000 tonnes per month. The bulk of the investment will equip the Khurda (Odisha) plant, with the remainder directed to the Deulti (West Bengal) facility. Image source: https://www.groupnirmal.com/ Company director Varun Saraf explained that the project is on a fast track, “Given our ongoing production cycle and short lead times, we aim to complete this expansion within the current calendar year to meet growing demand efficiently,” he said. Group Nirmal...
This week, the domestic bauxite market remained relatively calm, with stable operations prevailing. 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 RMB 580-620 per tonne. In Henan, the transaction price for bauxite with the same Al/Si ratio and 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 cent alumina content, excluding...
Foma S.p.A has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) with Provisional status for the production of aluminium die cast and machined components for the automotive industry at their facilities located in Pralboino, Italy. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Foma S.p.A has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3.1 with Provisional status. The Certification covers the Pralboino site, which serves as the main die casting foundry producing aluminium components for structural, safety and performance applications in the automotive industry. The operations span the full aluminium casting process including mould design, die casting, mechanical machining and final assembly. The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive...
This week, the operating rate of leading enterprises in China's downstream aluminium processing sector declined slightly by 0.2 percentage points M-o-M to 61.4 per cent, with continued divergence across segments. The operating rate of primary aluminium alloy remained stable, while aluminium wheel hub exports increased by 12.9 per cent Y-o-Y but decreased by 0.5 per cent M-o-M. The share of exports to the US exceeded 30 per cent for the first time, and re-export trade drove a 44 per cent surge in exports to Mexico. Enterprises maintained their production pace supported by mid-year full production targets, but the uncertainty surrounding Sino-US negotiations suppressed the momentum for "rushing exports." The operating rate of aluminium plate/sheet and strip increased slightly by 0.4...
Rio Tinto has been confirmed as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos lithium project in the Atacama region of Chile by Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI), a state-owned Chilean mining company. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: “We are honoured to have been selected by ENAMI as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos project, which has the potential to be a world-class lithium development. “We welcome the opportunity to develop our partnership with ENAMI, building on our interests in Nuevo Cobre and Salar de Maricunga, and to support Chile’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of minerals critical to the energy transition.” Under the terms of the proposal, Rio Tinto would acquire an initial 51% stake in the project with ENAMI holding the...
If you're the kind of traveller who packs four outfits for every day "just in case," we've got exciting news. CASETiFY, the Hong Kong-based company, is levelling up its luggage game with the launch of the brand-new 29" Bounce Check-In Trunk Suitcase. Crafted using aerospace-grade aluminium, the 21" Bounce Carry-On is designed for today's modern, creative travellers who demand space, durability, and a personal touch. The Bounce Check-In Trunk effortlessly blends premium engineering with CASETiFY's iconic style. The use of aluminium in suitcases is a perfect blend of style and strength. Built to endure the bumps and bruises of travel, they shrug off rough handling with ease. Thanks to their natural oxide layer, they resist corrosion—even in harsh weather—while their sleek metallic finish...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), the Navratna CPSE, under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has announced the financial results for FY2025, breaking all the previous records, including revenue and net profit. As per the audited results approved by the Board of Directors, NALCO has achieved a historic milestone, setting a new benchmark in net profit, amounting to INR 5,325 crore, up by 158 per cent Y-o-Y. The company’s revenue totalled INR 16,788 crore at the end of the financial year, recording the highest-ever figure. NALCO’s whopping net profit gain at the end of FY2025 followed a Y-o-Y surge of 105 per cent in Q4 from INR 1,016 crore to INR 2,078 crore. The revenue from operations also jumped 47 per cent from INR 3,579 crore in Q4 FY2024 to INR 5,268 crore in Q4...
Nissan's Casting Australia Plant in Dandenong South has officially received the Australian-made certification, allowing all its towbars and aluminium castings to display the iconic green-and-gold kangaroo logo proudly. This certification is granted under rigorous standards, confirming that the final, significant transformation of the product occurs within Australia. The Australian-made logo is one of the nation's most trusted and recognised symbols. According to Roy Morgan's research, it enjoys 99 per cent national recognition, with 91 per cent of Australians expressing a desire to see more Australian-made products available in the market. "The Nissan Casting Australia Plant is a true local automotive manufacturing success story, and it's one we're incredibly proud of. Earning official...
The aluminium industry is on a determined mission to build a truly closed-loop supply chain, and the spotlight is firmly on aluminium dross. Around the globe, smelters are ramping up efforts to minimise waste and supercharge recycling, driven by ambitious sustainability goals. Thanks to cutting-edge advances in dross processing technology over the past few years, companies are making remarkable strides. The impact - Of the total aluminium dross generated in 2024, an estimated 60-70 per cent was recovered and processed in various in-house facilities of aluminium producers as well as at third-party recycling facilities. Not only this, top region wise also the aluminium recovery rate from dross has shown significant results. Like – China generated over 2 million tonnes of dross, of which...
Emirate Global Aluminium’s recent announcement of setting up a primary aluminium smelter in Oklahoma, close to the Tulsa Port of Inola, is going to be the first new primary aluminium plant built in the US in 45 years. The USD 4 billion investment by the Middle Eastern business will strengthen domestic aluminium production and support supply chain resilience. But, in the heartland of America, a silent battle is unfolding — wherein at stake is the future of US aluminium smelting, an industry once thriving but now teetering under the weight of soaring electricity costs and the insatiable energy demands of Big Tech’s data centres. Now, the Aluminum Association estimates that a new US smelter would need a minimum 20-year power contract at a price of not more than USD 40 per MWh to be viable at...
Capral Aluminium marks the 20th anniversary of its Bremer Park facility in Bundamba, Queensland, which also gives the company a reason to celebrate the evolution of Australia's aluminium extrusion industry. The facility was opened in 2005 as the largest extrusion plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Since then, it has stood tall as a symbol of Capral's commitment to innovation and local manufacturing excellence. Image source: Capral Aluminium The Bremer Park facility, which was built as part of Capral's USD 120 million-worth development project for rejuvenating Southeast Queensland's industrial landscape, has been a sign of modernisation with three state-of-the-art extrusion presses capable of manufacturing extruding profiles up to 420mm wide, 20kg/m weight, and 16m in length, utilising...
Ball Corporation, an American aluminium can manufacturing company, will bid farewell to its Chief Financial Officer, Howard Yu, as he has decided to step down from his role effective June 30, 2025. While announcing the news with heavy heart, Ball Corporation clarified that the departure is pursuant to a mutual agreement and is not related to any disagreements concerning accounting practices, financial statements, internal controls or operations. When talking about the departure of his colleague, Daniel W. Fisher, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We appreciate Howard's contributions during his tenure as chief financial officer. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its balance sheet and delivered on its financial commitments to shareholders. We thank him for nearly two...
Image for representational purposes only The global commodities landscape is witnessing a significant shift as investment funds retreat from copper, citing heightened volatility and policy uncertainties, and increasingly turn their attention to aluminium. The US government's initiation of a Section 232 investigation into copper imports has introduced considerable turbulence into the copper market. This probe has led to pronounced price fluctuations and a notable decline in market participation. Specifically, fund positioning on the CME copper contract has decreased from 134,000 to 82,000 contracts, with both long and short positions being reduced. This instability has diminished copper's traditional role as a reliable economic indicator, prompting bearish funds to seek alternatives....
