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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LS Materials is gearing up for a major market push with the completion of its cutting-edge lightweight parts factory in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. Designed to serve the booming electric vehicle and mobility sectors, the facility is set to kick off mass production in the second half of this year. With bold ambitions, the company is targeting annual sales of 200 billion won (US$148 million) in this space by 2030, signalling its serious intent to become a key player in the future of sustainable mobility. Gumi is the second largest and most densely populated city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. South Korea is a major player in the EV market, with a strong focus on both manufacturing and battery technology. South Korea’s electric vehicle market is accelerating at full speed,...
China’s aluminium titan, Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco), is back in the financial spotlight. This time, it’s not about capacity hikes or policy pivots, but a more subtle yet significant story of debt management and financial agility. Image source: www.caixinglobal.com At a glance, Chalco (HKG:2600) appears highly geared. Yet, the balance sheet tells a layered tale. With a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77, Chalco walks a fine line between leveraged growth and fiscal caution. But for a company of its scale and state-owned legacy, is this ratio a red flag, a calculated manoeuvre, or simply the cost of staying competitive in China’s industrial ecosystem? As of December 2023, Chalco’s financial posture shows RMB 97.7 billion (USD 13.57 billion) in debt, paired with RMB 47 billion...
On May 15 2025, Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, announced that the South Central landlocked state in the United States has secured a USD 4 billion investment from Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for a primary aluminium smelter, to be located at the Tulsa Port of Inola. This facility will be the first new primary aluminium plant built in the US in 45 years. The investment aims to bolster domestic aluminium production and support supply chain resilience. Image source: facebook The new plant will produce billets, sheet ingots, high-purity aluminium and foundry alloys. Once operational, it will be the largest facility of its kind in the US. The project is expected to nearly double the nation's domestic aluminium production capacity. Situated on over 350 acres at the Tulsa Port of Inola,...
Rio Tinto is reportedly investing USD 1.2 billion to modernise its Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant in Alma, Quebec. The plant, commissioned in 1926, is being upgraded to support low-carbon aluminium production in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. The project began in May 2025 and will run until 2032, ensuring a safer and more reliable renewable energy supply to key facilities. Image credit: Rio Tinto This marks Rio Tinto’s largest single investment in its hydro assets since the 1950s. The modernisation will help protect long-term operations and maintain the jobs of employees across the region. The upgrade will also ensure more efficient and sustainable energy supply for smelters, casting houses and other facilities. Aluminium production at Rio Tinto depends on clean and consistent...
The freshly inked US-UK trade pact may have triggered diplomatic handshakes, but European Union trade ministers aren’t impressed. In Brussels on Thursday, they made it clear: the limited nature of the agreement, particularly its retention of US tariffs on British exports, won’t be sufficient to prevent looming EU countermeasures. Announced last week by US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the bilateral trade deal trims tariffs on aluminium, steel and cars but keeps in place a 10 per cent levy on most UK exports. While it’s being touted as a step forward, European Union (EU) views it as a half-measure at best. Polish Deputy Economy Minister Michal Baronowski, representing the EU’s rotating presidency, acknowledged the truce with China and the UK deal as signs of a...
Incorporated in March 2011, Western Carriers (India) limited a multi-modal, rail-focused, 4PL asset-light logistics company has clinched a landmark Consolidated Finished Goods Material Handling contract from Bharat Aluminium Company Limited. The deal valued at around INR 70 crore (US$ 9.3 million) can be categorised as a major win in the domestic logistics space. This high-impact deal covers end-to-end services including material handling, loading and unloading, stacking, and transportation with shifting. Industry watchers are closely tracking this development as a significant growth catalyst for Western Carriers. Scheduled for execution over the next 36 months, the contract not only underscores Western Carriers’ operational prowess but also secures a steady, long-term revenue stream,...
Great news for all the players directly or indirectly involved with the United Kingdom's aluminium and steel industry. On May 8, 2025, both the United States and the United Kingdom announced a limited trade agreement, highlighting the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump in the beginning of 2025. This agreement is referred to as the "Economic Prosperity Deal" where the US has revoked the 25 per cent tariff imposed on importing aluminium and steel from the UK. Image source: UK steel The US has always recognised the security initiated by the UK in order to mitigate the global stress over the excess capacity and had proposed an alternative arrangement for the aluminium and steel. As a response the White House stated that they are ready to forge a deal that will create a new trading...
US tariffs are making their presence felt across the world, dampening aluminium demand as many producers are scaling back shipments in response to increased export duties imposed on them by the United States government. As a consequence, productions are becoming limited, notably reflected in the decline of primary aluminium output in North America, attributing to narrow profit margins as well. Tariffs, often a double-edged sword, are also pushing up end-user prices burdening consumers, weakening demand further. This is an AI-generated image, only for representational purpose In addition, aluminium production is constrained in China as it has already neared 45 million tonnes of cap, a limit imposed in 2017 to curb overcapacity. China is the world’s largest aluminium producer, including...
Solar panels aren't just shiny rooftop add-ons anymore—they're silent powerhouses turning sunlight into serious savings and sustainability. And now, the Cardiff-based aluminium fabricator Dudley's Aluminium along with Inspire Green, a South Wales-based renewable energy company, is powering up for a greener future. Together, they aim to install 192 high-efficiency solar panels and solar-powered EV charging stations on Dudley's production facility in Cardiff. This will help the company cut down on emissions and energy costs. Josh Powell, founder of Inspire Green, said, "We're incredibly proud to support a local business like Dudley's Aluminium on their net zero journey and to play our part in building a more sustainable future." With this system in place, Dudley's Aluminium is set to reduce...
Bunting Magnetics, a name synonymous with the printing and packaging industry since 1974, is recognised as one of the most respected and trustworthy names in the print industry. Recently the US-based company has taken a significant leap forward in its global manufacturing capabilities with the grand unveiling of its cutting-edge production facility in Newton, Kansas. This new state-of-the-art plant is set to bolster the company’s role as a key supplier of magnetic cylinders used in the high-speed printing of aluminium beverage and aerosol cans. The facility was officially introduced to the public during a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking a proud milestone in Bunting’s journey and reinforcing its commitment to innovation, precision, and support for the ever-evolving packaging...
The macro environment at home and abroad has improved significantly in recent times, injecting confidence into the aluminium market. Internationally, the US and China have suspended most tariffs for 90 days, indicating a positive outlook for global trade. Domestically, the People's Bank of China implemented RRR cuts on May 15, releasing trillion-yuan liquidity to support economic growth. Against this backdrop, bullish and bearish factors are intertwined in the aluminium market, with price trends drawing significant attention. I. Cost side: Fluctuations in alumina prices affecting aluminium costs On the cost side, as of Thursday (May 15), the immediate average total cost of domestic aluminium production was approximately RMB 16,562 per tonne, up RMB 126 per tonne from the previous...
In April 2025, Poland's coal-based electricity fell below 50 per cent for the first time, marking a significant energy shift. The national grid operator, PSE, reported this change as part of Poland's ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources. This development impacts energy-intensive sectors, including aluminium production, which rely heavily on consistent and affordable power. Image credit: clarke-energy The aluminium industry, known for its high energy consumption, may experience changes due to Poland's evolving energy landscape. As coal's dominance wanes, aluminium producers might need to adapt to new energy mixes, potentially affecting production costs and sustainability practices. Forum Energii, an energy think tank, highlighted that in April 2025, coal-generated electricity...
The United States’ aluminium supply chain, a backbone for its automotive, construction, and packaging sectors, has been jolted once again by Washington’s swing back to protectionist trade policy. On March 12, 2025, the Trump administration reinstated a 25 per cent blanket tariff on all aluminium imports. Gone are the country-specific exemptions that had cushioned critical trading relationships. The move, though positioned as a nationalist push to strengthen domestic production and protect strategic industries (in the name of national security), is already sending ripple effects across global suppliers and US aluminium traders. For many of the top US importers who have built long-term supply relationships and optimised costs around global sourcing, this isn’t just a policy hiccup, but a...
Guinea’s bauxite sector has drawn significant attention in recent years, with production nearing 130-137 million tonnes annually and multiple mining and infrastructure projects underway. Key developments include initiatives by Kebo Energy SA, GAC, and Arrow Minerals, along with the Trans-Guinean railway to streamline ore transport. But the Guinean government has recently moved to withdraw Kebo Energy SA’s mining concession, following EGA’s mining licence cancellation last week . Image source: EGA According to a recent report, Kebo has failed to meet its investment commitments, prompting the Guinean government to revoke the long-standing mining concession. Some sources close to Kebo also confirmed the news, citing shortfall to inadequate funding, including for a planned alumina refinery....
United Company (UC) Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminium company by primary production output, has announced the issuance of non-documentary interest-bearing non-convertible exchange-traded bonds under the BO-001P-14 series. With over 11 million bond pieces, each has a nominal value of RMB 1,000. The firm has set a maturity date of 728 days, which will begin from the start of the bond placements. Is this a strategic financial decision? Image source: wikipedia.com The firm has issued nearly 11 million bonds, a strategic financial move for raising capital via an open subscription made under the Moscow Exchange. These bonds of the firm have been included under the "Second level" section of Moscow's Exchange list of securities, which is also subject to trading. By listing on the Moscow...
Chinese aluminium producer Novelis Aluminum Zhenjiang has granted Primetals Technologies the Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC) for Phase 2 of an automation upgrade at its hot-rolling mill in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu province. This phase involved comprehensive hardware and software enhancements aimed at boosting production stability and ensuring long-term operational resilience. In a parallel development, Primetals Technologies also received the FAC for a full-scale modernisation of the mill’s Level 1 automation system, which included updated operating systems and the implementation of a new human-machine interface (HMI). Phase 1 of the project was executed under a tight timeline, with only eight months between contract signing and final acceptance. Despite facing procurement delays and...
Today, spot primary aluminium prices rose by RMB 140 per tonne compared to the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices closed at RMB 20,350 per tonne. Today, spot primary aluminium prices rose by RMB 140 per tonne compared to the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices closed at RMB 20,350 per tonne. Overall, aluminium scrap market prices increased. As we enter the mid-to-late May period, with the transition between the off-season and peak season, downstream processing enterprises are experiencing weak order releases, with procurement mainly driven by immediate needs. Today, the centralised quoted prices for baled UBC aluminium scrap range from RMB 15,350 to 15,950 per tonne (tax not included), while the centralised quoted prices for shredded aluminium tense...
One of the leading window and door manufacturers and suppliers in the North of England, Alternative Windows has recently received a seven-figure investment, which is linked to the expansion of the company. The recent investment was led by Ben Watson, who has taken on the role of chief executive officer, joined by Ian Smith as aluminium sales director, while former sales director Darren Pratt has been promoted to managing director and joined the board. Established in 1988 by shareholders and directors Nigel Fletcher and Darren Barraclough, the Leeds-based company has grown into a key supplier of uPVC and aluminium doors and windows. With a prestigious client portfolio, Alternative Windows carries out refit projects within the social housing sector and supplies aluminium products to the...
