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 the first quarter of 2025, European aluminium foil rollers experienced a significant uptick in demand. According to the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), total deliveries reached 243,900 tonnes, marking an 11.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by heightened demand within Europe and in export markets. Domestic deliveries within Europe rose by nearly 11 per cent, while exports saw an approximate 18 per cent increase. The export surge is partly attributed to anticipatory effects stemming from current trade policies, especially in the Americas. Concerns over potential cost increases from impending aluminium foil tariffs may have prompted many American companies to ramp up their stockpiles. This robust performance contrasts sharply with...
Alstone, India's premier manufacturer of high-quality exterior cladding solutions, recently hosted an exclusive event in Bengaluru to unveil its groundbreaking product, Alstone Alcomb – the Aluminium Honeycomb Panel. The event received an enthusiastic turnout from leading architects, façade consultants, and industry experts, underscoring Alstone's dedication to innovation and excellence in façade technology. "We're thrilled with the tremendous response we received in Bengaluru. Alstone Alcomb represents a significant step forward in high-performance facades, and the enthusiasm shown by the architect community here validates our belief that Alstone Alcomb is the Future of Exterior cladding," said Sumit Gupta, Managing Director of Alstone. Hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bengaluru, the...
China-based Smartee Denti-Technology, a global leader in clear aligners and digital orthodontic solutions, is set to cut its annual CO₂ emissions by 209,370 kg with the launch of a rooftop solar installation at its Jiaxing smart factory. This reduction is equivalent to the yearly carbon absorption of over 11,700 mature trees. The initiative is a key pillar of Smartee’s 2025 ESG strategy, integrating renewable energy adoption, employee well-being, and agile governance to drive sustainable business growth. The factory in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, is setting new benchmarks in sustainable manufacturing with a suite of green technologies. The facility now features 20,000 square meters of rooftop photovoltaic panels with a capacity of 2MW—enough to supply 50 per cent of its total...
Futures Market: Last Friday, the most-traded alumina 2509 futures contract opened at RMB 2,820 per tonne in the night session, with a high of RMB 2,826 per tonne, a low of RMB 2,786 per tonne, and closed at RMB 2,810 per tonne, down RMB 17 per tonne or 0.60 per cent from the previous close. The open interest was 281,000 lots. Ore: As of May 9, the SMM imported bauxite index was reported at USD 77.47 per tonne, down USD 0.51 per tonne from the previous trading day. The SMM Guinea bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 75 per tonne, down USD 1 per tonne from the previous trading day. The SMM Australian low-temperature bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 80 per tonne, unchanged from the previous trading day. The SMM Australian high-temperature bauxite CIF average price was...
US-based Merritt, one of the leading manufacturers of livestock and gooseneck trailers, with a legacy spanning nearly 75 years, has announced a strategic move that aims to strengthen its foothold and expand capabilities across aluminium truck accessories. The Merritt family of companies comprising of Merritt Aluminum Products and Merritt Trailers announced the acquisition of Magnum Trailer & Equipment, a renowned British Columbia-based company. With this acquisition, the company now employs around than 520 team members across North America, with operations spanning five locations and over 400,000 square feet of production and service center space. This strategic alignment will enable the combined team to offer a comprehensive, front-to-back aluminium solution for customers in the...
Impacted by the US reciprocal tariff, the most-traded SHFE aluminium contract began a sharp decline from above the RMB 20,000 threshold in early April, and then continued to oscillate within the range of RMB 19,000-20,000 per tonne. In April (calendar month), the SMM average spot aluminium price was recorded at RMB 19,952 per tonne, down 3.8 per cent M-o-M from the previous month. The price of ADC12 continued its downward trend from March, with the average price in April falling 2.5 per cent M-o-M. As of May 9, the SMM ADC12 quote fell RMB 700 per tonne MoM to RMB 20,200-20,400 per tonne. On the cost side, at the beginning of the month, influenced by the correction of bulk commodities, the prices of raw materials such as aluminium scrap, copper, and silicon declined, driving down the...
Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) has announced the promotion of Tim Ebner to vice president of communications and marketing, effective immediately. Ebner has been recognised as a strong communicator and leader on behalf of the association’s trade, recycling, and sustainability efforts. Upon his promotion, Ebner will also manage the industry’s away-from-home recycling program under the Every Can Counts US chapter, which includes major recycling initiatives taking place this year in New Orleans, Atlanta, Washington, DC, and New York City. “Tim works hard every day to elevate the metal can industry’s reputation and profile across our value chain,” said CMI President Robert Budway. “He leads several strategic communications and marketing campaigns and works closely on our public policy...
Speira has reached another milestone in its sustainability journey: As part of the EU-funded HyInHeat project, the aluminium recycling and rolling group has successfully converted a melting furnace with a capacity of 1.5 tonnes to hydrogen operation. Initial tests with various scrap types show promising results with no impact on melt quality. “Sustainability is central to Speira’s mission,” says Dr Paula Camean Queijo, Head of Research and Development at Speira. “While we already rely heavily on recycling to lower our carbon footprint, the use of hydrogen allows us to make the production process itself more environmentally friendly.” Launched in 2023, the HyInHeat project brings together 30 partners from twelve European countries to explore hydrogen’s potential for decarbonising...
Schon Doorways is stepping onto the global stage with its first wave of international exports, marking a significant milestone in the brand's journey toward worldwide recognition. With early shipments already delivered to key markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Malaysia, the company is rapidly establishing a presence in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. This strategic expansion reinforces Schon Doorways' unwavering commitment to becoming a global leader in sustainable building materials, offering innovative solutions that meet the growing demand for eco-conscious construction worldwide. Ajay Balakrishna, Founder and CEO at Schon Doorways, said, "The need for aluminium fenestration solutions striking a perfect balance between design, durability, and sustainability is...
India’s capital will soon be the site of a significant industrial event. From November 4–6, 2025, Pragati Maidan will become the heart of innovation and collaboration as it welcomes the Cable & Wire Fair (CWF), the Tube & Pipe Fair (TPF), and the inaugural Bharat Metal Expo (BME) . The combined event promises to significantly improve business in the wires and cables, tubes and pipes, and steel industries. Bigger and more international, the Cable & Wire Fair (CWF) is back for its 6th edition. Taking place alongside the Tube & Pipe Fair (TPF) and the inaugural Bharat Metal Expo (BME), the event offers a consolidated and dynamic business platform designed to boost opportunities and promote cross-sector partnerships. The scale is expansive. Spanning 35,200 square meters in newly designed...
Hong Kong-based aluminium company Kam Pin Industrial is expanding into the US market, urging overseas partners to remain their allies despite ongoing China-US trade tensions. Kam Pin Industrial is a rising leader in producing aluminium curtain walls for architectural exteriors. Image source: semi.org The multinational business established a certain international reputation due to its Dongguan production base in a neighbouring Guangdong province. This had been possible for the company because of its top-notch quality aluminium curtain walls. Adding to this, domestically as well as internationally, the lightweight feature of aluminium makes it highly demanding in the cladding for buildings, allowing versatile designs. The firm's extra innovation with the colour and aluminium used as...
The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) welcomes the announcement that the 25% tariffs imposed on UK aluminium exports to the United States have now been removed as part of a new trade agreement between the UK and the US. This long-awaited resolution marks an important moment for UK aluminium producers, who can now plan with more stability and rebuild commercial ties with American customers and supply chains. It is especially positive news for downstream sectors such as automotive and aerospace, where cost pressure and supply security remain critical. However, there are still pressing challenges that require Government attention. The UK aluminium recycling industry has been hit hard by the distortion caused by these tariffs. Exporting scrap aluminium to the US has become more financially...
Befesa SA, based out of Luxembourg, a leading firm providing waste recycling services for the aluminium and steel industry, has shared its earnings for the first quarter of 2025. The company reported an upward graph wherein the earnings touched EUR 308.4 million (USD 350 million) compared to EUR 298.3 million (USD 338.5 million) a year ago. Image source: befesa.com The Y-o-Y operating cash flow of the company increased by 134 per cent, while the firm's net income and EPS (Earnings per share) witnessed an upward trend, growing by 97 per cent. Additionally, Befesa's EBITDA concerning the aluminium salt slag stood at EUR 9 million, indicating an increase of 32 per cent Y-o-Y. The company's adjusted EBITDA also increased by 15 per cent, reaching EUR 55.8 million (USD 63.3 million) in Q1 2025...
Octopus Energy Generation, the renewables arm of Octopus Energy Group, is charging ahead in Germany's clean energy transformation with a bold new move — the acquisition of MN Projekt GmbH, a top-tier green energy developer based in Hamburg. With a powerful 2-gigawatt pipeline in the works, MN Projekt is driving over 70 renewable energy projects across the country. The portfolio spans cutting-edge solar farms and advanced battery storage systems, with the first projects already shovel-ready and many more set to break ground soon. This acquisition marks a major step in accelerating Germany's shift to a greener, more resilient energy future. "Solar is now the fastest-growing sector in Germany's renewables mix. And with Germany racing towards 80 per cent renewable electricity by 2030,...
Geo-political conflicts often have ripple effects on metal markets, disrupting trade flows and driving commodity price volatility. A clear example is the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has altered the dynamics of the global aluminium market. Firstly, within less than a month following the onset of the conflict in 2022, the aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) surged by 34 per cent, reaching almost USD 4000 per tonne in early March, then followed a wave of Western sanctions against Russia, triggering supply chain disruptions, increasing concentration of aluminium in London Metal Exchange (warehouses), potential shortages, and ultimately production cuts, especially in Europe, a region historically dependent on Russian aluminium. The Ukraine-Russia conflict has deeply...
Hindalco Industries will begin local production of aluminium battery foils in India by the end of October 2025, aiming to reduce import dependency, support EV growth and meet demand for lithium-ion cell components. The project will require an investment of INR 800 crores to construct a 25,000-tonne capacity plant in Orissa to produce battery-grade aluminium foil. Image source: indiamart Lithium-ion technology is a key focus for Hindalco, as all three metals it works with, aluminium, copper and Specialty Alumina, play crucial roles in battery production. Aluminium foil serves as a cathode substrate, copper as an anode substrate, and Specialty Alumina as a ceramic coating. Aluminium also offers significant advantages for electric vehicles. Its superior thermal stability and heat dissipation...
The Republic of Guinea has reportedly initiated proceedings to revoke the mining license of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), which, if announced officially, has the potential to impact the global bauxite production scene forever if the announcement comes to reality, it proves to be a part of Guinea's broader strategy to assert greater control over its mineral resources and ensure that foreign investments align with national interests. EGA, jointly owned by Abu Dhabi's Mubadala and Dubai's Investment Corporation, operates the Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), one of the country's largest bauxite mining operations. Since commencing operations in 2019, GAC has been a major contributor to Guinea's bauxite exports, with around 14 million tonnes exported in 2022. However, in October 2024,...
A Saudi state-owned mining company, Ma’aden, also known as Saudi Arabian Mining Co., has reported a strong operational performance for the first quarter of 2024, with a year-on-year increase in alumina, primary aluminium, and flat-rolled (FRP) production. Among all the products mentioned above, flat-rolled production recorded the highest increase of 48 per cent, followed by alumina 9 per cent, and primary aluminium 1 per cent. As per the figures revealed by the company, aluminium flat-rolled production totalled 72,000 tonnes in Q1 2025, compared to 57,000 tonnes in Q1 2024, while alumina and primary aluminium output amounted to 478,000 tonnes and 249,000 tonnes, respectively. Flat-rolled product sales volumes also surged 26 per cent Y-o-Y, boosting Ma’aden’s financial outcome, with...
