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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Sidel has introduced the EvoFILL Can Compact, a high-performance and versatile filling solution tailored for premium beverage producers, including those in the beer and carbonated soft drink industries. This cutting-edge system is engineered to address the rising demand for high-quality, flexible filling solutions in the rapidly growing beverage industry. EvoFILL Can Compact also meets the growing demand for flexibility, efficiency, and adaptability, particularly in low-to-medium speed production environments, with capabilities of up to 40,000 cans per hour. As per Global Data, Packaging Global Report, beverage production globally is on the rise, with alcoholic beverage volumes expected to reach 492.1 billion units, and non-alcoholic packaging is projected to hit 1.3 trillion units by...
China, the leading alumina and aluminium producer, heavily relies on imported bauxite, which surged to 57 per cent in 2024 , owing to declining domestic ore grades and export restrictions from Indonesia. The country is thus prompted towards an urgent search for nearer-sourced supplies. Australia’s Metro Mining has reportedly seized this moment, with an urge for optimising production at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland, and having ramped capacity up to 7 million tonnes per annum in H2 2024 and shipping 184,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) in Q1 2025 to satisfy Chinese demand. Backed by long-term supply agreements totalling 6.9 million tonnes in 2025 and 6.1 million tonnes in 2026 with major Chinese partners, the company stands at a sub-USD 30 per dry tonne delivered cost target and a...
Capral Aluminium is on a roll – from developing Shop.Capral the online gateway for premium quality aluminium solutions to launching its latest cutting-edge Revit 3D Library, the company is going everyway to empowering architecture. Developed in collaboration with IGS BIM Solutions—Australia’s leading experts in BIM content—and informed by feedback from leading architectural firms, the Capral Revit 3D Library offers a high-performance, user-friendly solution for seamlessly integrating aluminium windows and doors into Revit-based design workflows. The library is a powerful digital resource that elevates architectural design. Featuring a comprehensive range of commercial windows, doors, glazing systems, and curtain walls, this high-performance BIM content is purpose-built to align with...
On April 30, SMM A00 aluminium was quoted at RMB 20,060 per tonne, up RMB 40 per tonne from the previous trading day, with a discount of RMB 10 per tonne against the May contract, down RMB 10 per tonne from the previous trading day. On April 30, SMM A00 aluminium (Foshan) was quoted at RMB 19,980 per tonne, up RMB 40 per tonne, with a discount of RMB 90 per tonne against the current-month contract, widening by RMB 15 per tonne. Image for representational purposes only According to SMM statistics, on April 30, the inventory of aluminium billets in major domestic consumption areas was 151,000 tonnes, a decrease of 11,600 tonnes from the previous Monday. This morning, the most-traded SHFE aluminium contract continued to hover around the RMB 20,000 per tonne mark. As the Labour Day holiday...
Gränges has once again been named one of Europe’s Climate Leaders by the Financial Times and Statista, earning this prestigious recognition for the third consecutive year. The annual ranking identifies European companies that have significantly reduced their greenhouse gas emissions and provided transparency in their sustainability reporting. To qualify, companies must demonstrate independent emissions reporting and meet stringent criteria, including transparency, net-zero commitments, and measurable emissions reductions from their own operations (scope 1 and 2). This recognition underscores Gränges’ ongoing commitment to sustainable development and its ambitious climate targets. “Being recognized as a Climate Leader once again shows that our efforts to cut emissions and stay transparent...
A new sustainability partnership has emerged recently! Hydro, an aluminium and renewable energy-based company, has signed a long-term offtake agreement with NKT, a power cable solution provider of wire rods for power cables. This agreement has been struck for ramping up the production to meet the growing market demand of medium and high voltage power cable solutions in Europe. Image source: hydro.com Partnership benefiting both companies As per the signed agreement, Hydro will supply around 274,000 tonnes of wire rods to NKT, effective from 2026. The deal is valid through 2033, with an option to increase the amount upon request. As of now, the committed volume shall be used to make medium-voltage cables. The estimated value of the wire rod to be shipped from Hydro to NKT is EUR 1 billion...
Rio Tinto has expressed uncertainty around the future of operations for its Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania after six years of unsuccessful negotiations for a renewable power supply agreement with Hydro Tasmania. The company has eight months left on its current agreement with the state-owned Hydro Tasmania. Image source: bellbayaluminium.co Rio CEO Jakob Stausholm has committed to a low-carbon future for its Australasian smelters, despite past closure threats. Key decisions loom this year for both the Tomago and Bell Bay smelters. Rio has warned ASIC that Bell Bay faces "material uncertainty" due to its expiring power deal. In documents filed with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, Rio Tinto stated, "There are a number of potential outcomes that could result from...
Six companies have expressed interest in serving as the system operator for the government’s proposed Deposit Refund Scheme (DRS), aimed at regulating the use of non-biodegradable materials such as glass bottles, aluminium cans and plastic bottles. To address queries related to the appointment process, the state government—keen to become the first in the country to roll out the DRS—recently conducted a pre-bid meeting with the interested firms. A DRS product refers to non-biodegradable materials listed in the Schedule of the Goa Non-Biodegradable Garbage (Control) Act, including multi-layered plastics used for packaging goods sold in the state. To support the scheme, over 300 automated collection machines will be installed across Goa, strategically placed based on consumer and tourist...
Metro Mining Limited, an Australia's Queensland-based mining and exploration company has reported the Q1 2025 bauxite shipment, marking a record of 184,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) generating USD 9 million in the FOB (Free on Board) revenue. Image source: MarineLink For the entire year of 2025, the company has set a target of shipping 6.5 to 7 million WMT bauxite. In order to achieve this, the company is focused on leveraging strategic offtake agreements as well as maintaining an industry-leading cost position despite volatile market conditions. Comparison with 2024 On January 6, 2025, Metro Mining Limited reported that its total capacity for shipping bauxite for the year would be 7 million WMT. As of 2024, the company had shipped a total of 5.7 million WMT bauxite, marking a growth of 24...
A powerful new campaign, Back British Metals, has launched with a direct call to Government: ensure metals are recognised as strategically essential in the forthcoming UK Industrial Strategy and Critical Minerals Strategy. Image source: LinkedIn Building on the recent Government intervention to safeguard British steelmaking, the campaign welcomes this support as a first step, but warns that a broader, more inclusive metals strategy is now urgently needed. The Back British Metals coalition is asking Government to show the same bold ambition across the entire UK metals sector, including aluminium, copper, cobalt, lithium, steel, and the platinum group metals (PGMs). At the heart of the campaign is a Parliamentary Pledge Event, planned at 10am – 12noon on Tuesday 20th May, where MPs and...
Today, SHFE aluminium futures fluctuated in the morning session after a significant pullback earlier. Near 10 am, the futures market surged rapidly, approaching RMB 20,000 per tonne. In the spot market, trading conditions differed between eastern China and central China. Specifically, in eastern China, spot aluminium supply was relatively ample, and downstream restocking sentiment slowed slightly due to rising aluminium prices, making it difficult to achieve a premium. Early in the morning, the market traded SMM aluminium at a discount of RMB 10 per tonne to the average price. SMM A00 aluminium was reported at RMB 20,020 per tonne, up RMB 70 per tonne from the previous trading day, on par with the May contract, unchanged from the previous trading day. In the central China market, after...
Novelis, a global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions and the world's largest aluminium recycler, has announced the opening of the Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Centre. With this facility, Novelis anticipates reducing carbon emissions by 420,000 tonnes annually. This reduction is equivalent to the annual CO₂ absorption of around 19 million trees, assuming an average of 22 kilograms per tree. The new facility, a joint venture between Novelis and Kobe Steel, represents a $65 million investment and boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium sheet ingot. "The Ulsan Aluminum Recycling Centre is a strategic investment aimed at meeting growing customer demand for sustainable, low-carbon aluminium across beverage packaging, automotive, and speciality product...
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) is introducing Schweppes Mix, a new range of ready-to-drink cocktails in 250ml aluminium cans. This brings Schweppes' renowned mixer expertise to the pre-mixed cocktail market for the first time and is expected to launch nationwide in April. With a legacy rooted in trust, flavour, and craftsmanship, Schweppes has been a staple in the mixer industry for both bartenders and consumers. Now, the company is elevating the ready-to-drink cocktail experience by combining premium spirits, perfectly balanced flavours, and its signature high-quality mixers, all packaged in a sleek, single-serve can for ultimate convenience. Gin Twist and Paloma Bliss are the two new flavours that will be launched in 250ml aluminium cans. Schweppes Mix is the perfect choice for...
Talwandi Sabo Power Limited (TSPL), a Vedanta Power company and the largest private thermal power producer in North India, has enabled the establishment of Punjab’s largest torrefied bio-pellets manufacturing facility. This initiative supports Vedanta’s Net Zero 2050 goal to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability. Image Source: Vedanta Power Located near TSPL’s 1,980 MW power plant in Mansa, this pioneering project will transform agricultural stubble into high-grade bio-pellets — a cleaner, greener alternative to coal — while also addressing the critical issue of air pollution from stubble burning. This initiative is expected to reduce TSPL’s daily coal usage by 5 per cent, potentially cutting up to 2.6 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The torrefied bio-pellets are made from...
Metlen Energy and Metals has kicked off Q1 2025 with a striking surge in activity, posting total sales of EUR 1.50 billion (a 31 per cent upgrade on the EUR 1.143 billion generated in Q1 2024) steered forward by double-digit gains across Metals (an increase of 11 per cent), Energy (31 per cent growth) and a standout Infra and Concessions division (171 per cent). Energy output climbed 35 per cent to 3.1 TWh (renewables up 78 per cent to 0.6 TWh), while Metals production dipped marginally by 2.1 per cent to 58 thousand tonnes amid capacity realignments. The quarter also saw planned infusions of investor confidence, wherein Fairfax Financial’s EUR 110 million exchangeable bond will elevate its stake to 8.35 per cent, and a EUR 295.5 million commitment to an integrated bauxite-to-gallium...
Hulamin Operations (Pty) Limited has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) with Provisional status for their facilities in South Africa. This includes the Richards Bay Casthouse (Facility 1) part of the Hulamin Rolled Products Division for the production of ingots, and the Pietermaritzburg Rolled Products facility (Facility 2) for the conversion of aluminium pigs and ingots into semi-fabricated products. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Hulamin Operations (Pty) Limited: Hulamin Rolled Products has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 with Provisional status. The certified operations include a casthouse in Richards Bay and re-melting and recycling facilities, direct-chill ingot casting, hot rolling, cold rolling, foil rolling mills, and...
SMM Alumina Morning Comment on April 28 suggests: Futures market: Overnight, the most-traded alumina 2509 futures contract opened at RMB 2,860 per tonne, with a high of RMB 2,862 per tonne, a low of RMB 2,817 per tonne, and closed at RMB 2,830 per tonne, down RMB 32 per tonne or 1.12 per cent, with open interest at 224,000 lots. Image Source: www.xyrefractory.com Bauxite: As of April 28, the SMM imported bauxite index was reported at USD 80.12 per tonne, down USD 0.29 per tonne from the previous trading day. The SMM Guinea bauxite CIF average price was reported at USD 79 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...
Hydro and Nemak, the two old allies, have reportedly formed another strategic partnership to develop low-carbon aluminium casting products for the automotive industry to decarbonise the car manufacturing sector and help automakers reach their sustainability goals. What goes into producing the new low-carbon aluminium casting products is more post-consumer scrap and the right mix of cleaner energy as power sources like natural gas and electrical boilers at Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil. Hydro and Nemak have embarked on this new, long-term collaboration to develop foundry alloy aluminium solutions with a CO2 footprint below 3 kg CO2 per kilogram of aluminium. Otherwise, the partnership between Hydro and Nemak is old in the industry with the supply agreement of Hydro REDUXA...
