Macro perspective: Outside China, the US Fed raised interest rates by 25 basis points to 3.75per cent-4.00per cent as expected, the first hike since July 2023, with a unanimous FOMC vote. The dot plot showed one more possible rate hike in 2026, extending the period of high interest rates. As a result, US Treasuries saw heavy selling, the US dollar and real yields rose, directly weighing on the valuation of dollar-denominated nonferrous metals. Geopolitically, tensions in the Strait of Hormuz persisted, with Iran claiming the strait was under its "smart control," and a regional shipping security meeting originally scheduled in Oman was forced to be postponed, raising energy transport and risk premiums. Overall, macro sentiment was mixed. Fundamentals: Supply side, this week, China's weekly...
According to SMM statistics, as of September 17, aluminium billet inventory in major domestic consumption areas recorded 152,500 tonnes, down 500 tonnes from last Thursday (September 10) and down 5,000 tonnes from this Monday (September 14). The persistent upward trend in inventory since mid-August has shifted slightly, turning into a modest pullback from highs. On a Y-o-Y basis, inventory was approximately 17,500 tonnes higher than the same period in 2025, about 31,000 tonnes higher than 2024, and roughly 61,000 tonnes higher than 2023, with total inventory still at the highest level for the same period over the past four years. From the perspective of warehouse withdrawals, aluminium billet withdrawals during September 7–September 14 recorded 38,900 tonnes, up 2,800 tonnes W-o-W, ending...
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In 2024, Moss launched its closed-loop scheme and is now celebrating the successful results of its first Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) collection, recycling over six tonnes of plastic and 4.3 tonnes of aluminium. Partnering with Multipanel UK and Perspex Distribution, the initiative highlights the collective commitment to reducing waste and optimising resource use across the three companies and throughout the supply chain. Image Source: Multipanel UK / Linkedln “Our visit to Multipanel’s impressive facility has reaffirmed the strong partnership and shared vision between our three businesses. We are delighted to be part of this recycling initiative, offering products with robust green credentials,” said Group Account Director Mike Hamling Multipanel UK’s Alupanel ACP, known for its low...
Domestic Bauxite: This week, the domestic bauxite market remained stable. According to SMM, as spot alumina prices further declined, alumina refineries may once again lower the purchase price of domestic bauxite for next month. As of today, the VAT-excluded self-pick-up transaction price for bauxite with an aluminium-silicon ratio of 5.0 and alumina content of 60 per cent in Shanxi was approximately RMB 630-670 per tonne; in Henan, the VAT-excluded self-pick-up transaction price for bauxite with an aluminium-silicon ratio of 5.0 and alumina content of 60 per cent was around RMB 560-600 per tonne; in Guizhou, the VAT-excluded self-pick-up transaction price for bauxite with an aluminium-silicon ratio of 5.5 and alumina content of 58 per cent was RMB 480-520 per tonne; in Guangxi, the...
Reynaers Middle East, a leading global provider of aluminium solutions, has announced the successful completion of the World Heart Hotel and Mall in Baghdad. This striking architectural landmark offers breathtaking panoramic views of the Iraqi capital. The project was brought to life in collaboration with Alumex Aluminium, Reynaers’ authorized fabricator in Iraq. Showcasing modern architectural excellence, the World Heart Hotel and Mall features Reynaers’ state-of-the-art aluminium systems, including the ConceptWall 50 (CW50), EcoSystem 50 (ES50) windows, and the Concept Patio 130 (CP130) sliding system. As Baghdad’s first five-star luxury hotel, the World Heart Hotel sets a new benchmark for hospitality in the region. It offers 320 opulent accommodations, including 54 luxury apartments,...
IIT Madras has become the nerve centre for Hyperloop development in India, igniting debates about when this futuristic mode of transport will be commercially available. Backed by L&T Technology Services, the institute has constructed a 500-metre-long test facility for its Hyperloop pod prototype, a design that has already made the cut for Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Image for referential purposes only Hyperloop technology, popularised by Musk, leverages electromagnetism to levitate a pod inside a near-vacuum tube, eliminating almost all resistance to movement. The result? An ultra-fast transportation system that could hit speeds of 1,200 km per hour, potentially revolutionising India’s railway landscape. Concept and backstory First introduced by Musk in a 2013 white paper, Hyperloop is an...
Approaching the end of March, domestic aluminium ingot inventory plummeted by 25,000 tonnes mid-week, nearing the 800,000 tonnes mark. According to SMM statistics, on March 27, the inventory of aluminium ingots in major domestic consumption areas was 802,000 tonnes, with 676,000 tonnes being tradable inventory, a decrease of 25,000 tonnes from Monday and 32,000 tonnes W-o-W from last Thursday. This phenomenon was mainly attributed to the steady increase in outflows from warehouses, with outflows from major consumption areas reaching 128,400 tonnes over the past week, up 1,300 tonnes W-o-W, and weekly outflows maintaining around 130,000 tonnes since March. SMM learned that due to increased demand from the automotive and PV sectors in east China, restocking demand rose significantly this...
Crealis, a global leader in providing sustainable closure solutions featuring both paper and aluminium for still and sparkling wines, spirits, beers, olive oil and vinegar, has announced the appointment of Enrico Bracesco as its new CEO. Bringing over two decades of experience in strategy and execution, Enrico Bracesco has a strong background in the industrial sector, with a focus on multicultural and international settings. Crealis extends its gratitude to Michele Moglia, the former CEO, for his dedicated leadership and contributions over the years. Michele will now serve as the non-executive Chairman of the Board, supporting the transition. However, under his leadership, the company had launched "Symbiosis' , the next-generation of foils boasting an innovative composition of 44 per cent...
On March 25, Alcoa Corporation received an order to pay a fine of $400,000 plus an additional $5,536 from the Rockingham Magistrates Court as a verdict of an incident at its Kwinana refinery in September 2022. The incident involved a caustic chemical spill that resulted in burns to both workers of the refinery and year 12 students who visited the site from Gilmore College. This spill incident in 2022 was one of 40 similar occurrences at the Kwinana refinery within less than two years. An investigation by WorkSafe WA found the accident occurred due to a miscommunication between two workers. One worker noticed smoke and debris from a pump and opened the discharge valve to prevent pressure buildup. Meanwhile, another worker unknowingly pressed the start button on the pump when the discharge...
Global sensor-based sorting technology provider TOMRA Recycling has enhanced its advanced metals recycling portfolio with an innovative AI-powered solution designed to upgrade wrought aluminium scrap. This marks the debut of GAINnext, Tomra's deep learning-based sorting technology, in the metals industry. Source: TOMRA With this AI innovation, aluminium scrap processors and recyclers can efficiently upgrade wrought aluminium scrap, achieving high-purity fractions by swiftly extracting low alloy cast from the wrought fraction and minimising alloying elements like silicon. GAINnext works alongside Tomra's X-Tract, which specialises in separation based on atomic density. X-Tract first processes shredded mixed non-ferrous metals (Zorba) to generate high-purity aluminium scrap (Twitch). It...
RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, is, for the first time in the industry's history, switching its aluminium production to anodes using environmentally friendly petroleum pitch on a commercial scale. Coal tar pitch is traditionally used in anodes during electrolysis all over the world; the industrial use of petroleum pitch, which significantly reduces the emission of harmful substances, was previously considered impossible. RUSAL has invested about 100 million rubles in scientific research and development of petroleum pitch. RUSAL is converting the entire Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter (KrAZ) to anode mass using petroleum pitch. This is the first case in the history of the global aluminium industry: coal tar pitch or petroleum coal tar pitch was previously used on an...
Great news for bike enthusiasts as Taiwan-based designer and manufacturer of bicycles, Tern, has come up with its latest cargo electric bike with notable upgrades over its predecessor. Tern has introduced the e-bike in both Europe and North America. Image Source: Tern website With a reinforced 6061 aluminium frame and large diameter hydroformed tubing, the GSD electric cargo bike ensures durability while keeping the bike lightweight at 34.95 kg (77.1 lbs). Capable of carrying up to 210 kg (463 lbs), it accommodates an adult rider along with up to two children or cargo. The entire structure, including the frame, fork, rear rack, kickstand, and braking system, is certified to meet the German DIN 79040 safety standards. Powered by a Bosch Cargo Line mid-drive motor delivering 85 Nm of torque...
Vedanta Limited, a leading natural resources and technology conglomerate, has confirmed the appointment of Rajiv Kumar as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for the aluminium business, just ahead of the demerger of Vedanta Aluminium as an independent entity. The appointment is for three years, starting March 26, 2025. The news came after the company said in a regulatory filing that "The board of directors at its meeting held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025, has inter alia considered and approved appointment of Rajiv Kumar as CEO - Aluminium Business and designating him as senior management personnel at Vedanta Ltd effective March 26." Rajiv Kumar has joined to fill the void of the CEO position since his predecessor, John Slaven, stepped down last September . John Slaven served Vedanta...
Litmus Industries, a leading business in Nepal's wires & cables and conductors manufacturing industry, has successfully inaugurated their first aluminium rod manufacturing plant in Ramgram, Nawalparasi. The introduction of this new aluminium rod manufacturing plant is an initiative of the company known as Litmus 2.0, which with time aims to reduce the overall country's dependency on imported aluminium. Image source: Litmus Industries Limited With the inauguration of the new aluminium rod manufacturing, Litmus Industries is expected to provide a high-quality and steady supply of aluminium rods. This shall help the country eliminate its trade deficit. Nepal currently relies on aluminium imports to meet the requirements, including wires, cables and conductors. Moreover, it will create...
In an initiative to curtail its carbon footprint, Vedanta Aluminium — a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, has constructed a 13.4 km long new railway line, which will ensure wholesome raw materials and derivatives transportation by rail. India’s leading aluminium production company, Vedanta Aluminium, has secured a further boost to its logistical infrastructure and has successfully put in place a new railway line, backing its supply chain breadth. The railway infrastructure expansion is strategised to couple with the commissioning of its 5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Kalahandi district, Odisha, ensuring production and transportation go hand-in-hand. The railway expansion commissioning will secure hassle-free inbound and outbound movement of raw materials and...
Alcoa's job loss prediction in late February 2025 has come true, as evidenced by hundreds of job cuts in Canada due to US tariffs targeting aluminium and steel. Companies operating in Canada's aluminium and steel sectors have already started reporting significant impacts of tariffs, including job cuts in both sectors. Permanent and temporary workers are being laid off, with some receiving early retirement notices and certain companies freezing hiring processes altogether. Bill Oplinger, CEO of Alcoa, had conveyed at the BMO Global Metals and Mining Conference in Florida that the tariff implementation could lead to a massive job loss of about 20,000 employees within the US aluminium industry and a further 80,000 jobs across the value-chain sectors that support it. This projection was...
Sundaram-Clayton Ltd (formerly Sundaram-Clayton DCD Ltd) has announced the sale of its aluminium die-casting business at the Hosur plant to Gurgaon-based Sandhar Ascast Private Ltd. The procedure was followed by a Business Transfer Agreement valued at INR 163 crore. The company stated that this decision is aimed at streamlining operations, focusing on core business areas, and enhancing shareholder value. Sundaram-Clayton Ltd has finalised the sale of its aluminium die-casting business through a slump sale, effective March 26, 2025. According to a filing with stock exchanges, Sandhar Ascast Private Ltd will make an upfront payment of INR 113 crore by March 29, with the remaining INR 50 crore due by April 15, subject to final adjustments. Sandhar Ascast Private Ltd, formerly known as...
BALCO, one of India's leading aluminium producers, has reduced prices of its primary aluminium P1020 (99.7 per cent) ingots by INR 3,750/tonne ($43/tonne), effective March 26, 2025. Balco's revised prices are at INR 267,000/tonne (USD 3,113/tonne), down from INR 270,750/t (USD 3,156/tonne) on March 25. All prices are ex-works and exclude GST. At the time of reporting, aluminium futures on the LME stood at USD 2,613/tonne. NALCO reduced its primary aluminium ingot (P1020, 99.7 per cent) prices by INR 8,900/tonne (USD 103/tonne) on March 26, 2025. Post-revision, NALCO's prices were at INR 263,900/tonne (USD 3,074/tonne), down from INR 272,800/tonne (USD 3,178/tonne) on March 21. Prices are ex-works and exclude GST. At the time of reporting, aluminium futures on LME stood at USD 2,613/tonne....
The Middle East’s aluminium industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Leaders across the sector are driving innovation, integrating digital technologies, and embracing sustainability to create more efficient, low-carbon production processes. In a series of exclusive interviews, industry pioneers share their insights on advanced casting techniques, automation, digitalisation, and decarbonisation strategies that are setting new benchmarks globally. Are you in a dilemma of whether to invest in the region’s aluminium industry, expand your business or collaborate with existing enterprises from the Middle East? In this article, we try to decipher the notions of the business leaders through the excerpts from the interviews featured in the Aluminium Middle East: Focus 2025 magazine by...
Futures market: During the night session, the most-traded alumina 2505 contract opened at RMB 3,063 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 3,118 per tonne, a low of RMB 3,063 per tonne, and closed at RMB 3,098 per tonne, up RMB 38 per tonne, a gain of 1.23 per cent, with open interest at 204,000 lots. Ore side: As of March 25, the SMM imported bauxite index stood at USD 93.16 per tonne, down USD 0.17 per tonne from the previous trading day, mainly due to a decline in caustic soda prices in Shandong. The SMM Guinea bauxite CIF average was USD 91 per tonne, unchanged from the previous day. The SMM Australia low-temperature bauxite CIF average was USD 87 per tonne, unchanged from the previous day. The SMM Australia high-temperature bauxite CIF average was USD 81 per tonne, unchanged from the...
