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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RUSAL, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has registered Russia’s first industrial carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) project in the national carbon unit registry. Implemented at the Achinsk smelter, this initiative supports global efforts to cut CO₂ emissions and decarbonise heavy industry. As part of the project, RUSAL has modernised wet-type scrubber units to capture CO₂ generated during fuel combustion. The captured carbon dioxide is absorbed through a closed-loop water circulation system, preventing its release into the atmosphere. Over the next decade, the project is expected to reduce emissions by 1.8 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. This initiative is a key component of RUSAL’s broader strategy to lower its carbon footprint and implement...
The frequent dose of theft from Mumbai coastal road has proven heavy on Bombay Municipal Corporation's pocket and subsequently led to the authority in deciding to go for aluminium cables. Reason? They are affordable and are less likely to be picked by thieves. The prior installation of copper cables for streetlights and other electrical installations has been a common target for robbers due to their higher value. Image Source: Linkedin (Mu Ramanathan) The designated contractor has, in the meantime, initiated the replacement of the cables at crucial spots that are most at risk of theft. Although aluminium is cheaper, civic officials will keep monitoring their performance and security in the future. According to an official's statement, "We have instructed the contractor to install...
A significant barrier to aluminium can recycling in South Korea stems from a widespread lack of consumer awareness about the material’s unique sustainability benefits. Image credit: Family Handyman According to Novelis Korea, the local arm of the world’s largest aluminium recycler, a recent survey revealed that 57.4 per cent of 1,012 respondents were unaware that aluminium cans can be recycled infinitely without loss of quality. Additionally, many were unfamiliar with the fact that recycling aluminium consumes far less energy—cutting carbon emissions by up to 95 per cent—compared to producing primary aluminium from raw bauxite. This knowledge gap, the company suggests, is a key challenge in boosting the country’s recycling rates. A survey jointly conducted by Novelis Korea and the Seoul...
The contemporary landscape of international relations is increasingly defined by the deployment of economic sanctions. Once considered a blunt instrument of last resort, these measures have become a favoured tool for nations seeking to exert influence, punish transgressions, or compel policy shifts. Yet, the efficacy and broader ramifications of these economic straitjackets (specifically the European Union’s sanction upon Russia) are far from straightforward. Image for representational purposes only Today, we delve into the intricate world of EU sanction, exploring their genesis, the multifaceted impacts they inflict on both the targeted and the imposing, and the swirling debates that question their very purpose and morality. Unmasking the sanction: origins and objectives The imposition...
In late March 2025, BERICAP Aluminium GmbH and the Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP) forged a strategic partnership for aluminium roll-on closure packaging, capturing the interest of over 200 wineries across Germany. This collaboration is dedicated to upholding the highest quality standards in German viticulture. Image source: BERICAP With over 30 years of expertise in aluminium roll-on closure packaging for the wine and spirits industry, BERICAP Aluminium reinforces its commitment to design, functionality and precision through this partnership. This collaboration also aims to help brands present premium wines with authenticity and the highest quality to wineries across Germany. Innovation and sustainability are at the core of this collaboration. With this focus, BERICAP...
Jiangsu Zhongji Lamination Materials Co., Ltd has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) with Provisional status for their facility, Anhui Maximum Aluminium Industries Co., Ltd., in Huaibei, Anhui, China. The Provisional Certification is valid for the period of one year, during which the company can address the non-conformances assessed and subsequently seek full Certification. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Anhui Maximum Aluminium Industries Co., Ltd. has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 with Provisional status. The facility produces aluminium plate strips, and has an annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes. Its key processes include casting, rolling, and cold rolling. The ASI Certification program was developed through an...
Festivalgoers at St Patrick's Park over St Patrick's Day weekend (March 15th and 16th) were treated to the dazzling sight of a giant rainbow installation created from recycled drink cans. The eye-catching structure, created by not-for-profit organisation Every Can Counts (ECC) in partnership with Loreto College, was designed to shine a light on the power of recycling. Made from over 1,500 recycled cans, the installation returned for a second year following its success in 2024, reinforcing the message that recycling plays a crucial role in protecting our planet. Over 20 ECC ambassadors, including the 'Canny Mascot' dressed head to toe in more than 300 cans in the colours of the Irish flag, also engaged with festivalgoers to spread the word about the importance of recycling. The...
Vietnam’s mining industry is taking a turn towards a greener future as it looks like the path forward is paved with sustainability. Leading the charge is Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (TKV), which has laid out an ambitious roadmap to modernise its operations and align with the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Image for representational purposes only But can an industry traditionally known for its environmental challenges really turn a new leaf? If TKV’s latest strategy is anything to go by, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. TKV’s game plan revolves around technology. Digital solutions like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and automation are being deployed to improve efficiency and cut waste. At the heart of this...
Thursday, March 20, marked a significant milestone for the Indian aluminum industry. NALCO reported a 2.1 per cent growth in a single day, while Kumar Mangalam Birla-led Hindalco unveiled plans to invest INR 45,000 crore (USD 5.22 million) in its aluminum and copper segments. Image source: Hindalco Industries At Hindalco Industries' new brand identity launch, Birla said: We are committing INR 45,000 crore across the aluminium, copper and specialty alumina businesses to deliver upstream and next-gen high precision engineered products to our customers." While announcing the plans, Birla reiterated Hindalco's position as a global leader in aluminium, copper, and specialty alumina. He said Hindalco is India's largest fully integrated company, with primary aluminium production expanded from a...
Earlier this week (March 19, 2025), Alupro brought together influential political figures from across Wales to discuss how best to further accelerate national progress towards achieving a truly circular economy in 2025. Kindly sponsored by Mike Hedges MS, the expert panel discussion took place at the Senedd in Cardiff Bay. Chaired by Ruth Mosalski, political editor at Wales Online, speakers included Huw Irranca-Davies MS, deputy first minister and cabinet secretary for climate change and rural affairs; Janet Finch-Saunders MS, shadow cabinet secretary for climate change and environment; Mike Hedges MS, member of the Senedd climate, nature and wellbeing cross-party group; Owen Derbyshire, chief executive officer of Keep Wales Tidy; and Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro. Alongside...
Futures Market: Overnight, the most-traded SHFE aluminium 2505 contract opened at RMB 20,875 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 20,895 per tonne, and a low of RMB 20,780 per tonne, closing at RMB 20,840 per tonne, down RMB 55 per tonne, or 0.26 per cent. LME aluminium opened at USD 2,674 per tonne, reached a high of USD 2,691 per tonne, and a low of USD 2,653per tonne, closing at USD 2,657 per tonne, down USD 16 per tonne, or 0.60 per cent. Macro: Overseas, global trade dynamics - ① Trump urged the US Fed to cut interest rates, stating that US tariffs are starting to impact the economy; (Bullish ★) ② Mexico's Minister of Economy: Heading to Washington for trade talks on Thursday; ③ EU Trade Commissioner: Considering postponing the implementation of the first round of retaliatory tariffs...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has outperformed its sector, reaching an intraday high of INR 192.15 at 1:00 PM on Thursday, March 20. This surge in stock price signals strong long-term growth potential for the company. Additionally, NALCO's attractive dividend yield offers shareholders a solid return and reflects a positive overall market trend. Despite a slight pullback as the day progressed, the stock remained resilient, closing at INR 190.27. Compared to Monday, March 17, NALCO's stock price has risen by 2.63 per cent, moving up from INR 185.39. The stock reached its peak on March 7, hitting INR 195.17, but then experienced a decline in following days, dipping as low as INR 186.38 on March 19. However, in just one day, the company's stock has rebounded by 2.1 per cent per...
Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody has teamed up with luxury travel brand Monos to launch a striking all-aluminium luggage collection, blending durability with minimalist elegance. Released in March 2024 and available online, this collection showcases precision-crafted aluminium suitcases designed for both style and resilience. To mark the launch, Brody starred in Kismet , a cinematic short film that explores themes of fate and travel, reflecting the spirit of the collection. This collaboration not only highlights Brody’s artistic vision but also redefines premium aluminium luggage, offering a seamless fusion of storytelling and design. The brand collaborated with Mexico City-based cinematic filmmaker and photographer Alexis Gomez to shoot a three-minute short film in Tangier, Morocco....
Vedanta Limited, a massive player in the Indian aluminium industry, is one step closer to announcing its site for what the brand mentions as the world’s first 100 per cent green aluminium manufacturing plant, shares Group Chairman Anil Agarwal in a media interview. He has delineated the company’s pursuits to develop aluminium production further and meld renewable energy into its core operations. Vedanta Aluminium has strategised to boost its production capacity by 3 million tonnes annually. Image Source: https://vedantaaluminium.com/ The public declaration was just in time ahead of Vedanta’s demerger enactment , leading to the composition of five distinctive entities – Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil and Gas, Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials, and Vedanta Power. The...
More anti-dumping duties are on the way to Chinese aluminium products. After India, now the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are imposing duties on China for flooding their countries with aluminium products at unfair prices. The news came on Thursday, March 20, after the GCC Ministerial Committee, composed of industry ministers, announced the move officially. This decision follows the recommendation from the GCC Permanent Committee for Anti-Injurious Practices in International Trade to impose import tariffs on aluminium alloy products originating from China. The duties being levied on Chinese aluminium products include flat or grained rectangular (including square) aluminium alloy sheets, plates, coils, strips, coated or coloured, with a 2-8 mm thickness. Why this move? The growing...
Okay, first things first to be straightened out — the US aluminium and steel tariff implemented is not the only tariff that businesses have to pay while exporting commodities to the nation’s backyard. If a country was paying a 10 per cent tariff to export aluminium goods to the US, they are now not paying 25 per cent but a 35 (10+25) per cent tariff for the good. All of the secrets lie in the word 'additional'! Image for representational purposes only In February 2025, the US administration reinstated and broadened Section 232 tariffs, imposing a flat 25 per cent ad valorem duty on all steel and aluminium imports, effective from March 12, 2025. The tariffs were imposed through Presidential Proclamations 10895 and 10896, signed on February 10, 2025. The updated tariffs now encompass both...
The Bureau of Indian Standards recently conducted another raid at an aluminium alloy ingot manufacturing facility in Sipcot Industrial Park, Vallam Vadagal, Sriperumbudur, for operating without the necessary permits. As per the report, the company has been producing and selling aluminium alloy ingots without the required ISI mark and valid licenses. The raid took place on March 18 under Section 28 of the BIS Act, 2016, in response to violation of the Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys (Quality Control) Order, 2023. The company was found to be in breach of Section 17 of the BIS Act. As a result, BIS Chennai branch head G. Bhavani said the penalty could be imprisonment for up to two years or a fine extending up to 10 times the value of the manufactured products. This raid follows a series of...
Today, the most-traded SHFE aluminium 2505 contract opened at RMB 20,650 per tonne, with a high of RMB 20,770 per tonne, a low of RMB 20,570 per tonne, and closed at RMB 20,705 per tonne, up 0.27 per cent. Trading volume was 10,600 lots, and open interest was 240,000 lots. Image for representational purposes only SMM comments: From a macro perspective, overseas trade protection and slowing growth created a bearish resonance: US trade policies focused on differentiated tariffs and export controls, while Fitch downgraded its 2025 US economic growth forecast to 1.7 per cent and warned that tariffs could push up inflation, potentially delaying the US Fed's interest rate cut to Q4 2025. Domestically, the trade-in policy continued to gain momentum, with three departments promoting the scrappage...
