North American aluminum demand returned to growth in the first half of 2026, but the recovery has exposed a widening gap between market consumption and domestic production. Rising imports of semi-fabricated aluminum products, particularly sheet, have supported regional demand as shipments from US and Canadian producers continue to weaken. According to preliminary industry estimates, aluminum demand across the United States and Canada increased 3.5% Year-on-Year through June 2026, reaching an estimated 13.57 billion pounds (6.16 million metric tonnes), compared with 13.12 billion pounds (5.95 million metric tonnes) during the corresponding period of 2025. The improvement marks a reversal from the previous year's contraction, although imports rather than stronger domestic mill shipments...
Russian aluminium producer Rusal has reached an agreement with Ghana's state-owned Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation (GIADEC) to jointly develop bauxite mining and alumina refining projects, marking a significant step towards expanding the country's domestic aluminium value chain. Under the agreement, the projects will be implemented through two joint ventures in which Rusal will hold majority stakes. The proposed developments include bauxite mining operations with annual production capacity of up to 5 million tonnes and an alumina refinery capable of producing 1.2 million tonnes annually. The projects will target the Nyinahin bauxite deposit in southwest Ghana, where estimated resources exceed 100 million tonnes, according to Rusal. The agreement was announced during a...
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Vedanta Limited’s demerger process has progressed further, with the company submitting its plan to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) after receiving approval from 75 per cent of its secured creditors, said Chairman Anil Agarwal. He also said the company expects to accomplish the demerge process by the end of FY204-25. The demerger will separate Vedanta’s six business units into individual entities, each focused on specific areas like aluminium, oil and gas, power, steel, and base metals. Only the existing zinc business and newly started ventures will remain under the wings of Vedanta Limited. On accomplishing the demerger, Vedanta’s shareholders will get one new share in each of the five companies, strengthening the company’s business model and economy. Also, this demerger will...
At the opening ceremony of the 2024 Global Energy Transformation Conference on September 7, Huang Runqiu, Minister of Ecology and Environment, emphasised the need to accelerate green and low-carbon development in China. By the end of the year, key emission industries, including aluminium, steel and cement, will be integrated into the national carbon emissions trading system alongside the power industry. What is carbon trading market A national carbon trading market is a carbon pricing system that facilitates the buying and selling of carbon credits and renewable energy certificates. It aims to meet climate goals and advance climate actions in a cost-efficient manner. Adopting carbon emissions trading is a vital policy tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide,...
Ghana's President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has invited Chinese business leaders to participate actively in the country's ongoing economic transformation. Speaking at the China-Ghana Business Forum in Shenzhen, the President emphasised the strong and long-standing relationship between the two nations and highlighted Ghana's vast investment opportunities. With the country aiming to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on traditional exports like gold and cocoa, President Akufo-Addo stressed that Chinese investment would be pivotal in driving this shift. He noted that China, as one of Ghana's largest trading partners, plays a key role in the country's development strategy, and the active participation of Chinese investors can significantly shape Ghana's economic future. Ghana and...
On Saturday, September 7, Kolkata Metro Rail Corporation reportedly started installing the aluminium third rail replacing steel on the North-South corridors, aiming to reduce energy loss by about 84 per cent. Metro Railway has set a target of two years to complete the entire replacement project with aluminium. In addition to reducing carbon footprint, this initiative will save around INR 1 crore a year per km of the 35-km corridor. On Sunday, Metro Railway updated that it already completed the replacement of a 200-metre-long third rail, which is claimed to have superior electrical conductivity, lessening voltage drops and energy losses. On completion of the initiative, Kolkata Metro Railway will be at par with Singapore, London, Moscow, Berlin, Munich, and Istanbul Metros, where the...
Last Friday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,384 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,394 per tonne and a low of US$2,340 per tonne, and closed at US$2,341.5 per tonne, down US$36.5 per tonne or 1.53 per cent. On Friday, September 6, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved up by US$2 per tonne or 0.08 per cent to clock at US$2,367.50 per tonne and US$2,368 per tonne. As per the LME graph, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price added US$7 per tonne or 0.29 per cent and US$6.5 per tonne or 0.27 per cent to settle at US$2,388 per tonne and US$2,388.50 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price increased by US$4 per tonne or 0.16 per cent to dock at US$2,497 per tonne and US$2,502 per tonne. LME aluminium opening...
Globally, industrial emissions are a major contributor to air pollution, and Asia is no exception, negatively impacting both the environment and public health. China and India are the region's leading contributors to industrial emissions and are also ranked among the world's top polluting nations. These emissions release various harmful pollutants into the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), sulphur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and particulate matter (PM). According to the World Health Organization (2023), air pollution is responsible for over 6.5 million deaths globally each year and is linked to a range of serious issues such as chronic diseases, impaired cognitive function, reduced visibility, acid rain, and climate change. Aluminium is a crucial material for many...
In Morocco, Chinese expertise plays a crucial role in developing the vehicle wheel industry, showcasing the strengthening economic ties between China and Morocco under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). One key project in this development is CITIC Dicastal's investment in Morocco, which has established the country's first aluminium alloy wheel manufacturing plant. This investment underscores the practical cooperation and cultural integration driven by BRI projects. Since 2018, Zhang Shiqi, the current project manager, has been the driving force behind the research and site selection efforts for the manufacturing plant under China's state-owned CITIC group. His leadership has been instrumental in constructing and operating the CITIC Dicastal Morocco factory, marking the largest Chinese...
The European Commission has recently approved a joint venture between Baoshan Iron & Steel (Baosteel), Baowu Aluminium, and Japan's Kobe Steel (Kobelco) under the EU Merger Regulation. This collaboration primarily focuses on the production of automotive aluminium sheets. In its review, the Commission concluded that the venture would not raise significant competition concerns within the European Economic Area, citing its limited market impact. The transaction was reviewed under the simplified merger procedure, which streamlines the approval process for mergers with minimal competition risks. According to an August 8 statement on Kobelco's website, Kobelco will hold a 50 per cent stake in the new company, while Baosteel and Baowu Aluminium will share the remaining half. The joint venture,...
Guizhou Aluminum New Materials Co., Ltd. (Gui Aluminum New Materials) has recently achieved a major milestone in aluminium foil production. The company has successfully manufactured double zero aluminium foil with a thickness of 0.006mm, width of 1700mm, weight of 17,760kg, and a roll diameter of 2321mm, all without a single breakage. This accomplishment demonstrates Gui Aluminum's advanced production capabilities and significantly boosts its market competitiveness. The ability to produce such large-diameter rolls of high-quality foil highlights the company's expertise in process control. It positions them well to meet the increasing demand for premium aluminium foil products. Building on this technological breakthrough, Gui Aluminum New Materials plans to leverage this success as a...
In recent developments across the upstream sector of the aluminium industry, significant changes and milestones have been reported. The upstream sector includes bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium. Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has pioneered digital greenhouse gas emissions tracking in the UAE, enhancing transparency and aligning with national decarbonisation goals. Additionally, China's Ministry of Commerce has announced countermeasures against Canada in response to new tariffs on Chinese imports, including aluminium, electric vehicles, and steel, involving WTO dispute proceedings and anti-discrimination investigations. Indian Railways' East Central Railway (ECR) has experienced a notable increase in freight income in the first months of the 2024-25 financial year. In August 2024,...
Beijing has requested talks with Canada at the World Trade Organization, a global trade referee, accusing the latter on the ground of violating WTO rules by imposing 100 per cent tariffs on China-origin electric vehicles and 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel. The news came on Friday, September 6, after China’s Trade Ministry said, “China lodged a request for consultations with Canada at the WTO regarding Canada’s additional tariffs on electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products.” The Ministry further said, “Canada has disregarded WTO rules and violated its commitments within the WTO by proposing to impose additional tariffs of 100 per cent and 25 per cent.” It is the second response from China this week, which has added a new twist to the dispute. On Tuesday, September 3,...
On August 20th, Sunstone Development announced the signing of a capital increase agreement with Geely Baikuang to jointly invest 290 million yuan into Tiandong Baikuang Santian Carbon Co., Ltd. Following the capital injection, Sun-stone Development will hold a 66 per cent stake, while Geely Baikuang will own 34 per cent. The funds will be allocated to constructing a 600,000-tonne prebaked anode production facility. About Sun-stone Sun-stone Development has consistently ranked first in China for anode exports over several years as a leading global manufacturer of prebaked anodes. Geely Baikuang, part of the Geely Science and Technology Group, is a major enterprise group involved in coal, electricity, electrolytic aluminium, alumina, carbon, aluminium deep processing, and ecological...
The name "FIN" represents "First in Newcastle," highlighting FIN Windows and Doors' pioneering role and longstanding presence in Newcastle's building industry for over fifty years. Dedicated to serving the Newcastle, Central Coast, and Hunter Valley regions, FIN Windows and Doors has built a solid reputation for delivering high-quality window and door products, becoming a trusted name in the local community. FIN & Capral aluminium FIN's enduring success is largely attributed to its longstanding partnership with Capral Aluminium. FIN's commitment to sustainability is evident in its operations and product offerings. Their collaboration with Capral has allowed FIN to incorporate LocAl® lower-carbon aluminium into their products, aligning with their broader goal of minimising environmental...
Metal recycling company Ecovery LLC has targeted to put into operation a secondary aluminium furnace with a 60,000-pound capacity at its processing facility in Loxley, Alabama, in September 2024. This furnace is Ecovery's second major capital expenditure project in 2024 and a second on-site rotary furnace. Earlier this year, Ecovery installed an X-ray sorting line to supply furnace-ready aluminium scrap to rolling mills in the Southeast and Midwest. Ecovery claims this new furnace will increase the company's melting capacity while enhancing dross processing and toll conversion services provided to customers. The company's CEO, Brack Norris, has shared that his family-owned business has diversified and expanded its operations several times in its 16-year journey. Originally, Ecovery used...
After surpassing 7 million tonnes in July 2024, China's metallurgical-grade alumina production continued its upward trajectory in August, showing a month-on-month increase of 0.67 per cent, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. On a year-on-year basis, the output in August registered a hike of 2.82 per cent. According to SMM data, China's alumina production in August 2024 stood at around 7.22 million tonnes versus 7.173 million tonnes in July. At the end of August, China's metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood stable at around 100.6 million tonnes, with the operating capacity up by 0.81 per cent M-o-M. The operating rate was 84.63 per cent, compared to 83.5 per cent in July. From January to August, China's total alumina production amounted to approximately 54.686 million tonnes,...
Viva ACP, Asia's leading manufacturer of metal composite panels, has introduced advanced Aluminium Composite Panels (ACPs) designed to enhance the safety and performance of bus bodies in India. This initiative resulted from the stricter regulations the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways implemented for bus construction, emphasising improvements in passenger safety and vehicle quality. These new ACPs from Viva offer several advantages, including reduced vehicle weight, improved fuel efficiency, and superior overall performance. The lightweight panels also comply with the Ministry's latest safety standards, aiding manufacturers in meeting the updated regulations. As the Indian electric bus market is set for rapid growth, fuelled by government initiatives, Viva ACP's panels are...
The President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, has announced considering expanding the country's mining operations with the help of U.S. Army engineers, focusing on the extraction of rare earth elements. Speaking at an event in New York, Abinader emphasised the nation's rich reserves of gold, silver, nickel, and bauxite, noting that rare earth elements—critical to high-tech industries—are often found within bauxite deposits. He underscored the importance of adhering to global mining standards, referencing the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which the Dominican Republic adopted in 2016. The president pointed out that rare earth elements are essential for today's technology-driven world, making their exploration a priority for our country. He added that his...
Gränges Powder Metallurgy SAS, located in Saint-Avold, France, is investing in a new post-processing line for producing aluminium powders for Additive Manufacturing (AM). The line will feature ATEX-certified sieving, homogenising, and packing equipment within a closed workspace to ensure optimal safety and cleanliness. It is expected to be fully operational by the first quarter of 2025. With over three decades of experience, Gränges Powder Metallurgy specialises in high-performance aluminium alloys through inert gas atomisation. The company is renowned for its Dispal range of low-thermal expansion AlSi alloys, widely used in the semiconductor and precision optics industries. In addition to Dispal, Gränges produces standard AlSi10Mg powders and custom aluminium alloys tailored to specific...
