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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Ducab Metals Business, the largest metal manufacturing company in the UAE and a subsidiary of the Ducab Group, is striding towards business expansion to meet the increasing demand for aluminium across the globe by doubling its production capacity from 55,000 tonnes per annum to 110,000 tonnes per annum. This expansion aligns with the UAE’s diversification efforts outside the non-oil trade and its long-term goals to lead the global industrial manufacturing sector. Ducab Group’s chief executive officer, Mohammad Almutawa, said: This expansion increases our ability to meet global demand, adds value to the ‘Made in the Emirates’ brand, and increases our international competitiveness, while driving sustainable business growth and building resilience in industry.” Mohamed Al Ahmedi, CEO of DMB,...
Metro Mining Limited has significantly increased throughput rates at its Bauxite Hills operation in Western Australia. One of the biggest reasons was commissioning two new Cat 992 Wheel Loaders and installing a new screening system. The company introduced a new apron/wobbler feeder screening circuit in May, marking a key step in its expansion strategy. The integration and optimisation of the expansion are already yielding results, with Metro achieving a record monthly shipment of 720,000 tonnes (wet) in August 2024, a 13 per cent increase from July and a 29 per cent rise compared to July 2023, which AL Circle has already reported on September 6, 2024. This milestone came despite a two-day shutdown for conveyor belt replacements at the barge loading facility and planned transhippers...
On Thursday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,392 per tonne, with a high of US$2,410 per tonne, a low of US$2,363 per tonne, and closed at US$2,378 per tonne, down US$21.5 per tonne, a decrease of 0.90 per cent. On Thursday, September 5, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price inched down by US$1.5 per tonne or 0.06 per cent to clock at US$2,365.50 per tonne and US$2,366 per tonne. As per the LME graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price moved down by US$5 per tonne or 0.20 per cent and US$6 per tonne or 0.25 per cent to settle at US$2,381 per tonne and US$2,382 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price slipped by US$5 per tonne to halt at US$2,493 per tonne and US$2,498 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 836925...
Sundaram Clayton Limited, part of the $6.5 billion TVS Group, has officially put its newly-commissioned aluminium die-castings facility into commercial production. The facility is located in the SIPCOT industrial area in Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India. The plant, with an annual production capacity of 7,750 tonnes, is in its initial phase. Sundaram Clayton has announced the start of the facility and will keep updating the facility’s progress and potential capacity expansions in the future. For now, Sundaram Clayton has said in a regulatory filling, "We wish to inform that the Company has commissioned the commercial production of Aluminium Die Castings effective today situated in the industrial area of the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) in Thervoy...
China’s comprehensive Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the aluminium processing industry witnessed an increase of 1.8 percentage point month-on-month, yet stood below the 50 per cent mark during August 2024, owing to the persistent traditional off-season in the domestic market. According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s PMI for the domestic aluminium processing industry was recorded at 43.6 per cent, with a few sectors standing as an exception above the 50 per cent mark. While the PMIs for China’s domestic construction aluminium extrusion and plate/sheet, strip and foil segment were below the 50 mark, the industrial extrusion segment and aluminium wire and cable sector witnessed PMIs of 51.97 per cent and 50.5 per cent. Although certain sectors recovered from the...
Zooz, a new non-alcoholic wellness drink, is set to mark its entry into the US market. The unique mushroom-based beverage will be launched in recyclable aluminium cans, targeting the growing no and low-alcohol market. Created by former personal trainer Daniel Soos, Zooz aims to transform adult soft drinks with its unique ingredients and focus on health and well-being. About the drink With £1.25 million in seed funding, the brand is set to carve a new niche in the no-and-low sector. Zooz, featuring the potent Cordyceps and Lion's Mane mushrooms, is a beacon of health in a sea of beverages. Its refined flavour profile is a testament to its appeal to health-conscious consumers seeking a healthier alternative to traditional alcoholic drinks. The drink is free from sugar, gluten, and...
Bhekuzulu Gumbi, 26, founder of Matawuzeni BMG, has been honoured with the Southern Africa Change Catalyst Award (Sacca) for entrepreneurs. Representing northern KwaZulu-Natal, Gumbi's company, which specialises in metal doors and windows, has overcome significant challenges, including late payments, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and rising costs. Despite these obstacles, Matawuzeni BMG has maintained resilience, delivering general construction and fabrication services to its clients. Gumbi described the awards ceremony at Birchwood Hotel and OR Tambo Conference Centre as an inspiring event that provided valuable insights and set a motivating tone for the day. Gumbi highlighted that the day's pinnacle was the awards ceremony, where he was honoured with the SDG9 award for his...
In July 2024, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) recorded a month-on-month decline of 1.95 per cent, yet stood above 1.2 million tonnes, unlike in April and May when the region's alumina output was at 997,000 tonnes and 1.117 million tonnes, respectively. However, on an annual basis, the output grew by 4.49 per cent, leading to a greater contribution to the world alumina production, accounting for 9.95 per cent in July 2024 versus 9.5 per cent in July 2023. According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during July 2024 was 1.209 million tonnes versus 1.233 million tonnes in June and 1.157 million tonnes in July 2023. The daily average production in July 2024 was 392,100 tonnes, down by 2.37 per cent from 401,600 tonnes a...
As a writer, the world of aluminium has always intrigued me to ask – 'What's next?' With every passing day, the use or the reach of aluminium goes beyond the realm of imagination. Aluminium's importance is not just limited to the industrial sector but has also reached the unexplored terrains of Mars. Yes, you read it right. As per reports, scientists have devised a novel method to warm Mars by introducing engineered particles composed of iron or aluminium, into its atmosphere as aerosols. Lighter, faster, greener: Aluminium's expanding footprint in transportation Well, this is not just it. The green metal has always been a cornerstone in revolutionising the transportation sector. From the wheels to the body, integrating aluminium components significantly reduces vehicle weight, enhancing...
In a significant policy shift, the government of India announced on September 4, 2024, that it would ease the import norms for calcined and raw pet coke, expanding the scope of allowable inbound shipments. Previously restricted to the aluminium industry, these imports are now permitted to meet the needs of a broader range of domestic sectors. The move is expected to provide a crucial boost to industries reliant on calcined pet coke, including but not limited to aluminium production. By widening the import regulations, the government aims to address the rising demand for pet coke and ensure a steady supply for various industrial applications. This policy change marks a strategic effort to enhance resource availability and support growth across multiple industries, demonstrating the...
The Australian bauxite miner Metro Mining achieved a new shipping milestone in August 2024, as expansion activities at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland significantly boosted production. The company recorded a 13 per cent increase in shipments compared to July, with 720,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) shipped throughout the month. This marks a 29 per cent jump compared to the same period in 2023. Metro Mining sustained record shipments despite a two-day operational halt to replace conveyor belts at the barge loading facility and conduct planned maintenance on its transhippers. For the third quarter to date, shipments have reached 1.4 million WMT, while year-to-date production has climbed to 2.9 million WMT. The company also set a daily shipping record of 32,022 WMT. These achievements...
On Wednesday, LME aluminium opened at US$2,412.5 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,418.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,370.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,399.5 per tonne, down US$16 per tonne, a decrease of 0.66 per cent. On Wednesday, September 4, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$14.5 per tonne or 0.60 per cent to clock at US$2,367 per tonne and US$2,367.50 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price descended by US$18.5 per tonne or 0.76 per cent and US$17 per tonne or 0.70 per cent to halt at US$2,386 per tonne and US$2,388 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price contracted by US$29 per tonne or 1.14 per cent to peg at US$2,498 per tonne and US$2,503 per...
Costa Coffee, a British coffeehouse chain with headquarters in Loudwater, Buckinghamshire, England, has reportedly entered into a partnership with Podback to trial run coffee pod recycling. Podback, a UK-based coffee pod recycling service provider, will offer recycling assistance in 142 Costa Coffee stores across the UK. During the trial, customers at Costa Coffee stores will pick up free Podback recycling bags for coffee pod collection and return them once full for recycling. Podback recycling bags will be available in all 133 Costa Coffee stores located within Tesco stores across the UK and 9 Costa Coffee stores in the Swindon area. The objective of this programme is to offer a recycling option for packaging items what cannot be easily recycled at home or kerbside. To enable consumers...
Canadian Solar Inc. has formed a cradle-to-cradle strategic partnership with SOLARCYCLE, a leading U.S. solar recycling company, to deliver comprehensive recycling services to its customers in the United States. This partnership enables Canadian Solar to become one of the first crystalline silicon solar module manufacturers to provide comprehensive recycling services to its U.S. customers. "By including upfront recycling services as an add-on to the price of a solar module, Canadian Solar is helping to move the entire industry forward to ensure that we are truly sustainable, from cradle-to-cradle. We will look back on their leadership in this moment as one of the key strategies the solar industry used to embed our core values into our core operations," said Suvi Sharma, CEO and Co-Founder...
Fonda, New York-based aluminium extrusion manufacturer Keymark Corp. has significantly bolstered its operations by adding a state-of-the-art coating facility in Lakeland, Florida. This expansion aligns with the company's strategy to enhance its offerings for the U.S. architectural and residential fenestration markets. The newly inaugurated 76,000-square-foot facility features a cutting-edge chrome conversion-free, 25-foot vertical powder coating line. This addition complements Keymark's existing 40-foot horizontal wet/powder coating line, expanding its capacity and capabilities to meet growing market demands. With this new facility, Keymark's total production space in Lakeland now exceeds 330,000 square feet, a clear sign of the company's growth and potential. The expansion also...
The UK's aluminium packaging recycling rate has once again shown significant gains in the second quarter (Q2) of 2024. As per the NPWD data, UK witnessed a 3 per cent increase in recycling volumes compared to the same period last year. Data from NPWD As per the data published by the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD), a total of 45,246 tonnes of aluminium packaging were collected for recycling during Q2 2024. This includes 29,831 tonnes from kerbside, bring, and on-the-go systems, reflecting a 4 per cent year-on-year rise. Additionally, 13,156 tonnes were recovered from incinerator bottom ash. So far this year, 84,222 tonnes of aluminium packaging have been collected, reaching 59 per cent of the annual target of 140,431 tonnes. The market is not only ahead of schedule but also on...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is the first company in the UAE to have implemented a digital greenhouse gas emissions tracking system. This technology will significantly accelerate the company’s decarbonisation drive, enhancing the transparency in recording GHG emissions aligned with the UAE’s National MRV Transparency System. EGA has deployed the technology following the Ministry of Climate Change & Environment mandate that companies must report greenhouse gas emissions data to track the fulfilment of their commitments towards the 2050 net-zero emissions goal. EGA’s emissions tracking technology is a centralised digital platform that will measure, report, and verify Scope 1 and 2 emissions data. As the system is a digital platform, it will completely automate the greenhouse gas...
Brazilian mining company Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN), a joint venture between Glencore, Rio Tinto, and South32, announced on September 3, 2024, that it has received an initial license from the Brazilian environmental agency, Ibama. This approval marks a significant step towards extending the operational lifespan of its bauxite mining activities in northern Brazil. The license will enable MRN to continue extracting bauxite, a critical raw material in aluminium production, as the company seeks to maintain and expand its operations in the resource-rich region. Brazil's position in global bauxite production is noteworthy. It ranks among the top countries. However, as reported by USGS, Brazil's bauxite production stood at an impressive 31 million tonnes in 2023. Shareholding Structure of MRN...
