China Rare Earth Group is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Shenghe Resources, a move that could bring the Chinese rare earth producer under tighter state control while giving Beijing influence over Shenghe’s overseas holdings, including a stake in US rare earths company MP Materials. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that discussions between the companies have been underway since earlier this year. One source said China Rare Earth Group is seeking a controlling stake, although neither source knew when the acquisition could be announced or completed. If the deal goes through, China Rare Earth Group would take control of Shenghe’s interests in foreign companies, including its 3 per cent stake in MP Materials. The US rare earths company counts the US Department of...
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...
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Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium and steel, set to take effect on March 12, has left many domestic industries worried about rising prices and declining orders. As a result, India's small engineering goods exporters have called on the government to lower import tariffs on select US products in a bid to secure more favourable trade conditions, as President Donald Trump moves forward with new steel and aluminium duties. USA is a major importer when it comes to Indian engineering products like machinery and equipment parts. The EEPC and other industry chambers have urged government to reduce tariffs on select US goods with low import volumes, Chadha told Reuters on Wednesday. "Of India's $20 billion annual engineering goods exports, nearly $7.5 billion worth of...
Today, the most-traded SHFE aluminium 2504 contract opened at RMB 20,600 per tonne, with a high of RMB 20,660 per tonne and a low of RMB 20,560 per tonne, closing at RMB 20,620 per tonne, up 0.22 per cent. The trading volume was 77,000 lots, and the open interest was 183,000 lots. SMM Comments: The macro environment recently presented a mixed picture. North American trade frictions continued to escalate, with Trump announcing reciprocal countermeasures against retaliatory tariffs from Canada and Mexico, while the US Secretary of Commerce sent conflicting signals by suggesting fentanyl control in exchange for tariff relief. The policy volatility heightened market risk aversion sentiment. Domestically, the Two Sessions set a 2024 economic growth target of 5 per cent and outlined plans to...
A leading global aluminium manufacturing giant has recently sought a premium of USD 260 per tonne from Japanese buyers for April-June (Q2) primary metal shipments, which is a notable 14 per cent increase from the current quarter (Q1, 2025). This development is nothing but a ripple effect of the persistent volatility in the primary metals market, a simultaneous event along with geopolitical tensions and production constraints continuing to reshape global supply chains. Image Source: Wikipedia Japan, a major importer of aluminium in Asia, plays a pivotal role in regional price formation. The premiums for primary metal shipments are determined quarterly over the London Metal Exchange cash price (CMAL0), a benchmark that reflects prevailing market conditions. Japanese buyers had agreed to a...
China's aluminium industry remains the world's largest, driven by high production capacity and growing downstream demand. However, rising inventories, fluctuating raw material costs, and cautious buyer sentiment are shaping market dynamics. Despite challenges, facility expansions and policy shifts continue influencing the sector's long-term trajectory. Aluminium market analysis The global aluminium market has witnessed notable price movements over the past week. The London Metal Exchange (LME) average aluminium price saw a slight increase of 0.64 per cent, reaching USD$ 2,665 per tonne. Conversely, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium price declined by 0.31 per cent, settling at RMB 20,656 per tonne (USD 2,880 per tonne). Spot market prices also trended downward due to rising...
YKK AP America, a brand that designs and manufactures high-quality architectural products for the construction industry, has unlocked a significant milestone. YKK AP will now source 80 per cent of its aluminium from low-carbon suppliers across North America. This is a great achievement in a time when sustainability is one of the most sought-after criteria. The company's commitment goes beyond sustainable materials, extending to its vertically integrated manufacturing processes for full control over production, quality, and sustainability. According to company officials, this milestone is part of YKK AP's "Evolution 2030" initiative. YKK AP melts and casts its own aluminium billets in-house, ensuring consistency while embracing a circular production model — recycling 100% of in-house...
On Wednesday, March 5, news emerged of a multi-year strategic deal between Press Metal Aluminium and Novelis Korea Limited, where the former will supply its low-carbon certified aluminium product, GEM, made with renewable energy, to the latter. Image source: Press Metal GEM is a new series of low-carbon aluminium from the house of Press Metal, emitting less than 4 tonnes of CO2 emissions per tonne of aluminium (in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions) while being produced, an ideal choice for Novelis as it aims to push the boundaries of its products by infusing up to 75 per cent of recycled content, from today's 63 per cent, in a bid to become a leading supplier of flat-rolled aluminium products with the least emissions, lower than three tonnes of CO2e. Doing justice to its name,...
Death Wish Coffee Co., the top-selling Fair Trade coffee brand in the U.S., has introduced its newest creation: premium aluminium canned lattes. Available in three bold flavours — Vanilla, Mocha, and Original — these lattes deliver the signature strength Death Wish Coffee is known for while catering to the growing demand for clean, convenient energy options. With aluminium canned coffee being the go-to choice for Gen Z and Millennials, the market has been missing a healthier alternative that aligns with their dynamic lifestyles — until now. Aluminium stands at the forefront of the circular economy thanks to its ability to be infinitely recycled without losing its original properties. In this sustainable cycle, aluminium cans emerge as the most eco-friendly beverage packaging option. Each...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) kicks-off a multi-year process to revise its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard to ensure they continue to drive the sector towards more sustainable production and responsible sourcing of aluminium. What is being revised and why? As a code compliant member of ISEAL, ASI commits to review its standards at least every five years. As part of this commitment, ASI carried out a comprehensive review of its Standards and Claims Guide in 2024. This led the ASI Board to approve a full Standards Revision, with objectives to: Incorporate more differentiation into criteria, recognizing differing levels of maturity and defining pathways for improvement Further strengthen credibility, with a greater focus on impacts and outcome-based criteria...
In the overnight session, the most-traded alumina 2505 futures contract opened at RMB 3,330 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 3,337 per tonne and a low of RMB 3,302 per tonne, and finally closed at RMB 3,313 per tonne, down 0.51 per cent. Open interest increased by 73,860 lots to 183,000 lots. Regarding spot alumina prices, on March 4, SMM alumina was quoted at RMB 3,381 per tonne, flat compared to the previous trading day. Ore Market: As of March 4, the SMM imported bauxite index stood at $95.11 per tonne, unchanged from the previous trading day. The SMM Guinea bauxite CIF average price was $93 per tonne, and the SMM Australian bauxite CIF average price was $91 per tonne, both unchanged from the previous trading day. Industry News: 1. In January, South32's Mozal smelter in Mozambique...
Over the past week, the United States and Ukraine have dominated news headlines — but not for the right reasons. After the US announced its support for Russia in blocking Ukraine's draft resolution at the United Nations, global attention shifted towards the US-Ukraine meeting held on February 28, 2025. However, what followed took an unexpected turn, leaving the world stunned. The meeting, which was meant to be a diplomatic milestone, focused on the Mineral Resources Agreement for joint investment in Ukraine's natural resources - including rare-earth elements – quickly spiralled into a heated exchange between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The talks that were intended to seal a significant partnership in the mineral and metal...
Westlake Royal Building Products™ ("Westlake Royal"), a subsidiary of Westlake, has expanded its Cedar Renditions™ aluminium siding collection. The U.S. lineup now features five new solid colours — Aluzinc, Ironstone, Charcoal, Frost, and Black Silk — while a new premium woodgrain finish, Natural Whitewash, is available in the U.S. and Canada. Image Source: Westlake Royal The new colours introduce a fresh, versatile palette, giving homeowners and designers more choices to create their ideal aesthetic. Each shade brings its own distinct character, adding depth and style to any design: Aluzinc — A sleek, metallic grey, Aluzinc delivers a modern, monochromatic look, perfect for builders and architects seeking contemporary style. Ironstone — A striking evolution of charcoal, the shade brings...
Constellium today announced the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s commitment to advancing a sustainable and circular economy. The report details Constellium’s key achievements and reports progress on the company’s targets for decarbonisation, recycling, safety, and women representation. Image Source: Linkedln "At Constellium, we are dedicated to driving sustainability forward - both through our leadership in aluminium recycling and our commitment to the well-being of our employees and communities," said Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium. “Aluminium is an extraordinary material that enhances efficiency through lightweighting and can be infinitely recycled without losing its properties. This makes it a key enabler of a low-carbon future.”...
Battery waste poses a significant environmental threat, containing substances harmful to human health and ecosystems. However, these discarded batteries also contain valuable materials like nickel, which is essential for manufacturing new batteries. Thus, the development of efficient recycling methods is more urgent than ever. Researchers at TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology) have devised an innovative process for extracting nickel from spent nickel-metal hydride batteries. But their breakthrough goes even further: By combining this recovered nickel with used aluminium foil , such as kitchen foil, they have created a nanocatalyst capable of converting CO₂ into valuable methane. This dual-purpose solution tackles the growing problem of battery waste and provides a climate-neutral...
A few years back, the word ‘nothing’ had little significance in our daily lives. But today, standing here in 2025, the tables have turned – ‘Nothing’ is not just another word but a brand that stands out in its own form. Image Source: Nothing website Premium design, fast charging & lots more Founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei in 2020, the British consumer electronics manufacturer based in London has finally unveiled its much-awaited mid-range smartphone - the (3a) and Phone (3a) Pro series. Departing from the plastic and back panel of the previous Phone (2a) and (2a) Plus, the new Phone (3a) series now features aluminium and glass, delivering a more premium feel and enhanced durability. The mid-range smartphone market has seen little innovation, leaving a gap for something new....
According to SMM data, China's metallurgical-grade alumina production in February 2025 (28 days) decreased by 8.5 per cent M-o-M but increased by 10.4 per cent Y-o-Y. As of February 28, China's metallurgical-grade alumina existing capacity was approximately 105.02 million tonnes, with operating capacity increasing by 0.3 per cent M-o-M, and the operating rate at 86.1 per cent. During the month, domestic alumina operating capacity showed mixed changes. On the addition side, previously commissioned capacity in Shandong achieved output, supporting operating capacity and production for the month. On the reduction side, some alumina producers opted for maintenance due to a sharp decline in alumina prices while ore prices remained high, leading to a pullback in operating rates. Currently, no...
The state government of Kerala, India, has begun the process of auctioning bauxite blocks in Kasaragod, according to Industries Principal Secretary A P M Mohammed Hanish. On the occasion of the GSI's foundation day celebrations, he commended the agency for identifying bauxite reserves in the district, emphasising that this discovery presents significant opportunities for the state at this time. At the event, Hanish hailed the Geological Survey of India (GSI) as an “unsung hero” for its invaluable contributions to geological research. As part of the occasion, two books—Kerala’s Geological Sentinel: Glimpses of Geological Survey of India and Reminiscences: Echoes from Office Desk to Field Adventures—were released, along with the magazine Bhoumakairali. The event also featured a technical...
China's factory activity accelerated in February, fuelled by stronger supply, rising demand, and a rebound in export orders, according to a private-sector survey released Monday. Seasonal factors linked to the holiday period also contributed to the growth. The Caixin/S&P Global manufacturing PMI climbed to 50.8 per cent, up from 50.1 per cent in January, reaching a three-month high and surpassing analysts' expectations of 50.3 per cent, as predicted in a Reuters poll. However, towards the end of December, China's aluminium demand faced a major backlash due to the construction sector's deteriorating market condition. As a result, the government introduced some extensive stimulus measures to help the industry grapple with the ongoing challenges. Spearheaded by the People's Bank of China...
In late February, domestic aluminium inventory still showed no significant improvement, with inventory buildup remaining on the "fast track." The recent upward trend in aluminium prices has also been somewhat hindered by inventory performance. According to SMM data, as of February 24, 2025, the total social inventory of domestic aluminium ingots and billets rose to 1.194 million tonnes, surpassing the key thresholds of 1 million tonnes and 1.1 million tonnes consecutively, and is now approaching the 1.2 million tonnes mark. Specifically, inventory surged 69,000 tonnes W-o-W (up 6.1 per cent), increased by 266,000 tonnes compared to the first day after the holiday (February 5), and accumulated an increase of 479,000 tonnes compared to the pre-holiday baseline (January 27). On a Y-o-Y...
