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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The international organisation representing aluminium aerosol cans manufacturers (AEROBAL) has reportedly announced the winners of the industry's prestigious competition, the World Aluminium Aerosol Can Awards 2024. This year, top brands like Adidas, Grand Tongo, etc. bagged prizes under different categories. With its rigorous standards, the globally renowned AEROBAL Award has become a benchmark for outstanding performance in the aluminium aerosol can industry, attracting participants and recognition from around the world. The awards, judged by an international panel of trade journalists from the top can and packaging magazines, including World Aerosols, recognise excellence in three categories: 'Aluminium Aerosol Cans Already on the Market,' 'Prototypes,' and 'Sustainability.'...
Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, has again bagged recognition for its energy-efficient practices at Lanjigarh alumina refinery. This time, the company received several awards at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) National Energy Efficiency Circle Competition 2024. Vedanta has reportedly obtained the first prize in the 'Best Energy Efficient Designated Consumer (under BEE-PAT scheme)' category and acquired several acclamations in the categories of 'Best Energy Efficient Organisation (Large Sector)' and 'Best Managed Electrical System for Energy Efficiency'. These awards testify to Vedanta's commitment to responsible business operations while addressing sustainability concerns. At present, more than 29 energy efficiency projects are in progress at Vedanta's...
The use of aluminium in trains has steadily increased in recent years and is likely to continue in the years to come. Aluminium can cut the total weight of a rail car body by half, making it a critical component in the railway industry’s shift. Aluminium is crucial in modernising trains and boosting energy efficiency. INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is set to become the first U.S. airport to utilise the INNOVIA 300 APM vehicles, featuring regenerative braking system. The outer layer of the INNOVIA 300 APM is composed of aluminium, thus indicating a steady increase in its use for train bodies. An APM (Automated People Mover) is a fully automatic system without drivers and usually moves along on a flat plane, which differentiates it from funicular railways....
Bahrain's non-oil exports have shown a positive upward trend, increasing by 4 per cent to reach BHD337 million (USD 894.31 million) in July 2024, up from BHD323 million in July 2023, according to a newly released report from the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA). The July 2024 Foreign Trade report offers a detailed overview of Bahrain's trade performance, highlighting that the top 10 export destinations accounted for 68 per cent of the total export value. Saudi Arabia emerged as Bahrain's leading export destination, with exports totalling BHD61 million (18 per cent). This was followed by the United States, which received BHD28 million (8 per cent), and the UAE, which received BHD25 million (7 per cent). In terms of product categories, 'Agglomerated Iron Ores and Concentrates...
According to a recent report, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) will most likely obtain a major stake in Spectro Alloys Corporation, the world’s leading recycling company headquartered in the United States, subject to regulatory approvals. The news came after EGA and Spectro Alloys signed an equity purchase agreement, according to which EGA would acquire 80 per cent of the recycling company. As per the report, the transaction is expected to close during the third quarter of 2024. Upon acquiring a stake in Spectro Alloys, EGA will expand its business in the United States and gain further recognition in the global aluminium recycling industry. EGA has been solidifying its identity in the worldwide recycling industry by recently acquiring a German speciality foundry, Leichmetall . Expanding...
As part of a bold move to protect local jobs and the North American auto industry, Ryan Williams, MP for the Bay of Quinte, Canada, will reportedly submit a motion in Parliament on August 21, 2024, questioning the Federal Government's stance on tariffs for electric vehicles imported from China. In a press release issued by his office, Williams expressed concern that the influx of Chinese electric vehicles poses a significant threat to the livelihood of North American auto workers. He emphasised the potential impact on local jobs in Belleville, particularly at automotive parts manufacturers Magna International and Hanon Systems. Williams stated in the release, “We have an integrated North American automotive industry that employs 500,000 people in Canada, including car dealers, auto part...
ABx Group, a uniquely positioned, high-tech Australian company delivering materials for a cleaner future, recently advocated rare earth elements, green metals like aluminium, and clean energy from the perspective of environmental well-being. ABx Group's managing director, Dr Mark Cooksey, took the discussion straight to the Parliament House, explaining Australia can become a clean energy superpower just by increasing aluminium production and supporting local rare earth projects. Representing the aluminium industry, Dr Cooksey illustrated their roadmap to develop local rare earth supply chains. In addition, he explained the role of ABx Group in the Australian Aluminium Council and the importance of aluminium to Australia's sustainable future, and also provided insights into the $474,126.21...
Overnight, LME 3M aluminium opened at US$2,482.5 per tonne, with a high of US$2,495 per tonne, a low of US$2,452.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,479 per tonne, down US$23 per tonne or 0.92 per cent. On Wednesday, August 21, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by US$8.5 per tonne or 0.34 per cent and US$8 per tonne or 0.32 per cent to settle at US$2,442.50 per tonne and US$2,443 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price ascended by US$11 per tonne or 0.44 per cent to peg at US$2,477 per tonne and US$2,477.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price added US$10 per tonne or 0.38 per cent to dock at US$2,613 per tonne and US$2,618 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 877950 tonnes. Live warrants and...
In response to an unwavering commitment to upgrade its employees on latest technology and knowledge for improved daily operations, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has collaborated with the Nasser Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Centre (NAIRDC), the research and development arm of the Nasser Vocational Training Centre (NVTC), to deliver a comprehensive three-day course on 'Advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Applications in Industry 4.0' to 35 of its employees. This three-day course offers a wide array of knowledge on artificial intelligence, touching upon some of the critical points that would help employees enhance their daily operations, complementing the future trend. The topics include modern applications, future trends, and fundamentals of generative AI and prompt...
Exlabesa, an aluminium extrusion manufacturing company with the conviction of bringing imaginations to life, is reportedly expanding its recycling capacity to produce recycled aluminium billet at a plant in the province of A Coruña, Spain, installing technology once again supplied by Hertwich Engineering, an SMS group company. As per the report, Hertwich will supply a continuous homogenising furnace equipped with an air cooling station, a long-billet stacker, and a semi-automatic PET strapping system. This new furnace will exclusively produce recycled aluminium billet from post-consumer scrap, complementing the existing second melting furnace at the plant. The new furnace is designed to produce aluminium billets with a diametre of 178 to 406 millimetres and a length of 7 metres. The...
Thailand’s Foreign Trade Department has launched an anti-dumping investigation into the import of aluminium extrusions from China. This action comes in response to complaints from domestic steel manufacturers who argue that the increasing volume of imports is affecting local production. Ministry to launch an investigation Caretaker Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has announced that the ministry is launching an investigation as part of a broader effort to manage the growing influx of Chinese goods into Thailand. A ministry source, speaking anonymously, revealed that Phumtham has instructed relevant agencies to implement policies and measures to safeguard local industries. “With the trade war happening, local steel operators are concerned about Chinese steel products being dumped in...
Baotou Aluminum (Group) Co., Ltd., a first-class large enterprise in China with ten aluminium smelting enterprises, has reportedly installed the first wind turbine of self-owned power plant, which replaced the 1200 MW new energy project in Damaoqi with renewable energy. This action is in line with Baotou Aluminum’s dual carbon goals, aimed at accelerating the company’s transformation to a clean energy power supply for smelting. Baotou Aluminum’s coal-fired power plant with renewable energy project is located in Damao Qi, Baotou City, in Inner Mongolia, China. The project has a renewable energy generation capacity of 1,200 MW, encompassing 1000 MW wind power, 200 MW photovoltaic, two 220kV booster stations, delivery lines and Baotou demonstration project 900,000 kW lines. The project is...
Christian Mabey, Managing Director of Optima Products, has raised concerns over the increasing influx of Russian aluminium into the UK market despite ongoing sanctions, as published in The Manufacturer. According to Mabey, Russian aluminium is finding its way into the UK through third-party vendors in Eastern Europe and other regions, undermining the intended impact of the sanctions. Mabey highlighted that the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical crisis continues to cause significant disruptions across global supply chains, particularly in the metals markets. As a leading UK manufacturer and installer of aluminium-framed glass partitions, Optima Products plays a crucial role in the UK market and is heavily reliant on aluminium, making the company particularly sensitive to market fluctuations. "The...
Link Powder Coating has advanced its sustainability efforts by selecting Capral's LocAl® Green lower-carbon aluminium. This strategic choice demonstrates their dedication to environmental responsibility. Capral's LocAl® Green aluminium is produced as primary aluminium using alternative energy sources, which results in a significantly reduced embodied carbon footprint. "At eight kilograms of carbon emissions per kilogram of aluminium, the LocAl Green offer has significantly lower carbon emissions than the current global average for primary aluminium. It gives Australian manufacturers an important opportunity to make more responsible procurement decisions when they source extruded aluminium," said Luke Hawkins, Divisional GM Industrial and Supply Chain. Link Powder Coating’s sustainable...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) survey, as of August 21, 2024, China's domestic A00 aluminium ingot price has continued to increase by RMB 100 per tonne to officially close at RMB 19,590 per tonne . China's domestic A00 aluminium ingot price has risen for the fifth consecutive day in tandem with the increased price of the ore owing to tight supply and heightened demand. Today, the average prices of A00 aluminium ingot are expected to range between RMB 19570 per tonne and RMB 19,610 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 100-60 per tonne. China's low-carbon aluminium price has increased by RMB 85 per tonne to close at RMB 20,440 per tonne, marking a week-on-week increase of 3.09 per cent from RMB 19,827 per tonne. The price of high-purity...
According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s primary aluminium imports in July 2024 recorded a month-on-month rise of 7.2 per cent and a year-on-year increase of 11.4 per cent. With the latest hike, China’s primary aluminium imports in July reached 129,900 tonnes, bringing the cumulative import volume in the first seven months of the year to 1.349 million tonnes, up 124 per cent Y-o-Y. The customs data even showed China’s primary aluminium exports were at nearly 190,000 tonnes, moving up by 169.4 per cent month-on-month but down by 16.7 per cent year-on-year. From January to July, China exported 47,200 tonnes of primary aluminium, about 41 per cent less than a year ago. Taking into account the export volume, China’s net import volume of primary aluminium came in at 111,000...
Novelis Inc., a global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions and the foremost authority in aluminium rolling and recycling, is pleased to announce the successful fulfilment of its Green Bond financial commitments. This milestone highlights Novelis' unwavering commitment to sustainability, supported by substantial investments in environmentally-friendly projects. In its third Green Bond Report, Novelis outlines how these investments are fostering innovation and driving progress toward the company's objectives of reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption, water usage, and landfill waste. The projects featured in the Novelis Green Bond Report showcase the company's dedication to fostering innovation, advancing a circular economy for aluminium, and contributing to a more sustainable...
The eastern Indian state of Jharkhand has taken a significant step toward imposing new taxes on mineral production, a move poised to increase the prices of key resources such as coal to bauxite. According to sources familiar with the matter, the state assembly has passed the Jharkhand Mineral Bearing Land Cess Bill, which now awaits the governor's assent before becoming law. Once enacted, the bill will impose a tax of INR 100 ($1.19) per tonne on coal and iron ore production. Jharkhand, a key player in the Indian mineral industry, is one of the nation's leading coal-producing states and rich in iron ore, bauxite, and manganese reserves. This legislative move follows a recent Supreme Court of India ruling that granted Indian states the authority to impose additional levies on mining...
