Spanish racing driverFernando Alonso has added a one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse to his growing collection of rare cars. Known as chassis 8.100, the car is distinguished by bespoke aluminium bodywork that required more than 20 tonnes of aluminium to produce, along with dedicated CAD programmes developed by Bugatti. Its history is equally distinctive, being produced after an original customer pushed Bugatti to create something it had initially considered too expensive. For Alonso, the automobile fits closely with an approach to luxury he outlined in 2024 about choosing manufacturers that treat individual customers differently rather than simply producing cars in larger numbers. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global...
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...
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China continues to spearhead the global transition to renewable energy, achieving remarkable progress in 2024 with an addition of 277 GW of solar and 79 GW of wind capacity — outpacing many other nations. Image source: Freepik These new additions elevated China's total renewable energy capacity (except hydro power) to 1,407 GW, signaling a steady shift towards renewables, with solar power alone contributing 886 GW and wind power accounting for nearly 521 GW. By the end of 2024, China's renewable energy capacity accounted for 15% of the world's total installed capacity for the year alone. The rest of the world added 193 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in 2024, with the United States contributing 163 GW and India 91 GW. Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Spain followed with additions of 91 GW,...
Pilot Energy, a leader in the clean energy transition, has partnered with South32 Worsley Alumina to conduct a feasibility study on carbon capture and storage (CCS) for its operations. Launched in the quarter of January-March 2025, the study aims to evaluate the supply chain for capturing and storing up to ~700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. It will assess the onshore conditioning, transportation, and delivery of CO₂ from the alumina refining process’s flue gas streams to Pilot’s Cliff Head Carbon Storage project. However, the study is expected to be completed by Q3 2025. Depending on the findings, the study could serve as a foundation for deeper commercial and technical discussions on Worsley Alumina's decarbonisation strategies. Additionally, the results will support Pilot's...
Neveah Limited, the Nigeria-based commodities export company, announced that its aluminium and copper waste recycling plant in Mowe, Ogun State, is set to generate significant employment opportunities. According to Ibidapo Lawal, the company’s CEO, the facility will create 40,000 direct jobs and an additional 6,000 indirect jobs for Nigerians. Lawal also highlighted the plant’s environmental impact, stating it will cut Nigeria’s carbon emissions by approximately 377,460 tonnes annually — the equivalents of taking 82,000 cars off the road. Lawal described the facility as a major milestone for Nigeria’s industrial and environmental landscape, emphasising Neveah Limited’s dedication to sustainability and economic progress. “The facility is projected to generate over $100 million in annual...
According to SMM statistics, China's automotive sheet production in 2024 totalled approximately 492,000 tonnes, an increase of about 8,000 tonnes compared to 2023. The growth rate continued to slow but remained positive. By year-end 2024, there were eight domestic companies with stable automotive sheet production capabilities, with a combined annual capacity of approximately 1 million tonnes. However, nearly 300,000 tonnes of automotive sheet capacity was still under preparation or commissioning. Currently, the domestic market primarily uses automotive sheets for the four doors and two hoods of vehicles, including 5182 and 5754 automotive inner panels, as well as 6014 and 6016 automotive outer panels. The processing fee ranges were 8,000-12,000 (excluding tax) and 10,000-14,000 (excluding...
This week, the operating rate of leading enterprises in China's downstream aluminium processing sector continued its mild post-holiday recovery, up 1.1 percentage points W-o-W to 59.8 per cent. By segment, the operating rate of primary aluminium alloy slightly increased WoW, with production momentum constrained by aluminium price corrections and inventory pressure. Aluminium plate/sheet and strip benefited from a rebound in automotive and battery demand, pushing the operating rate to 68.6 per cent, with further improvement expected under peak season expectations. The operating rate of aluminium wire and cable continued to rebound, supported by restocking demand, but struggled to rebound due to insufficient new orders. Aluminium extrusion saw a slight increase in operating rate, with...
The Australian mining and exploration company Metro Mining announced its 2024 annual results, highlighting the successful commissioning of the Ikamba Offshore Floating Terminal (OFT) and port infrastructure upgrades. Following the commissioning in Q2, the Bauxite Hills Mine achieved a steady operational capacity aligned with the expansion target of 7 million wet metric tonnes (WMT) per annum in the final quarter. This milestone contributed to a total shipped production of 5.7 million WMT for the year, marking a 24 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Metro recorded 30 per cent year-on-year revenue growth, reaching $307 million, driven by record shipments and a strong pricing environment. Site EBITDA margins stood at $13.8 per WMT in Q3 and improved to $17.4 per WMT in Q4,...
PV aluminium extrusion: Recently, the PV aluminium extrusion industry has seen a rebound in orders driven by policy support and demand boosts from distributed installations. SMM survey shows that leading enterprises have experienced an increase in order volumes compared to the beginning of the year. By the end of February, some downstream module manufacturers raised their procurement volumes for frames, with distributed projects contributing the main increment. Demand is expected to further rebound in April-May. However, despite the rising market enthusiasm, the industry's profit margins remain under pressure. With high raw material costs, many enterprises are caught in the dilemma of "volume discount." Currently, top-tier enterprises maintain stable supply through large-scale production,...
Hongqi, one of China's oldest and largest automotive groups (owned by FAW Group), has officially launched the Tiangong 05, an all-electric midsize sedan and the first model in the Tiangong series. Available in four variants, the vehicle is priced between RMB 159,800 and RMB 185,800. About Tiangong 05 Drawing inspiration from the Hongqi E009 concept car, the Tiangong 05 seamlessly blends signature design elements with a sleek, modern aesthetic. The front showcases a closed-off grille, distinctive leaf-shaped headlights, and Hongqi's iconic red emblem, creating a striking visual presence. The side profile features an elegant fastback silhouette with a dynamic, upward-sweeping waistline, adding a sense of motion even at a standstill. At the rear, L-shaped taillights echo Hongqi's evolving...
From the early-mid month of February 2025, Australia has been actively seeking an exemption from the United States' 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel, claiming the country's contribution to the US domestic market trade surplus as a key justification for securing an exemption. During this process, optimism briefly flickered in the Australian market when US President Donald Trump hinted at a possible reprieve, describing Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as "a very fine man." The hope was further fuelled following a positive phone call between Albanese and Trump on February 11, where they discussed the Aukus defence pact, critical minerals, and mutual foreign investments. Albanese said after the call, "Our aluminium is a critical input for manufacturing in the United...
Policy tweaks have played a major role in the European carbon prices — but in the recent couple of days what seems to be the real driver behind is investor behaviour. As the European Commission tweaks with its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), traders and funds are calling the shots, slashing positions in the EU market while doubling down in the UK. Image Source: https://www.worldbank.org/ Investor exodus hits EUAs European carbon allowances (EUAs) fell during the week ending February 28, with December 2025 contracts trading at EURO 72.26 per tonne CO2e (USD 75.19 per tonne CO2e) at 12:45 GMT, down about 4 per cent from the previous week, according to Intercontinental Exchange data. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, pegged the December 2025 EUA contract at EURO 72.72...
In the early trading session, SHFE aluminium front-month contract fluctuated. As it was the weekend, downstream restocking combined with active trading by traders improved the activity in the spot market today. Specifically, in East China, trading was active, and spot discounts remained unchanged from the previous trading day. Today, SMM A00 aluminium ingot recorded a discount of 30 yuan/mt against the SHFE 2503 contract, with SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices at RMB 20,600 per tonne, up RMB 50 per tonne from the previous trading day. In the central China market, being the weekend, trading activity continued to improve during the day. Coupled with some inventory being hedged, the circulation rate was relatively low, and traders took the opportunity to stand firm on quotes. Today, the...
This week has been highly eventful for the upstream aluminium industry, especially the primary aluminium sector, which has dominated the headlines. The industry is going through a rough time with news of sanctions and tariffs hitting the market. To begin with, the voice of the entire aluminium value chain in Europe (European Aluminium) welcomed the inclusion of primary aluminium in the EU's 16th sanctions package against Russia. The new sanctions cover key aluminium product categories, such as ingots, slabs, and billets, under the trade code HS 7601. On the other hand, Alcoa, a leading global aluminium producer, recently raised concerns that the proposed 25 per cent tariffs could result in over 100,000 job losses. These developments highlight the immense challenges the aluminium industry...
Women with Metal is thrilled to unveil the exceptional line-up of keynote speakers for its third annual conference, scheduled to take place on 8th October 2025 in Birmingham, UK. This year’s event promises to be an inspiring gathering of industry leaders, advocates, and innovators who are shaping the future of the metal sector and beyond. The Women with Metal Conference 2025 is committed to fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and celebrating diversity in the industry. **Keynote Speakers for 2025 Jeremy Stockdale and Steph Snade Returning to the Women with Metal stage, Jeremy Stockdale, CEO of Ylead, and Steph Snade, a Business Psychologist and founder of the Limitless Leadership programme, will deliver a joint interactive presentation on the fascinating topic of gender communication...
Impact Minerals Limited (“IPT” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it is undertaking a 2 for 7 renounceable rights issue (“Rights Issue”) at $0.006 per share to raise up to approximately $5.2 million (before costs). For every 2 new shares subscribed for, eligible shareholders will receive 1 free attaching new option with an exercise price of $0.015, each expiring 2.5 years after the date of their issue. The Company will apply for quotation of the new shares and the new options on the ASX. Image Source: https://www.waminingclub.asn.au/ Chairman Peter Unsworth said: "This equity raising marks a pivotal moment for the Company and its shareholders. The Lake Hope Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) is now in its final phase, following the successful completion of crucial test work that,...
On Friday, spot primary aluminium rose by RMB 50 per tonne compared to the previous trading day, with SMM A00 spot price closing at RMB 20,600 per tonne. Aluminium scrap market quotations fluctuated rangebound following aluminium prices. Today's concentrated quotations for baled UBC aluminium scrap were at RMB 15,050-15,850 per tonne (excluding tax), and shredded aluminium tense scrap was quoted at RMB 16,350-17,950 per tonne (liquid aluminium, excluding tax). In the short term, with the resumption of work and production in the upstream and downstream of aluminium scrap, the pressure on aluminium scrap procurement in the market has eased. However, constrained by the generally weak downstream demand, there has been no significant improvement, and aluminium scrap prices may fluctuate...
The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) has launched a State of the Aluminium Industry Survey to build a comprehensive picture of the UK aluminium sector, identify key growth opportunities, and drive strategic policy engagement with government and stakeholders. Image source: LikedIn (ALFED) As the voice of the UK aluminium industry, ALFED is committed to ensuring that businesses across the entire value chain – producers, processors, recyclers, and end-users – have their priorities heard and represented. This survey will provide crucial insights into market challenges, investment needs, sustainability drivers, and trade concerns, helping to shape ALFED’s work in advocating for the industry at both policy and commercial levels. Why this survey matters The UK aluminium sector is at a pivotal...
Muscat Trailers is more than just a manufacturer of transport solutions; it's a business built on passion, innovation, and a deep commitment to quality. For nearly 50 years, Muscat has been crafting trailers that stand the test of time, supporting industries such as mining, sand and gravel cartage, and heavy logistics. At the helm of this legacy is Troy Azzopardi, CEO of Muscat Trailers, who has been immersed in the business since childhood. "I just love trailers," Troy says. "We try to create a bit of an experience and give customers their own unique touch. There's always a story behind a trailer—who we built it for, where it's going—so there's more to it than just what you see." Founded by Maurice Azzopardi, Troy's father, in partnership with Paul Muscat, the company has grown...
Metso is launching the HPGRSense™ solution for optimising grinding efficiency through accurate monitoring of its HRC™e high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR). Unique to the market, the HPGRSense™ is a stand-alone system that provides continuous simultaneous monitoring of the rolls, eliminating the need to stop the process for inspections. “HPGRSense™ is transforming roll inspection and wear measurement on HPGR rolls while avoiding the limitations of existing laser-based solutions. HPGRSense™ safely and remotely gives operators full visibility to the rolls’ condition during operation, thereby increasing their understanding of the rolls’ state. The scanning device uses an array of sensors to inspect the roll surface and, in combination with advanced analytics, to detect anomalies and measure...
