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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There is a projection looming that Vedanta’s share price will jump to a target price of INR 600 (US$6.87) following the group’s demerger plan to be executed by the first quarter of FY2025-26. This estimation will most likely materialise, if not by the end of this year, then within the next two. The projection of INR 600 per unit was initially made by a renowned India-based financial firm , Emkay Global, positioning Vedanta as a favourable investment option for those seeking medium-term returns based on expected balanced growth to be delivered by Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium, and Vedanta Power. Aligning with this outlook, Money Mint Idea, an IPO and stock market research platform, has also provided a medium-term forecast for Vedanta’s share price, projecting its trajectory up until...
Although aluminium from South Africa’s Hillside Aluminium in KwaZulu-Natal carries the value-dampening label of ‘high-carbon,’ South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, gains a value boost from the ‘low-carbon’ premium status of its other two operations, Brazil Aluminium and Mozal Aluminium. Hillside Aluminium & its decarbonisation efforts Hillside Aluminium is labelled carbon-intensive due to its reliance on coal-fired electricity. However, there’s promising news that intensive efforts are underway to explore competitive decarbonisation solutions for Hillside, the largest aluminium smelter in the southern hemisphere and a key supplier of primary aluminium to South Africa’s value-adding secondary producers. In the six months to December, South32’s operational greenhouse...
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 was up 10.4 per cent Y-o-Y. As of February 28, China's existing metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood at approximately 105.02 million tonnes, with operating capacity up 0.3 per cent M-o-M and an operating rate of 86.1 per cent. During the month, domestic alumina operating capacity showed mixed changes. On the new capacity side, production from previously commissioned capacity in Shandong supported this month's operating capacity and production. On the production cuts side, some alumina producers conducted maintenance due to a sharp decline in alumina prices while ore prices remained high, leading to a pullback in the operating rate. Currently, no...
RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, is setting up a pilot production facility for scandium oxide with an annual capacity of 1.5 tonnes. Scandium is a valuable rare earth metal, and RUSAL was the first in the world to develop and implement aluminium-scandium alloys. These alloys are used in the production of ultra-lightweight components for civil shipbuilding, railway car manufacturing, and 3D printing of high-tech prosthetics. The total global production of scandium oxide is estimated at 20-25 tonnes per year. A pilot facility for the production of 1,550 kg of scandium oxide per year is being built at RUSAL's Bogoslovsky Aluminium Smelter (Krasnoturyinsk, Sverdlovsk Region). The facility is scheduled to be commissioned by the end of 2025. Already at its pilot stage,...
The aluminium industry is at the precipice of a technological revolution. With growing demands for energy efficiency, sustainability, and productivity, industry leaders are pushing the boundaries of technological or rather digital innovation to stay ahead. Companies like Quaker Houghton, Granco Clark, Hacklab Solutions, and Hamilton Research & Technology are driving these changes, harnessing advanced technologies to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable aluminium manufacturing processes. Smart automation: The backbone of modern aluminium production Automation has evolved from a mere productivity tool to an essential component of modern aluminium plants. Granco Clark, a leader in aluminium extrusion technology, has embraced adaptive technology to optimise operations. “At Granco...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, a Malaysia-based largest aluminium smelter in Southeast Asia, has announced its fourth-quarter and full-year results of 2024, reporting stupendous financial gains supported by increased aluminium prices on LME and strong global demand. Figures and numbers revealed by Press Metal indicate a 38.55 per cent jump in net profit, reaching RM445.27 million at the end of the December quarter from RM321.39 million a year ago. For the entire year, the figure hit RM1.76 billion compared to RM1.22 billion in 2023. The company's profit before tax in Q4 was $500.4 million, reflecting an increase of 25 per cent from $400.2 million in Q3 2023. Representing continued hikes, the full-year's profit before tax reached $2.3 billion versus $1.65 billion. Press Metal managed...
The need for clean energy sources that will not release harmful greenhouse gases can be touted as one of the most important priorities. Hydrogen may seem like an obvious clean energy solution, but it comes with significant challenges — particularly its high combustion temperature, ranging from 600 to 1500 degrees Celsius. Researchers at the University of Alberta Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a new material for coatings, showing great potential for high-temperature applications like hydrogen combustion engines. This innovative coating is crafted from a superalloy containing metals such as aluminium and nickel. Dubbed AlCrTiVNi5, the new material boasts exceptional thermomechanical properties — offering high stability, low thermal expansion, fracture resistance,...
India is walking a razor’s edge. On one side, the promise of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU) — a gateway to stronger economic ties. On the other, the looming shadow of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) — the EU’s carbon tariff that threatens to squeeze India’s exports of steel, aluminium, and cement. Image Source: European Council on Foreign Relations While several countries, including China, South Africa, Russia and Brazil, have taken the EU to the World Trade Organisation regarding CBAM, rather commonly known as ‘carbon tax’, India is yet to officially take any step mostly as both the parties are on the path of negotiation for trade tariff exemption. However, India’s Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, and Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush...
Temperzone has introduced the Clever MT series, a line of all-aluminium air handling units (AHUs) designed for lightweight durability and exceptional corrosion resistance. Engineered for unmatched performance and excellence, these air handling units are lightweight, highly corrosion-resistant, and meticulously designed to deliver outstanding performance. Inclusion of aluminium The Clever MT is engineered with a robust all-aluminium construction featuring anodised aluminium profiles and base channels. The units are built with double-skinned inner and outer panels made from marine-grade 5005 aluminium, coated with protective paint and filled with high-density polyurethane foam insulation for superior thermal efficiency. The T2/TB2 panels, with a 65mm tropical profile and 50mm thermal break,...
Century Aluminum Company, a global primary aluminium producer with operations in the United States and Iceland, has posted about its booming year ended December 31, 2024, with a new 5-year high record production at Sebree, steady net sales, and increased net income amid surging energy costs and raw material prices. Image source: Century Aluminum On February 20, 2025, the company released its financial and operational results attributing all the gains to a nonrecurring benefit from a force majeure settlement, recovery from Hurricane Beryl, improved realised metal prices, and flattering Inflation Reduction Act 45X, which was an Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit to promote US production of critical minerals, including primary aluminium. For the entire year, Century reported its net...
Futures Market: During the night session, the most-traded alumina 2505 futures contract opened at RMB 3,347 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 3,385 per tonne, a low of RMB 3,320 per tonne, and closed at RMB 3,366 per tonne, up RMB 19 per tonne or 0.58 per cent, with an open interest of 170,000 lots. Spot Market: Yesterday, 13,000 tonnes of spot alumina were traded in Guizhou, including 5,000 tonnes at RMB 3,360 per tonne and 3,000 tonnes at RMB 3,465 per tonne. Ore Market: As of February 26, the SMM imported bauxite index stood at USD 96.34 per tonne, flat compared to the previous trading day. The SMM Guinea bauxite CIF average price was USD 95 per tonne, unchanged from the previous trading day, while the SMM Australian bauxite CIF average price was also USD 95 per tonne, flat compared to...
Aprilia, an Italian motorcycle and scooter manufacturer known for its high-end superbikes, naked bikes, adventure bikes, and streetfighters, has been experimenting with a carbon fibre frame for its RS-GP MotoGP race bike since 2023. As per the information, a recent patent application from parent company Piaggio reveals new structural details of the latest RS-GP prototype chassis, which combines carbon fibre and aluminium bonded with adhesive rather than bolts. Image Source: Aprilia website Use of aluminium & carbon fibre Aprilia has been actively testing carbon frames on its MotoGP bikes throughout 2023 and 2024, though it has yet to commit to using them in competition. The swingarm pivot area is primarily aluminium, with two cast components labelled "4R" and "4L" in the patent drawings....
After a transformative 2024—defined by an over 120 per cent surge in alumina prices and critical supply challenges—the bauxite and alumina industry faces pressing questions about its future. How will the sector adapt, diversify and expand to meet rising global demand? The Fastmarkets Bauxite and Alumina Conference, taking place from April 2–4, 2025, in Miami, USA, aims to provide key insights into these challenges and opportunities. This premier industry event will spotlight Indonesia’s ambitious expansion plans and their potential to reshape global trade dynamics. With Indonesia’s increasing focus on domestic refining and aluminium smelting, its role in the global supply chain could shift significantly. Experts and industry leaders will discuss the impact of these developments, helping...
This week, stocks of three Indian aluminium giants, Hindalco, NALCO and Vedanta, have slid downwards for two consecutive sessions. On February 25, shares of Nalco fell 10 per cent in two single-day trading sessions, whereas Vedanta and Hindalco lost 5 per cent to 7 per cent, respectively. Other known names, including Jindal, similarly lost up to 3 per cent on the same day. This incident was a ripple effect of ascending scepticism around tariffs coupled with muted third-quarter earnings for the current fiscal. The Nifty Metal index fell by 1.2 per cent, with 11 out of its 15 constituents in the red. Market analysts are predicting that this incident is not just a blip, but a sign of continued volatility. The shortened trading week and the impending derivatives expiry are historical factors...
Aluminum Association President & CEO Charles Johnson released the following statement on Jamieson Greer’s confirmation as US Trade Representative: “The Aluminum Association looks forward to working with Ambassador Greer to help promote a globally competitive U.S. aluminum industry while ensuring a level playing field for American manufacturers. The U.S. aluminum industry relies on strong trade enforcement as a key pillar of industry growth and investment. We commend President Trump on this outstanding selection and stand ready to work closely with Ambassador Greer and his team to support American workers, businesses and consumers." The aluminum industry supports nearly 700,000 total workers and $228 billion in economic output in the United States. Since 2016, Aluminum Association member...
Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium and steel has left many domestic industries worried about price hikes of end products, including the food retail industry, as it is one of the largest consumers of these metals, relying heavily on imports. The local and small companies of soft drinks, beer, and pre-packaged foods are bracing for price rises. Although breweries have yet to receive feedback from can manufacturers on how they expect the tariff to impact aluminium can pricing, they hope for no positive effects. "If everything goes up [to] 25 per cent, that's all the margin for a small business," said Matt Malloy, co-founder of Dorchester Brewing. "It becomes a push, and then it becomes not worth it any longer." Two weeks earlier, a giant like Coca-Cola also warned of...
Last week’s market has been all about dynamic pricing across the aluminium sector — both for AL as a product and, in turn, for the affected allied industries. The market spots records of resuming downstream production after a prolonged Chinese holiday break. Hence, owing to the growing bullish sentiment in the new-energy auto sector, prices for several key primary commodities (generally termed as primary or raw material) show distinctive trends that market participants should closely monitor. Aluminium: upward momentum with consolidated ranges Aluminium prices have registered a fair increase, with the LME average price rising by 0.46 per cent to USD 2,648 per tonne. In China, the mainstream SHFE price now stands at approximately RMB 20,720 per tonne (USD 2,890 per tonne), marking a 0.56...
New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) chief executive Chris Blenkiron announced on Tuesday, February 25 that the company will delay its planned potline ramp-up at Tiwai until August 31. Following last year's announcement to increase production, the decision aims to ensure Meridian Energy has access to 50MW of electricity during the winter months. With winter approaching, Southland's Tiwai Point aluminium smelter is preparing for what is typically a demanding season. He stated that NZAS had been gradually restoring production after implementing a 205MW demand reduction to support New Zealand during last winter's energy shortage. Due to the complexity of the ramp-down and ramp-up process, full production was not expected to resume until April. "While it is always a difficult decision to...
