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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Following Donald Trump's firm statement —"No exemptions, no exceptions" on a 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium and steel on Tuesday, February 11—India’s state-owned National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has come up with valuable insights into the potential impact on global price trends. NALCO emphasised that these tariffs are likely to weigh on global aluminium prices, much like the effects seen in late 2018, 2019, and 2020 after similar trade measures were imposed during Trump’s first term. After Donald Trump introduced an additional 10 per cent tariff on aluminium and 25 per cent on steel in 2018, the average global aluminium price on London Metal Exchange dropped to $1,931.45 per tonne at the end of the same year, which further decreased in the succeeding years to an...
ABX Group has declared the termination of its prior 2017 agreement with Core Refining, stating that the company is no longer in requirement of intellectual property (IP) for its ALCORE Project located in Tasmania. The Core Refining IP was initially licenced to ABX for the refinement purpose of various types of raw material with fluorine acids, subsequently producing aluminium fluoride from bauxite. The operation project took place under ABX’s 83 per cent owned subsidiary, ALCORE. This picture is for reference purposes only The termination aligns with ALCORE’s recent transition to the continuous pilot plant stage, following a lease agreement with Rio Tinto (ASX: RIO) for an industrial facility near the Bell Bay aluminium smelter in northern Tasmania. ABX, which has a market capitalisation...
Rio Tinto has donated AUD 750,000 to support disaster relief efforts for those impacted by the widespread floods in North Queensland. This picture is for reference purposes only The funds will support the work of key organisations, including the Queensland Royal Flying Doctors Service (RFDS) and the Queensland Red Cross, which are providing medical care, running evacuation centres and helping people recover from the disaster. Rio Tinto Chief Executive, Australia, Kellie Parker said, “Our hearts go out to everyone in the communities affected by the devastating floods, who include our team members and local suppliers and partners.” “We’re grateful for the extraordinary efforts of the Queensland Red Cross and the Queensland Royal Flying Doctors and hope this contribution helps them continue...
European Aluminium, the voice of the entire European aluminium value chain, expresses deep concern over the recent announcement from the U.S. regarding the imposition of a 25 per cent tariff on all aluminium imports. This move threatens to disrupt transatlantic trade relations between two strong economic partners. "The EU and the U.S. have developed robust, interconnected supply chains through years of trade and investment, with many of our members operating on both sides of the Atlantic. Tariffs will drive up costs in the U.S. and distort trade flows all over the world. Ultimately, they will disrupt the efficiency and integration of global markets at a time when stability is most needed," said Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium. The EU exported around 309,000 tonnes worth...
The latest report by Metal Packaging Europe and European Aluminium shows that the overall recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland was 75% (74.6%). Although a slight drop (1%), the total amount of aluminium recycled from cans continued to increase to a record level of 580,000 tonnes, an increase of 10,000 tonnes (or 1.7%) on the previous year. This represents a total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions saving of 5.4 million tonnes of CO₂eq (equivalent to the annual amount of GHG produced by a European city of more than half a million inhabitants like Oslo or Genoa2). The increase in recycled aluminium volume reflects a higher overall consumption of aluminium beverage cans in 2022 which resulted in more cans entering the...
In a debate-worthy move, US President Donald Trump has announced a 25 per cent tariff on all steel and aluminium imports, leaving major trade partners scrambling to negotiate exemptions. The tariffs, set to take effect on March 4, 2025, have been met with widespread criticism and warnings of potential trade wars. The United States, a significant importer of steel and aluminium, sources nearly a quarter of its steel from foreign suppliers, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute. Its dependence on aluminium is even greater. Key suppliers include neighbouring Canada and Mexico, as well as several Asian allies. Trump has stated that the tariffs will be implemented “without exceptions or exemptions,” a decision that has prompted varied reactions from global partners. Canada...
Chinalco Shanxi New Materials commissioned the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association to assess two key achievements: the "Comprehensive Utilisation and Industrial Application of Secondary Aluminum Ash in Clinker Kiln Resources" and the "R&D and Application of an Automated Aluminum Bar Cutting Device." Image Source: MDPI After reviewing technical reports, examining data, and engaging in discussions, the expert panel concluded that both projects have achieved an internationally leading level of scientific and technological advancement. The project on the comprehensive utilisation and industrial application of secondary aluminium ash in clinker kilns has successfully developed innovative technologies and processes for the collaborative resource utilisation of secondary aluminium ash...
The first batch of cathode sets for the Indonesia Beijia electrolytic aluminium project, supplied by Shenyang Institute, was successfully shipped from Lianyungang on Friday January 10, 2025. The project is a joint venture between Indonesia's Adaro Group and China's Liqin Resources, with Shenyang Institute overseeing the engineering design. The 500kA electrolytic cell features key technical equipment, including the cathode carbon block group, which incorporates Shenyang Institute’s latest energy-saving technology. Since 2013, Shenyang Institute has been dedicated to the research, development, and design of a new energy-saving cathode group for aluminium electrolytic cells. Grounded in the theory of interface fluctuation, this technology optimises the cathode group’s conductive structure to...
In a policy shift announcement on Monday, February 10, the United States government has brought forth the decree to implement a 25 per cent tariff on all primary aluminium imports, effective March 4, 2025. The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump, aims to bolster the country’s domestic aluminium industry and address long-standing concerns over unfair international trade practices. US aluminium imports in 2024 from top 10 countries worldwide The newly enforced tariff removes previous exemptions and quota deals, closing loopholes that had allowed nearly 75 per cent of aluminium imports to bypass tariffs. Domestic entities anticipate this move will benefit American aluminium producers, including Century Aluminum, a leading primary aluminium manufacturer based in Chicago. Century...
The Back British Metals (BBM) initiative has reinforced its commitment to positioning the UK metals industry as a key driver of economic growth, innovation, and national resilience following a pivotal meeting with Chris McDonald MP. With growing political backing, BBM is playing a leading role in ensuring that metals, a sector omitted as a growth sector from the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy, are recognised as an industry of opportunity that underpins national infrastructure, defence, advanced manufacturing, and sustainability. At the latest BBM strategy meeting, industry leaders and key stakeholders gathered to outline priorities for the sector in the short, medium and long term. The discussions focused on the sector’s global competitiveness, investment potential and its place in...
Jiangsu Synprim Metal Materials Technology Co ., Ltd has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) with Provisional status for aluminium cutting processes and packaging and sales management activities at their facility in Jiangsu, China. The Provisional Certification is valid for a period of one year, during which the company can address the non-conformances assessed and subsequently seek full Certification. Today, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that Jiangsu Synprim Metal Materials Technology Co ., Ltd has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 with provisional status. The facility’s processes comprise shearing, processing, and selling aluminium rolls, primarily used in computers, communications, and consumer electronics (3C) products. The ASI...
The global primary aluminium production in 2024 reached 72.7 million tonnes (approx.). With demand continuing to rise, it is expected that production will also further increase in the coming years, leading to more environmental challenges. As a result, in order to tackle or overcome these hurdles, it is essential to establish various sustainable initiatives that will help the industry fight against increased CO2 emissions. Image Source: FreePik Arctus Aluminium’s carbon free aluminium production One such initiative has been developed by Iceland-based Arctus Aluminium. Unlike conventional methods, the company is developing a smelting technology that uses inert anodes, which generate oxygen instead of CO2. Additionally, Arctus Aluminium has joined the European REVEAL project, which seeks to...
In the early trading session today, SHFE aluminium front-month contract fluctuated, pulling back slightly compared to the night session, but the price centre moved higher, with overall market transactions remaining moderate. Specifically, trading in East China continued to recover. After discussions on today's futures market centre, market transactions did not weaken, and downstream buyers also expressed bullish sentiment, supporting spot premiums/discounts to stand firm on quotes. Today, SMM A00 aluminium ingot premiums/discounts against the SHFE 2502 contract stood at a discount of RMB 40 per tonne, flat from the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices recorded RMB 20,590 per tonne, up RMB 180 per tonne from the previous trading day. In the central China market, overall...
Novelis Inc., the international arm of Hindalco Industries Limited and the world leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, has announced its third-quarter results demonstrating a further downfall in financial performance. According to Steve Fisher, president and CEO of Novelis Inc., the increased competition in the scrap aluminium industry, with many more players joining, is creating significant pressure on pricing and eventually impacting their financial results. According to the Q3 report, Novelis' net income stood at $110 million, further down by 14 per cent from $128 million in the previous quarter and 9 per cent lower than $121 million during the corresponding period of the last year. Net income attributable to common shareholders, excluding special items, was $119 million versus...
A towering stack of electric vehicle batteries dominates the courtyard of Erlos Produktion und Montagen GmbH recycling plant in a remote corner of eastern Germany. Soon, its counterpart will rise in Israel, spearheaded by a partnership led by veteran car importer Colmobil. The Erlos facility is one of the few in Germany dedicated to recycling electric vehicle batteries. Image Source: Erlos plant in Germany (Peter Fenes) The upcoming facility Set to open by the end of next year, the $10 million facility is under construction in Neot Hovav, where it will handle batteries from wrecked cars, end-of-life units, and defective stock. This milestone marks a major achievement for Erlos and its equipment supplier, Peter Hessler, as they extend their expertise beyond Germany's borders. Colmobil is...
The Eastern regional wing of the Institute of Indian Foundrymen (IIF) has hosted the 73rd Indian Foundry Congress concurrently with the Indian Foundry Exhibition IFEX 2025. The event was held in Kolkata’s Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan between February 9, 2025, and February 11, 2025, and welcomed exhibitors from around the globe to Eastern Indian experience of an exciting and stimulating event which focussed on bringing together foundry fraternity while opening the gates for them on latest trends, technologies and markets for the foundry sector while enabling them to explore & forge new business alliances & opportunities. The main highlights were a conglomeration of IFEX, CAST INDIA EXPO, CAST SOURCE Meet, panel discussions, case studies, success stories, NRI Foundry Forum, CEOs Meet, and...
In response to the new aluminium and steel tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump, just days after postponing tariffs on North American neighbours, the European Commission is committed to taking action to protect the interests of the European Union. Describing Trump's tariff measures as unjustified and meaningless,, the European Commission said, "We will react to protect the interests of European businesses, workers, and consumers from unjustified actions. However, it will await formal notification before deciding on a response." On Sunday, Donald Trump said he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel imports just like he did during his first term, citing national security concerns. In 2018, he levied a 25 per cent duty on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium,...
During the January cycle (January 7 to February 7), SMM prebaked anode prices continued their upward trend. The February 2025 procurement benchmark price of a certain aluminium smelter in Shandong was RMB 4,110 per tonne, up 2.11 per cent M-o-M. According to SMM, February prebaked anode export order prices followed the rise in domestic raw material prices, with adjustments ranging from $12-40 per tonne. As of now, SMM's prebaked anode prices in east China closed at RMB 4,110-6,550 per tonne. Raw material side: During this cycle, petroleum coke prices experienced significant increases, particularly around the Chinese New Year holiday. The rise in the low-sulphur petroleum coke market was mainly driven by low refinery inventory levels in north-east China, combined with stockpiling demand...
