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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According to SMM statistics, the comprehensive operating rate of China's aluminium wire and cable industry in January 2025 was 40.85 per cent, down 10.16 per cent M-o-M and 8.34 per cent Y-o-Y compared to January 2024. Image source: Made-in-China The main reason was that the Chinese New Year holiday in 2024 occurred later, leading to relatively delayed shutdowns. The operating rate of large enterprises in January recorded a M-o-M decline of 11.64 per cent to 47.56 per cent, medium-sized enterprises fell 10.14 per cent M-o-M to 39.31 per cent, and small enterprises dropped 11.02 per cent M-o-M to 16.10 per cent. In Q1 2025, order delivery was not urgent. During the first half of January, most enterprises maintained a normal production pace with steady shipments. However, as the month...
At the beginning of 2025, primary aluminium and its essential raw materials witnessed some significant developments in key areas like production, value, projects, and trade policies. Additionally, advancements in technology, sustainability initiatives, and geopolitical factors occurred and reshaped the industry's future. The downstream sector has not shied away from some critical progress driven by rising demand and a strong push towards sustainability. Staying informed about these critical updates is important for gaining valuable insights into the current market, anticipating potential market dynamics, adapting strategies, and making well-informed strategic decisions for business growth. So, here's to the top 20 headlines from across the aluminium value chain in January 2025. Updates...
Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate has recently invested Nguyet Minh 2 Trading-Services-Environment Joint Stock Company (NM2), a Vietnamese company specialising in aluminium recycling. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's largest consumer of beverage cans, and the growing middle-income demographic is expected to drive a rise in aluminium scrap generation. Image Source: NM2 website Additionally, with increasing environmental awareness, Vietnam has implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy to establish a resource-circulating economy. As part of its mid-term management strategy, Marubeni has prioritised a green strategy to enhance corporate value, recognising the aluminium industry as a key driver in the transition to a...
Setting the stage for transformative discussions, Sanjay Mehta, President of MRAI, passionately advocated for the power of individual action. Inspired by Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), he emphasised, "LiFE is about becoming 'Pro-Planet People.' Changing the world begins with changing ourselves. Recycling, when done thoughtfully, can reduce the strain on nature. We must start at home, in offices, and in factories by practising proper segregation." His compelling words reverberated with attendees, urging a fundamental shift in how society perceives and manages waste. Recycling, he accentuated, should be a conscious practice, not just a regulatory tick-box. Reflecting on the conference's impact, Sanjay Mehta (President, MRAI) remarked,...
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has scheduled a call with U.S. President Donald Trump to advocate for Australia’s exemption from the newly imposed 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminium. The announcement of these tariffs triggered a sharp market reaction, wiping *$15 billion off the ASX. The benchmark ASX200 dropped 0.5 per cent within the first hour of trading. During Question Time on January 10, 2025, Prime Minister Albanese confirmed the planned conversation with President Trump, emphasising that discussions on the matter would be conducted through diplomatic channels. The Prime Minister said, "Australian companies have significant investments in the US steel industry, creating thousands of jobs in both the US and Australia." "We will continue to make the case for...
US President Donald Trump intends to impose 25 per cent tariffs on all aluminium and steel imports. While speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said he would apply tariffs on metals imported from all countries, without sharing the timeline when duties would take effect. Image soure: Britannica He also hinted at the implementation of reciprocal tariffs as early as this week on nations that impose duties on US imports. These moves are the latest in a series of tariff measures Trump has pursued since the inauguration of his second presidential term. Trump’s latest plan to impose tariffs on all aluminium and steel tariffs came as a surprise to many overseas buyers and sellers after the grant of a 30-day reprieve to Canada and Mexico just last week. Moreover, buyers and sellers...
Gränges has successfully issued a five-year senior unsecured green bond of SEK 600 million under the company’s Medium-Term Note (MTN) program. The green bond is due in 2030 and carries a coupon rate of three-month Stibor plus 1.30 per cent. The issuance attracted strong interest from investors, with an order book exceeding SEK 2.2 billion. The proceeds from this green bond will be allocated to eligible green projects in line with Gränges’ Green Finance framework. "This successful inaugural green bond issuance underscores our commitment to sustainability and highlights the confidence investors have in Gränges’ strategic direction", said Gränges’ CFO, Oskar Hellström. Danske Bank and Handelsbanken acted as Joint Lead Managers on the transaction and Structuring Advisors on the Finance...
Japan’s aluminium industry in 2024 has been a tale of two contrasting trends—rising primary aluminium imports but weakening domestic demand. While imports grew by 1.9 per cent to 1.05 million tonnes, domestic consumption continued to decline, especially in key sectors such as construction and automotive. Changing import dynamics Japan’s import landscape saw significant shifts in 2024. Australia remained the country’s top supplier, exporting nearly 300,000 tonnes and accounting for over 28 per cent of total imports. Brazil followed with 170,000 tonnes, representing 16 per cent of imports. However, the most striking changes were in shipments from the UAE and India, which increased sharply, offsetting the steep drop in Russian supplies. India’s aluminium exports to Japan surged by 25 per...
According to customs data, in December 2024, China's imports of unwrought aluminium alloy reached 105,600 tonnes, down 6.5 per cent Y-o-Y and up 3.6 per cent M-o-M. From January to December 2024, cumulative imports totaled 1.2131 million tonnes, up 7.1 per cent Y-o-Y. In December 2024, exports of unwrought aluminium alloy amounted to 21,200 tonnes, up 7.5 per cent Y-o-Y and 5 per cent M-o-M. From January to December 2024, cumulative exports reached 242,300 tonnes, up 0.3 per cent Y-o-Y. From the perspective of import sources, in December 2024, the top five countries for China's imports of unwrought aluminium alloy were Malaysia (44,000 tonnes), Thailand (14,300 tonnes), Russia (10,300 tonnes), South Korea (10,200 tonnes), and Indonesia (4,100 tonnes). Among them, Malaysia experienced a...
South Africa has officially endorsed coal as a critical mineral due to its substantial economic impact and strategic importance, according to Minister of Minerals and Petroleum Resources Gwede Mantashe. Speaking in Cape Town, Mantashe highlighted the completion of a study on critical minerals, emphasising coal’s pivotal role in driving the nation’s economy. The minister highlighted Africa's vast critical mineral potential, stressing the importance of regional collaboration in value addition rather than independently exporting raw materials. Gwede Mantashe said, "For us, coal is a critical mineral because it generates substantial revenue. The coal sector remains highly attractive for new and expanded investments." "As a continent, we become vulnerable to exploiting critical minerals...
NALCO, one of India's leading mining and metals companies, raised the prices of its primary aluminium ingots (P1020, 99.7 per cent) by INR 6,700/t ($76/t) on February 7, 2025. Current prices are at INR 271,600/t ($3,141/t) compared to INR 264,900/t ($3,029/t) on January 24, 2025. Prices are ex-works and exclude GST. At the time of reporting, aluminium futures on the LME stood at $2,643/t. India's primary producers increased aluminium ingot (P1020, 99.7 per cent) prices by up to INR 3,750/t ($42/t) compared to January 6, 2025. Post-revision, Hindalco's prices were at INR 274,750/t ($3,142/t), up by INR 3,750/t ($42/t), and Balco's at INR 275,250/t ($3,148/t), up INR 3,750/t ($42/t). All prices are ex-works and exclude GST. At the time of reporting, aluminium futures on the LME stood at...
This week, domestic bauxite prices dropped back slightly, mainly due to a significant decline in alumina prices. Spot alumina transaction prices in northern regions approached the theoretical marginal cost of alumina production, putting pressure on ore prices. Northern domestic bauxite prices were the first to drop back slightly. As of today, the self-pick-up transaction price (excluding VAT) for bauxite with an Al/Si ratio of 5.0 and 60 per cent alumina content at crushing plants was approximately RMB 640-670 per tonne in Shanxi, RMB 570-610 per tonne in Henan, RMB 510-550 per tonne in Guizhou (Al/Si ratio 5.5, 58 per cent alumina content), and RMB 320-335 per tonne in Guangxi (Al/Si ratio 6.0, 53 per cent alumina content). According to data from January 31, the weekly port arrivals of...
The Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released a public approval list of laboratories for quality control and technical evaluation of industrial products. Out of all applicants, only 200 laboratories in China successfully passed the evaluation and review. Source: Chinalco website Notably, the "Laboratory for Quality Control and Technical Evaluation of Industrial (Light Metal) Products," operated by Chinalco Testing (Zhengzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., secured a place on the prestigious list. Its product quality control and technical evaluation capabilities are recognised as being at the forefront in China. The Laboratory for Quality Control and Technical Evaluation of Industrial Products has been officially approved by the...
The Science and Technology Department of Gansu Province recently released the 2024 list of high-tech, high-growth, and high-value-added enterprises in which Northwest Aluminum earned a spot due to its outstanding innovation capabilities and strong development momentum. For years, Northwest Aluminum has been dedicated to researching, developing, and producing aluminium alloy materials, consistently prioritising technological advancement and product quality. The company continues to increase R&D investments, introduce cutting-edge technologies, refine manufacturing processes, and adopt advanced equipment to enhance its products' scientific value and market competitiveness. Additionally, Northwest Aluminum actively upholds its social responsibilities, contributing to local economic and...
The Middle East has long been a powerhouse in the global aluminium industry, with its strategic location, abundant energy resources, and advanced technological infrastructure. As the world shifts towards sustainable production and decarbonisation, the region is embracing a new era of low-carbon aluminium production, renewable energy integration, and full operational capacity utilisation. In light of these developments, AL Circle is set to launch its latest e-Magazine, Aluminium Middle East: Focus 2025 , in mid-March 2025. This comprehensive industry publication will provide unparalleled insights into the latest trends, technological advancements, and investment opportunities within the Middle Eastern aluminium sector. Source: IAI, AL Circle Research Note: Production for Iran and Egypt in...
In a recent development, President Donald Trump announced a one-month suspension of 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian and Mexican aluminium imports just days after announcing their imposition. The temporary pause, which extends until March 1, 2025, signals potential renegotiations over trade concerns and border security issues, raising uncertainty for US aluminium importers and domestic manufacturers alike. Tariff turbulence: Domestic industry impacted Already familiar with tariff-induced disruptions, the aluminium industry faces renewed concerns as traders and manufacturers brace for possible policy changes. Section 232 tariffs, imposed in 2018 during Trump’s first term, introduced a 10 per cent duty on aluminium imports, citing national security threats due to over-reliance on foreign...
Earlier this week (5 February), Alupro took to the stage at the Let's Recycle CommsConf to discuss the pivotal importance of behavioural change initiatives in driving a national uplift in recycling rates. The sell-out event, which took place at the Cavendish Conference Centre in London, brought together industry leaders to share best practices in developing community relationships and enhancing resident engagement. As part of a keynote double-header, Alupro's executive director, Tom Giddings, was joined by Chris Latham-Warde, programme manager of Every Can Counts. Together, the pair shared learnings from their latest campaigns, insight gained from a decade spent at the forefront of consumer recycling education, and the tangible impact of the programmes they deliver. Alongside diving...
All eyes have been on the primary aluminium industry ever since Donald Trump directed his administration to impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China. Where will the United States source its downstream aluminium raw materials, and where will Canada redirect its primary metal? Trump's tariff declaration has led to too many questions while at the same time sparked a level of controversy with the President's most recent decision to reprieve his North American neighbours. Amid all this, there are also some other unignorable highlights from this week's upstream aluminium industry, such as a 26 per cent rise in Jamaican alumina export value, strong prediction for a 2025 aluminium price hike based on foreseen supply deficit in the market, Alcoa's substantial financial gains but bearish outlook...
