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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This week has been highly eventful for the upstream aluminium industry, especially the bauxite sector, which has dominated the headlines. Key highlights include Metro Mining's record-breaking bauxite production, Ukraine's seizure of $50 million worth of raw materials from Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska, an increase in bauxite shipments on Capesize vessels surpassing coal, and the successful completion of Canyon’s RC and diamond drilling program at the Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon. Alumina and primary aluminium sectors also did make to some of the top headlines this week, such as Vedanta’s 1 lakh crore dream project of an alumina refinery and aluminium smelter coming to fruition, a 2.6 per cent year-over-year increase in alumina production in 2024,, NALCO’s share price rising by...
Vedanta Aluminium, a key subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, has announced a historic performance for Q3 FY25, achieving its highest-ever third-quarter EBITDA of INR 11,284 crore (US$1.34 billion), marking a significant 30 per cent year-on-year increase. Image Source: https://www.vedantalimited.com/ Record production amid rising domestic demand Aluminium production for the quarter stood at 613 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 2 per cent Y-o-Y growth. However, production increased marginally from 609 thousand in Q2 FY25 ( up 0.7 per cent Q-o-Q). Alumina production surged by 7 per cent to 505 thousand tonnes, supported by advancements at the Lanjigarh refinery. Notably, Vedanta Aluminium recorded its best-ever quarterly value-added product (VAP) sales at 317 tonnes, a 16 per cent Y-o-Y increase....
Sweden-based Gränges AB, a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, announced its production and financial results for 2024, reporting record-high sales volume and earnings. Gränges operates recycled-content aluminium facilities in Sweden, China, Poland, and the United States. In the US, it operates a scrap-fed melt shop and casting facility, commencing in 2023. Fiscal achievements In the fourth quarter of 2024, Gränges sold 130.3 thousand tonnes of recycled and rolled aluminium products, up by 21 per cent Y-o-Y, and earned SEK 6,184 million (US$558.205 million). For the full year, the sales volume amounted to 505.8 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 9.2 per cent rise Y-o-Y, valued at SEK 23,506 million (US$2,118.27 million). With the increase in sales volume, the company's adjusted...
At the recently concluded Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) international conference held in Jaipur from 28 to 30 January, Mohan Agarwal, managing director and chairman of a prominent secondary smelter CMR Green Recycling, projected robust growth in India’s secondary aluminium demand. Agarwal forecasted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7-9 per cent between 2023 and 2028, with demand expected to rise from 1.7 million tonnes in 2023 to approximately 2.4-2.5 million tonnes by 2028. The automotive sector is poised to be a key driver of this growth, with demand anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 7-11 per cent. India’s automotive sector, already the third-largest market globally, surpassed Japan and now trails only China and the US, according to government reports from...
National Aluminium Company (NALCO) experienced an eventful trading session on January 31, 2025, surpassing the nation’s aluminium sector. Despite trading below past key moving averages, it delivers a high dividend yield. The stock’s recent performance contrasts with broader market trends. NALCO’s share price is steadily more dependent on international fluctuations in alumina prices, as alumina is a primary raw material used in the production of aluminium. The state-run company is integral to the alumina as it sells a considerable portion of its manufactured goods in the open market. The company has upped by 3.18 per cent on January 31, 2025. This performance has marked the stock at an outperforming position as compared to its sector by 1.91 per cent, highlighting its relative strength in...
China wrapped up 2024 with a staggering growth of aluminium foil exports, reaching above 1.5 million tonnes. Although the export volume in December decreased significantly by about 28 per cent month-on-month following the cancellation of export tax rebates and the looming threat of increased tariffs in some countries, China’s annual export volume saw no adverse impact. Image source: Nantong Hengjin Composite Material Co., Ltd. According to the International Trade Administration, China’s aluminium foil exports at the end of 2024 amounted to 1.55 million tonnes, reflecting an impressive rise of 18.32 per cent from 1.31 million tonnes in 2023. The historical data shows China’s aluminium foil exports have grown consistently over the past ten years since 2014 when the export volume was 867,634...
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Speira has invested 1.9 million euros in the new large-scale battery storage system. The project was completed in just one year of planning, approval and construction time, and the grey containers have been in service between the AL 2 and AL 3 automotive lines since the beginning of the year. Whenever the wind blows and the sun shines and a corresponding amount of green electricity is fed into the grid, Speir a charges the storage system and uses the electricity later when it is needed at the plant. In this way, the aluminium specialist synchronises the volatile renewable generation with its own demand and relieves the grid at the same time. “In 2022, we still had a peak load of 29 megawatts of electricity. With the new battery storage system, we can now reduce this by up to three...
Commodity markets are factoring in heightened chances that US President Donald Trump’s sanctions on Canadian imports will include raw materials such as oil, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which cautioned that petrol prices in the Midwest could rise if the penalties affect crude flows. Differences in regional pricing for commodities such as aluminium and crude copper indicate an 85 per cent probability of a 10 per cent tariff being imposed, analysts including Samantha Dart and Daan Struyven said in a note. Lower probabilities were associated with higher eventual tariffs, they added. Canada is by some margin the largest supplier of primary metal to the United States, accounting for 79 per cent of total imports in the first 11 months of 2024. On the other hand, the re-elected...
Cargo through the Port of Toledo saw a slight overall decline of about 3 per cent in tonnage for 2024. However, the general cargo sector experienced a significant increase of over 30 per cent. This included a record-breaking year for aluminium, with 330,208 tonnes passing through the Toledo docks, according to Joe Cappel, the port authority's vice president of business development. Image Source: Port of Toledo website Record-breaking year for aluminium Mr Cappel noted that it remains uncertain how the aluminium, which was entirely sourced from Canadian smelters, might be impacted in 2025 by President Trump's threat of tariffs on Canadian imports. He also stated that Toledo's status as a London Metals Exchange delivery point for aluminium has boosted traffic in the metal, which typically...
Emirates Global Aluminium, the biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer in the world, has been certified to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Chain of Custody Standard for its facilities in the UAE. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Chain of Custody Standard sets requirements for the tracking and accounting of responsibly-produced raw materials and metal throughout the value chain, from mine to consumer. It complements the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard, which certifies facilities for their sustainability performance. EGA’s UAE facilities source some raw materials from upstream suppliers certified to the ASI Performance Standard and Chain of Custody. This enables EGA to now produce a proportion of ASI Chain of Custody certified aluminium, providing customers...
Canyon Resources Limited, an Australia-based bauxite resource development and exploration company, has reportedly completed Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling and Diamond drilling programme at its Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon. The RC and Diamond drilling program involves conducting reverse circulation drilling first to obtain preliminary geological data, followed by diamond drilling to collect high-quality core samples. Image source: Canyon Resources Within the four months since the signing of the Mining License for its Minim Martap Bauxite Project, Canyon Resources has successfully accomplished its initial drilling targets and recovered outstanding drill core samples upon completing the RC & Diamond drilling programme. By the first half of 2025, the results of the drilling...
Anuj Bareja, Founder and Managing Director of Asier Metals Private Ltd, stated at the LME Mumbai Forum on January 27, 2025, that establishing London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses in India could help mitigate the carbon footprint associated with transporting aluminium. With sustainability measures concerning aluminium and the future implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) levies, having these warehouses locally would eliminate the need to transport aluminium to LME-registered facilities in Southeast Asia for storage and delivery. “Why does India need to ship out 1.5 million tonnes of aluminium to Southeast Asia? Are we not burning fuel?” Bareja said, emphasising the need for LME warehouses in India where the metal can be stored and drawn out domestically. There...
Net Zero Foods, a leader in sustainable food and beverage innovation, is excited to introduce ROBOT Kombucha—the world’s healthiest cola. This cool, super-premium Coke-style drink packed in 100 per cent recyclable aluminium cans blend the health benefits of organic kombucha with the natural sweetness of organic honey, offering a game-changing alternative to traditional sugary soft drinks. Image Source - ROBOT Kombucha website A healthy option to choose By using organic honey, the brand also highlights the critical need to protect pollinators. With no organic honey currently produced in the UK due to pesticide use, ROBOT Kombucha supports ethical beekeeping abroad while advocating for sustainable farming practices at home. Traditional colas are often linked to high sugar content and...
The aluminium industry is at a crossroads. As the world races towards digitalisation, traditional manufacturing sectors—long bound by legacy processes—must either embrace this evolution or risk obsolescence. The launch of AL Circle’s latest e-Magazine, “Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry: Drivers & Changemakers of 2024” , comes at a pivotal time when automation, AI, and advanced data analytics are redefining efficiency, sustainability, and competitiveness in aluminium production and processing. Why should you read this? The aluminium industry, long reliant on traditional methods, is at a crossroads. Companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind in an industry increasingly driven by smart manufacturing and real-time data. This edition of the e-Magazine “Digital...
Ball Corporation, a global leader in sustainable aluminium2 packaging, and Meadow, a Sweden-based packaging technology company that recently received a minority investment from Ball Corporation, were awarded a Certificate for Excellence In Packaging Innovation in the Concept of the Year Award category at the Global Aerosol & Dispensing Forum (ADF) during Paris Packaging Week 2025 with the MEADOW KAPSUL™ technology. In the picture: (L-R) Victoria Marletta, Victor Ljungberg, Nora Millazzo The certificate recognises Meadow for its revolutionary product, which is redefining sustainable packaging within a circular economy. Ball recently announced a partnership with Meadow to take the fully recyclable aluminium can to new categories worldwide. With a minority investment, Ball will support the...
Amid the growing global demand for aluminium, Gulf producers' decision to halt fresh investments in 2025 has come as a bolt from the blue. The news came earlier this week after Mahmoud Al-Daylami, secretary general of the Dubai-based Gulf Aluminium Council, stated in an interview with Saudi Arabic daily Aleqtisadia , "I do not expect any new investments in expansions in the GCC smelters this year. Instead, they will concentrate on upgrading operational efficiency and performance, despite an expected 3 to 5 per cent growth in global output." Image source: Sohar Aluminium In his statement, he even highlighted that aluminium production in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries grew significantly in 2024, reaching nearly 6.45 million tonnes. "Production by aluminium smelters in the GCC...
Quality Pack International Ltd. (QPC) plans to establish a vertically integrated aluminium beverage can manufacturing and non-alcoholic beverage filling facility in the Alat Free Economic Zone, Azerbaijan. Set to commence operations in 2025, the QPC factory represents a $211 million investment in Azerbaijan’s Alat Free Economic Zone. Image Source: Quality Pack International Ltd Designed as a regional production hub, the facility will cater to local and regional beverage brands, supplying empty cans and fully packaged beverages. The facility will manufacture and fill aluminium beverage cans in 250 ml, 330 ml, and 450 ml sizes, with an annual production capacity of 600 to 800 million cans and a filling capacity of 300 to 400 million cans, depending on size distribution. Beyond establishing...
Alumex PLC, Sri Lanka’s leading aluminium manufacturer, proudly introduced the ‘Capral Aluminium Urban Range’ at a prestigious launch event at The Kingsbury Colombo, attended by top architects, builders, fabricators, and dealers. Through a strategic partnership with Capral, Australia’s largest aluminium extruder and a globally renowned brand, Alumex has secured exclusive rights to manufacture and market Capral’s premium products in Sri Lanka. This collaboration brings world-class aluminium solutions to the country’s construction and design sectors, underscoring Alumex’s commitment to fostering economic growth with high-quality, innovative, and sustainable products. Renowned for its cutting-edge architectural aluminium systems, the Capral Aluminium Urban Range is crafted to meet the...
