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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Sortera Technologies, Inc., a pioneering material sorting company utilising an upcycling platform driven by artificial intelligence, data analytics, and advanced sensors, has appointed Wall Street veteran Kenneth Leet as Chairman of the Board. Mr Leet, the first to hold this position, joins the company’s Board at a pivotal moment of phenomenal growth. With over three decades of leadership in the financial sector, Mr Leet’s extensive experience with industrial enterprises is set to play a vital role as Sortera embarks on its next phase of rapid expansion, including the establishment of additional sortation facilities to serve a diverse range of industries across the nation. “Kenneth is a well-regarded leader with an outstanding reputation and vast experience in investing and advising some...
The aluminium and energy business Norsk Hydro has come together with the world’s second-largest metal and mining company, Rio Tinto, intending to determine and estimate available carbon capture technologies for future implementation in the aluminium electrolysis process. The globally recognised entities have bound themselves into a partnership agreement, proferring each other with particular information exchange, outcomes and costs covering specific research and development (R&D) activities from lab tests with external suppliers to larger, on-site pilots, with the aim of creating improved benefaction of commercially practicable carbon capture technologies from pertinent suppliers. Hydro President and CEO Eivind Kallevik said, “Hydro is accelerating our ambitious roadmap to achieve...
GALTCO a next-generation, world-class green aluminium production and industrial complex in Colombia is planning to set up a plant in Tolú, Sucre for the production of low-carbon aluminium. The project valued at USD 1.2 billion is expected to generate over 350,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium annually from the Gulf of Morrosquillo, positioning Colombia as a leader in green aluminium production with sustainable practices. Image Source - GALTCO (Andrés Rojas) Signing of MoU On Wednesday, January 29, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the GALTCO Colombia Project was signed, marking a significant milestone for the country's aluminium industry. Both private and public signatories believe this transformative initiative will establish Colombia as a leader in green aluminium production,...
Ukraine has confiscated raw material worth 2.11 billion hryvnias (US$50.3 million) from Russian aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska, reports Moscow Times. On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny (SBU) or the Security Service of Ukraine said that the incident ensued after two years of blocking their shipment. The security service has also disclosed that it seized close to 500,000 tonnes of bauxite and alumina that were stored at the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant, which Ukraine nationalised alongside other Deripaska-owned factories following Russia’s full-scale invasion. The ore was produced in Ukraine before Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022, mentioned the security service agency. Image Source: Wikipedia In early 2023, Ukrainian law enforcement, with the Security...
Hydro's aluminium recycling plant in Henderson, Kentucky, has been awarded $17.4 million in tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act to support advanced technology for the automotive industry. The investment will be directed towards the HyForge project, which will introduce innovative technology to the U.S. to cater to the expanding automotive market. Image Source: Hydro Announced by Hydro in May 2024, the HyForge project enhances automotive-focused production at the company's Henderson recycling plant. After a highly competitive selection process, the U.S. Department of Energy granted the funding through the Section 48C Qualifying Advanced Energy Project tax credit program, which evaluated over 800 projects across the U.S. About HyForge project The HyForge project is set to become...
Technip Energies, a global leader in industrial innovation, has announced its support for the groundbreaking IB2 technology developed by the French tech company IB2. This innovative process has the potential to revolutionise alumina refining by making it more efficient and environmentally friendly, addressing key challenges in the aluminium industry. Aluminium’s strategic role in the energy transition Aluminium, celebrated for its lightweight, durable, and recyclable properties, is crucial to the shift toward greener economies. It enables lighter electric vehicles with enhanced battery range and contributes to the development of more fuel-efficient aircraft. However, meeting the increasing demand for aluminium comes with challenges—particularly in the energy-intensive and waste-generating...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has taken another stride to accomplish its decarbonisation goals with its newest discovery — an electric, battery-powered Aluminium Fluoride (AlF3) feeding vehicle. The pilot apparatus has been shaped into reality with the utilisation of an advanced vehicle from Techmo Car S.p.A. and is under evaluation in Reduction Lines 4, 5, and 6. A feeding vehicle in any aluminium smelter is crucial as it continuously supplies the essential raw material, alumina, to the electrolytic cells where aluminium is extracted, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted production process by delivering small, regular additions of alumina to the electrolyte, which is necessary for the ongoing electrolysis reaction to occur properly. Without this continuous feed, the aluminium production...
Rio Tinto has been committing towards a greener aluminium future in the past. Au contraire, the present brings a different reality where their dreams and goals are farfetched as their major wind project, an alternative to coal consumption for energy, seems to be slipping away. The recently re-elected Queensland LNP government has spurned the mining giant’s 1.4-gigawatt Bungaban wind farm, among other larger energy production targets. The state has the lowest percentage of renewable energy among all in Australia. Even if Labor’s target of 80 per cent renewable energy by 2030 had been implemented, the situation would not have changed significantly. However, the LNP’s intervention is likely to make the state even more of a laggard in this regard. It is this daunting prospect – and its...
The world alumina production saw a significant hike in 2024, withstanding the bauxite supply shortage compared to the growth in demand. China, the world’s largest alumina producer, saw a continued bauxite supply gap in 2024 yet exceeded expected production. That could be possible due to the significant profitability of alumina refineries, enabling them to accept high-priced bauxite and continue operations. Image source: Made-in-China According to the International Aluminium Insititute, the world’s alumina production totalled 147.047 million tonnes in 2024, reflecting an annual increase of 2.61 per cent from 143.313 million tonnes. Of the total output in 2024, metallurgical-grade alumina accounted for 93.95 per cent by producing 138.151 million tonnes, while chemical-grade accounted for...
PPG, the American Fortune 500 company and a global supplier of paints, coatings, and specialty materials has expanded its non-bisphenol A (BPA) HOBA internal coatings line with the introduction of PPG HobaPro 2848. Image Source: PPG Designed to meet the rising demand for packaging water, wine, and other beverages in aluminium bottles, this innovative solution is being showcased at Paris Packaging Week 2025 (PCD). It has also been recognised as a finalist in the event’s Aerosol and Dispensing Forum (ADF) Innovation Awards. PPG Hoba coatings PPG Hoba coatings are designed for aluminium bottles, monobloc aerosols, and collapsible tubes, providing superior internal protection. PPG HobaPro 2848 is a non-bisphenol, PFAS-NI, and non-phenolic internal liner, offering a durable, versatile, and...
Speculations of a phase-wise ban revolve around the European Union’s 16th sanction package against Russia as the date of implementation draws near. Russia, which has been at gunpoint since its invasion into Ukraine. Opposing the Russian Federation’s annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol in 2014, a political call by the Russian Federation to recognise Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts as independent entities (followed later by Kherson and Zaporizhzhia), and the Russian Federation’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the EU introduced a series of trade-related restrictive measures (till date 16) known as sanction packages. The 16th sanctions package, circulated among member states this week, proposes measures that would cut approximately 15 banks off from the SWIFT banking system....
Accidents or fire incidents in the aluminium industry highlight the need to implement advanced technologies and stringent safety measures to mitigate such risks. Raising awareness is essential, especially in countries like India, where a larger workforce and limited adoption of modern technology increase vulnerabilities. Image Source:MiSUMi Mech Lab On Tuesday, January 28, a fire broke out at BRT Extrusions, an aluminium extrusions manufacturing facility in Niles. Investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office are examining a fire and reported that the fire started at the paint booth of BRT Extrusions. Emergency crews responded to reports of a large fire in the paint booth on N. Main Street just before 2:15 p.m. Fire Chief John Stevens stated that firefighters quickly extinguished the...
The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched a major initiative to revive the Aluminium Smelting Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), a key player in the country's industrial sector. Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shaiubu Audu, stated that the revival aims to reinvigorate the local economy, generate employment, and strengthen Nigeria's standing in the global aluminium market. Image Source: Federal Ministry of Information & National Orientation During his two-day facility tour of ALSCON in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State, from Monday, January 27, to Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Prince Shaiubu Abubakar Audu underscored the critical importance of restoring the company to full operational capacity. ALSCON's revival He emphasised that the revival of ALSCON goes beyond aluminium production; it is...
Mining conglomerate Vedanta's dream project of 6 million tonnes per annum of alumina refinery and 30 lakh tonnes of aluminium smelter is coming to life, for which the budget is INR 1 lakh crore (US$11.55 billion). As per the report, the project's first phase is expected to be commissioned in the next three years, with further expansion plans in the pipeline. Image source: Vedanta Limited The news came after Vedanta's chairman, Anil Agarwal, announced the project plan at the Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, adding that it would strategically come up in the Rayagada district of Odisha to take advantage of the nearby bauxite from Vedanta's Sijimali bauxite mine, which is currently under development for exploration. In October 2024, Vedanta talked about this project for the first time during the...
Arrow Minerals Limited, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed company, has announced that it has secured firm commitments from institutional and sophisticated investors for a capital raise of approximately $7 million through a Placement. Arrow Minerals Limited is a dynamic exploration and development company dedicated to creating long-term shareholder value by uncovering and advancing economically viable mineral deposits in West Africa. *According to a survey by the Australian government, Australian firms have nearly tripled their commercial interests in Africa over the past few years. This expansion has been remarkable, with 48 companies and 143 new projects launched in 2010 alone. The continent now hosts more Australian mineral and resource projects than any other region, spanning...
On January 27 morning, the SHFE aluminium front-month contract centre fluctuated rangebound, declining to around RMB 20,170 per tonne, as reported by SMM . The East China market was almost entirely immersed in the holiday atmosphere, with sluggish market trading and a frozen trading sentiment, making transactions difficult. The SMM A00 spot price was on par with the SHFE aluminium 2502 contract at a discount of RMB 20 per tonne, unchanged from the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices recorded RMB 20,120 per tonne, down RMB 70 per tonne from the previous trading day. In the central China market, although environmental protection measures in Gongyi were fully lifted over the weekend and large downstream processing plants resumed full casting and rolling operations, the...
Researchers are advancing sustainable practices by optimising electric discharge machining (EDM) processes for aluminium alloys. A recent study highlighted significant improvements in machining efficiency and environmental impact for Al6061 alloys. By employing cryogenically treated brass electrodes and deionised water as the dielectric fluid, the study demonstrated innovative techniques that enhance EDM performance while aligning with sustainability goals. Image Source: MDPI EDM has long been valued for its precision in creating complex geometries but faces challenges like low machining rates and environmental concerns associated with traditional dielectric fluids. While kerosene oil is effective, its emissions pose significant environmental risks, highlighting the need for sustainable...
Technical advancement in any industrial sector is the secret agent steering the business forward. From implementing artificial technology to indulging in advanced machinery, the aluminium industry has similarly progressed through the path of time, overcoming numerous snags along the route. Here, we are to recapitulate the top five technological advancements that have shaped the growth of the industry in one way or another. Metso’s innovative single-stage SAG mill solution In February 2025, Metso secured a landmark order for a single-stage semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) solution for a low-carbon aluminium project in China. The comprehensive delivery includes six SAG mills with a total installed power of 45MW, along with a Mill Reline Machine (MRM). Metso’s commitment to technological...
