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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Kepler Cheuvreux, a European financial services firm specialising in research, execution, and asset management, resumed coverage of Norsk Hydro SA shares, assigning a Buy rating with a price target of NOK 88.00. A "Buy" rating from a stock analyst indicates their belief that the stock is either undervalued or has significant growth potential, making it a promising investment opportunity. Analyst Martin Granviken highlighted the cyclical nature of the aluminium market, emphasising the impact of global supply-demand dynamics on prices. Recent market reports indicate an upcoming aluminium supply deficit as Chinese production nears its capacity limit. This development is anticipated to drive aluminium prices higher over the next three years. Granviken noted that alumina prices reached record...
According to SMM data, the average tax-inclusive full cost of China's aluminium industry in January 2025 was RMB 19,989 per tonne, down 5.3 per cent M-o-M and up 22.7 per cent Y-o-Y, mainly due to the sharp pullback in spot alumina prices during the period. The average spot price of SMM A00 aluminium in January 2025 was approximately RMB 19,970 per tonne (December 26, 2024–January 24, 2025). The domestic aluminium industry recorded an average loss of about RMB 19 per tonne, with the loss narrowing by RMB 892 per tonne M-o-M, and the industry overall was close to the break-even point. As of the end of January 2025, the operating capacity of domestic aluminium reached 43.515 million tonnes. The highest full cost in the industry was approximately RMB 23,372 per tonne. Based on the monthly...
According to shipbroker Arrow, the surge in bauxite demand in China has resulted in capesize fleet carrying more bauxite than coal for the first time. The capesize vessels are traditionally used for coal shipments, but now, due to increased demand for the ore in the Chinese market, they are being repurposed to carry larger volumes of bauxite. Image source: MarineLink Arrow stated in a report that bauxite shipment from Guinea to China surged at the beginning of the year as panamaxes vessels cannibalised capesize coal cargoes. That made bauxite the second-largest capesize commodity after iron ore. In 2024, China imported 159 million tonnes of bauxite, up by 18 million tonnes from 2023, with 77 per cent of all shipments carried out on capes, leading to Guinea's higher capesize share of...
Marine Air Flow International has opted for sustainability in its filtration systems, which remove salt mist particles from the air. The company, well-versed in engine ventilation equipment manufacturing, has collaborated with Capral to use the latter brand’s LocAl Super Green extruded products to manufacture many of their components within a carefully engineered and high-performance solutions range. Image Source: Linkedin (Capral Aluminium) In 2022, Capral unveiled LocAl, its low-carbon aluminium solution with a lump sum reduction of CO2 emissions, as low as 4kg CO2e per 1kg of aluminium as opposed to the industry average of 12.46kg CO2e per 1kg. As per Capral’s official statement earlier, in 2024, 25 per cent of the primary aluminium billet (a major source of extruded aluminium) Capral...
José Berasategui has been appointed as the new CEO of GHI Smart Furnaces, marking a new chapter for the company. After more than a decade as General Manager, Berasategui assumes the executive leadership position, reinforcing GHI's commitment to innovation and excellence. Iñigo Guinea, a member of the founding family and CEO since 2017, is leaving operational management to focus on providing strategic support to the industrial projects of Guiar Group, the holding company of GHI Smart Furnaces. Berasategui's appointment coincides with the 2025-2027 strategic plan launch, an initiative aimed to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, digital, and connected aluminium industry. A renewed mission for a sustainable future With a focus on the environmental and technological demands of...
On January 24, spot primary aluminium prices fell by RMB 10 per tonne compared to the previous trading day, with SMM A00 spot aluminium closing at RMB 20,190 per tonne. Aluminium scrap market quotations fluctuated rangebound following aluminium prices. In the short term, the fundamentals remained weak on both supply and demand, as most suppliers have entered the holiday mode, while a few leading companies continued procurement and sales. Aluminium scrap prices stabilised. Today, baled UBC aluminium scrap was quoted at RMB 14,850-15,700 per tonne (excluding tax), and shredded aluminium tense scrap was quoted at RMB 16,350-17,850 per tonne (liquid aluminium, excluding tax). As the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, supply and demand remain weak, overall transactions have slowed, and the...
According to SMM statistics, China's aluminium production in January 2025 (31 days) was up 3.8 per cent Y-o-Y but down 0.3 per cent M-o-M. The operating capacity of domestic aluminium smelters in January remained largely stable M-o-M, with only a few smelters in Shanxi reporting production cuts of 20,000 tonnes per year. Other previously reduced capacities have not resumed production. During the month, the proportion of casting ingots increased in multiple regions, while the proportion of liquid aluminium decreased by 2.9 percentage points M-o-M and 1.0 percentage points Y-o-Y. Based on SMM's data on the proportion of liquid aluminium, the casting ingot production in December increased by 7.3 per cent Y-o-Y to approximately 1.13 million tonnes. Capacity changes As of the end of January,...
On January 24, aluminium prices remained in a narrow range. SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices decreased by RMB 10 per tonne compared to the previous trading day to RMB 20,190 per tonne, while secondary aluminium prices remained stable. For domestic prices, large domestic secondary aluminium enterprises quoted at RMB 20,800-21,100 per tonne, while small and medium-sized plants maintained quotes at RMB 20,500-20,700 per tonne. On the import side, imported ADC12 overseas prices were in the range of US$ 2,440-2,470 per tonne, and real-time losses on imported ADC12 narrowed to within 100 RMB. As the Chinese New Year holiday approaches, most secondary aluminium plants have stopped taking orders and shut down for the holiday, with downstream stockpiling largely completed. Additionally, as...
Some of the news headlines this week in the upstream aluminium industry, particularly in the primary aluminium sector, suggest a potential shift in market dynamics in the near term in the wake of aluminium price drop on alumina supply ease and proposed tariffs on aluminium imports by the US President Donald Trump. These two events in the industry have already prompted many aluminium leaders and financial analysts to revise their business strategy and market outlook. In addition, there are some key evaluations on the 2024 aluminium production trend and market analysis to guide your 2025 planning. RBC Capital Markets this week revised its investment outlook for Nork Hydro from “outperform” to “sector perform”, following the company’s share drop by 3.2 per cent on Tuesday, November 21, on...
According to SMM statistics, as of January 23, the social inventory of aluminium ingot inventory in Guangdong was 131,100 tonnes, in Wuxi was 146,800 tonnes, and in Gongyi was 52,600 tonnes, with the total inventory in these three regions increasing by 7,100 tonnes compared to the previous trading day. Regarding domestic aluminium billet inventory, the aluminium billet inventory in Guangdong was 94,400 tonnes, and in Wuxi was 51,200 tonnes, with a total increase of 6,300 tonnes. This week's hot topic : One month after the cancellation of export tax rebates, how are aluminium plate/sheet, strip and foil enterprises responding? Forecast for next week : Macro strong expectations ease, coupled with weakening on the cost side, aluminium price centre pulls back Aluminium : Pre-holiday aluminium...
Encore-Alcom, prominent aluminium doors and windows manufacturer based in Hyderabad, announced the commencement of operations at its new manufacturing plant in Surat, Gujarat, on Tuesday. This facility, the largest in India for aluminium doors and windows production, is the country’s first to feature automated robotic technology. Spanning 184,000 square feet, the plant employs 500 people. The company plans to invest INR 60 crores in the facility in phases. Encore has already established a strong presence in wooden door manufacturing, marketing its products under the Encore brand in the south and the Alcom brand in the north. “We used German technology for the state-of- the-art new plant which has a capacity to produce 35,000 square feet per day. We will showcase our latest and innovative...
Emirates is preparing to launch its brand-new Airbus A350 aircraft in India on Republic Day, January 26, 2025, a commemoratory date in the Indian calendar. This launch on Republic Day is a token of appreciation for its Indian customers, paying respect to the Indian Republic. The noteworthy debut will feature daily flights to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. With this addition, Emirates will now serve five destinations in its network. The introduction of Emirates’ new aircraft to India, which boasts the airline’s latest interiors as well as industry-first technologies and innovations, underscores Emirates’ commitment to its customers in India and beyond, offering exceptional levels of comfort on board. The aircraft benefits from advanced aerodynamics, ensuring a smooth ride and increased efficiency....
Indigenous company Indigital and Rio Tinto have partnered on an initiative that combines traditional knowledge with digital innovation to protect and restore Country and strengthen culture, while advancing sustainable mining practices for the energy transition. Image Source: Rio Tinto Initially focused on communities in Far North Queensland, the Caring for Country program enables Indigenous communities to harness conservation technologies, such as AI-driven data analysis, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) for mapping land features, and “Internet of Things” environmental sensors to monitor soil and water health. The program also uses Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality to capture and preserve cultural knowledge and languages for future generations and, by integrating technology with...
Alcoa is set to invest US$163 million (AU$260 million) in a now-mandatory water management system at its caustic red mud storage site in Kwinana, as savings from the shutdown of its 60-year-old alumina refinery have been slower than anticipated. The closure, announced in January 2024, was initially expected to cost up to US$200 million (AU$319 million), including US$81 million earmarked for water management and US$55 million allocated for the redundancy or redeployment of 800 employees. Furthermore, Alcoa intends to spend US$70 million in 2024, preparing for a shift to a new mining area within the Jarrah forest, with more significant investments expected in 2026. This comes as the company continues to face scrutiny in Western Australia (WA) after revelations two years ago that its strip...
Donald Trump's tariff threat following his second presidential term inauguration on January 20 has already sparked speculation among aluminium industry leaders from both the domestic and international markets, prompting them to make strategic decisions regarding overseas trade. For instance, Alcoa, an American aluminium producer headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is contemplating redirecting its Australian aluminium output to the United States in response to the proposed tariff on aluminium imports from Canada . Alcoa's CEO, William Oplinger, suggests that shifting trade flows could be a good tactic to avoid paying tariffs to the US. Image source: Alcoa Corporation The speculation among domestic industry leaders also includes potential market disruptions due to tariff threats on...
European aluminium billet market is beginning its new calendar year, keeping a cautious look over its shoulder, as demand remains sluggish amid hidebound buying practices, while production cuts intend to leave the supply chain vulnerable to sudden fluctuations. Platts, part of S&P Global Commodity Insights, has publicised that the European aluminium 6060/6063 billet premium at London Metal Exchange (LME) cash plus $555 per tonne DDP Germany January 10, on net 30-day payment spans, up 46 per cent Y-o-Y, but contemplating a 12 per cent decline from 2024’s peak of $630 per tonne DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) in late August owing to softer demand. The Italian premium was evaluated at LME cash plus $555 per tonne DDP on January 10 for net 60-day payment terms, ascending 48 per cent year-on-year but...
The world's primary aluminium industry has wrapped up 2024 with an annual production of 72.758 million tonnes. Could it break the record of the previous year or surpass AL Circle's outlook? Of course, it did by 2.9 per cent from the earlier year's output of 70.716 million tonnes and by 1.05 per cent of AL Circle's projection of 72 million tonnes. Until November 2024, the production volume was summed up at 66.622 million tonnes, meaning the remaining amount of 6.236 million tonnes was achieved in December alone, marking the highest monthly output ever. Month-on-month, the world's primary aluminium production in December recorded a rise of 3.3 per cent from 6.037 million tonnes, and on a year-on-year, it edged an increase of 3.02 per cent from 6.053 million tonnes. The daily average output...
SHFE aluminium front-month contract fluctuated rangebound in the early trading session today, with prices rising significantly during the second trading session. Suppliers and downstream buyers in east China have entered the Chinese New Year holiday, leading to sluggish market transactions. Today, SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices were at a discount of RMB 20 per tonne against the SHFE 2502 contract, flat compared to the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminium ingot prices stood at RMB 20,190 per tonne, down RMB 10 per tonne from the previous trading day. In the central China market, the overall market showed weak supply and demand. Suppliers adopted a passive selling approach during the holiday, with actual transactions mainly at a premium of RMB 20-40 per tonne against SMM central China...
