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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Alupro has unveiled an engaging new initiative aimed at raising consumer awareness about best practices for recycling aluminium packaging. Launched on January 6 and running through March, the digital campaign features a series of creative, eye-catching videos shared across TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. Image Source: RECYCLE ALUMINIUM (Alupro) Presented in a dynamic roving reporter format, the campaign showcases playful competitions where children and adults face off to test their knowledge about what happens to packaging after it's sorted for recycling. The videos challenge the general public's recycling knowledge, uncover a few amusing home truths, and call on industry experts to clarify misconceptions. Following the success of a similar campaign by Alupro in 2023—which reportedly...
RBC Capital Markets, a global investment bank providing banking, finance, and capital markets services, has reduced its ratings for the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro ASA from "outperform" to "sector perform". The revision in investment outlook follows Norsk Hydro's share decline by 3.2 per cent on Tuesday, November 21, indicating a probability of the company's bearish performance amid shifting market conditions. Image Source: Norsk Hydro The anticipated aluminium price fall in the near future due to increased production, backed by alumina supply ease and new capacities commissioning in India and Indonesia, is likely to weigh on Hydro's revenue. According to RBC's projection, aluminium prices, which have risen by over 5 per cent year-to-date, will decline by...
Lufthansa Group has announced the deployment of 40 brand-new Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft to its value carrier, Eurowings. The gradual integration of these advanced short- and medium-haul jets will position Eurowings as one of the operators with the youngest fleets in European aviation. Image Source: Business Traveller About Boeing 737-8 MAX The Boeing 737-8 MAX incorporates aluminium in its construction. This aircraft is built using high-strength alloys, including aluminium and titanium, engineered to endure extreme conditions. Equipped with cutting-edge, fuel-efficient engines, these next-generation aircraft will significantly lower fuel consumption and noise emissions. The first delivery of the Boeing 737-8 MAX is set for 2027, with all 40 aircraft expected to join the fleet by 2032....
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminum smelter on one site, has joined the Open Innovation Program, backed by Bahrain’s Labour Fund (Tamkeen) and managed by Brinc MENA. This Program connects leading enterprises with innovative Bahraini startups and SMEs to develop cutting-edge solutions that address the enterprises’ challenges and requirements, and enhance operational efficiency, drive sustainability, and foster economic growth. Alba is the first company in Bahrain to participate in this initiative. The agreement was co-signed between Tamkeen’s Chief Executive, HE Maha Abdulhameed Mofeez, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali, and Brinc’s Managing Director Husain Haji at Tamkeen’s headquarters. Under this agreement, Alba will collaborate with selected...
Waldner North America (WNA) has partnered with coffee brand Cambio Roasters to introduce the first aluminium coffee pods for Keurig brewers, also known as K-cups. Led by Kevin Hartley, the former Chief Innovation Officer at Keurig Green Mountain, Cambio Roasters utilises Waldner's specially designed filling and sealing equipment to package the fragile aluminium cups. Image Source:Cambio Roasters Launch of K-cups in North America The launch of aluminium K-cups in North America represents a major step forward in sustainability. Hartley points out that 40 million plastic coffee pods are discarded in landfills and oceans every day. In contrast, aluminium can be recycled endlessly, with over 60 per cent of all aluminium ever produced still in use. "We are thrilled to collaborate with Cambio...
Until October 2024, the United States imported 1.03 million tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars versus 842,000 tonnes a year ago. That reflected an annual hike of 22.37 per cent, driven by back-to-back significant import volumes from April to July 2024, ranging between 106,000 and 120,000 tonnes. From August onwards, imports decreased below 100,000 tonnes, averaging around 93,000 to 96,000 tonnes. According to the United States Geological Survey, imports of aluminium plates, sheets, and bars increased month-on-month, though they remained below the levels observed in the second quarter of 2024. In October 2024, the United States aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports stood at 96,200 tonnes versus 94,100 tonnes in September and 77,600 tonnes in October 2023, marking M-o-M...
Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has launched EV bulkers at its Aditya Aluminium plant in Odisha to deliver one million tonnes of fly ash to the local cement industry over the next five years. In addition, the company has set up two EV recharge stations near the fly ash loading area, advancing its efforts in green transportation and sustainable operations. Image Source: Hindalco Mr Kailash Pandey, Head of Sambalpur Cluster, Hindalco Industries Ltd., said, “By adopting greener transportation options for supplying waste materials to be used as raw material in another industry, we are taking a step closer to realising our vision to achieve zero-waste alumina production across our operations. Each step we take towards sustainability helps reduce our...
China's aluminium production continued to increase in December 2024, backed by newer production capacity and increased operating rate like the last month. According to the data recently published by the National Bureau of Statistics, China's aluminium output in the final month of 2024 rose month-on-month as well as year-on-year by 1.62 per cent and 4.2 per cent, respectively. Image Source: Made-in-China China's aluminium output in December stood the highest in the final quarter of 2024, at 3.77 million tonnes, with daily production averaging 121,612 tonnes. Although the monthly output in December stood higher than 3.71 million tonnes in November , the daily production decreased by 1.66 per cent M-o-M from 123,667 tonnes to 121,612 tonnes. China's total aluminium production in the fourth...
In the Futures Market, during the night session, the most-traded alumina 2502 futures contract opened at RMB 3,832 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 3,861 per tonne and a low of RMB 3,804 per tonne, and finally closed at RMB 3,838 per tonne, down RMB 36 per tonne or 0.94 per cent. Open interest stood at 72,300 lots. As for Spot alumina transactions, in Shandong, 3,000 tonnes of spot alumina were traded at a transaction price of RMB 3,940 per tonne. According to Bloomberg, on January 20, 2025, the London Metal Exchange (LME) approved Hong Kong as a warehouse location for the first time, aiming to strengthen ties with the world's largest metals market—mainland China. The Hong Kong warehouse will allow storage of major LME base metals, including copper, zinc, and aluminium, and will be put...
This morning, the SHFE aluminium front-month contract fluctuated. On the fundamentals, aluminium ingot social inventory shifted to an inventory buildup, while inventory in Wuxi continued to decline. Market buying sentiment improved, spot discounts narrowed, and trading was active. Specifically, trading in east China was robust, mainly due to the ongoing inventory reduction in Wuxi, coupled with insufficient arrivals in northwest China, leading to tight market supply. Traders were purchasing to fulfil long-term contracts, and downstream stockpiling demand remained, driving spot discounts to narrow. Today, SMM A00 aluminium recorded a discount of RMB 50 per tonne against the SHFE 2502 contract, up RMB 10 per tonne from the previous trading day. SMM A00 aluminium ingot was priced at RMB...
Dnipro Aluminium Plant (Dnipro), a producer of aluminium profiles, plans to allocate 64.93 per cent of its 2023 net profit, equivalent to UAH 10 million, as dividends. Shareholders are expected to receive dividends at a rate of UAH 6,440 per ordinary registered share, with a nominal value of UAH 1,846.1 per share. Image Source-Vecteezy This proposal is included in the agenda for the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, scheduled for February 4, as announced via the National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC) system. The proposed dividend payment period spans from February 21 to August 4, 2025. The company also plans to retain the remaining UAH 5.402 million of net profit (35.07 per cent) as undistributed earnings. About the agenda The agenda also includes a proposal...
PyroGenesis Inc. (TSX: PYR) (OTCQX: PYRGF) (FRA: 8PY) a tech-advancement company delving into designs, development, manufacturing and commercialisation of advanced plasma processes and sustainable solutions which are geared to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and address environmental pollutants, has declared the receipt of a US$1.28 million (CA$1.85 million) fund which is part of a substantial amount receivable under PyroGenesis’ existing CA$25+ million Drosrite™ contract with Radian Oil and Gas Services Company. Image Source: Wikipedia “The payment announced today is made in accordance with a payment schedule that has been revised over time to better align with options to the pressures with the end-clients operating cash flows created by, amongst other things, increased business...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s (KL: PMETAL), a leading aluminium smelting and extrusion facility based in Malaysia, has its fourth quarterly earnings expected to come in a range of RM 375 million (USD 83.25 million) to RM 400 million (USD 88.8 million), according to Hong Leong Investment Bank (HLIB). Image Source: https://www.pressmetal.com/ The research house has mentioned that heightened earnings are potentially going to be driven by yet another record-high contribution from its partner PT Bintan, which is driven by higher realised alumina prices. HLIB has also shared that while Press Metal is going through some margin compression in its midstream operations, the impact will be partially mitigated by its associate’s assistance. “Although aluminium prices had risen 8 per cent...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that Dätwyler Schweiz AG has bagged the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Provisional Certification for producing aluminium capsules. The company produces capsules for the food and beverage sector at its Schattdorf, Switzerland, facility. Image Source: ASI website This Provisional Certification is valid for one year, allowing the company to resolve identified non-conformances and pursue full Certification. Bureau Veritas Certification conducted the independent third-party audit of Dätwyler Schweiz AG. Food companies often seek customized packaging solutions that uphold the highest standards while ensuring efficiency, reliability, and scalability. Renowned for its expertise in material forming for the Food & Beverage industry, Dätwyler...
At the start of the new year, apt Group launched a new billet oven with preheating capabilities for the extrusion line P35 at its Monheim location . Despite the challenging market conditions, the apt Group has used this economically demanding time to implement comprehensive modernisation measures at its production sites in Monheim and Cheb. The new system optimises the heating process of aluminium billets in three cutting-edge steps: Preheating : Aluminium billets are preheated to 90°C using residual heat in a closed-loop system, minimising evaporation losses. High-Convection Preheating Zone : The billets are heated to 200°C before entering the main oven. Final Tempering : In the main oven, the billets are further heated to approximately 400°C. An induction module ensures precise head...
Norwegian TSO Statnett is set to trial aluminium pylons as a more sustainable and safer alternative to traditional steel pylons. Pylons, also known as electricity transmission and distribution towers, serve as the structural supports for high-voltage electrical cables, enabling electricity transmission from generation sites like power stations or wind farms to distribution networks that supply homes and businesses. Image Source: Statnett Hydro to supply recycled aluminium The development of aluminium pylons is part of Statnett’s technology plan, which focuses on advancing sustainable alternatives and enhancing the safety of its technical solutions. A key criterion for awarding the pylon contract was minimising climate impact, leading to the use of recycled aluminium. Norsk Hydro will...
According to the General Administration of Customs of China, China imported 14.976 million mt of bauxite in December 2024, up 21.9 per cent M-o-M and up 26.2 per cent Y-o-Y. From January to December 2024, China’s cumulative bauxite imports reached 158.767 million mt, up 12.3 per cent Y-o-Y. AI generated image (HS code: 26060000) By country In December, China imported 10.386 million tonnes from Guinea (up 36.7 per cent M-o-M, up 26.3 per cent Y-o-Y), 3.389 million tonnes from Australia (down 8.29 per cent M-o-M, up 6.93 per cent Y-o-Y), 413,000 tonnes from Turkey, 227,000 tonnes from Laos, 168,000 tonnes from Ghana, 162,000 tonnes from the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, 110,000 tonnes from Malaysia, 56,000 tonnes from Montenegro, 33,000 tonnes from Brazil, and 28,000 tonnes from India. From...
Bauxite mining rights across two blocks in Kasaragod are set to be auctioned soon. The State government is finalising the auction process for bauxite deposits in the Narala block, covering an area of 1.5 square kilometres in Mulleria and a 2.8 square kilometres area in the Ukkinadka block located in the villages of Badiyadukka and Enmakaje in Manjeswaram taluk. Both government agencies and private entities will be eligible to bid for the mining rights. Additionally, the State government is actively considering a proposal to explore minerals from the platinum group. The decision to auction bauxite mining rights was taken after studies conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) confirmed the presence of commercially exploitable mineral deposits. Bauxite, a naturally occurring...
