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...
Grow with
AL Circle
As the global aluminium industry continues to evolve, the year 2024 marked a pivotal year for embracing technological advancements and digital transformation. In an era where innovation is key to staying competitive, adopting digital tools, data-driven decision-making, and automation is reshaping how aluminium companies operate and interact with their customers, suppliers, and stakeholders. The accelerating pace of change The aluminium sector has traditionally been characterised by its heavy reliance on physical infrastructure and manual processes. However, the increasing pressures of sustainability, cost efficiency, and global market demands are driving a rapid shift toward digitisation. From reducing carbon footprints to streamlining supply chains, the move towards digital...
TÖST Beverages is starting the New Year with the launch of its signature sparkling beverages in convenient 250-ml cans. Joining the existing 750-ml and 250-ml bottle offerings, the new cans provide a stylish and portable way to enjoy TÖST, the company announced. With the same sophisticated, sparkling flavour, the new packaging offers consumers a versatile and sustainable option, expanding the ways to savour TÖST. Image Source: TÖST website The rise towards using aluminium cans in the beverage industry is not surprising. Infact, in an era increasingly focused on minimising environmental impacts, the aluminium packaging industry emerges as a model of innovation and sustainability. From soft drinks in iconic beverage cans to gourmet foods in sleek containers, aluminium packaging is vital in...
According to a report on Friday, January 10, a key partnership agreement is signed between National Aluminium Products Company (NAPCO) and Oman Aluminium Cast Company at Knowledge Oasis Muscat to advance Madayn’s overarching goal of enhancing the market of local resources and supporting indigenous industries in the Sultanate of Oman. Image source: Oman Aluminium Cast Company Under the agreement clause, Oman Aluminium Cast Company will supply NAPCO with its high-quality aluminium billets made from raw metal provided by Sohar Aluminium, and the billets will be used by NAPCO to manufacture aluminium profiles for local and international markets. This inter-company collaboration, under the patronage of the integrated Aluminium Economic Cluster team in Suhar Industrial City, is strategically...
Ricoh Company, Ltd., headquartered in Kanagawa, Japan, has introduced an innovative process to join aluminium components produced through Binder Jetting (BJT) with wrought aluminium alloys. Metal Binder Jetting is a highly efficient and cost-effective Additive Manufacturing (AM) technique, suitable for both prototyping and mass production. Image Source: Ricoh This breakthrough not only overcomes size limitations traditionally associated with Binder Jetting but also holds the potential to substantially lower production costs. However, Ricoh notes that the sintering process inherent to BJT can pose challenges in maintaining precision when fabricating larger components. About the innovation Ricoh has addressed these challenges with its newly developed diffusion bonding technology for...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) yet again outperformed and achieved a new high of aluminium production in 2024. On Thursday, January 9, the company announced it attained 1,622,261 tonnes of net finished production in 2024. Image source: Alba Output over the years: From 2021 to 2023, Alba produced 1,561,222 tonnes, 1,596,000 tonnes, and 1,620,665 tonnes yearly , clearly reflecting a consistent annual rise. However, delving down into each year, we see a downtrend in growth percentage. In 2022, Alba's aluminium production increased by 2.23 per cent Y-o-Y; in 2023, it rose by 1.5 per cent, and by 1 per cent in 2024. Nonetheless, the consistent advancement in Alba's production each year sets a positive benchmark before the primary aluminium producers worldwide. Commenting on this remarkable...
Under the esteemed patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 is set to convene an extraordinary assembly of global leaders. From 13 heads of state to over 140 ministers, business magnates, and technology pioneers, the ADSW Summit will take place on 14–15 January, igniting discussions on supercharging socioeconomic and technological advancements. This year, the event spotlights a potential US$10 trillion economic transformation, a theme that resonates with forward-thinking industries like aluminium. Pioneering progress at the ADSW summit The ADSW Summit, the centrepiece of the week, promises 34 dedicated sessions with over 70 renowned speakers, all focused on actionable strategies for sustainable growth....
Brimstone, a U.S.-based industrial innovator, has unveiled a groundbreaking advancement in its operations with the production of smelter-grade alumina through its deeply decarbonised cement manufacturing process. This milestone marks a pivotal moment for the US industry, with far-reaching implications for national security, economic growth, and the resilience of domestic supply chains. Image Source - Freepik/Shutterstock Aim of Brimstone Brimstone aims to reduce the country's reliance on imports and fortify the US aluminium supply chain, which has long been dependent on foreign sources, by focusing on alumina production. Once operational, the Brimstone facility could emerge as the first new domestic source of smelter-grade alumina in decades, challenging a market currently dominated by...
Sogeclair's Board of Directors has decided to make the following changes, effective January 6, 2025. Alexandre ROBARDEY has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Philippe BREL has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Group. He succeeds Olivier Pedron. Alexandre ROBARDEY, a lawyer and asset manager, graduated from the IFA and joined the Board of Directors in 2020. His appointment makes him the third generation of the Robardey family (65 per cent shareholder in the Group) to hold the position of Chairman of the Board. Philippe BREL, a training engineer, has extensive experience in the aerospace and defence sectors, both in France and the United States. His career as Industrial Director, Director of Business Units for major groups and Chairman of the Management...
Residents of Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district have urged Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi to immediately conduct a Gram Sabha for Lanjigarh Bauxite mines for the development of Kalahandi district of Orissa. Their appeal, submitted through the Collector and BDO, highlights the urgent need to start bauxite mining operations of the Lanjigarh Bauxite mines and drive sustainable economic growth in the Kalahandi district. Kalahandi district has witnessed remarkable progress since the establishment of the Lanjigarh alumina refinery in 2003, they said. Once labelled as one of India’s poorest regions, Kalahandi is now part of the Government of India’s ‘Aspirational District’ initiative, driven by development from the refinery. The villagers pointed out that the growth and development...
Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), scheduled from January 12 to 18, 2025, has reportedly secured Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) as its Associate Partner for three years. The partnership, which represents a collaboration built on common sustainability goals, was signed by Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar, and Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA. Imaage source: Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week This year, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, supported by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and its clean energy leader Masdar, will serve as a global platform for advancing economic, social, and environmental progress in line with the UAE's sustainability goals, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and other stakeholders seeking sustainable...
Recycling aluminium cans is vital for sustainability, offering significant environmental and economic benefits. It conserves natural resources by reducing the need for raw material extraction, minimising the destructive effects of mining. With this, Downtown Inverness has added a beautiful and innovative sculpture. Image Source: Inverness Arts & Culture Alliance The sculpture, a turtle composed of recycled aluminium cans is the outcome of the collaboration between the city and the Inverness Arts & Culture Alliance. Eleven new aluminium turtle sculptures, inspired by the city’s beloved mascot, the cooter turtle, now bring joy to the area. Inverness is a city and the county seat of Citrus County, Florida, United States. "You can walk any of our boardwalks, any of our trail systems along the...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) outside oil and gas, announced that the global enterprise has hired 113 UAE National women in 2024, more than half the 220 Emiratis taken on by EGA during the year. EGA plans for women professionals to hold approximately 25 per cent of higher designations by the end of 2025 and 15 per cent of all roles by the end of the following year. Currently, women hold 23.3 per cent of supervisory roles and 9.6 per cent of all the roles at the company. At the end of 2024, the EGA’s determinant Emiratisation rate was 44.3 per cent. On a like-for-like basis, the enterprise is among the highest Emiratisation rate holders. EGA intends to accelerate in-focus Emiratisation to conclude at 50 per cent by the end...
The ever-increasing demand for value-added aluminium products has left no nook of the world untouched for new projects. From India to China to the United Kingdom, aluminium product manufacturing plants have cropped up in many parts of the world. While some manufacturers have expanded their capacities by building new phases, some have debuted with new facilities to tap into the potential business opportunities. Let's explore the top downstream aluminium projects that commenced in 2024, aiming to meet global demand, mainly from the automotive, renewable energy, and packaging sectors. Alro's advance precision cutting facility - Cutsmart Systems Alro Slatina, one of the largest vertically integrated producers in Europe, commissioned a new cutting-edge aluminium processing facility, Cutsmart...
Keychron is en route to extending its Hall-effect gaming keyboard series with the full-size Keychron Q6 HE and the 75 per cent variant of the Lemokey P1 HE. Both the keyboards feature QMK firmware for personalisation, as well as gasket mount layouts and Gateron’s double-rail magnetic switches for a satisfying feel while typing along with exceptional gaming performance. The brand has confirmed the launch of both keyboard models in various ISO layouts. Image Source: Keychron In response to an enquiry by Notebookcheck, Keychron officials stated the release of the Lemokey P1 HE and Keychron Q6 HE in DE, UK, Swiss, and Nordic ISO layouts. However, it is yet to disclose a time frame for the ISO version’s market launch. Keychron is introducing two new Hall-effect gaming keyboards to stay afloat...
Novelis Inc., a global leader in sustainable aluminium solutions and a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries, announced today (Thursday, January 9) that its indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary plans to raise $750 million through a bond issuance. The company intends to allocate the net proceeds from this offering to repay $738 million of outstanding debt, with any remaining funds added to its balance sheet as cash reserves. The US-based aluminium rolled products company reported an 18 per cent drop in net income to $128 million for the September quarter of the 2024-25 fiscal year. This compares to a net income of $157 million in the same period of the previous financial year, according to a company filing with the BSE. "Novelis Inc...today announced that its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary...
History repeated itself, yet again! After iron, Glencore Plc is on the verge of losing its top aluminium segment traders to new competitors like Vitol Group and Mercuria Energy Group Ltd. This is the latest hint that energy firms’ return to metals is fuelling a talent war in the industry. Image Source: Reuters Glencore and Trafigura Group have been key players in the metal market for quite some time now. However, such moves are reminders to them that they are not exempt from rigorous competition in the ferrous and non-ferrous market. Mercuria, Vitol and Gunvor Group are staffing up and upping their team strength in aluminium, copper and iron ore departments as they strategise to engender revenues beyond the energy markets that have been immensely lucrative since Russia invaded Ukraine. In...
In 2024, the 4th Carbon Neutralisation Boao Conference occurred in Boao, Hainan. Among over 300 participating enterprises, Chalco and its subsidiary, Yunnan Aluminium, distinguished themselves by earning the prestigious "Science and Technology Progress Award for Energy Saving and Emission Reduction." Image Source-FREEPIK In recent years, Chalco has actively implemented the national and Chinalco Group's "double carbon" strategic initiatives, embracing its mission to establish a green and low-carbon "New Chinalco." The company achieved remarkable progress in energy conservation and carbon reduction by November 2024, compared to the same period in 2023. The comprehensive AC power consumption for electrolytic aluminium and aluminium liquid dropped by 94 kWh/t-Al, while the comprehensive...
Imported aluminium scrap prices in India dropped by up to 2.5 per cent w-o-w, mirroring a decline in London Metal Exchange (LME) levels. However, certain scrap grades held firm w-o-w amid reports of supply shortages. BigMint's benchmark assessment for Tense scrap originating from the UAE stood at $1,790/tonne (t), falling by $10/t w-o-w, while Zorba 95/5 from the UK was at $2,060/t, down by $50/t w-o-w, both CFR west coast of India. Domestic aluminium Tense scrap prices remained stable w-o-w, with ex-Delhi at INR 174,000/t and ex-Chennai at INR 175,000/t. This week, LME aluminium prices dropped by around 2 per cent to $2,507/t. Meanwhile, stocks at LME-registered warehouses stood at 626,775 tonnes, falling by around 12,000 t w-o-w from 639,150 t. Market scenario This week, the overall...
