
Trimet has reduced direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at its aluminium recycling plant in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, by 25 per cent, saving approximately 4,000 tonnes annually through a transition to hydrogen-rich coke oven gas. The new energy supply system, commissioned on October 29, 2026, will power the site's melting furnaces using industrial gas containing more than 60 per cent hydrogen. The coke oven gas is sourced from ArcelorMittal's coking plant in neighbouring Bottrop and supplied to Trimet through Uniper Energy Sales via the existing gas pipeline network. A new supply line, approximately 700 metres long, was installed to connect the recycling facility at Gelsenkirchen's inland port to the network. According to Trimet, coke oven gas generates lower CO2 emissions during...
Investor sentiment towards aluminium has turned increasingly bearish, but analysts believe the market may be underestimating the metal's underlying strength. Despite growing pessimism, resilient demand and historically low inventories could support higher prices, with analysts forecasting aluminium to reach USD 3,625 per tonne in 2027. Discussions with market participants have pointed to unusually negative sentiment towards the metal. However, analysts argue that the underlying supply-demand fundamentals paint a more constructive picture, challenging the prevailing pessimism surrounding the aluminium market. Their assessment follows Norsk Hydro's third-quarter financial results, which showed stronger earnings compared with the previous year but fell short of market expectations. The...
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The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,522.5 per tonne, hit a high of US$2,537.5 per tonne and a low of US$2,501 per tonne, and closed at US$2,513 per tonne, down US$8 per tonne, a decrease of 0.32 per cent. On Friday, June 21, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$8 per tonne or 0.32 per cent and US$8.5 per tonne or 0.34 per cent to clock at US$2,452 per tonne and US$2,452.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also went down by US$5 per tonne or 0.19 per cent to settle at US$2,503 per tonne and US$2,504 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price dipped by US$5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to reside at US$2,647 per tonne and US$2,652 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at...

China Hongqiao, a global leader in aluminium production with an annual capacity exceeding 6 million tonnes, is proud to announce the launch of the groundbreaking Hongqiao Smart Aluminium AI & L Model Development Project. This initiative, in collaboration with Guoke Interconnect and the Beijing Industrial Big Data Innovation Centre, aims to enhance the company's digital and intelligent capabilities . The project will use AI and big data to create advanced algorithms specifically designed for China Hongqiao's production processes. These algorithms will enable autonomous decision-making for each cell in electrolytic production, significantly improving the operational stability, efficiency, and lifespan of electrolytic cells, thereby addressing key industry challenges. This launch represents...

Two prominent figures in the aluminium industry, Malaysian business magnate Koon Poh Keong and Chinese billionaire Song Zuowen, are deepening their collaboration, as reported by Forbes. This multi-million-dollar agreement involves an exchange of ownership stakes in their respective aluminium firms, a testament to their strategic vision and commitment to the industry. According to an announcement on June 20, 2024, Koon's Press Metal Aluminium Holdings will trade its complete 25 per cent ownership in Bintan Alumina Indonesia for a 25.6 per cent stake in Song's Nanshan Aluminium International Holdings. Nanshan Aluminium, a subsidiary of Shandong Nanshan Aluminium, plans to spin off and independently list on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange to secure funds for future growth. The move will follow...

The upstream aluminium sector, encompassing bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium) recorded some significant milestones this week in terms of production, trading, inventories, and market developments. Some of the key highlights of the week are: China’s 2-year high production, world’s primary aluminium production exceeding 6 million tonnes, Iran’s steady metal output in the first two months of FY2025, Vedanta’s strategic plans to face the EU’s CBAM tariff, Italy’s proposition to enhance procurement and reprocessing of critical raw materials, discovery of valuable minerals in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, and many more. Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, Deputy Premier of Sarawak, Malaysia, has disclosed that the state possesses valuable minerals estimated at RM1.25 trillion. This...

According to a report, North America’s aluminium cans market is poised to grow at a compound growth rate of 3.3 per cent during 2023-32. Thus, from US$16.4 billion in 2023, North America’s aluminium cans market is expected to reach US$22 billion. Currently, the demand for aluminium cans in North America is primarily driven by the packaging sector for processed and ready-to-eat food products, aerated drinks, fruit juices, and energy drinks. In addition, growing environmental concerns among consumers, turning them to aluminium cans from plastic, are also contributing to the demand growth. Further, the increasing consumption of energy and sports drinks influenced by alluring advertising campaigns by manufacturers is also an important factor behind the growing aluminium cans market in North...

In May 2024, the world's primary aluminium production experienced a month-on-month increase of 3.86 per cent to repossess the 6 million tonnes level. This monthly growth in May followed a decline in April by 3 per cent from 6.089 million tonnes to 5.906 million tonnes. According to the latest data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute, the global primary aluminium production in May amounted to 6.134 million tonnes, the highest in the past five months and up 3.44 per cent from 5.93 million tonnes a year ago. The daily average production in May was 197,900 tonnes, an increase of 0.51 per cent from 196,900 tonnes in April and up by 3.45 per cent from 191,300 tonnes in May 2023. From January to May 2024, the world's primary aluminium production totalled 29.901 million tonnes,...

The Bui reservoir in Ghana is now home to the continent's largest floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This remarkable achievement underscores Ghana's commitment to sustainable solutions and sets a precedent for the region facing escalating environmental challenges. The 5-megawatt floating solar PV system, now operational at the Bui generating station, represents a remarkable engineering achievement. Ghana has effectively utilised existing infrastructure without encroaching on land or disrupting natural habitats by harnessing the sun's energy on water. Ghana's power generation history has evolved significantly over time. Initially relying on diesel generators and independent electricity systems owned by industrial mines and factories, the country transitioned into the hydroelectric...

At the beginning of June 2024, Japanese transport ministry officials initiated an on-site investigation at Toyota Motor's headquarters after discovering irregularities in the company's certification applications for certain vehicle models. The fallout from the certification test scandal, which originated at Toyota's Daihatsu compact car unit, has broadened to impact other Japanese automakers. This follows the ministry's mandate for industry-wide reviews of certification practices. Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha Motor have all admitted to submitting flawed or manipulated data in their vehicle certification applications, as reported by Reuters. According to a ministry official, Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, was the first to undergo a ministry inspection, with the other four...

On Thursday, June 20, three-month LME aluminium contract opened at US$2,493 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,525.50 per tonne and a low of US$2,491 per tonne, and closed at US$2,521 per tonne, up US$31.50 per tonne, an increase of 1.27 per cent. On the same day, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price expanded for the second consecutive day by US$15.50 per tonne and US$16 per tonne, respectively, to stand at US$2,460 per tonne and US$2,461 per tonne. However, despite the back-to-back increase, the LME aluminium benchmark price stood week-on-week down by US$37 per tonne or 1.48 per cent from US$2,498 per tonne and even lower by US$107 per tonne or 4.2 per cent from US$2,568 per tonne. On June 20, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also increased,...

China's progressive transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, harnessed from sunlight and water for power generation, is instilling a sense of optimism. This shift, by the world's largest polluter, is a promising step towards achieving net-zero emissions, offering a beacon of hope for the global environment. Encouragingly, the usage of thermal power, which accounts for a lion's share of China's carbon footprint, was reduced by 4.3 per cent in May from the previous year, the most significant drop since 2022. Instead, thermal power was largely replaced by hydroelectricity. In May, hydropower generation in China surged 39 per cent after heavy rains fed a recovery in Southwest China's Yunnan province, one of the world's largest hydropower-producing regions. Output from large solar...

The UK-based EV startup Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has recently unveiled a new lightweight modular EV architecture titled PACES. WEVC presents PACES as a versatile bonded aluminium platform easily adapted to various sizes and shapes for low-volume passenger EVs. The platform accommodates FWD, RWD, and AWD powertrain configurations, employing an innovative assembly method called FlexTech. This technique interlocks and bonds flat, laser-cut pieces, avoiding the use of complex and costly corner castings typically found in large-volume aluminium skateboard platforms. About PACES This new lightweight modular EV architecture is designed to support a variety of low-to-medium-volume vehicle designs, including sports coupes, off-road buggies, and rideshare vehicles. Committed to...

South32 proudly announces the Soil Shift open innovation challenge in collaboration with Unearthed! The globally diversified mining and metals company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, South32's mission is to discover innovative methods for delivering high-quality soils while rehabilitating its mined assets. Join South32 in shaping the future of sustainable mining. Soil and subsoil, crucial for successfully rehabilitating mined assets as they transition into closure activities, are not just a local concern. The establishment of vegetation, a vital part of this rehabilitation, is often hindered by a shortage of soil or reduced soil quality. This challenge is prevalent globally, as the rehabilitated areas typically exceed the original footprint from which topsoil was extracted...

According to the latest data revealed by the Iranian Mines and Mining Distribution Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), Iran’s aluminium ingot production during the first two months of FY2024-2025 (March 20-May 21) saw a slight drop of 0.44 per cent year-on-year. From 112,767 tonnes in April and May 2023, Iran’s primary aluminium production grew to 112,273 tonnes this year. Based on IMIDRO’s data, among the country’s four major producers, South Aluminum Corporation contributed the highest to the two-month aluminium ingot production. The company produced 47,002 tonnes of primary metal, followed by the Iranian Aluminium Company, which produced 31,122 tonnes. Almahdi Aluminum Company and Iran Alumina Company, the third and the fourth largest producer of primary aluminium in...

In the ever-evolving landscape of defence, where speed, agility, and resilience define the edge between victory and defeat, aluminium emerges as a silent but formidable ally. Renowned for its lightweight yet robust nature, aluminium is revolutionising a wide array of defence applications—from the construction of agile aircraft and resilient naval vessels to the development of cutting-edge armoured vehicles and advanced weaponry. Its unique properties—lightweight, high strength, and resistance to harsh environments—make it an essential material, transforming military capabilities and redefining the landscape of defence technology. The first military use of aluminium dates back to 1892, when the French government employed it for their torpedo boats. The U.S. Army soon followed, albeit with...

Lorin Industries Inc., a renowned global manufacturer specialising in coil anodised aluminium, celebrated the grand opening of its latest batch anodising line with a ceremony. The event, held at Lorin's expansive 400,000 sq. ft. facility in Muskegon, MI, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Lorin's President, Park Kersman. Lorin Industries provides coil anodised aluminium, manufactured exclusively in the USA and used in various industries, including architecture and construction. After a construction period spanning over a year, the new batch production line is now fully operational. This development marks a significant enhancement in Lorin's capabilities, aimed at catering to diverse industries such as architecture, automotive, aerospace, military, toys, medical devices, and consumer...

During January-May 2024, China witnessed a positive trend of aluminium raw material and aluminium product imports, as demonstrated by the Shanghai Metals Market’s latest survey. Considering raw materials, China’s bauxite and alumina imports grew in May due to the growing demand for primary metal production, as many smelters, especially in Yunnan, resumed operations because of the increased generation of hydropower backed by sufficient rainfall. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s primary aluminium production in May reached 3.65 million tonnes, marking a 2-year high. China is increasingly depending on imported ore as domestic supply lines are struggling. At the end of May, out of 100 million tonnes, China’s operating capacity stood at 82.29 million tonnes, with an...

Gränges Americas is making significant strides to reduce its carbon footprint by seeking out low-carbon primary aluminium to produce its aluminium solutions. This initiative is part of the company's broader commitment to mitigate climate impact across its entire value chain, encompassing operational practices and material procurement. Gränges has set ambitious long-term climate goals for 2030 and 2040, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring alignment with the latest climate science. Central to these goals is the strategic increase in recycling and the procurement of low-carbon primary aluminium. Through strategic alliances with major suppliers such as Rio Tinto and Alcoa, Gränges Americas has secured access to third-party verified low-carbon primary aluminium....

Italian authorities are planning to implement a comprehensive package of measures to enhance procurement and reprocessing of critical raw materials, according to a draft decree reviewed by Reuters and reported by Mining.com. This initiative, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration, underscores a strategic shift towards reducing dependency on imports, particularly from countries such as China. Key among the measures is streamlined permitting procedures designed to expedite the release of mining concessions, facilitating greater domestic extraction of essential materials. This policy shift reflects the government's commitment to bolstering local industries and securing a more self-reliant economic future. Italy estimates it can domestically source 16 out of the 34 raw...