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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On the day of Christmas, as the world is in a celebratory mood, the aluminium price on the Shanghai Metals Markert is on the hiking trend, bringing good news for investors. As of December 25, 2024, the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) reported the following prices for alumina and aluminium ingots: Image Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/375156762748 Primary aluminium ingot pricing A00 primary aluminium ingot has seen a constant rise for the past few days. The SMM A00 aluminium ingot price was RMB 19,830 per tonne, reflecting an increase of RMB 40 per tonne (0.20 per cent) from the prior day. The spot contract was traded on Wednesday with a discount price of RMB 20 per tonne to a discount of RMB 60 per tonne. The average A00 aluminium ingot pricing has risen in all eight listed provinces, with...
Vedanta Aluminium has made another leap in respect to digital innovation. The company has introduced an advanced Logistics App, developed in collaboration with Krishca Strapping Solutions, aimed at enhancing the company’s transport loading and lashing operations to a global standard. Image Source: Vedanta Aluminium Vedanta Aluminium has made another leap in respect to digital innovation. The company has introduced an advanced Logistics App, developed in collaboration with Krishca Strapping Solutions, aimed at enhancing the company's transport loading and lashing operations to a global standard. The app features the latest technologies that can solve critical operational challenges, including vehicle turnaround time and streamlining vehicle operations to significantly boost productivity....
Domal, a renowned name in aluminium window and door systems, has collaborated with three esteemed architectural studios—Ideàs Studio, Principioattivo Architecture Group, and Studio Marco Piva—to transform the traditional Christmas tree into an aluminium inclusive symbol of sustainability and innovation. These designs, crafted using Hydro Circal 75R, a high-quality aluminium made from recycled post-consumer materials, reflect Domal’s resolution towards environmental responsibility and cutting-edge design. Im age Source: https://designwanted.com/spazio-domal-milanodesignxmas-2024/ This collaboration was showcased as part of MilanoDesignXmas, an annual initiative organised by TOWANT, bringing together companies and architectural studios to reinterpret festive traditions through creative...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has deployed yet another cutting-edge technology for operational enhancement. According to a report on December 24, Alba has partnered with Comvision (India) Private Limited, a leading provider of intelligent transportation solutions, to upscale its inventory management and tracking systems. The companies have entered a strategic partnership, represented by Alba’s CEO Ali Al Baqali and Comvision’s MD and CEO Harjinder Kaur Talwar. Under the agreement signed, Comvision will provide Alba with a customised, innovative RFID-based inventory management system, enabling access to real-time visibility and tracking inventory across all shipping yards including sites in Bahrain, optimising operations and reducing costs. The new technology is named ‘Albavision’ and...
Iran's alumina powder production has recorded a five per cent growth during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year, spanning March 20 to November 20, as reported by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organisation (IMIDRO). According to IMIDRO's data, the country produced a total of 159,416 tonnes of alumina powder during this period, marking an increase from the 152,293 tonnes produced in the same timeframe last year. This steady rise in production highlights Iran's continued focus on enhancing its industrial capabilities in the mining and metallurgy sectors. Alumina, a key material for aluminium production, plays a critical role in supporting the country's broader economic and industrial goals. IMIDRO's efforts to boost output align...
The United States' aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports decreased through the third quarter of 2024, totalling 189,800 tonnes. The export volume fell sharply by 2.77 per cent from 195,200 tonnes compared to the previous quarter. In September 2024, the United States exported 59,400 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars, which reflected a M-o-M decline of 7.76 per cent from 64,400 tonnes. The export volume in August decreased by 2.42 per cent from 66,000 tonnes in July. There has been a continuous declining trend in the United States aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports since May 2024, barring an intermittent hike of 11.68 per cent in July to 66,000 tonnes. From January to September, the United States' aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports totalled 583,000 tonnes, down...
The former Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and current Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has strongly refuted allegations concerning the bauxite mining controversy on Rennell Island in the Rennell/Bellona Province. Hon. Lilo’s response follows statements made during a recent parliamentary session by the present Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, and Hon. Bradley Tovosia, Minister of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification. Gordon Darcy Lilo. Gordon Darcy Lilo (born 28 August 1965) is a Solomon Islander politician who served as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from November 16, 2011 to December 9, 2014. On December 19, 2024, the Prime Minister asserted that the contentious bauxite mining issues on Rennell were a legacy of the Lilo-Maelanga administration....
Winstar Capital Bhd has displayed an exceptional performance on the ACE Market, with its share price surging over 80 per cent since its listing at 35 sen. As of 12:35 pm on 24 December (local time), the company's shares are trading at 64 sen, reflecting a remarkable 83 per cent increase. Trading volume has also been robust, with over 24.77 million shares changing hands. Boasting a market capitalisation of RM186 million (US$ 40.92 million), Winstar Capital is strategically positioning itself for expansion. Part of the proceeds from its recent IPO is earmarked for acquiring four additional aluminium extrusion lines, which collectively offer an annual capacity of 8,580 tonnes. These new lines, to be installed at its factory in Ijok, Selangor, will significantly enhance the company's total...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s primary aluminium and input costs have shrunk overnight, indicating muted demand for the commodities. The only exception is bauxite, with its domestic price remaining unchanged and imported price gaining US$ 0.08 per tonne to US$105.84 per tonne. Image Source: Caixin A00 aluminium ingot price On Tuesday, December 24, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price has dwindled by RMB 80 per tonne to stand at RMB 19,790 per tonne, averaging between RMB 19,770 and 19,810 per tonne. The provincial prices have also shrunk across the board, with Hangzhou and Shenyang witnessing a decline of RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 19,810 per tonne. Wuxi has also seen a fall of RMB 100 per tonne today, reaching RMB 19,790 per tonne, followed by the downfall of RMB 90...
Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy leader, has strengthened its presence in Europe with two significant acquisitions in the Iberian Peninsula, advancing its ambitious growth strategy. The company acquired Saeta Yield from Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners in a landmark deal valued at €1.2 billion, including an equity valuation of €696 million. Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) is one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy companies. As a global clean energy pioneer, Masdar is advancing the development and deployment of solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage and green hydrogen technologies to accelerate the energy transition and help the world meet its net-zero ambitions. Established in 2006, Masdar has developed and invested in projects in over 40...
RUSAL has cemented its position as the successor to the Russian and Soviet aluminium industry, consolidating leading facilities, innovative research, and cutting-edge technologies. Operating across four strategic business units—aluminium, alumina, energy, and mining and metals—the company's core segments, as highlighted in the H1 2024 report, remain aluminium and alumina. As 2024 comes to a close, we examine the industrial giant’s performance, milestones, and challenges. A legacy of leadership The roots of Russia’s aluminium industry trace back to 1885 when A. Novoveisky established the country’s first aluminium smelter in Sergiev Posad. Significant breakthroughs followed, including the Bayer method of alumina production in 1889 and the launch of the Soviet Union’s first aluminium smelter...
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) showed positive trends, with nickel increasing by 1.61 per cent d-o-d. Meanwhile, inventories at LME-registered warehouses witnessed mixed trends, with zinc stocks decreasing by 1.32 per cent d-o-d. COMEX market update Copper prices on the COMEX market increased by 1 per cent to $9,051/tonne (t) compared to the previous close. Indian market overview In India's non-ferrous metals markets, BigMint assessed domestic copper armature scrap at INR 734,000/tonne ex-Delhi. Aluminium Tense scrap prices remained stable d-o-d, with ex-Delhi at INR 174,000/tonne and ex-Chennai at INR 175,000/tonne. Global updates China to raise budget deficit to 4 per cent of GDP in 2025 China plans a record 4 per cent budget deficit of GDP for 2025, a significant...
According to the United States Geological Survey, the United States alumina imports through the first three quarters of 2024 reflected a year-on-year downfall of 1.1 per cent, despite sequential growth in the second and third quarter of the year. Image Source: iStock A sharp fall in Q1 by 20.33 per cent Q-o-Q and 11.46 per cent year-on-year to 286,000 tonnes has contributed to the downfall in the United States year-to-date alumina imports. Even the subsequent increase in the second and third quarter by 13.64 per cent and 16.31 per cent, respectively, failed to offset the year-to-day downtick. In the second quarter of 2023, the United States alumina imports were 325,000 tonnes, which climbed up in Q3 to 378,000 tonnes, also up by 5.29 per cent Y-o-Y from 359,000 tonnes. From January to...
The deadline for the proposed merger between Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) and subsidiaries of Saudi Arabia’s Ma’aden has been extended to the second quarter of 2025. Originally anticipated to be finalised in Q1 2025, the extension was disclosed in a statement to the Bahrain Bourse on 22 December 2024. “This extension will provide both companies with additional time to conduct a thorough due diligence and further evaluation of the potential strategic and financial benefits of this potential business combination,” the posting said. Present scenario The non-binding agreement, signed in September and initially set to expire on 31 December 2024, has been extended to 30 April 2025. Alba’s Chief Executive, Ali Al Baqali, had previously expressed optimism for an earlier conclusion. “With the growth...
Japan's leading breweries, Suntory Holdings Limited, Asahi Group Holdings, Kirin Holdings, and Sapporo Holdings, will begin phasing in using the "EcoEnd™" can lid for select beer products in February 2025. These innovative solutions significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cutting production-related emissions by approximately 40 per cent. This move takes a big step forward in terms of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd. has jointly developed with UACJ Corporation "EcoEnd," a beverage can lid that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 40 per cent compared to current products, and this marks the first time that it has been widely adopted in the alcoholic beverages and soft drink industry. In the future, companies will likely...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s unwrought aluminium alloy imports in November 2024 recorded a month-on-month decline of 11.6 per cent and a year-on-year fall of 8.8 per cent to reach 200,000 tonnes. The cumulative imports reached 1.1076 million tonnes, reflecting an annual rise of 8.6 per cent. Image Source: Shanghai Metals Market Among the sources of imports, Malaysia was the highest, followed by Thailand, South Korea, Russia, and Vietnam. From Malaysia, China imported 37,400 tonnes, which accounted for 37 per cent of the country’s total imports. From Thailand and South Korea, China imported 17,000 tonnes and 12,500 tonnes, 17 per cent and 12.2 per cent of the monthly imports, while the imports from Russia and Vietnam stood at 12,300 tonnes and 4,700 tonnes....
Based on the latest data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute, the world's primary aluminium production is set to surpass the previous year's output, marking a new year's high. In December 2024, the world's primary aluminium output needs to achieve only above 4.194 tonnes to exceed the 2023 total of 70.716 million tonnes. From January to November 2024, the world's primary aluminium production reached 66.522 million tonnes. Image Source: Flickr In November 2024, the world's primary metal output decreased by 3.07 per cent M-o-M, reaching 6.04 million tonnes. However, according to a year-on-year calculation, the production saw an increase of the same percentage, 5.863 million tonnes. However, calculating the daily output of November vs October, the monthly decline was only due...
The leaders of Europe’s key auto manufacturing nations—Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic—have urged Brussels to reconsider imposing financial penalties on automakers failing to meet EU emissions targets starting in 2025. Speaking after an EU leaders’ summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz argued that imposing fines would exacerbate the industry's challenges. He emphasised that penalties should not hinder companies' capacity to invest in electric vehicle development, which is crucial for the sector’s transition and future. Facing pressure from a snap election scheduled for February next year, Scholz remarked that while automakers introduce new EV models, consumers cannot be compelled to purchase them. The German Chancellor stated, “I think it’s right not to impose fines and to look...
