Tesla's ambitions for its Optimus humanoid robot extend well beyond factory automation, with the company envisioning a future in which robots could support vehicle servicing, logistics and even last-mile delivery. However, turning that vision into a commercially viable product will require more than advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. It will also depend on access to aluminium, critical minerals and the downstream manufacturing capabilities needed to produce increasingly sophisticated hardware at scale. Tesla has already taken an important step towards that ambition. On October 21, 2026, the company announced that Optimus production had begun on its high-volume manufacturing line in Fremont, California. Tesla described the units coming off the line as its first...
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...
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Today, on May 28, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium benchmark price has inched up by US$29 per tonne or 1 per cent to anchor at US$2,923 per tonne. The most-traded SHFE 2407 aluminium contract opened at RMB 20,925 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 21,215 per tonne, a low of RMB 20,925 per tonne, and closed at RMB 21,160 per tonne, up RMB 160 per tonne or 0.76 per cent. London Metal Exchange market Due to the UK Spring Bank Holiday, the London Metal Exchange (LME) was closed on Monday (May 27) and will resume trading on Tuesday.
Liquid Death, the startup known for its innovative "murder your thirst" campaign, has secured $9 million in Series A funding. This round, led by Velvet Sea Ventures, brings the total funding to $11.25 million, with participation from notable investors like Jamie Siminoff and Sophia Amoruso. Liquid Death sells mountain water in tallboy aluminium cans, with a 12-pack priced at $18.99. The brand, co-founded by CEO Mike Cessario , aims to make water consumption exciting through edgy, heavy metal-inspired marketing. Cessario, a former creative director at VaynerMedia, emphasises the importance of branding in differentiating their product in the competitive beverage market. The brand is committed to sustainability, using aluminium cans made from over 70% recycled material. Aluminium, being...
Did you know that over 100 billion-plus aluminium cans are expected to be recycled every year? This indicates that a billion tonnes of recycled aluminium are still in use today! As per Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Scrap University Kids, a whopping 1.3 million empty aluminium beverage cans were collected during the first Million Cans Recycling contest. With the world moving rapidly towards reducing emissions to save the environment from further degradation, aluminium as a metal has proven to be better than the rest when it comes to being environmentally friendly . This competition, aimed at second—and third-grade students, took place from October 15, 2023, to May 16, 2024, challenging schools to recycle the most aluminium beverage cans . "The Million Cans Recycling Contest...
The latest data revealed by Marubeni Corporation, a prominent Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate, indicates a month-on-month and a year-on-year fall in aluminium stocks across the three major Japanese ports at the end of April 2024. There have been increasingly evident supply constraints in Japan, leading to declining stocks at the ports. In addition, strong demand in the domestic market contributed to bearish aluminium stocks. As a result, Japan’s aluminium premiums for the April-June quarter saw an uptick to $145-148 per tonne , compared to $90 per tonne during the January-March quarter. Nonetheless, the port inventories remained above 300,000 tonnes at the end of April, totalling 308,100 tonnes. However, on a month-on-month basis, the stocks stood 2.3 per...
In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, securing robust and reliable supply chains has become paramount, especially amidst rising geopolitical tensions. Tesla, the pioneer in electric vehicle (EV) innovation, is proactively addressing these concerns by reshaping its supply chain strategies. As the maker of the acclaimed Model Y electric crossover, Tesla is ensuring the continuity of its supply chain even as geopolitical tensions between China, Taiwan, and the United States intensify. According to a recent report by Nikkei Asia, Tesla has urged several suppliers to commence building components outside of China and Taiwan as early as next year. These components, including displays, electronic control units, and printed circuit boards, are vital for Tesla EVs marketed outside of China....
On Monday, May 27, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a state-owned Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, announced strong fiscal results for the fourth quarter and full year of FY2023-24, driven by a robust growth trajectory in production and sales. NALCO reported that its Q4 net profit recorded a two-fold jump of 101.5 per cent year-on-year, reaching INR 996.7 crore, surpassing the CNBC-TV18 poll’s prediction of INR 605 crore. During the corresponding quarter of the last financial year, NALCO’s net profit was INR 495 crore. However, the company’s revenue from operations dipped 2.5 per cent Y-o-Y in Q4 FY2024, amounting to INR 3,579 crore versus INR 3,671 crore, attributing to the lower benchmark prices of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. The three-month aluminium...
Harnessing over 30 years of experience, the German multinational manufacturer of Luxury vehicles, BMW Group, is a pioneer in additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. According to reports, BMW Group Plant Landshut has launched a new generation bionic robot gripper crafted through an innovative process utilising a sand casting mould filled with liquid aluminium. About the new bionic gripper These new aluminium robotic-grippers are 25 per cent lighter than its predecessor, allowing the entire CFRP roof (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) manufacturing process for the BMW M3 to be completed with just one robot instead of three. Currently, double grippers, individually manufactured through 3D printing within the BMW Group, are used for all CFRP roofs at the BMW Group Plant...
AMAG Austria Metall AG, the biggest company in the Austrian aluminium industry, is reportedly expanding its rooftop photovoltaic plant to double with the help of Energie AG, a modern and efficient energy and service group, in a bid to make a significant shift from using natural gas to green electricity for decarbonising Ranshofen aluminium production site. The expansion of the rooftop photovoltaic plant will start in June 2024 and is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Once done, it will be the largest rooftop photovoltaic plant in Austria. For the expansion, AMAG will install photovoltaic plant modules on six halls at the Ranshofen plant site, covering about 63,000 square metres of gross roof area, in addition to the existing area of 60,000 square metres. This means more than...
Hindalco Industries has reported impressive performance metrics for the January to March 2024 quarter, showcasing strong margins and volumes across its aluminium and copper business segments. The company's aluminium upstream earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) surged 24 per cent year-on-year, reaching INR 2,709 crores. This achievement is underscored by an industry-leading EBITDA margin of 32 per cent, a notable feat considering the significant rise in aluminium prices. Managing Director Satish Pai's strategic foresight shines through amid the current market volatility. He remains optimistic about the future, anticipating that aluminium prices will stabilise around $2,400 per tonne, as reported by CNBC-TV18. As of May 24, aluminium was priced at $2,598...
Canada-based Westlake Royal Building Products has unveiled an exclusive update to its Cedar Renditions aluminium siding line. The company is introducing two unique new colours: Burntwood, with a classic appeal and distinct stained woodgrain appearance, and Blonde Oak, a high-end option showcasing intricate multi-tonal woodgrain patterns. According to Westlake, Cedar Renditions is not just another product. It's a testament to our commitment to quality. Constructed from robust and recyclable aluminium, it boasts rust resistance, water resistance, resilience to cold conditions, and immunity to insects, guaranteeing an extended lifespan. Backed by a 25-year Prorated Limited Warranty, the product is conveniently accessible through selected distributors across North America. "Westlake Royal...
According to China customs data, the country’s domestic primary aluminium imports amounted to 218,500 tonnes in April 2024, down by 12.38 per cent M-o-M but up by 119 per cent Y-o-Y. Net imports were 206,300 tonnes – 115.2 per cent more than a year ago. From January to April 2024, China imported 939,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, which was significantly 192 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Net import volume in the first four months of the year was 925,000 tonnes, up 199.5 per cent Y-o-Y. Overall, in April 2024, import losses of SHFE aluminium spot persisted. Starting from mid-April, import loss expanded significantly, reaching RMB 3,122.2 per tonne. From April-end, the loss started narrowing but still remained above RMB 1,500 per tonne. China’s primary aluminium...
Founded by Robert Clifford, Incat Tasmania is a renowned Australian manufacturer of high-speed lightweight catamarans that has revolutionised maritime engineering. Incat specialises in high-speed, lightweight aluminium passenger vehicle ferries and is synonymous with innovation and sustainability. "The real focus has been on using aluminium because that gives us the lightweight product, which allows us to operate the vessels at a high speed. Our passion now is building the vessels for the future, which are going to meet the zero emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of the maritime sector around the world," added CEO Stephen Casey of Incat. Based in Derwent Park, Hobart, Incat boasts the largest covered shipyard in the southern hemisphere. This facility, which includes five large...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s average alumina spot price has jumped by RMB 33 per tonne over the weekend to stand at RMB 3,878 per tonne as of May 27. This latest hike has marked China’s domestic alumina price above a 2-year high. In Lianyungang and Bayuquan, alumina spot price has soared by RMB 85 per tonne to reach RMB 3,955 per tonne and RMB 3,965 per tonne, respectively, followed by a rise of RMB 40 per tonne in Shandong to RMB 3,860 per tonne. In Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou, and Guangxi, alumina price has unanimously increased by RMB 30 per tonne to start the week at RMB 3,870 per tonne, RMB 3,885 per tonne, RMB 3,875 per tonne, and RMB 3,910 per tonne, found SMM. The Australian alumina FOB price has also increased over the weekend after remaining restrained...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,608.5 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,675 per tonne and a low of US$2,603 per tonne, and closed at US$2,658 per tonne, up US$36.5 per tonne or 1.39 per cent. On Friday, May 24, the LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$48 per tonne, or 1.88 per cent, to US$2,598 per tonne and US$2,599 per tonne, respectively. As per the LME data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by US$47 per tonne or 1.80 per cent and US$47.5 per tonne or 1.82 per cent to stand at US$2,649 per tonne and US$2,650 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price gained US$48 per tonne or 1.76 per cent to halt at US$2,768 per tonne and US$2,773 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came...
For the first time in the industry, Rio Tinto and BHP Group Limited will unite on testing a large battery-electric haul truck technology in the Pilbara, Western Australia, in a bid to integrate sustainable operational practices across mining. Reportedly, Rio Tinto and BHP will work with manufacturers Caterpillar and Komatsu to conduct independent trials of trucks, including testing of battery and static and dynamic charging systems, to assess performance of the vehicle in the Pilbara environment. The collaboration reflects all the companies’ individual commitment towards net zero operational greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Trials will begin with two Cat 793 haul trucks from the second half of 2024, followed by the trials of two Komatsu 930 haul trucks from 2026 at the Pilbara mine...
In a bold move to protect domestic industries, the United States recently imposed substantial tariffs on a wide range of imports from China. This decisive action has sent ripples through the global trade landscape, prompting other nations to consider similar protective measures. CareEdge Ratings, a credit rating agency, has weighed in on the potential consequences of this policy shift. The agency believes there may be a growing likelihood that other countries may adopt high tariffs on imports as a strategy to shield their economies. If this trend gains traction, it could significantly alter international trade dynamics and reshape economic relationships worldwide. The US decision to raise tariffs is rooted in a broader strategy to address trade imbalances and bolster domestic...
In a recent development, Mercedes-Benz has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with TSR Recycling GmbH & Co. KG, signalling a significant stride towards bolstering its circularity strategy concerning end-of-life vehicles, as reported by GlobalData. This strategic partnership underscores Mercedes-Benz's commitment to sustainability and marks a pivotal step in its efforts to enhance recycling and reusability practices within the automotive industry. This MoU centres around the extraction of secondary materials via the concept of "urban mining." Through this pilot initiative, Mercedes-Benz anticipates delving into the European landscape to uncover the untapped potential of post-consumer materials, specifically focusing on aluminium , steel, polymers, copper, and glass....
On May 23, 2024, the technology leader in electrification and automation, ABB, announced key leadership changes effective August 1, 2024. Giampiero Frisio has been appointed the new President of the Electrification Business Area, while Brandon Spencer will assume the President of the Motion Business Area. Both Frisio and Spencer will join ABB’s Executive Committee, bringing their extensive experience and fresh perspectives to the global technology leader’s top management team. Björn Rosengren, the CEO of ABB, said, “Both Giampiero and Brandon are proven leaders with strong track records in their current roles, driving profitable growth in two of our largest Divisions. I am particularly happy that we are appointing internal candidates – this shows the strength of ABB’s pool of senior...
