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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India has emerged as one of the leading destinations for clean technology funding, surpassing China in recent months. This shift has been fuelled by efforts to enhance domestic green manufacturing and attract global investors. In the third quarter, India emerged as the second-largest market for green technologies, driven by a significant surge in funding. In the same quarter alone, clean tech deals worth approximately $2.4 billion were finalised in India—more than four times the value of deals in China. This makes India the second-largest market globally for clean tech investments, trailing only the United States, according to data from BloombergNEF. Climate Technology Fund Raj Pai, founding partner of GEF Capital Partners, a climate-focused private equity firm, attributes this momentum...
The third quarter of 2024 witnessed a continued rise in aluminium packaging recycling volume across the United Kingdom, and that too at a much higher growth rate than in the previous quarter. Compared to a 3 per cent increase in Q2 , the United Kingdom's aluminium packaging recycling volume surged by 15 per cent in Q3, which ended September 30, according to the data published on the National Packaging Waste Database by the Environment Agency. Q3 recycling volume The United Kingdom's total collection of aluminium packaging in Q3 was 43,466 tonnes, including 32,293 tonnes through kerbside and 10,910 tonnes recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA). Although the total collection decreased Q-o-Q, the recycling rate improved significantly. The 17 per cent decline in aluminium packaging...
In 2022, Apple and Tsinghua University introduced the ‘Carbon Neutral Capacity Improvement Project’ to train younger pupils on environmental protection and low-carbon transformation. Carbon neutrality is a vast and convoluted system inclusive of pivotal technologies, engineering, systems, and governance. Image Source: https://www.tsinghua.edu.cn Through this project, on one hand, students could study relevant practices on campus and, on the other, go to the ground zeroes of factories and businesses for field summer exercise, subsequently attaining an in-depth understanding of the practical applications of carbon neutrality, technological innovation and management. This year, Tsinghua University students created research groups focused on improving energy efficiency through digitalisation,...
UK-based EV technology firm Electrogenic has introduced an electrification kit tailored for the first-generation Mazda MX-5, with a focus on aluminium-centric innovation. This 'plug-and-play' solution allows Mazda MX-5 enthusiasts to transform their petrol-powered roadsters into aluminium-chassised electric vehicles while preserving the car's lightweight aluminium structure and enhancing performance. Image Source: https://www.frfmotors.com/ Central to the kit is a 42kWh battery pack, cleverly distributed between the front, beneath the aluminium bonnet, and the space formerly occupied by the fuel tank. Impressively, the boot remains untouched, maintaining its original storage capacity. The vehicle is driven by a compact motor generating 120kW of power, channelled through a single-speed...
Representing National Democratic Congress (Ghana), Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama has reportedly assured the residents in Nyinahin, a district in the Ashanti Region, that he would prioritise bauxite mining if elected in the December 7 elections. While addressing the crowd, Mahama outlined a detailed plan to enhance bauxite mining to create local jobs and drive national economic growth. He said, "We will engage with the chiefs regarding the construction of a railway from Takoradi to Nyinahin to facilitate the easy transportation of bauxite. Additionally, we will construct a factory for aluminium production to create more jobs for the youth." "We are committed to the development of our country. The days of supporting a party solely based on lineage are no longer relevant. Let's...
Germany's industrial downturn persisted in October, with production declining further, as reported by ING. Industrial output dropped by 1 per cent month-on-month, following a steeper 2.5 per cent contraction in September. Production has fallen nearly 5 per cent compared to last year's period. This weak start to the fourth quarter heightens concerns of a potential winter recession for Europe's largest economy. The industrial outlook remains challenging The challenges faced by German industry over the past few years exemplify the broader struggles of the nation's economy. Caught between cyclical downturns and structural obstacles, Germany has had to confront the reality that its traditional macroeconomic model—reliant on affordable energy and accessible export markets—is no longer...
Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Corporation is a global leader in the bauxite, alumina, and aluminium industry. With a market capitalisation of US$7.807 billion and an enterprise value of US$8.057 billion, the company's operations span the entire aluminium value chain, making it a significant player in the global market. Global footprint Alcoa's operations extend across nine countries, primarily in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Iceland, Norway, Spain, and the United States, wherein the enterprise directly and indirectly owns 27 operating locations and employs over 13,000 people. Operations are divided into two reportable upstream segments — alumina and aluminium. The alumina segment encompasses global bauxite mines and alumina refineries, aligning the global brand as one of the world's largest...
Alupro has launched its Christmas 2024 campaign - Santa's Little Recyclers. Designed to help local authorities boost recycling rates, the programme calls for households to recycle more aluminium packaging, including mince pie cases, drink cans, wrapping foil, chocolate foil, empty aerosols and metal closures on bottles. UK households dispose of millions of tonnes of packaging during the festive season. With aluminium able to be recycled again and again, residents can help to contribute to a more circular economy by following best practice guidance during one of the busiest consumption periods of the year. To maximise recycling rates, Alupro has produced a suite of dedicated resources for local authorities, including animation, as well as a range of static images for use on social media...
A recent survey by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) has shown a surprising downtrend in consumer aluminium cans recycling in the United States. Once averaging at around 52 per cent in the 1990s, the rate has decreased to 43 per cent in 2023. However, a silver lining is that aluminium cans still have a higher recycling rate than glass, with a recycling rate of 39.6 per cent and plastic bottles with 20 per cent. Image Source: The Aluminum Association Learning and suggestions Outdated recycling infrastructure and less passive approach to recycling policy could be the reasons behind the drop in the United States’ aluminium cans recycling rate. Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, said: “Our current approach to recycling in America is...
The annual Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is one of the most critical global events dedicated to combating climate change. During COP, countries and leading companies discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to a changing climate, and accelerate the transition to sustainable development. COP29 took place in Baku this year, bringing together world leaders, experts, and business representatives. RUSAL, one of the largest producers of low-carbon aluminium, reaffirmed its commitment to the global climate agenda by presenting key initiatives and achievements at the conference. Innovative solutions for a sustainable future At COP29, RUSAL unveiled a unique digital platform designed to facilitate resource...
GlassPoint, the leader in decarbonising industrial process heat, on November 26, 2024, unveiled the next phase of development for the GlassPoint Ma’aden Technology Showcase (GMTS) in partnership with the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia (MISA). In addition, GlassPoint has partnered with Cox as its technical and delivery partner to build the GMTS, as well as several additional solar thermal projects globally. The GMTS is the first stage in building the world’s largest industrial solar thermal project, Ma’aden I, a $1.5B project which will combine direct solar to-heat technology with advanced thermal storage to accelerate the decarbonising of Ma’aden's aluminium supply chain. To support these projects for Ma’aden and to export high-technology renewable energy components to the region,...
The Heavy Industry Low-Carbon Transition Cooperative Research Centre (HILT CRC) has embarked on a landmark three-year project to support the decarbonisation of heavy industry through enhanced energy infrastructure planning in Australia. The initiative is titled "Unlocking Investment in Energy Infrastructure for Net-Zero Industrial Hubs" and aims to deliver precise, data-driven insights into energy costs. These findings will help shape government policies and empower heavy industries to navigate their decarbonisation journeys strategically. The project focuses on identifying the most optimal and cost-efficient energy supply solutions—spanning hydrogen, electricity, and natural gas—for developing industrial hubs. These hubs are critical to achieving Australia's net-zero emissions target...
Canada’s Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), Yves Giroux, estimates that federal revenues will rise by $473 million over five years due to tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, aluminium, and steel. In October, the federal government implemented a 100 per cent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles (EVs) and a 25 per cent per cent tariff on aluminium and steel imports. The Canadian Government has pointed out China's trade practices, highlighting unfair pricing and product dumping enabled by "abysmal" environmental and labour standards. These practices, they argue, come at a significant cost to both the environment and workers' rights. The Trudeau Government faced significant pressure to align with U.S. tariffs, driven by advocacy from industry groups such as automakers and steel and...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has reportedly acknowledged Alle Aluminio Ltda with the Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for producing recycled aluminium products at its Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil facility. Alle Aluminio, a leading recycled aluminium product manufacturer in the Brazil market, has achieved this certification conforming to all the 11 principles and 62 criteria defined by ASI under three sustainability pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance, aimed at addressing pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain, such as biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions. The company has an annual aluminium recycling capacity of more than 150,000 tonnes and a production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of saleable...
As the first week of the last month concludes, the price of primary and secondary aluminium ingots in the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) stretches towards stability despite the week-long ups and downs. On Thursday, December 6, the price of a00 primary aluminium ingot was listed within a range of RMB 20,380-20,420 per tonne. The week started with an average price of RMB 20,380 per tonne and ended at RMB 20,400 per tonne, ultimately gaining RMB 20 within a five-day span. Image Credit: iStock The spot contract, set to be traded on December 6, is expected to maintain premium pricing, with a premium of RMB 10-50 per tonne and an average of RMB 30 per tonne. Provincial prices of primary aluminium The average A00 aluminium ingot pricing decreased in all the provinces, with prices depicted as RMB...
Based on China Customs data, the Shanghai Metals Market reported the country’s aluminium foil exports in October 2024 saw a month-on-month increase of 8 per cent and a year-on-year hike of 27 per cent, totalling 134,200 tonnes. The average cost of China’s aluminium foil export was $3,625 per tonne for the said month. Image Source: Nantong Hengjin Composite Materials Co., Ltd Among the export destinations, Thailand and India remained the top two, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Korea. To the top ten destinations, China exported 76,200 tonnes of aluminium foil, which accounted for 56.78 per cent of the total exports in October. Thailand, the highest importer of Chinese aluminium foil, secured 14,200 tonnes in October at an average cost of $3,277 per tonne....
Veteran Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor stars in his first advertisement for Viva ACP after being chosen as the brand's ambassador in October 2024. The advertisement presents the actor in a triple role, with one character as a Viva expert and two characters as customers with different aluminium composite panel requirements, wherein the experts guide the other two characters in choosing from the wide range of products according to their individual preferences. Image Source: Youtube (@vivacompositepanels) "Our aim has always been to offer high-quality, innovative solutions that cater to all segments of society, whether for residential, commercial, or specialised applications. This TVC, featuring our Brand Ambassador- superstar Anil Kapoor, is a testament to our commitment to providing...
Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer and one of the leading global players in the industry, has garnered worldwide attention this year with its bold moves towards sustainability and highest-ever half-yearly production. Indeed, the company has marked several milestones from the very beginning of the year by securing #Rank 1 as the most sustainable aluminium producer in the esteemed S&P Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) rankings for the assessment period 2023. Then on, Vedanta awed the global aluminium industry with one after another sustainable aluminium production tactics, with an unwavering focus towards shifting to renewable energy. Image Source: Vedanta Aluminium The former CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, John Slaven, made a strong opinion by stating, "We are...
