
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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Rilox EV, a pioneer in sustainable transport solutions, has unveiled the Bijli Trio, an electric three-wheeler e-cart is equipped with telescopic suspension, a spacious rear cargo area, and a durable cast aluminium alloy frame. It is available in versatile configurations, with or without a secure cargo box, to meet diverse business requirements. This thoughtful design strikes a balance between performance and practicality, making it ideal for applications ranging from mobile vending to last-mile delivery. Image Source: Energitica Designed to revolutionise logistics and retail mobility for small and medium businesses, the Bijli Trio serves as a practical, eco-friendly solution for urban logistics and last-mile delivery needs, bridging the gap between two-wheelers and larger three-wheelers....

Updates like record-high alumina production in October, Antam committing $723 million for mining expansion, and global aluminium producers offering 31-49 per cent higher shipment premium to Japanese buyers have taken the aluminium industry by storm this week, indicating an increasing effort towards upstream aluminium production amid a critical supply-chain flow due to revised trade policies. The ongoing gap between demand and supply is likely to increase with the implementation of policies like China’s aluminium export tax rebate cancellation or the United States’ increased tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China. On Monday, November 25, US President-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed on social media that he would impose 25 per cent tariffs on all imports from Mexico and Canada, the United...

The United States Federal Government has strategised to tackle the import gap of metals, including aluminium, with an enhanced focus on recycling. According to mining.com, the Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it will invest US$ 22 million to exalt Golden Aluminum's recycling operations in Colorado. Image Source: https://globalscraptrading.com/ The department is also in search of building from scratch opportunities for an electric vehicle (EV) battery recycling chain. It has allocated financial aid for the latest scrap sorting technology and processing capacity. In the stance of B2U Storage Solutions, they have even considered transporting used batteries. What is urban mining? Urban mining is the process of exploring, extracting and refining metal from anthropogenic stocks...

In a strategic move poised to reshape the automotive HVAC segment, Tube Investments of India (TII) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire a 67 per cent equity stake in KCALtech System India (KCAL India), a subsidiary of South Korea-based KCAL Korea. This acquisition signals TII’s intent to fortify its position in the burgeoning automotive sector, with a particular focus on aluminium tubes and parts used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for automobiles. The investment is set to bolster KCAL India’s expansion plans, enhancing its manufacturing capabilities to meet the rising demand for automotive HVAC components. TII’s decision to target this niche aligns with its broader strategy of diversifying into complementary business segments, aiming to capitalize on...

On Monday, November 4, Chinalco and the Republic of Guinea-Bissau signed a framework agreement for cooperation on mineral resources at Guinea-Bissau's Ministry of Natural Resources. The signing ceremony was attended by Yang Renhuo, China's Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau. Guinea-Bissau is a tropical country on West Africa’s Atlantic coast that’s known for national parks and wildlife. The signing of this agreement marks a major milestone in the advancement of Guinea-Bissau's mining sector. The Ministry expressed hope that Chinalco will leverage its world-class technical expertise and commitment to environmental protection to achieve efficient and sustainable mineral development, thereby contributing to Guinea-Bissau's economic growth. Signing of the agreement Dong Jianxiong, Deputy General...

The largest integrated aluminium producer in South East Asia, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd reported a significant 31.4 per cent jump in net profit for the third quarter that ended Sept 30, 2024, reaching RM402.3 million, up from RM306.1 million in the same period last year. The robust performance was attributed to higher profit contributions from associated companies and rising aluminium prices. For the nine-month period ended Sept 30, 2024 (9MFY2024), Press Metal recorded a net profit of RM1.32 billion against RM893.88 million previously, while revenue rose 10.5 per cent to RM11.35 billion from RM10.27 billion a year earlier. This was mainly due to the improved metal price, stronger US dollar and higher quantity delivered compared to 9MFY2023. Despite improvements at the topline...

On November 4, the Associação Brasileira de Normas Técnicas (ABNT) introduced the first-ever technical quality standard for the aluminium beverage can industry. Known as ABNT NBR 17194 — Aluminum Packaging – Beverage Cans, this milestone establishes Brazil as a global leader in quality regulation for this sector. Image Source: FREEPIK About the new standard The new standard aims to enhance the safety and confidence of workers and consumers of aluminium-canned beverages. It provides comprehensive guidelines, ranging from fundamental concepts to detailed specifications. The standard outlines the visual, dimensional, and functional characteristics of aluminium cans and includes requirements for transportation, handling, storage, and packaging processes. With rigorous procedures,...

One month to go to 2025, and global aluminium producers have begun to offer new premiums to Japanese buyers for the first quarter of the New Year. And not much to our surprise, the premium offered for the March quarter is 31 to 49 per cent higher than the current quarter’s premium, anticipating a supply crunch in Asia following the 13 per cent tax rebate cancellation for aluminium semi-manufactured products by the Chinese government from December 1, 2024. Image Source: LinkedIn According to three sources involved in quarterly pricing talks on Friday, global aluminium producers have offered $230-260 per tonne of premiums to Japanese buyers versus $175 per tonne of premiums in Q4 2024. The premium is cost paid for primary aluminium shipments agreed to pay over the London Metal Exchange...

In a recent forecast by Bank of America, analysts have projected a turbulent year ahead for the metals and minerals market in 2025. Bank of America is the second-largest banking institution in the United States and the second-largest bank in the world by market capitalisation, both after JPMorgan Chase. According to a Reuters report, the volatility will be driven by shifting trade policies, supply constraints, and fluctuating global demand, creating an unpredictable landscape for investors and industries. Aluminium and copper, two critical industrial metals, are expected to face notable price declines. Bank of America now predicts that aluminium prices will average $2,813 per tonne, a drop of 6 per cent from earlier projections, while copper prices will average $9,438 per tonne in 2025,...

OTTO FUCHS Technology Shenyang Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Germany's OTTO FUCHS KG, has attained the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification – Transitional (Principles 1-4). This certification recognises its commitment to sustainable practices in manufacturing automotive chassis components; including control arms, tie rods, and aluminium alloy parts for advanced braking systems, at its production facility in China. Image Source: ASI OTTO FUCHS Technology specialises in fully automated precision forging press lines, advanced machining lines, and digital production processes for developing, manufacturing, and machining automotive chassis components. The company focuses on producing aluminium alloy chassis parts, including control arms, tie rods, and components for...

According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, the world’s alumina production in October 2024 reached a new high in tandem with the growth across all the major producing regions. The daily average output also exceeded all the previous records, reflecting a month-on-month increase of 2.26 per cent. The monthly production stood at 12.61 million tonnes in October, up by 5.6 per cent from 11.94 million tonnes in September and 3.62 per cent more than 12.17 million tonnes in October 2023. This trend of monthly and year-on-year growth in alumina production is typical for this time of year. Historical data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) shows that global production of aluminium ore has consistently exceeded 12 million tonnes every October since 2022. Daily average...

On Tuesday, November 5th, Jing Xin, Chairman of Qinbao International Trade, led a delegation to Tianlin Baikuang Industrial Park in Baise City. The visit included a detailed inspection of the aluminium rod processing production line and the inauguration of the Qinbao International Trade aluminium product production base. During the visit, Qinbao International Trade also signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Guangxi Ruihong New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. to produce aluminium products worth RMB 3 billion. Image Source: Indiamart About the partnership This partnership capitalises on Qinbao International Trade's access to the electrolytic aluminium resources of Guangxi Tianlin Baikuang Aluminum Co., Ltd. Utilising a "virtual factory" model, the collaboration ensures seamless...

Bühler provides solutions for aluminium and magnesium die-casting tailored for foundries to increase productivity and efficiency. Bühler manufactures advanced die-casting machines with locking forces ranging from 3,400 to 92,000 kN. From a single machine to a fully integrated die-casting cell, Bühler offers customised solutions engineered to meet precise production needs. Focused on availability, cycle time, and quality production, these solutions are used to produce demanding components across various applications worldwide. Bühler recently launched the improved Ecoline DS die-casting machines, which is raising the bar for the manufacturing of magnesium and aluminium parts. The Ecoline DS series is a reliable cold-chamber die-casting system with locking forces ranging from 3400 to 9000...

The Gumla district administration of Jharkhand, India, has taken swift action, culminating in filing an FIR against the offending mining company on November 28, 2024, reflecting a firm stance against illegal mining practices. The operation was led by the Gumla Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), which involved the Chainpur Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Gumla Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), and the District Mining Officer. Their mission was supported by 40 police personnel and six surveyors tasked with measuring the extent of unauthorised mining. This multi-agency collaboration highlights the government’s commitment to environmental protection and regulatory compliance in the mining sector. Illegal mining depletes valuable resources, disrupts ecological balance, and deprives the...

Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, has recognised over 380 employees who have reached more than 25 years of service at the company since 2020. EGA's heritage stretches back to the 1970s and has built its success on a culture of continuous improvement, making retaining experienced people a priority. Retention at EGA is partly driven by the company's active training and development programme. As employees progress through their careers, EGA provides structured management training programmes to develop skills and behaviours that will enable them to seek higher roles in the company. Abdulnasser bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, expressed the company's deep appreciation for its employees,...

On Friday, November 29, the A00 aluminium ingot price has descended by RMB 40 per tonne to clock at RMB 20,360 per tonne, with the spot contract price expected to be traded at a premium price of RMB 0 to RMB 40 per tonne. The average prices are expected to stand between RMB 20,340 per tonne and RMB 20,380 per tonne. Image Source: Indiamart A00 aluminium ingot According to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) price analysis, the prices in Shenyang and Tianjin have dropped by RMB 50 per tonne and RMB 30 per tonne to clock at RMB 20,390 per tonne and RMB 20,380 per tonne. In Hangzhou, the price has also gone down by RMB 30 per tonne and settled at RMB 20,400 per tonne. In Gongyi, Foshan, and Linyi, the prices have moved down by RMB 10 per tonne to dock at RMB 20,260 per tonne and RMB 20,330 per...

AL Circle, the leading global digital platform for the aluminium value chain, is thrilled to announce the launch of the 28th edition of its highly anticipated e-Magazine, " Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe ." This latest issue is dedicated to exploring the evolving landscape of the European aluminium industry, a sector that plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable industrial growth and technological innovation. A deep dive into Europe's aluminium dynamics The European aluminium sector is undergoing transformative changes driven by sustainability, circular economy initiatives, and advanced technological integration. This edition of " Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe " highlights: Market trends and future forecasts: A detailed analysis of current market trends, trade challenges, and the...

In a strategic move to solidify its position in the global mining sector, PT Aneka Tambang (Antam), a member of PT Mineral Industri Indonesia (Persero) or MIND ID, a government-owned holding company, has earmarked a significant capital expenditure (Capex) of $723 million (Rp11.46 trillion) over the next five years. The investment will focus on accelerating exploration efforts in gold, bauxite, and nickel, key commodities in Indonesia’s mineral landscape. Antam’s General Manager, Abdul Bari, emphasised the company’s commitment to sustainable growth, noting that Antam will maintain its exploration budget at over 1 per cent of total production income. This prudent strategy ensures that the company remains at the forefront of resource discovery and extraction while balancing its financial...