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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The month of April' 24 witnessed a 21.7 per cent increase in vehicle production in Mexico compared to last year's period, reaching a record high of 358,575 units. According to data from the National System of Statistical and Geographical Information (INEGI), eight assembly companies ramped up their production, while five saw a decline. INEGI is an autonomous public institution responsible for regulating and coordinating the National System of Statistical and Geographical Information. Its mandate encompasses collecting and distributing data pertaining to Mexico's territory, resources, population, and economy. By providing comprehensive insights into the nation's characteristics, INEGI facilitates informed decision-making processes. Mexico has become a significant force in the automotive...
Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) has reportedly shared higher earnings forecasts for Press Metal Aluminium Bhd for FY2024 and FY2025. The investment bank has projected that Press Metal's earnings will increase by 7 per cent and 4 per cent, respectively, in the said years on account of anticipated increased aluminium spot price. The investment firm has also upgraded the stock to a "Buy" rating with a higher target price of RM6 from RM4.65 previously. It forecasts RM1.8 billion of Press Metal's earnings for FY2026. Hong Leong Investment Bank believes that despite the muted demand for aluminium from the building & construction sector, aluminium prices will remain steady, supported by resilient demand growth from the new electric vehicles and renewable energy sectors. Coupled with this,...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,570 per tonne last Friday, with its low and high at US$2,517 per tonne and US$2,589.50 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,520 per tonne, down 1.6 per cent. On Friday, May 10, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price escalated by US$22 per tonne or 0.88 per cent and US$21 per tonne or 0.84 per cent to settle at US$2,514 per tonne and US$2,515 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price surged by US$11.50 per tonne or 0.45 per cent and US$13 per tonne or 0.51 per cent to anchor at US$2,552 per tonne and US$2,554 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price inched up by US$5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to arrive at US$2,675 per tonne and US$2,680 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has reportedly introduced a new low-carbon aluminium product line called EternAl with two variants: EternAl-30 and EternAl-15. They respectively have 30 per cent and 15 per cent recycled content. Alba's EternAl product line rightly reflects the company's novel stride towards creating a greener future through the use of secondary aluminium and advocating a circular economy. It also addresses the growing demand for low-carbon aluminium across the globe. Both the variants of EternAl are verified by DNV, a globally recognised leader in verification assurance, which further underpins Alba's unwavering commitment towards responsible production of low-carbon aluminium. DNV verification assures customers that Alba's EternAl product line significantly reduces carbon...
In April'24, China rebounded in both exports and imports following a contraction in the previous month. This turnaround signals a positive uptick in domestic and international demand, which comes at a crucial time as Beijing grapples with various economic challenges. The data indicates that the array of policy interventions implemented over recent months may yield results by bolstering investor and consumer confidence. However, analysts remain cautious, questioning the sustainability of this trade resurgence. According to customs data released on May 9, shipments from China saw a modest 1.5 per cent year-on-year value growth last month, consistent with the projections from a Reuters survey of economists. This follows a 7.5 per cent decline in March, the first contraction since November....
According to Reuters' analysis of the German Federal Statistical Office data, the United States emerged as Germany's primary trading ally in the first quarter of 2024, surpassing China. From January to March'24, the total trade volume between Germany and the United States, encompassing both exports and imports, surged to a remarkable €63 billion ($68 billion). This substantial increase, surpassing Germany's trade with China, highlights the burgeoning economic ties between the two nations and the profound shift in Germany's trade focus. China remained Germany's foremost trading partner for the eighth consecutive year in 2023. Trade volumes between the two nations surged to €253 billion, edging slightly ahead of the United States by a margin of just a few hundred million euros. Commerzbank...
The 2024 outlook for the aluminium end-use sector is multifaceted, with some segments displaying potential while others could encounter initial obstacles. Forecasts suggest a moderate rise in global aluminium consumption, ranging between 1.6-2 per cent, primarily fuelled by continuous demand from transportation and construction sectors. However, there's a possibility that aluminium production might outpace demand, resulting in a minor surplus that could help stabilize prices. To know more about how the end-user sector will perform in the days ahead, grab AL Circle's report, "Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2024." This week, the end user sector witnessed some significant events. Eco-friendly packaging or the use of aluminium has eventually increased. Companies like Turncoat Gin and CCU...
Investments in the recycling industry can facilitate the recovery and reuse of valuable resources from waste materials . This reduces the strain on natural resources and promotes sustainable practices crucial for long-term environmental and economic sustainability. Increased investment can lead to better waste management systems, including collection, sorting, and processing facilities. This can help address issues such as landfill overflow and improper waste disposal, improving public health and sanitation. Speakers at the International Investment Forum in Tashkent emphasised the burgeoning investment opportunities within Uzbekistan's recycling sector. With approximately US$60 billion (EUR 55.7 billion) in foreign investment flowing into the country over the last six years and a robust 6...
On May 8, 2024, the world witnessed the inauguration of a colossal initiative to combat climate change head-on: the largest-ever direct air capture plant. Developed by Swiss firm Climeworks, this mammoth facility in Iceland dwarfs its predecessor, Orca, by a factor of ten. Direct air capture (DAC) technology is the backbone of this endeavour, functioning like a massive vacuum to extract carbon from the atmosphere using specialised chemicals. Once captured, this carbon can be stored underground, repurposed, or even converted into solid materials, offering a promising avenue in the fight against global warming. Climeworks is set to utilise Iceland's plentiful, clean geothermal energy to power its ambitious carbon sequestration project in collaboration with Icelandic company Carbfix . This...
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has reportedly placed 100 solar-powered streetlights in and around the remote villages of Jamkhani, Girisma, Munderkhet, Jharpalam, and Hemgir in Sundargarh district, Odisha. This initiative represents the company’s dual commitment. One is towards community empowerment and another is towards environment-friendly development in the society. Before installing the lights, Vedanta corresponded with villagers and local committee members to identify critical points that needed lighting, such as schools, drinking water points, wells, crossings, key transportation routes, and community centres. Vedanta Aluminium is always at an attempt to contribute towards a greener and more sustainable future in whatever way possible. Mr. V. Srikanth, CEO...
Moravia Cans, a prominent aluminium aerosol can manufacturer based in Czechia, demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth in 2023 despite the lingering economic challenges stemming from the Covid pandemic and the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. In their latest annual report, Moravia Cans announced a substantial boost in net profit, soaring by nearly 40 per cent to CZK245 million (equivalent to US$10.5 million). This impressive financial achievement coincided with a 2.8 per cent year-on-year increase in sales, reaching CZK2.52 billion (approximately $108 million). Moravia's commitment towards sustainability Renowned for its excellence in can manufacturing, Moravia Cans continued to invest in enhancing its aluminium aerosol production lines. These...
The state-of-the-art battery foil finishing mill at European Metals' Volpiano (TO) facility in northern Italy is now in full operation. This achievement, realised two years after the contract was inked in 2022, signifies a significant milestone for the company. By making this strategic and forward-thinking investment, European Metals now stands as Italy’s premier battery foil producer and emerges as a key player in the rapidly expanding European market for battery-related products. In 2020, European Metals made its mark in the European aluminium industry with ambitions to emerge as a significant player in Europe's thin foil market. To strengthen its position in household foil, packaging foil, and the burgeoning battery foil sector, this strategic move was underpinned by the acquisition of...
W.P. Carey has expanded its portfolio by acquiring an €80 million package, comprising four industrial facilities in Italy and an R&D facility in Canada, through a sale and leaseback transaction. The 103,000 square meter portfolio is now under triple-net leases to Metra SpA and Metra Aluminium, facilitated by Newmark. In Italy, the properties are subject to a long-term master lease with annual rent escalations. At the same time, the Canadian asset will be incorporated into WP Carey's existing lease with Metra starting in 2022, featuring fixed yearly rent increases, as stated by the NYSE-listed company. W. P. Carey has a long history of providing customised capital solutions to publicly traded and privately held companies, developers, private equity firms, and their portfolio companies. Its...
The European Commission has greenlit Macquarie Asset Management's acquisition of a 49.9% share in Hydro Rein, the renewable energy arm of Norsk Hydro ASA. This strategic move signals a significant development in the renewable energy landscape and underlines the growing importance of sustainable practices in the aluminium industry. Transaction Approval: The European Commission approved Macquarie's acquisition under the simplified merger review procedure, citing no adverse effects on competition due to non-overlapping markets. Financial Terms: Macquarie Asset Management will purchase the stake for USD 332 million (EUR 309.2m) in equity, allowing Norsk Hydro to retain a controlling interest of 50.1%. Joint Venture Formation: Post-acquisition, Hydro Rein will function as a joint venture,...
On Thursday, May 9, aluminium stocks in London Metal Exchange-registered warehouses surged by 88 per cent to 903,850 tonnes, reaching the highest level since January 2022. Some sources said last month that inventories are subject to so-called rent share deals. Traders are taking Russia-made aluminium from warehouses and returning it later to profit from rule changes. Aluminium stocks rose on Thursday as 425,575 tonnes of metal arrived in Port Klang in Malaysia, according to the LME data, which also showed reverse net fresh cancellation of 137,050 tonnes in the same location. This scale of growth in LME-approved warehouses in just one day is unusual. Some traders are even calling it insane. However, the LME declined a comment request from Reuters. Amid the inventory surge, the LME...
Volvo is poised to inaugurate an unconventional era of production innovation slated to commence in 2026 at its illustrious Torslanda plant in Sweden. This ambitious endeavour is set to unfold alongside the implementation of the SPA3 platform, heralding the third iteration of Volvo's cutting-edge vehicle technology tailored explicitly for electric mobility solutions. At the heart of this transformative venture lies the ingenious mega-casting technique, a method pioneered by visionaries at Tesla and under consideration by industry stalwart Toyota. This avant-garde approach entails the creation of expansive singular vehicle components through the precision of die-cast moulding, where molten metal is artfully poured into the desired shapes. For instance, envisage the entire rear floor section...
On May 9, 2024, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Hindalco Industries Limited inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. As per the agreement signed, Hindalco will produce and supply marine-grade aluminium to the Indian Coast Guard for ship manufacturing. The signing of the MoU is a testament to the collaborative spirit between the Indian Coast Guard and Hindalco Industries Limited. Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance), ICG IG HK Sharma, and Shri Nilesh Koul, CEO of Hindalco’s downstream aluminium business, affixed their signatures to the document in the presence of senior ICG officials, marking the beginning of a promising partnership. As per the MoU, Hindalco has committed to providing ICG with additional services such as quarterly pricing, supply priority, and a...
BALCO, a renowned aluminium producer in India and a unit of Vedanta Aluminium, is committed to sustainability not only in its production processes but also in its approach to human resources. As part of its efforts to foster inclusivity, BALCO has welcomed seventeen transgender individuals into its workforce, providing them with a deep sense of belonging and identity within the company. This initiative demonstrates BALCO's dedication to diversity and creating a supportive workplace environment for all employees. From inducting seven transgender employees in 2022 to seventeen in 2024, BALCO has marked an exemplary milestone in an otherwise male-dominated industry. These employees take part in various roles, from forklift operations and store management to security positions, contributing...
