Aluminum investment has been spreading across the entire value chain, from primary smelting and alumina refining to recycling, rolling, extrusion and battery foil, building more integrated and higher-value supply chains. During the past 5 years, the US and Canada in North America and China in Asia have been grabbing headlines pertaining to the aluminum industry. These updates have involved growth stories or have shed light on volatile market situations. How have these headlines contributed to a greater picture for the benefit of the aluminum industries of the two continents? Between 2021 and 2026, major projects across North America and Asia have targeted new primary capacity, lower-carbon production, recycled aluminum and higher-value downstream products. But the investment pattern is...
Nautor Swan has unveiled new details and official renderings of its 43.5-metre Swan Alloy 44, the Finnish yacht builder’s first aluminium supermaxi, with construction now underway in the Netherlands. The yacht is being built at Gouwerok Shipyard, where hull and deck construction are currently in progress. Once this stage is completed, the vessel will move to Viareggio, Italy, for final outfitting, launch and delivery, which is scheduled for 2028. The project will also become the largest yacht ever built by Gouwerok Shipyard and its first all-aluminium supermaxi. Although construction is taking place outside Finland, Nautor Swan’s team will continue to oversee key aspects of the programme, including its design philosophy, performance studies and supply-chain coordination. The Swan Alloy 44...
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Malaysia is considering easing its restrictions on exports of unprocessed rare earths as global competition for critical minerals intensifies, with the government assessing whether conditional exports could strengthen the country's position in the international supply chain while continuing to promote domestic value addition. The Southeast Asian nation imposed a moratorium on exports of raw rare earths in 2024 to encourage greater investment in local processing. However, growing interest from countries including the United States, Australia, France and India has prompted authorities to review whether limited exports should be allowed under specific conditions. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the government is evaluating the...
Ball Corporation reported a stronger second quarter for 2026 as higher demand for aluminium beverage packaging lifted global shipment volumes, supporting earnings growth and reinforcing the company's long-term outlook for sustainable aluminium packaging. Global aluminium packaging shipments increased 4.3 per cent year-on-year during the quarter, accelerating from the previous quarter and driven by higher beverage can demand across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. The company also benefited from growing preference for recyclable aluminium packaging, while higher beverage consumption during the football World Cup supported can demand in several markets. Ball reported comparable net earnings of USD 276 million, or USD 1.03 per diluted share, in the second...
Aluminium cans continued to gain ground in Romania's Deposit Return System (DRS), accounting for 29.3 per cent of beverage packaging placed on the market during the second quarter of 2026, as brands expanded canned beverage offerings and consumers increasingly favoured recyclable packaging. According to official RetuRO data analysed by Every Can Counts, aluminium's share of DRS packaging increased from 21.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 to 29.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026. Over the same period, aluminium's share of returned packaging rose from 18.7 per cent to 28.8 per cent, reflecting growing participation in can recycling. The increase comes as plastic's share of DRS packaging declined from 61 per cent to 51 per cent, while glass remained broadly stable at around 20...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) has collaborated with the Nasser Centre for Science and Technology (NCST) to deploy an artificial intelligence (AI)- based monitoring system for gas turbines at Power Station 4. The initiative aims to improve predictive maintenance capabilities as well as operational efficiency. Developed by NCST’s AI research and development team, the platform would be continuously monitoring the GT-51, GT-52, GT-61 and GT-62 gas turbines, offering advanced analytics to help minimise the risk of unexpected equipment failures while backing faster, data-based maintenance choices. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report The AI system evaluates critical...
Australian Vanadium Ltd has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Alcoa to explore the use of long-duration vanadium flow battery (VFB) technology at the company's alumina refinery operations in Western Australia. The agreement also includes Australian Vanadium's wholly owned subsidiary, VSUN Energy, which will jointly lead the assessment. The partnership will begin with a scoping study to determine whether a VFB system rated at 50-80 megawatts, capable of storing energy for six to eight hours and potentially longer than eight hours, can be integrated into Alcoa's refining operations. The assessment will focus on how such a system could enhance operational reliability, reduce energy use during peak demand and enable greater use of renewable electricity across...
As global demand for value-added aluminium products continues to rise across construction, automotive, renewable energy, electrical equipment and industrial manufacturing, aluminium bars, rods and profiles have become one of the most actively traded downstream products. Asia remains at the crucial juncture of this trade, serving both as the world’s largest production hub and one of its biggest consumption markets. Shaping this market from both the supply and demand sides, ten key Asian economies have gained prominence. On the export front, China, Turkey and Saudi Arabia emerged as the region’s top suppliers. On the import side, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), India and Thailand ranked as the leading buyers. Meanwhile, Malaysia and Vietnam appear on both supplying and sourcing lists. A...
Ball Corporation has partnered with Unilever to launch a football-themed Rexona Maximum Protection aerosol range in Germany, using its Dynamark PRO printing technology to produce six different aluminium can designs in a single production run. The new packaging has been developed as part of Unilever's partnership with the German Football Association (DFB). Each can features stylised illustrations of players from Germany's men's national football team while maintaining the Rexona brand identity across the range. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry, explore our report " ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics " Six aluminium can designs in one production run Unilever wanted to introduce multiple packaging designs without affecting production...
NALCO shares were trading at INR 374.20 (USD 3.93) at 12:03 pm on August 4, up from INR 357.20 (USD 3.75) in the previous session. The stock was getting attention after the company posted higher revenue and profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The company posted a strong quarter in June 2026, with consolidated revenue rising sharply to about INR 53 billion (USD 556 million) from INR 38 billion (USD 399 million) a year earlier. Net profit also climbed to around INR 20 billion (USD 210 million), and earnings per share nearly doubled to INR 10.91 (USD 0.11). To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts on bauxite and alumina, explore the report " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook " Revenue has increased steadily...
Speira is progressing with the redevelopment of its Rheinwerk facility in Neuss, Germany, as it continues transforming the site into an aluminium recycling hub. The aluminium rolling and recycling company has invested around EUR 40 million (USD 46 million) in a fourth recycling furnace, which is due to come on stream this autumn. It has also invested in the decommissioning and redevelopment of the site's former aluminium smelter. With the complete phase-out of electrolysis, Speira said it has set the course for a fundamental transformation of the Rheinwerk site. Instead of energy-intensive primary production, the company is now focusing on aluminium recycling and strengthening the circular economy. The new fourth recycling furnace is a key part of this transition. Aluminium scrap will be...
AMS Advanced Material Bhd, Malaysia, is set to enter the aluminium scrap recycling business after its subsidiary, AMS Ecogreen Sdn Bhd, obtained all the licences required to begin operations. This expansion takes the company into aluminium recycling and strengthens its existing aluminium processing business. The new business will collect, process and sell aluminium scrap from its facility in Johor. The plant will have an initial processing capacity of about 17 tonnes per month. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the construction sector, explore our report " Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis & Strategic Recommendations " Managing Director Keh Teng Yang said receiving the required...
Vedanta Aluminium veteran Rajiv Kumar has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jindal Steel after completing a successful stint as Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Aluminium. Kumar, who brings more than three decades of experience in the metals and mining industry, will now oversee the company’s manufacturing and mining operations. In Vedanta Aluminium, Kumar served as Chief Executive Officer and played a key role in driving production capacity expansion, improving operational efficiency and advancing the company’s long-term growth strategy. His background includes extensive experience in large-scale aluminium manufacturing, operational excellence and business leadership. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore " ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation,...
The first trading session of August opened with the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph exceeding the USD 3,200-per-tonne mark across both pricing and contract segments. Meanwhile, similar to the previous trading session , stocks continued to dip, indicating steady withdrawal from the aluminium inventory. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices jumped 2 per cent day-on-day on August 3. The bid rose USD 3,195 per tonne to USD 3,259 per tonne, and the offer shifted from USD 3,196 per tonne to USD 3,260 per tonne. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report On August 3, the LME aluminium three-month bid price improved by 0.99 per cent to USD 3,210...
Futures: The most-traded SHFE aluminium 2609 contract closed at RMB 23,730 per tonne, up RMB 145 or 0.61 per cent from the previous day’s settlement price. It opened at RMB 23,620 per tonne during the day and fluctuated in a range of RMB 23,535–23,755 per tonne. The price traded above MA5 (23,616.00), MA10 (23,425.50), and MA30 (23,147.67), but below the MA60 (23,772.92) moving average. The medium and long-term moving averages maintained a bearish alignment and continued to exert downward pressure. The consolidation-at-lows recovery pattern persisted, with the 60-day moving average above acting as a key resistance level. The MACD indicator’s DIF (43.2707) is above the DEA (-54.1006), with a green bar value of 194.7426. Bearish momentum continued to weaken, while bullish recovery momentum...
Last week, domestic spot alumina prices moved steadily with a weak bias, and market trading sentiment was muted. As of July 24, the weighted national average spot price for smelter-grade alumina with a minimum purity of 98.6 per cent stood at RMB 2,744 per tonne, dropped RMB 6 per tonne from a week earlier, according to Mysteel's price assessment. On the supply side, China's domestic alumina operating capacity stands at approximately 95.9 million tonnes per year. Recently, an alumina refinery in Guizhou commenced scheduled maintenance on one of its calciners, expected to last around 10 days and affecting 0.8 million tonnes per year of capacity. Meanwhile, another refinery in Guangxi has concluded its maintenance and will shortly resume normal operations, restoring about 2.5 million tonnes...
Australia's window and glazing manufacturing industry is calling on the federal government to introduce temporary duties on aluminium windows and doors imported from China, arguing that imports continue to surge while a formal anti-dumping investigation remains underway. According to the Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA), imports of Chinese aluminium windows and doors have increased by a further 30 per cent since the Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC) began investigating the products, adding to a broader trend that saw imports rise by more than two-thirds during the three years to November 2025. The industry body says interim trade measures are needed to prevent further market disruption before the investigation reaches its final determination. Industry urges temporary duties...
South African aluminium rolled products producer Hulamin reported a stronger first-half performance for 2026 as operational stability returned following last year's production disruptions, with higher rolled product volumes, improved plant utilisation and portfolio optimisation helping lift earnings despite ongoing pricing pressures in parts of the business. The company said most of the operational challenges experienced during the second half of 2025 have now been resolved, allowing its core rolling operations to stabilise and progressively ramp up towards the upgraded plant's design capacity. Rolled product volumes reached 85,000 tonnes during the six months ended June 30, reflecting the continued operational recovery. Operational recovery supports stronger earnings Hulamin reported...
The SHFE aluminium 2608 contract opened at RMB 23,400 per tonne today, reached a high of RMB 23,665 per tonne, hit a low of RMB 23,400 per tonne, and closed at RMB 23,625 per tonne, down RMB 10 per tonne or 0.04 per cent from the previous trading day. Trading volume was 12,000 lots, open interest was 40,300 lots, and daily position change was -5,189 lots. The price stood above the MA5 (23505), MA10 (23357.50), MA20 (23228.50), and MA40 (23362.25), but still below the MA60 (23758.92). The short-term repairing pattern continued, but resistance remained overhead. In the MACD indicator, the DIFF (23.83) was above the DEA (-72.27), and the histogram recorded 192.20, with bullish momentum still releasing. Trading volume was low, and the daily position change of -5,189 lots indicated a...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad (PMAH) has proposed to acquire an additional 35.6 per cent stake in PMB Technology Berhad (PMBT) for MYR 464.95 million (USD 109.9 million) in cash, a move that will raise its shareholding to about 58.8 per cent and make PMBT its subsidiary. The proposed acquisition covers 664.22 million PMBT shares at MYR 0.70 (USD 0.17) apiece under a conditional share sale agreement signed on August 3. The shares will be acquired from five members of the Koon family: Tan Sri Dato' Koon Poh Keong, Datuk Koon Poh Ming, Dato' Koon Poh Tat, Koon Poh Weng and Datuk Koon Poh Kong. Upon completion of the transaction, PMAH's interest in PMBT will increase from its current 23.2 per cent to a controlling stake of 58.8 per cent. To know the production, demand and consumption...
