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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Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C., the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, has reportedly achieved a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, the largest independent provider of business sustainability ratings. This prestigious grade places Alba among the 1 per cent of companies assessed globally in the industry. This remarkable accomplishment also marks Alba's commitment towards sustainability. In 2021, Alba received its first EcoVadis Bronze rating, and two years later, it achieved a Silver Rating. Receiving these prestigious gradations back-to-back demonstrates the company's long-term sustainability goals. Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, said: "We are incredibly honoured to receive the EcoVadis Platinum Rating. This recognition serves as a powerful validation of our relentless...
Indonesia, rich in bauxites, seeks to harness its natural resources to emerge as a frontrunner in green aluminium production. Green aluminium, synonymous with sustainability and environmental consciousness, employs renewable energy or recycled materials in its manufacturing process. The nation's aspiration to process its abundant resources indigenously not only promises economic growth but also aligns with global demands for eco-friendly solutions. At a recent Dubai Chambers forum in Jakarta, Pradana Indraputra, a special advisor at the Investment Ministry, focused on Indonesia's keenness to collaborate with the UAE, particularly in the aluminium sector. Advocating for green aluminium production , he highlighted the potential to serve the never-ending needs of global giants like BMW, who...
On Monday, a tragic fire incident occurred at a unit supplying raw materials to fireworks factories in Sengamalapatti near Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu. Owned by R Chinnakaruppu, the unit saw five workers sustain critical injuries while producing aluminium powder from sheets, an essential ingredient in fireworks manufacturing. Sengamalapatti is a village panchayat located in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu state, India. The injured were swiftly taken to Sivakasi Government Hospital, where they remain in critical condition. According to sources, the fire erupted suddenly while the workers were grinding chemicals, swiftly engulfing the shed with a deafening roar. Firefighters from Sivakasi rushed to the scene but encountered difficulties in extinguishing the flames....
Novelis Inc., the premier manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminum goods and the globe's largest recycling company, disclosed its financial performance for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2023-24 on May 6, 2024. The company highlighted that its results were predominantly bolstered by the advantages derived from recycling activities. As per the report, the company’s net income attributable to common shareholder and net income from continuing operations stood at $166 million, reflecting an increase of 6 per cent year-on-year. Net income excluding special items was $179 million, up 2 per cent Y-o-Y. However, Novelis’ full year net income attributable to common shareholder and net income from continuing operations edged a year-on-year rise of 9 per cent to $600 million. Net income excluding...
Sortera Technologies, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Curt Sacks as its senior vice president and CFO. With almost thirty years of experience across public and private sectors, Curt brings a wealth of financial and leadership expertise to Sortera. His primary focus will be guiding the finance team as the company continues its expansion and commercialisation initiatives nationwide. Curt Sacks – Senior VP & CFO Before joining Sortera, Curt held the position of CFO at Zero Motorcycles, a prominent manufacturer of two-wheel EV vehicles and electric powertrains. His tenure was marked by significant growth and expansion, a testament to his financial acumen and strategic leadership. Prior to Zero, Curt served as CFO for both GigOptix, Inc. and Endwave Corporation, two publicly listed...
Switzerland-based GF Casting Solutions has unveiled plans to invest over $184 million in a cutting-edge manufacturing facility in Augusta, Georgia. This announcement marks the third major development in Augusta-Richmond County within the past fortnight, following Syensqo and StandardAero. The new facility, situated at the Augusta Corporate Park, will specialise in producing cast aluminium parts, with a specific emphasis on large structural components crucial to the automotive sector. Carlos Vasto, the president of GF Casting Solutions, appreciated the long-term vision behind the project, stating: “Building a High-Pressure Die Casting Facility is a very long-term investment. The new facility will complete our footprint to become truly global in the e-mobility market. We are looking forward...
Allup Silica has uncovered a potentially significant kaolin clay deposit following an exploration campaign targeting silica and rare earths at its Pink Bark project near Esperance in Western Australia. Preliminary analysis of the initial samples indicated aluminium oxide (alumina) content within the range of 17 per cent to 20 per cent. The company estimates the deposit between 700,000 and 1.2 million tonnes of kaolin spread across 69 square kilometres. To investigate further, they conducted an XRF analysis on eight selected samples. During the reconnaissance air-core (AC) drilling, which involved 41 holes averaging 20 meters in depth across two exploration licenses, totalling 823 meters drilled and logged at 1-meter intervals, the kaolin was observed in thicknesses ranging from 5 meters...
Elliott Management Corp.'s move to acquire a significant stake in Sumitomo Corp., a favoured Japanese trading house of Warren Buffett, signals potential shifts in the market. With Elliott's reputation for activist investing, this development could lead to interesting changes within Sumitomo's operations or governance structure. It's a noteworthy development in finance, especially considering the involvement of influential figures like Buffett and Elliott Management. Elliott Investment Management is an American investment management firm. It is also one of the largest activist funds in the world and is one of the oldest investment managers of its kind under continuous management. As of December 31, 2023, Elliott manages approximately $65.5 billion in assets. The anonymous source mentioned...
A recent enforcement raid by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in Mumbai has shed light on the critical importance of adhering to quality standards in the packaging industry. During the operation, M/s New Ryan Plastic in Chembur was found storing and selling aluminium foil and aluminium alloy bare foil for food packaging without the mandatory BIS standard mark, signalling a breach of regulatory protocols. On Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, BIS officials from the Mumbai Branch-I team conducted an enforcement raid at M/s New Ryan Plastic , situated on Lokhande Marg in Chembur. The inspection revealed a significant inventory of aluminium foils and their packaging devoid of the requisite BIS standard mark. This discovery led to the invocation of Section 17(1)(a) of the BIS Act 2016, indicating a...
The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium benchmark price has inched up by US$13 per tonne or 0.45 per cent on May 7, halting at US$2,864 per tonne. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE 2406 aluminium contract opened at RMB 20,720 per tonne, with the highest and lowest prices at RMB 20,830 per tonne and RMB 20,705 per tonne before closing at RMB 20,730 per tonne, down RMB 15 per tonne or 0.07 per cent. SHFE 2307 aluminium added RMB 595 per tonne or 3.38 per cent to RMB 18,185 per tonne. The open interest fell 11,785 lots to 256,640 lots. China’s domestic aluminium market is experiencing a balance between bullish and bearish factors. Bauxite supply is tight, and ore prices are solid, leading to rising alumina prices and increased aluminium costs. Demand is better than expected, but high...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s extrusion plant in China has reportedly started supplying aluminium battery casings and car bumpers to vehicle manufacturers in the mainland. The news came after Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong, Press Metal’s chief executive officer, announced it officially. He also announced that Press Metal’s extrusion plant in Nilai, a city located in Seremban District, Malaysia, completed the construction of a 30,000-tonne photovoltaic components extrusion line, which will exclusively manufacture solar panel frames and mounting extrusions to support solar power sector. The move into manufacturing extrusions for the solar power sector reflects Press Metal’s focus on sustainability. Press Metal’s commitment to sustainability is also represented by its ASI certifications for...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world's largest aluminium smelters, has signed an agreement with SAP, a market leader in enterprise application software, to upgrade its enterprise resource planning solution (ERP) to SAP's latest software – S/4HANA Cloud. With this strategic move, Alba aims to expedite its digital transformation journey and embrace Industry 4.0 practices to meet evolving business demands. Signing Ceremony The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at Alba's premises. It was attended by Ali Al Baqali, the Chief Executive Officer of Alba, and Ahmed Jaber Al-Faifi, Senior Vice President of SAP Middle East Africa – North, alongside senior officials from both Alba and SAP. Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, commented, "This advanced solution isn't just about...
The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee has reportedly appealed for antidumping investigation and countervailing duties against China-manufactured solar cells and panels with the US International Trade Commission (USITC) and the US Department of Commerce. The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee is made of leading US solar manufacturers like Convalt Energy, First Solar, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Silicon, and Swift Solar. Tim Brightbill, co-chair of Wiley’s International Trade Practice and lead counsel to the petitioner the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, said: “America’s solar manufacturing industry is on the cusp of tremendous growth that will create jobs and change the trajectory of our clean energy...
Turncoat, a Liverpool-based gin distillery, has recently embraced a sustainable shift by transitioning to aluminium bottles. This eco-conscious move aims to significantly reduce the distillery's carbon footprint, with an estimated saving of approximately 0.4kg of CO2 emissions per bottle. By opting for reusable aluminium bottles over traditional glass ones, Turncoat Gin is taking a proactive step towards sustainability. These aluminium bottles boast a longer lifespan and are lighter in weight, contributing to reduced emissions throughout their lifecycle. Edward Ridding, head of the distillery, said, "We believe that sustainability should be at the heart of everything we do. Our decision to launch reusable aluminium bottles reflects our dedication to creating a positive impact on the...
Algorithms developed by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Technology Sydney can automatically pinpoint solar panel underperformance issues, ranging from wiring faults to degradation and shading. A Senior Lecturer at the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering mentioned that the technology can detect clipping, tripping, and export limits. He suggested that this advancement holds promise in transforming the diagnosis of faults in PV systems. “This is a game changer for Australian residential and commercial system operators. By analysing inverter and maximum PowerPoint data every five minutes, this algorithm can accurately diagnose underperforming issues, enabling early intervention and maximising energy production," the Senior...
The aluminium foil industry stands as a silent powerhouse, an unsung hero of modern living that quietly shapes various sectors worldwide. As per the report by Persistence Market Research, aluminium foil, a marvel of material science, has transcended its humble origins as a kitchen staple to become a versatile product with a multitude of traditional and cutting-edge applications. Did you know that the global consumption of aluminium foil surged from 5.3 million tonnes in 2018 to an estimated 6.1 million tonnes by 2023? This upward trajectory in demand is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by rising recycling rates, particularly in the packaging and consumer goods sectors. To delve deeper into the fascinating realm of the aluminium foil market, consider getting your hands on...
China’s domestic average alumina spot price has resumed from the Labour Day holiday from May 1 to 5 with a hike of RMB 50 per tonne. The tightening supply and improving demand have continued to boost the alumina price, marking the eighth consecutive day of rise. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the domestic alumina price as of May 6 has come in at RMB 3,501 per tonne. In Lianyungang, alumina spot price has skyrocketed by RMB 105 per tonne to reach RMB 3,520 per tonne, followed by the surge of RMB 50 per tonne in Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and Bayuquan. In Shandong and Bayuquan, the alumina price is standing at RMB 3,470 per tonne and RMB 3,570 per tonne, while the price in Henan and Shanxi at RMB 3,490 per tonne. If compared to a month ago, China’s domestic alumina spot price has...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,530.5 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,572 per tonne and US$2,526 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,551 per tonne, up US 12.5 per tonne or 0.49 per cent. On Friday, May 3, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added US$7 per tonne or 0.27 per cent to clock at US$2,516 per tonne and US$2,517 per tonne. On the same day, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price hiked by US$7.5 per tonne or 0.29 per cent and US$8 per tonne or 0.31 per cent to settle at US$ 2,545 per tonne and US$2,545.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price moved up by US$5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to halt at US$2,687 per tonne and US$2,692 per tonne. LME aluminium opening...
