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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BMW Group Plant Landshut is embarking on a significant expansion project. With a keen eye on the burgeoning electric vehicle market, the renowned automotive giant is injecting an additional €200 million into its German factory, pushing the total investment since 2020 to approximately €1 billion. A substantial portion of this investment, around €500 million, is earmarked for the expansion of the plant's facilities dedicated to electric mobility. This expansion is poised to augment the annual production capacity for fifth-generation and sixth-generation aluminium housings by an impressive 30 per cent. This surge in capacity promises to bolster the production prowess of the plant, positioning it as a pivotal player in BMW's quest for electrification dominance. Pioneering technologies in...
Dr Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, Ghana's Ambassador to China, has expressed appreciation towards Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd for their initiative in establishing a training centre. This centre aims to offer practical training opportunities for the youth of Ghana, specifically in the field of heavy-duty vehicle assembly and maintenance. Dr Hammond addressed attendees at a ceremony held in Tema on Monday, April 15, 2024, marking the commencement of a collaborative venture between Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. This partnership aimed to facilitate the distribution of Shantui's machinery range within Ghana. The initiative was anticipated to broaden access to Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd's products and services...
Tianshan Aluminium's 2023 annual report highlights substantial advancements in its bauxite projects, particularly in Indonesia and Guinea. The report outlines that the Indonesian bauxite project, which the company has invested in and acquired, is engaged in a detailed exploration of resource reserves. It is on the verge of completing the prerequisites for equity delivery. Furthermore, Tianshan Aluminum intends to invest in constructing alumina projects with an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes in Indonesia. The company, in its commitment to environmental responsibility, has initiated the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval procedures with relevant local authorities for the Indonesian project. Importantly, this project has secured inclusion in Indonesia's list of national...
On April 18, 2024, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries announced that it rebranded its name and logo after over 35 years since it came into existence. It is now known as The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA). The news came after the association unveiled its new name and logo during the closing general session of ISRI2024 Convention and Exhibition in Las Vegas. The association's new identity represents three strong visions – Sustainable, Resilient, Essential, considering recycled materials industry is sustainable, helping protect the environment; using recycled materials in product making upholds a circular economy and hence it is resilient; and recycling is essential to make everyday life better. According to Robin Wiener, President of the Recycled Materials Association, the...
Dudley's Aluminium, a leading Welsh fabricator renowned for its exceptional reputation in the industry, has recently announced the appointment of Pablo Shorney as its new Finance Director. With a decade of experience supporting SMEs across south Wales and southwest England, Pablo brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. Pablo, a qualified chartered accountant, joined Dudley's Aluminium from Lexington Corporate Finance, where he spent the last five years advising SMEs on financial and commercial strategies for growth. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment in Dudley's growth strategy, marking a significant step forward for the company. Commenting on his appointment, Pablo expressed his enthusiasm , stating : "I'm thrilled to be joining Dudley's as Finance Director at an exciting...
More than 130 hectares of land previously used for bauxite mining are set to be repurposed in Đắk Nông province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The plan includes establishing resettlement areas for households who lost their land due to bauxite mining and implementing advanced agricultural practices. The proposal was initiated following a report submitted by the Đắk Nông Aluminium Company, a subsidiary of Việt Nam National Coal - Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited, to the Evaluation Council of the Mineral Mining Closure Project under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The report concerns relinquishing a portion of the land utilized for bauxite ore extraction at the Nhân Cơ bauxite mine . This mine is situated within the administrative boundaries of several...
Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest metals and mining corporation, has donated $1.5 million to the Icelandic Red Cross to aid the Grindavík community and its people, which has endured months of volcanic activity. The ISAL aluminium smelter team has shown remarkable care and solidarity, coming forward when it matters most. Grindavík Mayor Fannar Jónasson stated, "We would like to thank Rio Tinto for this initiative and this generous donation. The ISAL team has shown us great care and solidarity, stepping up to the plate when we need it most. We do not control the course of natural forces, but this kind of support helps us deal with their consequences and the pressing issues facing our community at present." About the volcanic eruption Since December, relentless eruptions have had a...
According to a report on April 18, United States President Joe Biden has tripled the current 7.5 per cent tariff on Chinese aluminium and steel imports and is putting pressure on Mexico to prevent China from shipping metals to the United States via Mexican ports. In response to this move, the White House said in a statement, "President Biden knows that steel is the backbone of the American economy. American workers in the steel and aluminium industries face a significant challenge from Chinese exports of steel and aluminium." Last year, Chinese aluminium and steel exports to the United States were valued at US$1.7 billion. Mining giant Rio Tinto pointed out that China's domestic steel demand stood stagnant in early 2024 and so its exports rose 30 per cent year-on-year during the first two...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,570 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,620 per tonne and US$2,561.50 per tonne respectively before closing at US$2,610 per tonne, up US$23 per tonne or 0.89 per cent. The London Metal Exchange graph registered ascending prices on April 18, with the LME aluminium cash bid and the LME aluminium official price gaining US$19.50 per tonne or 0.75 per cent and US$19 per tonne or 0.74 per cent to close at US$2,599.50 per tonne and US$2,600 per tonne, respectively. Nonferrous metals prices surged on Friday, driven by concerns over Russian metal supply following sanctions. London aluminium saw its sixth consecutive weekly gain, rising 1.4 per cent to US$2,652 per tonne. The ban by the LME on Russian metal produced after April 13, in...
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and evolving market landscapes, the global aluminium industry stands at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today, we are thrilled to announce the launch of " Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024 ". This e-magazine publication is a testament to the thriving landscape of the global aluminium industry, capturing the pulse of an ever-evolving sector. AL Circle's e-Magazine, "Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024" , represents a pivotal moment for industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to converge, exchange ideas, and explore the latest trends shaping the future of aluminium production, consumption, and sustainability. Industry thought leaders and visionaries have shared their insights on a variety of topics, including: Advancements in...
Ducab Metals Business (DMB), a UAE-based copper and aluminium solutions provider, has reportedly unveiled its new Green Aluminium Rod, produced using recycled aluminium in compliance with the EU's CBAM regulation. The production of DMB's Green Aluminium Rod requires significantly less energy than primary aluminium and emits only 0.5 tonnes of CO2-equivalents per tonne (approx.), reflecting DMB's commitment to turning the aluminium industry into green economy. DMB also follows a zero-waste philosophy and practices sustainable sourcing to contribute to the aluminium industry's broader environmental and sustainable goals. By using recycled aluminium for its new product, DMB has set new benchmarks for environmental responsibility within the sector. Recycled aluminium, the key raw material of...
Four prominent flat-rolled aluminium manufacturers, members of the European Aluminium Packaging Group (EAPG)—Constellium, Elval, Novelis, and Speira—have agreed to collaborate on a standardisation initiative to enhance the recycled content levels of beverage cans. This initiative is geared towards significantly reducing carbon emissions. The primary focus lies in increasing the recyclability of can ends. Currently, aluminium beverage cans contain two different aluminium alloys for the body, and the can end. While the aluminium used for the can body already boasts a high recycled content and supports exceptional recyclability, there remains untapped sustainability potential concerning the can end. About the project The project's central objective is to investigate alternative alloys that...
Aluminium is pivotal in advancing modern technologies to facilitate the transition to sustainable energy. However, its significance comes with a caveat: the substantial emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on a global scale. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), aluminium production alone contributes approximately 3 per cent of GHG emissions, totalling around 270 tonnes. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, the demand for aluminium is poised to surge dramatically by up to 40 per cent by 2030. In recent years, a global movement towards carbon neutrality has gained momentum, with countries worldwide revising their policies and strategies to achieve these goals. This movement is accompanied by a dynamic surge in electric vehicle adoption and a thriving investment...
China customs data showed that the country's bauxite imports from January to February 2024 totalled 24.4794 million tonnes, reflecting an annual increase of 4 per cent. In individual months, China imported 13.2019 million tonnes and11.2775 million tonnes of bauxite. The import in January was 11.24 per cent up month-on-month and 7.15 per cent higher year-on-year, while the import in February edged a month-on-month fall of 14.58 per cent but grew 0.53 per cent year-on-year. Sources of imports Guinea, being the highest supplier of bauxite to China, provided 9.2859 million tonnes in January, which was 12.95 per cent up M-o-M and 1.52 per cent up Y-o-Y. From Australia, China imported 3.4759 million tonnes – 9.66 per cent higher M-o-M and 50.89 per cent more than in the previous year. From...
Constellium has declared its coal-fired power station shutdown at its Singen facility in Germany, marking the culmination of the company's worldwide shift away from coal utilisation. Constellium's plant at Singen is an aluminium manufacturing plant with over 1,500 employees. With its integrated hot/cold rolling line, high-grade cold mills, and one of the largest extrusion presses in the world, the Singen plant is one of Constellium's largest sites. This facility serves the automotive market for structural components and auto body sheets and other markets for special surface applications and packaging. In 2024, the Singen facility has finalised its transition to natural gas, foreseeing a decrease in direct greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 per cent from 2021 to 2025. This move...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,550 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,597 per tonne and US$2,549 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,570 per tonne, up US$10.5 per tonne or 0.41 per cent. LME aluminium prices witnessed a notable growth yesterday, propelled by the ongoing sanctions on Russian metals. These sanctions are designed to cut off a significant revenue stream for Russia, which has been supporting its military activities in Ukraine through metal exports. As per the LME data, on Wednesday, April 17, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$69 per tonne or 2.74 per cent to peg at US$2,580 per tonne and US$2,581 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by US$29 per...
On April 17, 2024, Constellium announced that its Issoire facility in France received the ‘Accredited Supplier’ award from Airbus, the highest recognition in the Airbus Supply Chain & Quality Improvement (SQIP) program. Constellium is a global leader in developing and manufacturing high-value-added aluminium products and solutions and in aluminium recycling. Constellium has been honoured with its inaugural receipt of this award, recognising exceptional achievements in product quality, delivery efficiency, project enhancements, seamless adaptation to production scaling, and robust industrial expertise. Philippe Hoffmann, the President of the Aerospace and Transportation business unit at Constellium, said, “Being recognised by Airbus is an immense honour, as our team continuously strives to...
As the world travels toward a greener future, sustainable initiatives are on the rise. Throughout the last few months, there have been incredible sustainability-aligned advancements in the aluminium industry at large. This article charts such noble green drives spread across the entire aluminium value chain. All of these activities have been brilliantly planned so that the global call for net zero by 2050 can be realised with ease and sophistication. Norsk Hydro secures renewable energy future with Statkraft partnership Norsk Hydro has embarked on an extended power purchase agreement (PPA) with Statkraft through its clean energy division, Hydro Energi AS. The contract is valid from May 2024 to December 2027 and includes the delivery of 1.28 TWh. The partnership amplifies Norsk Hydro's...
