
Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has made a record in environmental upkeep and performance. It has received two 2026 pollution control awards from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Odisha), recognising the company’s pollution control measures, environmental management and responsible industrial practices at its Odisha operations. Hindalco’s Hirakud Smelter & Power received the “Pollution Control Appreciation Award 2026” in the Industry Category, and Aditya Aluminium secured the “MK Rout Pollution Control Excellence Award 2026” in the Industrial Township Category. Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. The Pollution Control Appreciation Award 2026 recognised Hirakud Smelter &...
Futures: SHFE aluminium closed at RMB 24,375 per tonne in the previous trading session, edging down 0.04 per cent. The price stood above the MA10 (24,304) and MA30 (24,089.5), but slightly below the MA5 (24,258). Short-term moving averages flattened, while the medium-term bullish alignment remained intact, with the market consolidating at highs overall. On the MACD indicator, DIF=129.53 and DEA=139.74. DIF stayed above the zero axis but maintained a death cross, with the histogram at -20.43, indicating weakening bullish momentum and lingering short-term correction pressure. Trading volume rebounded slightly to 54,800 lots, with moderate market activity. The suggested core trading range for SHFE aluminium is 24,000-24,600. LME aluminium closed at USD 3,293.5 per tonne, down 0.20 per cent....
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The National Bureau of Statistics has reported a steep monthly fall in China's industrial profits to a three-year low in September 2024 on account of several factors, such as sluggish demand and consumption, decreased product prices, processing fees upsurge, and high costs of raw materials. Speaking of industries, the aluminium downstream sector was no exception, particularly the industrial aluminium extrusion, due to the slow market in the building & construction sector. Image Source: China Hongqiao Group Among the major industries that drive the Chinese economy, building & construction plays a pivotal role. In 2023, the construction industry accounted for around 6.8 per cent of the country's GDP. However, the unprecedented downturn in the B&C sector, currently reeling from a wave of...

Qingxin Carbon recently secured authorisation for its latest innovation focussing on the electrolytic aluminium industry from China National Intellectual Property Administration invention patent. This latest patent is for an "Electrolytic Aluminum Cathode Side Corner Scratching Machine." Image Source: ResearchGate The invention primarily addresses technical challenges in processing cathode side corner blocks within the electrolytic aluminium industry. By utilising a sliding device, the scratch machine eliminates safety risks associated with traditional manual pushing, significantly enhancing work efficiency and reducing operator labour intensity. Additionally, the scratch machine is equipped with a pressing mechanism that, driven by a swing arm, continuously squeezes and guides the side...

Professor Aaron Mike Oquaye, a former Speaker of Ghana's Parliament, has encouraged leaders to explore the natural resources of Africa, i.e. bauxite reserve, timber, manganese, gold, diamond, cocoa and oil resources at the Second General Assembly of the Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures (CoSPAL) held in Accra. Image Source: Twitter (X) While emphasising on the pressing need for African parliaments to take a leading role in addressing the continent's recurrent dependence on the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Oquaye said, "And as we come from the experience of that conference, we want to reexamine ourselves as to how we, as legislators, are going to take charge of some of the things that touch and concern Africa the most." He urged African countries to...

The International Committee for Study of Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminum (ICSOBA) 2024 commenced on October 27, 2024, with a remarkable opening address by Dr. Frank Feret, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Treasurer, ICSOBA. The event has already made waves, with over 570 in-person registrations and 18 exhibitors showcasing their innovations and services. Held in the picturesque city of Lyon, the conference commenced with a delightful cocktail reception sponsored by Tokai Cobex, setting a vibrant tone for the days ahead. This year's conference has attracted diverse professionals from across the primary aluminium ecosystem, including bauxite and alumina experts. With environmental and economic sustainability as the central themes, ICSOBA 2024 promises to be a pivotal gathering for industry...

Mobio Arquitetura, Brazilian architecture firms BIRI and Estúdio Pedro Haruf, come together to construct a two-skinned campus of Alumnus School in Brazil's Belo Horizonte. Balanced on pilotis (the architectural structure that elevates a building above the ground and/or water and can be in columns, pillars, or stilts), it is a covered yet airy space on the ground floor with enhanced ventilation. This area serves as a reception for the school community, with dedicated spaces for an administrative section, a cafeteria, and flexible event arenas. Various-sized windows are accommodated into the frontside design of the building, allowing onlookers sights of the neighbourhood. Another skin of an exposed aluminium sheet keeps out direct sunlight and regulates heat. The architects have used raw...

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) chose Iowa-based Critical Materials Recycling (CMR) as one of six companies to receive a $500,000 cash prize, along with $100,000 in support from national laboratories. The DOE prize was awarded to Critical Materials Recycling to implement the acid-free dissolution process for wind turbines. The award was given to CMR for recycling rare earth elements apart from aluminium and copper. Iowa is a state in the upper Midwestern region of the United States. At Critical Materials Recycling (CMR), engineers disassemble circuit boards, old transmissions, and decommissioned wind turbines to extract and recycle rare earth elements. Unlike most recycling facilities focusing on common metals like copper and aluminium, few have the expertise to break down batteries,...

The bauxite mining subsidiary of one of the leading aluminium producers recently announced the suspension of its bauxite export operations from Port Kamsar (GNKMR). However, there has been no official justification for the move. How can it impact the Guinean workforce? Despite possessing the world's largest bauxite reserves, the highest-grade iron ore, and significant diamond and gold resources, Guinea remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The move raises serious concerns for the future of its Guinean workforce, with potential repercussions for local employment and the broader economic landscape. According to sources close to the situation, this operation pause could lead to significant job losses if not promptly resolved. It is important to note that these types of mining...

The average alumina spot price in China shows no signs of easing its upward trajectory shortly amid limited bauxite inflow into the domestic market to feed refineries and heavy demand for alumina for primary aluminium production. As of October 28, China's domestic alumina price has entered yet another week on the Shanghai Metals Market, with an increase of RMB 50 per tonne to an average of RMB 4,900 per tonne for the day. In this context, the upstream industry closely monitors the situation, anticipating China's domestic alumina price exceeding RMB 5,000 per tonne. If a similar trend continues, the price is likely to touch the level by the end of this week. Compared to the price a month ago, the domestic alumina price has rallied by 19.75 per cent from RMB 4,092 per tonne. Annually, the...

An AI robot has been hired to work in Chicago's preliminary recycling sorter and prevent aluminium cans from falling into the landfill pit. Reselling aluminium cans is so much of the apple of the eye in the recycling business that it subsidises the rest of the operation. Even then, Illinois ranks the third-worst state (behind Texas and Florida) in the United States regarding recycling cans. The Exchange, a Back of the Yards facility run by Lakeshore Recycling (LRS), began using the artificial intelligence robot (among other tech) to grab more cans last year. It has detected over a million from the 'last chance' strip. The technology operates on an optical scanner that is acquainted with identifying aluminium in 10-15 milliseconds and then dispersing a signal to a robotic arm to capture...

An Lap Phat (ALP), a Vietnam–based manufacturer of aluminium profiles specifically for building and construction applications, has recently launched its business policy focussing on sustainability at the Customer Conference. An Lap Phat emphasised its commitment to collaborative growth, enhancing competitiveness, and unlocking potential business opportunities for its partners. Embracing the motto "Shaping Life," An Lap Phat provides high-quality aluminium solutions that foster lasting societal value through three core principles: Quality, Innovation, and Sustainability. Building on these foundations, An Lap Phat continually invests in research and development to address evolving market demands. With a forward-looking vision and a pioneering approach, An Lap Phat seeks to set new industry...

Alcoa Corporation welcomes the U.S. Treasury Department’s final regulations on the Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit, enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As recognised by the Administration, Section 45X is an important tool for shoring up domestic manufacturing of critical materials, including commercial-grade aluminium from Alcoa’s U.S. smelters in Newburgh, Indiana, and Massena, New York. The aluminium produced at these facilities plays a crucial role in multiple domestic manufacturing segments, including clean energy, automotive, aerospace and building materials. Alcoa is pleased that the Treasury Department included some direct and indirect material costs. We continue to evaluate the regulations in detail to determine impacts on our U.S. smelters.

The 2 nd Congress of the Association of Aluminium Profile Manufacturers for Construction and Industry of Vietnam commenced, gathering industry leaders to set a transformative agenda for the next five years (2024-2029). In a relatively young but rapidly growing sector, the Vietnamese aluminium industry has doubled its output in the last seven years to a remarkable 1.3 million tonnes annually, establishing itself as a formidable player in the domestic and global markets. Vietnam's aluminium profile manufacturers have invested significantly in quality improvements, emerging from a base of small and medium-sized enterprises, primarily with 100 per cent domestic capital. They have dominated the domestic market and established a burgeoning reputation internationally. Many young Vietnamese...

Researchers at the University of Michigan have made a significant breakthrough in developing an advanced aluminium alloy that could reshape automotive manufacturing, particularly for electric and fuel-efficient vehicles. By adding minuscule titanium carbide (TiC) particles directly into molten aluminium, they’ve created a metal matrix nanocomposite that addresses a long-standing challenge: aluminium’s instability at high temperatures. This new material is stronger and more heat-resistant, making it a viable alternative to heavier steel and a pathway to lighter, more efficient vehicles. For years, engineers have aimed to replace steel in automotive structures with aluminium alloys due to their lightweight properties, which could boost fuel efficiency and extend the range of electric...

The fifteenth session of the National Dialogue on Climate Ambition (NDCA) held by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) at Emirates Global Aluminium headquarters in Al Taweelah focused on the innovative solutions that advance the decarbonisation of the aluminium sector in line with the growing demand for sustainable metal worldwide. The NDCA is a 2-year-old platform dedicated to addressing sector-wise climate ambition and fostering all-inclusive participation to drive 2050 net-zero carbon emission goals in the United Arab Emirates. The platform organises a monthly meet-up to discuss requirements, priorities, and action plans to amplify contributions towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions targeting a specific industrial sector. This latest assembly was for aluminium...

West Africa, led by Guinea, is rapidly becoming a key supplier of bulk cargo for the Capesize shipping trades, bolstered by China's expanding electric vehicle (EV) industry. With Capesize and larger shipments from the region rising at an annual rate of 19.6 per cent since 2018, analysts at broker BRS project West African exports could exceed 150 million tonnes in 2024. The region's largest contribution comes from Guinea, but other nations are also seeing significant growth. Mauritania, Africa's second-largest iron ore producer, along with Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Gabon, now accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Capesize and above cargo volumes leaving West Africa. Notably, Ghana's iron ore exports surged by 76 per cent in the first nine months of this year. Gabon has tapped into the...

Aluminum plays a crucial role in the global economy, and the increasing demand for this green metal highlights its enduring importance. Despite occasional setbacks or fluctuations, the market for aluminium remains resilient. The upstream aluminium sector, which includes bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium, has recently experienced several noteworthy developments. To begin with, South32 Limited, a mining and metals company based in Perth, Western Australia, reported increased production across its operations in the first quarter of the 2024–25 financial year (Q1 FY25). The company, which follows the Australian financial year from July 1 to June 30, has maintained its production guidance. Norsk Hydro, the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, has announced its third-quarter...

Lamborghini has garnered technical attributes for their new Temerario, the company's primitive model that replaces the Huracan. On the one hand, the Huracan was a 631-horsepower 5.2-litre naturally aspired V10 engine. The Temerario will encompass a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 and a trio of axial-flow electric motors to deliver a total system power of 907 horsepower. Lamborghini proudly puffs that this new V8 engine spins to 10,000 rpm, which the enterprise states is the first and only super sports automobile engine to do so. Such a proliferation in power mandates a corresponding boost in chassis strength to withstand it, and so the company disclosed that the Lamborghini Temerario's aluminium chassis is ideal. It is lighter and stiffer than the earlier Huracan model. "The Temerario is...

For the nook and crannies of the kitchen where cleaning seems to be a mere myth, aluminium foil has proved to save the day. While chopping, cooking, or even cleaning - veggie debris, oil, and pieces of cloth find themselves nice and cosy dark spots in our kitchens, never to be seen again. But Alicia Sokolowski, a cleaning expert with 20 years of experience and the founder and co-CEO of AspenClean home cleaning services and natural cleaning products, has a valid answer to the question - why do we even have that spot, anyway? She says, "The answer is quite simple. It's not because of the uneven walls or floors. It is a slight gap between the stove and kitchen cabinets and has nothing to do with installation standards or adjustments made to fit appliances." Older homes tend to have more...