
Chinese investors are exploring plans to develop an aluminium production plant alongside green energy facilities in Samalaju, Bintulu, Sarawak, in a proposed investment aimed at supporting manufacturing activities targeting international markets Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the proposal involves not only establishing an aluminium manufacturing facility but also developing green energy sources to supply electricity for its operations. Speaking to reporters after attending the Malaysia-China Cooperation Meeting on Investment, Trade and Economic Empowerment in Kuala Lumpur on November 2, 2026, Ahmad Zahid said efforts to attract the investment had been underway for some time, given Samalaju's potential to accommodate large-scale industrial...
European industry is facing a difficult balancing act of maintaining global competitiveness while accelerating decarbonisation, securing critical raw materials and managing persistent energy-cost pressures. Against this backdrop, 15 European Union (EU) member states have endorsed the Warsaw Declaration 2026, calling for a stronger industrial policy that places competitiveness, economic security and manufacturing resilience at its core. Adopted following the 9th Friends of Industry Ministerial Conference in Warsaw on October 26, the declaration outlines a coordinated approach to protecting Europe's industrial base. Its priorities include affordable energy, reliable access to secondary raw materials, stronger trade defence mechanisms, technological sovereignty and reforms to the EU's carbon...
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The UK's Clean Harbours Partnership is promoting the adoption of aluminium anodes over conventional zinc ones on their boat hulls. They encourage boat owners to transition from zinc to lighter and more efficient aluminium anodes, citing benefits for performance enhancement and environmental friendliness. In 2023, the application of aluminium in ships, yachts, and water vessels continued to grow, driven by its several advantages over traditional materials like steel. The partnership highlights its investigation into the discharge of metals, particularly copper and zinc, into the ocean. According to findings from the Institute of Marine Sciences at Portsmouth University, an estimated 900 tonnes of zinc were likely released into coastal and inland waters in 2020, primarily attributed to...

Recycling enthusiasts across the UK and Ireland are celebrating as two remarkable groups receive national recognition for their outstanding contributions to aluminium can recycling. The not-for-profit organisation, Every Can Counts, awarded the prestigious Green Can Award to Aluminium Can Recyclers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Recycle for Kicks Count NI. These groups, driven by their passion for environmental sustainability and charity, have collectively raised nearly £40,000 through their dedicated efforts. Led by Janice and David Lipscombe, Aluminium Can Recyclers for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance emerged in September 2019 as a small community initiative. Today, boasting over 239 members on Facebook and a strong presence in the Hampshire community, the...

The spot prices for Aluminium ADC12 alloy ingot, equivalent to automobile grade, saw a modest rise of INR 2,000 per tonne to reach INR 213,000 per tonne week-on-week (w-o-w) exw Delhi, excluding GST. In the current market, firm offers are noted in Delhi and Chennai at INR 182,000-183,000 per tonne. However, the workable levels in Chennai hover around INR 181,000 per tonne. Notably, the spot price for ADC12 in Chennai has climbed to INR 215,000-216,000 per tonne exw on immediate terms, excluding GST, marking an increase of up to INR 3,000 per tonne compared to the previous week. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) prices for ADC12 are currently under spot prices due to long-term contracts. "At present, we're exclusively fulfilling ADC12 orders through bulk contracts at fixed prices and...

Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad, a Malaysian-based integrated producer of aluminium, is likely to register a higher net profit for the first quarter (Q1) of 2024, in support of higher spot prices of the metal, notwithstanding volatile production costs. Maybank Investment Bank Bhd (MaybankIB) estimates Press Metal's core earnings for Q1 2024 between RM315 million and RM365 million. In the previous quarter (Q4 FY2023), the company's core earnings totalled RM328.4 million. The bank has projected this increased quarter-on-quarter earnings based on the uptrend of the aluminium spot price on the London Metal Exchange at the average of US$2,243 per tonne in Q1 2024. "Our 1Q24E core net profit estimate implies that PMETAL's earnings would come in at 22-25 per cent of our revised financial...

Aluminium showed strong performance yesterday, supported by factors like higher premiums in Japan and better-than-expected economic data from China, which countered worries about reduced demand from the world's largest consumer. Additionally, encouraging news from U.S. manufacturing, showing expansion for the first time in 1 1/2 years, added to the optimism surrounding demand outlooks. On Thursday, April 4, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$60.5 per tonne or 2.59 per cent to settle at US$2,394 per tonne and US$2,394.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price expanded by US$61 per tonne to halt at US$2,439 per tonne and US$2,440 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price hiked by US$38 per tonne or 1.47...

Ardagh Glass Packaging-Europe (AGP-Europe), under the umbrella of Ardagh Group, unveils its latest endeavour in sustainable energy at its Irvine facility in Scotland. The installation of rooftop solar panels marks a significant stride towards reducing carbon emissions and embracing renewable electricity on-site. With a commitment to sustainability, AGP-Irvine aims to mitigate its environmental footprint while maintaining operational excellence. AGP-Europe's initiative entails the deployment of a 1.75MWp solar photovoltaic system, comprising 3,842 panels, across the rooftops of its Irvine facility. This solar infrastructure is projected to generate approximately 1.584MWh of electricity annually, contributing significantly to the production of over 350 million glass bottles. By harnessing...

The alliance between The British Crisp Co, Evopak, and Aquapak heralds an innovative advancement in sustainable packaging. By integrating the versatile properties of aluminium, this collaboration has birthed a fully recyclable paper packet, poised to revolutionise the snack industry landscape. Amidst mounting concerns over packaging waste, unveiling the recyclable paper packet signifies a pivotal moment in the quest for eco-friendly alternatives. This innovative solution uses a thin aluminium liner to mitigate the environmental repercussions of non-recyclable packaging. Led by CEO Tom Lock, The British Crisp Co. stands at the forefront of sustainable innovation, cognizant of the pressing need to address packaging waste. The CEO clarified: "Brits consume over eight billion packets of...

Grove Co. unveils an expanded repertoire of ready-to-use cleaning essentials housed in sustainable aluminium packaging. From hand soap to dish soap and concentrated laundry detergent, every product embodies the ethos of sustainability, offering consumers a convenient pathway to reduce their plastic footprint without compromising on efficacy or convenience. The brand, wellknown for its dedication to make sustainable consumer products, is heralding a new era in eco-consciousness with a multifaceted initiative aimed at fortifying its presence in the realm of eco-friendly cleaning solutions. As a Certified B Corporation, Grove Collaborative is driven by a steadfast dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Embracing innovation: New ready-to-use essentials in aluminium...

On Thursday, April 4, India's diversified natural resources firm Vedanta Limited announced its Q4 FY2024 and full-year operational results, revealing both aluminium and alumina output volume. Aluminium production Vedanta said its aluminium production in Q4 FY2024, which ended March 31, stood at 598,000 tonnes, reflecting a 4 per cent year-on-year increase from 574,000 tonnes. However, on a quarter-on-quarter calculation, Vedanta's aluminium production in Q4 FY2024 recorded a slight dip of 1,000 tonnes from 599,000 tonnes, the highest quarterly output ever. Nevertheless, Vedanta's total aluminium production in FY2024 grew annually by 3 per cent from 2.291 million tonnes to 2.37 million tonnes. The Group stated today that it aims to increase its aluminium production capacity to 3 million...

According to the data released by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the total primary aluminium production in North and South America combined was 438,000 tonnes in February 2024, of which South America accounted for only 27.40 per cent. In contrast, North America produced the lion's share of 72.6 per cent. Aluminium demand, driven by individual sectors (source AAC) If we compare this year's production for January and February with the last quarter of 2023, we can find that only 65.5 per cent, or 904,000 tonnes, was achieved. The total haul for Q4 2023 was 1.38 million tonnes. Month-on-Month comparison On a month-on-month scale, North America's primary aluminium production has dipped 21,000 tonnes, or 6.19 per cent, from 339,000 tonnes in January 2024 to 318,000 tonnes in...

On Wednesday, April 3, Vedanta Aluminium reported that it commissioned an additional 1.5 million tonnes of annual alumina capacity at its Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha. Earlier, the refining capacity of the unit was 2 million tonnes per annum, and with the new capacity, it has increased to 3.5 million tonnes, said Vedanta Aluminium in a statement. Vedanta's plan is to add 1.5 million tonnes of capacity more to the refinery and bring it to a total of 5 million tonnes per annum. The Group also aims to increase its aluminium production capacity to 3 million tonnes per annum from 2.37 million tonnes at present. All these expansion efforts will bring Vedanta closer to its ultimate goal of becoming one of the top three global producers in the world aluminium market. Vedanta Aluminium CEO John...

The 438-megawatt (MW) solar complex, Boa Sorte, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, has commenced its commercial operations. This expansive power plant is set to provide renewable energy to the Albras aluminium smelter. The solar plant, which comprises multiple projects, is the result of collaboration between renewable energy solution providers Hydro Rein and Atlas Renewable Energy, alongside Albras. Albras is a joint venture between Hydro and Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co. Ltd. (NAAC). About Boa Sorte With its substantial installed capacity of 438 MW, Boa Sorte is projected to generate approximately 920 gigawatt-hours (GWh) annually. This output is equivalent to powering over 394,000 Brazilian households with clean, sustainable energy. Boa Sorte marks the second significant solar plant project...

Mentos, one of the most innovative candy brands globally, has extended its hands in collaboration with VML and Dartmouth University to launch the 'WIFI Refresh' campaign aimed at improving internet speed for Brazilians. The campaign is based on a study conducted by Dartmouth University, which found that placing aluminium foil around router antennas can improve the signal and reduce interference. Mentos has created step-by-step tutorials to teach people how to use the aluminium packaging of their candies for this purpose. The campaign will also feature influencers and Loud ambassadors to amplify the message. This can be considered an exciting aluminium foil recycling initiative that Mentos has proposed. The communication strategy is focused on reverberation marketing, where content is not...

On Wednesday, April 3, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by US$11.5 per tonne or 0.49 per cent to stand at US$2,333.50 per tonne and US$2,334 per tonne. As per the LME data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price hiked by US$15.5 per tonne or 0.65 per cent and US$17 per tonne or 0.71 per cent to clock at US$2,378 per tonne and US$2,380 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price gained US$17 per tonne or 0.66 per cent to peg at US$2,580 per tonne and US$2,585 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 541350 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants settled at 326475 tonnes and 214875 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price expanded by US$23.98 per tonne or 1.01 per cent to halt at US$2,378.44 per...

On Wednesday, April 3, Lotte Aluminium Co., Korea’s biggest comprehensive packaging material company under Lotte Group, announced that it would split into two entities – Lotte Infracell and Lotte Packaging Solutions. The company believes that this move will enable them to focus on respective areas of expertise. While Lotte Infracell will focus on secondary battery materials, Lotte Packaging Solutions will look after the packaging business. Lotte Infracell will nurture its expertise in secondary battery materials, inheriting the aluminium foil business from Lotte Aluminium’s BM business division. Lotte Infracell aims to enhance the production and supply of high-quality battery-grade aluminium foil to tap the fast-growing EV battery market. On the other hand, Lotte Packaging Solutions will...

Guinea is steadily increasing its bauxite shipments, and there are indications of further volume increases. Despite upheavals from the accident in December and the occasional public unrest, volumes of bauxite exports have grown so far this year and look set to continue growing. Simply put, the miners, shippers and traders (usually those 3 are the same company) are responding to increasing demand. The challenge is to get the material out of the ground and onto a vessel before the rainy season starts in a few months. Amongst the miners, SMB shipments continued to be high, with a total of approximately 11 million tonnes shipped as of mid-March, and shipments reached a single-week high of 1.45 million tonnes at the end of February. This was followed by Shunda Mining and Chinalco Boffa, which...

The L'OCCITANE Group, a leading figure in premium sustainable beauty and wellness and a certified B Corporation, has appointed Green Yip as the Regional Managing Director for Travel Retail in APAC (Asia Pacific Region), effective immediately. In this pivotal role, Green Yip will shape the future trajectory of L'OCCITANE Travel Retail with the unwavering support of the Group's seasoned Global and APAC Travel Retail teams. The L'OCCITANE Travel Retail campaign was a highly successful campaign carried out by the company in collaboration with Gebr. Heinemann. The four-month campaign emphasised the brands' sustainability goals by using 95% post-consumer recycled aluminium in their packaging. With a commendable 15-year journey marked by leadership prowess and a consistent record of...

On Wednesday, April 3, National Aluminium Company’s stock price (NALCO) reached a 52-week high in the wake of highest-ever production of aluminium, record excavation of bauxite, and best ever metal sale, surpassing all previous records since inception. According to the report, NALCO’s share price stood at INR 176.20 on BSE following the PSU’s FY2024 result announcement. The share price marked a jump of 6.05 per cent from the closing price of INR 166.15 on the previous day. On Wednesday, April 3, NALCO’s stock opened at INR 167.20. The PSU’s stock traded higher by 4.91 per cent, or INR 8.15, at INR 174.30 at 11:57 am on Wednesday. On Tuesday, April 2, NALCO announced that it achieved a record-breaking primary aluminium production of 4,63,428 tonnes, utilising its annual nameplate capacity...