Two recent Tesla stories sit at opposite ends of the range. Tesla Model 3 is set to benefit from cost-focused Cybercab inverter technology, announced on November 1 2026. The flying car, Tesla Roadster, uses aluminum in its battery cells and underbody protection, reinforcing power delivery, thermal management and lightweight construction. The two models reveal how aluminum can serve very different engineering priorities, from making electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable to helping them deliver extraordinary performance. Tesla Model 3: the everyday car gets Cybercab hardware Nick Verzini, Tesla’s Head of Drive Unit Engineering, mentioned on a Munro Live factory tour that a new printed circuit board assembly and power stage from the Cybercab’s inverter will enter Model 3 production in...
Odisha Additional Chief Secretary for Housing and Urban Development and IDCO Chairperson Usha Padhee visited Angul on Saturday to review infrastructure development at the Aluminium Park near NALCO, alongside housing, sanitation and drainage projects. The visit focused on resolving infrastructure bottlenecks, improving civic services and accelerating implementation through coordination among the concerned agencies. During her visit to the Aluminium Park, Padhee held discussions with senior officials from NALCO and the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO), particularly on essential power and water supply requirements. She called for coordinated efforts and time-bound action to address the identified infrastructure issues. Join the fourth edition of webinar "...
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According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production in February 2024 (29 calendar days) amounted to 6.262 million tonnes, experiencing a 6.8 per cent fall from 6.72 million tonnes in January (31 days). But on a year-on-year basis, the output increased by 2.4 per cent. The average daily production in February 2024 was 215,900 tonnes a day, down by 0.42 per cent from 216,800 tonnes in the previous month. As of the end of February 2024, China’s alumina production capacity was 100 million tonnes, with an operating capacity of 78.82 million tonnes. The month-on-month downfall in China’s alumina production is attributed to weaker operating rates in a few Chinese provinces such as Henan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. In Henan, the alumina operating rate was 55 per...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the joining of Thöni Deutschland GmbH as the new Production & Transformation member. For over 50 years, the Thöni Group has been committed to growth and sustainable practices. This strategy permeates every facet of our operations: from aluminium profiles crafted with up to 80 per cent recycled material to automotive components designed for lightweight construction and e-mobility to biogas plants that harness the energy of organic waste. Thöni Deutschland GmbH is an autonomous, family-run enterprise dedicated to flexibility, reliability, and unparalleled customer focus. At the heart of their success lies a commitment to tradition alongside an unwavering drive to forge a sustainable future, all while recognizing our social, ecological, and...
On Tuesday, March 5, China's average alumina spot price declined by RMB 7 per tonne to arrive at RMB 3,335 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the prices in Bayuquan, Henan and Lianyungang have plunged by RMB 30 per tonne, RMB 15 per tonne and RMB 10 per tonne to arrive at RMB 3,260 per tonne, RMB 3,360 per tonne and RMB 3,265 per tonne. In Shandong and Shanxi, the alumina prices have dipped by RMB 5 per tonne to clock at RMB 3,250 per tonne and RMB 3,350 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the A00 aluminium ingot price has gained by RMB 90 per tonne to reside at RMB 19,030 per tonne, with the average prices standing between RMB 19,010 per tonne and RMB 19,050 per tonne. The spot contract price may be traded at a discount price of RMB 50 to RMB 10 per tonne. On the same day, the price in...
There has been a significant challenge facing EU initiatives to tax carbon-intensive imports starting in 2026, as only a minority of companies have met the early reporting deadline for their carbon-intensive imports. The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) represents a pioneering effort to impose a tax on carbon-intensive imports, aiming to prevent an influx of inexpensive goods from nations with highly polluting industries, which could undercut the bloc's heavily regulated sectors. However, recent data from Germany's emissions trading authority, shared with the one of the world's leading business news organisations, Financial Times, indicates that less than 10 per cent of the anticipated 20,000 companies in Germany complied with the reporting requirements by the early...
LME aluminum opened at US$2,235 per tonne on Monday, March 4, with high and low at US$2,242 per tonne and US$2,216.50 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,238 per tonne, down 0.31 per cent. The LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dipped by US$1 per tonne to come around the same prices as the previous month. While the former derived at US$2,182 per tonne on March 4, the latter came in at US$2,182.50 per tonne. During the same period last year, the LME aluminium benchmark price was at a similar level at US$2,183.50 per tonne. But compared to the same period in January, the benchmark price stood 2.37 per cent lower than US$2,235.50 per tonne. On a year-on-year basis, the LME aluminium benchmark price on March 4 marked about a 7.5 per cent fall....
The global aluminium industry is cautious about the potential competition between the United States and European buyers for Middle Eastern aluminium if the European Union bans Russian metal, leading to price hikes to the 2018 level when sanctions were imposed on Rusal. As an impact of the possible aluminium price hikes due to the intense race for aluminium from the Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, product costs will inflate for Western companies from the transport, packaging, and construction industries, fuelling an additional challenge besides high energy costs. Although, as per the last report, the European Union may refrain from banning Russian aluminium, the bloc is expected to soon propose another package with new import bans, resulting in a...
The Nautical SUNRISE initiative aims to support the world's largest Offshore Floating Solar (OFS) power project. With a budget of €8.4 million, predominantly funded by the Horizon Europe programme to the tune of €6.8 million, the project commenced in December 2023. Its primary objective is to research and develop OFS systems and their components, paving the way for widespread deployment and commercialisation, either as standalone units or integrated within offshore wind farms. The project seeks to design, construct, and demonstrate a 5 MW offshore floating solar system, employing the modular solution provided by Dutch floating solar company SolarDuck. RWE, a key player, is set to finance the installation and deployment. This system will be strategically positioned within RWE's OranjeWind...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) stood at 1.212 million tonnes in January 2024, reflecting a slight month-on-month fall of 0.57 per cent from 1.219 million tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, Africa & Asia’s (ex-China) alumina output registered an increase of 15.76 per cent from 1.047 million tonnes. After an annual downfall in Africa & Asia’s alumina production in January 2023, the regions experienced a hike at the beginning of this year, signalling a positive future. Africa and Asia’s alumina production started building up in H2 2023, which seemed to have continued in January’24. The daily average alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during January was 39,100 tonnes, slightly down by 200 tonnes from the...
Russia is set to introduce its inaugural aluminium-coated runway designed for small and light aircraft at a nearby airfield. This innovative solution, a rarity in the country, promises to bolster the development of local and regional aerodrome infrastructure, enhancing transport accessibility, particularly in remote areas. As reported by RuAviation, RUSAL’s press service released an agreement on collaboration in research and development, as well as the construction of an experimental aluminium-made runway, which has been inked between RUSAL and MASS GROUP. This initiative will involve the participation of esteemed institutions in the field, with plans to conduct a series of experiments to address regulatory constraints related to utilising aluminium mats in runway construction. The...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the average aluminium spot price in China has further decreased over the weekend by RMB 6 per tonne to start the week at RMB 3,342 per tonne, as of Monday, March 4. In Shandong and Shanxi, the alumina spot price has declined by RMB 10 per tonne to stand RMB 3,255 per tonne and RMB 3,355 per tonne, with average prices to range between RMB 3,210-3,300 per tonne and RMB 3,310-3,400 per tonne, respectively. In Henan, the price has dropped by RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 3,375 per tonne, with average prices to hover around RMB 3,330-3,420 per tonne. Aluminium fluoride and bauxite prices Among other primary aluminium input costs, aluminium fluoride price, on the other hand, has hiked by RMB 200 per tonne to RMB 9,150 per tonne, after remaining...
Australia's largest aluminium smelter, Tomago Aluminum in Newcastle, will be caught up in the play going down by its part-owner. CSR (Colonial Sugar Refining), an Australian conglomerate, is bought out by French conglomerate Saint-Gobain. The deal will be completed later this year and is said to be worth just under US$3 billion. CSR has been a minority shareholder in Tomago since its start more than 40 years ago. CSR now holds about 25 per cent stake in Tomago, which it holds through its subsidiary company, GOve Aluminium Finance (GAF). Tomago operates as an "unincorporated joint venture", meaning that the standard rules of majority ownership don't apply. Tomago is operated by the three main owners - Rio Tinto, Hydro, and GAF. It's highly unlikely that anything will change with the change...
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) employees, between October 2022 and December 2023, collectively recycled 499,541 aluminium cans and plastic bottles in Dubai, thereby diverting 7,108 kilograms (7.1 tonnes) of waste from landfills. DEWA has implemented innovative measures to promote recycling, including installing smart machines in select buildings. These machines are seamlessly integrated with DEWA's Smart Office app, enabling employees to participate in recycling efforts by scanning QR codes. For each recycling activity, participants earn points that can be redeemed for entries into monthly prize drawings. By the end of 2023, DEWA recognised and rewarded 49 employees for their commitment to recycling. The recycling initiatives align with the Circular Economy Policy of the...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,224.50 per tonne last Friday, with high and low at US$2,248.50 per tonne and US$2,208 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,236 per tonne, up 0.36 per cent. LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added US$20.50 per tonne or 0.95 per cent to close the week at US$2,183 per tonne and US$2,183.50 per tonne, respectively. As per the historical data shown on AL Circle LME chart , the LME aluminium benchmark price was month-on-month down by US$29 per tonne or 1.31 per cent from US$2,212.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price increased by US$14.50 per tonne and US$15 per tonne, respectively, to stand at US$2,221 per tonne and US$2,222 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price and December 25 offer...
In 2024, the market outlook for primary aluminium is forecasted to be mixed, with both upside and downside. The persistent global economic uncertainty is poised to exert a sustained influence on the outlook of the aluminium industry. As per AL Circle's report, "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024," primary aluminium production is estimated to increase by about 1.82%, reaching 70.3 million tonnes in 2023. Grab a copy of AL Circle's "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024" report to know how the primary aluminium industry will function. Below is a list of the top news that created a buzz in the industry throughout the week: New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS) signed an agreement with Meridian Energy to offer 20MW of electricity to the national grid if required over 12 weeks this...
The downstream aluminium industry has created many notable headlines this week, from the retirement news of Capral Aluminium Chairman Rex Wood-Ward to UK TRA's reconsideration of anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium extrusions to many more. According to a report on February 28, Capral Aluminium Chairman Rex Wood-Ward announced that he would take his retirement at the conclusion of the company's Annual General Meeting on May 8, 2024. Mr Wood-Ward will depart the board after 15+ years of association with Capral Aluminium. He joined the company in 2008 as a non-executive Director and became Chairman in 2010. To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/capral-aluminium-chairman-rex-wood-ward-will-take-his-farewell-on-may-8-2024-109043 The UK Trade Remedies announced this week that it...
As forecasted by several research-based organisations prior to the onset of 2024, the projections regarding the demand and pricing of aluminium align with reality. Despite the passage of the first two months of the year, indications of improvement remain minimal. According to the latest industry-focused report from AL Circle, titled "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024," findings resonate with those of Antaike . This Chinese state-backed research firm suggests a sluggish growth trajectory for China's aluminium consumption this year. Additionally, the research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank in Malaysia has reported expectations of sustained pressure on aluminium prices throughout 2024. Various factors, including the challenging conditions in the Chinese building and construction sector...
Demand for alumina from China is rising strongly, opening the door for international producers and traders to make some increased profits. The combination of restrictions on bauxite mining leading to cuts at refineries, winter snow storms blocking logistics, and healthy demand for the key material has led to a step up in export sales to China. Imports in December 2023 were at their highest for the year, at 240,000 tonnes. That pace has not slowed, with imports in January and February tracking at similar volumes. Part of this has been re-exporting, mainly through Bayuguan in north China. The southern port has seen big volumes for immediate delivery to smelters in Yunnan province. The domestic price now sits north of RMB3200/tonne (around US$450/tonne). While domestic supply can't keep up...
Virgin Atlantic has joined forces with Sapling Spirits to introduce an innovative, eco-friendly solution onboard: 5ml aluminium vodka bottles. These new bottles, available throughout the carrier's fleet in both economy and premium cabins, mark a significant step towards reducing the airline's glass and plastic waste consumption. First airlines to introduce these miniature bottles In a pioneering move, Virgin Atlantic becomes the first airline to introduce these miniatures, showcasing its commitment to sustainability. As part of this initiative, the airline has also set an ambitious goal of planting over 20,000 trees throughout its partnership with the esteemed British spirits brand. Shiada Drysdale, beverage lead at Virgin Atlantic, commented, We are simply delighted to partner with...
