Germany’s aluminium foil export market is showing a shift after two years of steady recovery. The upward trend that had returned after the 2023 downturn failed to hold, with shipments slipping again even as some markets continued to show resilience in H1 2026. The change becomes clearer when the recent history is put together. Germany exported 151,000 tonnes in H1 2022, but the volume dropped to 138,000 tonnes in H1 2023, down 8.6 per cent. Exports then began to recover, reaching 141,000 tonnes in H1 2024, up 2.2 per cent, and 144,000 tonnes in H1 2025, an increase of 2.1 per cent, according to ITC data. In H1 2026, however, exports fell back to 140,000 tonnes, down 2.8 per cent year on year. The decline is relatively modest, but it marks a break in the recovery - raising the question of...
Emirates Global Aluminium, the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, today announced a technology upgrade pilot at the company’s Al Taweelah smelter, which will further improve productivity and efficiency. The pilot upgrades to 13 DX technology reduction cells will be used to prove the performance of the new technology, called E40, before industrialisation across all 808 DX technology reduction cells at potlines 1 and 2 at Al Taweelah. If applied to all 808 reduction cells, EGA’s E40 technology has the potential to increase hot metal production from the two potlines by 67 thousand tonnes per year, while reducing net specific energy consumption and associated carbon dioxide emissions from power generation by approximately six per cent per tonne of...
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India's imports of alloyed aluminium ingots soared by 60 per cent in the first half of 2024, reaching approximately 112,158 tonnes compared to 70,780 tonnes during the same period in 2023. In the first half of 2024, alloyed ingots constituted a significant portion of the country's aluminium semi-finished imports, accounting for 62 per cent of the total 196,482 tonnes. Reasons for the surge The Red Sea crisis, which began in October 2023 and escalated over time, led to a shipping crisis that severely disrupted global trade and supply chains. This situation particularly affected routes through the Suez Canal, a vital passageway that handles roughly 30 per cent of the global container trade. Consequently, trade volumes decreased significantly in early 2024. Ships were forced to reroute...
Ningbo Shenma Group, based in Zhejiang province, has made a significant stride in the green power transmission sector. Their cutting-edge copper-aluminium composite products position the company as a global leader in enhancing power delivery systems and promise to revolutionise power transmission systems worldwide. Bus ducts, the latest advancement in current-carrying conductors, are gaining momentum as they gradually replace traditional transmission methods in low-voltage power systems. Unlike conventional bus ducts made from pure copper or aluminium, these new composite products have a unique advantage: their superior efficiency, making them the future of power transmission. Aluminium is often used in scenarios where high electrical conductivity is not critical, and copper, renowned for...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C., the world’s largest single-site smelter, announced on August 6 the appointment of Ricardo Fontes Santana as a new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The company also said the appointment would be effective from August 15, 2024. Mr Ricardo will join Alba with a wealth of knowledge in the metals and mining industry gathered from over 25 years of global experience. He has recently been associated with Sohar Aluminium as CFO and has been on the team of non-executive directors. Mr Ricardo also served South32, ESSILOR, BHP Billiton, and Shell in Brazil, Australia, Singapore, The Netherlands, Portugal, and Oman. Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ricardo to the Alba family. His deep-rooted expertise in the global...
The residents of several communities in south-west Western Australia have joined forces to oppose South32's future mining projects, citing growing concerns about Worsley Alumina. Residents of the Shires of Boddington, Wandering, and Williams, located approximately 130 kilometres southeast of Perth, are represented by Locals for Environmental Action and Protection (LEAP). LEAP emerged last year in response to intensified mining activities at Worsley Alumina, including the installation of a haul road over Pinjarra-Williams Road. Worsley Alumina is an integrated bauxite mining and alumina refining operation in the Southwest of Western Australia. Founded in 1984, it is today recognised as one of the largest alumina refineries in the world. Since its formation, LEAP has been actively engaging...
The latest Shanghai Metal Market (SMM) data reveals a mixed scenario in the aluminium market with today’s prices for A00 aluminium ingot. According to the survey, A00 aluminium ingot price has grown after two consecutive days of downfall to stand at RMB 18,870 per tonne, reflecting an increase of RMB 120 per tonne or 0.64 per cent from the previous trading day. The average prices are estimated to range between RMB 18,850 per tonne to RMB 18,890 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 70-30 per tonn. However, a broader analysis over the past month and even weekly trend indicates a continuing downward track in prices. One of the primary reasons for the decline in aluminium prices is the low demand amid increased production. Additionally, China's domestic...
On August 6, 2024, Alcoa Corporation announced a transition in its Investor Relations leadership, appointing Louis Langlois, Senior Vice President of Treasury and Capital Markets, effective September 1, 2024. Louis Langlois will assume responsibility for the Company’s investor relations and pension investment functions from Jim Dwyer, Vice President, Investor Relations and Pension Investments, who will retire on September 1 after more than 30 years of service. Langlois is currently senior vice president and treasurer. He will continue to report to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Molly Beerman. Molly Beerman said, “Louis will extend the strong relationships he currently has with our banks, advisors, and rating agencies to our investors and maintain the transparency and...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,263.50 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,305 per tonne and a low of US$2,238 per tonne, and closed at US$2,301 per tonne, up US$39 per tonne or 1.72 per cent. The LME aluminium benchmark price registered its first rise of the month on Tuesday, August 6, following two consecutive days of downfall by a total of US$61.50 per tonne. According to the data shown by LME graph , the LME aluminium cash bid price increased by US$36.50 per tonne and LME aluminium official settlement price rose by US$38 per tonne to reach US$2,203 per tonne and US$2,205 per tonne, respectively. With the present hike, the LME aluminium benchmark price edged a rise of US$43.50 per tonne, as against US$2,161.50 per tonne. However, on a month-on-month basis, the...
On Tuesday, August 6, billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Limited published its first quarter results ended June 30, 2024, emphasising increased net profit and revenue from operations, attributed to elevated metal prices. In Q1 FY2024-25, Vedanta generated a consolidated net profit of INR 3,606 crore, an increase of 36.59 per cent from INR 2,640 crore a year ago. The company's revenue from operations rose 5.6 per cent Y-o-Y to INR 35,239 crore against INR 33,342 crore. EBITDA also grew 47 per cent Y-o-Y on account of structural cost-saving initiatives across businesses, easing of input commodity inflation, and favourable output commodity prices. Vedanta's near-term goal is to achieve $10 billion EBITDA , of which aluminium is estimated to account for $4.2 billion, zinc and silver $2.7...
Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest aluminium producer, announced the appointment of Ravi Paliwal as CEO of Ash Management. Ravi will oversee ash management operations, focusing on leveraging technology and processes to enhance resource efficiency and explore new avenues for utilising the voluminous by-product of thermal power generation, promoting circular economy avenues. Besides Vedanta Aluminium, Ravi will be responsible for ash management operations of Vedanta's power business (which includes Talwandi Sabo Power Plant, Meenakshi Energy, and Athena) and Hindustan Zinc Limited. Ravi, a seasoned industry professional with more than 27 years of diverse experience, will bring extensive expertise to Vedanta Aluminium's operations. Before joining Vedanta, he served as the Senior Vice...
Alcoa has announced plans to modernise its Poços de Caldas (MG) plant from August to December this year, focusing on enhancing operational excellence and energy efficiency. The investment will involve replacing two ageing Ingersoll-Rand compressors, which have been used since 1975, with five new, state-of-the-art Gardner models. This upgrade will bring numerous benefits, including a daily reduction of 8,360 kWh in electricity consumption. It will also improve air quality by reducing humidity, extending equipment lifespan, and decreasing noise levels through cabin-mounted devices. Additionally, the project is expected to save approximately 240 m³ of water per day, cut R$25,000 annually in chemical product consumption, and lower health risks. “The implementation of this project is an...
Utkal Alumina, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, organised an Annual Entrepreneurship Conclave under Project Udyamee on July 27, 2024, at Rayagada, focusing on empowering communities and driving inclusive growth. About 283 entrepreneurs attended the event, showing great enthusiasm and commitment to entrepreneurial development in the tribal hinterland. The event was presided by Mr Rabi Mishra, Unit Head of Utkal Alumina, as the chief guest, in the presence of Mr Bijay Kumar Sahu, GM RIC, Rayagada; Mr Kanhu Charan Sahu, CFME DIC, Rayagada; Mr Siba Mahapatra, Cluster CSR Head; Ms Lopamudra Mishra, Utkal Alumina CSR Head, Ms Niharika Sahu, Mines CSR Head and EDIT members. Project Udyamee was started on June 16, 2021, by Utkal Alumina in association with EDI to encourage...
On July 24th, Yunnan Aluminum signed upstream and downstream cooperation agreements for four industrial chains in Kunming. This development significantly accelerated the company's efforts to strengthen its industrial chain. About the agreement Yunnan Aluminum and its subsidiaries signed cooperation agreements with Sichuan Furong Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Huafeng Aluminum Co., Ltd., and Yunnan Jiantao New Materials Co., Ltd. The agreements, facilitated by the green energy and industrial chain extension platform established by the Yunnan Energy Bureau, include projects such as a 3C electronic high-end green aluminium alloy initiative, a green aluminium heat transmission material project for new energy vehicles, and a green low-carbon aluminium-based material industry project. The...
In the wake of growing digitisation in the global aluminium industry, Hongfa Aluminum, a subsidiary of China Hongqiao Group, has embarked on a journey of digital transformation across all its manufacturing units. According to a report, the company has integrated artificial intelligence to achieve intelligent manufacturing and innovative industrial internet applications. The company has adopted an AI intelligent monitoring system for its casting production. The system provides 24-hour real-time monitoring, offering image recognition and analysis capabilities. It can identify machinery hazards to attain safe production and error-free operations. In collaboration with Weiqiao Guoke Advanced Technology Research Institute, Hongfa Aluminum has developed a hot rolling surface defect detection...
The local court has ordered two units of China Evergrande New Energy Auto to enter bankruptcy and reorganisation proceedings. This decision comes after individual creditors of Evergrande New Energy Vehicle (Guangdong) and Evergrande Smart Automotive (Guangdong) filed for such proceedings last week. Shares of the electric vehicle maker plunged 7 per cent on July 29 following the creditors' move. The court hearing on August 2 resulted in the ruling to initiate the bankruptcy process for the two units. This ruling adds to the challenges faced by the EV unit of China Evergrande Group, the embattled real estate developer. In May, the company updated the market on ongoing discussions between its liquidators and a potential buyer. The outcome of these talks, which is crucial for extending a new...
Marubeni has finalised the sale of Rio Tinto's low-carbon aluminium billets to Fuji Light Metal and FUJISASH Co., Ltd. (collectively known as the "Fujisash Group") as part of a strategic collaboration with the global mining group Rio Tinto. This marks the first sale of RenewAl™ low-carbon aluminium billets in Asia, enhancing environmental values and contributing to sustainable supply chains. Marubeni is committed to contributing to a sustainable future by supplying responsible aluminium to diverse clients and supporting the decarbonisation of the entire supply chain. The Fujisash Group is dedicated to reducing carbon emissions throughout its supply chain and manufacturing processes. About the collaboration This collaboration builds on Marubeni's strong, long-standing business relationship...
Gebhart Holdings, Metal Source's parent company, has announced the acquisition of Imperial Aluminum's assets in Scottsboro, Alabama. This strategic purchase marks Metal Source's first location outside Indiana, enhancing its capabilities and market reach. However, the financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed. The newly acquired facility, which will be rebranded as Metal Source, spans over 40 acres and employs approximately 80 full-time staff. With an impressive recycling capacity exceeding 100 million pounds annually, the site will produce a variety of aluminium alloys, zinc alloys, and aluminium deox cones. Colin Denihan, Metal Source's Chief Commercial Officer, emphasised the strategic significance of the Alabama location in meeting the growing demand for...
Increasing investments and developments in China’s new energy vehicle sector are expected to boost aluminium consumption to nearly 10 million tonnes by 2030, compared to 2 million tonnes in 2023. This prediction follows the reported rise in China’s domestic production of new energy vehicles to 940,000 units in May 2024 , up 31.9 per cent from 712,660 units produced a year ago. In line with increased production, sales also grew in May this year by 33 per cent to 955,000 units versus 716,430 units. Thus, the market share of NEVs in China escalated to 39.5 per cent in May, out of total automobile sales amounting to 2.42 million units, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). With the bullish forecast for China’s NEV production and sales, the domestic NEV share...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) survey, the A00 aluminium ingot price has declined very minorly after two consecutive days of huge downfall to balance a week-on-week downtrend by RMB 150 per tonne from RMB 18,900 per tonne. The price today, 9th August, has dwindled by RMB 80 per tonne, reaching RMB 18,750 per tonne. The average prices are estimated to range between RMB 18,730 per tonne and RMB 18,770 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 70 to RMB 30 per tonne with an average of RMB 50 per tonne. Region-wise analysis: Among the major Chinese provinces, Wuxi, Hangzhou, Chongqing, Tianjin, and Linyi have experienced a decline in aluminium ingot prices by RMB 80 per tonne. The prices have settled at RMB 18,750 per tonne in Wuxi and Chongqing, RMB...
