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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Admir Šahmanović, the Minister of Mining, Oil and Gas, Montenegro, met with former workers of the bauxite mine on the Seoca plateau, who have been waiting for ten years to pay claims from the bankruptcy estate. In a statement from the Ministry, Šahmanović assured the workers that he would strive to resolve the issue legally and within the institutional framework. The minister's commitment comes after a decades-long struggle for the workers to receive their due compensation, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by those affected by the mine's bankruptcy. Šahmanović's promise marks a significant step towards addressing their grievances and seeking a just outcome through proper legal channels. Šahmanović said, "I am sorry that this multi-decade problem is dragging on and that you are...
In the first half of 2024, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) demonstrated an annual increase of 9.48 per cent, primarily due to robust output in the first quarter. According to the International Aluminium Institute, Africa & Asia’s alumina production in Q1 was 7.9 per cent higher than in Q2. A sharp decline in production in April 2024, reaching as low as 997,000 tonnes, negatively impacted the Q2 figures. Although output recovered in May and June, it could not fully offset the drop seen in April. Africa & Asia’s alumina production in Q2 2024 totalled 3.348 million tonnes, compared to 3.613 million tonnes in Q1. However, on a year-on-year basis, the Q2 2024 output edged an increase of 3.3 per cent from 3.241 million tonnes, making up for the H1 output totalling 6.961 million...
According to a report on Friday, August 2, China has limited the usage of renewable energy for aluminium production. Shandong province, China's biggest aluminium producer, is allowed to account for 21 per cent of the total energy usage, while Inner Mongolia and Yunnan province are eligible to use up to 29 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. This move follows a drought-like situation in Yunnan due to erratic rainfall that hampered the area's hydroelectric power supply. In November 2023, Yunnan primary aluminium smelters were asked to reduce power consumption, leading to a production capacity cut of more than 1.1 million tonnes. According to Kunming Power Exchange Centre, Yunnan's hydropower generation suffered a setback in 2023, as demonstrated in the graph below. Yunnan Power...
This week, notable developments have surfaced in the upstream aluminium sector, covering bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. To begin with, India has secured a significant global position as the second-largest aluminium producer. The rise in aluminium production indicates robust economic activity across industrial sectors like energy, infrastructure, building and construction, automotive, and machinery. On July 31, 2024, Vedanta Ltd. announced that it had obtained clearance from the BSE and NSE for its proposed demerger. This approval is a pivotal step in Vedanta's strategy to split into six independent, publicly listed entities, including those in the aluminium, oil, and gas sectors. Apart from this, following a month of unabated decline, the LME aluminium benchmark price witnessed...
The United States imports of aluminium crude metals and alloys in May 2024 reflected a decline of 18.18 per cent month-on-month to return to the import volume seen in March. Compared to a year ago, the United States aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in May plunged by 33.66 per cent. According to the USGS data, the United States aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in May 2024 stood at 270,000 tonnes, compared to 330,000 in April and 407,000 in May 2023. In two months of the second quarter, the United States imported 600,000 tonnes of aluminium crude metals and alloys. If this trend continues for one more month, the total imports for Q2 will still be below the 911,000 tonnes imported in the first quarter. The United States’ year-to-date imports totalled 1.51 million tonnes, down...
Baotou Aluminum has recently secured an international invention patent for an "aluminium electrolytic process adjustment method" and has obtained an invention patent authorisation certificate in Nigeria, marking the company's first foreign invention patent authorisation. This patented method involves predicting the operational trends of the electrolytic cell by analysing voltage deviation and voltage noise deviation values. By doing so, it allows for the implementation of control measures to adjust the electrolytic cell pre-emptively, thereby preventing significant fluctuations. The method focuses on controlling the working voltage, aluminium fluoride feeding conditions, and aluminium output tasks. This approach enhances the electrolytic cell's operational efficiency while ensuring swift...
The mineral water market is experiencing a significant transformation as aluminium cans, once in a supporting role, are now challenging the dominance of traditional plastic bottles. Recognising this shift, the startup Dane-se has capitalised on the rising popularity of aluminium cans to capture consumer interest. Founded in 2023 by CEO Gregório Machado, Dane-se identified an opportunity to innovate within the mineral water industry by creating a fun and engaging brand. The startup's mission is to change the habit of consuming water from plastic bottles by offering a 100 per cent recyclable alternative, thereby reducing the environmental impact of plastic waste on the planet. "Aluminum cans are already the biggest differentiator in the mineral water market, where plastic bottles still...
Analogue Pocket is a sleek, modern, portable gaming console designed to celebrate and explore the history of playing games. It is releasing a new iteration this month, featuring a body made of CNC-machined aluminium. The premium-aluminium edition handheld gaming console will be offered in four colours: natural, noir, black, and indigo. This premium edition costs $499, a significant increase from the standard version’s $219. Analogue emphasizes that this aluminium Pocket will be produced in highly limited quantities and will not be sold again. Since its debut in 2021, Analogue has introduced several special editions of the Analogue Pocket, including vibrant colours, a glow-in-the-dark version, and a popular transparent shell. This device lets gamers play old Game Boy cartridges and, with...
In July 2024, the global aluminium industry experienced a month of significant developments and milestones. Industry leaders celebrated substantial investments in sustainability, with major projects focused on enhancing recycling capacities and reducing carbon footprints. Companies like Speira and RUSAL announced record investments in green technologies, while Porsche's next-generation vehicles prominently featured Hydro REDUXA low-carbon aluminium. Additionally, advancements in industrial technologies, such as Talum's Aluminium 4.0 initiative , underscored the sector's commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. In spite of a downward trend in aluminium prices on the LME and SHFE platforms, the month concluded with promising collaborations and strategies aimed at improving...
Ball Corporation, the world's leading producer of sustainable aluminium packaging, announced its second quarter results of 2024, whereby its net earnings attributable to the corporation were $158 million or total diluted earnings per share were 51 cents, down by 8.67 per cent from net earnings of $173 million during the corresponding period of the previous year. The company's earnings decreased in line with declining sales during the same period. According to Ball's report, sales dropped by 3.58 per cent Y-o-Y from $3.07 billion to $2.96 billion. The company's total earnings in the first six months of 2024 were $3.84 billion against sales of $5.83 billion, compared to $350 million of net earnings last year on sales of $6.05 billion. Second quarter and year-to-date 2024 comparable earnings...
Alcoa, a Pittsburgh-based industrial corporation and the global industry leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products, has announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Alumina Limited. This strategic move enhances Alcoa's position as a leading pure-play upstream aluminium company, reinforcing its market leadership. The binding Scheme Implementation Deed with Alumina Limited was signed on March 11, 2024 . "Alcoa is proud to announce the completion of our first major acquisition. The acquisition of Alumina Limited strengthens Alcoa's position as one of the world's largest bauxite and alumina producers and is expected to result in long-term value creation from greater financial and operational flexibility. I want to thank both the Alcoa and Alumina Limited teams, and our...
Ukraine's State Property Fund has announced an auction scheduled for August 6 to sell its 97.5458 per cent stake in JSC Zaporozhye Aluminium Plant. The auction will be conducted on the Prozorro.Sales electronic trading platform, with a starting price set at nearly UAH 151.9 million ($3.7 million). Bidders must submit their applications by August 5. The auction includes 607,446,012 shares and extensive property assets. The plant's balance sheet lists 1,497 real estate and infrastructure items covering 370,900 square meters, 291 vehicles and special equipment, and 25 land plots totalling 216 hectares. Some of the enterprise's real estate, measuring 6,756 square meters, is currently leased under eight agreements, some valid until September 1, 2065. The plant has accumulated significant debt,...
Data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute indicates a year-on-year increase in both North and South America's primary aluminium production during the first half of 2024. Even amid occasional declines in some months, primary aluminium output in North America rose by 4.35 per cent, while South America saw an increase of 4.74 per cent by the end of H1 2024. In North America, primary aluminium production in six months of 2024 amounted to 1.992 million tonnes versus 1.909 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. In South America, the output totalled 751,000 tonnes compared to 717,000 tonnes a year ago. Overview of quarter-wise output In June, North America's primary aluminium production stood at 325,000 tonnes, down by 3.85 per cent from 338,000 tonnes...
On Friday August 2, the market for aluminium ingot alloy showcased a notable trend. The market for aluminium ingot experienced a major adjustment across various regions of China. According to the Shanghai Metal Market (SMM), the price of A00 aluminium ingot closed at RMB 19,000 per tonne, reflecting a dip of RMB 170 per tonne following a RMB 200 per tonne increase the day before. This decline is attributed to weaker market sentiment and increased inventories. The average A00 aluminium ingot price at the starting of the week was around RMB 19,200 per tonne which showed a downward trend in the end of the week by RMB 200 per tonne. The average price of low-carbon aluminium has decreased by RMB 170 per tonne, bringing it to RMB 19,858 per tonne. Similarly, the prices of high-purity aluminium...
On July 31, 2024, Vedanta Ltd. announced it had received clearance from the leading stock exchanges, BSE and NSE, for its proposed demerger. The approval marks a crucial step in Vedanta's plan to split into six independent listed companies, including aluminium, oil, and gas. According to a regulatory filing by Vedanta, BSE and NSE issued letters on July 31, 2024, and July 30, 2024, stating they have "no objections/no adverse observations" regarding the proposed scheme. Following these clearances, the company is set to apply with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). "The scheme remains subject to receipt of other applicable statutory and regulatory approvals, including inter alia from the National Company Law Tribunal and the respective shareholders and creditors, under applicable...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,311 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,327.5 per tonne and a low of US$2,272.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,273.5 per tonne, down US$41.5 per tonne, a decrease of 1.79 per cent. Following a growth the previous day , both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price slumped by US$22 per tonne or 0.97 per cent and US$23.5 per tonne or 1.04 per cent. The prices as of August 1 (Tuesday) stood at US$2,228 per tonne and US$2,228.50 per tonne. The drop in prices can be attributed to weak demand and ample supply. In Yunnan, a major Chinese production hub, improved rainfall increased hydropower availability, enabling smelters to resume operations. This led to a 6.2 per cent annual increase in primary aluminium...
India has witnessed a continued increase in metals and minerals production during the first quarter of FY2024-25, following a record output level in FY2023-24, said the Ministry of Mines in a statement on Thursday, August 1. According to the data revealed by the Ministry of Mines, India’s primary aluminium production in the June quarter of FY2024-25 increased by 1.2 per cent year-on-year to 10.43 lakh tonnes from 10.28 lakh tonnes. With this hike, India has secured the significant global position as the second-largest producer of aluminium. The rise in aluminium production indicates robust economic activity across industrial sectors like energy, infrastructure, building and construction, automotive, and machinery. In 2023, India accounted for 6 per cent of global production, churning out...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced the accreditation of Kobe Steel Ltd. with the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) and Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for producing aluminium products at its Moka Works facility in Tochigi, Japan. This facility manufactures aluminium sheeting used in a variety of applications, including airplanes, Shinkansen trains, beverage cans, hard disk drives, and automobiles. ERM Certification and Verification Services conducted independent, third-party audits of the Kobe Steel, Ltd facility. The ASI Certification program, developed through a comprehensive multi-stakeholder consultation process, is the only voluntary sustainability standard for the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 and ASI CoC Standard V2 were...
