Metlen Energy & Metals PLC is investing EUR 25 million in its recycled aluminium production facility EP.AL.ME. in Greece, targeting higher processing capacity and greater use of complex aluminium scrap streams. The investment will fund automated sorting, processing and melting equipment at EP.AL.ME., which Metlen describes as Greece’s largest independent recycled aluminium producer. The project will allow the facility to process more complex scrap, including post-consumer aluminium recovered from end-of-life products. The expansion will connect EP.AL.ME. more closely with Metlen’s Aluminium of Greece facility. EP.AL.ME. will manage the collection, sorting and pre-processing of aluminium scrap, while Aluminium of Greece will provide the production scale needed to incorporate recycled metal...
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...
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is poised to make significant inroads across various European sectors, with smaller industries standing to benefit the most in the near term. While larger sectors may still need to be ready to implement AI fully, and some may never reach that point, the potential for productivity gains remains substantial, according to ING Think. ING suggests that the most immediate advantages will be seen in smaller sectors, where AI can be more easily integrated, and its impact is felt more quickly. These industries are likely to experience notable improvements in efficiency and innovation. On the other hand, larger sectors face more significant challenges in adopting AI technologies. The complexity and scale of these industries can hinder swift implementation, leading to...
FCC Environment and Podback are expanding aluminium and plastic coffee pod recycling services across England and Wales. This collaboration follows a pilot program that collected 14 tonnes of used pods within six months. Introduction of separate recycling bins The initiative will introduce dedicated recycling bins for aluminium and plastic pods at household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) throughout both countries. These bins will be conveniently located for easy access, making the recycling process more straightforward. Wigan, Luton, and Nuneaton in England are the initial beneficiaries of this scheme, with additional locations set to join soon. “Our pilots over the last year with FCC have proved successful and have received positive feedback from residents using the service. We hope...
Recorp Aluminium, New Zealand's most progressive can-manufacturing company founded and funded by the country's brightest beverage container specialists, is on the brink of launching its $100 million-plus facility into operation in South Auckland. The founder and chairman of the company, former Air New Zealand chief executive Rob Fyfe, expressed his positive views about the project saying that it should break even in its second year of operation. The new can manufacturing plant, equipped with cutting-edge technology, is poised to revolutionise New Zealand's beverage packaging industry. It is scheduled to commence operations in early September 2024, albeit five months behind schedule due to a site change. Recorp Aluminium was founded to revolutionise New Zealand's packaging industry for...
Korean scientists have developed a groundbreaking deep-learning alternative model to optimise aluminium frames in glass-glass bifacial photovoltaic panels (PVs). Addressing the escalating challenges posed by the growing size and weight of PV modules, the researchers highlighted a critical issue: the heightened susceptibility of aluminium frames to deflection. Deflection refers to the lateral deformation experienced by a structural element under load, a concern amplified by the increasing dimensions of modern PV panels. Aluminium frames play a crucial role in providing structural support to solar panels. They ensure they maintain their shape and integrity by preventing bending, warping, or sagging caused by their weight or external factors. The innovative deep-learning hybrid model...
The Coca-Cola system in Thailand, which includes ThaiNamthip Corporation Limited, HaadThip plc, and Coca-Cola (Thailand) Ltd., has expanded its 'Coke Recycle Me with Trash Lucky' campaign for the fourth consecutive year. The campaign highlights the importance of recycling aluminium cans and plastic bottles. This year's initiative involves enhanced collaborations with existing and new retail partners to establish over 80 drop-off locations across Bangkok, Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Phuket, and Songkhla. These efforts also encompass increased involvement from recycling partners and sponsors, aiming to promote the recycling of materials like aluminium cans and plastic bottles and highlight environmental awareness. Nattapak Atichartakarn, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Trash Lucky...
On July 2, 2024, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price has witnessed a modest growth after two previous consecutive days of downfall, found the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) survey. According to SMM, the price has increased by RMB 100 per tonne to reach RMB 20,210 per tonne, driven by China's central bank’s supportive monetary policy stance aimed at economic stability. Noticeably, the policy has rescued the domestic aluminium ingot price, bringing it higher than a week ago compared to RMB 20,200 per tonne. But compared to the price a month ago, it is down by 4.17 per cent from RMB 21,090 per tonne. Today, the average prices of A00 aluminium ingot are likely to range between RMB 20,190 per tonne and RMB 20,230 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 90-50 per...
Indonesia, with its rich deposits of critical minerals, stands poised at the forefront of the global supply chain, particularly in the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market. The 2024 US Geological Survey report underscores Indonesia's dominance, placing it first worldwide in nickel reserves, which are crucial for EV batteries. Additionally, Indonesia ranks among the world's top tin producers, an essential component in smartphone manufacturing. Beyond nickel and tin, Indonesia's mineral wealth includes significant deposits of cobalt, bauxite, and copper. Indonesia has trade restrictions on bauxite and nickel. In 2020, the nation prohibited the export of nickel, and in 2023, it banned the export of bauxite . Indonesia has previously planned to impose a ban on exports of copper concentrate...
Innovations that pave the way for a better future are crucial for advancing technology, improving quality of life, and addressing global challenges. An engineering research team at the University of Alberta (U of A) has discovered a new coating material comprising metals like aluminium and nickel that shows great potential for high-temperature applications, such as hydrogen combustion engines. Attributes of AlCrTiVNi5 Dubbed - AlCrTiVNi5, the newly developed alloy material is ideal for coating surfaces that endure high temperatures, such as those found in gas turbines, power stations, and vehicle and aeroplane engines. It also boasts superior thermomechanical properties, including high stability, low thermal expansion, fracture tolerance, and an exceptional combination of strength and...
In the very recent Science and Technology Award of China Environmental Protection Federation 2023, Chinalco Shandong received prestigious recognition by winning the first prize for its scientific and technological progress in the comprehensive red mud utilisation project "Green Technology and Engineering Demonstration of Efficient Production of New Powder Materials by Bayer Process Red Mud". In recent times, Chinalco Shandong has employed new development concepts to strengthen the research on the comprehensive utilisation of red mud while prioritising ecology. The project "Green Technology and Engineering Demonstration of Efficient Production of New Powder Materials by Bayer Process Red Mud" encompasses a study of the physical and chemical structure of a complex element system of red mud...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,510 per tonne in the previous trading day, with a high of US$2,547.5 per tonne and a low of US$2,510 per tonne, and closed at US$2,517.5 per tonne, flat compared to the previous trading day's closing price. On Monday, July 1, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by US$11 per tonne or 0.44 per cent to clock at US$2,496 per tonne and US$2,496.50 per tonne.As per the LME data, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also moved up by US$7 per tonne or 0.27 per cent and US$6.5 per tonne or 0.25 per cent to peg at US$2,532 per tonne and US$2,532.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price stood at US$2,670 per tonne and US$2,675 per tonne after increasing by US$2 per tonne or 0.07 per cent. On...
Australasia’s largest aluminium smelter, Tomago Aluminium, has appointed Jérôme Dozol as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and General Manager to lead the company into its fifth decade, aiming to ensure a long and prosperous future. Dozol's career spans over 18 years with Rio Tinto, one of the stakeholders of Tomago Aluminium. In his most recent role, he served as General Manager of a Copper Smelter and Refinery in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he demonstrated his expertise in managing complex operations and enhancing efficiency. Dozol expressed his enthusiasm for joining Tomago Aluminium, a company renowned globally as one of the leading aluminium smelters. Jérôme Dozol said, "I am passionate about extending the life of industrial assets and tackling climate change. Tomago Aluminium has a...
Yango, the international ride-hailing service, has partnered with Sparklo, a global cleantech company revolutionising the recycling industry. As part of this collaboration, Sparklo users in Dubai can redeem points for 10 per cent and 20 per cent discounts on their Yango rides. Points are collected by recycling plastic bottles and aluminium cans up to two litres through Sparklo's innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs), known as Sparklomats. This activity will become the first stage in a big collaboration, underscoring Yango's commitment to reducing its environmental impact and supporting eco-friendly initiatives. This partnership is in line with the UAE's environmental initiatives, such as the ban on single-use plastic bags in effect this month and Dubai Municipality's goal to collect...
The machine and system manufacturer from Buschhütten is expanding its logistics centre to increase flexibility and efficiency in supplying customers worldwide. Achenbach Buschhütten opened a new location for logistics services in Kreuztal-Kredenbach with Achenbach Logistics GmbH during a festive event on June 28. The 20,000m 2 site with four warehouse bays and office buildings, which Achenbach is using to expand its logistics areas, now offers sufficient space and best conditions for the receipt, quality inspection, storage and order picking of goods as well as the worldwide dispatch of plant components. "We are very pleased that the new site in Kredenbach now provides us with optimal conditions for our movement of goods. We are thus ensuring Achenbach's ability to deliver," emphasises...
On June 15th, over 30 employees from the SMB-Winning Consortium in Guinea embarked on an extensive study and exchange program at China Hongqiao Group. The visit began with a heartfelt welcome from Guo Cuihua, the Director of Human Resources at China Hongqiao. She warmly conveyed the significance of the delegation's presence, likening it to a homecoming. Guo emphasised the robust partnership between the two organisations and expressed optimism about the potential for increased collaboration and mutual development. SMB Winning Consortium is an alliance of four global partners led by Singapore’s Winning International Group. It comprises the Hongqiao Group under China’s Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, Guinea’s UMS, and China’s Yantai Port Group. The HR Director encouraged the Guinean...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s aluminium foil exports in May 2024 amounted to 130,100 tonnes, registering a month-on-month increase of 7 per cent from 121,600 tonnes. The May export volume also recorded an annual rise of 15 per cent. Among export destinations, India, Mexico, and Indonesia were the top three in May, followed by Thailand. To the top ten destinations, China exported 78,100 tonnes of aluminium foil, up by 6.26 per cent from 73,500 tonnes in April. China’s aluminium foil exports to the top ten destinations accounted for 60 per cent of the country’s total foil exports. For June and July, China has already received most of the orders for aluminium foil exports and put them into production. According to SMM estimation based on companies’ feedback,...
According to a recent report, Capral Aluminium, Australia’s largest extruder and distributor of industry-leading aluminium products, has secured its first ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) certified shipment from the Norwegian aluminium company Hydro. Receipt of the first ASI-certified aluminium establishes Capral’s value and commitment towards sustainability and responsible metal sourcing practices across the supply chain. This milestone also builds Capral’s strategic partnership with Hydro for the supply of ASI CoC-certified aluminium. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative and its Chain of Custody (CoC) certification are recognised globally as premium standards for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminium throughout the supply chain. The Chain of Custody Standard...
In June 2024, the global aluminium industry saw slight price positivity on both the LME and SHFE platforms at the beginning of the month. However, these gains were short-lived, and prices soon declined again. This reminds us again that AL Circle's industry-focused report, "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024" , revealed the Metals and Minerals Price Index of the World Bank witnessed a marginal decrease of 0.13 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, marking a continuation of the consistent declines observed since early 2022. This downturn is attributed to a deceleration in economic activity in significant global economies, leading to a subdued demand environment alongside ongoing recoveries in the supply of certain base metals. Projections indicate a 5 per cent decline in metal prices...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, A00 aluminium ingot price has initiated the month, July 1, 2024, with a dip of RMB 40 per tonne, indicating a continued bearish price trend of primary metal across the Chinese domestic market. The reason is the traditional off-season among manufacturing sectors, resulting in poor consumption of aluminium by the downstream plants. Fluctuations were observed throughout the week as there was a strong wait-and-see sentiment among downstream buyers, while sellers remained reluctant to sell, keeping their offers firm. According to SMM, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price on July 1 stood at RMB 20,110 per tonne, down by RMB 150 per tonne from a week ago and RMB 980 per tonne from a month earlier. However, annually, the price is still up by RMB 1,560 per...
