Over the past few years, the employment story of US aluminum industry has been entering chapters from the downstream segment. According to the Aluminum Association, almost 98% of all US aluminum jobs are now concentrated in mid- and downstream processing and recycling, even as employment in primary aluminum has fallen sharply. The Aluminum Association’s latest 2026 economic impact study puts direct industry employment at 165,354 jobs, with the wider aluminum ecosystem supporting 871,464 direct, indirect and induced jobs and generating $326.4 billion in economic output. The shift is particularly evident in recent employment growth. Between 2024 and 2026, jobs in secondary aluminum production rose 21.9%, aluminum coatings 23.1% and sheet and extrusions 22.2%, while primary aluminum...
During the International Colloquium on Refractories (ICR) in Aachen, Germany, Almatis and ROMCO signed a term sheet outlining the key principles for a long-term strategic partnership for Brown Fused Alumina (BFA). The proposed partnership brings together ROMCO’s established fused alumina manufacturing capabilities in India with Almatis ’global sales , technical service and distribution network. Subject to the conclusion of definitive agreements, the parties intend to establish a long-term manufacturing, sales and marketing collaboration for ROMCO’s Brown Fused Alumina portfolio. Almatis CEO Anil Sonmez stated , “This is another significant step forward in line with our vision, ‘Alumina and Beyond for Tomorrow.” Sonmez continued, “Following the expansion of our Calcium Aluminate Cement...
Grow with
AL Circle
A recent enforcement raid by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) in Mumbai has shed light on the critical importance of adhering to quality standards in the packaging industry. During the operation, M/s New Ryan Plastic in Chembur was found storing and selling aluminium foil and aluminium alloy bare foil for food packaging without the mandatory BIS standard mark, signalling a breach of regulatory protocols. On Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, BIS officials from the Mumbai Branch-I team conducted an enforcement raid at M/s New Ryan Plastic , situated on Lokhande Marg in Chembur. The inspection revealed a significant inventory of aluminium foils and their packaging devoid of the requisite BIS standard mark. This discovery led to the invocation of Section 17(1)(a) of the BIS Act 2016, indicating a...
The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium benchmark price has inched up by US$13 per tonne or 0.45 per cent on May 7, halting at US$2,864 per tonne. Overnight, the most-traded SHFE 2406 aluminium contract opened at RMB 20,720 per tonne, with the highest and lowest prices at RMB 20,830 per tonne and RMB 20,705 per tonne before closing at RMB 20,730 per tonne, down RMB 15 per tonne or 0.07 per cent. SHFE 2307 aluminium added RMB 595 per tonne or 3.38 per cent to RMB 18,185 per tonne. The open interest fell 11,785 lots to 256,640 lots. China’s domestic aluminium market is experiencing a balance between bullish and bearish factors. Bauxite supply is tight, and ore prices are solid, leading to rising alumina prices and increased aluminium costs. Demand is better than expected, but high...
On Tuesday, May 7, the average alumina spot price in China surged by RMB 65 per tonne to settle at RMB 3,566 per tonne. According to the SMM data, the prices have shown growth in all the provinces, with the highest in Lianyungang, where they have skyrocketed by RMB 100 per tonne to reach RMB 3,620 per tonne. On the same day, the alumina prices in Shandong, Shanxi and Guizhou have expanded by RMB 70 per tonne to clock at RMB 3,540 per tonne, RMB 3,560 per tonne, and RMB 3,570 per tonne. In Guangxi and Bayuquan the prices have experienced the same growth by RMB 70 per tonne to rest at RMB 3,635 per tonne and RMB 3,640 per tonne. The A00 aluminium ingot price on a Y-o-Y calculation has surged by RMB 2,100 per tonne from RMB 18,470 per tonne recorded on May 8 2023. As of today, the domestic...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd’s extrusion plant in China has reportedly started supplying aluminium battery casings and car bumpers to vehicle manufacturers in the mainland. The news came after Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong, Press Metal’s chief executive officer, announced it officially. He also announced that Press Metal’s extrusion plant in Nilai, a city located in Seremban District, Malaysia, completed the construction of a 30,000-tonne photovoltaic components extrusion line, which will exclusively manufacture solar panel frames and mounting extrusions to support solar power sector. The move into manufacturing extrusions for the solar power sector reflects Press Metal’s focus on sustainability. Press Metal’s commitment to sustainability is also represented by its ASI certifications for...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), one of the world's largest aluminium smelters, has signed an agreement with SAP, a market leader in enterprise application software, to upgrade its enterprise resource planning solution (ERP) to SAP's latest software – S/4HANA Cloud. With this strategic move, Alba aims to expedite its digital transformation journey and embrace Industry 4.0 practices to meet evolving business demands. Signing Ceremony The signing ceremony took place on Thursday at Alba's premises. It was attended by Ali Al Baqali, the Chief Executive Officer of Alba, and Ahmed Jaber Al-Faifi, Senior Vice President of SAP Middle East Africa – North, alongside senior officials from both Alba and SAP. Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, commented, "This advanced solution isn't just about...
The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee has reportedly appealed for antidumping investigation and countervailing duties against China-manufactured solar cells and panels with the US International Trade Commission (USITC) and the US Department of Commerce. The American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee is made of leading US solar manufacturers like Convalt Energy, First Solar, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, Qcells, REC Silicon, and Swift Solar. Tim Brightbill, co-chair of Wiley’s International Trade Practice and lead counsel to the petitioner the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, said: “America’s solar manufacturing industry is on the cusp of tremendous growth that will create jobs and change the trajectory of our clean energy...
Turncoat, a Liverpool-based gin distillery, has recently embraced a sustainable shift by transitioning to aluminium bottles. This eco-conscious move aims to significantly reduce the distillery's carbon footprint, with an estimated saving of approximately 0.4kg of CO2 emissions per bottle. By opting for reusable aluminium bottles over traditional glass ones, Turncoat Gin is taking a proactive step towards sustainability. These aluminium bottles boast a longer lifespan and are lighter in weight, contributing to reduced emissions throughout their lifecycle. Edward Ridding, head of the distillery, said, "We believe that sustainability should be at the heart of everything we do. Our decision to launch reusable aluminium bottles reflects our dedication to creating a positive impact on the...
Algorithms developed by researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and the University of Technology Sydney can automatically pinpoint solar panel underperformance issues, ranging from wiring faults to degradation and shading. A Senior Lecturer at the UNSW School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering mentioned that the technology can detect clipping, tripping, and export limits. He suggested that this advancement holds promise in transforming the diagnosis of faults in PV systems. “This is a game changer for Australian residential and commercial system operators. By analysing inverter and maximum PowerPoint data every five minutes, this algorithm can accurately diagnose underperforming issues, enabling early intervention and maximising energy production," the Senior...
The aluminium foil industry stands as a silent powerhouse, an unsung hero of modern living that quietly shapes various sectors worldwide. As per the report by Persistence Market Research, aluminium foil, a marvel of material science, has transcended its humble origins as a kitchen staple to become a versatile product with a multitude of traditional and cutting-edge applications. Did you know that the global consumption of aluminium foil surged from 5.3 million tonnes in 2018 to an estimated 6.1 million tonnes by 2023? This upward trajectory in demand is expected to continue in the coming years, driven by rising recycling rates, particularly in the packaging and consumer goods sectors. To delve deeper into the fascinating realm of the aluminium foil market, consider getting your hands on...
China’s domestic average alumina spot price has resumed from the Labour Day holiday from May 1 to 5 with a hike of RMB 50 per tonne. The tightening supply and improving demand have continued to boost the alumina price, marking the eighth consecutive day of rise. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the domestic alumina price as of May 6 has come in at RMB 3,501 per tonne. In Lianyungang, alumina spot price has skyrocketed by RMB 105 per tonne to reach RMB 3,520 per tonne, followed by the surge of RMB 50 per tonne in Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, and Bayuquan. In Shandong and Bayuquan, the alumina price is standing at RMB 3,470 per tonne and RMB 3,570 per tonne, while the price in Henan and Shanxi at RMB 3,490 per tonne. If compared to a month ago, China’s domestic alumina spot price has...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,530.5 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,572 per tonne and US$2,526 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,551 per tonne, up US 12.5 per tonne or 0.49 per cent. On Friday, May 3, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added US$7 per tonne or 0.27 per cent to clock at US$2,516 per tonne and US$2,517 per tonne. On the same day, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price hiked by US$7.5 per tonne or 0.29 per cent and US$8 per tonne or 0.31 per cent to settle at US$ 2,545 per tonne and US$2,545.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price moved up by US$5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to halt at US$2,687 per tonne and US$2,692 per tonne. LME aluminium opening...
COSCO Shipping, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, has unveiled what it heralds as the "world's largest" electric container ship capable of navigating river to sea. Named the Green Water 01, this vessel surpasses the 10,000-ton mark, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainability within the maritime logistics sector. Cosco, abbreviated as China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company, is a formidable state-owned multinational conglomerate headquartered in Shanghai. Its primary expertise lies in marine transportation. COSCO Shipping was founded in 2016 following a sanctioned merger between COSCO and China Shipping, solidifying its prominent presence in the industry. COSCO Group is China's premier liner carrier, facilitating the daily transport of numerous container vessels. Moreover, it...
The end user sector of the aluminium industry is one of the most versatile sectors with immense growth and business opportunity. From industrial to lifestyle, the demand of this green metal is growing with time, making it an indisputable choice for the end-user industry. From driverless car to the introduction of Nothing Phone (2a), the industry witnessed some interesting updates this week. Aluminium as a metal has found extensive applications in various industries and products, such as transportation (cars, planes, and trains), packaging (cans and foil), construction (windows, doors, and facades), electronics (smartphones and laptops), and renewable energy (solar panels and wind turbines). Its resistance to corrosion, impressive strength-to-weight ratio, and recyclability render it...
_alumina_production_trends_up_in_Q1_2024_by_15.9_per_cent_Y-o-Y_0_0.jpg)
According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) amounted to 1.234 million tonnes during March 2024, up by 5.38 per cent from 1.171 million tonnes in February 2024. The output recovered in March after a fall in the previous month by 3.22 per cent from 1.21 million tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, the March 2024 alumina output in Africa & Asia (ex-China) edged a hike of 18.65 per cent from 1.04 million tonnes. In the first three months of 2024, Africa & Asia’s (ex-China) alumina production totalled 3.613 million tonnes, up by 2.91 per cent from 3.511 million tonnes during the fourth quarter of 2023 and 15.91 per cent more than 3.117 million tonnes during the first quarter of 2023. Africa & Asia is the world’s second largest alumina...
The aluminium industry is making constant advancements in promoting the environmental efficiency of its production. The use of aluminium is highly encouraged for multiple end-use industries. The production of aluminium has traditionally been energy-intensive, but a growing emphasis on sustainability has prompted the industry to adopt innovative practices. A heightened focus on sustainability has spurred the industry to embrace innovative approaches. These include a shift towards renewable energy sources for production, concerted efforts in recycling, and the promotion of ethically sourced raw materials. Governments and top aluminium producers from different countries, global organisations, and non-profit entities have all joined hands to innovate and implement strategies to minimise the...
Hindalco Industries Limited and Vedanta Limited have trimmed their aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices, with effect from May 3, 2024, following a plunge on the prior day by US$44.50 per tonne or 1.74 per cent. Hindalco has cut its aluminium ingot price by INR 2,500 per tonne or 1 per cent to INR 246,500 per tonne on May 3 versus INR 249,000 per tonne on April 30. Similarly, the company’s aluminium wire rod and aluminium billet prices have seen a cut of INR 2,500 per tonne, with effect from May 3, to stand at INR 263,500 per tonne and INR 260,600 per tonne, respectively, compared to INR 266,000 per tonne and INR 263,100 per tonne on April 30. Vedanta’s aluminium ingot price, on the other hand, has experienced a fall of INR 4,250 per tonne or 1.29 per cent to range between INR...
Adobe has recently expanded its San José headquarters by adding a fourth tower to its property. The tower has been beautifully decorated with colourful aluminium trees inspired by Adobe’s creative ethos. The aluminium plates used to craft the trees are impressively thin, measuring only 1/8" (3.175 millimetres) in thickness. These plates are intricately slotted and welded together to form a robust structural lattice, and each tree is designed to weigh no more than 500 pounds (226.796 kilograms). The expansion also includes the creation of a visually stunning pedestrian bridge that seamlessly connects the existing three campus towers while also serving as a creative gateway to the city of San Jose. Designed by Hou de Sousa, the bridge features captivating Blooms installations composed of...
In March 2024, the mineral production index stood at 156.1, marking a 1.2 per cent rise compared to March 2023. Throughout the fiscal year 2023-24, the index surged by 7.5 per cent from the preceding fiscal year 2022-23. Noteworthy minerals demonstrating positive growth in March 2024 vis-à-vis the same period last year include copper concentrate, gold, manganese ore, diamond, graphite, kyanite, sillimanite, lime shell, limestone, and magnesite, among others. The increased output of iron ore, limestone, and aluminium signals robust economic activity across sectors like energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery. Iron ore and limestone collectively constitute approximately 80 per cent of the total MCDR mineral production by value. According to provisional figures, these...
