National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has received the Abheraj Baldota Environment Award 2025-26 for environmental protection and sustainable mining practices at its Panchpatmali Bauxite Mines in Koraput, Odisha. The recognition comes as sustainable mining and environmental management gain greater significance across India’s mineral and aluminium value chain. The award was presented during the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) in New Delhi on September 22, 2026. Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Director (Production), NALCO, received the award from Keshav Chandra, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India. Dr Veena Kumari Dermal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, was also present at the ceremony. Members of the Panchpatmali...
Primary aluminium imports: According to data from the General Administration of Customs, domestic primary aluminium imports stood at approximately 186,000 tonnes in August 2026, up 0.2 per cent month-on-month and down 14.6 per cent year-on-year. Cumulative domestic primary aluminium imports from January to August 2026 reached roughly 1.657 million tonnes, a year-on-year decline of 3.4 per cent. Primary aluminium exports: Customs data showed domestic primary aluminium exports were around 22,000 tonnes in August 2026, dropping 30.7 per cent month-on-month and 14.7 per cent year-on-year. Cumulative primary aluminium exports between January and August 2026 totalled approximately 168,000 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of about 9.3 per cent. Net imports of primary aluminium:...
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According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, China's average alumina spot price has gained RMB 5 per tonne over the weekend to reach RMB 3,351 per tonne on Monday, January 29. The price stands at its highest point in the past two years. December 2, 2021, was the last time the Chinese alumina spot price stood at RMB 3,351 per tonne. On a month-on-month calculation, the domestic alumina spot price is up by 7.44 per cent from RMB 3,119 per tonne. In Shandong and Henan, the alumina price has increased by RMB 10 per tonne to stand at RMB 3,260 per tonne and RMB 3,380 per tonne, respectively, with average prices estimated to range between RMB 3,220-3,300 per tonne and RMB 3,340-3,420 per tonne. However, the Australian alumina FOB price has continued to remain restrained at US$373 per tonne...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,234.0 per tonne last Friday, with its high and low at US$2,283.0 per tonne and US$2,233.5 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,258.0 per tonne, up by US$26.0 per tonne or 1.16 per cent. On Friday, January 26, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$23.5 per tonne or 1.07 per cent to settle at US$2,211.50 per tonne and US$2,212 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price ascended by US$21 per tonne or 0.94 per cent and US$20 per tonne or 0.89 per cent to peg at US$2,249 per tonne and US$2,250 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price hiked by US$23 per tonne to reside at US$2,493 per tonne and US$2,498 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 546250...
The Italian railway operator Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) has ordered three new hydrogen trains with 950mm gauge from the Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock Stadler. In 2023, a framework agreement was inked, paving the way for deploying as many as 15 hydrogen-powered trains in the Italian region of Calabria starting in 2026. These trains, set to be produced at Stadler's headquarters in Bussnang, Switzerland, consist of two passenger cars and a power pack made from lightweight aluminium, enhancing their energy efficiency. The power pack serves as the housing for fuel cells, hydrogen tanks, and various technical components. Notably, Stadler had previously clinched a deal to provide hydrogen-powered trains to California the previous year. The CEO of FdC, Ernesto Ferraro, expressed...
The downstream segment of the aluminium industry holds a pivotal position in the processing and application of aluminium—a versatile and lightweight metal renowned for its diverse uses. This sector is instrumental in serving various industries including automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, and electrical. The expansion of this sector is propelled by a combination of innovation, sustainability, and the growing need for lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and environmentally friendly materials in contemporary manufacturing. This week, the global aluminium downstream segment witnessed a lot of important events. To begin with, Taural India, a leading integrated aluminium foundry on the global stage, is thrilled to unveil its strategic collaboration with Indian Railways, a pivotal...
During India's 75 th Republic Day celebrations at the police parade ground, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, District Collector S. Nagalakshmi announced that the establishment of JSW Aluminium Limited's MSME Park in S. Kota mandal is poised to generate immediate direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 45,000 individuals. After hoisting the Indian national flag, she expressed optimism about the district experiencing rapid development through the introduction of new industries. The Collector announced that a substantial investment of INR 15,531 crore would be made to establish the sector across 985 acres. Emphasising the potential for brisk economic activity, she highlighted the forthcoming construction of new railway lines and highways that would benefit...
The extensive stockpiles of hazardous red mud generated during alumina refining could be repurposed to produce green steel. Globally, approximately 4 billion tonnes of red mud are currently stored, posing an environmental risk and the potential for fatal accidents. The production of one tonne of steel results in nearly 2 tonnes of CO2 emission. This is primarily due to the conventional steelmaking process, which mainly relies on burning fossil fuels to react carbon with oxygen in iron ore, yielding both iron and carbon dioxide. Dr Isnaldi Souza Filho and his team at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research in Germany have developed an innovative solution to address the challenges associated with red mud. Their method involves extracting iron from red mud by subjecting it to hydrogen and...
The sustainability sector is seeing a massive bloom with divergent green activities around nooks and corners. These initiatives collectively contribute to a sustainable economy by reducing carbon emissions, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and innovating in recycling and green hydrogen production, aligning with global efforts to foster environmental responsibility and sustainability. Fusina started sourcing 100% low-carbon primary aluminium for its tailor-made industrial products Niche Fusina Rolled Products (Fusina) is sourcing 100% of its primary aluminium from low-carbon suppliers through Concord Resources Limited to reduce the total carbon footprint of its tailor-made coils, sheets, and plates. Fusina's new commitment ensures that all of its primary aluminium supply is...
The aluminium end-user sector experienced notable happenings last week, with the Global shipments of aerosol cans growing by 6% in 2023, with personal care products making up most of the increase. Ball Corporation, Novelis, and Alcoa collaborated on a sustainable, 90% recycled aluminium cup. NOMOQ now offers blank aluminium cans in addition to digitally decorated ones, streamlining the packaging supply chain. 6% surge in global shipments signals thriving aerosol can industry AEROBAL recorded a 6% growth in global shipments for its members, with personal care products constituting approximately 83% of the total shipments. The competition for skilled labour is fierce, and recycling is crucial. Manufacturers are optimistic about the first half of 2024 due to the still high order backlog...
In the fourth week of the year, the global primary aluminium segment recorded many significant events. To begin with, in 2023, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) reported a 2.25 per cent annual rise in global primary aluminium production, reaching 70.593 million tonnes by the end of December. South32, a diversified mining company, has set a new record for half-year aluminium production, driven by the strong performance of its Hillside Aluminium operation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The world primary aluminium production has recorded an annual increase of 2.25 per cent for 2023, reaching 70.593 million tonnes at the end of December, found the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). However, compared to the previous year, the growth rate has decreased in 2023. To know more:...
The West African nation Ghana is poised to gain from a forthcoming alumina refinery as a strategic partner that has been successfully chosen to collaborate with the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) to implement Project 3A. This project is part of the Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) initiatives, consisting of four projects in total. Let’s hear what the President commented The President of the nation, Akufo-Addo, present during the signing ceremony between the two parties in Accra, emphasised that the implementation of Project 3A, involving the establishment of a mine at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso and the construction of an alumina refinery, marks a significant step in discontinuing the longstanding practice of exporting raw bauxite from Ghana. The project aims to...
The second-largest aluminium smelter in southeast Missouri is set to cut back its operations by January 28, leading to a situation where "most employees" will no longer be necessary, as reported by local news on January 24. The information is sourced from a letter issued by the plant management. The reduction in operations at the New Madrid smelter in Missouri means that only four primary aluminium producers are active within the United States. The Magnitude 7 Metals LLC letter stated, "Due to abnormally cold weather, our operations have been severely impaired to the point where they cannot be restored while running." The letter also mentioned that Magnitude 7 plans to actively seek additional funding from potential investors to resume operations at the smelter in the coming years. The...
The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), India, listed Bonlon Industries Limited, renowned for its expertise in copper wire manufacturing, is embarking on a venture to establish a state-of-the-art aluminium facility in MIDC Taloja, Maharashtra. Anticipated to be operational soon, the plant aims to achieve an annual production capacity of 75 thousand tonnes. Specialising in utilising aluminium scrap, the facility will manufacture rods, wires, and ingots to meet the escalating demand across diverse sectors. Soon, construction will begin As per a high-ranking official within the company, the location for the upcoming aluminium plant has been confirmed in Taloja, and construction activities are set to commence shortly. The objective is to initiate production at the new facility during the fiscal year...
In 2023, the International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Can Manufacturers (AEROBAL) recorded a 6 per cent growth in global shipments for its members, reaching approximately 6.4 billion units. Market stability ensures dynamic demand for personal care products The market's expansion is mainly driven by a notable surge in demand from the hairspray, deodorant, and shaving foam segments, experiencing growth rates of 12 per cent, 9 per cent, and 55 per cent compared to the preceding year. As a whole, personal care products constituted approximately 83 per cent of the total shipments. Conversely, the pharmaceutical sector witnessed a modest increase of around 1 per cent, falling below the average. Meanwhile, deliveries to the food and household products sectors declined by 3 per cent and 15...
In November 2023, the United States exported 163,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap versus 170,000 tonnes in October. That reflected a month-on-month decline of 7,000 tonnes or 4.12 per cent. According to the US Census Bureau data, the export in November marked the second back-to-back fall. In October, the United States aluminium scrap export stood 5.55 per cent down from 180,000 tonnes in September. On a year-on-year calculation, the United States aluminium scrap exports in November 2023 was 3,000 tonnes or 1.9 per cent higher than 160,000 tonnes. From January to November 2023, the export volume totalled 1.9 million tonnes, up by 3.26 per cent from 1.84 million tonnes a year ago, indicating a rise in scrap generation in the United States. In November, Malaysia emerged as the highest importer...
Xinhao Co., Limited, a prominent manufacturer specialising in Silicon Metal, Electrolytic Manganese Flakes, and Magnesium Ingot, has officially joined AL Biz, the world's 1st B2B online marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers across the entire aluminium value chain showcasing its commitment to excellence in production, sales, and export. With a sprawling 60,000-square-meter facility, the company has established itself as a key player in the industry. The diverse product portfolio of Xinhao Co., Limited includes metal silicon, electrolytic manganese sheets, metal manganese ingots, magnesium ingots, ferrosilicon, and calcium silicon. These high-quality products have found their way to more than 20 countries and regions, including Europe, the United States, Japan, South...
According to China customs data, China’s aluminium wheels exports amounted to 72,600 tonnes in December 2023, reflecting a month-on-month fall of 6 per cent but a year-on-year hike of 9 per cent. The total export volume through the year, thus, stood at 934,000 tonnes, up by 58,500 tonnes from the previous year. China’s top five export destinations The top five export destinations in December were the United States, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, and Thailand. Of them all, the United States was the highest importer, accounting for 28 per cent of China’s total aluminium wheels exports, followed by Japan, accounting for 23 per cent; Mexico, accounting for 11 per cent; South Korea for 9 per cent; and Thailand for 4 per cent. It is to be noted here that the gap in aluminium wheel export volume...
"Securing a 10-year Natural Gas Supply Agreement marks a significant chapter for Alba", remarked Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of the Board at Alba, during the Signing Ceremony held with Bapco Upstream, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bapco Energies, on January 23, 2024, at Al Dana Hall, Alba. The signing event saw the presence of Khalid Al Rumaihi, the Chairman of Alba, Eng. Faisal Al Mahroos, Chairman of Bapco Upstream, Ali Al Baqali, CEO of Alba, Johann Pleininger, CEO of Bapco Upstream, along with other officials from Alba. Effective from January 23, 2024, this Agreement replaces all prior agreements and seamlessly extends the Company's existing contract for natural gas requirements. Notably, the Agreement introduces a stable pricing framework for the initial 5-year term at a rate of US$4...
Last year, the UK aluminium industry was characterised by low inventories, prolonged and extensive slumps in demand, and sanctions still hanging over Russian metal. There is, however, an expected economic upshift by the end of 2024, and with new EU regulations adding taxes to high carbon imports from 2026, the aluminium industry can expect a year of transitional change, with a renewed focus on supply chains and sustainability. In this article, Tom Jones, CEO of the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), shares his thoughts. Economic outlook In 2023, the weakened economic climate was exacerbated by an energy crisis linked to global conflict and supply chain disruptions that have yet to recover from the pandemic fully. Supply chain issues have led to historically low stock levels of aluminium, and...
