The Symbiosis concept pairs a premium aluminium outer shell with a transparent inner bottle, while the partners highlight low-carbon aluminium and future sustainability development. GEKA and AXILONE have partnered to introduce Symbiosis, a luxury beauty packaging concept combining GEKA’s injection blow-moulding technology with AXILONE’s expertise in premium aluminium packaging. The concept will be showcased at Luxe Pack Monaco, presenting a design that brings together a premium aluminium outer shell and a see-through inner bottle. The inner bottle’s transparent windows allow consumers to view the formulation’s colour and texture, adding a sensory element to the packaging. The combination is designed to offer beauty brands a distinctive appearance alongside a tactile product experience....
With the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays approaching, secondary aluminium alloy enterprises have successively finalized their production and holiday arrangements for the festive period. SMM recently conducted a survey on the double-holiday production plans, pre-holiday stockpiling, and raw material procurement of some secondary aluminium alloy enterprises, covering a total capacity of 4.2 million mt. The following is a summary of the survey findings: According to the SMM survey, during the 2026 Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays, secondary aluminium alloy enterprises generally arranged for continuous production or brief shutdowns, though some enterprises extended their holiday duration compared with 2025. Among the 25 sampled enterprises, more than half had...
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Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is currently producing aluminium at an annualised rate of around 1.3 million tonnes, with the smelter operating at roughly 80 per cent of its pre-Iran war capacity, according to CEO Ali Al Baqali. Alba had a pre-war capacity of around 1.6 million tonnes per year, but production was disrupted after the outbreak of the war and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz affected exports. The smelter was also hit by an Iranian attack in late March. The Bahrain-based producer is now operating Lines 4, 5 and 6, together representing annualised aluminium production of approximately 1.3 million tonnes, Al Baqali told Reuters on the sidelines of the Fastmarkets Aluminium Conference in Budapest on September 16. Al Baqali described the damage from the Iranian strike as minor...
For the past two decades, the US aluminium industry has been treading through a volatile path, with a domestic primary aluminium sector deteriorating at a rapid and alarming rate, and the number of operational smelters falling from around thirty to only four. Primary aluminum output was estimated at 660,000 metric tons in 2025, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports. The situation was compounded by the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum products, further blocking the inbound trade. The rebuilding of domestic capacity, therefore, is not only about restarting or constructing smelters. It also depends on the infrastructure and technology needed to transform molten aluminum into usable products, maintain ageing electrolysis assets, process scrap efficiently, and improve metal quality....
Ducati has unveiled the Desmo450 SM, a new production supermoto developed from its Desmo450 MX platform, featuring an aluminium twin-spar frame. This is designed to combine low weight, rigidity and strength. The motorcycle made its debut during World Ducati Week and is aimed at competition use. The Desmo450 SM uses the same aluminium frame architecture as the motocross model. Ducati says the frame has also been designed to allow a straighter intake route while maintaining the strength and rigidity needed for high-performance riding. The bike has a fuel capacity of 7.2 litres. The company has also focused on reducing weight in other areas. Its Bartubeless wheel system, for example, removes inner tubes and cuts rotating and unsprung mass by 1.2kg. The motorcycle also features a cast...
China’s domestic aluminium inventories declined, giving some support to aluminium prices. However, China’s aluminium production remained high, while a new alumina project in Guangxi entered trial production and is expected to add to future supply. For aluminium, the fall in domestic inventories is a positive factor for prices. However, the supply picture remains mixed, as China’s aluminium production reached a record 4 million tonnes in August, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. Output was 4.7 per cent higher year on year, while production during January-August reached around 31 million tonnes, up 3.9 per cent from the same period last year. At the current pace, annual production could reach around 47 million tonnes, above the country’s long-standing 45-million-tonne...
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices edged lower on September 17, with cash and three-month contracts declining from the previous session. Dec-27 prices moved slightly higher, while the Asian reference price gained nearly 1 per cent. Opening stocks and live warrants remained unchanged, while cancelled warrants declined. The LME aluminium cash bid price fell 0.21 per cent to USD 3,302.50 per tonne on September 17 from USD 3,310 per tonne , while the cash offer price declined 0.20 per cent to USD 3,303.50 per tonne from USD 3,310 per tonne. The three-month aluminium bid and offer prices both fell 0.12 per cent. The bid price declined to USD 3,284 per tonne from USD 3,288 per tonne, while the offer price eased to USD 3,285 per tonne from USD 3,289 per tonne. Explore the production,...
Futures: The most-traded SHFE aluminium 2611 contract closed at RMB 24,400 per tonne, up RMB 180 from the previous day’s settlement, a gain of 0.74 per cent. It opened at RMB 24,260.00 per tonne and fluctuated within RMB 24,260–24,440 per tonne. Prices traded above the MA5 (24,187.00), MA10 (24,307.00), MA30 (24,082.50), and MA60 (23,656.58) moving averages. The short-term rebound pattern continued, a drift-higher structure emerged, and the MA10 formed short-term resistance. The MACD indicator showed DIF (127.4248) below DEA (142.2962), with the MACD green histogram at -29.7429, indicating that bearish momentum narrowed somewhat. The suggested core trading range for SHFE aluminium was RMB 23,900–24,600 per tonne. The LME aluminium 3M contract closed at USD 3,293.50 per tonne, up 0.11 per...
According to Mysteel's data, China's weighted average full cost of alumina production stood at RMB 2,864.65 per tonne as of the end of August 2026, up about RMB 38.44 per tonne from the previous month. Currently, roughly half of the industry's capacity is running at a loss on a full-cost basis, and some producers have even begun posting cash-flow losses. With no signs of easing on the cost side and alumina prices continuing to slide, the sector's pressure shows no sign of relief. Looking back on August, the bauxite prices held steady. Bottlenecks in incremental domestic mine supply persisted, and the supply-demand picture remained largely unchanged. Beyond routine long-term contracts, alumina refineries struggled to secure spot volumes and could only supplement with imported ore. On the...
Malaysia is emerging as a rare earth hub by developing a domestic “mine-to-magnet” ecosystem spanning exploration, mining, separation, metals, alloys and permanent magnets. But, how is the venture faring? A study by Hiu Dilangit Sasongkojati at the University at Albany, SUNY, puts Malaysia’s ambition under a microscope. Malaysia’s supply chain remains fragmented, with limited domestic upstream activity, heavy reliance on foreign technology and downstream manufacturers still dependent on imported processed metals. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore “ ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap ” Malaysia has the resources, but not yet an integrated chain Malaysia estimates around 16.2 million tonnes of inferred total rare-earth elements...
Canadian aluminum fabricators are warning that their US sales could disappear after the latest US tariff measures pushed duties on some aluminum products to as high as 100 per cent, making Canadian-made goods less competitive in the US market. The new measures include a 50 per cent US tariff on aluminum products that previously benefited from exemptions. When combined with the existing 50 per cent tariff rate on foreign supplies, some products now face a total levy of 100 per cent. For Canadian manufacturers that rely heavily on US customers, the change is already affecting export plans. Apex Aluminum Extrusions Ltd., a British Columbia-based manufacturer of aluminum parts for the construction industry and data centers, generates about 40 per cent of its sales from the US. “Our US...
China’s aluminum door and window manufacturing sector includes a range of suppliers offering thermal-break systems, customized solutions, OEM/ODM production, and products for international building projects. A recent industry guide highlights Guangdong Dejiyoupin, Guangdong EEHE, Foshan CIVO, Sichuan Yazhixuan, and Sichuan Mingrenju, citing their production capabilities, product portfolios, project experience, customization services, and testing or certification coverage. The companies differ in their areas of focus. Dejiyoupin is highlighted for its production capacity and international certifications, while EEHE is noted for patents and a broad range of project solutions. CIVO focuses on factory-direct customization and climate-oriented systems, while Yazhixuan provides OEM/ODM...
Researchers at Leibniz University Hannover in Germany have developed a custom aluminium alloy and produced pre-alloyed powder using Electrode Induction Melting Inert Gas Atomisation (EIGA), with the material being developed for metallic foams and, ultimately, foamable wire for Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM). The research, published in The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, focused on creating an aluminium alloy with a melting range suitable for producing metal foams while retaining enough workability for subsequent extrusion into thin wire. Metal foams offer a combination of low density, stiffness, energy absorption, and damping. One established powder metallurgy route involves combining metal powder with a blowing agent and compacting the mixture into a...
Novelis is extending its coated aluminium solutions to batteries and energy storage, transferring its automotive expertise to address the rising demand across electric mobility and stationary energy storage. Its portfolio combines high-performance aluminium sheet with surface technologies to improve manufacturing efficiency, component durability and application-specific material performance. The aluminium solutions are aimed at battery enclosures, casings, electrical connectors such as bus bars and other critical battery components. They bring together lightweight performance, formability and corrosion protection, alongside electrical insulation capabilities where required. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report “ The...
Saudi Arabia has identified approximately 114 million tonnes of ore containing high concentrations of rare earth elements and promising uranium concentrations in the Madinah Region, adding another significant resource to the Kingdom’s expanding minerals portfolio. Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Saudi Arabia’s minister of energy and minister of industry and mineral resources, announced the discovery during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. The resources were identified through exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project, with particularly high concentrations of heavy rare earth elements reported. Prince Abdulaziz said the findings place the project among the significant rare earth resource sites currently...
Runaya, a Vedanta company specialising in advanced technological solutions for the circular economy and critical metal recovery, achieved 55 per cent women representation, marking a significant step in fostering diversity and inclusion across the organisation. Women are already playing a pivotal role across Runaya, leading several important functions including Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Commercial, ESG and Corporate Communications. The commitment marks a significant step towards advancing women into leadership and decision-making roles in manufacturing by creating pathways for growth across functions. With NITI Aayog highlighting the scope to further extend women’s participation in this sector and other non-traditional sectors, Runaya recognises diversity as a catalyst...
Alcoa has approved USD 1.5 million in funding for Equus Energy’s gas project in Western Australia, allowing the company to move into the second phase of development and begin work to secure key project partners. The funding will support partnering activities as Equus seeks operating, LNG offtake, infrastructure and financing partners needed to advance the project toward front-end engineering design (FEED) and a final investment decision (FID). The Stage Two approval follows Alcoa’s acceptance of the project’s Stage One pre-FEED deliverables. It also comes after Equus signed a binding 10-year gas sales agreement with Alcoa in August. Equus said it has already started discussions with several strategic operating partners, which are reviewing the findings from the pre-FEED work. To learn...
Every Can Counts (ECC) has unveiled a giant art installation outside Trafford Centre to highlight the importance of recycling during Recycle Week 2026 (14th – 20th September). The Infinity Sculpture, made from more than 1,200 recycled drink cans, has been created to illustrate the life cycle of a drink can, highlighting that aluminium can be recycled time and time again. Shoppers and centre visitors can get a glimpse of the can-based artwork that will be on display by the Great Hall Entrance at Trafford Centre until Sunday 20th September to mark the occasion. This is the first time the Infinity Sculpture has been showcased in Manchester, where it will act as a physical reminder of the importance of recycling to the community. On Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September, visitors wanting to...
French vehicle recycler Groupe GPA is broadening the scope of its automotive recycling strategy. Moving beyond parts reuse, it aims to recover aluminium, rare earth elements or critical minerals, copper, plastics, glass and batteries from end-of-life vehicles and return them to vehicle manufacturing supply chains. The company has created a dedicated five-person R&D team to formulate processes for turning materials recovered during vehicle dismantling into secondary raw materials for the automotive industry. Led by mechanical engineer Marc Jolivet, the team is working around three priorities: extracting greater value from materials amid rising pressure on raw material supplies; helping automakers establish closed-loop recycling systems; and developing safe treatment methods, particularly...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has expressed concern over the European Union’s decision to drop a proposed 15 per cent export duty on aluminium scrap, saying the move could affect its plans to expand recycling capacity in Germany. The EU withdrew the proposed duty earlier this month. The measure was intended to keep more aluminium scrap within the bloc, but concerns over its possible impact on the final signing of a free trade agreement with India contributed to the decision. Pal Kildemo, EGA’s finance chief, said the company had already invested heavily in Europe to support higher aluminium recycling rates. He said "We put a lot of capital... on the ground to take part in the larger recycling rates in Europe. And when this becomes a part of bigger trade politics, it's unfortunate for...
