Hindalco Industries has terminated its proposed USD 125 million acquisition of US-based speciality alumina producer AluChem Companies after extended delays in closing the transaction. The decision ends a deal announced in June 2025, although Hindalco says its speciality alumina expansion strategy remains firmly in place. Hindalco Industries has called off its proposed acquisition of AluChem Companies Inc., bringing an end to its planned USD 125 million entry into the US-based speciality alumina producer. The Aditya Birla Group's metals flagship and AluChem have jointly decided to terminate the Equity Purchase Agreement (EPA) following prolonged delays in completing the transaction. According to Hindalco's regulatory filing, the delays were beyond the control of either party. "The proposed...
The US September consumer confidence index plunged 6.7 points to 81.9, the lowest since 2014 and deteriorating across the board. The University of Michigan survey showed consumers' assessments of their current financial situation and that one year ahead both fell about 10 per cent, with high-price concerns continuing to brew. Inflation pressure showed no signs of easing. US Fed Governor Cook said AI demand growth, rising oil prices, and supply chain disruptions from Middle East conflicts would keep inflation under pressure, but gave no clear guidance on rate hikes. CME data showed the market-implied probability of a 25 bp rate hike in October had risen to 70.9 per cent, and the probability of a cumulative 50 bp hike by December reached 58.7 per cent. Tightening expectations strengthened...
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Researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) have discovered a surprising approach to increasing the strength of nano-grained alloys, including grains of the alloying element that are only a few nanometers. Since it is lightweight and strong, aluminium is a metal that is frequently used to produce components for the building, transportation, and aerospace sectors. Aluminium alloys maintain these characteristics while being more potent than pure aluminium. "If it was a pure aluminium, of course, it's not strong enough," said Yanjun Li, professor of Physical Metallurgy in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at NTNU. Yet, in recent years, scientists have encountered a problem in creating nano-grained alloys of aluminium and copper. Particularly at...
Source Global, the innovative company that generates atmospheric drinking water, has acquired the spring water brand Proud Source Water. Proud Source, a certified B Corp, sells naturally alkaline water in recyclable aluminium bottles at retailers and food service locations across the United States. Together, the businesses will offer "the first entirely renewable, sustainable bottled water," as per Source Global. The Source Hydropanel, its technology, uses just sunlight and air as inputs to produce drinking water. Cody Friesen, the Founder and CEO, said, “Our Hydropanels allow us to establish a source of clean, sustainable water almost anywhere on the planet, without the need to extract from existing freshwater resources”. “The technology is powered entirely by the sun, and the water is...
The Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai designs and develops Indian Railway's first semi-high-speed train, Vande Bharat Express. It features world-class services and amenities and is sleek, modern, and fully air-conditioned. Vande Bharat Express is a special train representing the best Indian technology and engineering. Its fusion of speed, comfort, and luxury has made it a popular choice among passengers and will undoubtedly play a significant role in the future of Indian Railways. BC MaIlya, the General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, said, "We will be shortly doing the sleeper version of the Vande Bharat, which will be suited for long-distance travel. So the next thing which will happen is the sleeper version of Vande Bharat. We want to roll out a few trends this...
SMX (Security Matters) Public Limited Company has filed for patent approval at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This SMX application can inevitably provide transparency and algorithm for some of the biggest industrial consumers of aluminium alloy materials and items. SMX technology allows material hoarders in the industry to follow a blockchain platform for lifecycle assessment of the materials enhanced through molecular-level marking (U.S. application no. 63/450,826). The article below tracks SMX’s formulation of a portal for semi-industrialised aluminium alloys: A flagship Marking System can be incorporated at the melting point for full lifecycle authentication of the source, specific boundaries and grade proportion. The SMX Marking System permits post-production...
Fraser has finally allotted its 75-metre Feadship superyacht Arrow for commercialisation. The superyacht, with a sturdy steel hull and a robust aluminium superstructure, was delivered from the Netherlands in 2020. It flaunts a naval architecture, the blueprint of which was provided by Netherland-based ship designers De Voogt Naval Architects. The extraordinary motor yacht, now available for ownership, sports an interior and exterior outlook provided by H2 Yacht Design. Arrow has beautiful glass bulwarks that provide a view of the sea from every possible angle. Incorporating aluminium in the construction of the yacht reduces its weight by a significant proportion than the conventional use of steel. The Feadship superyacht Arrow is muscular in build yet adorns a sophisticated, savvy...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative awards PT Inalum (Persero) the Performance Standard certificate or ASI V3(2022) for its aluminium smelters in Batu Bara Regency, Kuala Tanjung and North Sumatra province, Indonesia. M Jufri, the Public Relations officer at Inalum, exclaimed that the ASI certification programme had evolved out of an intensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the globally accepted summarised sustainability standard crafted for the entire aluminium value chain. M Jufri went on to make a clear statement: "This is the first certification issued for a performance standard or ASI V3 (2022), which was updated and launched in May 2022 after going through a revision process for several years." The ASI Certification Standard points out 11 principles and 62 criteria...
In February 2023 (28 calendar days), China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production decreased by 3.9 per cent month-on-month to stand at 6.12 million tonnes versus 6.37 million tonnes in January (31 calendar days), found the Shanghai Metals Market data. But the daily output increased by 14,000 tonnes M-o-M from 205,000 tonnes to 219,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, China’s alumina production in February stood 16.1 per cent higher, with domestic installed capacity at 97.75 million tonnes and operating capacity at 79.14 million tonnes. The average domestic operating rate in February was 80.9 per cent, up by 7.95 percentage points from 74.94 per cent in January. That indicated China’s average daily output and the operating rate increased M-o-M in February, but monthly production...
A primary supplier of copper and aluminium solutions in UAE, Ducab Metals Business (DMB) has inked a memorandum with CTC Global, a US-based producer of high-end conductors. This agreement interlinks DMB with CTC in a way that the former can become the only producer of energy-efficient, high-power ACCCs (Aluminium Conductor Composite Core) in the UAE. If inserted, these aluminium conductors will amplify the storage capacity and calculated projection of renewable energy into the national power grid, gifting the country a more reliable green energy solution. The entire course of action can be achieved because Ducab Group will be importing composite core materials from the USA to make CTC's flagship high-capacity, energy-efficient ACCC Conductors in UAE. This entire inclusion might curtail...
The Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC) has denied a petition for a waiver of 35.77 per cent Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) imposed on consignments of aluminium coils and circles imported from China by the Asadtek Group of Companies. The GITC stated, “The imported consignments were not brought into Ghana at fair values, hence constituted dumping”. Asadtek Group, headquartered in Ghana's port city Tema, has extended excellence and success in the aluminium products space into manufacturing roofing products, Kitchenware, etc. On June 30, 2023, the company petitioned the Commission to request a waiver of 35.77 per cent Anti-Dumping Duty (ADD) imposed on its consignments. ASADTEK claimed that the consignments of aluminium coils and circles were not dumped. In a statement signed by its...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has cut its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices by INR 4,500 per tonne, with effect from Friday, March 10. This has brought the company’s aluminium ingot price to INR 219,650-223,150 per tonne compared to INR 224,150-227,650 per tonne on February 28. With the latest cut, NALCO’s aluminium billets price has come in at INR 224,100-226,750 per tonne, down by INR 4,500 per tonne or 1.95 per cent from INR 228,600-231,250 per tonne on February 28 . Aluminium wire rod price stands at INR 224,150-228,500 per tonne as of March 10 versus INR 228,650-233,000 per tonne since the previous cut. NALCO links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three month futures of aluminium on the London Metals Exchange, which fell through March...
According to the US Census Bureau data, the United States imported 388,000 tonnes of aluminium crude metals and alloys in December 2022. On a month-on-month calculation, the import volume surged by 109,000 tonnes or 39.07 per cent from 279,000 tonnes, and on a year-on-year basis, increased by 72,000 tonnes or 18.56 per cent from 316,000 tonnes. In the fourth quarter of the year, the United States aluminium crude metals and alloys imports amounted to 989,000 tonnes, reflecting a decline of 3.23 per cent sequentially from 1.022 million tonnes, showed the US Census Bureau. However, the United States total imports of aluminium crude metals and alloys in 2022 registered an increase of 14.33 per cent over a year from 3.63 million tonnes to 4.15 million tonnes. Canada, being the highest supplier...
Guinea Bauxite Company, the miner of the world’s largest bauxite reserves, signed a supply contract with British Steel for steel railway sleepers. British Steel has announced that it has won its largest-ever order for rail sleepers with a significant export deal for West Africa. In accordance with the agreement, 244,000 steel sleepers will be exported to Guinea, where they will be used to modernise a railway line at a bauxite mine. British Steel claimed that its steel sleepers, produced at its Scunthorpe plant, were 100 per cent recyclable and offered track operators a more dependable and affordable solution. Steel sleepers are more robust and long-lasting than wooden sleepers, which are typically utilised in African locations. The steel company’s contract with the Guinea Bauxite Company...
US-based Alcoa, the biggest employer in Portland, has raised awareness of the prevailing workers' strike at its aluminium smelter and has warned that it might cause irreparable consequences to the "broader community" in the area. Alcoa's Portland Aluminium has 535 working professionals under its wing. In the break of dawn on March 9, almost 50 Alcoa workers led a picketing rally to the site in honour of an industrial action programme that has been continued for over a week. The Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union and the Electrical Trades Union have signed up to manage this group and the larger campaign that has been working to crack an agreement for over eight months. The employees claim that the company has turned a deaf ear to their demands, and no step has been yet taken to...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot price has plummeted by RMB 230 per tonne on March 10, following a dip of RMB 10 per tonne last day. Thus, the price has closed the week at RMB 18,230 per tonne, recording a week-on-week fall of RMB 320 per tonne or 1.73 per cent from RMB 18,550 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 18,210 per tonne and RMB 18,250 per tonne, with spot contract likely to trade at a discount price of RMB 60-20 per tonne. In Foshan, A00 aluminium ingot price has plunged by RMB 240 per tonne to stand at RMB 18,250 per tonne, followed by a decline of RMB 230 per tonne in Wuxi to RMB 18,220 per tonne. In Gongyi and Hangzhou, the primary aluminium ingot price has shrunk by RMB 210 per tonne to peg at RMB 18,180...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,361.5 per tonne on Thursday and closed at US$2,319.5 per tonne, down US$34.5 per tonne or 1.47 per cent. On March 9, Thursday, the LME aluminium cash bid price slightly rose by US$2 per tonne or 0.09 per cent to clock at US$2,290 per tonne, and the LME aluminium official settlement price escalated by US$2.50 per tonne or 0.11 per cent, officially settling at US$2,291 per tonne. The 3-month bid price has refrained from any change, whereas the 3-month offer price has decreased by US$0.50 per tonne or 0.02 per cent, closing at US$2,335.50 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price anchored at US$2,548 per tonne and US$2,553 per tonne yesterday , with a US$4 per tonne or 0.16 per cent fall. LME aluminium opening stock faced an inventory slash of...
Germany's Speira, a leading global recycler and manufacturer of advanced aluminium rolled products, announced on Thursday, March 9, that it would shut its smelting operations at the Rheinwerk plant due to high energy prices. The news came after the company said in an official statement, "Speira decided to fully ramp down the smelting operations in Rheinwerk." This decision followed the company's production cut to half last year . Despite the improvement of the energy crisis in West Europe, which began in 2021, power-intensive industries like aluminium are still affected. In 2022, the crisis was at its worst, resulting in a 12.5 per cent drop in aluminium output in the region. However, Speira also announced on the same day that it would invest 30 million euros ($32 million) in enhancing...
The Aluminum Packaging Recycling Organization (Alupro) held a nationwide competition, launched as a part of Alupro's Bin-Fluencers educational campaign, designed to assist students in learning more about recycling. It challenged students from all around the UK to create an eye-catching recycling bin design. Alupro declared a student from the Castell Alun High School in Wrexham as the winner. The judges praised Isabella Adams' contribution as being "very innovative and entertaining," She was awarded the gold prize, along with an iPad and her artwork printed on a brand-new recycling bin donated to her school. "As the voice of the UK aluminium packaging industry, we're committed to increasing national recycling rates. Educating the next generation about best practice recycling and...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China's primary aluminium inventories dipped by 2,000 tonnes on a weekly basis across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants. On Thursday, March 9, the inventories came in at 1,267,000 tonnes, which in comparison with the first Monday of this month, March 6, declined by 2,000 tonnes. However, the inventories in China recorded a surge of 122,000 tonnes from the same period last year. Since the end of February, the inventory build has been gradually slowed down, though the downstream demand has been recovering steadily. There has been a great stock influx due to the continuously accumulating inventory, and it is being projected that the destocking process will begin once the usual pace is met. Last week, on March 2, primary aluminium...
