India’s aluminium beverage-can industry has fallen around 300 million cans short of its planned additional production, as rising demand and supply constraints continue to challenge domestic manufacturers. The government has extended the mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification deadline for aluminium beverage cans to 2027, giving manufacturers more time to expand production and secure packaging supplies ahead of the summer season. The revised deadlines, notified last week according to an industry executive cited by The Economic Times, replace the earlier October 31 deadline. Large enterprises must comply from April 1, 2027, small enterprises from July 1, 2027, and micro enterprises from October 1, 2027. The extension comes as beverage brands, including Diet Coke and some...
The US aluminum industry is placing renewed emphasis on workforce safety, domestic production, and material recovery, with the Aluminum Association’s sold-out Casthouse Safety Workshop in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlighting the importance of safe molten aluminum handling. The program trained more than 120 industry workers and has been running for over 30 years, with the Association describing it as a global benchmark for casthouse operators and supervisors. The workshop comes as the industry continues to focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and supply chains. Alongside workforce training, the Aluminum Association has called for bipartisan permitting reform to accelerate investment in US aluminum production, arguing that faster approvals could help unlock the...
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The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices eased on the May 22 session after shooting up on the May 21 session . The cash price, however, remained above USD 3,700 per tonne. Longer dated contracts continued to rise, and stocks did not record further decline. The LME aluminium cash bid eased 0.34 per cent day-on-day on May 22, down from USD 3,718 per tonne to USD 3,705.5 per tonne. The offer shifted from USD 3,720 per tonne to USD 3,706, representing a difference of 0.38 per cent. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook On May 22, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price slipped from USD 3,648 per tonne on May 21 to USD 3,641.5 per tonne, marking a 0.18 per cent...
The global aluminium industry is entering a phase where the biggest concern is no longer just building more smelters or expanding downstream demand. Across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas, the focus is increasingly shifting toward securing stable supplies of bauxite and alumina as geopolitical tensions, trade measures and energy disruptions continue reshaping global supply chains. Governments are accelerating mining investments, producers are expanding refining and smelting capacity, and buyers are searching for safer and more reliable trade routes. From Indonesia’s raw material ambitions to China’s export surge and Europe’s tariff safeguards, the aluminium value chain is being redrawn in real time. The raw material race Indonesia has become central to the global aluminium...
Anheuser-Busch has announced a new partnership effort with the National Volunteer Fire Council to distribute more than 1.5 million cans of emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the United States ahead of the summer wildfire season. This marks the eighth consecutive year of collaboration between the two organisations. The emergency water supply will be distributed to more than 630 volunteer fire departments across 45 states through Anheuser-Busch’s network of brewery and wholesaler partners. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” According to the company, more than 60 per cent of firefighters in the United States are volunteers, many of whom...
India has blocked China’s first request at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish a dispute panel over India’s support measures for solar cells, solar modules and information technology sectors. China had requested the formation of a dispute settlement panel earlier this month after bilateral consultations between the two countries failed to resolve the matter. The request was discussed during a meeting of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body in Geneva on May 22. To gain insights into the the current aluminium extrusions market, explore our report The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032 China’s complaint, filed in December last year, challenges India’s tariff measures on certain technology imports and incentive schemes that encourage the use of domestically...
The global aluminium downstream sector is witnessing a sharp realignment as Middle East supply disruptions, uneven corporate earnings, expansion investments and changing trade flows reshape market dynamics. While producers navigate rising aluminium prices , shipment costs and operational setbacks, demand from packaging, aerospace, EVs and recycling continues to influence long-term growth strategies across key regions. Financial performance and corporate moves Shyam Metalics and Energy Limited reported a strong Q4 FY26 performance, with profit after tax rising 42 per cent year-on-year to INR 3.12 billion, backed by higher sales volumes, stronger realisations and improved operational efficiency across its aluminium foil, steel and speciality alloy businesses. Quarterly revenue climbed 27...
Thatcham Research has launched a new aluminium welding certification programme aimed at helping vehicle repair technicians work on modern aluminium vehicle structures, including megacast components. The certification has been introduced as vehicle manufacturers increasingly adopt aluminium-intensive designs and megacasting techniques to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce weight and support electric vehicle development. Megacasting involves producing large sections of a vehicle body as a single aluminium casting instead of using multiple steel components. The process, first associated with Tesla, is now also being adopted by companies including Toyota and Ford. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036:...
CIAL said Italy’s aluminium packaging recycling rate reached 69.5 per cent in 2025, while aluminium beverage cans achieved a significantly higher recycling rate of 92.8 per cent. According to the consortium, the country’s overall aluminium packaging recovery rate stood at 72.9 per cent during the year. Although the recovery figure was slightly lower than the adjusted 2024 level, CIAL said this was mainly due to a 7 per cent increase in the volume of aluminium packaging placed on the market rather than weaker recycling performance. The organisation added that changes in calculation methods under updated European regulations also affected the figures, including adjustments related to aluminium content in composite packaging materials. Around 65,000 tonnes of aluminium were reportedly sent...
Alcoa received an upgraded stock rating from UBS, which raised its recommendation to “Buy” from “Neutral” and increased its price target to USD 80 from USD 75. The upgrade comes after a strong rally in aluminium markets, with Alcoa shares rising around 139 per cent over the past year. UBS analyst Daniel Major said the brokerage expects prolonged smelter disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict to tighten global aluminium supply and support higher aluminium prices and regional premiums. According to UBS, Alcoa’s current valuation still reflects an assumed London Metal Exchange aluminium price of around USD 3,000 per tonne, which remains roughly 20 per cent below current spot market levels. The brokerage expects the company to report sequentially stronger EBITDA and free cash flow in...
USA Rare Earth saw its stock rise after the company announced that it had been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for potential funding of up to USD 19.3 million under the department’s Critical Materials Innovation, Efficiency and Alternatives programme. The funding, which remains subject to final negotiations, will support development of a pilot-scale rare earth element separation project aimed at strengthening domestic processing capacity in the United States. According to the company, the project is intended to support critical supply chains linked to energy, defence and advanced manufacturing sectors, where rare earth materials are considered strategically important. The announcement also boosted investor sentiment toward the company after USA Rare Earth reported quarterly...
Century Aluminum Company has returned to investor’s focus after its recent quarterly results showed how falling aluminium prices and high power costs are affecting profitability. The company is also continuing to spend on expansion and low-carbon projects, adding pressure to near-term earnings. The aluminium producer operates smelters in the United States and Europe and supplies primary aluminium products to industries such as automotive, packaging, construction and manufacturing. Its financial performance is closely linked to London Metal Exchange aluminium prices, while regional premiums, alumina costs and electricity rates also have a major impact on margins. Power remains one of the company’s most important cost factors because aluminium smelting consumes large amounts of electricity....
One geopolitical disruption. Multiple market reactions. Beyond the news headlines, the Middle East crisis has and is continuing to evolve, creating visible influences. These influences may include price movement, shifts in trade, ever-changing demand-supply dynamics and whatnot. Here are the key impacts highlighted in AL Circle’s report, “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036 ,” outlining how the ME crisis is reshaping global markets. And in this shifting landscape, the competitive edge may not go to the biggest players, but to the best-prepared. Here’s what the market is really signalling: 1) Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz directly affecting Gulf raw materials Two major regions, which are the UAE and Bahrain, are highly dependent on bauxite and alumina imports. These...
As the Middle East conflict continues with full force, the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, and 9 per cent of aluminium production and supply from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hangs by the thread of uncertainty. Compounded by the damages caused by the geopolitical unrest, GCC completes one-third of the April-June quarter (Q2) of 2026, with a staggering 26.87 per cent month-on-month production decline. GCC April’26 rings warning bells Aluminium production in the January-March quarter (Q1) of 2026 declined in the range of 540,000 to 570,000 tonnes or about 3.7 per cent, slipping from 1.55 million tonnes in the October-December quarter (Q4) in 2025 to 1.49 million tonnes in Q1 2026. As the GCC stepped into Q2 2026, the April aluminium output saw a drastic dip, with the daily average...
Jamaica is once again turning its attention to an overlooked by-product of the bauxite industry that officials believe could hold substantial economic value. During his presentation in the House of Representatives for the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate on May 13, Floyd Green outlined fresh efforts to develop commercial opportunities linked to bauxite residue, more commonly referred to as Jamaican red mud. According to the minister, interest in the material is not new. More than ten years ago, Japanese company Nippon Light Metal collaborated with the Jamaica Bauxite Institute to investigate the composition of the residue. There was an unusual high concentration of rare earth elements in their findings, which is almost 25 times higher than those typically found within the upper continental crust....
Dutch yacht builder Van den Hoven Jachtbouw has unveiled the Voyager 56 Fly, a new aluminium adventure cruiser designed to expand outdoor living space while maintaining the long-range cruising capabilities of the Voyager series. Constructed with an aluminium hull and cabin structure, the Voyager 56 Fly is designed to be lighter than similarly sized fiberglass boats, helping improve fuel efficiency and speed. The yacht is powered by twin Volvo D6-600 diesel engines with straight shafts, delivering a cruising speed of about 18 knots and a top speed ranging from 22 to 25 knots. The new model is based on the Voyager 56 Coupe platform and introduces a discreet low-profile flybridge that nearly doubles the vessel’s open-air social areas. The flybridge includes an upper helm station, L-shaped...
The May 21 session on the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices witnessed a drastic recovery in the aluminium market trend from the declining graph in the May 20 session . Figures improved across cash, benchmark and contracts, while the declining stocks and warrants indicated a worldwide aluminium supply shortage. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium cash bid jumped from USD 3,643 per tonne on May 20 to USD 3,718 per tonne on May 21, rising by 2.06 per cent. The offer climbed from USD 3,644 per tonne to USD 3,720 per tonne , gaining 2.08 per cent. The LME aluminium three-month bid as well as offer prices gained 1.64 per cent on May 21....
Aluminium Deutschland said Germany’s aluminium sector remains under pressure after production declined further during the first quarter of 2026, with most companies not expecting conditions to improve by the end of the year. According to the association, Germany produced 684,564 tonnes of recycled aluminium during the first quarter, down around 3 per cent compared with the same period last year. The industry continues to face major raw material challenges, with 85 per cent of surveyed companies reporting shortages of aluminium scrap. Within the recycled aluminium segment, refiners increased production by 2 per cent to 128,639 tonnes, while remelters recorded a 4 per cent decline to 555,925 tonnes, making them the main contributor to the sector’s overall weakness. Demand from key customer...
Aluminum Corporation of China (CHALCO), through its Hong Kong-listed Unit, and its partnering mining company and port company have signed an agreement to amend and restart the Mining Convention with the Guinean Government. It paves the way for the creation of a dedicated project company that will oversee the development and operations of the Guinean Alumina Project linked to the country’s Boffa bauxite reserves. The agreement formally recognises Guinea’s right to acquire additional equity in the venture at fair market value. Following this, Chalco Hong Kong aims to establish the Project Company in Guinea through its subsidiary, Chalco Energy Holdings, via a cash capital contribution. The proposed initial registered capital for it stands at GNF 600 million, equivalent to nearly USD 68,200...
RUSAL has developed and deployed proprietary software to automate control of anode baking furnaces at its Sayanogorsk Aluminium Smelter as part of a wider modernisation programme to improve production efficiency, process flexibility, and operational performance. The software, created by RUSAL's Engineering Department, controls burners and furnace systems used in anode production. According to the company, the solution improves furnace operation efficiency and enables production teams to adapt and extend system functionality to meet evolving operational requirements. The implementation formed part of a phased modernisation of all three anode baking furnaces at Sayanogorsk, completed this year with a total investment of approximately USD 200 million. Following the upgrade, annual...
