Ball Corporation has appointed two senior executives to lead its beverage packaging businesses across North and Central America and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), bringing experience in commercial growth, regional management and global operations to the roles. Carey Causey, currently Ball’s senior vice president and chief growth officer, has been appointed senior vice president and president of Beverage Packaging North and Central America, effective immediately. She succeeds Kathleen Pitre. Scott Vail, Ball’s senior vice president and chief supply chain and operations officer, will take over as senior vice president and president of Beverage Packaging EMEA, succeeding Mandy Glew, who will retire in January 2027. Ball said the departures were not related to any disagreement...
Canada is looking to expand its domestic aluminium processing capacity as the government seeks to reduce the sector’s dependence on the United States. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly has described more than USD 193 million in federal funding for projects at five industrial sites in Quebec as a first step towards strengthening the country’s aluminium supply chain and building the capacity to process more metal at home. The funding, announced in La Baie, Quebec, covers projects at four Rio Tinto facilities in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region and the Alouette aluminium smelter in Sept-Îles. Joly, who also serves as the minister responsible for economic development in Quebec, said the investment reflects the strategic importance of aluminium to Canada’s economy and national sovereignty. The...
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Arctial, backed by Rio Tinto, is targeting first hot metal production from its planned aluminium smelter in Finland in the second half of 2029. Speaking at the CRU World Aluminium Conference in London, Arctial chief commercial officer Maxime Vandersmissen said the project aims to produce around 610,000 tonnes of aluminium annually. The project is still awaiting a final investment decision, expected in 2027. 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, the new smelter could increase aluminium production in Europe by around 20 per cent. Europe produced 7.1 million tonnes of aluminium in 2025, according to the International Aluminium Institute. This...
Africa’s aluminium sector entered 2026 facing a difficult question: how exposed has the continent’s supply chain become to power disruptions and concentrated production risks? The concern intensified after regional aluminium production declined to 381,000 tonnes in Q1 2026, marking a 6.2 per cent drop from 406,000 tonnes in Q4 2025 and a 3.3 per cent Y-o-Y decline compared with 394,000 tonnes in Q1 2025. The decline exposed how dependent Africa’s aluminium chain remains on concentrated production hubs, fragile electricity systems and climate-sensitive infrastructure. Africa’s aluminium output looked stable through 2025 - so what changed? For much of 2025, Africa’s aluminium production remained relatively balanced. Output increased from 394,000 tonnes in Q1 2025 to 407,000 tonnes in Q2,...
Shares of Aluminium Corporation of China Limited slipped 3.38 per cent on Monday, May 11, closing at HKD 11.15 (USD 1.43) from HKD 11.54 (USD 1.48) on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, amid broader weakness across the commodities sector. According to market data from StockInvest.us dated May 12, 2026, the stock moved within a volatile trading range during the session, even as the company continued to hold positive technical indicators from its moving averages. Known globally as Chalco, the Beijing-headquartered aluminium major remains one of the world’s largest integrated aluminium producers, with operations spanning bauxite mining, alumina refining, primary aluminium smelting and downstream processing. The company is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under 2600.HK and on the Shanghai...
India has refused to purchase Russian liquefied natural gas cargoes covered by US sanctions despite growing supply pressure linked to tensions in the Middle East, highlighting New Delhi’s effort to balance energy security with rising compliance risks. The decision has left at least one LNG shipment in uncertainty. A cargo from Russia’s sanctioned Portovaya LNG plant in the Baltic Sea has been unable to discharge after India declined to accept it, according to sources familiar with the matter. The 138,200-cubic-metre tanker Kunpeng , which had earlier indicated India’s Dahej LNG terminal as its destination in mid-April, is now waiting near Singaporean waters without broadcasting a final destination, according to LSEG shipping data. Sources said the cargo had been tracked despite...
Aluminium Bahrain, the world’s largest aluminium smelter on a single site, reported a sharp rise in profitability in Q1 2026 despite operational disruptions caused by regional tensions across the Gulf. Profit attributable to equity holders surged 316 per cent year on year to BHD 75.3 million (USD 200.3 million) in Q1 2026, compared with BHD 18.1 million (USD 48.2 million) in Q1 2025. However, compared with Q4 2025, profit declined from BHD 108.7 million (USD289.2 million), reflecting a quarter-on-quarter drop of around 30.7 per cent. Operationally, the quarter reflected mounting regional pressure on production and trade flows. Sales volume declined 17 per cent Y-o-Y in Q1 2026, to 312,563 tonnes as shipping disruptions, including constraints through the Strait of Hormuz, affected exports...
In Cameroon, the Minim Martap bauxite project advanced into the next step as the first locomotives for the mine’s future rail operations are set to arrive in the country. CRRC Corporation, a Chinese manufacturer, has crafted seven locomotives and is currently on its way to the port of Douala for Camalco. This is the Cameroonian subsidiary of the mining company Canyon Resources in Australia, working on the bauxite deposit in the Adamaoua region. The arrival of the shipment was announced by Cosco Shipping, a logistics company, which has recently loaded 12 locomotives bound for Africa. The delivery of these seven locomotives is scheduled for Cameroon to boost the rail system, aiding in transporting the ore from the future mine. Also read: Minim Martap bauxite project moves forward with rail...
In comparison to the previous day’s close, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price on May 12 dipped slightly. A similar movement was seen at the LME inventory level, but the live warrants and alumina platts price showed no change from the last day’s closing. The LME cash bid declined by USD 15 per tonne or 0.4 per cent, changing from USD 3,654 per tonne to USD 3,639 per tonne. Similarly, the LME cash offer also dipped by USD 15.5 per tonne or 0.4 per cent, moving down to USD 3,639.5 per tonne from USD 3,655 per tonne. To look for buying or selling leads of primary aluminium ingots, visit our B2B marketplace . Looking at the forward-dated contracts, the LME 3-month bid inched down by USD 4.5 per tonne or 0.1 per cent, from USD 3,570 per tonne to USD 3,565.5 per tonne. At the same...
Global aluminium prices are expected to remain above USD 4,000 per tonne between the third quarter of 2026 and the second quarter of 2027, according to the Commodities Research Unit (CRU). Paul Williams, head of aluminium value chain at CRU, said at the World Aluminium Summit in London that the expected price rise is linked to a growing supply deficit caused mainly by the conflict involving Iran. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange have already increased by 18 per cent this year. Benchmark aluminium prices were last reported at USD 3,559 per tonne after reaching a four-year high of USD 3,672 per tonne in mid-April. The...
Foshan Dajia Electromechanical Technology Co., Ltd. is expanding its focus on automated and precision-based surface treatment systems for the aluminium industry through its Mingtu Painting division. Based in Foshan, the company develops anodising, electrophoretic coating, electrostatic powder coating and paint spray coating systems for aluminium profile manufacturers. The company said rising global demand for high-performance aluminium surface treatments is driving greater use of automated production systems designed to improve consistency, reduce labour costs and lower material waste. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” The company’s operations combine two areas of...
The global bauxite trade, which has been one of the strongest drivers of dry bulk shipping demand in recent years, is now facing pressure from both supply restrictions and geopolitical disruption. Guinea, the world’s biggest exporter of seaborne bauxite, is reportedly considering a cap on exports for 2026 after rapid growth over the past few years pushed volumes to around 178 million tonnes in 2025. If introduced, the proposed limit could reduce exports to roughly 150 million tonnes, significantly below last year’s levels. Analysts say such a move could have major consequences for the capesize market because Guinea-to-China bauxite shipments keep vessels occupied for long periods. According to analysis from Veson Nautical, a reduction to 150 million tonnes could free up around 46 capesize...
A group of scientists in China has turned to crocodiles for inspiration while working on a new body armour concept built around lightweight ceramic materials. The idea came from the way crocodile scales overlap across the animal’s body. Instead of sitting in neat patterns, the scales form uneven layers that help spread force and provide protection during attacks. The research was done at Ningbo University, led by associate research fellow Zhaoxiu Jiang. They based their design on the overlapping, asymmetrical skin of a crocodile that offers them protection against predators. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" According to the research team, the layout helped deflect projectiles during testing instead of...
Alcoa Corporation continues to benefit from strong demand in its aluminium business, supported by the packaging, electrical and transportation sectors. The company’s aluminium production capacity has increased following the restart of the San Ciprián smelter in Spain, Alumar in Brazil and Lista in Norway. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” In the first quarter of 2026, Alcoa’s Aluminium segment’s third-party sales rose to USD 2.54 billion from USD 1.91 billion in the first quarter of 2025. Aluminium product sales also increased to USD 2.58 billion from USD 1.96 billion in the same period last year. The company said aluminium demand has continued to grow due to...
Ferretti Group has launched the fifth hull of its Pershing 140 superyacht series at the company’s Superyacht Yard in Ancona, Italy. Unlike earlier units in the series, which used a metallic aluminium-grey finish, this version was completed in bright white following requests from the owner. The lighter theme continues inside the yacht as well, with interiors designed around softer tones and customised living spaces. Several parts of the layout were also changed from the standard configuration. At the stern, the area typically used for storing tenders and water toys was redesigned into a social space with a central bar setup instead. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" The cockpit section now includes lounge...
Aluminium production outside the Gulf region could also be affected if petroleum coke shortages worsen because the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. A report by JPMorgan Chase & Co. said petroleum coke, a key raw material used in aluminium production, may become a major problem for aluminium producers globally as tensions continue in the Persian Gulf region. 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 report, around 20 per cent of global petroleum coke supply is affected by the Strait of Hormuz disruption because petroleum coke is produced during oil refining. It warned that if shortages become severe, aluminium producers outside the Gulf could face...
The global primary aluminium industry has entered 2026 with a very different market condition from the one that defined the past decade. What was once a story of supply abundance, Chinese expansion and cyclical price swings is now turning into one of scarcity, geopolitical fragmentation and carbon-driven trade barriers. At the same time, emerging supply hubs such as Indonesia and Guinea are grappling with resource protection, infrastructure tailbacks and rising power needs, while supply shocks in Mozambique, Iceland and the downstream sector are constraining the market further. China’s 45 million tonne ceiling has become the market’s hard limit One of the heaviest and most impactful events in the global aluminium market is the enforcement of China’s 45 million tonne primary aluminium...
The US Commerce Department has introduced a new process that would allow steel and aluminium producers from Canada and Mexico to apply for reduced Section 232 tariffs if they commit to investing in manufacturing operations in the United States. Under the proposal, eligible companies could see tariffs lowered from the current 50 per cent rate to 25 per cent, according to a notice filed in the Federal Register. The initiative aims to encourage foreign metal producers to expand industrial capacity in the US while supporting North American automotive supply chains. To qualify, companies must already supply steel or aluminium, directly or indirectly, to US manufacturers of automobiles or medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. Their exports must also meet the preferential trade requirements under the...
The Indian Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) signifies India’s venture towards realising sustainability goals by reducing 45 per cent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity by 2030 compared to levels since 2005 and achieving net-zero by 2070. This groundwork was laid and implemented by the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, and the Detailed Procedure for Compliance Mechanism (BEE, 2023). The independent Testing, Inspection and Certification Industry in India or the TIC Council India, has recommended implementation of the CCTS to foster a reliable and globally aligned market framework that lowers compliance pressures, maintains transparency, and strengthens India’s momentum toward achieving its climate commitments. Explore the position of aluminium at the intersection of...
Asian private equity firm MBK Partners is set to acquire Japanese aluminium can producer, Altemira Holdings Co. in a deal valued at around YEN 117.5 billion (USD 760 million), according to industry sources. The acquisition involves MBK Partners acquiring 100 per cent of Altemira from US-based investment firm Apollo Global Management. Altemira is the second-largest aluminium can manufacturer by market share in both Japan and Vietnam, with annual revenue estimated at approximately YEN 200 billion (USD 1.29 billion). MBK Partners has already cleared the preliminary review required under Japan’s foreign exchange regulations for foreign acquisitions involving companies operating in designated core sectors. According to sources, the screening was triggered because some of Altemira’s materials...
