AlCircle News Edited By "Aranya Mondal"
Aranya Mondal is a content writer with two years of professional experience in business writing, technical writing, web content, editing, and research. She handles content creation and editing for online and offline channels to support brand growth and global engagement.
Ardagh Metal Packaging sale preparations can resume after Luxembourg court lifts injunction
Ardagh Holdings S.A. can resume preparations for a potential sale of its stake in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (AMP) after a Luxembourg court lifted an order that had prevented the parent company from proceeding with the transaction. The ruling, issued on 14 October by a summary judge at the Luxembourg district court, allows Ardagh Holdings to re-engage with its advisers on a possible sale. The injunction was originally imposed following a unilateral ( ex parte ) application by certain minority holders of senior secured toggle notes due in 2027, issued by ARD Finance S.A. before its parent company, Ardagh Group S.A., completed its recapitalisation transaction in November 2025. The order had prohibited Ardagh Holdings from selling all or part of its interests in AMP. Following the court's...
Germany’s automotive industry drives 32.8% of aluminium consumption as EV production rises 23%, led by Volkswagen, BMW & Mercedes-Benz
Germany’s automobile industry is a major part of the country’s aluminium story, with the metal used in everything from vehicle body panels and chassis components to battery enclosures and electric-drive systems. As automakers develop lighter vehicles and expand their electric models, aluminium has become an important material across the manufacturing process. Germany’s automotive industry consumes around 950,000 tonnes of aluminium annually, accounting for a substantial share of the wider transport sector’s demand. In 2025, Germany’s total aluminium consumption stood at approximately 2.9 million tonnes, with the transport sector accounting for 1.35 million tonnes, representing 46 per cent of the total. This extensive use of aluminium in transport mirrors its importance to the global...
Russian aluminium accounts for nearly 100% of available LME stocks in September
Russian-origin aluminium accounted for 99.98 per cent of available aluminium stocks in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses at the end of September, up from 95 per cent in August, as Indian metal stocks dwindled to just 50 tonnes. The figures, released by the exchange on Wednesday, highlight the limited choice of aluminium available for delivery through the LME warehouse system. Total available, or on-warrant, aluminium inventories fell by 6.5 per cent to 226,675 tonnes at the end of September, marking their lowest level since March 2025. The decline came as the conflict in the Middle East tightened global supply. Although available Russian aluminium stocks also decreased, falling by 3,425 tonnes during the month to 226,625 tonnes, their share of the remaining inventory increased as...
Germany’s Fraunhofer and University of Stuttgart develop aluminium anode technology for lithium-ion batteries
Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (Fraunhofer IPA), headquartered in Stuttgart, has developed a new aluminium anode technology for lithium-ion batteries in collaboration with the University of Stuttgart, addressing a key challenge that has limited the material’s practical use. The patented cell and electrode design manages the volume changes that occur during charging and discharging, helping prevent electrode damage and maintain electrical contact over repeated cycles. The technology also eliminates graphite and silicon from the anode, replaces conventional copper foil with aluminium foil and removes a separate electrode coating process. Aluminium anode technology targets electrode degradation Aluminium has long attracted interest as an...
LME aluminium cash offer price falls 0.62% to $3,036/t as stocks dip to 238,625t on October 13
LME aluminium prices declined across cash, three-month and December 27 contracts on October 13 compared with October 12, with losses ranging from 0.62 per cent to 0.93 per cent. Meanwhile, opening stocks edged lower by 250 tonnes, while live and cancelled warrants remained unchanged. On October 13, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,035.5 per tonne, down 0.62 per cent from USD 3,054.5 per tonne on October 12. The cash offer price decreased by 0.62 per cent to USD 3,036 per tonne from USD 3,055 per tonne. The LME aluminium three-month bid price fell by 0.72 per cent to USD 3,036 per tonne on October 13 from USD 3,058 per tonne on October 12. The three-month offer price declined by 0.75 per cent to USD 3,037 per tonne from USD 3,060 per tonne over the same period. Explore- Most...
Australia’s alumina exports fall 9.46% despite China’s 19-fold import surge, with shipments to Indonesia & Oman also rising
Australia, one of the world’s major alumina production and export hubs, witnessed a significant shift in its trade flows in the first half (H1) of 2026. Although the country’s total alumina exports declined, shipments to China surged nearly 19-fold, making it Australia’s one of the largest export destinations. Meanwhile, exports to the UAE and South Africa fell, while Indonesia and Oman recorded increases. Australia exported 6.7 million tonnes of alumina worldwide in H1 2026, down 9.46 per cent from 7.4 million tonnes in H1 2025. Compared with 7.5 million tonnes in H1 2024, exports declined by 800,000 tonnes, or 10.67 per cent, over two years. The contrasting performance across major destinations highlights how Middle East shipping disruptions, changes in aluminium production requirements...
Gulftainer and EGA target 300,000t of aluminium exports through Khorfakkan Port
UAE-headquartered Gulftainer and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE’s largest industrial company outside oil and gas, have signed a strategic agreement to strengthen aluminium exports through Khorfakkan Port on the country’s East Coast, outside the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement comes as EGA continues to diversify its outbound logistics to ensure reliable deliveries to customers in international markets. Under the arrangement, the company will route up to 250,000 tonnes of aluminium through Khorfakkan in the first year, rising to up to 300,000 tonnes in the second year. Volumes could increase further in subsequent years. Khorfakkan Port to support EGA’s export operations The partnership will strengthen the port’s role in handling EGA’s aluminium shipments while supporting the...
LME aluminium cash price falls to $3,055/t on October 9 as stocks remain at 238,875t
LME aluminium cash prices declined on October 9, 2026, while three-month prices recorded a marginal increase compared with October 8. The LME aluminium cash bid price fell by 0.16 per cent to USD 3,055 per tonne from USD 3,060 per tonne, while the cash offer price decreased by 0.16 per cent to USD 3,055.5 per tonne from USD 3,060.5 per tonne. In contrast, the LME aluminium three-month bid price edged up by 0.02 per cent to USD 3,069 per tonne on October 9 from USD 3,068.5 per tonne on October 8. The three-month offer price increased by 0.03 per cent to USD 3,070 per tonne from USD 3,069 per tonne. The December 27 bid price rose by 0.07 per cent to USD 3,027 per tonne on October 9 from USD 3,025 per tonne on October 8. Similarly, the December 27 offer price increased by 0.07 per cent to...
AL Circle analysis: Germany’s aluminium trade surplus, Novelis’ US expansion, Asia’s EV demand & India’s underutilised downstream capacity
Aluminium’s next growth phase is increasingly being shaped by downstream processing, supply-chain resilience and demand from specialised applications. Germany continues to generate a substantial trade surplus in flat-rolled products despite a shrinking primary aluminium base, while North America is investing in recycling and rolling. Across Asia, new manufacturing capabilities and growing demand from electric vehicles, railways and batteries are creating further opportunities. However, declining exports, underutilised capacity and uneven profitability show that investment alone does not guarantee success. For industry leaders, the challenge is to identify where demand is shifting, develop products that meet customer requirements and ensure that new investments translate into sustainable...
India’s bauxite imports jump 129.5% in H1 2026: Quality gap, refinery expansion outpace 25Mt domestic output
India is producing around 25 million tonnes of bauxite a year, has 4.958 billion tonnes of bauxite resources, and currently produces around 9.5 million tonnes of alumina annually. Yet instead of declining, the country's bauxite imports have been rising. India’s bauxite imports reached 3.70 million tonnes in H1 2026, more than twice the 1.612 million tonnes recorded in H1 2025. The increase of 2.088 million tonnes, or 129.5 per cent, has brought a key question into focus: why are imports rising when domestic bauxite production appears sufficient for current alumina output? The answer becomes clearer when India's bauxite supply is viewed alongside ore quality, refinery requirements, mine development and the rapid expansion of alumina capacity. India’s bauxite production has recovered...
Egypt Aluminum stock drops 1.17% on October 7, remains 14% below 52-week high
Egypt Aluminum stock closed lower on the Egyptian Exchange on October 7, 2026, with shares ending at EGP 339.40 (USD 6.48), down 1.17 per cent from EGP 343.41 (USD 6.55) in the previous session. The stock was 14.08 per cent below its 52-week high of EGP 395.00 (USD 7.54) and 107.53 per cent above its 52-week low of EGP 163.66 (USD 3.12). The company had a market capitalisation of EGP 140.0 billion (USD 2.67 billion). During the session, Egypt Aluminum shares traded between EGP 334.73 (USD 6.39) and EGP 344.99 (USD 6.59), with trading volume at around 307,000 shares, above the stock’s three-month average. The October 7 movement came after Egypt Aluminum reported its fiscal 2026 results on September 20, providing the market with a view of the company’s profitability for the year ended June...
LME aluminium cash offer price falls around 1% to $3,102/t, while stocks drop to 238,875t
LME aluminium prices weakened across key contracts on October 7 compared with the previous trading day, while exchange stocks also declined. The cash and three-month prices fell by around 1 per cent, with the December 2027 contract recording a similar decline. On October 7, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,102 per tonne, down 1.02 per cent from USD 3,134 per tonne on October 6. The cash offer price declined to USD 3,102.5 per tonne, down 1.02 per cent from USD 3,134.5 per tonne. The LME aluminium three-month bid price fell to USD 3,112 per tonne on October 7 from USD 3,148 per tonne on October 6, marking a 1.14 per cent decline. The three-month offer price decreased to USD 3,114 per tonne from USD 3,148.5 per tonne, down 1.10 per cent. Explore- Most comprehensive and...
China’s aluminium scrap imports fall 3.2% in H1 2026 amid supply and pricing pressures
China’s aluminium scrap market lost some momentum in the first half of 2026, with imports falling from a year earlier as higher prices, tighter overseas availability and weaker demand weighed on buying activity. Despite the decline, imports remained above the level recorded two years earlier. China imported 981,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the World in H1 2026, down 3.2 per cent from 1 million tonnes in H1 2025. The latest volume was, however, 3.6 per cent higher than the 947,000 tonnes imported in H1 2024. The H1 2026 total comprised 526,000 tonnes in Q1 and 455,000 tonnes in Q2, compared with 507,000 tonnes and 506,000 tonnes, respectively, in H1 2025. Overseas supply becomes a key constraint The weaker import performance came as Chinese buyers faced a less favourable...
LME aluminium offer price rises to $3,134.5/t as stocks remain unchanged at 240,375t
LME aluminium prices moved higher on October 6 compared with the previous trading day, with cash and three-month prices rising by nearly 1 per cent. The increase came as LME aluminium opening stocks remained unchanged, while live warrants declined and cancelled warrants increased. On October 6, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 3,134 per tonne, up 0.90 per cent from USD 3,106 per tonne on October 5. The cash offer price stood at USD 3,134.5 per tonne , compared with USD 3,107 per tonne on October 5, marking a 0.89 per cent increase. The LME aluminium three-month bid price rose to USD 3,148 per tonne on October 6 from USD 3,117.5 per tonne on October 5, an increase of 0.98 per cent. The corresponding three-month offer price increased to USD 3,148.5 per tonne from USD 3,118 per...
IG Metall and IGBCE call for stronger action as Germany’s aluminium industry faces energy and trade pressures
Germany’s aluminium industry is facing growing pressure from energy costs, international trade conflicts, industrial competitiveness and the need for skilled workers as the country works to strengthen its industrial base and accelerate the economic transformation. These challenges came into focus at an Aluminium industry conference hosted by IG Metall and IGBCE in Düsseldorf today, bringing together policymakers, aluminium producers, industry representatives, works council members and trade unionists. Held at the opening of the Aluminium trade fair in Düsseldorf, the conference focused on the future of Germany’s aluminium industry and the conditions needed to maintain a strong industrial base in Germany and Europe. The discussions centred on European industrial policy, the competitiveness...
Alurion’s Amargosa bauxite project gets clearance for 11.5Mtpa road haulage
Alurion Resources has cleared a key logistics hurdle for its Amargosa bauxite project in Brazil, with an independent study confirming that Bahia’s public road network can support haulage of up to 11.5 wet million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). The assessment by transport engineering firm Engimind covers three potential haulage levels of 5.75, 8.625 and 11.5 wet Mtpa. Its findings double the original scoping study base case and give Alurion a defined road route as it advances towards a Prefeasibility Study (PFS) targeted for mid-2027. Road capacity supports higher Amargosa volumes The study confirmed the northern route to the Port of Enseada via the BR-101 highway as suitable for the project. The route is about 160km from the North District and 220km from the Central District. Importantly, the...
South Korea’s aluminium foil imports hit five-year high at 57kt in YTD July 2026 as China drives 96% of new volume
South Korea’s aluminium foil market has entered a stronger phase in 2026, with imports reaching their highest level in five years. But the trade data points to a more specific shift beneath the headline growth: most of the additional aluminium foil entering South Korea is coming from China. South Korea imported 57,261.18 tonnes of aluminium foil from the world in YTD July 2026, up 23.94 per cent from 46,201.68 tonnes in YTD July 2025. Imports stood at 50,840.22 tonnes in YTD 2022, 43,145.18 tonnes in YTD 2023 and 47,238.94 tonnes in YTD 2024, before slipping to 46,201.68 tonnes in 2025, as per ITA. The return to growth is clear, but the supplier data reveals where that recovery is coming from. China supplies 92% of South Korea’s aluminium foil imports China supplied 52,751.81 tonnes of...
Yantai Port's rail freight corridor crosses 10Mt as African bauxite heads to Shanxi
Yantai Port's growing role in China's bauxite and aluminium supply chain has come into focus after its Dezhou-Longkou-Yantai rail freight corridor surpassed 10 million tonnes of total cargo. The milestone was reached as 3,200 tonnes of African bauxite moved from the Shandong port to an aluminium processing plant in Shanxi province. The bauxite shipment departed Yantai Port on September 29, travelling along a railway network that stretches roughly 1,000 kilometres and connects the coastal port with inland industrial markets. The corridor now serves 25 destinations across five provinces and regions - Shandong, Hebei, Shanxi, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia. Six destinations are located in Shandong, while 19 are in other provinces. The scale of the network has expanded alongside its cargo...
