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.
LME aluminium cash bid hits $2,789/t; stocks down to 491,225t
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices posted modest gains on October 17, with improvements seen across cash, three-month, and forward contracts, even as warehouse stocks slightly declined. On October 17, the LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 2,789.00 per tonne, up 0.52 per cent from USD 2,774.50 per tonne recorded on October 16. The cash offer price rose 0.52 per cent to USD 2,789.50 per tonne, compared with USD 2,775.00 per tonne previously. The LME aluminium three-month bid price increased 0.69 per cent to USD 2,774.00 per tonne from USD 2,755.00 per tonne, while the three-month offer advanced 0.74 per cent to USD 2,776.00 per tonne, against USD 2,755.50 per tonne on October 16. For the forward contract, the December 26 bid price climbed 1.74 per cent to USD 2,803.00 per...
TVS Apache RTX launched at ₹1.99 Lakh as brand’s first adventure bike
After years of anticipation, TVS has finally stepped into the adventure segment with Apache RTX. Launched at an introductory price of INR 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the motorcycle marks a major step for the homegrown manufacturer. The RTX is built to go the distance — literally and figuratively. Image for representational purpose TVS has chosen to describe it as an adventure-rally tourer, and that’s exactly how it looks. The all-LED setup feels premium, with twin LED headlights featuring automatic brightness control and follow-me-home lights. Even the DRLs at both ends have been shaped to match the bike’s sharp persona. The 12.5-litre fuel tank and the split-seat layout feels adventure-ready — the rider sits at 835 mm, while the pillion gets a slightly raised perch with a chunky grab rail...
US aluminium scrap trade faces 2025 shake-up amid tariffs and global demand
The global aluminium market is in transition, and nowhere is that more evident than in the United States. What was once a predictable cycle of imports, recovery, and exports has, in 2025, become a story of trade shifts, policy shocks, and surging international appetite for recycled metal. In the first half of the year, tariffs on aluminium and slowing domestic demand collided with a boom in global recycling, leaving the US aluminium scrap trade looking very different from a year ago. The rise in import Between January and June 2025, US aluminium scrap imports rose 31 per cent to 430,000 tonnes from 328,000 tonnes a year earlier. The surge is anticipated to be driven by tariff impacts on primary aluminium, shifting sourcing strategies, favourable price gaps, and sustainability goals — with...
Inside the global race for gallium: The metal behind America’s military edge
Rare earth elements are central to the United States’ military technology that operates across the air, land, sea, and space domains. Their strong magnetic and electronic characteristics enable compact, high-performance motors and actuators used in precision-guided munitions, missile control, and advanced aircraft such as the F-35 fighter jet. In naval operations, rare earth magnets and alloys enhance radar, sonar, and propulsion systems aboard Virginia-class submarines and Arleigh Burke destroyers, providing the stealth and detection capability that defines modern warfare. The US uses roughly 20 tonnes each year, a quantity small enough to fit on a single truck, but its strategic weight is immense. Gallium underpins radar, communication, and satellite systems across the Pentagon’s...
Public companies dominate Sam-A Aluminium with 45% stake as shares jump 10%
Public companies are emerging as the power players behind Sam-A Aluminium Company, Limited, and their bets have paid off handsomely. The group holds the biggest slice of the company’s ownership — about 45 per cen t — and benefited most from last week’s 10 per cent rise in the stock, which lifted Sam-A Aluminium’s market value to KRW 332 billion. Image for representational purpose A closer look at the shareholder structure shows that just four investors control a majority 53 per cent stake , giving them significant influence over the company’s decisions. It’s a tight group, and their collective weight means their actions could easily sway the direction of the business. Also read: The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032 Who owns what The largest shareholder is Nippon...
EGA expands Minnesota recycling plant, raising US capacity to 200,000tpy
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, has announced another major expansion at its EGA Spectro Alloys facility in Minnesota, USA. The latest phase of development will increase the aluminium recycling plant’s total capacity to 200,000 tonnes per year, strengthening EGA’s growing footprint in the American market. Image source: EGA The plant is already ramping up output from the first phase of its expansion, completed in July this year, which added an additional 55,000 tonnes of billet capacity. The next phase will further boost EGA Spectro Alloys’ recycled billet capacity by 45,000 tonnes per year, with construction expected be completed in 2027. Also read: ALUEXPO 2025 & Beyond It will include an additional scrap melting furnace and a batch...
China’s electric vehicle boom powers its fight against pollution and climate change
China is intensifying its efforts to combat pollution and climate change by accelerating its shift toward electric mobility. The automobile industry has become a central pillar of this transition, as record electric vehicle (EV) sales highlight how policy incentives, technological innovation, and consumer demand are reshaping the world’s largest car market. Image for representational purpose The numbers show how fast the change is happening. In September, China’s carmakers sold a record 826,000 battery-electric vehicles, a 28.5 per cent jump from a year earlier, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). It’s the highest monthly figure yet, breaking the record set last December. A rush before the clock runs out The jump wasn’t a surprise to anyone in the business....
LME aluminium cash bid rises to USD 2,752/t as stocks decline 4.8%
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices strengthened on October 15, supported by steady demand and improved market sentiment. The LME aluminium cash bid price stood at USD 2,752 per tonne, up 0.70 per cent from USD 2,733 per tonne on October 14. The cash offer also increased by 0.68 per cent, from USD 2,734 per tonne to USD 2,752.5 per tonne. Similarly, the three-month aluminium bid rose 0.66 per cent, reaching USD 2,748 per tonne from USD 2,730 per tonne a day earlier. The three-month offer gained 0.60 per cent, climbing to USD 2,748.5 per tonne from USD 2,732 per tonne. Further along the curve, the December 26 contract also edged higher. The bid was recorded at USD 2,778 per tonne, up 0.54 per cent from USD 2,763 per tonne, while the offer stood at USD 2,783 per tonne, a 0.54 per...
US aluminium imports slip 2% in H1 2025 amid tariffs and softer demand
The flow of aluminium into the United States softened in the first half of 2025 as tariffs, weaker industrial activity, and higher energy costs reshaped buying patterns. Primary aluminium imports came in at 1.81 million tonnes, a touch lower than the 1.85 million tonnes recorded in the same period a year earlier — a 2 per cent decline. The year started briskly, with first-quarter imports rising to 1.07 million tonnes from 0.91 million tonnes in early 2024 as traders rushed to move cargoes ahead of expected tariff increases. But momentum soon faded as the second quarter unfolded. Monthly shipments fluctuated sharply. Imports surged in March to 438,000 tonnes, up from 270,000 tonnes the year before, but demand tailed off almost immediately afterward. January stood at 335,000 tonnes against...
IBAAS 2025 Bhubaneswar: India’s Aluminium industry charts a sustainable path forward
The IBAAS–IMMT–IIM 2025 conference in Bhubaneswar, held from October 8 to 10, brought together researchers, policymakers, and industry veterans from around the world to talk about the future of aluminium. It wasn’t just another technical meet. It felt more like a statement — that India is ready to take on a leading role in shaping how the aluminium industry evolves over the next decade. Odisha has long been the country’s aluminium heartland, home to some of India’s richest bauxite deposits and major refining operations. But the tone this year was different. Instead of focusing only on output and expansion, much of the discussion turned to sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth — how to make progress without leaving a negative mark on the environment or local communities. The...
Oceania’s aluminium and alumina output declines amid refinery closures and energy pressures
Oceania’s aluminium and alumina industries are navigating a period of transition. Refinery closures, rising power prices, and shifting global markets have reshaped output across the region. Australia remains at the centre of this activity, continuing to supply much of the world’s bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium. Between 2023 and 2025, aging infrastructure, cost pressures, and softer market conditions have gradually weighed on production. Even so, producers are investing in modernisation, environmental improvements, and digital upgrades to make operations more efficient and resilient for the long term. Daily aluminium output holds steady From January to June 2025, Oceania produced 923 thousand tonnes of aluminium, down 1.8 per cent from 940 thousand tonnes in the same period of...
DESPRAY and FREEE Recycle to convert aerosol waste into clean cooking fuel in Nigeria
A new project in Nigeria is aiming to turn a major waste problem into a clean energy solution. DESPRAY Environmental, a Dutch specialist in aerosol recycling, has partnered with Lagos-based FREEE Recycle Limited to launch Food Fuel , an initiative that will convert discarded aerosol gases into safe and affordable cooking fuel. Image for representational purpose The agreement was signed at DESPRAY’s headquarters in the Netherlands, with CEO Eelco Osse and FREEE Recycle founder Ifedolapo Runsewe present alongside government representatives. The concept behind Food Fuel dates back to 2018, when DESPRAY Co-founder Mike MacKay began exploring ways to tackle the reliance on firewood, kerosene, and other polluting fuels widely used in African households. The first installation will be set up in...
US schools make aluminium can recycling a sustainability lesson
Elementary schools across the United States are turning empty aluminium beverage cans into both classroom resources and environmental lessons, as the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Recycling Society kick off the latest edition of the Million Cans Recycling Contest. Image for representational purpose More than 50 schools are participating in the 2026 competition, which runs through April 30. The programme challenges students to collect used beverage cans, with proceeds from local scrap sales going directly back to schools for programs, equipment, and infrastructure. In addition, top-performing schools will win prizes such as pizza and ice cream parties, plus year-end bonuses for the most cans recycled per student. “This nationwide contest pairs elementary schools with our US can...
Stadler expands US operations with aluminium welding hub in Salt Lake City
Stadler has strengthened its American manufacturing footprint by opening a new aluminium welding hall in Salt Lake City, Utah, a move that aligns with Buy America requirements and reinforces local supply chains. Image source: Stadler The 50,000-square-foot facility, an expansion of the company’s existing US plant, enables Stadler to weld train car bodies directly in the United States for the first time. Until now, aluminium bodies were shipped from Europe for final assembly. By bringing this stage of production in-house, Stadler expects to reduce shipping delays and raise the proportion of domestically produced content in its trains to around 80 per cent. Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall welcomed the development, describing it as “a shining example of what can happen when global...
US semi-fabricated aluminium imports drop in H1 2025 under tariff and demand pressures
Semi-fabricated aluminium products (plates, sheets, and bars), recorded a slowdown in imports into the United States during the first half of 2025. According to the latest data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the decline reflected subdued demand from downstream industries and the sharp rise in tariffs that raised import costs. Semi-fabricated aluminium imports fell 617,000 tonnes in the first half of 2025, down 2.2 per cent from 631,000 tonnes a year earlier. Monthly inflows reflected mixed trends. In January, imports jumped to 125,000 tonnes from 98,400 tonnes a year earlier, an increase of 27 per cent. February shipments rose 3.4 per cent year-on-year to 101,000 tonnes from 97,700 tonnes. March also posted growth of 3 per cent, with imports rising to 98,600 tonnes from...
Brazil’s aluminium can industry holds firm in 2025, backed by growth and recycling
The Brazilian aluminium can industry has reaffirmed its strength in 2025, maintaining steady sales while continuing to lead the world in recycling performance. Despite a cooling market compared with last year’s record growth, the sector is pressing ahead with investments, industrial expansion, and a deep commitment to sustainability. Stable sales in H1 2025 From January to June 2025, aluminium can sales in Brazil reached 16.5 billion units, the equivalent of around 6 billion liters of beverages, according to the Brazilian Aluminum Can Association (Abralatas). The result marks a 0.7 per cent rise compared with the same period last year. Though modest, the increase reflects the sector’s resilience after a historic performance in 2024. Last year, Brazil sold 34.8 billion beverage cans, up...
Trump slaps up to 100% tariffs on medicines, trucks and furniture, threatening global supply chains
President Donald Trump has moved to expand his trade war on multiple fronts, unveiling tariffs of up to 100 per cent on pharmaceuticals and sharp new duties on heavy trucks and furniture. The announcement marks one of the broadest extensions of his tariff regime so far, aimed at forcing industries to shift production back to US soil. Pharma, trucks, and furniture in the crosshairs The tariffs will range from 30 to 100 per cent, with pharmaceuticals facing the steepest increase. A 100 per cent duty is set to apply on imported branded and patented medicines unless companies are already constructing plants inside the United States or if their home countries have specific trade agreements covering pharmaceuticals. Generic medicines are excluded for now, but branded imports—particularly from...
Iran to launch $1b Parsian alumina plant to cut imports, boost aluminium chain
Iran is preparing to launch its largest alumina production project by the end of this year, with the state-owned Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) confirming that the USD 1 billion Parsian alumina plant will soon enter implementation phase. Image for representational purpose The facility, to be built in the Parsian Special Economic Zone in Hormozgan province, is designed to produce one million tonnes of alumina powder annually. Its construction is part of the country’s Seventh National Development Plan and will begin once final approvals are secured from relevant authorities, including the Supreme Economic Council. At present, Iran’s alumina supply is almost entirely dependent on a single source — the Jajarm plant, which produces about...
