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.
Rare earths market turns volatile as US intervenes and China tightens control
The global rare earth metals market is undergoing a major market shift, as US price interventions, Chinese export restrictions, and surging demand disrupt supply chains and compel countries to rethink their strategies. In mid-July, the US took a bold step to challenge China’s dominance in rare earths. The Department of Defence signed a multi-billion-dollar deal with MP Materials, guaranteeing a minimum price of USD 110 per kilogram for neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide. This figure is almost double the prevailing China-based market price of around USD 60 per kilogram. The move is designed to boost domestic production of key materials for EV motors, wind turbines, and defence systems. Analysts are calling it a game-changer, predicting that this new price floor will become a global...
LME aluminium cash offer price rises to $2,589/t as stocks jump nearly 3%
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices posted slight gains on August 22 compared to the previous session. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed to USD 2,588.5 per tonne from USD 2,570 per tonne from August 21, while the cash offer price increased to USD 2,589 per tonne from USD 2,570.5 per tonne, reflecting an uptick of about 0.72 per cent. Three-month contracts also moved higher, with the bid price reaching USD 2,586.5 per tonne and the offer settling at USD 2,587.5 per tonne, marking gains of approximately 0.60 per cent and 0.62 per cent respectively. Forward prices for December 26 delivery edged up as well, with the bid at USD 2,637 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,642 per tonne, both rising by around 0.53 per cent. The LME aluminium three-month Asian Reference Price stood at...
India eases SRVA rules, fuels rupee trade and de-dollarisation talk
India is at the centre of global trade discussions after reports suggested that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued a circular enabling BRICS nations to settle 100 per cent of their trade in Indian Rupees (INR). Analysts argued that such a shift could weaken the US dollar’s dominance in international trade and strengthen BRICS’ collective bargaining power. Though there is no such official mandate for BRICS to conduct all trade in rupees. Instead, several outlets noted that the RBI has relaxed norms by allowing banks to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs) without prior approval, a move aimed at promoting INR-based trade at a time when US tariff measures continue to create uncertainty for BRICS countries. The latest circular, issued on August 5, 2025, builds on an earlier...
From cars to metals: Europe awaits US action on trade agreement
The European Union is still waiting for Washington to deliver on key promises made under the trade deal struck at the end of July 2025. While the agreement set a 15 per cent baseline tariff on European exports, already in effect since last week — Brussels says other critical measures remain pending. EU officials had earlier signalled that a joint statement and executive orders from US President Donald Trump would follow the deal “very soon.” But on Tuesday, a European Commission spokesperson admitted uncertainty over the timeline. The spokesperson said , “It is an agreement that we believe is strong and the best we could have ... Of course, we expect the US to take further steps that are part of this agreement but I don’t believe at this stage we can put a timeline on these engagements.”...
From Asia to Africa: are new refining hubs redrawing the alumina map?
Alumina production in Asia (including China) and Africa continued to rise in the first half of 2025, but fresh data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) indicates signs of cooling by mid-year. With China still dominating global output, new projects in Indonesia, India, and Africa are reshaping the supply landscape, as governments in bauxite-rich regions tighten rules to encourage local refining. In the first half of 2025, alumina production across Asia and Africa reached 49.07 million tonnes, a 6.1 per cent increase from 46.26 million tonnes in the same period of 2024 and a 10.5 per cent rise from 44.41 million tonnes in 2023. The year began on a strong note, with output including China at 8.58 million tonnes in January, but volumes slipped to 8.03 million tonnes by June,...
LME aluminium dips 0.21% as stronger supply outweighs demand support
Aluminium prices rose on Thursday, August 20, leading other base metals, as falling stocks and stronger demand from China supported the market. But the rise was held back by an increase in global supply. At the London Metal Exchange (LME), cash aluminium bid stood at USD 2,566 per tonne, down 0.21 per cent from USD 2,571.5 per tonne a day earlier, while the cash offer price also dropped by 0.21 per cent per cent to USD 2,567 per tonne from USD 2,572.5 on August 19. The three-month contract also eased slightly, with the bid and offer both falling 0.23 per cent, to USD 2,567 per tonne and USD 2,568 per tonne, respectively. Far-dated contracts were broadly stable. The December 2026 bid edged down 0.04 per cent to USD 2,622 per tonne from USD 2,623 per tonne, while the offer price slipped by...
Global Aluminium Ingot Prices tumble in Q2 2025 amid tariffs, oversupply, and weak demand
Aluminium markets endured a turbulent first half of 2025, with ingot prices slumping sharply in the second quarter across North America, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. Oversupply, sluggish downstream demand, and rising inventories all weighed heavily, while US tariff policy further unsettled trade flows. The pressure intensified in July as Washington doubled tariffs on aluminium imports to 50 per cent, a move that disrupted supply chains and reshaped price dynamics. North America: tariffs, stockpiling, and demand weakness In North America, the Aluminium Ingot Price Index fell nearly 18 per cent in the second quarter compared with the first, reflecting the combined impact of oversupply and weaker demand. Importers had accelerated stockpiling ahead of the Section 232 tariff hike in June, leaving...
LME aluminium offer price drops to $2,586.5/t as US tariff expansion and rising inventories drag prices
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices fell on August 18 as expanded US import tariffs and rising inventories pressured the market. The LME aluminium cash bid price was USD 2,586 per tonne on August 18, down from USD 2,599 per tonne on August 15 , while the cash offer price stood at USD 2,586.5 per tonne, compared with USD 2,600 per tonne previously — a decline of 0.50 per cent. The 3-month contract declined 0.75 per cent, with the bid price at USD 2,582 per tonne and the offer price at USD 2,583 per tonne, compared to USD 2,601.5 and USD 2,602 per tonne earlier. Forward contracts also weakened. The December 26 bid fell 0.68 per cent to USD 2,630 per tonne, while the offer slipped to USD 2,635 per tonne, down from USD 2,648 per tonne and USD 2,653 per tonne on August 15. The LME...
Australia’s solar success is creating scrap heaps — can recycling catch up?
Australia’s clean energy surge is powering homes and reshaping skylines with solar projects and modern construction — but behind the progress lies a growing waste challenge, as aluminium scrap and discarded solar panels continue to pile up. Each year, an estimated 4 million solar panels are removed from rooftops across the country, yet less than 5 per cent are recycled according to The Smart Energy Council (SEC). Without urgent intervention, experts warn solar waste could nearly double in the next five years — from 59,340 tonnes in 2025 to 91,165 tonnes by 2030. Solar panels are taken down due to malfunctions, performance drops, or early upgrades, while fragile roofs and safety regulations further contribute, often resulting in panels being removed well before their expected lifespan. One...
Century Aluminum bets big on Jamalco with $30M push to cut costs, boost output
Century Aluminum, the US primary aluminium producer, is preparing to pour up to USD 30 million into its Jamaican alumina refinery, Jamalco, in 2026, a move aimed at slashing energy costs and restoring the plant to full strength. The update came during the company’s latest investor call. Century’s executive vice-president, CFO and treasurer, Peter Trpkovski, outlined the plans, “For our 55 per cent interest, I’d expect USD 10 million to USD15 million in sustaining operations, and another USD 10 million to USD 15 million in investments at Jamalco next year.” The Government of Jamaica retains the remaining 45 per cent of Jamalco, which sits in Halse Hall, Clarendon. Trpkovski said work is advancing on the long-awaited turbine generator, alongside other initiatives to push Jamalco back into...
Tariffs and trade shifts: how US policy split aluminium markets in China and the UK
When aluminium prices slipped on both the Shanghai and London exchanges this week, it wasn’t just another market wobble, it was the latest chapter in a trade saga that has stretched over seven years. What began with a modest tariff in 2018 has grown into a protectionist wall, reshaping how the world’s two biggest aluminium players, China and the UK sell into the American market. On August 18, US tariffs expanded to cover more aluminium products at a steep 50 per cent rate, just as Chinese smelters reported yet another rise in production. The result was swift: Shanghai’s most-traded aluminium contract fell 0.82 per cent to yuan 20,570 (USD 2,864 a tonne), a two-week low, while London prices slipped 0.4 per cent to USD 2,596.50. For producers, it was a reminder that tariffs and supply gluts...
NTPC Renewable Energy invites bids for 300 MW solar project in Goa, expanding India’s renewable push
NTPC Renewable Energy has opened the bidding process for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 300 MW grid-connected solar project in Goa, India. Image used for representational purpose Bids are to be submitted by August 26, 2025, with the same date set for opening. An earnest money deposit of INR 200 million is required from participating bidders. The selected contractor will handle the design, engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of the solar project. Operation and maintenance (O&M) services will also be required for three years. Bidders must secure and transfer ownership or lease encumbrance-free land and arrange grid connectivity at the designated substations. Also read: ALuminium Wires & Cables - Insights & Forecast to 2030...
Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II gets sleeker with Urban Automotive’s carbon fibre makeover
Rolls-Royce makes extensive use of aluminium in its vehicle architecture, taking advantage of its lightweight nature and exceptional acoustic properties. Image Source: Rolls-Royce The aluminium structure reduces the car’s overall weight, enhancing handling, fuel efficiency, and performance, while its higher acoustic impedance compared to steel helps minimize external noise, preserving the serene, quiet ride that defines the brand. The aluminium space-frame architecture, known as the "Architecture of Luxury," is highly flexible and scalable, accommodating different models from the Phantom to the Cullinan SUV. Engineers optimise the material’s acoustic and structural properties using extrusions and complex internal designs, avoiding flat surfaces that can create resonances. Also read: World...
Rusal posts $87M loss in H1 2025 despite 32% revenue surge — what went wrong?
Global aluminium market turbulence, rising costs, and a stronger rouble pushed Rusal into a USD 87 million net loss in the first half of 2025, reversing a USD 565 million profit in H1 2024. The company reported that its operational and financial performance came under pressure as domestic lending conditions tightened and the rouble strengthened by nearly 23 per cent, driving up profit tax expenses. A 2.4-fold increase in interest expenses also weighed on results. The impact of these factors was partially offset by a slight increase in global aluminium demand and generally positive price trends. H1 2025 revenue rose by USD 1,825 million, or 32 per cent year-on-year, to USD 7,520 million from USD 5,695 million in H1 2024, driven by a 21.7 per cent increase in primary aluminium and alloy...
Brisbane mall installs 250 kW solar canopy in just three weeks
Aluminium’s strength and adaptability are transforming the way solar power is integrated into commercial spaces, exemplified by a Brisbane shopping centre that now features a 250 kW prefabricated solar shade structure completed in only three weeks. Image used for reprentational purpose Widely used in solar canopies for its lightweight strength, corrosion resistance and recyclability, aluminium forms the backbone of the Warner Marketplace installation delivered by Sydney-based Canyon Solar in partnership with Smart Commercial Solar and Woolworths. The project used 36 prefabricated pods mounted on 11 columns, each anchored with screw pier foundations, some reaching depths of up to 9 metres due to poor ground conditions. The structure is fully waterproof, incorporates integrated lighting and...
LME aluminium cash price falls to $2,607.5/t; opening stocks edge up to 479,675t
London Metal Exchange aluminium prices fell on August 14 across spot and forward contracts compared to the previous session. The LME aluminium cash bid price dropped USD 17.5 or 0.67 per cent to USD 2,607.5 per tonne, while the LME cash offer price fell USD 17.5 or 0.67 per cent to USD 2,608.5 per tonne from August 13 levels of USD 2,625 per tonne and USD 2,626 per tonne respectively. The three-month bid slid USD 21.5 or 0.82 per cent to USD 2,608 per tonne, and the offer declined USD 21.5 or 0.82 per cent to USD 2,608.5 per tonne from USD 2,629.5 per tonne and USD 2,630 per tonne. The December 2026 bid price was down USD 17 or 0.64 per cent to USD 2,653 per tonne, and the offer dropped USD 17 or 0.64 per cent to USD 2,658 per tonne, compared with USD 2,670 per tonne and USD 2,675 per...
US aluminium scrap: will growing recovery and imports be enough?
The US aluminium market is navigating a period of shifting dynamics, as scrap recovery rates, rising import volumes, and longer-term supply considerations converge to influence its trajectory. In the first four months of 2025, the US recovered 1.222 million tonnes of aluminium from scrap up 2.7 per cent from 1.19 million tonnes during the same period in 2024. April 2025 marked a downturn in US aluminium scrap recovery, falling 7.4 per cent to 277,000 tonnes from 299,000 tonnes a year earlier. This drop followed two strong months, March saw an 8.3 per cent increase to 327,000 tonnes, while February jumped 9.6 per cent to 321,000 tonnes. January had started the year on a steady note at 297,000 tonnes, just 0.3 per cent higher than in January 2024. Imports of aluminium also saw a notable...
LME aluminium cash offer price rises to $2,605/t; alumina platts holds steady at $368.76/t.
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) showed a steady upward movement on August 12, with both cash and forward contracts posting gains compared to the previous day. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed by 0.68 per cent to USD 2,603 per tonne from USD 2,585.5 on August 11, while the cash offer price rose 0.73 per cent to USD 2,605 per tonne from USD 2,586.5 per tonne. Similarly, the 3-month bid price increased by 0.73 per cent to USD 2,610 per tonne and the 3-month offer price gained 0.81 per cent to USD 2,610.5 per tonne up from USD 2,591 per tonne and USD 2,591.5 per tonne respectively on August 11. Forward contracts for December 2026 also saw modest gains, with the bid price rising 0.56 per cent to USD 2,658 per tonne and the offer price increasing 0.57 per cent to USD...
