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THDC invites bids for 53.9 MWac solar project in Karnataka, boosting aluminium demand
THDC India Limited has launched a tender for a 53.9 MWac (72.8 MWp) ground-mounted solar photovoltaic (PV) project to be set up within the premises of the KPCL Thermal Plant (RTPS) in Karnataka. Image used for representational purpose The project, valued at an estimated INR 220.24 crore including GST, covers both construction and a three-year comprehensive operation and maintenance (O&M) period after the plant becomes fully operational. The tender is restricted to “Class-I local suppliers” and will follow a single-stage, two-envelope electronic bidding process, with technical and financial bids submitted separately online. Following bid submission, an electronic reverse auction will be held to determine the winning contractor. Bidding timelines and terms Tender documents: Available from...
Soaring scrap costs, tariffs cut Novelis Q1 profit— what’s behind the 13% sales rise?
Novelis, the US based aluminium producer, reported weaker earnings for the first quarter of fiscal 2026, which ended June 30, 2025, as higher scrap costs and tariff impacts offset volume gains. Net income attributable to common shareholders dropped 36 per cent to USD 96 million from USD 151 million a year earlier, largely due to restructuring charges and softer operating performance, partially cushioned by favourable metal price lag. Adjusted EBITDA fell 17 per cent year-on-year to USD 416 million from USD 500 million, while rolled product shipments edged up 1 PER CENT to 963 kilotonnes. Adjusted EBITDA per tonne in Q1 FY26 fell 18 per cent to USD 432 million. Excluding special items, net income was USD 116 million, down 43 per cent. The decline was driven by higher aluminium scrap...
Trump aluminium tariffs shake the industry — how are SMEs surviving the storm?
The Trump administration’s aluminium tariffs starting at 25 per cent in March 2025 and doubling to 50 per cent by June have reshaped global aluminium trade, rattling supply chains and upending industry dynamics. Major players like Alcoa, Rio Tinto, Rusal, Chalco, and Hindalco Industries have absorbed staggering costs. Alcoa alone reported USD 115 million in tariff-related expenses in Q2 2025, while Rio Tinto faced losses exceeding USD 300 million in just six months, heavily impacted by Canadian exports destined for the US market. These tariffs have not only squeezed profit margins but also forced large firms to rethink their strategies. Many have rerouted shipments to Europe and Asia, invested in tariff-resilient segments such as aluminium for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, and deferred...
BMW, Ford, Tesla, and Audi are reshaping car design with aluminium at the forefront
Aluminium has gone from being just another metal in cars to a key player shaping the auto industry’s future. Its light weight, strength, resistance to rust, and ability to be recycled without losing its quality makes it vital for improving fuel efficiency, boosting EV range, and reducing emissions over a vehicle’s lifetime. Image for representational purpose Al Circle values the automotive aluminium market at USD 97.86 billion in 2024 and projects it will almost double to USD 205.24 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 9.7 per cent between 2025 and 2032. The sector’s growth is fuelled by increasing adoption of lightweight, high-performance, and sustainable materials across the automotive industry. According to other sources, the market maintained a clear upward trajectory between 2020...
LME aluminium cash price falls to $ 2,608.50/t and opening stocks climb to 470,575 tonnes
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices softened on August 8 from the previous session, while stocks posted a marginal rise. The LME aluminium cash bid price fell to USD 2,608.50 per tonne on August 8, down 0.31 per tonne from USD 2,616.50 per tonne, and the cash offer slipped to USD 2,609 per tonne, down 0.31 per cent from USD 2,617 per tonne. The 3-month bid of LME aluminium declined to USD 2,610 per tonne down 0.27 per cent from USD 2,617 per tonne while the 3-month cash price eased to USD 2,610.50 per tonne down 0.32 per cent from USD 2,619 per tonne. Forward contracts also weakened, with the December 2026 bid price down to USD 2,658 per tonne a drop of 0.45 per cent from USD 2,670 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,663 per tonne down 0.45 per cent from USD 2,675 per tonne. The...
From metal to experience: aluminium’s role in the next generation of mechanical keyboards
Aluminium has become a material of choice in the world of mechanical and custom keyboards, valued for its strength, durability, and premium feel. Its rigid structure reduces flex during typing, improving accuracy and stability, while its resistance to scratches, dents, and corrosion ensures a longer product lifespan. Image for representational purpose Each keyboard case typically uses between 700 grams and just under 1 kilogram of aluminium, depending on the layout and any added metal weights. The metal’s ability to dissipate heat also supports long-term performance, and its polished or anodised finishes add to the visual appeal. Enthusiasts often appreciate aluminium’s influence on acoustics, as its stiffness can produce a clean, resonant typing sound. Tapping into these advantages,...
Port of Oswego’s FTZ offers temporary lifeline as US tariffs squeeze Canadian aluminium trade
The 50 per cent tariffs imposed by the US on Canadian aluminium since June 4, 2025, have sharply increased costs for Canadian producers, who supply about half of the aluminium used in the US. The higher duties have driven price inflation across supply chains, caused supply disruptions, and put roughly 8,700 direct Canadian aluminium production jobs at risk. At the Port of Oswego, importers are using its Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) designation to partially offset the blow. Granted in 2023, the FTZ status allows companies to delay or reduce tariff payments under certain conditions, offering temporary relief amid volatile trade conditions. Port Authority Interim Director Tom Schneider said companies stockpiled material ahead of the tariffs, first after election day and again when the Trump...
NALCO Q1 profit climbs 77% to ₹1,064 crore as bauxite transport rises 6.56% and alumina output surges
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, has started FY26 on a strong note, with net profit climbing 77 per cent year-on-year to INR 1,064 crore in Q1 from INR 601 crore in Q1 FY25. The earnings surge comes as India’s aluminium industry benefits from rising demand, cost efficiencies, and stronger export markets. Revenue from operations rose 33 per cent to INR 3,806.94 crore from INR 2,856.10 crore, while total income increased to INR 3,930.45 crore from INR 2,916.62 crore. Profit before tax grew 75 per cent to INR 1,429.27 crore from INR 817 crore, and earnings per share rose to INR 5.70 from INR 3.20. Also read: NALCO’s FY2025 net profit posts triple-digit growth, breaking all previous records Sequentially, revenue fell 28 per cent from INR...
Tariff imbalance drives aluminium scrap outflows, putting Europe’s circular economy at risk
Despite a recent breakthrough in the EU-US tariff standoff, Europe’s aluminium recycling industry is sounding the alarm over a worsening crisis: the continued surge in aluminium scrap exports from the continent. While the deal marked a diplomatic easing of trade tensions, it left a critical issue unresolved, a widening market distortion that risks undermining Europe’s access to essential raw materials. The problem lies the current tariff structure. Under the revised agreement, aluminium products exported from the EU to the US still face steep tariffs of 50 per cent, whereas aluminium scrap is subject to a far lower tariff of 15 per cent. This disparity, industry leaders argue, creates a strong incentive to export scrap instead of higher-value products draining Europe’s recycling ecosystem...
EGA and ENEC launch UAE’s first nuclear-powered aluminium, advancing industrial decarbonisation with MinimAL
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, and Emirates Nuclear Energy Company (ENEC) have announced the UAE’s first delivery of aluminium manufactured using electricity generated from the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region. Image Source: EGA The breakthrough product, branded MinimAL, marks a significant step forward in the decarbonisation of heavy industry in the UAE and globally. The first batch of this low-carbon aluminium will be supplied to CANEX Aluminum, Egypt’s leading aluminium downstream producer, for use in infrastructure, solar energy, transportation, and architectural applications. Decarbonising aluminium through nuclear power Electricity generation accounts for around 60 per cent of the global aluminium...
Rio Tinto invests $180M in Norman Creek to extend Amrun mine life and replace aging bauxite mines
Rio Tinto has approved a USD 180 million investment for the development of the Norman Creek project at its Amrun bauxite mine on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula. Image source: Rio Tinto The initiative aims to access approximately 466 million tonnes of high-grade bauxite representing nearly half of Amrun’s 978 million tonne declared reserves with an average alumina content of 54.4 per cent. Work is already underway on key infrastructure, including a 19km haul road, accommodation facilities, and a communications tower. Production is expected to begin in 2027, with full construction completion anticipated by 2028. Rio Tinto Managing Director of Pacific Operations Aluminium Armando Torres said, “Norman Creek is another important step in securing the long-term future of our Weipa operations,...
LME aluminium cash price rises to $2,589/t; opening stock climbs to 467,925t
LME aluminium prices saw modest gains on August 6, with both spot and forward contracts reflecting upward momentum. Inventory levels also continued to rise, signalling a gradual build-up in supply. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 2,589 per tonne on August 6, marking a 0.84 per cent increase from USD 2,567.5 per tonne on August 5 . The cash offer price climbed by 0.84 per cent as well, from USD 2,568 per tonne to USD 2,589.5 per tonne. The 3-month bid price increased by 0.98 per cent, from USD 2,566 per tonne to USD 2,591 per tonne, while the 3-month offer price rose by 0.92 per cent, from USD 2,568 per tonne to USD 2,591.5 per tonne. Looking further ahead, the December 26 bid price jumped to USD 2,652 per tonne, up 1.03 per cent from USD 2,625 per cent while the December 26...
Bahrain loses ground in India’s alumina trade as China and France step up
India’s alumina trade landscape is witnessing a significant transformation, driven by expanding domestic capacity and a strategic shift away from traditional suppliers like Bahrain. The shift comes amid rising domestic alumina production and stabilising global market conditions, prompting Indian refiners to re-evaluate where and how they procure this essential input for aluminium smelting. According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, India imported just 155,563 tonnes of alumina during the financial year April 2024 to March 2025, a steep 66.27 per cent decline from the 461,078 tonnes recorded the previous year. This dramatic drop reflects both improved domestic output and a changing approach to trade partnerships. Monthly data further underscores this shift. Between January and May...
LME aluminium cash price eases to $ 2,567.50/t; opening stock rises to 466,025t
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) edged down on Tuesday, with slight movement across spot and futures contracts, while inventories saw a modest build and alumina prices slipped. The LME aluminium cash bid price slipped to USD 2,567.50 per tonne, down 0.27 per cent from USD 2,574.50 per tonne on Monday, August 4. The LME aluminium cash offer price followed suit, easing to USD 2,568 per tonne, a 0.27 per cent decrease from USD 2,575 per tonne the day prior. A similar trend was observed in the 3-month contract prices, with the bid falling to USD 2,566 per tonne (down 0.08 per cent) and the offer price to USD 2,568 per tonne (down 0.08 per cent) from USD 2,568 per tonne and USD 2,570 per tonne respectively, recorded on Monday. However, longer-dated contracts reflected a...
Bosnian company Boksit swings to profit in H1 2025 amid cost cuts and rising bauxite demand
Bosnian bauxite miner Boksit reported a net profit of 4.7 million marka (USD 2.8 million / EUR 2.4 million) for the first half of 2025, a sharp turnaround from 791,013 marka in the same period last year, the company announced last week. Image for representational purpose The strong profit performance came despite a 43.5 per cent year-on-year fall in total revenue to 15 million marka, highlighting the impact of aggressive cost-cutting measures. Total expenses dropped by 59.8 per cent, reaching 10.4 million marka, enabling the company to operate more efficiently amid challenging market conditions. The first-half rebound follows a tough 2024, when Boksit recorded a net loss of 6.8 million marka (USD 3.8 million/EUR 3.5 million), reversing a profit of 1.4 million marka in 2023. Last year’s...
Copper slips as aluminium gains momentum in 2025 metals market shift
Throughout 2024 and continuing into 2025, copper markets have been unsettled by US trade investigations and persistent ore supply constraints, particularly in China, the world’s largest consumer and producer of copper. But it’s not just copper, global non-ferrous (and ferrous) metals are witnessing a broader transformation. Investors and industries are increasingly pivoting from copper to aluminium, prompted by raw material shortages, elevated market volatility, and shifting global trade policies. Copper under pressure: trade scrutiny and supply shortfalls The US government’s Section 232 investigation into copper imports has significantly disrupted the market, sparking price volatility and triggering a sharp drop in fund participation. CME copper futures contracts plummeted from 134,000...
ANB Metal Cast IPO opens August 8, eyes INR 49.9 crore for growth and expansion
Gujarat based aluminium extrusion products manufacturer ANB Metal Cast is set to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on August 8, marking the ninth SME IPO this week. The IPO will open in the price range of INR 148–INR 156 per share and close on August 12, while the anchor book for institutional investors opens on August 7. Shares will be listed on NSE Emerge from August 18, with the IPO allotment date set for August 13. The company aims to raise INR 49.92 crore through a fresh issue of 32 lakh equity shares at the upper price band. Sun Capital Advisory Services is acting as the merchant banker for the issue. IPO funds to boost capacity and capabilities Proceeds from the IPO will primarily support the company’s manufacturing expansion, with INR 13.7 crore allocated to construct an...
Recent Thai-Cambodian border clashes: a threat to trade stability?
Despite ongoing border tensions and temporary checkpoint closures, trade between Thailand and Cambodia saw notable growth in early 2025, reflecting both resilience and underlying fragility in their cross-border economic ties. According to data released by Thailand’s Commerce Ministry on Monday, bilateral trade rose by 3.33 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, reaching baht 95.147 billion, even as geopolitical tensions began to strain logistics and erode market confidence. The 2025 conflict between Thailand and Cambodia was triggered in late May when a Cambodian soldier was killed, reigniting a long-standing territorial dispute. The situation escalated sharply on July 24, when heavy fighting broke out. By July 27, clashes had spread to 12 border locations, resulting in...
