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.
Americas fuel Ardagh’s Q2 2025 growth as European momentum slows
Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A.’s second-quarter 2025 performance revealed a clear regional contrast, with strong momentum in the Americas outpacing limited modest progress in Europe. Demand for beverage cans in North and South America surged, led by continued strength in non-alcoholic categories and 12 per cent growth in Brazil. This translated into a 21 per cent year-on-year revenue increase for the Americas, reaching USD 840 million, and a 34 per cent jump in Adjusted EBITDA to USD 133 million, boosted by strong volume mix and lower operational costs. Europe, by contrast, saw revenue growth of 9 per cent to USD 615 million, but Adjusted EBITDA declined by 3 per cent to USD 77 million. The region faced challenges such as lower input cost recovery and temporary metal timing misalignments,...
Trump’s conscious move to exempt aluminium scrap from tariff is reflecting on booming recycling market
When the US slapped a steep 50 per cent tariff on imported aluminium earlier this year, it was pitched as a bold step to revive the country’s flagging smelters and bring metal production back home. But on the ground, something quite different is happening: scrapyards, not smelters are thriving. Across the country, aluminium recyclers are experiencing a surge in demand as manufacturers look for ways to cut costs amid spiking metal prices. With tariffs driving up the price of imported primary aluminium, many downstream industries are shifting toward recycled aluminium, which is cheaper, faster to process, and conveniently free from trade restrictions. With import prices soaring, especially in the US Midwest, manufacturers are facing higher input costs. The Platts Midwest aluminium premium...
With Guinea restrategising its mining, is Ghana ready to anchor India’s bauxite imports?
India’s bauxite import is witnessing a turning point in 2025, as Ghana makes its debut as a key bauxite exporter, filling the void left by Guinea’s sudden export slump. Image for representational purpose According to data from the Ministry of Commerce, India imported 0.31 million tonnes of bauxite in Q1 2025, a staggering 76 per cent decline compared to 1.28 million tonnes in the same period last year. The plunge underscores both external supply constraints and internal realignments in India's aluminium industry. But despite the overall quarterly decline, March 2025 witnessed a brief rebound, with imports rising to 0.19 million tonnes, a 13 per cent year-on-year increase. Also read: Global Bauxite and Alumina Industry Outlook 2025 for deeper insights. Guinea’s collapse, Ghana’s gain The...
LME aluminium offer price rises to $2,645/t and platts alumina holds steady at $368.52/t
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) saw a slight increase on July 23, with both cash and 3-month contract rates moving up from the previous day. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 2,643 per tonne, up 0.19 per cent from USD 2,638 per tonne on July 22. The cash offer price also climbed to USD 2,645 per tonne, a 0.25 per cent increase from the previous day's USD 2,638.5 per tonne. Similarly, the 3-month bid price advanced by 0.32 per cent, moving from USD 2,638 per tonne to USD 2,646.50 per tonne, while the 3-month offer price inched up 0.27 per cent to USD 2,647 per tonne, compared to USD 2,640 per tonne a day earlier. In the longer-dated contracts, the December 26 bid price rose slightly to USD 2,670 per tonne, up 0.07 per cent from USD 2,668 per tonne, and...
Aluminium margins improve as alumina costs slide, says RHB
RHB Investment Bank Bhd (RHB Research) has reaffirmed its OVERWEIGHT rating on the Basic Materials sector, placing Press Metal Aluminium Holdings (PMAH) as its top pick amid improving fundamentals for aluminium smelters. The research house is optimistic about the sector’s trajectory, supported by falling input costs, stable demand, and tight global supply even as US-imposed tariffs inject some uncertainty. Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) have shown resilience, rebounding to around USD2,600 per tonne after dipping to USD2,300 in April post-tariffs. RHB expects aluminium prices to remain firm over the next three years, underpinned by capped output in China and energy-related delays in European smelter expansions. A key driver of improved margins for producers like PMAH,...
Next-gen solar panels built for Rajasthan heat aim to power India’s green future
In a major push to power Rajasthan’s clean energy transition, Solex Energy Limited has launched two new high-performance solar modules built specifically for India’s weather conditions. Image for representational purpose The announcement was made at a high-profile event attended by Chairman and Managing Director Chetan Shah, Whole-time Director Piyush Chandak, and Director Vipul Shah. The company’s first offering, the Tapi R, marks India’s inaugural module built with rectangular N-Type TOPCon cells. With a power output between 595–625watts and an impressive 23.14 per cent efficiency, the module uses 132 half-cut rectangular cells to enhance energy generation, boost low-light response, and maintain performance even in high temperatures. The panel also comes with a 12-year product warranty...
Are Europe’s airlines stuck as Boeing and Airbus struggle to deliver?
European air travel, particularly short-haul flights, is facing mounting challenges due to persistent aircraft delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus. These bottlenecks are threatening to limit traffic growth, raise operating costs, and undermine environmental targets for the rest of the decade. Image for representational purpose In its Q1 FY2026 update, Ryanair reported a 4 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger volumes and a consistent load factor of 94 per cent, yet it projected only a 3 per cent growth in full-year traffic to 206 million passengers, citing heavily delayed Boeing deliveries. Ryanair stated, "We believe European short-haul capacity will remain constrained for the next five years to 2030 as the big two OEMs remain well behind on aircraft deliveries." In the first half...
Tariffs slam GM: will shifting production to the US reverse a $1.1 billion hit?
General Motors is facing one of its toughest quarters in recent times, as trade tensions take a direct toll on its global operations. The company reported a 35.4 per cent drop in second-quarter profit, with a USD 1.1 billion dent attributed to new US tariffs on imported vehicles and raw materials. The automaker earned USD 1.9 billion in Q2, down from the previous year, while revenue slipped to USD 47.1 billion. And while the results edged past analyst expectations, GM issued a clear warning that the second half of 2025 won’t be easy. Two full quarters of tariff pressure, higher costs for vehicle launches, and slower seasonal demand are expected to weigh heavily on performance. The pressure on GM is most evident in its aluminium-intensive supply chain. Aluminium is a critical material in...
From glass to cans: AGI Greenpac’s ₹1,000 crore leap into aluminium sparks market buzz
As India’s beverage and lifestyle sectors continue to shift toward premium packaging, AGI Greenpac is making a bold play to tap into this rising demand not just with glass, but now with aluminium too. Image for representational purpose The company on Tuesday unveiled plans to invest INR 1,000 crore as it ventures into aluminium can manufacturing. The news, coupled with a strong quarterly earnings report, sent AGI Greenpac shares soaring nearly 15 per cent, closing at INR 972.85 on the BSE. The company will set up the new manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh with plans to produce 1.6 billion aluminium beverage cans annually. The rollout will happen in two phases: the first stage, adding 950 million cans per year, is expected to be operational by the third quarter of FY 2027-28. The full...
South32 to impair Mozal Aluminium smelter amid power supply uncertainty
The future of Mozambique’s Mozal Aluminium Smelter is under a cloud, with South32 set to write down the value of its majority stake due to unresolved power supply issues. After six years of unsuccessful negotiations for a new electricity agreement, the company now faces growing doubts over the smelter’s long-term viability. Image credit: South32 The company said it will record an impairment charge in its 2025 financial results, citing rising uncertainty over the smelter’s operations beyond March 2026. Aluminium production is highly power-dependent, and without a new, affordable supply agreement in place, South32 is reassessing Mozal’s long-term value. South32 stated, “We have been working with the government of Mozambique, HCB, and Eskom for the last six years to secure electricity supply...
Japan’s small firms brace for Trump’s tariff threats
As the Trump administration pushes ahead with plans to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Japanese imports including vehicles, steel, and aluminium from August 1, Japan’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are gearing up for impact. Image for representational purpose Tokyo-based Mitsuwa Electric, a 92-year-old precision parts maker led by Yuji Miyazaki, is one such firm. Despite the rising trade tensions, Miyazaki remains optimistic that his firm can weather the disruption. Miyazaki told AFP, “We are providing very specialised products for specialised industries, where it is difficult to change suppliers or supplying countries just because of boosted tariffs. I’m not worried too much, because if American companies can’t produce parts on their own, they have no choice but to import those...
Aluminium offer price hits $2,649/t on LME as market trends upward
Aluminium gained ground on the LME between July 18 and July 21, with key contract prices rising over 2 per cent amid steady demand and marginal inventory increases. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed 2.22 per cent to USD 2,648.50 per tonne on July 21, compared to USD 2,591 per tonne on July 18. The cash offer price followed closely, rising from USD 2,591.50 per tonne to USD 2,649 per tonne. Prices for the 3-month contract strengthened as well. The bid increased by 1.89 per cent to USD 2,644 per tonne, while the offer rose 1.93 per cent to USD 2,646 per tonne, up from USD 2,595 per tonne and USD 2,596 per tonne respectively. Longer-dated contracts also saw gains. The December 26 bid price rose 1.44 per cent to USD 2,673 per tonne, while the offer moved up to USD 2,678 per tonne, from...
Bahrain’s $7bn Boeing order highlights resilient US trade partnerships
The US Department of Commerce signed a landmark commercial agreement between Boeing and Bahrain’s Gulf Air for the purchase of up to eighteen 787 Dreamliner aircraft, valued at USD 7 billion. The deal is expected to support more than 400,000 US jobs during production and delivery, reinforcing Gulf Air’s commitment to operating an all-Boeing widebody fleet. Image Source: International Trade Administration Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said, “Today’s deal between Boeing and Gulf Air is yet another example of how companies are working with this administration to invest in America at historic levels. American workers, industry, and technology are the best in the world, and this deal demonstrates that.” The agreement adds to a record-breaking year for US commercial deals, with 87...
Maan Aluminium’s stock surges over 60% since March—what’s fuelling the comeback?
Maan Aluminium, a manufacturer and trader of aluminium profiles, has seen a sharp rise in its stock price to INR 122.95 (USD 1.43) as of July 21, marking a significant recovery from earlier lows this year. Image for representational purpose The stock’s recent surge follows a challenging period beginning in late February 2025. On February 25, Maan Aluminium was trading at INR 97.50 (USD 1.12) but quickly slipped amid sector volatility and broader market weakness. After a market holiday on February 26, the stock declined further to INR 92.74 (USD 1.06) on February 27, then dropped below INR 90 (USD 1.03) and closed at INR 89.56 (USD 1.03) by February 28. The downtrend continued into March, culminating in a 52-week low of INR 75.51 (USD 0.88) on March 28. However, the tide began to turn...
Turning cans into care: how Erie Trap and Release is saving cats and the planet
At first glance, a pile of empty soda cans might seem insignificant, but for Erie Trap and Release, those aluminium scraps are a vital resource. This dedicated local non-profit organisation is on a mission to humanely manage Erie’s feral cat population through a trap-neuter-release (TNR) programme. Image for representational purpose Their work involves nurturing stray cats, by providing essential medical treatments such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, and then returning the animals safely to their outdoor homes. But providing this level of care requires funding. Rather than seeking traditional donations, the organisation is asking for something a little more surprising: your used aluminium cans. Aluminium is not just recyclable, it’s infinitely recyclable, meaning it can be...
Can Southeast Asia’s export economy withstand tightening US tariffs?
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BoI) has announced strategic measures to help local manufacturers navigate the growing trade tensions with the US. In response to newly imposed US tariffs, the BoI has ceased promotional incentives for solar panel production, citing the industry's vulnerability to trade shifts and lack of technological advancement. Image for representational purpose According to Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BoI, the decision is part of an effort to focus support on higher-tech sectors. Instead of promoting full photovoltaic (PV) panel assembly, the BoI is now encouraging investment in components such as aluminium frames, tempered glass, and silicon solar cells. These component manufacturers continue to benefit from corporate tax breaks and import duty...
With the August 1 deadline looming, can the EU and US avoid a full-blown trade war?
As trade tensions between the European Union and the US reach a critical point, the EU is preparing a second wave of retaliatory tariffs targeting billions of dollars in US exports each year. This move comes amid stalled negotiations and the looming threat of the US imposing steep 30 per cent tariffs on nearly all EU goods starting August 1. Caught off guard by the sudden threat of these duties, the European Commission swiftly responded with plans to impose counter tariffs on US exports valued at EUR 72 billion, a measure that could also impact the EU’s own economy. With both sides gearing up for a potential trade showdown, the stakes are higher than ever for industries on both continents. What is the EU’s second retaliatory tariff package? The European Commission has tabled plans to...
Aluminium offer price drops up to 0.43% across LME contracts; stocks rise by 3,675 tonnes
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) edged lower across key contracts on July 17, with spot, 3-month, and December 2026 prices all registering modest declines. The LME aluminium cash bid price fell to USD 2,556.50 per tonne, marking a USD 11 drop or 0.43 per cent decline from USD 2,567.50 per tonne on July 16. The cash offer settlement price also dipped by 0.43 per cent, from USD 2,568 per tonne to USD 2,557 per tonne. In the forward market, the 3-month aluminium bid price stood at USD 2,560.50 per tonne, down USD 5.50 or approximately 0.21 per cent from USD 2,566 per tonne a day earlier. The 3-month offer price followed suit, decreasing by 0.23 per cent to USD 2,561 per tonne, compared to USD 2,567 per tonne on July 16. Longer-dated contracts also recorded a dip. The...
