AlCircle News Edited By "Debanjali Sengupta"
Debanjali Sengupta is a passionate content writer with 10 years of experience in Business writing, Web Content writing, Blogging, Editing and Research. She is responsible for generating and editing content for AlCircle Newsletter and other online and offline content for enhancing the brand value and its visibility among global users.
From drivers to decliners – Unlike Q1 2025, China and Europe’s alumina output slips in April, dragging global production down
In April 2025, the world alumina production, including chemical and metallurgical-grade, totalled 12.407 million tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month downfall of 2.48 per cent from 12.723 million tonnes, found the International Aluminium Institute. Of the total alumina output, metallurgical-grade production volume was 11.614 million tonnes, which was also down by 3 per cent M-o-M from 11.974 million tonnes. Meanwhile, the chemical-grade alumina production in April 2025 registered an increase of 5.87 per cent from 749,000 tonnes to 793,000 tonnes. Even on an annual basis, the world’s chemical-grade alumina production grew by 3.12 per cent from 769,000 tonnes, and that of metallurgical-grade alumina output decreased by 3.83 per cent from 11.186 million tonnes. The output of...
US tariff-led aluminium price volatility hits Singapore construction industry, with its GDP contribution shrinking 5%
The Republic of Singapore, a vibrant island nation and city-state in Southeast Asia, boasts a robust construction industry, driven by government initiatives, technological advancements, and a focus on sustainability. The sector spans commercial, institutional, industrial, and infrastructure projects, positioning Singapore as a regional leader in construction. Moreover, recent investments in renewable energy infrastructure to achieve a solar energy capacity of 2GW by 2030 further bolster the industry's growth in the construction sector. According to market research firms like IMARC Group and Next Move Strategy Consulting, Singapore’s construction market is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2 per cent from 2025 to 2033. Valued at approximately USD 31.18...
Shanghai Futures to host cast aluminium alloy options in response to market demand for sustainable alternatives
The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) is set to enter China's recycled metal futures market with the introduction of cast aluminium alloy futures and options. As reported on May 26, 2025, the exchange has secured approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission for this launch. The move is viewed as a long-term strategic initiative aimed at benefiting the global market by improving access to China’s cast aluminium alloy futures and options. China is the world’s largest producer and consumer of cast aluminium alloy, with an annual production capacity of about 13 million tonnes. According to the data from the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, China’s actual production of cast aluminium alloy in 2024 was 6.2 million tonnes, and an apparent consumption was 6.73 million...
Aluminium scrap recovery growth helps US maintain balance despite trade shifts
In February 2025, the United States recorded a 5.88 per cent month-on-month increase in aluminium scrap exports, reaching 162,000 tonnes compared to 153,000 tonnes in January, according to data published by the US Geological Survey (USGS). In contrast, aluminium scrap imports declined by 5.84 per cent month-on-month to 59,700 tonnes, down from 63,400 tonnes in the previous month. On a year-over-year basis, both exports and imports demonstrated upward trends. Aluminium scrap exports rose by 2.53 per cent from 158,000 tonnes in February 2024, while imports surged by 24.8 per cent from 50,800 tonnes. The uptick in export volume was likely driven by increased domestic aluminium scrap recovery, which totalled 321,000 tonnes in February, marking an 8 per cent rise from 297,000 tonnes in...
“In addition to new smelters, the United States should find ways to capture and recycle more aluminium scrap – something that can be done at a fraction of the cost of building new smelters,” Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association
In conversation with Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association, regarding US tariffs challenges, impacts, and solutions. Mr Meenan has candidly shared his opinion that the United States should find ways to capture and recycle more aluminium scrap - something that can be done at a fraction of the cost of building new smelters. He said this in the context of growing demand for aluminium in the US domestic market. According to him, domestic US aluminium demand remains 3.5 per cent higher than the last year and 10 per cent more than a decade ago. He also pointed out that the long-term demand for aluminium is expected to grow by 80 per cent globally by 2050. To know more about Matt Meenan's valuable insights, read the full interview below. AL Circle: How will...
NALCO’s FY2025 net profit posts triple-digit growth, breaking all previous records
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), the Navratna CPSE, under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has announced the financial results for FY2025, breaking all the previous records, including revenue and net profit. As per the audited results approved by the Board of Directors, NALCO has achieved a historic milestone, setting a new benchmark in net profit, amounting to INR 5,325 crore, up by 158 per cent Y-o-Y. The company’s revenue totalled INR 16,788 crore at the end of the financial year, recording the highest-ever figure. NALCO’s whopping net profit gain at the end of FY2025 followed a Y-o-Y surge of 105 per cent in Q4 from INR 1,016 crore to INR 2,078 crore. The revenue from operations also jumped 47 per cent from INR 3,579 crore in Q4 FY2024 to INR 5,268 crore in Q4...
Capral Aluminium’s Bremer Park extrusion facility celebrates two decades of shaping Australian industry
Capral Aluminium marks the 20th anniversary of its Bremer Park facility in Bundamba, Queensland, which also gives the company a reason to celebrate the evolution of Australia's aluminium extrusion industry. The facility was opened in 2005 as the largest extrusion plant in the Southern Hemisphere. Since then, it has stood tall as a symbol of Capral's commitment to innovation and local manufacturing excellence. Image source: Capral Aluminium The Bremer Park facility, which was built as part of Capral's USD 120 million-worth development project for rejuvenating Southeast Queensland's industrial landscape, has been a sign of modernisation with three state-of-the-art extrusion presses capable of manufacturing extruding profiles up to 420mm wide, 20kg/m weight, and 16m in length, utilising...
Howard Yu, CFO of Ball Corporation, decides to step down from his role effective June 30
Ball Corporation, an American aluminium can manufacturing company, will bid farewell to its Chief Financial Officer, Howard Yu, as he has decided to step down from his role effective June 30, 2025. While announcing the news with heavy heart, Ball Corporation clarified that the departure is pursuant to a mutual agreement and is not related to any disagreements concerning accounting practices, financial statements, internal controls or operations. When talking about the departure of his colleague, Daniel W. Fisher, chairman and chief executive officer, said, "We appreciate Howard's contributions during his tenure as chief financial officer. Under his leadership, the company strengthened its balance sheet and delivered on its financial commitments to shareholders. We thank him for nearly two...
World primary aluminium production declines 3% in April 2025, extending three-year trend
In April (30 days) 2025, the world's primary aluminium production decreased by 3.27 per cent M-o-M despite no decline recorded in daily average output. According to IAI, the world’s daily average aluminium production in April was 201,100 tonnes, remaining flat compared to 201,200 tonnes in March. However, on an annual basis, the output increased by 2.25 per cent, showed the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). Decoding the output trend of April According to IAI data, the world primary aluminium production in April was 6.033 million tonnes, compared to 6.237 million tonnes a month ago and 5.9 million tonnes a year earlier. Throughout the year so far, the world primary aluminium production recorded the second monthly fall, but it is important to analyse if this has been a trend over the...
India’s EV sales grow 45% in single month, supplementing aluminium demand - Who’s capitalising on the market?
Since the end of 2024, market analysts in India consistently signalled strong growth prospects in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, urging the manufacturing industry to gear up for a major transformation. A central narrative in this shift was the soaring demand for aluminium, a vital material used extensively in engine parts, chassis, body panels, and wheels. Even ex-Vedanta CEO John Slaven had highlighted last year that the growing impact of electric vehicles, particularly four-wheelers, on the aluminium industry. He had explicitly said, “I think (electric) four-wheelers is where we expect to see the largest growth. There’s more (aluminium) content per vehicle than in a two-wheeler. And then also, as the four-wheelers become electrified, there’s more aluminium per EV than there is per IC...
Hindalco closes FY2025 with record revenue, PAT, and Adjusted EBITDA on strong downstream aluminium performance
May 20, 2025: Hindalco Industries Limited announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended March 31, 2025, posting highest-ever revenue, profit after tax (PAT), and EBITDA. The results include the performance of both Hindalco and its subsidiary, Novelis, for the year 2025. Image source: Hindalco Industries Limited Hindalco – consolidated financial highlights In the last quarter of the financial year 2025, Hindalco’s revenue stood at INR 64,890 crore (USD 7.6 billion), bringing the full-year’s revenue to INR 238,496 crore (USD 27.86 billion). While the company’s Q4 revenue grew 16 per cent Y-o-Y, the full-year’s revenue rose 10 per cent. Profit after tax was INR 5,284 crore (USD 617 million) in Q4 FY2025, up by 66.5 per cent Y-o-Y from INR 3,174 crore (USD 371...
Switzerland cracks down harder on Russian aluminium imports – here’s why
Switzerland has reportedly banned the sale and import of Russia-origin aluminium in unwrought form, effective Thursday, May 15. The measure also extends to Belarusian aluminium, alongside new restrictions imposed on certain exports. This move by Switzerland is in line with the European Union's 16th sanctions package , introduced in February 2025, targeting imports of aluminium, military equipment, and all those vessels transporting Russian oil. The goal of the EU's sanctions was to undermine Russia's revenue streams and limit its ability to finance the war with Ukraine. Switzerland had implemented similar sanctions at the onset of the conflict three years ago. However, authorities observed Russian aluminium continued to enter the country indirectly, often routed through intermediaries...
India’s aluminium imports may double if US allies redirect their exports; Anil Agarwal calls for 12% safeguard duty
Vedanta Chairperson Anil Agarwal has reportedly called for imposing a 12 per cent safeguard duty on aluminium imports into India, similar to the one recently applied to steel. According to Agarwal, such a measure is essential to protect the domestic aluminium industry from a surge in cheap imports. Image source: Vedanta Aluminium In April, the Indian government introduced a safeguard duty on steel imports for 200 days, aimed at protecting local producers from an influx of low-quality steel. The move targets explicitly imports priced below the global benchmark. Agarwal is now urging the government to implement a similar safeguard on aluminium, arguing that India, a rapidly growing economy, is increasingly vulnerable to cheap imports. He pointed out that, with the United States no longer a...
With US tariffs and China’s cap curbing aluminium production and demand drives down LME prices, will buying interest return?
US tariffs are making their presence felt across the world, dampening aluminium demand as many producers are scaling back shipments in response to increased export duties imposed on them by the United States government. As a consequence, productions are becoming limited, notably reflected in the decline of primary aluminium output in North America, attributing to narrow profit margins as well. Tariffs, often a double-edged sword, are also pushing up end-user prices burdening consumers, weakening demand further. This is an AI-generated image, only for representational purpose In addition, aluminium production is constrained in China as it has already neared 45 million tonnes of cap, a limit imposed in 2017 to curb overcapacity. China is the world’s largest aluminium producer, including...
Why is Guinea revoking bauxite mining licence or withdrawing concession? Is this course correction or disruption ahead?
Guinea’s bauxite sector has drawn significant attention in recent years, with production nearing 130-137 million tonnes annually and multiple mining and infrastructure projects underway. Key developments include initiatives by Kebo Energy SA, GAC, and Arrow Minerals, along with the Trans-Guinean railway to streamline ore transport. But the Guinean government has recently moved to withdraw Kebo Energy SA’s mining concession, following EGA’s mining licence cancellation last week . Image source: EGA According to a recent report, Kebo has failed to meet its investment commitments, prompting the Guinean government to revoke the long-standing mining concession. Some sources close to Kebo also confirmed the news, citing shortfall to inadequate funding, including for a planned alumina refinery....
Americas’ analogue: South America posts alumina gains with 1.9% rise in production, while North America struggles under tariff pressure
This article highlights the sharp contrast between South and North America’s alumina production, offering an in-depth analysis of the region’s market dynamics against the backdrop of prevailing tariffs. In the first quarter of 2025, the total production of alumina across the Americas showed a downward trend compared to both the previous quarter and the same period last year. Data from the International Aluminium Institute reveals that output totalled 1.36 million tonnes, marking a 1.9 per cent decline from the previous quarter and a 0.87 per cent drop year-on-year. Of the total alumina production in Q1 across the Americas, North America accounted for 72 per cent with 979,000 tonnes of output, while South America contributed the rest with 381,000 tonnes. IAI data indicates alumina...
India proposes retaliatory tariff on US imports to recoup $1.91 billion cost: A realistic strategy or a far-fetched dream?
After prolonged consultations and bilateral discussions with the United States regarding the 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel exports, India has officially proposed the imposition of retaliatory duties under World Trade Organization (WTO) guidelines. These countermeasures, scheduled after 30 days from the notice, could take the form of suspending concessions previously extended to the US or adjusting tariff rates on select American imports. Through these measures, India aims to recover an estimated USD 1.9 billion, an amount it would require to pay to the US government for exporting USD 7.6 billion worth of aluminium and steel products. According to a WTO communication cited by a PTI report, "The safeguard measures would affect $7.6 billion worth of imports into the U.S. of...
Indian aluminium market sees strong buying momentum as NALCO gains 7.4%
The Indian aluminium market witnessed a strong upward trend on Monday, May 12, with significant gains in the stock prices of major players - NALCO, Hindalco, and Vedanta. Among these, NALCO emerged as the standout performer, with its stock price soaring by 7.4% over the weekend to surpass INR 168 (USD 1.98). Vedanta and Hindalco followed with gains of 7% and 3.8%, respectively. As of 2:36 PM IST, NALCO's share was traded at INR 168 (USD 1.98), representing a notable increase of INR 11.16 or 7.12% from its previous close on May 10. The intraday performance signaled strong market momentum and heavy buying interest. NALCO began the trading session at INR 162.39 (USD 1.91), up from its Friday close of INR 156.84 (USD 1.85). Throughout the day, it fluctuated between a low of INR 161.36 (USD...
