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.
Indo-Pak standoff: A repeat of aluminium trade disruptions like the Ukraine-Russia conflict?
Geo-political conflicts often have ripple effects on metal markets, disrupting trade flows and driving commodity price volatility. A clear example is the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, which has altered the dynamics of the global aluminium market. Firstly, within less than a month following the onset of the conflict in 2022, the aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) surged by 34 per cent, reaching almost USD 4000 per tonne in early March, then followed a wave of Western sanctions against Russia, triggering supply chain disruptions, increasing concentration of aluminium in London Metal Exchange (warehouses), potential shortages, and ultimately production cuts, especially in Europe, a region historically dependent on Russian aluminium. The Ukraine-Russia conflict has deeply...
Ma’aden reports no tariff-related disruptions in Q1, with strong gains in revenue and production
A Saudi state-owned mining company, Ma’aden, also known as Saudi Arabian Mining Co., has reported a strong operational performance for the first quarter of 2024, with a year-on-year increase in alumina, primary aluminium, and flat-rolled (FRP) production. Among all the products mentioned above, flat-rolled production recorded the highest increase of 48 per cent, followed by alumina 9 per cent, and primary aluminium 1 per cent. As per the figures revealed by the company, aluminium flat-rolled production totalled 72,000 tonnes in Q1 2025, compared to 57,000 tonnes in Q1 2024, while alumina and primary aluminium output amounted to 478,000 tonnes and 249,000 tonnes, respectively. Flat-rolled product sales volumes also surged 26 per cent Y-o-Y, boosting Ma’aden’s financial outcome, with...
Tariff fallout: US aluminium trade trends down with imports dampened by 12% in February 2025
There was widespread speculation that US aluminium imports might surge ahead of the 25 per cent tariff implementation on March 12, driven by businesses rushing to bring in shipments before the duty took effect. At the same time, concerns mounted over the potential impact of the tariffs on aluminium inflows, particularly from Canada, the United States’ largest supplier, accounting for 57 per cent of its total aluminium imports. Major American producers like Alcoa, which manufactures 70 per cent of its aluminium in Canada, also raised serious alarms about the possible consequences of the policy. Now, with the US import data for January and February 2025 available, it’s time to assess what actually happened. Did aluminium imports spike ahead of the tariff, or did the impending duty already...
Ball Corporation confirms US aluminium tariff impact on its Q1 2025 net earnings despite improved shipments
Ball Corporation, the world’s leading aluminium packaging manufacturer for beverage, personal care and household products, has announced the first quarter 2025 results, reporting a year-on-year decline in net earnings attributable to the corporation. According to the data revealed, net earnings in Q1 2025 were USD 179 million, compared to USD 3.69 billion a year ago. Image source: Ball Corporation Notably, net earnings decreased over the year despite increased sales from USD 2.87 billion in Q1 2024 to USD 3.1 billion in Q1 2025. However, the company’s comparable net earnings were relatively stable on a Y-o-Y basis, amounting to USD 216 million in Q1 2025 versus USD 217 million in Q1 2024. Ball’s chairman and chief executive officer, Daniel W. Fisher, acknowledges this decline is due to...
Rio Tinto extracts first primary gallium at Quebec alumina refinery, a strategic development amid China’s critical minerals export ban to the US
Rio Tinto, in collaboration with Indium Corporation, has reportedly extracted the first batch of primary gallium in its Vaudreuil alumina refinery in Quebec, the only refinery in Canada, as part of the move to produce commercial quantities of critical and strategic minerals present in the bauxite. Image source: Asian Scientist Magazine Gallium is a key input in semiconductors and high-performance electronics used in radar systems, smartphones, electric vehicles, and computing devices. With global production limited to approximately 600 metric tonnes annually, all sourced outside of North America, this project represents a strategic leap forward in reducing supply chain vulnerabilities for critical technologies. Also, this initiative comes at a pivotal moment, following China’s export ban...
China and Europe propel 5.6% growth in Q1 2025 global alumina production despite downturn elsewhere
According to the International Aluminium Institute, the world alumina production concluded the first quarter of 2025 with an annual increase of 5.61 per cent, totalling 75.42 million tonnes versus 71.41 million tonnes. This output volume encompassed both chemical and metallurgical-grade alumina. While the output of chemical-grade alumina amounted to 2.17 million tonnes, accounting for 2.9 per cent, the production of metallurgical-grade totalled 35.538 million tonnes, contributing 47.18 per cent to the total alumina output volume. Year-on-year, the world’s metallurgical-grade alumina production rose each month through the first quarter of 2025, demonstrating an increase of 5.9 per cent Y-o-Y from 33.552 million tonnes. In January, output rose 8 per cent over the year from 11.379 million...
Indian Govt rolls out revised quality control norms for aluminium and alloy products in under a year
In less than a year, the central government of India has yet again introduced an amendment to the quality control regulations for aluminium and aluminium alloy products, set to take effect on October 1, 2025. Under the new directive, several aluminium products will be subjected to updated quality checks. These include aluminium alloy tubes used for irrigation (such as welded tubes), EC grade aluminium rods made through continuous casting and rolling, and wrought aluminium and aluminium alloy bars, rods, and sections, among others. However, exemptions have been made for imported products used in research and development. Additionally, small enterprises are allowed to import products that do not comply with the new Quality Control Order (QCO) until January 1, 2026, while micro enterprises...
Alcoa’s Portland vs San Ciprián: One is confident for a decade, the other grapples with power outages, reflecting contrasting electricity landscapes
Amid a string of challenges like a projected USD 90 million loss in Q2, delays in the recommencement of the Kwinana refinery, and production setbacks at the San Ciprián aluminium smelter in Spain due to a power outage that has unsettled Alcoa itself as well as the global aluminium industry, the reassuring message about the Portland aluminium smelter in Victoria has brought a sense of relief. Chief Executive Officer William Oplinger has ruled out all the plans to shut down the facility for at least the next decade, announcing stark contrasting news to the troubled San Ciprián smelter, which faces disruptions even before resuming the full operations as planned. He expressed, "I am sick of closing sites. I am much more focused on the Portland side, of trying to make sure we can get it...
Vedanta ramps up aluminium production, capex and margin outlook
Following the record-breaking fiscal year 2025, marked by the highest-ever double-digit profits and all-time high aluminium production, Vedanta Limited announces yet another positive outlook for FY2026. The company anticipates its aluminium business to emerge as the most profitable segment in the coming year, with margins exceeding USD 1,000 per tonne level compared to the current USD 850 per tonne. Image source: Vedanta Aluminium With full conviction, Chief Financial Officer Ajay Goel said, "Our focus remains on aluminium. We are working on volume augmentation and cost completion." Vedanta's focus on the aluminium business is also indicated by its plans to allocate a major share of increased capex into the aluminium and power segment. Out of USD 1.7 billion capex budgeted for FY2026,...
US-Ukraine critical minerals deal: A fair exchange or strategic leverage?
The heated exchange of words for over two months between the US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ultimately led to a diplomatic breakthrough, culminating in a strategic agreement on critical minerals and other natural resources. The deal grants the United States long-term access to Ukraine’s critical minerals, while also guarantees continued defense support to Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Key provisions and mutual commitments The agreement, signed on Wednesday, April 30, includes key provisions such as the creation of a reconstruction fund for Ukraine – an initiative that Ukrainian officials hope will serve as a platform to secure ongoing American military support. While Ukraine is expected to contribute 50 per cent of all...
Vedanta breaks fiscal records in FY2025 with double-digit profits soaring to INR 20k crore
Vedanta Limited, a leading player in India’s metals and mining sector, has announced its financial and operational results for the fourth quarter of FY2025, ended March 31, showcasing robust performance in both financial metrics and production output. Financial outcome – outpaces previous benchmarks Thanks to favourable commodity prices and expense reduction strategy, Vedanta has seen the highest-ever quarterly profit after tax (PAT), recording a jump of 118 per cent Y-o-Y to INR 4,961 crore (USD 591.5 million). Revenue also stood the highest-ever at INR 39,789 crore (USD 4.74 billion), registering an increase of 14 per cent Y-o-Y. Quarterly EBITDA grew 30 per cent, reaching INR 11,618 crore (USD 1.4 billion), mainly driven by higher volumes and higher premiums but partly offset by input...
Alcoa under review! Tariffs, power outage, and delayed refinery restart cloud Q3 outlook, despite steady Q2 orders
On Thursday, May 1, the US aluminium giant Alcoa Corporation informed the media and stakeholders that its order book for the second quarter remains stable, despite US tariffs. CEO William Oplinger stated that the company has yet to observe any negative impact on bookings due to the tariffs; but could not give a positive outlook for the months to come, citing customer feedback that signals potential challenges ahead. Outlook under review amid tariffs and power outage In addition to the tariff pressure, Alcoa is now grappling with a new obstacle and that is power outage in Spain, which has disrupted operations at both its aluminum smelter and alumina refinery . The company is currently assessing the full extent of the operational and financial damage at its San Ciprián facility, the largest...
US alumina imports dip in 2024 despite Australia’s comeback — here's why and what to expect next
According to data from the US Geological Survey, the United States' imported 1.34 million tonnes of alumina in 2024, showing a slight decline from 1.36 million tonnes in 2023. This year-on-year dip occurred despite Australia emerging as one of the top suppliers of the ore to the US starting in the third quarter of the year. Quarterly performance: a mixed bag The United States’ alumina imports saw back-to-back growth in the second and third quarter of 2024, amounting to 325,000 tonnes and 378,000 tonnes, respectively. It was in Q4 when the import volumes decreased by 7 per cent Q-o-Q to 352,000 tonnes, offsetting the 16 per cent growth in the previous two quarters. Even on an annual basis, the imports in Q4 dropped by 2 per cent from 359,000 tonnes to 352,000 tonnes. Similarly, the imports...
Constellium delivers strong Q1 performance with 16% revenue growth despite lower shipments and operational headwinds
Constellium SE, a global leader in the design and manufacturing of high value-added aluminium products, has reported robust financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. Despite ongoing challenges, including reduced shipment volumes and lingering impacts from severe flooding in Switzerland, the company posted a solid increase in revenue and a strong rebound in net income. Revenue for Q1 2025 reached USD 2 billion, reviving by 16.2 per cent from USD 1,721 million in the previous quarter and marking a 5 per cent rise year-over-year. Net income amounted to USD 38 million, reflecting a significant improvement from a net loss of USD 47 million in Q4 2024, and up 73 per cent from USD 22 million in Q1 2024. Ajusted EBITDA in Q1 2025 was USD 186 million, up by 50 per cent from USD...
Hydro’s Q1 Adjusted EBITDA surges 5x on upstream aluminium strength; Extrusions weakness triggers strategic response
Hydro has reportedly announced the first quarter results of 2025 where it has shown positive effects of alumina and all-aluminium prices on its financial performance during the period. However, higher raw material costs, lower extrusion volumes and margins, and lower alumina sales volumes have offset the result to an extent, said Hydro. Here are the key takeaways from Hydro’s Q1 results: Strong upstream results, driven by bauxite and alumina’s record performance Suffered from economic uncertainty and risk of low demand due to tariff Bearish extrusions outlook due to uncertain markets, leading Hydro to adjust portfolio and cut costs Recycling executing on hot metal cost improvements, one-third of 2030 target to be realised in 2025 Financial performance review In the first quarter of 2025,...
Hydro and Nemak form a new partnership to advance low-carbon aluminium casting products for automotive
Hydro and Nemak, the two old allies, have reportedly formed another strategic partnership to develop low-carbon aluminium casting products for the automotive industry to decarbonise the car manufacturing sector and help automakers reach their sustainability goals. What goes into producing the new low-carbon aluminium casting products is more post-consumer scrap and the right mix of cleaner energy as power sources like natural gas and electrical boilers at Hydro’s Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil. Hydro and Nemak have embarked on this new, long-term collaboration to develop foundry alloy aluminium solutions with a CO2 footprint below 3 kg CO2 per kilogram of aluminium. Otherwise, the partnership between Hydro and Nemak is old in the industry with the supply agreement of Hydro REDUXA...
Hindalco enters EV space, powers Mahindra with 10K aluminium battery enclosures and unveils a dedicated battery plant
Hindalco Industries Limited has wrapped up the week on a high note, marking a strategic entry into the electric vehicle component sector by successfully delivering 10,000 aluminium battery enclosures to Mahindra for its BE 6 and XEV 9e electric SUVs and commissioning a dedicated EV component manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. The facility, established with a capital investment of INR 500 crores and spans over 5 acres within a national industrial park, is aligned with three key objectives. First, it marks Hindalco's strategic entry into EV component manufacturing. Second, it highlights the rising demand for lightweight, crash-resistant battery solutions. And third, it supports the Indian government's 'Make in India' initiative by creating 1,000 new jobs. To address the growing demand,...
Alcoa braces for USD 90 million costs due to US tariff – is it a sign that domestic businesses are not immune to the impact of tariff?
Alcoa, the Pittsburgh-based aluminium giant, is preparing to absorb up to USD 90 million costs this quarter (Q2) as a result of tariff impact. Yes, you read that correctly! Despite being a US-headquartered aluminium manufacturer, the company is preparing for the financial hit from these tariffs. And it doesn’t end there. Alcoa is expecting this steep cost after posting a strong performance in Q1, with a double net income of USD 548 million. The truth is Alcoa has already experienced a cost of USD 20 million since the tariff being implemented by the US government. Why? Because Alcoa’s 70 per cent of the aluminium production takes place in Canada, which is now subject to Donald Trump’s 25 per cent import duty. Alcoa’s CEO William Oplinger analysed that this quarterly cost equates to an...
