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.
Here’s what GIADEC’s new CEO thinks about Ghana’s integrated aluminium industry and the impact of the bauxite export ban
Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is striving to become a leading contributor to the country's economic development under the leadership of its newly appointed acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Reindorf Twumasi Ankrah. Image source: LinkedIn (GIADEC) Mr Twumasi Ankrah, GIADEC's new CEO and a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience across multiple legal domains, is prepared to embrace a new challenge to add further value to the work of his predecessor and position GIADEC as a leading force for national advancement by supporting and advancing the indigenous aluminium value chain – the vision with which an act of Parliament established GIADEC. Mr Ankrah addressed the staff durbar this week, meant to welcome the new CEO of the Corporation, by sharing...
Maan Aluminium revives after unveiling its aluminium extrusion expansion plans in Madhya Pradesh, India
After hitting a 52-week low on Monday , March 3, Maan Aluminium's share price surged by approximately 5 per cent in a single day, reaching INR 98.93 on Thursday, March 6. This increase also marked a 16.12 per cent gain compared to the price of INR 85.2 on March 3. Image source: Maan Aluminium The boost in share price followed the company's announcement regarding its acquisition of land in Devas, Madhya Pradesh, to expand aluminium extrusion manufacturing operations. In a regulatory filing, Maan Aluminium revealed that the land would be used for the expansion of its aluminium extrusion business and the addition of value-added services. Maan Aluminium has reportedly acquired a building along with 13,117 square metres of leasehold land located at 81A and 82C, Devas Industrial Area, M B Road,...
Constellium posts a 6% drop in revenue on muted aluminium demand. Will its FRP price rise compensate the loss?
Constellium SE, a Paris-based global manufacturer of aluminium rolled products, extruded products, and structural components made from advanced alloys, described 2024 as a challenging year, citing extreme weather conditions and weak demand from end markets as significant operational setbacks. At the end of February 2025, the company reported its financial results, mirroring the prolonged market downturn throughout the year. The company’s revenue saw a hit of 6 per cent compared to the previous year and amounted to $7.3 billion, while its shipments decreased by 4 per cent to 1.4 million tonnes. Consequently, its net income plunged by 61.78 per cent from $157 million in 2023 to $60 million in 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the whole year was $623 million, down by 5.89 per cent Y-o-Y from $662...
Novelis Korea gets access to Press Metal’s new low-carbon aluminium series GEM
On Wednesday, March 5, news emerged of a multi-year strategic deal between Press Metal Aluminium and Novelis Korea Limited, where the former will supply its low-carbon certified aluminium product, GEM, made with renewable energy, to the latter. Image source: Press Metal GEM is a new series of low-carbon aluminium from the house of Press Metal, emitting less than 4 tonnes of CO2 emissions per tonne of aluminium (in Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions) while being produced, an ideal choice for Novelis as it aims to push the boundaries of its products by infusing up to 75 per cent of recycled content, from today's 63 per cent, in a bid to become a leading supplier of flat-rolled aluminium products with the least emissions, lower than three tonnes of CO2e. Doing justice to its name,...
US-Ukraine critical minerals deal: A game-changer or just another diplomatic gamble for the metal industry?
Over the past week, the United States and Ukraine have dominated news headlines — but not for the right reasons. After the US announced its support for Russia in blocking Ukraine's draft resolution at the United Nations, global attention shifted towards the US-Ukraine meeting held on February 28, 2025. However, what followed took an unexpected turn, leaving the world stunned. The meeting, which was meant to be a diplomatic milestone, focused on the Mineral Resources Agreement for joint investment in Ukraine's natural resources - including rare-earth elements – quickly spiralled into a heated exchange between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The talks that were intended to seal a significant partnership in the mineral and metal...
US aluminium production marks a 3.5% M-o-M fall in November 2024 following a rebound in October
According to the US Geological Survey, the United States' primary aluminium production experienced a monthly fall of 2,000 tonnes or 3.51 per cent, following a 4 per cent rebound in the previous month. On an annual calculation, the output marked a sharper decline of 9.8 per cent in November, surpassing the year-on-year fall recorded in October 2024. Data revealed the United States' domestic production of primary aluminium in November 2024 was 55,000 tonnes compared to 57,000 tonnes in October and 61,000 tonnes in November 2023. Thus, the United States cumulative output of primary metal from January to November 2024 amounted to 618,000 tonnes, sharply down by 21.57 per cent from 749,000 tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. However, the daily average output in...
Maan Aluminium hits a new 52-week low after falling by 12.6% since February 25
Maan Aluminium Limited, a manufacturer and trader of aluminium profiles, has reached a new 52-week low, signalling industry volatility and underperformance. Performing below average in the aluminium sector by 3.63 per cent, Maan’s stock price has hit as low as INR 85.2 (US$0.98). Maan’s stock has been trending down consistently since February 25, when the price stood at INR 97.50 (US$1.12). After a brief holiday on February 26, the stock price on February 27 decreased to INR 92.74 (US$1.06) and dropped below INR 90, reaching INR 89.56 (US$1.03) on February 28. Thus, Maan Aluminium’s stock price has plunged by 12.6 per cent since February 25. The company’s performance over the past year has been challenging, seeing a decline of 41.2 per cent, representing a striking contrast with the...
China’s renewable energy surges with 356 GW of capacity boost in 2024 – Why is then low-carbon aluminium production lagging?
China continues to spearhead the global transition to renewable energy, achieving remarkable progress in 2024 with an addition of 277 GW of solar and 79 GW of wind capacity — outpacing many other nations. Image source: Freepik These new additions elevated China's total renewable energy capacity (except hydro power) to 1,407 GW, signaling a steady shift towards renewables, with solar power alone contributing 886 GW and wind power accounting for nearly 521 GW. By the end of 2024, China's renewable energy capacity accounted for 15% of the world's total installed capacity for the year alone. The rest of the world added 193 GW of solar photovoltaic capacity in 2024, with the United States contributing 163 GW and India 91 GW. Germany, Japan, Brazil, and Spain followed with additions of 91 GW,...
Australia's hopes for US tariff exemptions dim as Foreign Minister Penny Wong calls it a difficult pursuit
From the early-mid month of February 2025, Australia has been actively seeking an exemption from the United States' 25 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel, claiming the country's contribution to the US domestic market trade surplus as a key justification for securing an exemption. During this process, optimism briefly flickered in the Australian market when US President Donald Trump hinted at a possible reprieve, describing Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as "a very fine man." The hope was further fuelled following a positive phone call between Albanese and Trump on February 11, where they discussed the Aukus defence pact, critical minerals, and mutual foreign investments. Albanese said after the call, "Our aluminium is a critical input for manufacturing in the United...
Press Metal forms a JV with Bintulu Development Authority to build an aluminium solar frame facility
On February 27, 2025, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bintulu Development Authority (BDA) to build an aluminium solar frame manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 80,000 tonnes. Under the JV signed, the two parties have agreed to form a cooperative framework to conduct commercial viability, feasibility, and necessary terms for the successful implementation of the project. Effective from the date signed, the MoU will remain in force and effect for a valid term of three months unless the parties terminate the agreement early. The facility is proposed to be located in Bintulu, Malaysia, and is estimated to require an investment of RM600 million. Initially, 20 per cent of the capital needed for the...
Four-digit profit from just 10 units of Vedanta’s shares? Discover the mid-term outlook…
There is a projection looming that Vedanta’s share price will jump to a target price of INR 600 (US$6.87) following the group’s demerger plan to be executed by the first quarter of FY2025-26. This estimation will most likely materialise, if not by the end of this year, then within the next two. The projection of INR 600 per unit was initially made by a renowned India-based financial firm , Emkay Global, positioning Vedanta as a favourable investment option for those seeking medium-term returns based on expected balanced growth to be delivered by Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium, and Vedanta Power. Aligning with this outlook, Money Mint Idea, an IPO and stock market research platform, has also provided a medium-term forecast for Vedanta’s share price, projecting its trajectory up until...
2024: Press Metal posts a 44% hike in full-year net profit supported by strong aluminium prices
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd, a Malaysia-based largest aluminium smelter in Southeast Asia, has announced its fourth-quarter and full-year results of 2024, reporting stupendous financial gains supported by increased aluminium prices on LME and strong global demand. Figures and numbers revealed by Press Metal indicate a 38.55 per cent jump in net profit, reaching RM445.27 million at the end of the December quarter from RM321.39 million a year ago. For the entire year, the figure hit RM1.76 billion compared to RM1.22 billion in 2023. The company's profit before tax in Q4 was $500.4 million, reflecting an increase of 25 per cent from $400.2 million in Q3 2023. Representing continued hikes, the full-year's profit before tax reached $2.3 billion versus $1.65 billion. Press Metal managed...
Century Aluminum in 2024: Steady net sales, increased net income and 5-year high production signal key turning point
Century Aluminum Company, a global primary aluminium producer with operations in the United States and Iceland, has posted about its booming year ended December 31, 2024, with a new 5-year high record production at Sebree, steady net sales, and increased net income amid surging energy costs and raw material prices. Image source: Century Aluminum On February 20, 2025, the company released its financial and operational results attributing all the gains to a nonrecurring benefit from a force majeure settlement, recovery from Hurricane Beryl, improved realised metal prices, and flattering Inflation Reduction Act 45X, which was an Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit to promote US production of critical minerals, including primary aluminium. For the entire year, Century reported its net...
Trump tariffs cause sleepless nights for the food & beverage industry! How will they manage the rising costs?
Donald Trump's 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium and steel has left many domestic industries worried about price hikes of end products, including the food retail industry, as it is one of the largest consumers of these metals, relying heavily on imports. The local and small companies of soft drinks, beer, and pre-packaged foods are bracing for price rises. Although breweries have yet to receive feedback from can manufacturers on how they expect the tariff to impact aluminium can pricing, they hope for no positive effects. "If everything goes up [to] 25 per cent, that's all the margin for a small business," said Matt Malloy, co-founder of Dorchester Brewing. "It becomes a push, and then it becomes not worth it any longer." Two weeks earlier, a giant like Coca-Cola also warned of...
World primary aluminium production in Jan’25 represents an average of 7-3% rise in major producing regions
The first month of 2025 began with a 2.73 per cent Y-o-Y rise in primary aluminium production but experienced a mild monthly dip, as shown by the International Aluminium Institute data. The annual growth was primarily backed by almost all the major global primary aluminium-producing regions, barring North America and Oceania. However, monthly output was affected by declines of 1,000 tonnes each in Africa and North America. Image source: Freepik According to IAI, the world's primary aluminium production in January 2025 totalled 6.252 million tonnes versus 6.254 million tonnes in December 2024 and 6.086 million tonnes in January 2024. The daily average output was 201,700 tonnes, representing no change from the previous month but a growth of 2.75 per cent Y-o-Y from 196,300 tonnes. Insights...
US backs Russia instead of Europe for the first time in draft resolution by Ukraine – is this a shift in trade ties?
The United States' unprecedented support for Russia in blocking a draft resolution by Ukraine at the United Nations has sent shockwaves through the market as soon as the news surfaced today, February 25. For the first time in three years since Russia invaded Ukraine, the United States has come out in support of Russia. The resolution called for "de-escalation, an early cessation of hostilities and a peaceful resolution of the war against Ukraine, marked by enormous destruction and human suffering, including among the civilian population, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law". Backing Russia, United States President Donald Trump stated that "major economic development transactions with Russia" could take place, and just hours after the statement, Putin...
Alba’s 2024 done right with whopping financial growth and record production, but uncertainty looms for 2025
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world's largest smelter ex-China, has announced its fourth quarter and full-year results for 2024, reporting an impressive growth in financial output, coincided with its new high of net finished production at 1,622,261 tonnes. Image source: Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. Fiscal figure In the fourth quarter of the year, the company yielded a profit of BD37.1 million (US$98.6 million), which was 58.5 per cent higher than a profit of BD23.4 million (US$62.2 million) earned in Q4 2023. For the full year, Alba reported a profit of BD184.5 million (US$490.8 million), up by 56.4 per cent from BD118 million ($313.9 million) . Alba's comprehensive income in Q4 2024 was BD38.1 million (US$101.3 million) against BD16.3 million (US$43.2 million) a year ago – up by 134.4...
Coca-Cola looking to ditch tariff impact by partially replacing aluminium with plastic or raising product prices
Coca-Cola is reportedly considering raising prices of its aluminium-packaged products to offset the impact of tariffs, aligning with earlier predictions that the US-imposed 25 per cent tariff on imported aluminium would ultimately drive up consumer product costs. The US-origin soft drink company is also exploring the possibility of partially replacing aluminium with plastic for its beverages, developing a more cost-effective packaging strategy ahead of the tariffs set to take effect on March 12, 2025. Image source: Coca-Cola The news surface this morning after Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey stated: “If the price of aluminium increases because of the tariffs, the company may opt for more plastic bottles (PET) to counterbalance higher costs.” Sustainability efforts at risk Replacing aluminium,...
