AlCircle News Edited By "Nilanjana Banerjee"
Nilanjana Banerjee is a new leaf on this branch of AL Circle. is a spontaneous author and she writes on inspiration and purpose, not by design. Her penmanship is replete with sensitivity and depth.
AL Circle Analysis: US scrap imports hit 580kt as China slips 3.2%, who drives aluminium recycling?
Aluminium scrap is no longer a side story in the metal’s market. Rather, aluminium’s next standoff is over scrap. As US imports surge 37 per cent while China’s purchases decline, manufacturers in Europe and India are confronting a common challenge of securing affordable, reliable raw materials. With recycling rates, trade barriers and low-carbon production reshaping market, the global industry faces a critical question: who will control the metal that powers its circular future? Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. A 1.1-billion-tonne stockpile: US stocks up, China steps back, India asks for access The US imported 580,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap worth USD 2.07 billion in H1 2026 , with Canada accounting for 63.62...
Germany’s 99% aluminium can recycling magic: How DRS built a circular economy leader
When it comes to used aluminium beverage can recycling, with a reported 99 per cent recycling rate in Europe’s grand total of 76.3 per cent recycling record , Germany comes first in the aluminium can recycling race. An International Aluminium Institute (IAI) study shows the overall package recycling picture in Germany, led by the 99 per cent aluminium can recycling, followed closely by 95 per cent PET bottle recycling and 81 per cent of glass bottle recycling. The aluminium can recycling rate sits on top , with a consistent track record over the years. But what are the cogs and wheels turning behind this massive recycling system that ensures tomorrow looks a little greener? Let’s have a look at one of the backbones of Germany’s aluminium can recycling system, the Deposit Return Scheme...
LME aluminium price chart drops to $3,010/t; Asian Ref Price sinks nearly 2% on October 14
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart continued to record a downward trend of nearly 1 per cent across the pricing and contract segments in the October 14 trading session, reporting drops over the October 13 close . The Asian Reference Price dropped nearly 2 per cent while the opening stocks and live warrants remained stable. The LME aluminium cash bid price dropped by 0.91 per cent from USD 3,035.5 per tonne to USD 3,008 per tonne. The offer price moved from USD 3,036 per tonne to USD 3,010 per tonne, down 0.86 per cent day-on-day. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium three-month bid advanced from USD 3,036 per tonne from USD...
Aluminium ‘metal’ definition clarification: Why Indian Supreme Court’s 1981 ruling still stands strong
In the course of the aluminium trade, a metal and a product made from that metal may share the same material, but they do not necessarily share the same commercial identity. Over four decades ago, the Supreme Court of India drew this distinction in a ruling that continues to offer an interesting perspective on the aluminium value chain today. India’s tax framework has since moved from the earlier state-level sales tax regime to the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Yet, the underlying question raised by the 1981 verdict remains relevant to an industry where primary aluminium, flat-rolled products and extrusions serve different markets and applications. The judgment offers a historical lens through which to understand how aluminium ingots and billets came to be distinguished, for the purposes...
Rio Tinto Q3 2026: 10% alumina growth offsets 4% bauxite dip; aluminium output stays firm
Rio Tinto’s third-quarter (Q3) 2026 production results report contrasting trends across its aluminium value chain, with bauxite production declining 4 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), alumina output amounting to 6.11 million tonnes and primary aluminium stood at 2.52 million tonnes. The company maintained its full-year 2026 production guidance for all three commodities, while highlighting operational improvements, upcoming refinery constraints and progress on Pacific aluminium smelter repowering. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Simon Trott stated, “We delivered strong operational performance in the third quarter.” He further highlighted progress on decarbonisation, noting that the company’s “Pacific Aluminium smelter repowering arrangements” were “now well progressed.” Explore the production,...
UK aluminium expansion: CO Group plans Doncaster facility as retail sales rise 12%
Conservatory Outlet Group, one of the UK’s leading home improvement groups, is set to establish a new aluminium manufacturing facility in Doncaster, marking its first move into in-house aluminium production. The investment will transform a 15,000-square-feet factory into a purpose-built facility equipped with dedicated CNC machines, cutting centres and crimpers. The project is expected to create 20 new jobs and expand the product range available to the group’s home improvement businesses and 30-retailer network. The announcement was made at the group’s annual Gala Dinner in Malaga, attended by nearly 100 guests from its ‘Network’. The event marked the largest gathering in the group’s 20-year history. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions,...
2026 Audi Q3: Aluminium interiors, 201 BHP, E20 compatibility and tech-boost
The 2026 Audi Q3 is all set to arrive in India with a redesigned look, a technology-packed cabin and a few metallic touches that help its interior shine. Aluminium inserts add a premium edge to the dashboard and cabin surfaces, complementing the soft-touch materials and digital displays. Under the bonnet, a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine produces 201 BHP and 320 Nm of torque, while Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) adds confidence on the road. The engine is also E20-compatible, a relevant consideration for motorists in India as the use of ethanol-blended petrol grows. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis &...
LME aluminium price dips slightly to $3,055/t on October 12; Asian Ref Price rises 0.13%
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph registered marginal dips across the pricing and contract segments in the October 12 trading session, compared to the October 9 close . The three-month Asian Reference Price reported a rise, while the opening stocks and live warrants remained stable. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices dipped by 0.02 per cent day-on-day. The bid contracted from USD 3,055 per tonne to USD 3,054.5 per tonne. The offer price moved from USD 3,055.5 per tonne to USD 3,055 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook Unlike the upward trend recorded on the October 9 close, LME aluminium three-month bid on October 12...
Bauxite prices at $58.53–75/t: Can VBX’s 131.9Mt resource reshape Australia’s supply outlook?
VBX Limited (ASX: VBX) has reaffirmed the mineral resource and ore reserve estimates bolstering its Wuudagu Bauxite Project in its October 2026 corporate presentation. The company confirmed that the material assumptions and technical parameters supporting the estimates, production targets and related forecast financial information remain unchanged. Wuudagu’s Measured and Indicated (M&I) Mineral Resource stands at 131.9 million tonnes, with a staggering 108 per cent surge from the 2025 drilling programme, while an expanded Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) is targeted for completion in the first quarter of 2027. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: "Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows &...
60kt a year: Red Bull backs Speira’s €40m aluminium recycling furnace at Rheinwerk
Speira has commissioned a new aluminium recycling furnace at its Rheinwerk site in Grevenbroich, Germany, completing a EUR 40 million (USD 44.75 million) investment aimed at expanding recycled aluminium production for beverage cans. The facility has an annual capacity of around 60,000 tonnes, while Red Bull’s use of cans made with Speira’s recycled aluminium highlights the growing role of circular material in the beverage sector. The development marks another step in transforming a site long associated with primary aluminium production into a centre for the circular aluminium economy. Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. Rheinwerk shifts towards recycling The investment covers the new furnace, optimisation of the...
Aluminum to replace diesel? Canada grants $2.81m for AlumaPower’s energy-generation tech
AlumaPower, Canada’s Sarnia-based manufacturer of aluminum-powered generators, has secured a C$4 million ($2.81 million) federal grant to advance its technology towards commercial launch. The funding, provided through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) under the Regional Defence Investment Initiative (RDII), would be reinforcing the company’s expansion into defense and telecommunications markets. Moving away from the traditional power-generating feedstock of diesel, the development also sends a signal to securing a greener future with aluminum recycling. Recycled aluminum technology moves towards market AlumaPower’s generator system uses recycled aluminum to produce electricity and has been under development with the Canadian military for the...
AL Circle Analysis: From Guinea to Gulf, how bauxite, tariffs and logistics redraw aluminium map
Aluminium markets in late 2026 are being shaped by more than the headline LME aluminium price. Bauxite security, alumina availability, geopolitical disruptions, tariff negotiations, logistics diversification and regional premiums are increasingly determining where metal moves and what buyers pay. From RUSAL reassessing Caribbean assets and Vedanta securing Odisha bauxite to Brazil extending mine life and EGA rebuilding its Guinea supply chain, producers are strengthening control over critical raw materials. At the same time, the US remains heavily dependent on imported bauxite and alumina, while Europe and Asia are experiencing sharply different premium dynamics. These developments point to a market where physical availability is becoming a regional factor even as aluminium itself remains...
Wine chooses aluminium: Ardagh’s 250ml can brings alcohol-free BarLoca to European shelves
Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) has supplied a 250 mL aluminium wine can for Royal Swinkels’ BarLoca, an alcohol-free wine now launching across the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. The BarLoca Bianco and Rosso variants come in a semi-matt can developed specifically for wine, with a design blocking light and air and an interior lining intended to preserve the product’s quality and taste. The format is crafted to bring the convenience of aluminium packaging to wine. Lightweight and unbreakable, the can is easy to transport, chill and store, while its single-serve format is suited to consumers looking for greater flexibility. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry, explore our report " ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics " Referring to the new...
LME aluminium price drops 1.35%; stocks remain stable at 238,875 on October 8
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart dropped over 1 per cent across the pricing and contract segments in the October 8 trading session, reporting declines over the October 7 close . Opening stocks remained stable and cancelled warrants reported a further rise. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices dropped by 1.35 per cent day-on-day. The bid contracted from USD 3,102 per tonne to USD 3,060 per tonne. The offer price moved from USD 3,102.5 per tonne to USD 3,060.5 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium three-month bid slumped from USD 3,112 per tonne to USD 3,068.5 per tonne, decreasing by 1.4 per cent. The offer...
Primetals wins 23-package order from China’s Dingsheng for aluminium foil expansion
London-based Primetals Technologies has won a new order from the Chinese aluminium flat-rolled products (FRPs) and processing items manufacturer Jiangsu Dingsheng New Materials, to supply 23 equipment packages for its aluminium foil mill expansion projects in China. Signed in August 2026, the contract covers Air Bearing ShapeMeters (ABSM), ISV-Electric and ISV-Electric Compact spray bars, and VPT3 position transducers for several locations. The technologies are designed to strengthen strip shape control and process performance, reinforcing Dingsheng’s efforts to expand aluminium foil capacity while maintaining consistent product quality and efficient mill operation. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Aluminum Foil Market Report Forecast Till 2035...
$1.5b Quebec AP60 expansion puts Rio Tinto at heart of low-carbon aluminum race
The low-carbon aluminum market has stepped into a more competitive phase as producers invest in cleaner smelting technologies, renewable power and new downstream applications. Rio Tinto’s $1.5 billion AP60 smelter expansion in Quebec is the latest major development, adding around 160,000 metric tons per annum (MPTA) of primary aluminum capacity when fully operational by the end of 2026. The project will lift total AP60 production at Complexe Arvida to about 220,000 MPTA while supplying lower-carbon aluminum to transportation, construction, electrical and consumer-goods customers. The Quebec expansion is expected to cut emissions by approximately 290,000 MPTA compared with the older Arvida technology, strengthening the case for energy-efficient, hydropower-based primary aluminum...
Metro Mining’s concern over Rio Tinto’s Aurukun plans brings 3.1Bt bauxite in focus
Metro Mining has raised concerns over Rio Tinto’s proposed acquisition of the Aurukun bauxite project in Cape York, warning that the leases could remain undeveloped under the mining giant’s ownership. Metro Mining Managing Director Simon Wensley mentioned that Rio Tinto already controls a 3.1 billion-tonne bauxite resource on Cape York, enough to suffice for around 75 years of production at current levels. Metro questions another change of hands Speaking at a recent Association of Mining and Exploration Companies meeting in Brisbane, Wensley noted that Rio could land bank the Aurukun leases, following a similar pattern under Glencore, which had held them for 14 years. Metro Mining is seeking to delay the proposed transfer of the leases from Glencore to Rio Tinto. In September, Rio...
Jaguar Type 01 EV packs 73% aluminium and 1,015 hp into its electric reboot
Jaguar has unveiled the Type 01, the first model built on its new Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA), and it is not exactly arriving quietly. With 73% aluminum, a 118kWh battery, three electric motors and a rather serious 1,015 horsepower (hp), the new electric grand tourer is Jaguar’s answer to a simple question: what happens when a century-old luxury carmaker decides to start over? The answer, apparently, is a very large piece of aluminum with no rear window. From a gloomy reset to a 1,015-hp comeback The Type 01 is the product of a long and fairly dramatic reset at Jaguar. After years of declining sales, the company ended production of the XE, XF and F-Type in 2024 as it moved towards an all-electric future. By the end of 2025, Jaguar had stopped producing vehicles altogether. To know...
