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: From 13% costlier cans to 317 GW solar, aluminium trade enters new territory
As aluminium continues to draw the spotlight as a strategic variable in global trade rather than a merely traded commodity. Tariffs imposed at the border are now showing up in the cost of cans, auto components and downstream products, while high copper prices are encouraging manufacturers to redesign products around aluminium. Meanwhile, India is tightening protection around selected aluminium products even as domestic downstream manufacturers question the cost of protecting primary metal. China’s extrusion industry is adjusting to weaker construction demand by moving towards solar, batteries and other clean-energy applications. In North America, deeply integrated supply chains are confronting the consequences of suddenly changing tariff economics. To know the global production, demand...
LME aluminium price graph drops to $3,228/t as stocks dip by 0.31% on September 24
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph continues to drop across the pricing and contract segments on the September 24 trading session, reporting declines over the September 23 close . The LME aluminium cash bid slumped from USD 3,239.5 per tonne to USD 3,227 per tonne, rising 0.39 per cent. The offer price moved from USD 3,240 per tonne to USD 3,228 per tonne, dropping by 0.37 per cent. 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 contracted from USD 3,258 per tonne to USD 3,252 per tonne, decreasing by 0.18 per cent. The offer price plunged from USD 3,260 per tonne to USD 3,252.5 per tonne, representing a 0.23 per cent...
Low-carbon aluminium vs copper: Who is really paying the green premium?
The transition towards lower-carbon manufacturing is changing how companies evaluate aluminium and copper. Beyond availability and technical performance, buyers are increasingly examining the emissions embedded in the metals they purchase and whether reducing that footprint justifies a higher price. While low-carbon aluminium has developed into an established premium market, low-carbon copper remains at a developing stage, raising the loaded question: How much are buyers willing to pay for lower-carbon metal? 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 & Price Outlook ” Why aluminium is further ahead Aluminium has had more time to establish a market for...
EU aluminium scrap export rules face BIR pushback over India, Malaysia, Thailand cut-off
The EU aluminium scrap market could face disruption if proposed changes to the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) restrict access to major Asian recycling destinations, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has warned. The Brussels-based association issued its response after the European Commission published a draft proposal on September 18 listing non-OECD countries authorised to receive certain non-hazardous materials from the EU . Excluding countries such as India , Malaysia and Thailand from authorised destinations for ferrous and nonferrous metals could weaken recycled material markets rather than strengthen Europe’s recycling capacity. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge Dyszel. At the centre of BIR’s concern is...
Can Art expands US aluminum footprint with BRT Extrusions acquisition
The US aluminum extrusion sector is seeing another consolidation move, with Can Art Aluminum Extrusions acquiring BRT Extrusions, an aluminum extruded products supplier based in Niles. Can Art confirmed the acquisition in a letter sent to BRT customers earlier this week. The financial terms of the transaction are yet to be disclosed. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminum extrusions, explore our report “ The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035 – Demand Forecast | Price Benchmarking | Plant Economics | Strategic Growth Sectors ” According to the customer communication, the combined organization will have over 1,000 employees and 15 extrusion presses. The expanded group will also offer a range of value-added aluminum processing capabilities, including...
US Commerce clarifies common alloy sheet orders for China, Bahrain
The US Department of Commerce has issued the final results of its changed circumstances reviews (CCRs) of the antidumping duty (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders covering common alloy aluminum sheet from China, Bahrain and 15 other countries, deciding to revoke the orders in part for certain aluminum can stock. The decision follows Commerce’s August 11, 2026 publication of its initiation and preliminary results, in which it found that changed circumstances warranted partial revocation of the orders for qualifying aluminum can stock. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminum extrusions, explore our report “ The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035 – Demand Forecast | Price Benchmarking | Plant Economics | Strategic Growth Sectors ” Scope revision...
US aluminum’s 98% employment shift: Why downstream companies matter
Over the past few years, the employment story of US aluminum industry has been entering chapters from the downstream segment. According to the Aluminum Association, almost 98% of all US aluminum jobs are now concentrated in mid- and downstream processing and recycling, even as employment in primary aluminum has fallen sharply. The Aluminum Association’s latest 2026 economic impact study puts direct industry employment at 165,354 jobs, with the wider aluminum ecosystem supporting 871,464 direct, indirect and induced jobs and generating $326.4 billion in economic output. The shift is particularly evident in recent employment growth. Between 2024 and 2026, jobs in secondary aluminum production rose 21.9%, aluminum coatings 23.1% and sheet and extrusions 22.2%, while primary aluminum...
Manaksia Aluminium AGM: ₹2.5 billion RPT cap approved with Metal Star
Manaksia Aluminium Company Limited has secured shareholder approval for related party transactions (RPTs) of up to INR 250 crore or INR 2.5 billion (USD 26.12 million) with its wholly owned subsidiary, Metal Star Ceiling Panel Trading FZE, at its 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM). Manaksia Aluminium also received approval for RPTs worth up to INR 1 billion (USD 10.45 million) with Athena Deox and Alloys Private Limited. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report “ The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035 ” The AGM was held on September 22, 2026, through two-way Video Conferencing and Other Audio Visual Means. The meeting began at 1:30 PM and concluded at 2:33 PM. The resolutions approved at the meeting covered financial...
Real Fencing unveils aluminium fencing website to boost New Zealand presence
Auckland-founded Real Fencing has launched a new national website showcasing its aluminium and timber fencing, installation, repair and gate services across New Zealand. The company operates through local teams in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and other service areas. The new platform brings together dedicated regional pages for homeowners looking to install a new fence, replace an existing boundary or arrange repairs. Customers can also request a free written fencing quote in about a minute, with Real Fencing aiming to respond within four hours. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the construction sector, explore our report “ Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain...
LME aluminium price drops further to $3,262.5/t on September 21; stocks hold steady
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph dropped further on September 21 across all the pricing segments of cash and contracts. The aluminium opening stocks, however, remained steady. The LME aluminium cash bid price shifted from USD 3,283 per tonne on September 18 to USD 3,261.5 per tonne on September 21, down 0.65 per cent. The LME aluminium cash offer price dipped from USD 3,285 per tonne to USD 3,262.5 per tonne, easing by 0.68 per cent day-on-day. 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 & Price Outlook ” The LME aluminium three-month bid and offer prices reported a 0.27 per cent decline. The bid closed at USD 3,272.5 per tonne, compared to...
Vedanta Aluminium gears up for India’s rising specialised power-grid metal demand
Vedanta Aluminium is equipping its specialised aluminium portfolio to meet rising demand from India’s power transmission sector as the country expands its grid to accommodate growing renewable energy capacity . Vedanta expects the transmission buildout to require application-specific aluminium grades with varying combinations of strength, conductivity and corrosion resistance, depending on terrain and operating conditions. According to ICRA’s June 2026 assessment cited by Vedanta Aluminium, India could see INR 5–6 trillion (USD 52–63 billion) in transmission investments between FY2027 and FY2032 . This is part of the National Electricity Plan (2023–2032), which foresees over INR 9.15 trillion (USD 96.53 billion) in transmission expenditure . The planned investment could take India’s...
India’s EU aluminium scrap access falters under new waste shipment rules
Fresh tensions surrounding aluminium scrap procurement befalls a nation that sources 80-85 per cent from overseas to meet its domestic aluminium scrap demand. India could face restrictions on importing aluminium scrap and other metal waste from the European Union (EU) under a new Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) framework scheduled to take effect in May 2027. The European Commission has proposed an exemptions list for non-OECD countries and opened a public consultation that will run until October 16. India is currently among the countries that would not qualify for an exemption, thereby potentially limiting its access to EU aluminium scrap. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge Dyszel. The proposal has emerged after India...
NALCO to cut the import cord; invites EoI for aluminium fluoride and smelter inputs
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), India’s Navratna aluminium major, has invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) from joint venture partners, manufacturers, investors and collaborators to establish production facilities for aluminium fluoride (AlF₃), calcined petroleum coke (CPC) and coal tar pitch (CTP). Issued on September 21, the three EoIs form part of NALCO’s backward integration strategy to secure critical raw materials for aluminium smelting , reinforce its Angul expansion and reduce import dependence. Submissions are open until October 12. The requirement for these materials will rise alongside NALCO’s smelting capacity, which is being expanded from 460,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) to around 960,000 TPA through a brownfield project. To learn about the market potential of...
Hindalco’s Hirakud and Aditya Aluminium bag Odisha pollution control awards
Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has made a record in environmental upkeep and performance. It has received two 2026 pollution control awards from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB), Odisha), recognising the company’s pollution control measures, environmental management and responsible industrial practices at its Odisha operations. Hindalco’s Hirakud Smelter & Power received the “Pollution Control Appreciation Award 2026” in the Industry Category, and Aditya Aluminium secured the “MK Rout Pollution Control Excellence Award 2026” in the Industrial Township Category. Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. The Pollution Control Appreciation Award 2026 recognised Hirakud Smelter &...
20 tonnes of aluminium, one Veyron: Why Alonso chose Bugatti chassis 8.100
Spanish racing driverFernando Alonso has added a one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse to his growing collection of rare cars. Known as chassis 8.100, the car is distinguished by bespoke aluminium bodywork that required more than 20 tonnes of aluminium to produce, along with dedicated CAD programmes developed by Bugatti. Its history is equally distinctive, being produced after an original customer pushed Bugatti to create something it had initially considered too expensive. For Alonso, the automobile fits closely with an approach to luxury he outlined in 2024 about choosing manufacturers that treat individual customers differently rather than simply producing cars in larger numbers. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global...
AL Circle Analysis: Aluminium’s recycling economics, trade walls and carbon rules converge
The story of the aluminium industry is starting a chapter wherein scrap availability, recycling technology, trade policy, carbon costs and demand growth are becoming increasingly interconnected. From the US and Canada to Europe, India, New Zealand and China, recent developments show that the global aluminium supply chain is being reshaped on several fronts at once. These developments point to a changing aluminium business model: access to metal alone may no longer be enough. Quality of recycled feedstock, domestic processing capacity, carbon intensity, trade exposure and the ability to meet increasingly specific customer requirements could become equally important competitive factors. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge...
Beyond the smelter: Companies powering the US aluminum industry’s rebuild
For the past two decades, the US aluminium industry has been treading through a volatile path, with a domestic primary aluminium sector deteriorating at a rapid and alarming rate, and the number of operational smelters falling from around thirty to only four. Primary aluminum output was estimated at 660,000 metric tons in 2025, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports. The situation was compounded by the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum products, further blocking the inbound trade. The rebuilding of domestic capacity, therefore, is not only about restarting or constructing smelters. It also depends on the infrastructure and technology needed to transform molten aluminum into usable products, maintain ageing electrolysis assets, process scrap efficiently, and improve metal quality....
Malaysia’s rare-earth ambitions face a caveat: Can it control the full supply chain?
Malaysia is emerging as a rare earth hub by developing a domestic “mine-to-magnet” ecosystem spanning exploration, mining, separation, metals, alloys and permanent magnets. But, how is the venture faring? A study by Hiu Dilangit Sasongkojati at the University at Albany, SUNY, puts Malaysia’s ambition under a microscope. Malaysia’s supply chain remains fragmented, with limited domestic upstream activity, heavy reliance on foreign technology and downstream manufacturers still dependent on imported processed metals. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore “ ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap ” Malaysia has the resources, but not yet an integrated chain Malaysia estimates around 16.2 million tonnes of inferred total rare-earth elements...
