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.
Trump warns of up to 200% import tariffs, highlights Oklahoma aluminium plant project
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his administration's commitment to expanding domestic manufacturing, warning that companies producing goods outside the US could face tariffs of up to 200 per cent, depending on the product category. Post the NATO summit held in Ankara, Trump said his trade policy is intended to encourage manufacturers to establish production facilities within the US while supporting key industrial sectors, including aluminium and steel. Regarding his earlier presidency, Trump mentioned tariffs helped revive the domestic steel industry and argued that similar measures continue to support US manufacturing. "If you build your product here, you pay no tariff. If you don't, you pay a 25 per cent tariff… 35 per cent sometimes… sometimes a 100 per cent, 200 per cent,...
US aluminium extruders seek tighter Treasury rules on solar tax credits to curb import loophole
The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) and the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) have urged the US Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service to tighten the eligibility criteria for domestic content bonus credits. Submitting a joint white paper to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the organisations called for aluminium extrusion for solar module frames to be carried out within the US to qualify as domestically manufactured components under the Section 45Y and 48E domestic content bonus credits . The industry groups argue that the absence of clear guidance has created a loophole allowing imported aluminium extrusions to qualify for domestic incentives after undergoing only minor fabrication processes, such as cutting to length and punching holes, within the US. The global...
Can aluminium salt slag become a resource? SGM's new sorting line says yes
Italian metals sorting technology specialist SGM Magnetics S.p.A. has introduced a new recovery system or sorting lineto extract commercial metals from salt slag fines, a byproduct of secondary aluminium production, addressing one of the industry's most difficult recycling streams. SGM noted, “After crushing, grinding and classification, the fine fraction can still contain recoverable metallic aluminium and other valuable metals” during secondary aluminium smelting. However, the recovery has been a difficult feat owing to the high salt content, corrosive nature, abrasive dust and the micro-particle size of the fines. According to SGM, particles measuring below 2 millimetres are especially difficult, as the metallic content is often irregularly shaped, rendering separation challenging....
Canada, Japan push critical minerals pact with $1b deals to cut China dependence
Canada and Japan are deepening their critical minerals alliance, seeking to reduce their dependence on Chinese supplies. At Canada's largest-ever trade mission to Tokyo and the Asia-Pacific region, companies from both countries signed commercial agreements worth over CAD 1 billion (USD 706.11 million), exploring joint initiatives to secure future supplies of key minerals. The delegation comprised around 300 participants representing about 180 companies and organisations. Collaboration in areas including mining investments and long-term offtake agreements was discussed, including the potential shared stockpiling of critical minerals like gallium and graphite. Canada's International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu confirmed that both countries are evaluating the feasibility of joint...
Aughinish Alumina in focus as the European Union vote backs the Russia export ban
Momentum is building within the European Parliament as Aughinish Alumina faces a European Union vote to decide the future of its exports to Russia. Several Members of the Parliament, resolute to urge a full ban on the Russia-bound shipments, add fresh pressure on both Brussels and Dublin. It forms part of a non-binding resolution on Ukraine due to be voted on in Strasbourg on Wednesday . The outcome would not immediately change EU law, but broad parliamentary backing would increase pressure on the European Commission to include alumina exports in the 21st Sanctions Package on Russia. Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations Broad political...
US DOE funds $75m to five projects to recover aluminium, rare earth from coal waste
The US Department of Energy (DOE) has funded USD 75 million to five pilot-scale projects aimed at extracting rare earth elements and other critical minerals, including aluminium, from coal waste and coal-based feedstocks. The initiative indicates the nation’s efforts to strengthen the domestic critical minerals supply chain. The funding marks a phase of a USD 275 million programme announced in November 2025 to support pilot-scale recovery of critical minerals and materials from industrial and coal byproducts across the US. Discover: The Gulf aluminium market risks, China impact, alumina supply, carbon costs, and logistics disruptions shaping pricing and trade in Gulf Disruption Roadmap Five pilot projects selected The selected projects fall under the category of Mines & Metals...
LME aluminium price rises to $3,119/t as stocks drop 1.08% on the July 7 close
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart showed improvement on the July 7 session. Gains were posted across all the pricing segments, barring the opening stocks and cancelled warrants, which continued to edge lower. On July 7, the cash bid reached USD 3,118 per tonne, up 0.44 per cent from USD 3,104.5 per tonne on July 6 . The offer price rose by 0.45 per cent to USD 3,119 per tonne from USD 3,105 per tonne. The LME three-month contract bid edged up to USD 3,126.5 per tonne , marking a 0.47 per cent gain over USD 3,112 per tonne. The offer, settling at USD 3,127.5 per tonne, also increased by 0.47 per cent from USD 3,113 per tonne. Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability,...
AI chip boom puts aluminium supplier AMS on track for semiconductor-led growth
According to Kenanga Research, aluminium supplier AMS Bhd is an underappreciated beneficiary of the global wafer fabrication equipment (WFE) upcycle. Growing investment in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure and semiconductor manufacturing is expected to create fresh growth opportunities for the company. Kenanga identifies AMS’ potential Initiating coverage with a fair value of 62 sen (USD 0.15), Kenanga believes AMS has the potential to evolve into a semiconductor-focused aluminium supplier. "We believe the market has yet to fully price in this transformation, hence we see meaningful catch-up potential as AMS' semiconductor business continues to scale," noted the research house. Unlock in-depth insights into the extrusion segment of the global aluminium industry with The World of...
Xiaomi bets on 100% recycled aluminium with Titan Alloy 2.0 as EV margins face pressure
Xiaomi has introduced what it describes as China's first mass-produced structural aluminium alloy made entirely from recycled aluminium for electric vehicles (EVs), marking another step towards lower-carbon manufacturing. The new material, called Titan Alloy 2.0 , has entered series production and is being used in the integrated die-cast rear floor assemblies of the company's SU7 and YU7 models. Xiaomi unveils recycled aluminium-made Titan Alloy 2.0 According to Xiaomi, the alloy is manufactured entirely from recycled aluminium while meeting the strength requirements for critical vehicle safety structures. Independent verification by Sweden's IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute has certified the material with a carbon footprint of 1.1 kg CO₂e per kilogramme . This indicates a 93...
Hydro, Nexans sign 85kt low-carbon aluminium deal to back Europe’s power grid
Aluminium and renewable energy company Norsk Hydro has signed a five-year supply agreement with Nexans, a global cable and optical fibre company, to deliver around 85,000 tonnes of low-carbon aluminium wire rod spanning from 2026 to 2030. The partnership reinforces Europe's efforts to transform and modernise its electricity grid and expand renewable energy infrastructure. The aluminium would be produced in Norway using renewable energy and supplied through Hydro's low-carbon aluminium brand, Hydro REDUXA, which has a verified carbon footprint of less than 4.0 kg CO₂ per kg of aluminium, i.e., under one-third of the global industry average. Delve deeper into the recycled aluminium and secondary aluminium market with our World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry forecast to 2032 The...
Aluminium extrusion automation: How Emmebi optimises finishing, handling, packaging
As aluminium extrusion plants continue to expand their production capacities, the focus has shifted beyond the extrusion press to the downstream stages of the process. Finishing, handling and packaging have become equally important in ensuring product quality, minimising manual intervention and improving operational efficiency. Automated systems capable of undertaking these activities play a crucial role in maintaining consistency across extrusion lines. It is within this specialised segment that Emmebi S.r.l. has established its presence. Headquartered in Pavia di Udine in Italy's Friuli Venezia Giulia region, the company has been designing and manufacturing machinery for the aluminium industry since 1972, when it was founded by Achille Mauro. The global aluminium casting usage is...
Will Aughinish Alumina face EU sanctions? Parliament set for non-binding vote
The European Union (EU) Parliament is set to hold a non-binding vote this week on whether Aughinish Alumina should be included in the framework of the EU’s sanctions on Russia. The move adds further political pressure on Ireland as it begins its six-month presidency of the EU Council. Aughinish Alumina's European Union vote follows amendment proposals submitted by the European People's Party (EPP) and the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) groups ahead of Parliament's debate on the 2025 European Commission Report on Ukraine in Strasbourg. Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations Both amendments call for tougher trade restrictions, including "a...
3D printing to replace casting? Nikon SLM, Bosch unveil one-piece aluminium V8 engine block
Nikon SLM Solutions and Bosch Industry Consulting have jointly manufactured a complete V8 engine block as a single aluminium component. It indicates the progress of the metal additive manufacturing (AM) system or 3D printing from prototype development to production. The engine block has been produced in AlSi10Mg aluminium alloy using Nikon SLM's NXG XII 600 multi-laser AM system at the Bosch Additive Solution Center in Nuremberg, Germany. No longer relying on conventional casting processes, 3D printing’s growing capabilities can deliver complex automotive components. Unlock in-depth insights into the extrusion segment of the global aluminium industry with The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032 Removing tooling, casting to expand design possibilities Unlike...
Adani, IHC unveil Odisha aluminium project with 4-5yr timeline, 53,500 jobs
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India’s Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) and the United Arab Emirates-based Abu International Resources Holding (IRH), through 2PointZero, to establish the USD 11.5 billion aluminium complex in Odisha has received a tentative project timeline of approximately 4-5 years. The project has been broken down into phases, viz., Phase 1 and Phase 2. The first would involve an investment worth INR 660 billion (USD 6.9 billion), and the latter, INR 440 billion (USD 4.6 billion). The planned integrated complex will consist of a 4 MTPA of alumina refining capacity, 2 MTPA of primary aluminium production, and 1 MTPA of downstream aluminium manufacturing capacity, making it Odisha's largest aluminium project. Unlock in-depth insights into the extrusion...
Aluminium industry watch: Production trends, billion-dollar deals, supply chain moves
The global aluminium value chain continued to witness a mix of shifting market dynamics, strategic investments, supply chain realignments, and policy developments over the past week. From evolving raw material trends and production updates to new mining projects, trade partnerships, corporate expansions, and smelter restarts, the industry remained focused on strengthening supply security while navigating changing market conditions and sustainability challenges. Market trends and industry outlook China’s bauxite inventories continued to increase last week despite higher prices and ongoing concerns over supply from Guinea. Stocks held at Chinese ports reached 32.4 million tonnes, up 24 per cent year-on-year and the highest level recorded since 2022. The price of Guinea’s 45 per cent grade...
Citi sees aluminium prices recovering to $3,500 despite the recent 20% correction
Aluminium prices are likely to bottom or find a floor over the coming month before staging a recovery in the second half (H2) of 2026, according to a fresh market outlook from the global bank, Citigroup or Citi. Between September and December, aluminium is expected to trade in the range of USD 3,300-3,500 per tonne , supported by improving macroeconomic conditions as well as tightening market metrics. Citi’s positive outlook was backed by a more dovish US Federal Reserve, easing real rates, increasing demand and declining inventories measured in days of consumption. To learn about the autonomous furnace tending in aluminium cast houses from RIA Cast House Engineering, join the webinar Autonomous furnace tending in aluminium cast houses: Improving safety, productivity and yield The bank...
Renewable energy beats fossil fuel: IRENA reports $480b saved in 2025
Renewable energy strengthened its economic case in 2025, according to the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Newly commissioned projects in 2025 helped the world save an estimated USD 480 billion in fossil fuel costs. IRENA’s report, Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2025 , shows that utility-scale renewable technologies maintained a decisive cost advantage over conventional power generation. Over 90 per cent of new renewable capacity installed in 2025 produced electricity at a lower cost than the cheapest newly built fossil fuel-based alternative. Among the major renewable technologies, solar photovoltaic (PV) generation remained stable at USD 44 per megawatt-hour (MWh) during 2025. Onshore wind generation costs declined 4 per cent year-on-year to USD...
LME aluminium price drops $3,065/t with EGA Al Taweelah repairs, supply fears ease
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph has been consistently reporting a decline for nearly 10 days since the June 22 close. As the Middle East tensions come to a settled state, supply fears have clearly started to ease. Moreover, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) announced its ahead-of-schedule progress in restoring production at the Al Taweelah aluminium facility, which has already restarted 89 of its 1,262 reduction cells. This update, too, is expected to further drop aluminium prices as inventories are likely to be restocked before any major supply crunch. Explore the relevance of red mud in the sustainable aluminium industry in A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations On July 2, the LME...
