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.
GCC aluminium production outlook revised for Q2 2026 after April output shock
As the Middle East conflict continues with full force, the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked, and 9 per cent of aluminium production and supply from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) hangs by the thread of uncertainty. Compounded by the damages caused by the geopolitical unrest, GCC completes one-third of the April-June quarter (Q2) of 2026, with a staggering 26.87 per cent month-on-month production decline. GCC April’26 rings warning bells Aluminium production in the January-March quarter (Q1) of 2026 declined in the range of 540,000 to 570,000 tonnes or about 3.7 per cent, slipping from 1.55 million tonnes in the October-December quarter (Q4) in 2025 to 1.49 million tonnes in Q1 2026. As the GCC stepped into Q2 2026, the April aluminium output saw a drastic dip, with the daily average...
LME aluminium price hits $3,720/t; supply shortage deepens as stocks fall to 339,475t
The May 21 session on the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices witnessed a drastic recovery in the aluminium market trend from the declining graph in the May 20 session . Figures improved across cash, benchmark and contracts, while the declining stocks and warrants indicated a worldwide aluminium supply shortage. 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 cash bid jumped from USD 3,643 per tonne on May 20 to USD 3,718 per tonne on May 21, rising by 2.06 per cent. The offer climbed from USD 3,644 per tonne to USD 3,720 per tonne , gaining 2.08 per cent. The LME aluminium three-month bid as well as offer prices gained 1.64 per cent on May 21....
CHALCO tightens Guinea grip with high-stakes alumina expansion deal
Aluminum Corporation of China (CHALCO), through its Hong Kong-listed Unit, and its partnering mining company and port company have signed an agreement to amend and restart the Mining Convention with the Guinean Government. It paves the way for the creation of a dedicated project company that will oversee the development and operations of the Guinean Alumina Project linked to the country’s Boffa bauxite reserves. The agreement formally recognises Guinea’s right to acquire additional equity in the venture at fair market value. Following this, Chalco Hong Kong aims to establish the Project Company in Guinea through its subsidiary, Chalco Energy Holdings, via a cash capital contribution. The proposed initial registered capital for it stands at GNF 600 million, equivalent to nearly USD 68,200...
US rare earth deal ignites rally as west strives for a China-free supply
New York-based Critical Metals Corp witnessed a sharp market rally on Thursday after securing a long-term rare earth supply agreement with REalloys, reinforcing Western efforts to build an alternative supply chain free from dependence on China. Interestingly, the announcement of a binding 15-year offtake deal with REalloys Incorporated for concentrate supply from the Tanbreez rare earth project in Southern Greenland resulted in the shares of Critical Metals Corp soaring 10 per cent. REalloys shares also climbed 7 per cent after the development. Under the agreement, REalloys will secure 15 per cent of Tanbreez’s annual rare earth concentrate output, including priority access to volumes rich in heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and terbium. The deal also grants REalloys a Right...
From primary to processed: Has Gulf tax gap sent China’s aluminium wire export soaring?
Surging aluminium prices driven by the Middle East conflict, fuelled by a tax gap across the Strait of Hormuz, have prompted Chinese producers and traders to ramp up supply of aluminium in processed or semi-fabricated form rather than as ingots. Consequently, China’s aluminium stranded wire exports witnessed a sharp spike in April. According to customs data released on Wednesday, China exported 15,565 tonnes of aluminium stranded wire, cables and related products excluding steel-core material in April. The volume marked a jump of more than 166 per cent year-on-year and nearly 95 per cent higher than March levels. Explore the accurate insights and forecasts for the aluminium flat rolled products (FRP) market in Aluminium Flat Rolled Products: Insights & Forecast to 2032 Against the...
Aluminium faces market turbulence as ongoing Gulf crisis spurs energy and supply shock
The global aluminium market is undergoing a sharp reset as the ongoing Middle East conflict and the resulting energy disruptions tighten supply, lift production costs and push prices to multi-year highs. The Iranian missile attacks on the Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) facilities have crippled up to an estimated 3 to 3.2 million tonnes of combined annual capacity. Combined with the 40 per cent production shutdown (estimated 259,200 tonnes) at the integrated aluminium complex Qatalum , 3 to 4 per cent of the global supply has been cut short. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report Consequently, aluminium prices climbed to a...
A resilient aluminium demand in North America: Scrap and FRP drive momentum after sluggish H1’25
The North American aluminium market has witnessed sharp shifts in trade dynamics, the trend shifting with policy changes and geopolitical developments. In 2025, North America’s aluminium market showed signs of recovery, with demand ending the year on a stable note despite economic and trade-related headwinds. According to the latest Aluminium Situation report by the Aluminium Association, the region recorded a modest 0.8 per cent increase in aluminium demand, backed by stronger manufacturing activity in the second half of the year after a weak start. Charles Johnson, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association, noted, “North American aluminium demand showed resilience in 2025, finishing the year essentially flat despite ongoing economic and trade uncertainty.” Explore the accurate...
Middle East conflict jolts aluminium supply chain, raising risks for Asia’s green shift
As the ongoing Middle East conflict disrupts aluminium and nickel supply chains, a question mark looms over Asia’s renewable energy ambitions, threatening to raise costs for solar panels, wind turbines and grid infrastructure across the region. Countries including Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines have accelerated rooftop solar and renewable energy deployment in recent years, largely in response to persistently high fossil fuel prices. But the growing instability around the Strait of Hormuz is now casting a shadow of uncertainty over the supply of critical industrial metals required for the energy transition. Discover: The Gulf aluminium market risks, China impact, alumina supply, carbon costs, and logistics disruptions shaping pricing and trade in Gulf Disruption Roadmap The Iranian...
LME aluminium price rallies with cash at $3,665/t as faltering stocks signal supply stress
The May 19 session closed with L ondon Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices reporting surges on wide margins. Overcoming the modest gains in the previous close, the cash and contracts gained considerable momentum. The sharp rise was largely driven by tightening global supply signals, falling exchange inventories and renewed buying momentum across near- and long-term contracts. The cash price and near-term contracts recorded improved figures, while the bearish momentum of the longer-dated contracts and the declining stocks indicated a worldwide supply crisis. Explore our upcoming report - A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer prices recorded an improvement of 0.8...
Hindalco wins local backing for Aditya Aluminium’s 9 LTPA expansion
The public hearing session conducted by Hindalco Industries Limited for the expansion of the aluminium smelter and captive power plant owned by its subsidiary, Aditya Aluminium, in Lapanga, Sambalpur district, Odisha, received unanimous approval from the Panchayat Raj and resident villagers. It was held under the guidelines of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and aimed at securing an environmental clearance. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report The proposed expansion aims to increase production capacity in the smelter and power units. Aluminium output is expected to rise from 6.8 lakh tonnes per annum (LTPA) to 9.0 LTPA, while...
Senyo Hosi backs SMEs, bauxite and aluminium growth to unlock Ghana’s potential
As Ghana steps out of the IMF Extended Credit Facility Programme, Financial Analyst Senyo Hosi advocates that the government drive productivity with a different approach. He urges the Ghana administration to drive it through growth led by the private sector instead of focusing solely on macroeconomic stability. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report He emphasises that in order to actively contribute to the nation’s economic growth and prosperity, development of an environment that fosters businesses, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is imperative. He opined that the IMF programme should be used as a cornerstone for industrial development and...
Century Aluminum draws focus as Q1 miss meets strong US expansion outlook
The US-based Century Aluminum (CENX) is back in focus, as its first quarter (Q1) of 2026 financial results depicted a mixed picture . While revenue surpassed market expectations, adjusted earnings per share (EPS) did not meet consensus estimates. Nonetheless, management’s strong Q2 EBITDA guidance and operational progress at the Mount Holly expansion and Norðurál smelter have helped maintain investor confidence amid continued volatility in the metals sector. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report Century’s share price has softened in the near term, declining 7.52 per cent in a day and 8.71 per cent over the past month. However, the broader trend remains firmly...
It’s elementary: Students collect 3m+ aluminium cans at US recycling contest
During the 2025-26 “Million Cans Recycling Contest” held in the US, elementary school students from 14 states recycled more than 3 million aluminium beverage cans. Since the inception of the competition in 2023-24, participants have collected over 6 million aluminium cans, weighing nearly 188,000 pounds, roughly the same as the airframe of a Boeing 737. Including this year’s collection of around 3.07 million cans, the contest has delivered energy savings estimated to be sufficient for charging around 36 million smartphones. Delve deeper into the recycled aluminium and secondary aluminium market with our World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry forecast to 2032 The initiative is organised by the nonprofit Recycling Society, based in Bellingham, Washington, in collaboration with...
Approved: Greece ministry & Metlen’s €300m gallium push to cut EU import reliance
The Interministerial Committee for Strategic Investments of the Hellenic Republic has approved a new strategic investment by METLEN Energy & Metals in the ramp-up of gallium production capacity in Greece. It falls within the framework of METLEN's existing bauxite mining and alumina refining operations at the Aluminium of Greece. The initiative, therefore, is set to advance along with the expansion plans for bauxite mines and the alumina refinery situated nearby. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report The European Union (EU) has categorised gallium as a critical mineral or raw material whose applications span a wide range of enhanced, cutting-edge technologies,...
Vedanta secures S&P Global’s 'BB' upgrade as aluminium integration boosts margins
S&P Global Ratings has upgraded Vedanta Resources to ‘BB’ with a stable outlook, reinforced by improvement in operating performance, firmer liquidity and consistent deleveraging across the group. S&P highlighted Vedanta’s expanding backward integration in alumina and bauxite, coupled with favourable commodity prices, as driving the strengthening of Vedanta’s earnings profile. Additionally, Odisha’s Lanjigarh alumina refinery ramp-up is expected to raw material security and lower aluminium production costs and improve profitability over the next two fiscal years. Discover: The Gulf aluminium market risks, China impact, alumina supply, carbon costs, and logistics disruptions shaping pricing and trade in Gulf Disruption Roadmap Vedanta’s captive alumina production is projected by S&P to rise...
From CBAM to recycling growth, here’s how supply shocks and sustainability race redraw the global aluminium map
The aluminium industry witnessed a defining phase shaped by tightening supply chains, rising sustainability pressures, accompanied by an acceleration in recycling investments. From shifting global scrap trade patterns and low-carbon aluminium initiatives to CBAM-driven policy responses and ESG-led industrial strategies, producers and governments alike continued repositioning themselves for a market increasingly influenced by resilience, decarbonisation and circular economy ambitions. Delve deeper into the recycled aluminium and secondary aluminium market with our World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry forecast to 2032 The global aluminium market has entered 2026 under intense pressure as supply shortages, geopolitical tensions and carbon-linked trade barriers reshape the...
Oman’s Sohar Aluminium attracts UAE’s EGA to deepen Gulf and global footprint
According to six sources, the leading aluminium producer in the Middle East, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), is reportedly in negotiations with Oman in order to acquire a stake in competing producer Sohar Aluminium of Oman, which has an annual production capacity of about 395,000 tonnes. This is an indication of EGA’s aim to venture beyond the UAE and set cornerstones across the Middle East and the world. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Report The development aligns with EGA’s ongoing international growth strategy. The UAE-based producer, which exports nearly 90 per cent of its aluminium output, has been expanding overseas to strengthen its global footprint...
Haryana approves project incentives, boosts aluminium downstream sectors
On Tuesday, the Government of Haryana passed approval for several primary industrial projects and incentive packages under the Haryana Enterprise and Employment Policy (HEEP) 2020. It aims to reinforce manufacturing capacity, investment, as well as state-wide employment generation across multiple sectors, including aluminium packaging, automotive components , drones, and batteries. The decisions were made at the 19th review meeting of the Haryana Enterprises Promotion Board (HEPB). Explore the accurate insights and forecasts for the aluminium flat rolled products (FRP) market in Aluminium Flat Rolled Products: Insights & Forecast to 2032 The meeting was held in New Delhi and chaired by the Chief Minister of Haryana, Mr Nayab Saini. Haryana Industries and Commerce Minister, Rao Narbir...
