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.
LME aluminium nears 4yr highs: Cash soars nearly 6% as Iran strikes EGA and Alba facilities
The effect of the Middle East conflict, fuelled by Iran’s drone and missile strikes on the facilities of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) on March 28, reflected starkly on the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices closing on March 30. Nearing four-year highs out of intensified supply disruption fears, cash price saw steep hikes, futures contract recovered from the previous declines, soaring considerably, while opening stocks continued to slide. The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer prices surged by a staggering 5.81 per cent on March 30. The bid price climbed from USD 3,290 per tonne on March 27 to USD 3,481 per tonne as the offer price rose from USD 3,292 per tonne to USD 3,482 per tonne. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry...
Lifting sanctions on bauxite and other critical minerals, US is set to procure defence valuables
On March 27, 2026, the US Treasury's OFAC lifted sanctions on Venezuela's minerals sector, comprising bauxite, coltan, gold, diamonds, and other rare earths, enabling US firms to pursue contracts, also with state-owned Minerven, post the capture of Nicolás Maduro. At present, the nation is eyeing to strengthen ties with the interim leader Delcy Rodríguez to have better access to the Venezuelan critical mineral industry, bauxite in particular, for extracting gallium and scandium. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The Venezuelan bauxite scenario Venezuela holds substantial bauxite resources , estimated at 3.48 billion tonnes , with a reserve of 1.33 billion tonnes and a resource base of 2.15 billion...
Aluminium prices and Australian stocks soar as Middle East smelters take the hit
The week opened with global markets on a weak footing, as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East affected investor sentiment, pushing commodity prices, including aluminium, even higher. By midday in Sydney, the S&P/ASX 200 dipped around 1.35 per cent, tracking losses seen across major US indices, viz., S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite, on Friday the previous week. In response to these developments, a strong rally has been noticed in Australian aluminium stocks. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Shares of Alcoa Corporation climbed over 9 per cent in early trading. South32 surged past 6 per cent and Rio Tinto jumped almost 3 per cent. Investments may have been...
Press Metal Aluminium hits record high as LME prices surge 6% on Iran strikes at EGA and Alba
As the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices soared up to 6 per cent from its previous bis closing at USD 3,290 per tonne on March 27 , Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad, the largest integrated aluminium producer in Southeast Asia, saw its shares hit an all-time intraday high, reaching MYR 8.12 (USD 2.02), marking a 6.3 per cent surge. The development occurred after the Middle East conflict led to attacks launched by Iran at the two largest aluminium producers of the Gulf region, i.e., Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) , causing major operational disruptions at the respective sites. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain In the forward market, the LME aluminium...
Over 3b aluminium cans and PET bottles returned as Sweden nears 90% recycling target
The Swedish deposit return system (DRS) operator Returpack/Pantamera reported that in 2025, over 3 billion PET bottles and aluminium cans were returned via Sweden’s DRS. Compared to the record of 2024, the 2025 count marks an increase of 130 million. The operator adds that returning the aluminium and PET containers via the deposit system cuts the carbon footprint by half, thereby promoting recycling and sustainability . Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain 2025 data shows that material customers received 27,826 tonnes of aluminium and 24,835 tonnes of PET. On average, each person returned 283 containers, reflecting an improvement of the 2024 performance by 4 per cent. The overall return rate of Sweden...
Guinea and EGA close a deal to resolve bauxite supply disruption
Guinea and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have finalised an agreement that could prevent an arbitration post the seizure of the miner’s local unit in 2025. The development is a marker toward resolving tensions that have disrupted bauxite supply flows from Guinea. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The disruption dates back to October, when Guinea assumed charge of EGA’s local subsidiary, Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), amid ongoing disagreements over plans for an alumina refinery. Consequently, the government transferred the assets to state-owned Nimba Mining, and also explored options to continue supplying bauxite to EGA. Bauxite offtake arrangements involving traders and alternative buyers have...
LME aluminium cash prices soar beyond $3,300/t while inventories slide downhill
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices soared on March 26 compared to the previous close. Both cash and futures contracts reported gains by wide margins, while exchange inventories continued to falter. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ”. The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer price rose 1.14 per cent. The bid price shifted from USD 3,294 per tonne on March 25 to USD 3,331.5 per tonne on March 26. Meanwhile, the cash offer price climbed from USD 3,294.5 per tonne to USD 3,332 per tonne. The three-month contract followed a similar trend. The LME aluminium 3-month bid as well as offer price recorded a gain of 0.8 per cent. The bid price edged up from USD 3,245 per tonne on March 25...
Germany and South Korea grapple with rare earth supply crunch as global race deepens
Germany, the wider European Union and South Korea are increasingly finding themselves on the back foot in securing rare earth supplies, even as countries like the United States and Japan move quickly to lock in access through strategic deals and investments. The imbalance is becoming more visible amid China’s prolonged restrictions on rare earth exports, which have tightened global availability over the past year. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain “The EU and, in particular, Germany, and Korea are quite exposed, right? Where are they going to get their supply from?” stated Darryl Cuzzubbo, CEO of Arafura Resources, emphasising the urgency of the situation. While Western economies are increasing their...
Aluminium price surge exposes policy gaps, squeezing India’s MSMEs
The ongoing Middle East conflict led to the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices soaring above USD 3,500 per tonne , with forecasts pointing to a potential rise to USD 4,000 by 2026. While the rally offers the primary aluminium producers a strong earnings opportunity, it is severely straining India’s downstream sector, specifically micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) . Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Industry comparison: Primary aluminium vs MSME India’s primary aluminium industry, with a capacity of 4.1 million tonnes, remains nearly 98 per cent operational and maintains margins of around 10 per cent. Yet, domestic supply is tightened because almost half of its produce is exported....
Global aluminium scrap trade trend: US sells, Asia buys
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 Ever since the emergence of recycled aluminium as a key lever for both decarbonisation and supply security in the industry, the United States (US) has emerged as one of the world’s leading exporters of aluminium scrap, with a well-established collection network and surplus generation. Large volumes of US-origin scrap are shipped to processing hubs in Asia, indicating a strategic supply corridor between the West and the East. That being said, with the stark demand surge for recycled aluminium across the world, the US has also been weighing the value of the metal, and as advised by the Aluminium Association, looking to treat its “aluminium scrap as a strategic asset.” Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026...
Gränges advances sustainability goals with $64M green bonds
Swedish aluminium rolling and recycling company Gränges has issued two five-year senior unsecured green bonds, adding up to SEK 6 million (USD 64 million) under its Medium-Term Note (MTN) programme. Marking a step in the low-carbon aluminium industry and sustainability, the bond is dated to mature in 2031. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The structure of the green bond goes like this – SEK 400 million (USD 42.8 million) of the total amount is to carry a coupon of 3-month Stibor plus 1.25 per cent, and SEK 200 million (USD 21 million) carries a fixed coupon of 4.15 per cent. Proceeds obtained from it will be distributed among eligible green projects under the Gränges’ Green Finance Framework. CFO...
Automakers accelerate to stockpile aluminium as Middle East conflict disrupts supply
Global automakers are accelerating aluminium procurement as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to disturb supply chains, disrupting production and trade routes, thereby raising concerns over near-term supply shortages and escalating costs. The situation has catalysed a wave of precautionary purchases. As the conflict advances towards a full month, executives from automakers and component suppliers observe that companies are building emergency reserves. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Shipping disruptions and regional exposure The Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) nations produce about 10 per cent of global refined aluminium, making the region an essential supply hub. Europe sources...
Australia’s $2B fund for Rio Tinto’s Boyne aluminium pushes renewable energy and employment
The federal and Queensland governments of Australia are to jointly sponsor a USD 2 billion support package for Australia’s second-largest aluminium smelter, the Boyne aluminium smelter of Rio Tinto. The joint funding is being rendered as a large-scale renewable energy transition while aiming to secure jobs and long-term industrial stability. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister of Australia, commented on the investment’s contribution to transforming Queensland’s energy grid. Noting the present global trade disruptions owing to the Middle East conflict, he emphasised the essentiality of a strong domestic manufacturing base. Funds aligned with renewables and jobs In...
Strained fuel supply and cost challenges worry the Indian aluminium extrusion sector
Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) has warned that the strained fuel supply, with rising energy prices, is weighing on key industrial units as they run below capacity. Consequently, these challenges are taking a toll on the micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the fundamental players in the Indian aluminium extrusion industry. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Owing to the ever-inflating prices of energy-intensive operations, manufacturers in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru and Pune have reported an output slowdown. As aluminium extrusion generally depends on gas-powered high-temperature furnaces, it is exposed to volatile fuel prices and supply uncertainties. Industry...
LME aluminium cash offer softens to $3,242.5/t as EGA reroute eases Hormuz disruption
As the US-Israel conflict with Iran persisted, blocking the Strait of Hormuz, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) secured an alternative route for export activities last week, easing the global trade disruption along the Middle East route. The impact was immediate, as the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices fell nearly 1 per cent on March 18 , with the trend continuing till the latest close of LME aluminium on March 24. Both LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices saw a decline of 0.28 per cent. The bid price eased to USD 3,242 per tonne on March 24 from USD 3,251 per tonne on March 23 , as the cash offer settled at USD 3,242.5 per tonne, slipping from USD 3,251.5 per tonne. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium...
Rise and fall in LME aluminium: cash climbs to $3,329/t, stocks slip nearly 1%
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) improved on March 20 compared to the previous close. Cash price reported gains by wide margins, futures contracts recovered from the previous session’s decline, while opening stocks continued to slide. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose from USD 3,198 per tonne on March 19 to USD 3,328.5 per tonne on March 20, increasing by 4.08 per cent. The cash offer price climbed from USD 3,200 per tonne to USD 3,329 per tonne, up 4.03 per cent day-on-day. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ”. The three-month contract followed a similar trend. The LME aluminium 3-month bid as well as offer price recorded a gain of 4.2 per cent. The bid price edged up from...
Odisha clears $481 million investment proposals, to generate over 10,000 jobs
Odisha has approved industrial investment proposals worth INR 45 billion (USD 481 million), a move that is expected to generate over 10,122 jobs across 11 districts. It is expected to back the state’s push for diversified industrial growth and value addition. Approval for aluminium and steel downstream proposals suggests Odisha’s goal to emerge as a metal hub. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The approvals were passed by the State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), which is chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg. 23 projects in total were passed, ranging across various sectors such as metals (aluminium and steel), pharmaceuticals, chemicals, textiles and services. Among the approved...
India gains over 1 million tonnes of Guinea bauxite as Middle East trade routes falter
Trade disruption resulting from the Middle East conflict has led to the diversion of approximately 1.2 million tonnes of bauxite shipments from Guinea to India. Amid supply constraints and tightened trade, the bauxite supply originally bound for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would offer a short-term boost to India’s alumina industry. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Trade disruption reshapes bauxite flows The Middle East Gulf region, particularly the UAE, has emerged as a preferred destination for shipping bauxite due to its cost-efficient energy base for alumina refining. Originally destined for the UAE, nine vessels have been rerouted to Indian ports such as Visakhapatnam, Gangavaram and Kandla...
