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.
As EU import bans loom large, Russia plans to redirect LNG supplies to Asia from Europe
Anticipating the European Union’s (EU) upcoming restrictions on Russian gas imports and aided by President Vladimir Putin, Russia is preparing to redirect part of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments currently supplied to Europe to alternative global markets. The push is aligned with Moscow looking to step beyond the European market for long-term energy partnerships. An efficient and cleaner-burning fuel source for high-temperature process heating and melting purposes, LNG is increasingly used in the aluminium industry, offering a sustainable alternative to coal and aiding decarbonisation. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Alexander Novak, Deputy Prime Minister, confirmed that the government and...
Middle East conflict: Barring India’s crude oil import, fuelling food crisis and aluminium shortage?
The Middle East conflict involving the US-Israel and Iran is to disrupt global trade flows and hamper India’s energy security and supply chains, according to the government body of Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM). Closure of the maritime corridor of the Strait of Hormuz has significantly jeopardised trade, resulting in a crude oil crisis and raising a question mark on the Indian energy supply, while intensifying fertiliser and aluminium shortage. However, Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s affirmation of “absolutely no shortage of fuel” is likely to offer relief to the worried Indian consumers. Nonetheless, let us dive deeper into the tanker and analyse. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across...
LME aluminium surpasses $3,400/t while Trump’s pledge to resolve conflict softens future contracts
The London Metal Exchange (LME) continues to record the escalation of aluminium prices owing to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between US-Israel and Iran. The temporary closure of the global trade passage, viz., the Strait of Hormuz, has brought about massive trade disruption in the global market. Hence, LME aluminium prices on March 9 have hit a new high, surpassing USD 3,400. At the same time, traded prices show a dip, following the US President Trump’s pledge to end the geopolitical tensions and consequent fluidity in metal supply. The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer price increased by 0.64 per cent. While the bid price rose to USD 3,406 per tonne on March 9 from USD 3,384.5 per tonne on March 6 . The offer price climbed to USD 3,406.5 per tonne from USD 3,385 per tonne. The...
PyroGenesis×Constellium: Plasma torch to pave way for aluminium furnace electrification
Specialised in plasma-based technology for heavy industry and defence, PyroGenesis has completed manufacturing a plasma torch system for Constellium . A significant step toward aluminium furnace electrification, the system will be installed in the company’s casthouse remelting furnace to replace conventional heating with cleaner, sustainable methods. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Plasma-based electrification is considered a cleaner and scalable alternative to fuel sources, promoting the industry’s decarbonisation and sustainability goals . The system components of the technology are currently being delivered to a European facility of Constellium, to continue over the next five weeks. PyroGenesis...
Crude oil prices cross $100/barrel amid geopolitical tensions, disrupting the Hormuz corridor
On Sunday, global oil markets witnessed a sharp spike as crude oil prices crossed the USD 100 per barrel mark for the first time in over 3.5 years, triggered by supply disruptions stemming from the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and rising unrest across the Middle East, especially surrounding the global trade corridor of the Strait of Hormuz. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Brent crude, the international benchmark, reached USD 107.97 per barrel once trading resumed on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, marking a 16.5 per cent increase from Friday’s closing price of USD 92.69. The benchmark for US light sweet crude, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), climbed to USD 106.22 per barrel, rising 16.9 per cent...
Women take up core operations at Vedanta Aluminium’s Lanjigarh alumina refinery
Vedanta Limited has been taking a variety of initiatives for a greater engagement of women in the aluminium industry. At present, women from Odisha’s local communities are increasingly stepping into technical roles at the Vedanta Aluminium refinery in Lanjigarh. This development indicates a gradual transition in the participation in operations at the world’s second largest alumina refinery. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Among these women employees is Priyanka Mahakhud, a control room operator at the company’s 5-million-tonne-per-annum alumina refinery in Lanjigarh, Odisha. Born and raised in the village, Mahakhud manages the refinery’s Distributed Control System (DCS), which functions as the...
Nigeria seeks EU partnership to strengthen aluminium and mineral industries
Nigeria is considering enhancing industrial collaborations with the European Union to advance the development of its aluminium, mineral and steel industries through investment, technology transfer and infrastructure reinforcement. Nigeria’s Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, urged for stronger EU partnerships to help in transforming the country’s raw material resource base into a value-added industrial centre. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Minister Audu raised this proposition while speaking at the Nigeria–German Economic Forum in Dortmund, Germany, on March 3, 2026. He highlighted that the initiative aligns with Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda , which aims to...
NALCO shares surge 18% in 8 days amid West Asia disruptions and firm aluminium prices
Over eight trading sessions, the shares of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) rallied nearly 18 per cent, backed by rising global aluminium prices triggered by supply disruptions in West Asia. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The stock climbed to a high of INR 399.95 (USD 4.35) on Friday, compared with INR 338.95 (USD 3.69) on February 23. The price movement followed developments in the region, including a force majeure declaration by Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba) in the midst of shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz and a controlled shutdown announced by Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company due to gas supply suspension. NALCO, one of the lowest-cost producers of bauxite and...
AMAG announces CEO transition as Helmut Kaufmann withdraws and Victor Breguncci enters
A Supervisory Board meeting of the primary aluminium, secondary aluminium and cast and rolled products manufacturer and supplier, AMAG Austria Metall AG, held on March 5, 2026, brought about the announcement of a leadership transition. AMAG confirmed that the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Helmut Kaufmann, having fulfilled the role for nearly 19 years, will step down from the Management Board on April 30, 2026. The decision was made to ensure a structured CEO succession and long-term management continuity. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Effective from May 1, 2026, the current Chief Sales Officer Victor Breguncci will take over the role, whose appointment as the CEO is scheduled to run till...
The ripple effect of Hormuz block: A worry for the Middle East or global trade?
The escalating Iran-Israel conflict and growing uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz are casting a shadow over the global supply chain. Aluminium markets were jolted after Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) declared force majeure on certain supply contracts, citing shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz , with geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on the brink, sending shockwaves across global trade flows – aluminium as well as other sectors like fuel and liquified natural gas (LNG). Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain As one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, Hormuz, connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, links the GCC producers with the world. It handles over 5 million...
LME aluminium prices ease over 2% after reaching 4yr high from Strait of Hormuz tensions
March 5 saw an easing of the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices after hitting a 4-year high level at the previous close. Aluminium prices maintained a 3-day streak on the rising graph, which raised concerns in the industry. The ongoing geopolitical tensions in Iran led to the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a primary shipping waterway for global trade, disrupting trade across the world. LME cash bid eased to USD 3,298 per tonne on March 5 from USD 3,377.5 per tonne on March 4 , recording a difference of 2.35 per cent. The cash offer settled at USD 3,298.5 per tonne, slipping from USD 3,378 per tonne, also down 2.35 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 LME...
Ardagh Metal Packaging 2025 report: 3% shipments hike and 12% in revenue with “minimal” tariff impacts
Notable global supplier of sustainable and recyclable metal beverage cans, Ardagh Metal Packaging SA (AMP), published its fourth quarter and full-year financial results, delivering steady growth in both segments. The resilient performance was reinforced by higher shipments, a favourable mix and disciplined cost control across its operations. Despite the Trump administration’s 50 per cent tariff impositions, AMP marched on with “minimal impact” from the US tariffs. The 50 per cent tariff imposed by the US on aluminium and steel raised concerns among the end-use sector . While companies like Ball Corporation and Crown Holdings expressed doubts regarding the matter and its cost-inflating impact on the packaging industry, Coca-Cola considered partly switching from aluminium to plastic...
ETI raises concern over proposed Aughinish Alumina refinery expansion
The Environmental Trust Ireland (ETI), an environmental organisation, is set to initiate a High Court case regarding the proposed expansion plans of the Russian Aughinish Alumina refinery in County Limerick. Scheduled to begin on March 4, the case relates to proposals to increase the height of the bauxite residue, i.e., red mud, storage area from 32 metres to 44 metres or 144 feet. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain ETI has also expressed concerns over plans to expand the refinery’s quarry blasting area by an additional 9.6 acres, bringing the total quarry footprint to 20.75 acres. ETI is represented by the law firm, Hayes Solicitors Limerick. The president of the environmental organisation is the...
LME aluminium climbs above $3,220t amid geopolitics, market momentum and lower stocks
The impact of geopolitical developments may have started reflecting on the metal market, as aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) shot up on March 2 compared to the previous close. Both cash and futures contracts reported gains by wide margins, while exchange inventories continued to slide. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 3,225.5 per tonne on March 2, up 2.19 per cent from USD 3,156.5 per tonne on February 27 . The cash offer price climbed to USD 3,226 per tonne from USD 3,157.5 per tonne, rising by 2.17 per cent. The three-month contract followed a similar trend. The LME aluminium 3-month bid price edged up to USD 3,232 per tonne on March 2 from 3,163 per tonne on February 27, increasing by 2.18 per cent. The 3-month offer price rose to USD 3,233 per tonne from...
VALCO reports $120m revenue as government reviews expansion drive
The 2025 revenue generation of the Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) in Ghana has surpassed USD 120 million. This marks the highest and best performance by the company in recent years. The update comes at a significant juncture as the state-owned aluminium smelter proceeds with a turnaround strategy for capacity expansion along with value addition of downstream products. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The figure was disclosed by VALCO CEO Dr Robert Makila Sambian on February 26, 2026, during a visit to the Tema facility by Dr Rashid Pelpuo, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment. The minister held separate meetings with management and the local workers’ union to assess operational...
Rio Tinto considers reopening Tiwai Point potline as aluminium prices near all-time highs
Rio Tinto is “actively considering” restarting the dormant fourth potline at the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter near Bluff. With global aluminium prices surging past USD 3,000 per tonne, hovering near historical highs at around USD 3,148 per tonne, up 24 per cent since the end of March 2025, the height of economic urgency for the smelter reopening has elevated. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a suspension of operations at potline 4 . In 2024, the company sought expressions of interest from power suppliers capable of supporting a potential restart. According to a Rio Tinto spokesperson, though no final decision has been made yet, discussions with...
Vedanta emerges as the preferred bidder for Odisha's Karnapodikonda bauxite block
In a competitive auction conducted by the Government of Odisha, Vedanta Limited has been awarded the status of preferred bidder for the Karnapodikonda bauxite block in Odisha. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain In a regulatory filing, Vedanta confirmed that on February 27, 2026, the company was notified of the “Declaration of Preferred Bidder” from the Directorate of Mines and Geology, Government of Odisha. The tender process for the mining lease auction was initiated through a Notice Inviting Tender, dated December 4, 2025. As reported in the tender document, the Karnapodikonda block, spanning 532.747 hectares, is categorised on the G2 exploration level. Having qualified in the initial bidding stage,...
LME aluminium cash offer recorded 1.17% gain while opening stocks declined to 467,550t
The consulting firm, AZ China Ltd, has reported that the Middle East accounts for 9 per cent of global aluminium production. The major producers use the Strait of Hormuz , off the coast of Iran, as an import corridor for raw materials and export metals. Owing to the recent geopolitical tensions in Iran, metal trade has been sensitive, with aluminium price shooting up 1.6 per cent to USD 3,190 per tonne. Hence, a surging trend is expected to follow in the month of March. As of the close of February, aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) moved higher on February 27 compared to the previous session, with both cash and futures contracts registering gains, while exchange inventories recorded a decline. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 3,156.5 per tonne on February 27...
