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 cash offer price slips further down to $3,042/t while opening stocks record a modest increase of 0.29%
London Metal Exchange aluminium prices weakened across most contracts on February 2, a trend following the previous session. Meanwhile, exchange inventories made a soft recovery. The LME aluminium cash bid price continued to slip, reaching USD 3,041 per tonne on February 2 from USD 3,109 per tonne on January 30, marking a 2.19 per cent drop. The cash offer price followed a similar trend, easing to USD 3,042 per tonne from USD 3,110 per tonne, also down by 2.19 per cent day-on-day. In the futures market, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price continued to edge downwards to USD 3,065 per tonne, compared with USD 3,132 per tonne the previous day, recording a 2.14 per cent decrease. The 3-month offer price slipped lower to USD 3,066 per tonne from USD 3,134 per tonne, a similar decline of 2.17...
US aluminium midwest premium in Jan’26 exceeds the $2k mark, hitting an all-time high
Ever since the US President Donald Trump’s tariff imposition, the market witnessed its regional aluminium premium rise, exceeding USD 1 per pound. Consequently, for the first time, the US Midwest Premium for aluminium has surged to an all-time high at USD 2,182 per tonne. According to the Fastmarkets report, this development occurred on January 28. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain In early June, the Trump administration imposed a 50 per cent tariff on aluminium imports, with the premium hitting a record above 64 cents. The US Midwest Premium, a surcharge over the London Metals Exchange (LME), has more than doubled and remained on a rising trend since then. On January 8, 2026, the premium exceeded USD...
CEM’s Thor project: Is Canada eyeing an alumina abundance to reduce bauxite import dependence?
Canadian Energy Metals Corporation (CEM) has released a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Thor Project in Saskatchewan. It outlines the potential for a globally significant, Chemical-Grade and High-Purity alumina stock during the times of high aluminium demand, as aluminium supply chains are under growing geopolitical and trade pressure. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain CEM President and CEO Christopher Hopkins referred to the Thor project as “a possible game changer for North America’s aluminium supply chain.” He mentioned establishing the Saskatchewan alumina stock and added, “Our next focus is to engineer a demonstration facility while moving Thor towards commercialisation.” The PEA...
Spaceship-like electric Podbike TwoZero: For a space-like journey on the road
Ever wondered what it would feel like to sit in a rocket and zoom out into space, while consuming minimal energy, and sustaining environment with top-order convenience? Do not despair! Even if not in space, the Frikar electric podbike’s latest model, TwoZero, will give you an experience equivalent to a journey on a spacecraft on wheels. Built around an aluminium-based frame, the four-wheel podbike is designed with end-user comfort and eco-friendly goals. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Enclosed design? That’s comfortable! TwoZero combines components of a bicycle and a compact car, not relying solely on motor power and allows riders to pedal with electric assistance. Ideal for narrow streets and...
Global aluminium production surge propels the increased demand for bauxite trade
Global primary aluminium production has expanded sharply since 2000, although the annual growth rate, remaining at 1.06 per cent , has been the lowest. However, a direct comparison with the 2000 data shows aluminium output increasing by a staggering 199 per cent. This increase in production has boosted the scale and flow of the bauxite trade. Seaborne bauxite trade climbed to a new high in 2025, reflecting an increase in demand for raw materials to sustain the expanding worldwide production of aluminium. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Ursa Shipbrokers, drawing up data from the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), shows bauxite loadings reached an estimated 246.6 million tonnes in 2025, rising...
Ball Corporation facilitates Münsterland-Paramount collab with SpongeBob-themed aluminium cans
December 2025 saw a collaboration between the German milk beverage brand Münsterland and Paramount Pictures, launching a range of limited-edition aluminium cans that featured characters from the new SpongeBob SquarePants film ‘Search for SquarePants’. The limited launch series includes three flavours, viz., banana presenting SpongeBob SquarePants, strawberry featuring Patrick Star, and chocolate depicting Sandy Cheeks. The aluminium cans were supplied by one of the leading global aluminium packagers, Ball Corporation. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The drinks are packaged in 250 ml slim cans, designed to boost shelf presence while appealing to nostalgia-driven consumers. The slogan of “Recycling...
Metlen produces 5kg gallium, achieves milestone in bauxite processing
Evangelos Mytilineos, founder and CEO of Metlen Εnergy & Metals, posted on social media that the global industrial and energy company successfully produced 5 kilogrammes of gallium. It has marked a milestone in Europe’s critical minerals roadmap, since gallium, as a by-product of bauxite, plays a significant role in electronics and semiconductors. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain This is the foundational step for large-scale rare earth mineral production, despite the limited initial production volume. The procedure was carried out at the historic “Aluminium of Greece” plant in central Greece. Situated in Viotia, Metlen has targeted a ramp-up of gallium output to 5-10 tonnes in 2026. It would be...
Why is solar panel recycling a key concern in the evolving industrial landscape?
As early photovoltaic or PV solar panel installations are nearing the end of their operational lifespan, solar panel recycling is turning out to be a central concern. With global solar capacity expansion in process, the focus is shifting toward an efficient and responsible implementation of PV modules after decommissioning. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain In the past two decades, global installation of PV solar panels has shot up. Most of these were developed to operate for 25 to 30 years. Global installed capacity in 2024 exceeded 2.2 TW, with nearly 600 GW . As these systems retire, limited recycling infrastructure could lead to a growing volume of electronic waste. According to the International...
LME cash offer recovers with a 2.9% increase while inventories continue on with a slight dip
From the previous close, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices recovered with a steady increase. LME inventory side, however, followed the declining trend earlier, suggesting a global supply shortage of metal outflow. On January 28, the LME cash bid increased by 2.9 per cent from USD 3,166 per tonne to USD 3,258 per tonne. Following the upward trend, the cash offer price rose by 2.92 per cent, from USD 3,166.5 per tonne to USD 3,259 per tonne. Don’t miss out- Buyers are looking for your products on our B2B platform The 3-month bid and offer showed a similar hike, the bid rising with a 2.62 per cent increase from USD 3,177.5 per tonne on January 27 to USD 3,261 per tonne on January 28. The offer price inched slightly higher, by 2.64 per cent, from USD 3,178 per tonne to USD...
Odisha CM lays the foundation stone for India’s first-ever FRP aluminium foil unit
On January 27, Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, inaugurated India’s first Flat Rolled Products (FRP) aluminium unit at Hindalco Industries’ Aditya Aluminium plant in Lapanga, Sambalpur district. Achieving a significant milestone in downstream aluminium manufacturing, this involves an investment of about INR 212 billion (USD 2.3 billion). The project is expected to generate over 5,000 direct and indirect employment, supporting domestic industrial growth. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The project consists of a specialised battery foil unit, built with an estimated investment of INR 8.34 billion (USD 90.1 million). It is aimed at bolstering critical raw material needs with support up to...
Hindalco announces plans for aluminium smelter expansion and downstream push
On January 27, the Mumbai-based Hindalco Industries Ltd, a flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, announced expansion plans worth INR 210 billion (USD 2.3 billion) for its aluminium smelter capacity at the Aditya Aluminium complex in Sambalpur, Odisha. This marks one of the industry’s largest recent investments aimed at a scale-up of the upstream production, as well as to reinforce the circular economy with downstream manufacturing self-reliance in India. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The announcement was made alongside the commissioning of a Flat Rolled Products (FRP) and battery-grade aluminium foil facility for INR 45 billion (USD 536 million). It is part of a broader ongoing growth capital...
Police intercept inter-state gang for UGVCL aluminium wires theft in rural Ahmedabad
The Ahmedabad Police have intercepted members of an inter-state gang involved in repeated thefts of aluminium wires from UGVCL power lines in Viramgam, Mandal and Detroj talukas, arresting four persons and recovering stolen material and vehicles worth nearly INR 8 lakhs (USD 800,000). Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The Ahmedabad Range Inspector General and the Ahmedabad Rural Superintendent of Police led the operation to curb damage to power infrastructure. A special team from the Viramgam Division that was working with the Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch received information on January 20 that stolen aluminium wires were being smuggled between two Bolero pickup vehicles near the Saurashtra...
EGA’s milestone at the Al Taweelah aluminium recycling plant, a move attempted to bridge the Guinean bauxite sourcing gap
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest company among the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in the aluminium industry, has achieved a major construction milestone at its aluminium recycling plant in Al Taweelah, with the facility’s giant melting furnace charged with aluminium scrap for the first time. The development is an indication of the shift towards domestic recycled aluminium production to bridge the bauxite sourcing gap caused by Guinea’s policy of revoking bauxite mining licences from foreign countries in August 2025 to boost state control. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The outcome marks a significant step closer to the completion of the Al Taweelah aluminium recycling plant...
Aluminium can supply shortage looms large, leading to a deferral of quality control norms
India has extended the deadline for the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification through a mandatory Quality Control Order (QCO) for aluminium cans used in soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, and food processing. The decision has helped in easing the supply pressure of aluminium cans right ahead of the summer demand. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Brought under the BIS certifications in April 2025, manufacturers like Coca-Cola and United Breweries Ltd were facing a supply disruption of aluminium cans, a threat looming large just before the demand for aluminium-canned drinks in the summer. The shortage led to an import rush from Sri Lanka and the Middle East to tackle the seasonal demand. The...
LME cash offer makes a 0.54% rise to $3,192/t while opening stocks decline to 505,275 tonnes
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange continued to rise on January 26, with both cash and 3-month forwards reporting gains in contrast to the inventories, which showed a decline. The LME aluminium cash bid price climbed to USD 3,190 on January 26 from USD 3,174.5 per tonne on January 23, increasing by 0.5 per cent. The cash offer price rose to USD 3,192 per tonne from USD 3,175 per tonne, also up by 0.54 per cent day-on-day. In the forward market, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price increased to USD 3,195 on January 26 from USD 3,176 per tonne on January 23, a gain of 0.6 per cent. The 3-month offer price rose to USD 3,195.5 from USD 3,177 per tonne, reflecting a similar 0.6 per cent increase. The December 27 aluminium contract saw a decline. The bid price slipped to USD 3,133 on...
MP Peter Bunting’s case: Inspection of Jamaican bauxite industry for rehabilitation purposes
The bauxite industry of Jamaica has come under sharp political and public scrutiny. Manchester Southern MP and Opposition Senator, Peter Bunting, mentioned mining companies being aloof and secretive with the residents of the mining areas. Compensatory measures and rehabilitation procedures are underway, as noted by the Mining Minister, Floyd Green. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Peter Bunting informed the Parliament that bauxite operators, particularly Jamalco, visit mining sites with “a small army of private security and JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) personnel” that may be intimidating to the residents of the community. Bunting suggested a more transparent approach, so that communities are not...
Arrow Minerals shares quarterly update, demonstrates resilience amid mining uncertainties at Guinea
On January 21, Arrow Minerals Limited published its December 2025 quarterly update, reporting prudent management of cash reserves and continued dialogue with Guinea authorities to clarify the status of its mineral tenements. Since its shares are under voluntary suspension , Arrow has yet to receive formal confirmation on tenure outcomes. However, the peaceful presidential election and Arrow’s progress in its Niagara Bauxite and Simandou North Iron projects indicate a positive influence on the mineral tenure scenario and forthcoming projects. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain David Flanagan, Managing Director, stated, “The Company continues to work closely with senior stakeholders in Guinea to obtain...
EAFA alliance steps in to aid, helps boost European aluminium circular packaging
European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), a new European industry alliance, has been formed to support the circular economy for aluminium packaging , especially for formats that waste management systems have overlooked. While aluminium is highly recyclable, EAFA reports only 60 per cent being recycled . Smaller packaging items such as coffee capsules, chocolate and cheese foils, dairy lids and other lightweight aluminium containers lost in collection and sorting processes, pose the main challenge , undermining recycling performance across the continent. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Headed by the EAFA , partnered with Flexible Packaging Europe , the alliance was formed on January 1, 2026. It...
