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.
CM Devendra Fadnavis praises Bharat Gite for successful execution of 500cr MoU within a year at Davos
On January 19, Devendra Fadnavis, the Chief Minister (CM) of the Indian state of Maharashtra, commended the rapid execution of an aluminium manufacturing project worth INR 5 billion (USD 54.6 million). Led by the entrepreneur Bharat Gite, often called the ‘Aluminium Man of India’, the project was viewed as a rare example of fast-track industrial implementation. The project, which moved from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at the World Economic Forum last year to full-scale production within a year, was cited by the CM as a benchmark for industrial execution in the state. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Fadnavis interacted with Gite at the Forum and praised the initiative. “The fact that a...
Press Metal sets a new aluminium shares record with a new high of MYR 7.40
Shares of Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd saw a sharp upward momentum on Wednesday, January 21, reaching a fresh high of MYR 7.40 (USD 1.83) , and marking a 42.86 per cent rise over the past twelve months. The record was achieved as the FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBMKLCI) index went 0.4 per cent higher at MYR 1,705.81 (USD 422.23) , with Press Metal establishing itself as one of the significant aluminium producers in the Malaysian aluminium industry. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain In January 2026, Press Metal announced that it had secured hedging arrangements which encompassed 40 per cent of its alumina supply for the year. The rates were equivalent to 14 to 15 per cent of spot aluminium prices. The move is aimed...
EU holds public consultation on aluminium scrap availability to prevent leakage and safeguard recycling targets
The European Commission has launched an essential public consultation with a specific emphasis on aluminium scrap availability and safeguarding its supplies within the European Union (EU), to achieve the green transition by meeting recycling and downstream manufacturing goals. Led by the Directorate-General for Trade and Economic Security, the process commenced on December 19, 2025, and will accept submissions till January 31, 2026. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain The initiative is an attempt to assess whether or not the aluminium industry may require trade policy interventions. Seeking stakeholder contribution, it is to evaluate whether current trade patterns, influenced by increasing aluminium scrap export, risk...
LME cash offer price represents a further drop to 0.74% while opening stocks look up by 5.6%
London Metal Exchange aluminium prices weakened across most contracts on January 21, reflecting a broad pullback from the previous session, while exchange inventories reflected significant improvement. The LME aluminium cash bid price continued to decline, reaching USD 3,112 on January 21 from USD 3,136.5 per tonne on January 20, a 0.78 per cent drop. The cash offer price followed a similar trend, easing to USD 3114 per tonne from USD 3,137 per tonne, also decreasing 0.74 per cent day-on-day. In the futures market, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price continued to edge downwards to USD 3,122.5 per tonne, compared with USD 3,135.5 per tonne the previous day, recording a 0.41 per cent decrease. The 3-month offer price slipped lower to USD 3,123 per tonne from USD 3,136 per tonne, a similar...
Delhi Government eyeing an EV ramp-up with 7000 charging stations in '26
The Delhi Government has made an announcement to install 7,000 charging points for electric vehicles (EVs) in 2026. This push will be carried out in phases across 2026, with Q1 expecting an addition of 1,000 chargers, followed by progressive upscaling in the next quarters. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Moreover, aiming to promote EVs and reinforce its infrastructure to reduce air pollution, the Government will be adding 100 battery swapping stations this year. The step is marked as a precursor of the Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0. The revised policy, along with the Centre’s PM e-drive scheme, will offer incentives to accelerate EV adoption in Delhi. A recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and...
Conakry to authorise GIC and Sinohydro to restart operations at the Guinea bauxite mining complex
Guinea’s authorities have approved the restarting of bauxite operations by Guinea International Corp (GIC), led by the former Mining Minister Ahmed Kanté, and its Chinese partner Sinohydro. Given that legal proceedings against Kanté are ongoing, stakeholders are surprised by the decision. This follows the signing of a confidential settlement agreement with the Ministry of Mines in December 2025. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain GIC and Chinese private firm Sun-Da Mining (SD Mining) operate within the Alliance Guinéenne de Bauxite, Alumine et Aluminium (AGB2A) complex in Boffa prefecture, which is the second-largest bauxite mining hub in Guinea . GIC and SD Mining jointly exported more than 20 million tonnes of...
Emilio Braghi to assume his new role as the COO of Novelis
Novelis, the leading sustainable aluminium solutions provider and a global icon in aluminium recycling and rolling, has appointed Emilio Braghi as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Reporting directly to the President and CEO, Steve Fisher, Braghi would be taking up his new responsibilities immediately. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Having joined the organisation as a sales manager in 1999, Braghi has held many leadership roles, including Europe, Asia and North America. In his new role, he would work on operational performance optimisation and advancing best practices in safety, quality, and reliability, while continuing as the President of Novelis Europe, based in Küsnacht, Switzerland. Commenting on Braghi’s...
2025 Chairman’s Sustainability Awards: Crown’s winners bring about an eco-friendly take on packaging
Taking sustainability goals ahead, on January 15, Crown Holdings Inc., the packaging company, revealed the list of winners of its 2025 Chairman’s Sustainability Awards. Under the categories of Sustainable Manufacturing, Safety/Employee Engagement and Innovation in Sustainability, it recognises manufacturing sites within Crown’s global base that improved in environmental performance, workplace safety and innovation throughout 2025. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Addressing the company’s approach to sustainability , Sandrine Duquerroy-Delesalle, Vice President of Global Sustainability & External Affairs at Crown Holdings, stated, “Sustainability has always been a core focus of our operations and our primary products,...
NALCO CMD concerned: Indian aluminium sector not prepared for a green shift
Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO), observed that the Indian aluminium sector is not well-equipped for a full-fledged transition to green aluminium. It spikes concern, especially in the context of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). While unlike Vedanta and Hindalco, it does not export directly to the US and therefore, was not impacted by US tariffs, CBAM poses a great challenge before NALCO. Nonetheless, aluminium demand in the domestic market is expected to remain strong. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain CBAM’s threat to NALCO and the Indian aluminium industry CBAM is designed to tax imports based on their carbon footprint to prevent...
Tom Giddings to present Alupro’s aerosol recycling take at the Paris Packaging Week
The Paris Packaging Week, to be held from February 5-6, 2026, will be attended by Tom Giddings, Executive Director, Alupro. As per the official source, he will discuss pioneering progress in aerosol recycling at the event, which is taking place at the Expo Porte de Versailles, assembling delegates and exhibitors to discuss global developments in aerosol, beverage packaging etc., to highlight recycling behaviour and promote sustainability. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain At the Paris Packaging Week, Giddings will be presenting on the UK Aerosol Recycling Initiative (UKARI), which has contributed to the national aerosol recycling performance. Addressing the broad and spread-out base of the programme, he commented,...
Canada Border Services Agency updates trade compliance verification list for 2026
In January 2026, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) issued an updated trade compliance verification priorities list that encompasses tariff classification and surtax regulations enforcement for specific products. This list reflects CBSA’s ongoing efforts to ensure that imported goods are properly reported and that duties, taxes and compliance requirements are met, using a risk-based approach that evolves over time. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain The verification regime requires importers to classify products as per tariff regulations, declare their origin and value with precision and pay suitable taxes and duties for them. Verifications help assess whether import documentation and practices meet the...
When staycation meets sustainability: How? Taj Hotel installs a mighty 50kWp solar power plant
Guests boarding the Delhi-based Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa will now be part of a more meaningful, nature-friendly and sustainable shift. The hotel has recently commissioned a 50 kWp solar power plant, taking an approach to hospitality that is well-founded in renewable energy. Referring to the eco-friendly endeavour, Ramneet Singh, Hotel Manager, Taj Surajkund Resort & Spa, Delhi NCR, stated, “Sustainability is central to our operating philosophy and the guest experience we create at Taj Surajkund.” Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain The solar promise The power plant is expected to generate green energy of an estimated 73,000 kWh annually and renewable energy of almost 1.82 million kWh throughout its lifetime. Guided by...
Mario Conserva backs Braghi, warns EU to save aluminium scrap
Mario Conserva, Secretary General of the Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE), recently voiced his concern for Europe’s aluminium scrap export scenario, highlighting dire circumstances that await. Seconding the CEO of Novelis Europe, Emilio Braghi, who drew attention to the matter, Conserva shared the same opinion. Both fear that by producing less than 15 per cent of primary aluminium, Europe may lose the secondary resource by exporting most of the aluminium scrap to Asia and the US. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Referring to an interview between Corriere della Sera and Emilio Braghi, Mario Conserva mentioned that in 2024, the EU exported a huge quantity of aluminium scrap, which “exceeded 1.2...
PM Fico determined to reopen Slovalco aluminium smelter amid political frictions
After remaining dormant for nearly three years, the Slovalco aluminium smelter in Žiar nad Hronom is once more at the centre of Slovakia’s industrial debate. Prime Minister Robert Fico assigned great priority to the plant’s revival, warning that without cheaper electricity, heavy industry, aluminium in particular, might disappear from Europe. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain The Slovalco halt and restart plans Slovalco’s annual production output was 160,000 tonnes of aluminium. In 2022, Slovalco laid off most of its 450 employees, citing the onus on high electricity charges. Its primary aluminium production came to a standstill in early 2023, ending more than 70 years of uninterrupted operations. Owners Norsk Hydro...
Aluminium brought to spotlight by Ball Corporation: Market expansion for beverages is popularising aluminium packaging
The rapid expansion of the energy and functional beverage market has placed aluminium packaging firmly at the very core. In recent years, consumers seeking performance, focus and stamina have embedded energy drinks in their daily routines. Thus, beverage brands are looking for fresh packaging formats. Ball Corporation through The metal packager, is bringing aluminium into the spotlight, which is in turn supporting the growth of the beverage market. Demand for energy drinks continues to translate into strong market growth. Over the past year, US energy drink sales rose 6.4 per cent. Men aged 18-34, with more than four in five, consume energy drinks before physical activity, according to Kantar Profiles and Mintel US data. The Gen-Z population, too, have exhibited a preference for energy...
A valued commodity metal: Aluminium joins precious metals at the S&P 500 with a 38% surge
The 2025 S&P 500 concluded with an estimated gain of +17 per cent. Apart from precious metals like gold with a gain of +70 per cent and silver with +169 per cent, aluminium gained a significant +38 per cent. Between April and the end of 2025, aluminium added +842 points. China at the heart of the aluminium market China, being the world’s largest producer of aluminium and a manufacturing hub, exports to leading global retail outlets like Walmart, Target, Boots, etc., accounting for approximately 30 per cent of global goods output. Subsequently, its policy choices largely influence the aluminium industry. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain To counter deflationary pressure and rein in industrial overcapacity, China made...
LME aluminium cash offer surges to $3221/t while opening stocks continue the fall to 492000t
LME aluminium prices saw a sharp rise on January 14 compared to the previous session, while inventories continued on with a slightly declining streak. The LME aluminium cash bid price shot up to USD 3,220.5 per tonne on January 14, from USD 3,193 per tonne on January 13, marking an increase of 0.86 per cent. The cash offer price rose to USD 3,221 per tonne from USD 3,194 to per tonne, an increase of 0.84 per cent. In the futures market, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price increased from USD 3,183 per tonne on January 13 to USD 3,204 on January 14, up by 0.65 per cent. The 3-month offer price also moved higher, rising from USD 3,183.5 per tonne to USD 3,205 per tonne, a gain of 0.67 per cent. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, pre-book the report “...
2026 brings Vedanta’s aluminium raw material security to a crossroads
Vedanta Limited, the largest aluminium producer of India, is attempting to secure reliable bauxite supplies to support its core business amid regulatory delays, legal proceedings and resistance from local communities. For the upcoming months, the outcome of these parallel challenges will play a critical role in maintaining the cost structure and competitiveness of the company in the aluminium industry. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Delays and grassroots troubles at Sijimali mine In early 2023, Vedanta attained mining rights for the Sijimali bauxite mine in Odisha, positioning it as the company’s first captive bauxite mine in the state. The mine was expected to begin operations by Q3 FY25, but the project was...
