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.
Whisky in aluminium bottles? Scottish distillery’s unconventional approach to environmental concerns
Scotland-based Stirling Distillery is planning to use aluminium bottles to store its whisky. Making this announcement, the company emphasised that metal bottles are more environmentally friendly than traditional glass containers. Delving into research with experts from Heriot-Watt University, the company attempted to explore sustainability options with the aluminium alternative for liquid containers. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Prompted by sustainability concerns, the distillery explored aluminium alternatives to offer to the customer base. Kathryn Holm of Stirling Distillery explained, “We want to make our distillery as sustainable as possible ahead of our first mature whisky being released in 2027.” The glass...
BIS certification delay results in an increased import rush for beverage cans
Just ahead of summer, India is facing a shortage of aluminium beverage cans, which is threatening supplies for soft drinks and beer manufacturers like Coca-Cola and United Breweries Ltd (Kingfisher). Officials in the beverage industry report doubled imports of beverage cans from Sri Lanka and the Middle East to avoid disruptions. This is caused by regulatory delays in aluminium can manufacturing approvals, as well as surging seasonal demand. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain In April 2025, aluminium cans were brought under mandatory Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification through a Quality Control Order (QCO). The step was taken with an aim for freshness improvement, safety and recycling purposes. According to...
VALCO’s smelter expansion plan to support 25,000 downstream jobs
The Volta Aluminium Company Limited (VALCO) announced the plan for expanding its smelter operational capacity to 40 per cent from the current 23 per cent. The initiative supports Ghana’s downstream value-addition chain, overcoming the limitations of exporting primary aluminium only. This strategic shift has helped VALCO evolve from its previous role of primary aluminium producer to one also focused on broader industrial development and financial boost. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain The initiative, called the Continuous Cast Rod (CCR) project, will contribute 1 per cent to Ghana’s GDP, which is approximately USD 1 billion, through expanded aluminium-based industries. Moreover, it has the potential to generate more...
Ashapura rises as the dominant mineral platform in the midst of the global bauxite tussle
Ashapura Minechem of India is capitalising on a structural shift in global aluminium supply as bauxite is moving to the centre. With its operational base in Guinea, the company exported 3.38 million tonnes of bauxite in H1 FY26, almost meeting the full FY25 volume. With captive port capacity set to expand to 27 million tonnes by FY27, and plans to lift exports to 15 million tonnes by FY28, it is expected to dominate mining and market. H1 FY26 revenue rising by 75 and net profit up 136 per cent, Ashapura emerges as a profitable bauxite supplier amid global market constraints. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Ashapura evolves into a distinct mineral base Founded in 1982, Ashapura started as a bentonite-focused company...
Constellation keeps steady with Q3 after Q1 troubles and Q2 trials
After a challenging start to FY26, owing to the prevailing US tariff constraints, Constellation Brands Inc. exceeded Wall Street expectations within the third quarter (Q3). The company exhibited effective strategy and achieved Earnings Per Share (EPS) of USD 3.06 in Q3, beating analyst forecasts despite continued pressure on sales and the market. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Q3 picks up momentum Momentum in Q3 as Constellation exceeded earnings expectations despite continued top-line pressure. For the quarter ended November 30, net sales declined 10 per cent Y-o-Y to USD 2.22 billion, while adjusted EPS of USD 3.06 beat analyst forecasts. The beer sector kept outperforming steadily in the broader beverage alcohol...
LME cash offer climbs modestly by 0.17% to $3,180/t while opening stocks continue to fall
LME aluminium prices advanced modestly on January 12, reflecting small but steady gains across cash and forward contracts, while exchange stocks continued to edge lower. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 3,185 per tonne on January 12, marking a 0.17 per cent increase from USD 3,179.5 per tonne on January 9. The cash offer price climbed to 3185.5 per tonne from USD 3,180 per tonne, a parallel increase of 0.17 per cent. In the forward market, the LME aluminium 3-month bid price increased to USD 3177 per tonne on January 12 from USD 3,161 per tonne on January 9, indicating a 0.5 per cent rise. The 3-month offer price slightly moved up to USD 3177.5 from USD 3,163 per tonne, a gain of 0.45 per cent. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, pre-book the...
HSBC upped the target price for Hindalco based on aluminium price tailwinds
Spotlight returns on the shares of Hindalco Industries following the HSBC Global Investment Research reaffirming its Buy rating and raising its target price. It cited the earnings and valuation-related upside risks with the tightening of global aluminium markets. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain HSBC raised its target price from INR 1040 (USD 11.52) to INR 1060 (USD 11.75), highly indicative of a potential upside of approximately 17 per cent from prevailing market levels. Potential of earnings upside HSBC noted that over the next two financial years, Hindalco’s earnings have the potential to outperform expectations significantly at the current USD/INR exchange rates and LME aluminium prices. This stands even though...
Ford eyes an eyes-off driving tech, aims for $30,000 EV in 2028
Note: This is an AI-generated image for representational purpose Ford Motor has declared its latest target of an eyes-off driving technology, to be implemented in a USD 30,000 EV in 2028. This announcement, made on January 7, has rendered the Michigan-based automaker a worthy contender with other EV automakers such as Tesla, Rivian Automotive, and General Motors. However, unlike the traditional rollout methods in the automotive sector, Ford would first introduce the technology in a mainstream, affordable EV instead of introducing it in a more exclusive and expensive model. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain The announcement was made by Doug Field, Chief EV, Digital and Design Officer, at the CES technology show in Las...
Displaced residents seek Aditya Alumina Refinery for 0.01 per cent equity stake
Image source: https://www.birlaojasvi.ind.in/ Villagers displaced by Aditya Alumina Refinery attended a meeting with the company on January 3 at the Rayagada Sub-Collector’s conference hall, Odisha. They raised long-standing concerns, demanding a 0.01 per cent equity stake, and several other forms of compensation. Chaired by Ramesh Jena, Sub-Collector, the meeting was attended by company representatives and the landowners of Anthuguda, Kadapadar, Puhundi, and Podapadi in the Kashipur block, Rayagada district, Odisha. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Aditya Birla Group initiated the Aditya Alumina Refinery project in 2006. Compensation was paid based on land values prevalent at that time. However, the refinery...
NALCO and CSIR-NML collaborate on the first-ever scandium recovery initiative from red mud recycling
Image source: https://www.linkedin.com/ Advancing towards a sustainable future, CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) has partnered with National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) to upgrade its indigenously developed red mud recycling technology to a giant 10-tonne-per-day (TPD) pilot plant. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Outlook 2026 insights across the value chain Stemming from the rising demand for scandium and the persistent need to rehabilitate red mud. The signed agreement would play a transformative role in sustainable aluminium production, enabling the extraction of alumina, iron, titania and scandium oxide from other critical minerals in bauxite residue and red mud. The agreement was signed on January 6, 2026, at the NALCO office in...
Thailand demonstrates aluminium export resilience; remains hopeful amidst CBAM challenges
The European Union’s (EU) policy of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), imposing “carbon-leakage” charges on cement, iron and steel, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and hydrogen imported into the EU, has raised concerns among the European and exporting countries. Thailand, however, emerges with remarkable resilience under the CBAM regulations. Its industrial carbon-intensive goods export to the EU has surged drastically in the first 10 months of 2025. Thailand’s metal export containing aluminium, steel and iron had initially hit a slump during the CBAM transitional phase of 2023-2025. Despite the carbon emissions roadblock, the country made a fast recovery, and the aluminium, steel and iron export saw a steep hike by 54.71 per cent, rising from 0.29 per cent and capturing 0.42...
Q3’26 witnesses Vedanta shares skyrocketing with the highest ever outputs
Image source: https://www.alcircle.com/ Vedanta Limited, the mine-to-market serving conglomerate, makes a milestone record as its share prices soar with the highest-ever aluminium, alumina, and zinc output in the third quarter (Q3) of the financial year 2025-2026. The trend remained steady with the Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta announcing an upward production update in the same quarter. On January 2, the Vedanta shares closed at INR 616.95 per share on BSE, 2.45 per cent higher with a market capitalisation of INR 2.41 billion (USD 26.73 billion). The stock had touched an intraday low of INR 604 per share and an intraday high of INR 618.25 per share. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The quarter-on-quarter...
100 MW solar power plant: A promise for Bahrain’s future in renewable energy
The foundation stone ceremony of Al Dur Solar Power Plant in the Kingdom of Bahrain was attended by Shaikh Khalid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Deputy Prime Minister of the country. The Al Dur Solar Power Plant is an initiative taken by the Electricity and Water Authority to reinforce the transition to solar energy and the sustainability aims of Bahrain. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The solar energy project is a step towards a sustainable future. The deputy prime minister stated that the large-scale, grid-connected solar power plant reflects Bahrain’s commitment to high-quality infrastructure development and emphasises Bahrain’s focus on centralised power generation. The President of the Electricity and Water Authority, Kamal...
Waaree Energies set up new solar inverter manufacturing lines
Image source: https://www.indiamart.com/ Leading solar energy transition company, Waaree Energies, has successfully established two solar inverter manufacturing line facilities via its subsidiary, Waaree Power Private Limited. Based in Gujarat, India, the plants combine to produce 3.05 GW of annual capacity. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Waaree Energies is currently dominating the module manufacturing sector in India with an estimated capacity of 20 GW. In August 2025, the company mentioned its approach to expand its facilities into new regions within the energy industry to boost its stronghold over the solar energy industry. The said areas comprised solar inverters, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and green hydrogen...
2025 recap: The year-long run of major aluminium extrusion projects
As 2025 has made an exit with 2026 endeavours coming into practice, the aluminium extrusion market witnessed a steady Y-o-Y growth. The global demand approximately reached 34.3 million tonnes in 2024 , against almost 49.9 million tonnes of annual installed capacity. Accounting for about two-thirds of global extrusion output, China dominates the industry. Globally, there has been an increased shift of extruders towards green billets and recycled or post-consumer scrap billets, while simultaneously investing in larger extrusion presses. The industry comprises over 1,600 extrusion companies worldwide . According to the data analysis by AL Circle , the transport and industrial sectors saw the steepest growths in aluminium extrusion demand, of 4.74 and 4.54 per cent, respectively . It...
Mahmoud Esmat’s visit to China promises a boost in Egypt’s localised cable manufacturing
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/ At the conclusion of his China tour, Mahmoud Esmat, Egypt’s Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy, disclosed prospects of deepening cooperation and localising the manufacture of electrical equipment in Egypt. Discussions with Chinese companies focused on setting up production lines for high-voltage cable terminations, gas-insulated cable technologies using aluminium alloy conductors, solar power plants and raw material mining using advanced technologies. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The Minister met with the Chairman of the Ankora Group, Chen Xiaoling, the company specialising in smart electrical equipment, cable terminations, and transmission lines involving aluminium alloy,...
2026 brings in CBAM: A challenge for European importers or a price for Indian exporters?
Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Starting from January 1, 2026, aluminium and steel exports from India will face carbon-related duties. This is owing to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) enforced by the European Union (EU), which comes into effect today. The Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) observes that while, apparently, the EU importers need to pay the CBAM levy, it is the Indian exporting industry, likely to bear the actual brunt of lowered aluminium and steel prices. The GTRI report states that in order to maintain the competitive edge, several Indian exporters may have to reduce metal (aluminium and steel) prices up to 15-22 per cent . This would let EU buyers absorb the carbon tax in their margins....
Century Aluminum Company’s 52-week high: doubts remain despite sales hike
Century Aluminum Company (CENX) shares hit USD 40.26 and reached a 52-week high. This landmark suggests an upward trajectory for the company since its stock price took off by 120.7 per cent over 2024 values. Considering a USD 3.75 market capitalisation, CENX has been resilient with significant momentum and reported a 20.15 per cent revenue growth. Image for referential purposes only (source: https://www.alcircle.com/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain However, although the one-year development reflects strong investor confidence in its aluminium industry prospects, doubts loom large over stock volatility. The data compiled by InvestingPro indicates stock trading at a high price-earnings ratio of 47.61, parallel to a...
