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.
Aluminium extrusion 2035 demand nears 44.22Mt: Industry experts decode next decade drivers
Global aluminium extrusion demand is entering a phase with consumption projected to rise from 35.25 million tonnes in 2025 to 35.93 million tonnes in 2026 and 44.22 million tonnes by 2035, representing a 2.29 per cent CAGR. While building and construction will remain the largest end-use sector and China will continue to dominate the global market, the next decade is expected to bring stronger momentum from transportation, electrical and electronics, industrial applications and emerging markets across Asia. China accounted for 64 per cent of global aluminium extrusion usage in 2025, while the Rest of Asia Pacific (ROAP) represented 10 per cent, North America 8 per cent, Europe 10 per cent, the Middle East and Africa 5 per cent and South America 3 per cent. At the same time, the global...
LME aluminium price rises to $3,310/t: Can EGA and Alba repairs bring back 2025 levels?
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price reported improvements across the pricing and contract segments on the September 7 close, recovering from the downward trend reported at the September 4 session . As the repair and operations stabilise at the facilities of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the LME aluminium price rally appears to have cooled down . The aluminium inventory, however, continues on a declining graph. Hence, the monthly average of September 2026, hovering around USD 3,284.4 per tonne, has not yet come down to the September 2025 levels around USD 2,653.25 per tonne, reflecting a 23.79 per cent uptick. The LME aluminium cash bid climbed to USD 3,308 per tonne from USD 3,292 per tonne, rising 0.49 per cent. The offer price shifted to USD...
EU plans aluminium scrap export ban on non-OECD countries; China, India in focus
The European Union (EU) is preparing a broader restriction on aluminium scrap exports to non-Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, replacing an earlier trade proposal that would have covered only part of the bloc’s scrap flows. The move could largely impact international aluminium recycling trade, especially major Asian destinations such as China and India. As per an official statement released from the cabinet, EU Executive Vice-President Stephane Sejourne has “decided to withdraw the proposal and to explore a proposal, independent from trade instruments.” and is instead working on a delegated act under the Waste Shipment Regulation. The European Commission had initially been expected to introduce limited measures on September 23. However, “In the...
Alcoa’s 16kg aluminium wheel could change fleet efficiency equation
A truck’s overall weight comes from dozens of components, including the engine, chassis, tyres, etc. Wheels are one area where fleets can explore lightweighting. Traditional steel wheels, widely used across the transport industry, are known for their robustness. Forged Alcoa aluminium wheels offer another option, combining reduced weight with the strength needed for demanding commercial applications. Alcoa aluminium wheels come into focus when fleets looking to improve truck efficiency, payload and operating productivity, consider fuel, tyres, aerodynamics and driver behaviour as well as an essential factor of the vehicle weight. For fleet operators, the question is becoming less about simply asking “How much does it cost?” and more about “How much weight are we carrying, and what is that...
AL Circle Analysis: How are scrap, CBAM, EVs, energy rewiring the aluminium industry?
The aluminium industry stands at a juncture material quality, recycling capacity, cross-border cooperation, carbon compliance and energy security are falling into a network of interconnectivity. The aluminium supply chain is evolving from simply securing enough metal to securing the right quality, the right carbon profile, the right technology and the right energy at the right cost. For businesses, this means supply-chain decisions are increasingly becoming strategic rather than purely transactional. From secondary aluminium trust to a recycling ecosystem India’s secondary aluminium market is expanding, but buyers need stronger checks before committing to suppliers, as trust has to accompany volume. As Indian buyers increase their participation in secondary aluminium, supplier...
SACA bets on secondary aluminium to close US supply gap faster and at lower cost
The Secondary Aluminum Coalition for America (SACA) is pushing secondary aluminium to the centre of US supply-chain strategy, arguing that recycling-based production can expand domestic aluminium capacity faster and more efficiently than new primary smelters. In this AL Circle interview, SACA outlines its policy priorities, scrap-retention challenges, defence applications and vision for a more resilient US aluminium supply base. The Secondary Aluminum Coalition for America (SACA) represents companies across the US secondary aluminium supply chain, from scrap collectors and traders to remelt facilities, extruders, and fabricators. Its members operate in 17 states and account for the majority of US aluminium industry employment. SACA advocates for policies that strengthen domestic aluminium...
DOJ backs $4b Oklahoma aluminium smelter as legal debate intensifies
The US Department of Justice has urged a court to dismiss Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond’s lawsuit filed on the proposed USD 4 billion Oklahoma aluminium smelter, arguing that the project would strengthen national and economic security. The move comes as the joint venture of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum facility in Inola faces separate legal roadblocks over environmental impacts and federal funding. In court filings, the Justice Department stated the federal government has worked with Oklahoma “to ensure compliance with federal laws” and argued that the project’s environmental concerns should be addressed through the permitting process. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to...
Canada-US trade talks: Carney seeks deal as aluminium and auto tariff pressure mounts
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated Ottawa’s readiness to resume Canada-US trade talks and reach a deal with President Donald Trump, as the tariff debate continues to pressure deeply integrated supply chains. Tariff uncertainty could also pressure aluminium trade, costs, aluminium extrusion and downstream industries on both sides of the border, reiterating the essentiality of a stable Canada-US trade framework. Speaking in Thunder Bay, Ontario, on Thursday, Carney stated that Canada was prepared to negotiate when the US was ready, while stressing that any agreement must offer stability and credibility. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report “Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation,...
Ireland withholds Aughinish Alumina meeting notes amid Russia export review
Ireland’s Department of Enterprise has withheld the release records of discussions between its secretary general and Aughinish Alumina management, citing “highly confidential information” shared by the company. The decision comes as scrutiny intensifies over the Limerick refinery’s alumina exports to feed the Russian defence sector and a possible inclusion of alumina shipments in the European Union’s (EU) 21st Sanctions Package on Russia. Department of Enterprise Secretary General Declan Hughes and Aughinish Alumina Managing Director Ciaran Kelleher held several discussions in June and July, including a meeting on June 12 and three recorded phone calls. The discussions took place while Irish officials were finalising a review into Aughinish Alumina’s exports to Russia. The investigation...
LME aluminium price drops below $3,300/t on September 2, stocks remain steady
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price faltered across the pricing and contract segments on the September 2 close. The trend reflected a contrast of the surge reported in the September 1 session . The LME aluminium cash bid pulled back by 0.18 per cent day-on-day on September 2, down to USD 3,254.5 per tonne from USD 3,260.5 per tonne. The offer shifted to USD 3,255.5 per tonne from USD 3,261 per tonne, marking a difference of 0.17 per cent.to Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook On September 2, the LME aluminium three-month bid price contracted to USD 3,253 per tonne from USD 3,260 per tonne on September 1, reporting a 0.22 per cent drop. The offer...
Can the US afford to cut Canada off? 75% aluminium and $100b energy tell the story
The US aluminium industry’s dependence on Canada extends far beyond primary aluminium imports. While Canada supplies around 75 per cent of US imported primary aluminium, covering roughly 60 per cent of the country’s annual aluminium usage, it is also a major supplier of crude oil, natural gas and electricity to the US. With 50 per cent tariffs on Canadian aluminium, the resulting pressure could therefore extend beyond metal costs, raising broader questions about energy security, industrial competitiveness, data-centre expansion and the feasibility of rebuilding US aluminium capacity. Canada supplies more than just US aluminium The scale of the US–Canada relationship becomes clearer when energy is added to the aluminium equation. In 2025, Canada exported around 6.5 million barrels of oil...
Inola aluminium smelter faces new test over DOE funding, environmental review
Construction of the first US aluminium smelter since 1980 at the Tulsa Port of Inola is faced with another test. Four nearby residents have filed a lawsuit, claiming that the US Department of Energy (DOE) was funding the project without undertaking the site-specific environmental review. This adds a fresh layer of scrutiny to the Trump-backed aluminium smelter that was being pushed to boost the domestic aluminium industry. The proposed aluminium facility under the lens , with a 60-40 joint venture of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum , respectively, is being developed by Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, with a projected annual production capacity of more than 750,000 tonnes of aluminium. Join the webinar by Alberto Monje Gama to learn about recycled aluminium, CBAM and trust...
US aluminium semis import jumps 30.6% in Q1 2026 as Korea, China take the lead
In the trade of aluminium semi-fabricated products such as sheets, plates, foils, extruded profiles, tubes, and wire, the import volume of the US in the January-March or first quarter of 2026 marks a significant year-on-year rise, driven by strong demand and limited domestic smelting capacity. According to the data recorded by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), as of Q1 2026, the volume of US imports of semi-fabricated aluminium products amounted to 423,000 tonnes . This marked a drastic year-on-year surge of 30.56 per cent , as the figures jumped from 324,000 tonnes imported in Q1 2025. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report “The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035” The month-on-month growth chart Comparing...
Korea’s 483kt of Russian aluminium imports hit record high as sanctions risks deepen
South Korea’s Russian aluminium imports reached a record high in 2025, making Russia the country’s largest aluminium supplier for the first time. The sharp increase has strengthened Korea’s dependence on Russian metal even as the US and Europe tighten sanctions against Moscow. The exposure is significant for Korea’s defence industry, where aluminium and its alloys are used in missiles and other weapons systems. Korea imported 483,084 tonnes of aluminium from Russia in 2025, according to Korea Customs Service data, representing a 41 per cent increase year on year. The volume exceeded imports from Australia at 408,657 tonnes and China at 394,837 tonnes. The shift has become increasingly pronounced since 2022. Compared with the 120,629 tonnes imported from Russia in 2021, last year’s volume...
RUSAL seeks Kremlin aid four bauxite and alumina plants face mothballing risk
Leading Russian aluminium producer RUSAL is considering mothballing four alumina and bauxite facilities as the company faces combined annual losses of around USD 800 million. The move hints at the growing pressure on the economics of domestic raw-material production. RUSAL is also estimating losses of approximately USD 400 per tonne of aluminium from processing at the affected facilities. Four facilities face an uncertain future The facilities under consideration are the Pikalevo alumina refinery, the North Urals bauxite mine, the Bogoslovsky alumina refinery, and the Uralsky alumina refinery. RUSAL has informed Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin about the possibility of mothballing the four sites. The Pikalevo, Bogoslovsky and Uralsky refineries produced 2.1 million tonnes of alumina in...
Asia’s alumina exports jump 27%: Is an 8Mt H2 shipment within reach?
Asia’s alumina exports entered 2026 on a strong footing, with shipments to global markets reaching 7.05 million tonnes worth USD 2.76 billion in H1 2026 , up 27.36 per cent year-on-year . The sharp rise in H1 was driven by a quarter-on-quarter surge by a considerable margin. This indicates an acceleration in aluminium production, translating into an increased demand for alumina in the market. The key question for H2 2026 is whether Asia can maintain this pace despite geopolitical disruptions, evolving refinery capacity and changing market demand. H1 2026 sets a strong export benchmark Comparing the H1 export graphs of Asia across 2026, 2025 and 2024, the Y-o-Y improvement remains consistent. H1 2026 – 7.05 million tonnes, up 27.36 per cent Y-o-Y from H1 2025 H1 2025 – 5.54 million tonnes,...
LME aluminium price surges to $3,222/t with stable opening stocks on August 28
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart recovered on the August 28 trading session across the pricing and contract segments compared to the August 27 close. On the inventory side, opening stocks and live warrants remained stable for three consecutive sessions. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices gained 0.3 per cent day-on-day on August 28. The bid shifted from USD 3,212 per tonne to USD 3,221.5 per tonne, and the offer surged from USD 3,212.5 per tonne to USD 3,222 per tonne . Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook On August 28, the LME aluminium three-month bid and offer prices reported a 0.78 per cent rise over the August 27 session. The...
Jura Z10’s new Aluminium Champagne finish brings luxe in coffee breaks
Who doesn’t enjoy a steaming cup of perfectly brewed coffee from a processor that appears dedicated to making your morning energetic? Jura has given its second-generation Z10 fully automatic coffee machine featuring solid aluminium for its distinctive convex-concave front panel and housing accents, a stylish new twist with an Aluminium Champagne finish. The new aluminium-look finish joins Aluminium Black and Aluminium White, adding a little more flair to a machine featuring 51 hot, light, cold and sweet coffee specialities. The machine covers four beverage categories, i.e., Hot Brew, Light Brew, Cold Brew and Sweet Foam, offering users everything from everyday coffee and espresso to cold creations and sweeter options. It is accompanied with a chocolate attachment for its Sweet Foam...
