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.
AL Circle Analysis: Regional output & trade reflect bauxite-alumina supply contrast in aluminium market
If aluminium has a pressure point right now, it sits one step upstream of the metal itself - in alumina. China’s appetite for imported ore remains elevated, alumina markets diverge between regions, and disruptions in Guinea and Australia expose logistics risks. At the same time, tariffs and regional premiums are reshaping the economics of aluminium, making access to competitively priced alumina and metal increasingly dependent on geography, trade routes and policy. Bauxite supply: Sourcing, scrutiny and shifting trade flows Jamaica and Ghana are negotiating a USD 60 million arrangement in which Jamaican bauxite would be refined into alumina at ATALCO’s Gramercy, Louisiana plant before shipping to Ghana’s aluminium industry. Talks, backed by Ghana’s President Mahama, began in March 2026...
LME aluminium price pulls back to $3,212.5/t while opening stocks remain stable
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price chart declined on the August 27 trading session across the pricing and contract segments compared to the August 26 close . Meanwhile, the Asian Reference Price surged, and the inventories held steady. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices plunged 0.46 per cent day-on-day on August 27. The bid dipped from USD 3,227 per tonne to USD 3,212 per tonne, and the offer shifted from USD 3,227.5 per tonne to USD 3,212.5 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 27, the LME aluminium three-month bid and offer prices reported a 0.71 per cent decline over the August 26 session. The bid moved from USD...
Romania boosts defence industry with €2.5b from EU SAFE payment
Romania has received its first EUR 2.5 billion (USD 2.91 billion) payment under the European Union’s (EU) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) facility, marking the first tranche of its EUR 16.7 billion (USD 19.46 billion) allocation. The EU SAFE defence funding is aimed at strengthening Romania’s defence capabilities and industrial base, with further payments linked to the completion of agreed milestones and implementation targets. The initial tranche represents 15 per cent of Romania’s total SAFE allocation, according to the European Commission. The funding is being channelled towards defence investments and forms part of the broader EUR 150 billion (USD 174.76 billion) SAFE instrument designed to support rapid investment in Europe’s defence industry and technology. “This funding will...
Aluminium scrap gets a new life as Voya Energy unveils 2 MW power system
Voya Energy has unveiled an aluminium-based power system that converts low-grade aluminium scrap into electricity through a low-temperature electrochemical process, offering a potential new route for aluminium recycling, energy storage and off-grid power generation. The Hayward, California-based company is targeting data centres, industrial facilities and other large energy users facing constraints around grid access, permitting and fuel logistics. Join the webinar by Alberto Monje Gama to learn about recycled aluminium, CBAM and trust Scrap aluminium finds a new energy application Voya’s system combines a proprietary aluminium-based fuel with a purpose-built electrochemical generator. Rather than burning the metal, the technology converts aluminium directly into electricity without...
South32 aluminium FY2026: Hillside delivers, Brazil recovers, Worsley takes price hit
South32 delivered a stronger FY26 financial performance , with underlying revenue rising 7 per cent to USD 8.11 billion, reinforced by higher commodity prices and stronger operating performance. Within its aluminium portfolio, Brazil Aluminium and Hillside Aluminium recorded significant earnings improvements. The year also marked a strategic turning point, with South32 agreeing to sell most of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa for up to USD 5.6 billion. CEO Matt Daley stated, “Strong operating performance coupled with commodity price tailwinds underpinned one of the best financial results in our history, with Group Underlying EBITDA increasing by 28 per cent to USD 2.5 billion and Underlying earnings increasing by 55 per cent to USD billion.” Explore- Most comprehensive and...
LME aluminium price rises above 1% as stocks drop to 246,825t on August 26
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price reported improvements above 1 per cent across the pricing and contract segments on the August 26 close, recovering from the downward trend reported at the August 25 session . The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices gained 1.24 per cent day-on-day on August 26. The bid climbed to USD 3,227 per tonne from USD 3,187.5 per tonne, and the offer shifted to USD 3,227.5 per tonne from USD 3,188 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 26, the LME aluminium three-month bid and offer prices reported a 1.01 per cent rise over the previous close. The bid moved to USD 3,238 per tonne from USD 3,205.5 per...
US backs Serra Verde rare earth with $750m, aims to reduce China dependence
The US Department of War has committed USD 750 million to back rare earth supplies from Brazil’s Serra Verde, as Washington moves to build a more secure, China-independent supply chain for critical minerals used in defence, energy, aerospace and advanced manufacturing. The investment will support an offtake agreement for mixed rare-earth carbonates (MREC) from Serra Verde’s Pela Ema Project in central Brazil. The funding forms part of a broader USD 1.55 billion initiative mobilised by the Department of War’s Economic Defense Unit. China’s rare earth supply chain is at present a point of dominance over the world seeking rare To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore “ ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap ” Shaping the USD 1.55 billion...
Norsk Hydro shares gain 14% M-o-M: Aluminium demand, Q2 results draw investor focus
Leading recycled aluminium producer Norsk Hydro stock is attracting investor attention as its second-quarter (Q2) performance, aluminium prices and market outlook shape sentiment around the company. Hydro reported strong Q2 2026 profitability , backed by higher aluminium prices, product premiums and improved recycling results. As of August 25, Hydro stocks closed at USD 10.08, marking a stark month-on-month (M-o-M) rise by 14.16 per cent over the closing price of USD 8.83 reported on July 27, indicating how investors continue to assess the outlook for aluminium demand and margins. Hydro’s Q2 adjusted EBITDA reached NOK 8.92 billion (USD 927.39 million), rising per cent from NOK 7.79 billion (USD 809.6 million) a year earlier. Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) jumped to NOK 2.2 (USD 0.23)...
30G-ready aluminium capacitors: KYOCERA AVX unveils vibration-proof AEVA, AEVB series
US-headquartered global manufacturer of advanced electronic components, KYOCERA AVX has launched two new aluminium electrolytic capacitor series, viz., AEVA and AEVB, designed for high-vibration and high-temperature resistance in industrial applications such as robotics, motor controls, photovoltaic inverters, DC/DC converters, UPS systems etc. The objective of developing the AEVA and AEVB series is to address mechanical stress, a primary limitation for aluminium electrolytic capacitors used in demanding industrial environments. Mack Cartagena, Staff Research Development Engineer at KYOCERA AVX, stated, “Mechanical stress has long been a critical concern for aluminium electrolytic capacitors.” To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore...
Can aluminium scrap power Canada's submarines? GH Power, TKMS dive in
Canada’s planned submarine fleet could open a new industrial application for recycled aluminium. Canadian cleantech company GH Power is exploring a potential collaboration with Germany’s TKMS to convert scrap aluminium into hydrogen. The technology could potentially support the Type 212CD submarines, which use hydrogen fuel cells as part of their air-independent propulsion system. GH Power’s technology is based on a modular chemical reactor that combines scrap or recycled metals, predominantly aluminium, with water. The process generates three outputs, viz., hydrogen, high-purity alumina (HPA) and heat. Join the webinar by Alberto Monje Gama to learn about recycled aluminium, CBAM and trust Hydrogen is the most relevant output for the potential submarine application. The process also...
Decoding aluminium extrusion alloy: Why 6xxx grades lead industry choices
The choice of the right aluminium extrusion alloy can have a direct impact on profile strength, corrosion resistance, surface finish, manufacturability and project cost. Aluminium alloy series from 1xxx to 7xxx offer combinations of performance features, but the 6xxx series prevails as the preferred choice for extrusion, offering strength with extrudability and finishing potential. Alloy selection starts with the application Aluminium extrusion involves heating a billet and forcing the softened metal through a shaped die to produce profiles ranging from simple bars and channels to complex hollow sections. The alloy composition plays a major role in determining how the metal behaves during extrusion and what properties the finished profile delivers. To know the global production, demand...
AEC’s skill training aims to future-proof North American aluminium extrusion
The North American aluminium extrusion industry is taking a more coordinated approach to its growing skilled-labour challenge, with the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) developing formal skill training with apprenticeship programmes for maintenance technicians, aluminium extrusion press operators and die technicians. The initiative aims to help extrusion companies attract new talent, retain experienced workers and transfer specialised manufacturing knowledge as workforce shortages become an increasingly important constraint on industry growth. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report “The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035” AEC’s industry-wide approach to skills development The shortage of skilled workers has become a...
Sudarshan Chemical deepens aluminium dyes footprint with $8.7m Swiss plant deal
Sudarshan Chemical Industries Limited has entered into an agreement to acquire a manufacturing plant for aluminium dyes and chemicals in Muttenz, Switzerland, for CHF 7 million (USD 8.7 million) and inventory. The acquisition is expanding the company’s manufacturing footprint and position in the global aluminium dyes market. Sudarshan Switzerland SLO AG, formerly Heubach Colorants Switzerland AG, is Sudarshan’s step-down wholly-owned subsidiary that acquired the facility. It has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale and transfer of assets with Clariant Additives (Switzerland) AG. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report “Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence,...
Ambani’s Reliance eyes aluminium as Adani bets $11.5b on Odisha project
Mukesh Ambani owned Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is evaluating an entry into India’s aluminium industry, potentially placing Mukesh Ambani’s conglomerate in competition with Gautam Adani’s Adani Enterprises as both groups expand into metals, bauxite and natural resources. The proposal remains at an exploratory stage, associated with Reliance’s plans for coal gasification, with the company considering metals production as a way to improve the commercial viability of the business. Reliance also showed interest in Odisha’s Karlapat bauxite block by purchasing its tender documents. To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts on bauxite and alumina, explore the report “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” Reliance...
Trump’s 50% auto tariff puts US-Canada trade, aluminium supply chain at risk
The US-Canada trade debate has taken a sharper turn after President Donald Trump warned of raising tariffs on Canadian cars, trucks and automotive parts to 50 per cent from January 1, 2027. The move could have significant implications for the deeply integrated North American automotive supply chain, where cross-border movement of vehicles, components and aluminium-intensive parts is central to production. With Canada preparing retaliatory measures, automakers and suppliers now face greater uncertainty over costs, sourcing and investment decisions. President Donald Trump announced the proposed tariff increase after US-Canada trade negotiations broke down. He also called on companies to manufacture in the US, stating, “Build in the US and there are ZERO TARIFFS.” To know the aluminium...
Automotive aluminium in spotlight as Wetzel acquires Martinrea Honsel Brasil
Wetzel SA, through its wholly owned subsidiary Wetzel Investimentos e Participações, has acquired 100 per cent of Martinrea Honsel Brasil, strengthening its presence in aluminium automotive components. Based in Monte Mor, São Paulo, the acquired company specialises in high-complexity aluminium parts and components supplied to automotive system manufacturers and OEM assemblers. Martinrea Honsel Brasil will continue operating as a separate limited liability company under a new corporate name once the required corporate procedures are completed. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report “Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis & Strategic Recommendations”...
Alcoa backs Equus with $30m as North West Shelf gas project moves towards FID
Equus Energy Limited has moved its North West Shelf gas project into a new commercial phase after securing Alcoa Corporation as a foundation customer and outlining a USD 867 million NPV10, 31 per cent IRR and USD 1.25 billion Phase 1 development case. With technical pre-FEED work completed, the company is now seeking operators, equity partners, infrastructure groups, offtakers and financiers to help take the project towards a final investment decision (FID). Alcoa’s decade-long deal A key milestone is Alcoa’s agreement to procure gas around 50 TJ per day for 10 years from the Equus project. Alcoa has also committed staged funding of up to USD 30 million to support pre-FEED and FEED activities. The agreement gives Equus a foundation domestic customer while the company works to secure...
Coal India eyes Ghana’s 920Mt bauxite as India hunts global mineral assets
Coal India, the world’s largest coal producer, is evaluating bauxite opportunities in Ghana as the Indian state-controlled miner eyes expansion beyond coal and to secure overseas mineral assets. The Ghana interest is part of a wider plan to establish Coal India’s first overseas trading office in Singapore. This could serve as a base for mineral trading and potential acquisitions involving bauxite, lithium, iron ore, rare earths and other critical minerals. As of Thursday, Coal India was valued at around INR 2.48 trillion (USD 26 billion) on the Indian stock market. As per its official database, the company produced 768.19 million tonnes of coal in FY2025-26. Its move into overseas minerals comes as India seeks to secure resources required for manufacturing, renewable energy, electric...
