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A should-cost analysis of an aluminium tower furnace in India: Comparing the economics of LPG, PNG, and electric energy sources
In precision non-ferrous casting and high-volume die-casting operations, thermal energy conversion represents one of the largest controllable operating expenses. In modern aluminium foundries, where margins are squeezed by primary metal price fluctuations and stringent customer cost breakdowns, even a modest INR 1–2/kg variance in liquid metal melting cost can translate into tens of lakhs of rupees in annual cost differences. A rigorous, transparent should-cost benchmark is therefore essential for procurement teams, foundry managers and strategic sourcing leaders. This analysis examines a baseline should-cost model for a 1,000 kg/hour aluminium shaft or tower furnace in an industrial foundry. It compares liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), piped natural gas (PNG) and electric energy across...
Aluminium futures fall to $3,050/t, hits lowest level since February as supply outlook improves
Aluminium futures in the UK fell to around USD 3,060 per tonne on October 12, 2026, reaching their lowest level since February, as a stronger US dollar, easing concerns over Middle East supply disruptions and expanding Indonesian production weighed on prices. The decline reflects a shift in market sentiment as the prospect of additional supply improves, while weaker demand expectations in China add pressure to London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices. Middle East smelter restarts ease supply concerns The faster-than-expected recovery of aluminium smelters in the Middle East has prompted a reassessment of the global supply outlook. Macquarie recently lowered its forecast for the global aluminium supply deficit as smelter restarts in the region progressed more quickly than anticipated....
Norway transforms 20 tonnes of recycled aluminium from oil platform into 55-metre bridge
Norway has given aluminium recovered from a decommissioned North Sea oil platform a second life as a 55-metre pedestrian and cycle bridge in Trondheim. The Hangarbrua project uses 20 tonnes of recycled aluminium from the former Gyda platform. The project shows how industrial scrap can be converted into long-lasting public infrastructure while opening new possibilities for aluminium bridge construction. From North Sea oil platform to urban infrastructure The story behind Hangarbrua begins with Gyda, an oil platform that operated in the North Sea from 1990 until its decommissioning in 2021. During dismantling, Aker Solutions recovered approximately 18,000 tonnes of steel and other metals, including aluminium from the platform's topsides. Stena Recycling sorted the recovered aluminium scrap...
Hindalco partners with Vi Business to deploy a private network at an Odisha bauxite mine
Hindalco Industries has partnered with Vi Business to establish its first dedicated private network at the Baphlimali bauxite mine in Odisha, supporting safer mining, real-time monitoring and Industry 4.0 operations. Hindalco Industries Ltd has partnered with Vi Business, the enterprise arm of Vodafone Idea (Vi), to deploy a dedicated private network at its Baphlimali bauxite mine in Rayagada district, Odisha. Announced on October 8, 2026, the multi-year managed services agreement marks Hindalco’s first private network implementation and forms part of its broader digital transformation strategy. The network will cover the complete private network infrastructure, including spectrum, core network, radio access network (RAN) and managed services. It is expected to provide secure, reliable...
Since 1888, 1.1 billion tonnes of produced aluminium still in use: How much of it did recycling recover?
The aluminium industry is undergoing a data-driven transformation, with recycling now delivering up to 95 per cent energy savings, achieving a 75 per cent global can recycling rate, and processing nearly 42 million tonnes of scrap annually. These figures are not just environmental milestones—they are reshaping supply chains, pricing, and national strategies as primary aluminium faces structural deficits and carbon constraints. Where 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminium went Of the roughly 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminium produced since 1888, about 1.1 billion tonnes (around three-quarters) remained in productive use in the 2019 estimate. Within that total, approximately 750 million tonnes were still in their first use, while about 370 million tonnes had been recycled and reused. In other words,...
Golden Aluminum, SMS group showcase taking Nexcast to industrial scale at ALUMINIUM 2026 in Düsseldorf
Golden Aluminum and SMS group have taken their jointly developed Nexcast® aluminium strip-casting technology to industrial scale, marking a significant step in the development of compact aluminium minimills capable of producing higher-alloyed flat-rolled products. The technology is being presented at ALUMINIUM 2026 in Düsseldorf, where the two companies are highlighting its industrial operation and potential for future aluminium minimill applications. Golden Aluminum had earlier said Nexcast® was developed to address the traditional compromise between the efficiency of continuous casting and the ability to produce sophisticated, higher-value alloys. AL Circle representatives attended the event to gain first-hand insights into the latest developments in aluminium casting technology and...
Who’s holding up Germany’s aluminium game? Meet EGA, Hydro and Constellium
Germany does cars, machinery and engineering rather well, and all of that needs a lot of aluminium. So, when three international players put serious money and muscle into the country's aluminium industry, it's worth a look. Together, the three companies offer an interesting snapshot of more recycling, more specialised products, stronger local supply chains and lower-carbon production. Here is who is doing what, and why it matters. EGA: The Gulf giant moving into Hannover Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is the world's largest "premium aluminium" producer. It already ships over 600,000 tonnes of primary aluminium to Europe every year, with the automotive and construction industries among its key customers. Then it did something it hadn't done in a decade: it bought a company. That company...
EU-India FTA, CBAM and carbon costs: Can Indian aluminium crack the European market?
A former Deputy Secretary General of the European Parliament and Director of the EPP Group, Paolo Licandro, has extensive experience in European policymaking, international relations, industry, energy and EU affairs. He is currently the Founder and CEO of eEuropa Belgium and Editor of eEuropa.Blog. He has worked with European prime ministers, ministers and EU commissioners and has held senior roles covering EU enlargement, Mediterranean and Middle East relations, and industry, research and energy. A nuclear engineer, he holds a master’s degree from Politecnico di Milano and has worked with ENI, ARS-Pragma and the EU Joint Research Centre. In this interview, Paolo Licandro shares his perspective on EU–India aluminium trade, CBAM and the opportunities for Indian producers in Europe. AL...
Heeney Capital brings 15,000 tons of Venezuelan aluminum to Louisiana, reviving US supply corridor
A 15,000-ton shipment of primary aluminum from Venezuela has arrived at the Port of Avondale in New Orleans, Louisiana, marking the first Venezuelan aluminum shipment to the United States in nearly a decade and potentially reopening a long-dormant supply route between the two countries. The cargo was unloaded on October 5 in an event attended by US Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Representative Julia Letlow. The shipment is part of a broader commercial initiative involving US investment firm Heeney Capital and commodity trader Mercuria Energy Group, with the aluminum produced by Venezuela’s state-owned CVG Venalum. The shipment is considerably larger than Venezuela’s last reported US-bound aluminum cargo. The country last shipped primary...
Germany’s aluminium FRP consumption reaches 1.68 Mt as 2025 trade surplus tops $3.1 billion
Germany’s aluminium flat-rolled products (FRP) market is revealing a striking disconnect between its shrinking primary aluminium base and its still substantial downstream manufacturing capacity. Estimated German FRP consumption reached 1.68 million tonnes in 2025, up from approximately 1.66 million tonnes in 2024, even as domestic primary aluminium production had fallen sharply in previous years. The latest trade data add another layer to the picture. Germany’s combined imports of aluminium plates, sheets and strip above 0.2 mm (CN 7606) and aluminium foil of 0.2 mm or less (CN 7607) reached approximately USD 5.04 billion in 2025, while exports climbed to USD 8.18 billion. That left a combined trade surplus of about USD 3.14 billion across the two FRP categories. Germany remains a net...
Hindalco ends $125 million AluChem deal after prolonged closing delays
Hindalco Industries has terminated its proposed USD 125 million acquisition of US-based speciality alumina producer AluChem Companies after extended delays in closing the transaction. The decision ends a deal announced in June 2025, although Hindalco says its speciality alumina expansion strategy remains firmly in place. Hindalco Industries has called off its proposed acquisition of AluChem Companies Inc., bringing an end to its planned USD 125 million entry into the US-based speciality alumina producer. The Aditya Birla Group's metals flagship and AluChem have jointly decided to terminate the Equity Purchase Agreement (EPA) following prolonged delays in completing the transaction. According to Hindalco's regulatory filing, the delays were beyond the control of either party. "The proposed...
NALCO to reach ₹190-200 billion revenue as ₹250 billion FY31 expansion target progresses
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) expects revenue to reach INR 190-200 billion (USD 2.29–2.41 billion) in the current year, supported by higher alumina production and stronger aluminium prices, while an INR 250-billion (USD 3.01 billion) expansion programme is set to reshape its upstream, smelting and power capacities by FY31. The state-owned aluminium producer expects revenue to increase from approximately INR 178 billion (USD 2.14 billion) last year as its new refinery capacity lifts alumina production and higher aluminium prices support realisations. NALCO Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Prasad Singh attributed the revenue outlook to these two factors. INR 250 billion capex to expand aluminium value chain NALCO is simultaneously advancing a INR 250-crore (USD 3.01...
Anil Agarwal confidently welcomes Adani, Reliance Into Aluminium as Vedanta targets 10Mt
India’s aluminium industry may be on the cusp of a more competitive era. With the Adani Group and Reliance Industries exploring opportunities across the aluminium value chain, established producers could soon face stronger competition on capacity, efficiency, costs and raw material access. Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal, however, appears to see the potential disruption as an opportunity rather than a threat. “We welcome competition. Competition makes you more efficient,” Agarwal said. His comments come as Adani Enterprises, alongside UAE-based International Resources Holding, advances plans for an USD 11.5 billion integrated aluminium project in Odisha, while Reliance Industries has shown interest in the state’s bauxite resources. Showcase your brand, aluminium recycling initiatives and...
CMI targets 70% US aluminum can recycling by 2030 as MRF losses come under focus
The US aluminum beverage can industry is stepping up efforts to recover more used cans as it works toward a 70% aluminum can recycling rate by 2030. The latest push is focusing on a critical weakness in the recycling chain: cans that enter the system but are lost during collection and sorting. The Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) is pursuing a combination of improved material recovery facility (MRF) sorting, stronger collection systems, deposit return programs, extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes and consumer education to increase the amount of aluminum flowing back into the domestic recycling system. Roxanne Sharif, CMI’s director of sustainability, outlined the industry’s priorities during Climate Week NYC, where representatives from across the aluminum supply chain...
India’s aluminium extrusion output falls to close to 900kt as capacity utilisation slumps near 30%
India’s aluminium extrusion industry is facing mounting pressure as production has dropped while manufacturers operate at only about 30 per cent of installed capacity, prompting concerns over the viability of several factories. The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) has also sought the removal of the 7.5 per cent basic customs duty on primary aluminium which, together with the applicable surcharge, results in an effective duty of about 8.25 per cent, arguing that the levy is adding to raw-material costs for domestic downstream manufacturers. According to the latest industry figures, India’s aluminium extrusion production has declined to around 800-900 thousand tonnes, from approximately 1.2 million tonnes earlier. This compares with an installed extrusion...
Odisha commits local bauxite for Vedanta’s Lanjigarh alumina refinery as ₹1 trillion aluminium push gathers pace
Odisha’s aluminium story is gaining another significant raw-material link, with the state government committing to provide local bauxite for Vedanta’s alumina refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi. The commitment came during a September 26 meeting between Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Vedanta Chairman Anil Agarwal, as both sides discussed accelerating the company’s proposed INR 1 trillion (USD 10.42 billion) aluminium investments in the state. The focus on bauxite security is particularly relevant for Vedanta’s integrated aluminium operations in Odisha, where Lanjigarh serves as a major alumina-producing asset. The latest commitment comes alongside plans for new large-scale aluminium and alumina capacity in the state. INR 1 trillion investment, 9 MTPA proposed capacity...
More domestic aluminium, recycling and energy needed to strengthen US supply chain
With 18 years of experience in the aluminium industry, Charles Johnson brings a deep understanding of the policy, trade and sustainability issues shaping the US aluminium value chain. As President and CEO of the Aluminum Association, he represents an industry seeking to strengthen domestic supply while maintaining reliable access to imports. In this interview with AL Circle, Johnson discusses why the US needs an “all-of-the-above” approach, combining greater primary production, expanded recycling, stronger energy infrastructure and targeted trade enforcement, to build a larger, more resilient aluminium supply base for American manufacturing. AL Circle: How serious is the US aluminium supply gap right now, and which parts of the value chain are feeling the pressure most acutely? Charles...
$150 billion, 12+ countries, one Gulf player: Inside the UAE's ports-to-bauxite web across Africa
Stretch a line from the Red Sea through the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean all the way to the Atlantic coast, and you'll pass through a decade-old network of ports, long-term concessions, roads, and logistics corridors built by a single Gulf state. The common thread running through the United Arab Emirates is bauxite mines, the raw ore behind aluminium production, sit alongside renewable energy plants, and data centres. On 20 September 2026, Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, put a number on that footprint sharing that the UAE investment in Africa is approaching USD 150 billion, with annual two-way trade now exceeding USD 107 billion. He framed the expansion as part of Abu Dhabi’s push to build direct ties with the continent, bypassing traditional Western...
