AlCircle News Edited By "Pratyusha Chatterjee"
A writer with 5+ years of experience in the communication industry, Pratyusha Chatterjee has indulged in content from the business, lifestyle, travel industries and more. Apart from news and content, Pratyusha is immensely fond of participating in cultural events and managing them.
China's carbon trading market resurrected after eight-year hiatus, poised for further industry inclusions
China has unveiled an ambitious agenda to extend its carbon trading system to encompass the steel, cement, and aluminium smelting sectors. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment has announced that this expansion will incorporate an additional 1,500 enterprises, enabling them to procure credits to offset their CO₂-equivalent emissions. Image for referential purposes only This extension will elevate the total volume of carbon dioxide regulated under the trading system to 8 billion tonnes—encompassing over 60 per cent of China’s total emissions. Ministry spokesperson Pei Xiaofei revealed these developments during a briefing on Wednesday. As one of the world’s foremost exporters of goods subject to the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), China is projected to export approximately...
European foil market in 2024: Recovers from weak demand and high inflation
The European aluminium foil industry has staged an impressive recovery in 2024 after a tumultuous 2023, marked by weak demand and soaring inflation. According to the latest data from the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), total deliveries surged to 892,500 tonnes, a robust 7.3 per cent increase from the previous year’s 831,700 tonnes. While the industry is far from the pre-pandemic heights, signs of resilience and stabilisation are evident, driven primarily by a resurgence in packaging demand. Key factors for growth in 2024 The key driver of this resurgence has been a marked uptick in demand from the packaging sector, which helped balance the industry’s recovery. Deliveries within Europe rose by 7.8 per cent, while exports outside the EAFA region recorded a modest increase of 3.5...
‘White’ hydrogen reserve uncovered — a low-cost potential for green energy transition
In a serendipitous turn of events, French scientists have uncovered what is believed to be the world’s largest deposit of natural, or ‘white’, hydrogen beneath the Lorraine region. This monumental discovery holds the potential to revolutionise the global energy landscape, positioning France at the vanguard of the burgeoning hydrogen economy. Image for referential purposes only The revelation emerged during research conducted by the GeoRessources laboratory and the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS). A massive reserve of natural hydrogen was found beneath Folschviller’s soil in the Moselle region. The finding is being praised as a game-changing juncture in the clean-energy resolution. As per a recently released report, researchers from the GeoRessources laboratory and...
Shyam Metalics: UBS sees 35 per cent upside — Time to buy?
Global brokerage UBS has placed a bullish bet on Shyam Metalics Limited, predicting a 35 per cent upside from its previous closing price. The firm has maintained a ‘buy’ rating on the stock, setting a target price of INR 1,175 (USD 13.73) per share, compared to its last close at INR 869.3 (USD 10.16). So, what’s driving this optimism? UBS highlights two key factors : One is the anti-dumping duty boost. Shyam Metalics stands to benefit significantly from the Indian government’s anti-dumping duty on Chinese aluminium foil imports. As India’s second-largest aluminium foil manufacturer, the company is well-positioned to capitalise on this move. And the other is the increased production capacity. With additional aluminium foil capacity coming online, UBS expects Shyam Metalics to generate an...
Editor’s Pick: The ultimate game-changers brought to you consolidated from Feb’s invention scene
Aluminium might hold the atomic number 13, but with a lot of supportive data in my pocket, I can confidently say that in the world of tech and innovation, it’s a certified lucky charm. As the past decade as well as the century has witnessed, this lightweight powerhouse has been the cornerstone in societal development — from the construction to the transport segment and beyond, making breakthroughs that are sleek, sustainable, and downright futuristic. As we progress on the path of 2025, the base metal has already made its way into sculpting jaw-dropping architecture for high-speed transport and next-gen electronics. Aluminium is at the heart of the revolution, and here’s a selective array of innovations and progression updates that I would like to share with the world that took place in...
Meeting scheduled: India to negotiate before US reciprocal tariff commissions on April 2
India has taken a step ahead to negotiate terms with the United States this week as the date for reciprocal tariff implementation, as announced by the US federal government, is approaching soon. To make things official of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), the teams from both nations are going to make BTA the key focus of a scheduled meeting within the next couple of days. With such an agenda, a team of United States (US) officials, headed by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch, are coming to New Delhi to have talks with their counterparts in India. Image Source: https://www.asiainglobalaffairs.in/ Both parties seek to furnish the first phase of a mutually worthwhile arrangement by fall 2025. The meetings are organised a week ahead of the United States reciprocal...
Hydro invests NOK 1.6b in new wire rod cast house to strengthen Europe’s energy infra
Hydro, a leading aluminium and renewable energy company, is making a major investment in a new wire rod cast house at its aluminium smelter in Karmøy, Norway. Set to begin production in 2028, the facility will supply aluminium critical for Europe’s energy infrastructure. “This investment will expand the capacity of wire rod to supply our customers with low-carbon solutions needed to develop and expand Europe’s most critical infrastructure. This demonstrates that a productive aluminium industry has good growth opportunities in Norway,” says Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO of Hydro. With an annual capacity of 110,000 tonnes, the cast house marks Hydro’s largest investment in Norway in a decade. It will produce aluminium wire for power cables, a vital component of Europe’s energy...
Pete Trpkovski named CFO of Century Aluminium; Stock surges to 59% return over the past year
Century Aluminium (NASDAQ: CENX), a major producer of bauxite, alumina, and primary aluminium, has announced the appointment of Peter A. Trpkovski as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. He succeeds Jerry Bialek, who departs following the planned transition. Image source: https://www.tristatehomepage.com/ The commission arrives as the organisation displays powerful acceleration. InvestingPro data indicates an impressive 59 per cent stock return over the past year and a 41 per cent boost in the last six months. Trpkovski, who has been with Century for 12 years, will now be responsible for driving the company’s strategic initiatives and strengthening its financial operations while continuing in his role as Treasurer. “Pete’s appointment ensures continuity and steady...
Aluminium alternative to replace copper cables, rescuing Mumbai road project from theft threats
The frequent dose of theft from Mumbai coastal road has proven heavy on Bombay Municipal Corporation's pocket and subsequently led to the authority in deciding to go for aluminium cables. Reason? They are affordable and are less likely to be picked by thieves. The prior installation of copper cables for streetlights and other electrical installations has been a common target for robbers due to their higher value. Image Source: Linkedin (Mu Ramanathan) The designated contractor has, in the meantime, initiated the replacement of the cables at crucial spots that are most at risk of theft. Although aluminium is cheaper, civic officials will keep monitoring their performance and security in the future. According to an official's statement, "We have instructed the contractor to install...
The sanctions gamble: Who wins, who loses in the continent’s economic battles?
The contemporary landscape of international relations is increasingly defined by the deployment of economic sanctions. Once considered a blunt instrument of last resort, these measures have become a favoured tool for nations seeking to exert influence, punish transgressions, or compel policy shifts. Yet, the efficacy and broader ramifications of these economic straitjackets (specifically the European Union’s sanction upon Russia) are far from straightforward. Image for representational purposes only Today, we delve into the intricate world of EU sanction, exploring their genesis, the multifaceted impacts they inflict on both the targeted and the imposing, and the swirling debates that question their very purpose and morality. Unmasking the sanction: origins and objectives The imposition...
For Vietnam’s mining sector, future isn’t about digging deeper—it’s about digging smarter
Vietnam’s mining industry is taking a turn towards a greener future as it looks like the path forward is paved with sustainability. Leading the charge is Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Holding Corporation (TKV), which has laid out an ambitious roadmap to modernise its operations and align with the country’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Image for representational purposes only But can an industry traditionally known for its environmental challenges really turn a new leaf? If TKV’s latest strategy is anything to go by, the answer is a resounding ‘yes’. TKV’s game plan revolves around technology. Digital solutions like enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and automation are being deployed to improve efficiency and cut waste. At the heart of this...
Vedanta’s ‘green aluminium plant location’ almost ready for reveal ahead of demerger commissioning
Vedanta Limited, a massive player in the Indian aluminium industry, is one step closer to announcing its site for what the brand mentions as the world’s first 100 per cent green aluminium manufacturing plant, shares Group Chairman Anil Agarwal in a media interview. He has delineated the company’s pursuits to develop aluminium production further and meld renewable energy into its core operations. Vedanta Aluminium has strategised to boost its production capacity by 3 million tonnes annually. Image Source: https://vedantaaluminium.com/ The public declaration was just in time ahead of Vedanta’s demerger enactment , leading to the composition of five distinctive entities – Vedanta Limited, Vedanta Aluminium, Vedanta Oil and Gas, Vedanta Steel and Ferrous Materials, and Vedanta Power. The...
Flat 25% is a myth, US tariffs can go upto 50% (read 225%) for global businesses!
Okay, first things first to be straightened out — the US aluminium and steel tariff implemented is not the only tariff that businesses have to pay while exporting commodities to the nation’s backyard. If a country was paying a 10 per cent tariff to export aluminium goods to the US, they are now not paying 25 per cent but a 35 (10+25) per cent tariff for the good. All of the secrets lie in the word 'additional'! Image for representational purposes only In February 2025, the US administration reinstated and broadened Section 232 tariffs, imposing a flat 25 per cent ad valorem duty on all steel and aluminium imports, effective from March 12, 2025. The tariffs were imposed through Presidential Proclamations 10895 and 10896, signed on February 10, 2025. The updated tariffs now encompass both...
Century Aluminum insider trading: SVP cashes out $49K in stock sale
In recent developments at Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:CENX), Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer Robert Hoffman executed a stock sale totalling USD 49,974. This transaction involved the sale of 2,500 shares at an average price of USD 19.99 per share. Image for referential purposes onlhy Mr Hoffman's tenure at Century Aluminum spans over two decades, having joined the company in October 2004. His career progression includes roles such as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis (2015-2017), Chief Information Officer (appointed in June 2017), and Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer, and Chief Information Officer in 2021. In December 2024, following the departure of former Principal Accounting Officer Theresa Brainerd, Mr. Hoffman was...
Swiss government rolls out energy subsidies to protect domestic steel and aluminium sectors
Switzerland has taken a decisive step (it was really high time!) to safeguard its steel and aluminium industries from mounting electricity costs. The government has announced a subsidy programme wherein the Swiss authorities pledged CHF 37 million (USD 42 million) in financial aid to four key industrial players, including Swiss Steel and Stahl Gerlafingen. The measure, effective from January 2025, will run until the end of 2028, aiming to maintain domestic production and preserve jobs in these energy-intensive sectors. Image for representational purposes only Electricity prices have seen a cosmic soar in the past few years, resulting in immense financial strain on the nation’s steel and aluminium producers, which the recent government initiative is anticipated to cushion. The industry...
China’s aluminium imports plunge, bauxite inflows surge, hinting a shift in trade strategy
China’s aluminium trade landscape saw stark contrasts in January 2025, as aluminium imports plummeted while bauxite imports soared. According to customs data, China’s imports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products fell by 24.3 per cent year-on-year to 290,000 tonnes. In comparison, bauxite imports surged by 23.3 per cent to 11.62 million tonnes. Here’s possibly why aluminium imports are falling The decline in aluminium imports can largely be attributed to the closure of the import arbitrage window. The price differential between domestic and international aluminium has remained unfavourable for imports, with London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices hovering above Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) rates. In 2024, China’s total aluminium imports reached 2.3 million tonnes, down 16...
Indian aluminium industry pleas for urgent duty relief as it braces for global competition
In a rapidly evolving global metals scene, the Indian aluminium sector has found itself at a critical juncture. The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has formally called on the government to extend the Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Products (RoDTEP) scheme for aluminium-producing units operating under Advance Authorisation (AA), Export Oriented Units (EOUs), and Special Economic Zones (SEZs). This intervention, as warned by the industry leaders, is essential to safeguard India’s export competitiveness and domestic manufacturing growth. Image for representational purposes only India ranks as the world’s second-largest producer of aluminium, boasting an impressive annual production capacity of 4.1 million tonnes and witnessing investments exceeding USD 20 billion in domestic...
Chinese aluminium firm gains EPS — stock pricings tell a different tale altogether
JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing Co. Ltd (SZSE:000612) has experienced a 3.9 per cent decline in its stock price over the past week, raising concerns among its predominantly individual investors, who hold a concrete 52 per cent stake in the company. The company's ownership structure reveals that the top 25 investors collectively own 48 per cent of the shares, with the largest shareholder, Zhangshu Hetai Ancheng Investment Center (Limited Partnership), possessing a 14 per cent stake. Kaiman Aluminum (Sanmenxia) Co., Ltd. and Hangzhou Jinjiang Group hold 12 per cent and 5.4 per cent respectively. Despite the recent stock decline, JiaoZuo WanFang Aluminum Manufacturing reported a remarkable 153 per cent increase in earnings per share (EPS) over the past year. However, its...
