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During the Chinese New Year, alumina transactions were sluggish, and prices are expected to continue their downward trend
Futures Market: Before the holiday, the most-traded alumina 2505 futures contract opened at RMB 3,586 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 3,628 per tonne, a low of RMB 3,570 per tonne, and closed at RMB 3,606 per tonne, up RMB 20 per tonne or 0.56 per cent. Open interest was 95,800 lots, down 2,105 lots. Industry Dynamics: According to SMM statistics, as of January 27, domestic aluminium ingot inventory in major consumption areas stood at 492,000 tonnes, up 32,000 tonnes W-o-W; aluminium billet inventory in major consumption areas was 222,800 tonnes, up 22,800 tonnes from last Thursday. SMM data shows that in January 2025, the average tax-inclusive full cost of China's aluminium industry was RMB 19,989 per tonne, down 5.3 per cent MoM but up 27 per cent Y-o-Y, mainly due to the sharp...
EU’s sanction on Russia heats up aluminium price in transnational market
European Union’s sanction against Russia has unfolded numerous speculations about future trade scope among countries and continents. The EU’s proposal states a one-year phase-in period, with 275,000 tonnes exempted during this transition. This would mean a further decline in the import of Russian primary aluminium. On the one hand, in 2023, 500,000 tonnes were imported from Russia into the EU, on the other, the figure declined to 330,000 tonnes in the period of January to November 2024. The ripple effect of the uncertainty around the trade front has inevitably hit the market pricing segment as well. Pricing trend analysis Aluminium prices hiked 0.18 per cent to INR 253.9 (USD 2.90), owing to supply concerns post the European Union’s (EU’s) decision to phase by phase ban Russian aluminium...
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"Regulatory pressure and increasing environmental requirements are opening up many opportunities for us," Romain Girbal, co-founder of IB2
Romain Girbal, a seasoned entrepreneur and business developer, has over 20 years of experience across various industries. A graduate of HEC Paris with a specialisation in Business Law and Management, Romain is known for his strategic vision and leadership. In 2013, he co-founded Alliance Minière Responsable (AMR), a French bauxite mining company operating in the Republic of Guinea, where he played a pivotal role in fostering responsible and sustainable mining practices. As a member of the board at IB2 and a business development expert, Romain continues to contribute his expertise to various ventures, driving innovation and growth. In this interview, Mr Girbal has brought forth the present and future strategies of the company in combatting all odds and steering forward the development of...
India takes the front seat in EV evolution with half a million sales: Honda to join the force soon!
The global transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is revolutionising the automotive industry, driven by increasing concerns over air pollution and stringent emission regulations imposed by governments worldwide. With the environmental imperative to reduce fossil fuel dependency, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have gained substantial traction among consumers, with USD 4216.91 billion in 2024. This shift has also sparked a corresponding rise in the demand for lightweight materials such as aluminium in automobile manufacturing. One of the key factors accelerating the adoption of EVs is their lower maintenance cost compared to traditional petrol and diesel vehicles. The COVID-19 pandemic initially dampened the automotive market, with a sharp decline in...
Hero and TVS make solid strides in strengthening India’s electric vehicle segment for the long run
India’s largest two-wheeler manufacturer, Hero MotoCorp, is intensifying its efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) space to capture a larger market share. The company, which launched its Vida brand in 2023, has been expanding its presence across the country, with a presence in over 116 cities and 203 touchpoints. Downstream product manufacturer, aluminium die-casted automotive parts manufacturer Sundaram Clayton (also known as TVS Holdings), is also in on its game-changing strategy to revolutionise the face of the electric vehicle market in India. Hero to establish independent electric vehicle unit Hero MotoCorp Ltd, one of India’s leading two-wheeler manufacturers, continues to intensify its efforts in the electric vehicle (EV) sector. With a market share in the mid-single digits, the...
Bridgnorth’s £2m tech transition: "We're a key link in the supply chain for electric vehicles and renewables” shares DGM
Bridgnorth Aluminium Limited, a leading name in the United Kingdom’s aluminium rolled products segment, came into the news for its whopping 2 million Pounds(£) in technical advancement at its 66-acre facility. The investment announcement initially came in October 2024. The company is the singular fully integrated aluminium rolling plant in the UK and employs 330 people in the county. Adam Hunter, Deputy General Manager of the company, has asserted that aluminium is key to the country’s clean energy transition, primarily in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and defence systems. Image Source: https://bridgnorthaluminium.co.uk/ He shared, “We are a key link in the supply chain for battery foil for the EV market, more of which will be required by the new gigafactories established or being...
The aluminium conundrum: Is aluminium in vaccines slowly poisoning our future generation?
As the world continues to navigate the complexities of vaccine safety and efficacy, one ingredient has found itself at the centre of a contentious debate: aluminium. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vocal advocate for vaccine safety reform, has repeatedly raised concerns about the potential health risks associated with aluminium in vaccines. “You wonder why a whole generation of children is allergic to stuff,” Mr. Kennedy said during a 2021 interview. “It’s because we’re inducing allergies, pumping them full of aluminium.” But, if it all were true, doctors, parents and researchers would not favour vaccines of such kind. Would they? And moreover, does science support such statements at all? A brief history of aluminium in vaccines The use of aluminium in vaccines dates back to the 1920s when...
Odisha government bows to pressure? Mine blocks up for auction despite anticipated market slump
After a long wait of over two years for a bullish metal market, added with a recent push from the central government, the government of Odisha has given in on the approval of the proposal of the Steel and Mines department for the auction of 10 mineral blocks in the state. Among the ten blocks, the state government has nodded on the auction of four iron ore mines - Koira in Sundargarh district, and Roida-1, Putulipani and Jalahuri in Keonjhar district. These mine blocks lost their leasing tenure in 2021. Apart from these, a virgin mine, the Jhumka-Pathiriposhi West iron ore block in Sundargarh is put up for auction this time. The auction is also to feature two virgin bauxite blocks at Karlapat in the Kalahandi district and Nunapaimali in the Rayagada district. “The decision to go for...
2024: Impact Minerals’ excellence in exploration decoded
Though it is only the conclusion of quarter two for Impact Minerals in December 2024, the company’s entire calendar year 2024 performance data have poured in with its December quarterly report publication. Throughout the year, Impact Minerals has taken quite a few steps ahead across various exploration and development projects, notably its flagship Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project in Western Australia. The consolidated report focuses on the numbers throughout the year, along with the company’s activities and milestones across the four quarters. Third Quarter FY24 (Ending March 2024) Impact Minerals has focused heavily on advancing its Lake Hope Project as planned earlier since the beginning of the year with other exploration activities. Lake Hope, WA: The project achieved...
Indian aluminium giant reports historic Q3 performance: EBITDA jumps 30% Y-o-Y
Vedanta Aluminium, a key subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, has announced a historic performance for Q3 FY25, achieving its highest-ever third-quarter EBITDA of INR 11,284 crore (US$1.34 billion), marking a significant 30 per cent year-on-year increase. Image Source: https://www.vedantalimited.com/ Record production amid rising domestic demand Aluminium production for the quarter stood at 613 thousand tonnes, reflecting a 2 per cent Y-o-Y growth. However, production increased marginally from 609 thousand in Q2 FY25 ( up 0.7 per cent Q-o-Q). Alumina production surged by 7 per cent to 505 thousand tonnes, supported by advancements at the Lanjigarh refinery. Notably, Vedanta Aluminium recorded its best-ever quarterly value-added product (VAP) sales at 317 tonnes, a 16 per cent Y-o-Y increase....
Aluminium demand in India to zoom 7-9% by 2028 as EV Sales Surge 27%
At the recently concluded Material Recycling Association of India (MRAI) international conference held in Jaipur from 28 to 30 January, Mohan Agarwal, managing director and chairman of a prominent secondary smelter CMR Green Recycling, projected robust growth in India’s secondary aluminium demand. Agarwal forecasted a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7-9 per cent between 2023 and 2028, with demand expected to rise from 1.7 million tonnes in 2023 to approximately 2.4-2.5 million tonnes by 2028. The automotive sector is poised to be a key driver of this growth, with demand anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 7-11 per cent. India’s automotive sector, already the third-largest market globally, surpassed Japan and now trails only China and the US, according to government reports from...
NALCO defies market trends: surges 3.18% despite broader downturn
National Aluminium Company (NALCO) experienced an eventful trading session on January 31, 2025, surpassing the nation’s aluminium sector. Despite trading below past key moving averages, it delivers a high dividend yield. The stock’s recent performance contrasts with broader market trends. NALCO’s share price is steadily more dependent on international fluctuations in alumina prices, as alumina is a primary raw material used in the production of aluminium. The state-run company is integral to the alumina as it sells a considerable portion of its manufactured goods in the open market. The company has upped by 3.18 per cent on January 31, 2025. This performance has marked the stock at an outperforming position as compared to its sector by 1.91 per cent, highlighting its relative strength in...
85% probability of 10% tariff on Canadian aluminium and other imports: Analysts
Commodity markets are factoring in heightened chances that US President Donald Trump’s sanctions on Canadian imports will include raw materials such as oil, according to Goldman Sachs Group Inc., which cautioned that petrol prices in the Midwest could rise if the penalties affect crude flows. Differences in regional pricing for commodities such as aluminium and crude copper indicate an 85 per cent probability of a 10 per cent tariff being imposed, analysts including Samantha Dart and Daan Struyven said in a note. Lower probabilities were associated with higher eventual tariffs, they added. Canada is by some margin the largest supplier of primary metal to the United States, accounting for 79 per cent of total imports in the first 11 months of 2024. On the other hand, the re-elected...
Here’s why India needs an LME warehouse to support the AL business
Anuj Bareja, Founder and Managing Director of Asier Metals Private Ltd, stated at the LME Mumbai Forum on January 27, 2025, that establishing London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses in India could help mitigate the carbon footprint associated with transporting aluminium. With sustainability measures concerning aluminium and the future implementation of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) levies, having these warehouses locally would eliminate the need to transport aluminium to LME-registered facilities in Southeast Asia for storage and delivery. “Why does India need to ship out 1.5 million tonnes of aluminium to Southeast Asia? Are we not burning fuel?” Bareja said, emphasising the need for LME warehouses in India where the metal can be stored and drawn out domestically. There...
Wall Street veteran Kenneth Leet joins to Chair the board of Sortera Technologies
Sortera Technologies, Inc., a pioneering material sorting company utilising an upcycling platform driven by artificial intelligence, data analytics, and advanced sensors, has appointed Wall Street veteran Kenneth Leet as Chairman of the Board. Mr Leet, the first to hold this position, joins the company’s Board at a pivotal moment of phenomenal growth. With over three decades of leadership in the financial sector, Mr Leet’s extensive experience with industrial enterprises is set to play a vital role as Sortera embarks on its next phase of rapid expansion, including the establishment of additional sortation facilities to serve a diverse range of industries across the nation. “Kenneth is a well-regarded leader with an outstanding reputation and vast experience in investing and advising some...
Norsk Hydro X Rio Tinto: $45M sustainability push to advance carbon capture for aluminium smelting
The aluminium and energy business Norsk Hydro has come together with the world’s second-largest metal and mining company, Rio Tinto, intending to determine and estimate available carbon capture technologies for future implementation in the aluminium electrolysis process. The globally recognised entities have bound themselves into a partnership agreement, proferring each other with particular information exchange, outcomes and costs covering specific research and development (R&D) activities from lab tests with external suppliers to larger, on-site pilots, with the aim of creating improved benefaction of commercially practicable carbon capture technologies from pertinent suppliers. Hydro President and CEO Eivind Kallevik said, “Hydro is accelerating our ambitious roadmap to achieve...
Ukraine seizes $50M in aluminium raw materials from sanctioned Russian tycoon
Ukraine has confiscated raw material worth 2.11 billion hryvnias (US$50.3 million) from Russian aluminium magnate Oleg Deripaska, reports Moscow Times. On Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny (SBU) or the Security Service of Ukraine said that the incident ensued after two years of blocking their shipment. The security service has also disclosed that it seized close to 500,000 tonnes of bauxite and alumina that were stored at the Mykolaiv Alumina Plant, which Ukraine nationalised alongside other Deripaska-owned factories following Russia’s full-scale invasion. The ore was produced in Ukraine before Russia launched its invasion on February 24, 2022, mentioned the security service agency. Image Source: Wikipedia In early 2023, Ukrainian law enforcement, with the Security...
Alba has a new feather added to its sustainability crown: battery-powered AlF3 feeding vehicle
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has taken another stride to accomplish its decarbonisation goals with its newest discovery — an electric, battery-powered Aluminium Fluoride (AlF3) feeding vehicle. The pilot apparatus has been shaped into reality with the utilisation of an advanced vehicle from Techmo Car S.p.A. and is under evaluation in Reduction Lines 4, 5, and 6. A feeding vehicle in any aluminium smelter is crucial as it continuously supplies the essential raw material, alumina, to the electrolytic cells where aluminium is extracted, ensuring a stable and uninterrupted production process by delivering small, regular additions of alumina to the electrolyte, which is necessary for the ongoing electrolysis reaction to occur properly. Without this continuous feed, the aluminium production...
