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.
Aluminium industry at a crossroads: Baby steps won't work anymore to achieve sustainability amidst emission challenges
Aluminium production, one of the most energy-intensive metal industries, poses a nerve-wracking challenge for global mitigation efforts. A recent study published by Nature sheds light on the evolving dynamics of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the aluminium sector and highlights the urgent need for innovative technologies and policy interventions to achieve net-zero goals. Despite advancements in technology, such as the adoption of more efficient and higher amperage cells, the proportion of aluminium production powered by fossil fuel-based captive power units rose from 37 per cent in 2012 to 49 per cent in 2021. The study reveals that retiring these power plants ten years ahead of schedule could reduce emissions intensity by 5.0–10.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent (tCO2e) per tonne of...
Bauxite boom: The non-ferrous raw material tops Indian Government's production record for FY24
India's bauxite mining sector reports growth in the non-ferrous segment, accounting for 23.93 million tonnes of output in FY 2023-2024. Production until April 2024 has been 86 thousand tonnes greater Y-o-Y. Since the past five fiscal years, bauxite mining has seen an overall steady boost, reflecting a cumulative 23.69 million tonnes of output during FY 2018-2019, with a slight decrease of 21.82 million tonnes during FY 2019-2020 and 20.38 million tonnes in FY 2020-2021. Production again picked up, with 22.49 million tonnes in FY 2021-2022 and 23.84 million tonnes in FY 2022-2023. The data pulled out from the Ministry of Mines of the Government of India shows that bauxite tops the chart for total ferrous and non-ferrous mineral production in India. To enhance bauxite mining operations, the...
Indian aluminium microcap firm reaches a new 52-week low share price
An Indian microcap entity dealing in the aluminium product business has recently reached a new 52-week low, with its share price dipping to INR 8.92 (USD 0.10) on January 2, 2025. IGC industries' such stock performance has nudged shareholders to follow the 'strong sell' advice of the analysts and advisors. This decline hints at the company's perennial downfall, which has seen its stock underperform the sector by 5.1 per cent day-on-day. During the past 7 days, the entity has witnessed a recurring fall, finally coming down to a total descent of 29.64 per cent. The company's performance over the past year has been extremely poor, experiencing a significant decline of 84.18 per cent. In contrast, the Sensex has gained 9.39 oer cent during the same period. Additionally, the company has...
2024 to 2025: Learn how the previous AL year influences the upcoming one
Recently, Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) proffered a critical piece where the aluminium industry sat across the table, witnessing its own SWOT analysis. 2024 has been an eventful year, and the industry insights indicate a similar trend for 2025. The entire aluminium value chain, from the raw material, i.e. bauxite, to the end-user products like aluminium-made mobile cases, laptop chassis and vehicle bodies, has gone through vigorous and eventful turmoil to shape the industry as it is today and as it hints to be tomorrow. 2024's performance in a glimpse According to International Aluminium Insititute's data, from January 2024 to November 2024 — 125.66 million tonnes of metallurgical alumina and 8.113 million metric tonnes of chemical alumina were produced worldwide. Primary aluminium...
JSW MG Motor India kicks off the new year with a bang: 55% surge in December sales
JSW MG Motor India on the first day of the year has declared a 55 per cent upsurge in sales at 7,516 units in December 2024, Y-o-Y (sales last year was close to 3400 units in December). The company has witnessed recor-breaking Electic Vehicles (EV) sales in December and NEV (new energy vehicle) sales which contributed towards over 70 per cent of the all-out sales with its crossover utility vehicle Windsor selling a blockbuster number of 3,785 units. This new year sales statement was provided by JSW MG Motor India through an official statement. "Going forward, we will maintain our growth momentum while driving continuous disruption and innovation. We are committed to introducing new products every six months, alongside delivering exceptional customer service," the spokesperson conveyed....
Black Diamond is now UL Solutions validated; over 25% recycled aluminium usage confirmed
In a recent press release, Black Diamond, a renowned manufacturer of equipment for skiing, climbing, and mountain sports based in Utah, United States, reported that UL Solutions backed its proprietary BD7075 aluminium alloy billet through UL Environmental Claim Validation Procedure for Recycled Content (ECVP 2809-2) to be composed of 25 per cent pre-consumer recycled content. This validated aluminium, which is a first of its kind in this specific manufacturing industry, is the principal component in all of their manufactured carabiners and is the majority of the used substance in hard goods manufacturing. Image Source: https://blackdiamond-cms.zaneray.com/ Jess Powell, Sustainability and Advocacy Manager, has clarified the matter further. He says the brand had no way of knowing the...
Shareholders alert: Aluminium share updates, both domestic and international, might need your attention!
Aluminium trading prices have remained stable at INR 241.4 (US$2.82) in India as on December 30, 2024 and while the prices have not changed, key data indicates an underlying tension in the market due to supply and demand dynamics. According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), global primary aluminium production increased by 3 percent year-on-year, reaching 6.04 million tonnes in November. However, the downside pressure on prices was mitigated as traders withdrew over 82 thousand tonnes from London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses, marking the highest withdrawal since mid-October, primarily from stockpiles in South Korea. The global refined aluminium market experienced a short supply of 40.3 thousand tonnes in October, indicating a continued imbalance between production and...
2024 concludes in Shanghai Metals Market eventfully! Find out which aluminium pricing went which way...
Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), on the last day of the year, has been super active in the stance of base metal—aluminium pricing. From raw material to primary ingot to secondary ingot, such fluctuations in pricing have been a rare incident in recent times. During the winters, a lot of smelters have cut down production owing to environmental concerns. Thus, SMM's aluminium segment pricing list has had uncertainty for the last few days. Alumina pricing Alumina closed at an average of RMB 5,689 per tonne on Tuesday market, with a loss of RMB 14 from the previous day's pricing. After the lump sum rise in pricing, SMM witnessed a 0.6 per cent receding in prices M-o-M for alumina (prices on November 29, 2024, RMB 5,725 per tonne). However, the rise and fall of alumina pricing, as listed on SMM,...
Market Commentary: Middle East aluminium industry's past, present and tentative future analysed amid global market shifts in 2024
The Middle Eastern aluminium market is poised for significant growth, with projections indicating a valuation of USD 16.68 billion by 2030, driven by a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5 per cent from 2024. This burgeoning market, according to an elaborate report by NextMSC , is currently valued at USD 11.33 billion and is being fuelled by a confluence of factors, including a growing emphasis on sustainability and the region's position as a major global producer. Global production landscape While China continues to dominate global aluminium production, accounting for an estimated 39,653 thousand tonnes in 2024 (January-November), representing nearly 60 per cent of the total output, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which consorts a massive middle-eastern aluminium trading...
Hershey’s secret to a sweet new year: You won’t believe what’s taking centre stage!
In the sweet little town of Hershey, Pennsylvania, preparations for New Year’s Eve are well underway – and they’re going big. Or should we say, big and shiny? Workers have been spotted hoisting a whopping 300-pound aluminium and fibreglass Hershey’s Kiss into position on the corner of Park and Chocolate Avenues. Following previous tradition, this confectionary colossus will take centre stage during the grand countdown as it’s raised skyward at the stroke of midnight, marking the highlight of Hershey’s beloved New Year’s bash at ChocolateTown Square. Image Source: https://www.hersheynewyearseve.org/media “We are proud to welcome guests back to Hershey for our New Year’s Eve celebration as it commemorates a milestone of 20 years since the event began in 2004,” said Mike Pries, Committee...
Weekend update: Chinese aluminium giant leads digital transformation with AI
Aluminum Corp of China (Chalco), a global leader in the sector, is spearheading a digital revolution in the nonferrous metals industry. The company recently announced a collaborative initiative to integrate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) into the industry's operational and production processes. At the heart of this endeavour is Chalco's newly launched Kun'an AI model, a groundbreaking system tailored specifically for the nonferrous metals sector. Unveiled at a launch event co-hosted with the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, Kun'an represents the industry's first general-purpose large language model. Built on a vast dataset comprising tens of billions of data points, Kun'an brings cutting-edge capabilities to the table, including natural language processing, image...
Meet the chic deodorant that’s turning aluminium into a style statement
Single-use deodorants? Oh, darling, they’re so last century. Recently we have come across Wild, a London-based natural body care brand that’s redefining freshness with a blend of sustainability, style, and a dash of aluminium magic. Image Source: https://wearewild.com/ The deodorant isn’t just about smelling divine; it’s about doing good for the planet while looking effortlessly fabulous. At the heart of their mission is their ingenious use of aluminium — durable, endlessly recyclable, and undeniably chic. Say goodbye to disposable plastic containers and hello to Wild’s sleek aluminium cases, designed to house your deodorant refills in sustainable splendour. Wild takes an eco-friendly approach to the next level, offering refillable deodorants, body washes, lip balms, and more in reusable...
The metal that won’t quit – aluminium’s circular journey towards a greener tomorrow
A circular economy is an essential part of building a sustainable future as it addresses critical global challenges like resource depletion, waste generation, and environmental degradation. Aluminium plays a pivotal role in this context due to its exceptional recyclability. According to the International Aluminium Institute, aluminium is one of the most recycled materials on Earth. Nearly 75 per cent of the 1.5 billion tonnes of aluminium ever produced remains in use today. Each year, over 30 million tonnes of aluminium scrap is recycled globally, reinforcing its status as a cornerstone of sustainable materials. Growing focus on 'green aluminium' Aluminium businesses are increasingly prioritising 'green aluminium,' aiming to minimise environmental impact while meeting industrial demands....
December’s week four concludes — Here’s a snapshot of aluminium pricing movements in SMM
The SMM aluminium market is buzzing with activity, offering a blend of stability and subtle shifts across various segments. While some prices held their ground, others nudged lower, reflecting the ever-changing dynamics of supply and demand. From alumina to primary and secondary ingots and even low-carbon and high-purity aluminium, today’s pricing paints a complex picture of the industry’s landscape. Whether it’s the steady Australian alumina FOB price or the mixed movements in ingot premiums and discounts across Chinese regions, there’s plenty for market watchers to unpack. Here’s a closer look at what’s happening in the world of aluminium today. Alumina pricing The price listing for alumina as of December 27, 2024, reflects variations across regions in China and Australian FOB prices....
Emirates Global Aluminium secures green loan for US deal and to drive decarbonisation goals
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates, other than the oil and gas sector, has opted for a green loan to finance its acquisition of United States' business share. In addition to its European acquisition, EGA has expanded its operations to the United States. The company completed the acquisition of an 80 per cent stake in Spectro Alloys, a leading secondary foundry alloy producer in the U.S., enhancing EGA's global presence and commitment to sustainable aluminium production. In a statement, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said, "Aluminium demand is expected to grow worldwide by up to 80 per cent by 2050. Recycled and low-carbon primary aluminium are expected to account for around 60 per cent of supply growth...
SMM: Alumina prices glide yet again, aluminium shows mixed trend in different geography
China’s aluminium trading market, often seen as a bellwether for global trends, exhibited subtle yet telling shifts as per the latest Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) pricing report released on Thursday. Alumina and aluminium prices showed mixed dynamics, reflecting evolving supply-demand balances and regional variances. With slight declines in some areas and stability in others, the data points to a steady but cautious market. Alumina pricing The latest Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) pricing report as on Thursday shows trends in China's alumina market, with regional price stability except for slight declines in some areas. The average price for alumina on December 26 in China decreased marginally by RMB 6 per tonne, settling at RMB 5,725 per tonne. This minor drop reflects subtle shifts in...
Santa’s secret workshop: This season advanced tech saved Christmas!
Move over, elves – there’s a new team in Santa’s workshop, and they’re all about rigour and efficiency. This Christmas, Open Mind Technologies, Hermle, and Fraisa banded together to ensure Father Christmas’ sleigh wasn’t just running on holiday cheer but cutting-edge manufacturing magic. Image Source: https://www.advancedmanufacturing.org/ It all started with a festive dilemma. Santa’s production line was under pressure, and the elves were struggling to keep up. Thus enters the damsel in distress, Hermle’s high-performance CNC machines, ready to revolutionise toy production with unrivalled precision. These machines, guided by Open Mind Technologies’ hyperMILL CAM software, ensured every nut, bolt, and toy part was crafted to perfection – even the tiniest spinning tops had pinpoint...
Christmas boost for aluminium market: Prices climb on SMM, led by A00 ingot and alumina
On the day of Christmas, as the world is in a celebratory mood, the aluminium price on the Shanghai Metals Markert is on the hiking trend, bringing good news for investors. As of December 25, 2024, the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) reported the following prices for alumina and aluminium ingots: Image Source: https://www.ebay.com/itm/375156762748 Primary aluminium ingot pricing A00 primary aluminium ingot has seen a constant rise for the past few days. The SMM A00 aluminium ingot price was RMB 19,830 per tonne, reflecting an increase of RMB 40 per tonne (0.20 per cent) from the prior day. The spot contract was traded on Wednesday with a discount price of RMB 20 per tonne to a discount of RMB 60 per tonne. The average A00 aluminium ingot pricing has risen in all eight listed provinces, with...
