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Jamaica renews focus on reviving its bauxite and alumina industry
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, has reaffirmed the Jamaican Government’s commitment to revitalising the country’s bauxite and alumina sector, a long-standing contributor to the national economy despite years of contraction. Photo credit: Dave Reid At the Bauxite/Alumina Industry Day held at the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI) in Hope Gardens, St. Andrew, Minister Green emphasised the government’s intent to take a more hands-on approach in improving operational efficiency and drawing new investments into the industry. “We are going to be looking at things like the quality of our ore that is left, what is happening across our bauxite companies with the ageing infrastructure, and the plans to invest to ensure that we can be more efficient in what we do,”...
DOE revokes USD 3.7B in clean energy funding, putting 24 major projects in jeopardy
The Department of Energy has reversed its course, announcing the withdrawal of USD 3.7 billion in funding previously awarded to clean energy and manufacturing projects under the Biden administration. Image credit: energy.gov The decision affects 24 projects across sectors like advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation and chemical manufacturing. Recipients range from giants like Exxon Mobil and Kraft Heinz to startups like Skyven, Brimstone and Sublime Systems. Brimstone Energy, also working on low-carbon cement and alumina production, responded with cautious optimism. The startup emphasised its alignment with national priorities, particularly around boosting domestic critical mineral output. “Given our project’s strong alignment with President Trump’s priority to increase US...
Aluminium slips as WBMS reports Q1 surplus of 538,700 tonnes on global output rise
Aluminium prices slipped by 0.48 per cent, settling at ₹236.45 (USD 2.85), as seasonal domestic weakness and ongoing global trade uncertainties continued to dampen market sentiment. Despite the bearish trend, downside pressure is limited with a rise in alumina prices, driven by supply constraints and refinery maintenance in key Chinese regions, such as Shanxi and Guizhou. Image source: istockphoto Environmental restrictions and limited bauxite supply have tightened the alumina spot market, driving up production costs. According to the WBMS, global primary aluminium output in March reached 6.1609 million tonnes, with consumption at 5.8836 million tonnes, resulting in a monthly surplus of 277,300 tonnes. Continuing the oversupply trend, the global aluminium market recorded a Q1 2025 surplus...
India’s solar sector expected to rebound with key investments despite early 2025 slowdown
India’s renewable energy landscape is poised for a significant turnaround with three major solar project announcements from Adani Green Energy, Jindal India Thermal Power and Alpex Solar. These developments come at a critical juncture, as the country witnessed a notable 25 per cent drop in new solar capacity additions in the first quarter of 2025. Image source: britannica India added just 6.7 gigawatts of solar capacity in Q1 2025, down from 9 gigawatts during the same period in 2024. The decline was attributed to delayed project commissioning, supply chain bottlenecks and cautious investor sentiment. However, recent announcements in the sector signal a revival in momentum that could help bridge this capacity gap in the coming months. Adani Green Energy Ltd (AGEL) has commissioned 187.5...
Poland’s CANPACK to expand aluminium operations with 100 new job roles
CANPACK SA, part of CANPACK Group, Inc., and a leading aluminium beverage can manufacturer, is launching an investment project in Bydgoszcz, Poland. The expansion project will significantly boost production capacity at the site, and planned spending exceeds USD 110 million. Image source: canpack Aluminium is preferred in beverage packaging due to its recyclability and durability. With a rising shift towards eco-conscious choices, aluminium helps brands reduce their environmental footprint. The expansion reflects aluminium’s increasing role in circular economy strategies. The investment plan covers expanding the plant’s infrastructure, acquiring advanced machinery, and upgrading existing production lines. This project will help CANPACK retain over 450 jobs and generate more than 100 new...
Alba’s EternAl™ series expands with EternAl-AC, a new product line with carbon offsets mechanism
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has reportedly expanded its EternAl™ low-carbon range with the launch of ‘EternAl-AC’, a new line featuring verified carbon offsets from Alba’s own operational efficiencies. Image source: Alba Owing to features like carbon offset mechanism and a tiered carbon classification system spanning net-zero footprint (EternAl-ACO) to up to 4 tonnes CO₂e per tonne (AC4), EternAl-AC contributes directly to carbon reduction goals, helping customers with flexible, transparent low-carbon solutions providing clear and verified data. This new product range also enables customers to access traceable, third-party verified greenhouse gas (GHG) offsets originating from Alba’s internal sustainability initiatives. Also read: Alba, the first Middle-Eastern aluminium smelter,...
Canyon Resources secures USD 24.5M to advance aluminium supply chain in Cameroon
Canyon Resources Limited has secured a substantial USD 24.5 million investment from its major shareholder, Eagle Eye Asset Holdings, following the exercise of 350 million options. This move will raise Eagle Eye’s ownership in Canyon to 54.7 per cent and strengthen the company’s cash position, enabling accelerated progress on the Minim Martap Bauxite Project. Image credit: canyonresources The Minim Martap project, located in central Cameroon, is a high-grade bauxite resource poised to become a key player in the aluminium supply chain. By focusing on direct shipping ore (DSO), the project aims to streamline the transition from raw bauxite to aluminium production, catering to the growing global demand for sustainable and efficient aluminium sources. In its financial year ending June 30,...
French startup introduces aluminium solar carports to meet national sustainability mandates
To support France’s push for greener infrastructure, French startup Closura has introduced aluminium solar carports that combine renewable energy generation with durable, lightweight construction. Built from marine-grade aluminium, these structures are designed to help businesses and municipalities meet new sustainability mandates, reduce energy costs and lower their carbon footprints. Image credit: Closura Based in Le Thou, southwestern France, Closura’s initiative responds to the Climate and Resilience Act (2021) and the APER Act (2023), which require large parking lots to install photovoltaic canopies over at least 50 per cent of their area between 2026 and 2028. The choice of marine-grade aluminium for the carports ensures durability and lightness, making the structures resilient...
Aluminium packaging under scrutiny amid coffee supply chain sustainability push
In 2025, the global coffee industry is intensifying efforts to enhance supply chain sustainability. This initiative addresses environmental concerns and aligns with evolving consumer expectations. The focus spans from farming practices to packaging materials, aiming to reduce the sector's ecological footprint. Image credit: nescafe Aluminium, prevalent in coffee packaging, is central to sustainability discussions. While it offers durability and preservation benefits, its environmental impact is high. The industry is exploring alternatives and recycling methods to mitigate these effects. Major players like Nestlé have launched initiatives promoting regenerative agriculture among coffee farmers. Their goal is to source 100% responsibly produced coffee by 2025, with a major portion from...
Oklahoma secures USD 4B investment from EGA for the United States’ new aluminium smelter in 45 years
On May 15 2025, Governor of Oklahoma, Kevin Stitt, announced that the South Central landlocked state in the United States has secured a USD 4 billion investment from Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for a primary aluminium smelter, to be located at the Tulsa Port of Inola. This facility will be the first new primary aluminium plant built in the US in 45 years. The investment aims to bolster domestic aluminium production and support supply chain resilience. Image source: facebook The new plant will produce billets, sheet ingots, high-purity aluminium and foundry alloys. Once operational, it will be the largest facility of its kind in the US. The project is expected to nearly double the nation's domestic aluminium production capacity. Situated on over 350 acres at the Tulsa Port of Inola,...
Rio Tinto backs low-carbon aluminium future with USD 1.2 billion Isle-Maligne power plant upgrade
Rio Tinto is reportedly investing USD 1.2 billion to modernise its Isle-Maligne hydroelectric power plant in Alma, Quebec. The plant, commissioned in 1926, is being upgraded to support low-carbon aluminium production in Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean. The project began in May 2025 and will run until 2032, ensuring a safer and more reliable renewable energy supply to key facilities. Image credit: Rio Tinto This marks Rio Tinto’s largest single investment in its hydro assets since the 1950s. The modernisation will help protect long-term operations and maintain the jobs of employees across the region. The upgrade will also ensure more efficient and sustainable energy supply for smelters, casting houses and other facilities. Aluminium production at Rio Tinto depends on clean and consistent...
Poland's coal share drops below 50 per cent in energy mix, signalling shifts for the aluminium industry
In April 2025, Poland's coal-based electricity fell below 50 per cent for the first time, marking a significant energy shift. The national grid operator, PSE, reported this change as part of Poland's ongoing transition towards cleaner energy sources. This development impacts energy-intensive sectors, including aluminium production, which rely heavily on consistent and affordable power. Image credit: clarke-energy The aluminium industry, known for its high energy consumption, may experience changes due to Poland's evolving energy landscape. As coal's dominance wanes, aluminium producers might need to adapt to new energy mixes, potentially affecting production costs and sustainability practices. Forum Energii, an energy think tank, highlighted that in April 2025, coal-generated electricity...
Norges Bank engages aluminium miners over Amazon environmental concerns
Norges Bank Investment Management announced plans to engage with Rio Tinto and South32. This decision follows environmental concerns about their involvement in the Mineração Rio do Norte joint venture (JV) bauxite mine in Brazil's Amazon rainforest. Image source: en.wikipedia Aluminium production begins with bauxite mining, making MRN's operations central to this industry. The fund's focus on MRN underscores aluminium's environmental footprint, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like the Amazon. MRN is a joint venture comprising Glencore (45 per cent), South32 (33 per cent), and Rio Tinto (22 per cent). The fund owns approximately 2.5 per cent of Rio Tinto, 0.13 per cent of Rio Tinto Ltd, and 2.6 per cent of South32. These stakes provide NBIM with significant influence to advocate...
Meghalaya High Court orders fresh tender for aluminium roofing sheets supply
The Meghalaya High Court has ordered the state government to launch a fresh tender for supplying aluminium roofing sheets to families below the poverty line (BPL), with a three-month deadline. Justice Hamarsan Singh Thangkhiew cancelled the September 2024 Notice Inviting Quotation (NIQ) and the work orders awarded to Meghalaya Roofing and Power Roofing. Image source: indiamart The court instructed the state to issue a fresh NIQ with clear requirements and complete the process within three months. It also dismissed the writ petitions by Manaksia Aluminium Company Limited, with parties bearing their costs. The court questioned whether amending the clauses or maintaining the Meghalaya Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy (MIIPP) registration requirement changed the eligibility...
Capral's low-carbon aluminium drives Stormtech's sustainable design, stock hits AUD 9.17
On the journey to sustainable manufacturing, Stormtech, a pioneer in architectural drainage solutions, has taken a significant step by integrating Capral Aluminium's LocAl® Super Green aluminium into its Wave Grate product. The initiative was announced in Australia as part of the company's ongoing commitment to reduce environmental impact through low-carbon material choices and responsible design practices. Image source: capral Capral’s LocAl® Super Green aluminium offers a notably low carbon footprint of just 4kg CO₂e per kilogram, roughly three times lower than the global average. Using such aluminium ensures the Wave Grate maintains its premium performance while dramatically lowering its embodied carbon footprint. The Wave Grate itself is known for its sleek linear profile and...
Vedanta Aluminium develops new method to recover graphite from industry waste
On National Technology Day 2025, Vedanta Aluminium announced a patent for its breakthrough tech that recovers 99 per cent pure graphite from aluminium waste, aligning with this year’s theme, YANTRA, by turning waste into a strategic resource. Vedanta’s solution recovers usable graphite from aluminium industry waste, turning a challenge into a resource. This method showcases Indian industry’s deep-tech capabilities, supporting missions like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Critical Minerals and Net Zero goals. Vedanta Aluminium’s in-house R&D team, with CSIR-IMMT Bhubaneswar, developed the patented process to extract battery-grade graphite from aluminium waste like Spent Pot Lining and Shot Blast Dust. This supports India’s circular economy goals and can reduce over 70 per cent dependence on imported...
European aluminium foil deliveries increase in Q1 2025, attributed to a potential surge in stockpiling ahead of US tariffs
In the first quarter of 2025, European aluminium foil rollers experienced a significant uptick in demand. According to the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), total deliveries reached 243,900 tonnes, marking an 11.4 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by heightened demand within Europe and in export markets. Domestic deliveries within Europe rose by nearly 11 per cent, while exports saw an approximate 18 per cent increase. The export surge is partly attributed to anticipatory effects stemming from current trade policies, especially in the Americas. Concerns over potential cost increases from impending aluminium foil tariffs may have prompted many American companies to ramp up their stockpiles. This robust performance contrasts sharply with...
Hindalco to begin local production for lithium-ion cells in 2025
Hindalco Industries will begin local production of aluminium battery foils in India by the end of October 2025, aiming to reduce import dependency, support EV growth and meet demand for lithium-ion cell components. The project will require an investment of INR 800 crores to construct a 25,000-tonne capacity plant in Orissa to produce battery-grade aluminium foil. Image source: indiamart Lithium-ion technology is a key focus for Hindalco, as all three metals it works with, aluminium, copper and Specialty Alumina, play crucial roles in battery production. Aluminium foil serves as a cathode substrate, copper as an anode substrate, and Specialty Alumina as a ceramic coating. Aluminium also offers significant advantages for electric vehicles. Its superior thermal stability and heat dissipation...
