AlCircle News Edited By "Rupankar Majumder"
A professional with a technical background, specialising in producing insightful content centred around metals, particularly aluminium, passionately engaged in the intricacies of the recycling sector.
FIA's 2026 F1 regulations open the door for titanium and aluminium additive manufacturing in suspension uprights
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) has announced a new set of technical regulations for Formula 1 starting in 2026, marking a significant evolution in the sport's technical and environmental standards. These regulations are set to introduce some of the most stringent requirements ever imposed in the sports industry, with notable advancements in various areas, including Additive Manufacturing (AM). The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile is an association established on June 20, 1904 to represent the interests of motoring organisations and motor car users. It is the governing body for many auto racing events, including Formula One. The FIA also promotes road safety around the world. Key aspects of the new regulations include: 'Nimble Car' concept: At the heart of the...
Novelis eyes US market: Hindalco MD Satish Pai signals 2025 listing attempt
An attempt to list Novelis Inc. on the U.S. stock market is now projected for 2025, according to Satish Pai, Managing Director of Hindalco Industries Ltd. This follows the postponement of the aluminium subsidiary's initial public offering, which was originally scheduled for 2024 but was delayed in June due to "adverse market conditions." The decision to push the IPO to 2025 reflects Hindalco's cautious approach amid ongoing market volatility. Pai emphasised that the company remains committed to the listing but will wait for more favourable conditions before moving forward. Pai said the only reason for listing Novelis was a premium valuation. "We do not need the money for Hindalco's operations in India." When the company first pursued an IPO, it did not receive the premium valuations that...
Queensland's bold vision: Rio Tinto partnership paves the way for a decarbonised aluminium industry
The Queensland Government and Rio Tinto have partnered to promote renewable energy development in a significant move to protect heavy industry manufacturing around Gladstone. This agreement marks a critical step toward ensuring the long-term viability of Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL), Australia's second-largest aluminium smelter while protecting thousands of jobs in central Queensland. The partnership aligns with Queensland's ambitious vision to transform Gladstone into a renewable energy hub, bolstering the state's electricity grid as Australia advances toward a cleaner energy future. By joining forces, Rio Tinto and the Queensland Government are reinforcing their commitment to a sustainable aluminium industry, a goal that complements the Australian Government's Future Made in Australia...
Pea Ridge Recycling acquires Mississippi-based Pontotoc Aluminum Recycling
Pea Ridge Recycling has announced its recent strategic acquisition of Pontotoc Aluminum Recycling in Mississippi. This new addition, now operating under the banner of Pea Ridge Metals, is situated at the corner of West Reynolds Street and South Columbia Street. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Pea Ridge Recycling's scrap metal division, positioning Pea Ridge Metals for enhanced service and efficiency in the Pontotoc community. The facility's prime location—adjacent to the Pontotoc Police Department and directly across from the planned future fire department—further strengthens Pea Ridge Metals' ability to meet the increasing demands of the local market. This expansion underscores Pea Ridge Recycling's commitment to growth and community service, paving the way for more...
Superalloy’s (SAI) recycled aluminium wheels gain traction among luxury auto brands, fuelling H1 revenue growth
The world's leading auto wheel rim manufacturer, Superalloy (SAI), has reported robust operational results for the second quarter and first half of 2024. The Taiwan-headquartered company experienced significant order growth during the year's first half, driven primarily by increased demand from luxury European and Japanese automotive brands, including Toyota, Jaguar Land Rover, Porsche, BMW, and Ferrari. This surge in orders effectively counterbalanced a decline in shipments to American brands. As the tier-one supplier of world-leading automakers, SAI have experience in product design for leading European, US, and Japanese automakers, with customers located worldwide. Revenue for the period was notably diversified, with 61 per cent coming from European brands, 20 per cent from Japanese...
Thailand authorities uncover massive aluminium dross seizure in Nakhon Pathom, exposing illegal smelting ring
Thailand's Nakhon Pathom province underwent a significant law enforcement operation over the weekend. Police and industrial officials uncovered 14,400 tonnes of aluminium dross at two remelting facilities. The discovery, spread across sites in Nakhon Pathom and Samut Sakhon provinces, just outside Bangkok, highlights a troubling environmental and industrial malpractice case. The operation was initiated by Pol Col Arun Wacharasisukanya, deputy commander of the Natural Resources and Environmental Crime Division, who detailed the sequence of events leading to the discovery. It began when highway police in Nakhon Pathom stopped a semi-trailer truck carrying large quantities of aluminium dross without the required permits. En route to an aluminium factory in Samut Sakhon's Muang district, the...
ALRO's H1 2024 results show a positive shift: Turnover increases, net profit restored
In its consolidated and separate financial results for H1 2024, ALRO, one of Europe's leading vertically integrated aluminium producers by production capacity, has demonstrated notable improvement in its financial performance. For the six months ending June 30, 2024, the Group reported a turnover of RON 1.697 billion, reflecting a 9 per cent increase compared to RON 1.559 billion during the same period in 2023. This growth was driven by stronger London Metal Exchange (LME) quotations and higher sales of value-added aluminium products. Marian Năstase, Chairman of the Board of Directors at ALRO, said, "The investments we made in technology, operational efficiency, portfolio diversification and capturing new markets helped us even better capitalise the upturn that the aluminium market...
Indian Railways cancels aluminium-bodied Vande Bharat train tender over pricing issues
Indian Railways has cancelled its INR 30,000-crore tender for the production and upkeep of 100 aluminium-bodied Vande Bharat trains, according to Olivier Loison, Managing Director of Alstom India, stated to one of India's No. 1 financial and business portals. Indian Railways is the fourth largest Railway network in the world after the US, Russia and China. The Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed train service operated by the Indian Railways. Loison said, “Indian Railways has cancelled the tender. However, with our strong local knowledge and investments in industrial and human capital over the years, we are well-positioned and committed to supporting the realisation of this vision of the railways in the future, should the opportunity arise.” In disagreement over the bid price Railway...
Lake Hope HPA project advances as Impact Minerals Limited lodges mining lease
Impact Minerals Limited has announced a significant milestone in developing its Lake Hope High Purity Alumina (HPA) Project, located approximately 500 kilometres east of Perth, Western Australia. The company has lodged a Mining Lease Application (MLA 63/684) alongside a Miscellaneous Licence (L63/99), marking a crucial step forward as the project advances towards production. Impact Minerals Limited is emerging as a significant force in the High Purity Alumina (HPA) industry with a steadfast commitment to excellence and a strategic vision to leverage Australia's rich mineral resources. By meticulously selecting projects, conducting thorough evaluations, and maintaining a strong focus on profitability, the company strives to deliver enduring value to its shareholders while fostering...
Ma'aden reports 160% profit surge in H1 2024, driven by aluminium and gold sales
Ma'aden, Saudi Arabia's premier mining company, has announced a remarkable 160 per cent increase in profitability, achieving a net profit of SR2 billion ($532 million) for H1 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. The significant growth, highlighted in a statement on the Saudi stock exchange Tadawul, was fuelled by a notable rise in sales volumes, particularly in primary aluminium and gold, which contributed SAR 218 million to Q2 2024—a 3 per cent increase year-on-year. The company's net profit for Q2 2024 surged by 192 per cent, amounting to SAR 673 million, compared to the same quarter last year. This robust financial performance was underpinned by lower raw material costs, reduced depreciation expenses, and a series of one-off financial adjustments that further boosted profits. A...
NALCO records strong Q1 profit growth, revenue dips 10%
The Indian State-owned integrated aluminium company NALCO has reported a substantial 76 per cent increase in its first-quarter (APR-JUN FY25) profit, reflecting the impact of higher aluminium prices and reduced costs. For the quarter ending June 30, the state-owned firm's consolidated profit surged to INR 588.42 crore (approximately $70 million), up from the previous year's figures. The boost in profit comes as global prices for base metals, including aluminium, have climbed sharply during the quarter due to supply concerns and increased demand. This uptick in commodity prices generally leads to higher selling prices for metals, enhancing miners' profit margins. According to an exchange filing, Nalco reported a consolidated profit of INR 333.76 crore for the same period last year....
Hindalco's Baphlimali Bauxite Mine shines with 5 Star rating in environmental excellence
As a testament to its exemplary mining practices, Baphlimali Bauxite Mine of Utkal Alumina, a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Limited, has been awarded the 5-Star Rating Award. This award, bestowed by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, highlights the mine's outstanding performance in social responsibility, environmental stewardship, technical and scientific excellence, and sustainable land use. The esteemed accolade was presented by the Honourable Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, alongside the Honourable Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, during a ceremony organized by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) and the Ministry of Mines. The event celebrated the nation's top-performing mines, with Baphlimali Bauxite Mine, the largest mining...
MIND ID announces September 2024 launch for smelter grade alumina refinery project
Indonesia’s state-owned mining holding company, MIND ID, has officially announced that its Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) project is on track to commence operations in September 2024. This project is a critical element of MIND ID’s broader strategy to bolster infrastructure and increase the value of mineral commodities within Indonesia. Melati Sarnita, Director of Business Development at PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), shared that Indonesian President Joko Widodo will visit the project site to mark the commissioning phase of the Mempawah project in West Kalimantan. The President has been formally invited to the site, underscoring the national significance of this initiative. On August 9, 2024, Melati said, “We want to start the bauxite injection process according to plan....
Aluar expands renewable energy park in Puerto Madryn with 336MW project
The sole primary aluminium producer in Argentina and one of the largest in South America, Aluar Aluminio Argentino has commenced construction on a significant 336MW expansion of its renewable energy park in Puerto Madryn, located in Chubut province, as reported by BNamericas. The project, valued at US$400 million, is set to include 56 Goldwind turbines, boosting the park's overall capacity to 582MW. This ambitious expansion is part of Aluar's ongoing commitment to sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of its aluminium production. As part of Aluar's commitment to sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint of aluminium production, the company continues to replace fossil energy with clean energy. The additional energy generated by the expansion, known as Stage V, will be...
Mitsui increases stake in Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co. to increase low-carbon aluminium offtake
Mitsui & Co., a leading Japanese trading company, has strategically increased its stake in Nippon Amazon Aluminium (NAAC) as part of its forward-thinking strategy to expand its decarbonisation and metal business portfolio. This strategic move will significantly enhance Mitsui's access to low-carbon aluminium ingots produced in Brazil, potentially reshaping the aluminium industry. Mitsui's stake in NAAC, which holds a substantial interest in the Brazilian primary aluminium-producing company Aluminio Brasileiro (Albras), increased to 46 per cent from the previous 21 per cent. While the financial details of the transaction remain undisclosed, the move will boost Mitsui's offtake of Albras' aluminium ingots from 80,000 tonnes per year to 140,000 tonnes per year. NAAC was established in 1977...
Aluminium-bodied CRRC diesel trains launched in Nigeria, connecting Abuja with suburbs
Nigeria has officially launched a new fleet of 12 four-car diesel trains manufactured by CRRC Corporation Ltd. on the Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT) line. This 45-kilometre double-track route, connecting the capital Abuja to its airport and surrounding satellite cities, is now fully operational with 12 stations along the way. The aluminium-bodied trains, each capable of carrying up to 700 passengers and reaching speeds of 100 km/h, are specifically designed to withstand Nigeria's high temperatures and sandstorm conditions. This marks a significant milestone in the country's transportation infrastructure. Aluminium is poised to replace traditional metals with its lightweight, corrosion resistance, formability, and high specific strength. Its use can reduce the overall weight of a rail car...
MISUMI Group's meviy platform announces 30% price reduction on CNC milling aluminium products
On its cutting-edge parts procurement platform, meviy, MISUMI Group Inc. has announced a 30 per cent discount on its CNC milling aluminium products as part of a strategic move to enhance customer value. This price reduction is effective immediately and underscores the company's commitment to delivering high-quality, cost-effective solutions across various industries. The price cut applies to various CNC milling aluminium products, specifically those without surface treatment. The affected alloys include: 6061 Aluminium: Known for its versatility, strength, and excellent machinability, 6061 Aluminium is ideal for structural applications and components requiring good corrosion resistance. 5052 Aluminium: With its high fatigue strength and excellent corrosion resistance, 5052 aluminium is...
China’s Baosteel, Baowu Aluminum, and Japan’s Kobe Steel unite for automotive aluminium sheet manufacturing
China’s Baoshan Iron and Steel (Baosteel) and Baowu Aluminum have partnered with Japan’s Kobe Steel to form a new joint venture in a significant move within the automotive materials sector. This collaboration aims to produce aluminium sheets specifically for the automotive industry. The automotive industry's demand for aluminium is expected to surge by 15-27 per cent, driven by the growing prevalence of electric vehicles (EVs). In comparison to traditional internal combustion engine cars, plug-in hybrid and full battery electric vehicles utilise 25-27 per cent more aluminium, with a baseline of 160kg per vehicle in internal combustion engines. Under the agreement, Kobe Steel will hold a 50 per cent stake in the new entity, while Baosteel and Baowu Aluminum will jointly own the remaining...
