AlCircle News Edited By "Sarnali Chakraborty"
Sarnali Chakraborty is a content writer with 2 years of experience. She has written articles on various genres like technical, creative, medical, to name some. Here in Alcircle she will be curating articles on the metal industry, writing newsletters and other online and offline content.
The combination of lightweighting, manufacturability and cost-effectiveness makes the stamped rolled-aluminum approach attractive
How can aluminium make electric trucks lighter without compromising safety? In this recent conversation, Marco Ricci, Global Innovation, Engineering and Operational Excellence Director at Maxion Structural Components, explained how aluminium is being re-engineered to solve one of electric mobility’s toughest challenges: heavy commercial-vehicle battery systems. Developed with Novelis, the Maxion InVolt stamped rolled-aluminium housing is approximately 35 per cent lighter than a comparable extruded-aluminium design while delivering around 11 per cent higher energy density. Ricci also highlighted its potential to improve payload, range and operating efficiency while enabling safer, more serviceable and cost-effective high-volume production. AL Circle: Maxion Structural Components and...
China’s aluminium extrusion industry is going through a real transition, and I do not think the West has fully absorbed what it means
Diego Daluisio, President of Thermalex, Inc., when approached for his key insights into the changing global aluminium extrusion landscape as a part of AL Circle’s ongoing campaign on “ Aluminium Extrusion Growth Markets ”, drew particular attention to China’s rapidly evolving industry. He explained that the country’s extrusion sector is moving beyond high-volume commodity products and increasingly targeting advanced applications in solar energy, electric vehicles, energy storage and heat dissipation. Throughout the interview, Daluisio also discussed how steady advances in presses, extrusion dies, alloy chemistry and precision process control are enabling lighter and more efficient microchannel tubes for automotive cooling, EV batteries, HVAC systems, heat pumps and data centres. He...
Southeast Asia and India will see strong growth in aluminium extrusion consumption over the coming decade
As the aluminium extrusion industry enters a new phase of transformation driven by electrification, sustainability, supply-chain resilience and advanced manufacturing demands, Alcomet is strengthening its position through technology investments, automation and value-added solutions. In this exclusive interview, Huseyin Umut İnce, Executive Board Member of ALCOMET AD, shares how the company is strengthening its position across automotive, electric mobility, renewable energy and industrial sectors through strategic investments and innovation. Conducted as part of AL Circle’s exclusive campaign, “ Aluminium Extrusion Growth Markets ,” the conversation explores ALCOMET’s latest extrusion expansion and its vision for the future. As Huseyin highlights, “the objective is not simply to add...
Technically, solar heat could replace 100% of the fuel used in alumina refinery
As industries worldwide look for ways to reduce emissions without compromising competitiveness, the future of industrial heat is becoming a critical question. In this exclusive interview for Mine to Market, Rod highlighted how solar steam could transform energy-intensive alumina refining by replacing fossil-fuel-dependent heat with a more resilient and lower-carbon alternative. He shared insights into the economic case for solar heat, the role of CBAM in accelerating decarbonisation, the challenges of scaling adoption, and why access to clean industrial energy could become a key differentiator for alumina producers. Rod MacGregor is the CEO and President of GlassPoint , established in 2009. With over three decades of experience, he has built and led technology-driven companies across the...
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Middle East shipping disruptions have pushed ALUPCO to re-strategise its aluminium extrusion supply chain strategies
From a Saudi extrusion manufacturer established in 1975 to an integrated aluminium solutions provider serving more than 26 countries, ALUPCO’s growth mirrors the rapid transformation of the Middle East’s construction and infrastructure landscape. In this exclusive AL Circle interview, Abdul Aziz AlGhamdi, General Manager at ALUPCO discusses how the company is strengthening its position across domestic and export markets while responding to shifting customer expectations, complex architectural requirements and rising demand linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 developments. With more than 85,000 tonnes of annual extrusion capacity, manufacturing operations on both the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coasts, and growing investments in green billet production, ALUPCO is navigating new opportunities...
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Defence, aviation and space growth are a new aluminium demand engine
In this exclusive interview, Kelly Thomas, President & CEO and board member of Vista Metals, shares her perspective on the evolving landscape of speciality aluminium and the factors shaping the future of high-performance materials. A globally recognised executive with over two decades of experience across finance, operations and commercial strategy, Thomas has played a key role in transforming complex industrial operations into high-performing enterprises and now leads Vista Metals’ growth as a critical supplier to aerospace, defence, transportation and industrial sectors. From the growing demand for aerospace-grade aluminium and the challenges of producing highly specialised alloys to supply chain resilience, recycled content and long-term investment strategies, Thomas discusses how...
Stronger collection, sorting and quality standards can enable European aluminium scrap to return to high-value applications
In this exclusive AL Circle interview, Emilio Braghi shares Novelis’ perspective on why aluminium scrap is becoming one of Europe’s most strategic industrial resources and what must change to keep more value within the region. Appointed as Chief Operating Officer in January 2026, Braghi is responsible for driving operational performance across Novelis and advancing excellence in safety, quality and reliability to world-class standards. He also continues to serve as the President of Novelis Europe, a role he has held since September 2016, overseeing 10 manufacturing facilities that produce and recycle aluminium for industries including automotive, aerospace, beverage packaging and construction. With this deep operational view of Europe’s aluminium value chain, Braghi reflects on the forces...
Indonesia’s aluminium industry must be defined by global credibility, not just production growth
PT Hua Chin Aluminium Indonesia is steadily carving out its space within Indonesia’s fast-growing industrial metals sector, with a strong focus on operational discipline and long-term supply stability. At the core of its operations is a tightly structured procurement system that secures not only primary raw materials but also critical auxiliary inputs essential for smelting efficiency. In this interview, the company highlighted that operational stability is built on a structured procurement framework that secures both primary raw materials and key auxiliary inputs required for smelting. This diversified sourcing strategy is designed to reduce exposure to freight volatility and trade uncertainty, ensuring uninterrupted operations even during external disruptions. A key milestone in its...
Eural Gnutti’s '2033 aluminium' is a highly technical solution, developed specifically to ensure consistency and uniformity
Founded in 1968 in Rovato, Eural Gnutti has built its position as the world’s leading manufacturer of drawn aluminium bars and one of Europe’s largest producers of extruded bars and profiles. Its aluminium bars serve demanding sectors such as mechanical engineering, automotive, aerospace, medical, electrical, electronics and defence, while its heat-treated profiles support applications across automotive, pneumatic, actuator, hydraulic and heat sink manufacturing. As industries accelerate their shift away from lead-based metals, Eural Gnutti’s 2033 lead-free aluminium alloy emerges as more than a material innovation; it represents a strategic response to the future of precision machining. In this interview, Eural Gnutti explains how 2033 was developed to match the productivity of...
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Indian aluminium suppliers should prepare early for CBAM to maintain access to EU customers
The interview revolves around the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and its implications for the aluminium sector, particularly Indian exporters. Alberto Monje Gama, global Sustainability Policy Manager at TIC Council explains that CBAM is not primarily designed to reduce emissions within the EU aluminium industry but to prevent carbon leakage and maintain a level playing field for global producers. He emphasises that Indian exporters must focus on verified emissions data, robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) systems, and decarbonisation strategies to remain competitive. With a background in European studies and policy, Alberto Monje Gama has spent the last five years in Brussels developing his career around the European and global institutions and...
Century Aluminum’s sustainability blueprint for a carbon-free tomorrow
As the aluminium industry faces growing environmental pressure, top companies globally are taking every step possible to unlock more sustainable solutions. And this is where Century Aluminium, a prominent producer of primary aluminium, has taken up initiatives of not just reducing carbon footprint but also improving the efficiency of the company and thus unlocking a more sustainable future for the industry. To begin with, in 2024, the US-based company took significant steps to align its operations with sustainability objectives, highlighting Century's dedication to responsible production, innovation, and environmental stewardship. Let's take a closer look at how sustainability is being embedded into the company's operations. Certifications & sustainable frameworks A key part of Century's...
Know how Vedanta Aluminium’s Project Sakhi is fuelling the success stories of 4,600+ women
The empowerment of women is more than just an individual achievement; it’s the spark that ignites the transformation of entire communities. In India, where women have the potential to drive substantial economic growth, deep-rooted socio-economic barriers often hold them back. But in the remote Kalahandi district of Odisha, Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, is breaking these barriers through its flagship women empowerment initiative, Project Sakhi. Since its launch in 2015, Project Sakhi has become a powerful force for change. To date, over 4,600 women have joined forces in 444 self-help groups (SHGs), collectively mobilising over INR 5 crore (USD 600,000) in financial resources. These funds have helped women transition from economic dependence to running their own...
2025: US tariffs & economic challenges drive 4% drop in aluminium aerosol can deliveries to America
The first half of 2025 has been challenging for the aluminium aerosol can industry. According to the International Organisation of Aluminum Aerosol Container Manufacturers (AEROBAL), global deliveries by its members fell by 1.7 per cent, reaching approximately 3.3 billion units, compared to the same period in 2024. This marks a significant downturn compared to the same period in 2024, when global deliveries grew by 4.4 per cent, surpassing 3.4 billion units. The decline in 2025 is largely driven by weak demand in the cosmetics sector, especially in the deodorants and hairspray segments, which have traditionally accounted for the largest share of aluminium aerosol can deliveries. Get industry insights from - ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics Regional Performance:...
Vedanta powers ahead with record-breaking alumina & aluminium production in Q2 2026
Vedanta Limited has reported record-breaking aluminium and alumina production in its second-quarter (Q2) results for FY2025-26, released on Saturday, October 4. The Indian producer said both first-quarter and first-half aluminium output reached all-time highs, supported by improved operational efficiencies and higher refinery throughput. Quarterly performance analysis According to the company’s data, total alumina production during Q2 FY2025-26 stood at 653,000 tonnes, marking an 11.25 per cent increase from 587,000 tonnes recorded in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year basis, alumina output surged 31 per cent from 499,000 tonnes in Q2 FY2024-25, reflecting consistent capacity utilisation at the Lanjigarh refinery. Total aluminium production for the three months ended September 30,...
Anheuser-Busch pours $7.4M to ramp up Michelob ULTRA in 15-pack slim aluminium cans
Anheuser-Busch, the American brewer behind Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, Bud Light, Stella Artois, and Cutwater Spirits, has announced a USD 7.4 million investment in its Los Angeles, CA brewery. The funds will upgrade brewing and packaging lines to support rising demand for Michelob ULTRA, the nation’s top-selling, fastest-growing beer. Anheuser-Busch’s Los Angeles Brewery produces 45 high-quality beverages, distributing them to 26 states nationwide. The new investment will expand capacity for fast-growing brands like Michelob ULTRA, including 25-oz singles and 15-pack slim aluminium cans, to keep pace with demand. Single-serve cans are the #1 share-gaining beer pack size this year (NielsenIQ, All Off-Premise, YTD w.e. 8/16/25), and Michelob ULTRA is up 7.2 per cent in volume...
Lindner’s next-gen two-shaft shredder all set to tackle aluminium & other mixed scrap metal with ease
Urraco Evo is Lindner’s next-gen mobile two-shaft shredder series, built for higher power, quicker fast-exchange servicing, and flexible shaft configurations. From pre-shredding to volume reduction, it tackles aluminium and heavy-duty streams like scrap metal, mixed scrap, wood, plastics, and domestic and commercial waste. For over 75 years, Lindner, a fourth-generation family company, has led the circular economy with technologies that turn waste into valuable, reusable materials. The new Urraco Evo series pairs a modular design with a rigid build, precision manufacturing, and proven quality. Lindner has intensified automation and robotics, streamlining processes while safeguarding the high quality of core components. "We have responded to the changing market requirements — away from a...
Century Aluminum’s Mt. Holly smelter set to return to full capacity by 2026
Century Aluminum Company has extended its power agreement with South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper), securing reliable electricity for the Mt. Holly smelter through 2031, an essential step toward restarting idle capacity at the Charleston-area facility. The renewed PPA advances Century’s ambition to help revive US primary aluminium production. The company plans to invest USD 50 million to bring idle lines back online, adding 50,000 metric tons of output and lifting overall US aluminium supply by 10 per cent. The expansion will create 100+ jobs and enable Mt. Holly, now at 75 per cent capacity, to reach full production by early summer 2026, its first time at that level since 2015. “This expansion at our Mt. Holly plant is thanks to President Trump’s hard work to support...
Alba raises the safety bar yet again – clocks 40 million safe working hours without LTI
For Alba, safety is a habit, not a headline. Their streak of LTI-free hours keeps growing, and on October 6, 2025, they raised the bar again with a new all-time best. As per the data, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter on a single site has now clocked 40 million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury (LTI), up from 39 million safe working hours recorded on 3rd September. The climb has been steady and deliberate, highlighting Alba’s unwavering commitment to creating a safe, healthy, and resilient environment for both its employees and contractors. “Reaching 40 million safe working hours is more than a milestone, it’s a reflection of our strong safety culture, the commitment of our people, and the strong collaboration between our employees and...
