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.
Whistleblower triggers $4.9M settlement claims for Grosfillex over alleged aluminium duty evasion
In a high-stakes crackdown on trade fraud, the US Department of Justice has announced that patio furniture manufacturer Grosfillex Inc. will shell out $4.9 million to settle claims that it dodged US import duties on aluminium components shipped from China. The Pennsylvania-based company stands accused of playing a shell game with customs paperwork, allegedly submitting falsified documents to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to sidestep antidumping and countervailing duties (AD/CVD) on aluminium extrusions sourced from the People’s Republic of China. Federal investigators say Grosfillex skirted tariffs by misclassifying certain aluminium parts as duty-free and packaging others into so-called furniture “kits” to obscure their true origin and avoid detection. In a twist that added fuel...
LME aluminium price hits 4-month high owing to optimistic demand outlook in China; Alumina price inches down by $0.44/t
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices on Friday, July 25, closed the week hitting a four-month high. The prices hiked by USD 10.5 per tonne or 0.39 per cent to settle at USD 2,656.5 per tonne and USD 2,657 per tonne, driven by more optimistic demand outlook in China and tightening global supply conditions. Market sentiment also improved as traders closely followed developments in US-China trade negotiations, raising hopes for a potential boost in industrial metal demand. On the same day, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also gained USD 7.5 per tonne or 0.28 per cent to halt at USD 2,655.5 per tonne and USD 2,656 per tonne. As per the LME aluminium price graph, December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price surged by USD 10 per tonne or 0.37 per cent to peg at USD...
New Zealand’s first supermarket-based RVM turns aluminium cans into treasure for local schools
Auckland’s New World Birkenhead is leading the charge in smart recycling with the launch of New Zealand’s first supermarket-based Reverse Vending Machine (RVM). This exciting new trial invites shoppers to recycle their single-use drink containers like aluminium cans, plastic, and glass bottles while raising money for local schools and charities at the same time. The initiative is powered by TOMRA, the global leader in reverse vending and return system technology. Together, they’re aiming to show just how effective and easy modern recycling can be. Here’s how it works - remove the cap, pop your empty container into the machine, and let the built-in sensors take care of the rest, automatically identifying and sorting materials for high-quality recovery. Already a hit across Europe, RVMs are...
India’s ACP industry gets a fire-safety upgrade with Viva’s A2 core facility
Viva, the India-based aluminium composite panel manufacturer, has launched India's first dedicated facility for producing A2-grade fire-retardant cores. This move marks a significant step toward aligning India's ACP manufacturing capabilities with global fire safety standards. The A2 core made of 90 per cent mineral content and 10 per cent virgin polyethylene is designed to offer minimal combustibility, low smoke emission (s1), and no flaming droplets (d0). These properties have earned it the A2-s1, d0 classification under the stringent EN 13501-1 European fire standard. In addition, the panels have been tested and certified under ASTM E84 and NFPA 285 in the United States, broadening their relevance for fire-sensitive applications worldwide. Conventional PE Core panels, composed entirely...
LME aluminium price grows to $2646.5/t; Alumina price inches up by 0.26/t
Aluminium price on July 24 witnessed slight growth, with both cash bid price and offer price moving up by USD 3 per tonne and USD 1.5 per tonne. The prices closed at USD 2,646 per tonne and USD 2,646.5 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price moved up by USD 1.5 per tonne or 0.05 per cent to settle at USD 2,648 per tonne and USD 2,648.50 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price ascended by USD 8 per tonne or o.29 per cent to peg at USD 2,678 per tonne and USD 2,683 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price, on the other hand dipped by USD 4 per tonne or 0.15 per cent to clock at USD 2,647 per tonne. LME warehouse data showed a slight build in stocks. The opening stock came in at 448,100 tonnes from 4448,00 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled...
Tesla reports falling profit for third consecutive quarter - has the EV leader lost its charge?
Tesla’s profit engine sputtered once more in the second quarter of 2025 (Q2 2025), marking its third straight quarterly decline and raising fresh concerns among investors. The EV giant reported $1.2 billion in earnings from April to June, down from $1.4 billion a year earlier. Revenue also slipped to $22.5 billion from $25.5 billion. The last time Tesla recorded a quarterly profit increase was in Q3 2024. Automotive revenue which is Tesla’s bread and butter plunged 16 per cent to $16.7 billion. Adjusted net income dropped 23 per cent to $1.4 billion, or 40 cents per share, falling short of Wall Street’s expectations. The company’s regulatory credit revenue, a long-time profit cushion, also took a hit, tumbling 51 per cent to $439 million. Despite launching an updated Model Y in June,...
Aluminium packaging facility in Marianna set to boost local economy & employment opportunities
PackEx USA, an all-aluminium packaging and bottling company, is set to make waves in the beverage industry with its upcoming facility in Marianna, a city located in Jackson County (USA). With a strong commitment to sustainability and community pride, the company aims to reshape industry standards. Notably, the East Coast has seen a lack of aluminium bottle and can filling operations, something local officials believe Jackson County is perfectly positioned to change. PackEx is relocating to a facility within Marianna’s industrial park, previously occupied by another bottling company. Following extensive renovations, the site will span 400,000 square feet. “I’m from here and one of the pain points being from here is you do not have an amount of middle-class, decent-paying jobs that offer...
Tianrun taps into the growing aluminium casting market with $18.8M Altechno acquisition
China remains the dominant market for aluminium castings, followed by other key players such as the United States, India, Japan, and Germany. Global demand for aluminium castings is steadily climbing, with consumption projected to grow from 23.18 million tonnes in 2024 to 23.96 million tonnes in 2025, an increase of around 3.36 per cent. This upward trend is fuelled by rising demand in key industries like automotive, aerospace, and construction, where aluminium castings are valued for their lightweight strength, durability, and sustainability. Reflecting this momentum, Chinese engine components manufacturer Tianrun Industrial Technology has announced its strategic move into lightweight aluminium products with the acquisition of Altechno Auto Parts a Korean-owned auto parts maker based in...
Assam pulls plug on 125MW solar project, triggering contract cancellation for Waaree Renewables
The Assam government has withdrawn from its proposed solar project, leading to the suspension of the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contract previously awarded to Waaree Renewable. In a regulatory filing, Waaree Group’s EPC division informed the stock exchange of this development. The project was halted due to funding constraints, making it unviable for the state to proceed. Waaree Renewable Technologies Limited (WRTL) clarified that the Government of Assam had withdrawn the Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan intended for the project. As a result, the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) deemed it unfeasible to continue and formally terminated all associated work assigned to the stakeholders. Waaree RTL had secured the contract as part of a consortium of three...
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India’s aluminium scrap imports from UAE, Saudi & UK spark new trade momentum – is dependency on US gradually decreasing?
The demand for aluminium scrap in India is on the rise, standing at 2.5 million tonnes (approx.) , driven by increasing focus on circular economy principles and the need for sustainable manufacturing practices. As per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data, India imported a total of 0.42 million tonnes of aluminium scrap during Q1 2025, jumping from 0.34 million tonnes in Q1 2024. If India continues to import in the same way, then the scenario may come to 1.6 million tonnes every year out of the 2.5 million tonnes. In Q1 2025 India imported a total of 45,661 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the UAE, recording a surge of 20.37 per cent from 37,931 tonnes in Q1 2024. The other two regions that showed considerable growth were Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. During Q1 2025, India...
Arsenal & Athletic Brewing pops the top on sleek-trendy aluminium cans
Arsenal fans get ready to toast a new chapter, minus the alcohol, but full of flavour. Athletic Brewing Company, America’s leading non-alcoholic beer maker, is extending its winning partnership with Arsenal Football Club in a bold, multi-year deal that continues to blend sport, community, and refreshing innovation. Following a stellar debut season where sales of non-alcoholic beer in aluminium cans at Emirates Stadium more than doubled, Athletic Brewing is staying on as the club’s Official Non-Alcoholic Beer Partner. What started as a fan-driven discovery in local pubs and supermarkets has grown into a full-blown movement one pint (or aluminium can) at a time. 2025 will introduce the crisp and crushable Athletic Lite, a low-calorie, easy-drinking option clocking in at less than 0.5 per...
China-based Guangxi Investment Group explores bauxite collaboration in Northern Vietnam
Guangxi, a key hub for China’s aluminium industry, is actively pursuing collaboration with Vietnam’s Cao Bang province in aluminium mining and processing. During recent meetings, Guangxi officials have consistently highlighted their interest in partnering with Cao Bang for the exploration, production, and development of aluminium-based products. On Monday, Quan Minh Cuong, Secretary of the Cao Bang Party Committee, met with representatives from Guangxi Investment Group a wholly state-owned enterprise comprising 270 subsidiaries and employing 32,000 workers. Cuong welcomed Guangxi’s interest and collaborative approach, while emphasising the critical importance of environmental protection and effective waste management in mineral mining and processing, especially in the case of bauxite....
LME aluminium price moves down the graph by $10.5/t; Alumina price adds $2.78/t
On Tuesday, July 22, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved down by USD 10.5 per tonne or 0.39 per cent to settle at USD 2,638 per tonne and USD 2,638.50 per tonne. As per the London Metal Exchange (LME) price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price lost USD 6 per tonne or 0.22 per cent to peg at USD 2,638 per tonne and USD 2,640 per tonne. On the same day, December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price dipped by USD 5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to settle at USD 2,668 per tonne and USD 2,673 per tonne. Also Read: Aluminium offer price hits $2,649/t on LME as market trends upward LME aluminium opening stock came in at 438,450 tonnes after adding 4,025 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants closed at 428,475 tonnes and 9975...
Port Klang raid busts illegal aluminium & steel smuggling
In a bold and decisive operation, the Selangor Customs Department, part of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department (RMCD), has once again emerged as a formidable force against smuggling. With its latest high-stakes interception, the department has reinforced its reputation as a game-changer in the ongoing battle to curb illegal trade and protect Malaysia’s borders. The department has recently thwarted a major smuggling attempt involving 1,964 tonnes of scrap metal valued at RM9.17 million. A total of 83 containers were seized within the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ). The operation has been going on for over two months since May in coordination with the National Targeting Centre (NTC). According to Selangor Customs director Mohamad Azhar Ahmad Paharazi, out of the goods, most of them were...
Alba welcomes Ali Aseeri as the new Acting Engineering & Projects Manager
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s largest single-site aluminium smelters, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ali Aseeri as the Acting Manager of Engineering & Projects, effective immediately. With over 20 years of engineering experience, Ali began his career at Alba in 2005 within the Engineering Department. Since then, he has played a key role in major capacity enhancement initiatives, including the Line 6 Expansion, the Line 4 Anode Enlargement Project, and the upgrades of Gas Treatment Centres 1 to 4. Academically, Ali holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Technical University of Liberec in the Czech Republic and an MBA from the Arabian Gulf University. He also holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project...
AL Circle x Industrial Physics: Safeguarding aluminium packaging quality in a circular economy
Stefan Welker brings over 18 years of dedicated experience in the packaging industry, with a strong focus on inspection systems. His expertise spans the entire process from designing and specifying systems to developing advanced measurement and image processing solutions. This conversation offers a deep dive into how Industrial Physics is driving quality assurance and innovation in the aluminium packaging value chain, particularly as the world pivots toward sustainability and circularity. As sustainability gains momentum and recycled aluminium becomes more prevalent (and often more variable in quality), precise testing becomes essential. He further provided overview about how Industrial Physics helps detect faults early, reduce waste, and prevent costly recalls all while supporting...
Arrow Minerals revises Niagara Bauxite Pact in a smart risk-reduction move
Arrow Minerals Limited has announced a strategic amendment to its Share Purchase Option Agreement for the Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea, underscoring its commitment to the long-term development of this key West African asset. As per the revised terms, the first milestone payment has been deferred until the project's permit is renewed or granted to an Arrow-related entity for a minimum term of two years, with an expiry date beyond June 2027. The second milestone payment, payable in cash or shares, has been made conditional on the declaration of a significant mineral resource. Suppose the permit renewal is granted to an Arrow-related entity, and Arrow chooses to advance the project within 12 months of the renewal. In that case, the vendor of the Niagara Bauxite Project will remain...
LME aluminium price closes the week with a hike of $34.5/t; Alumina(Platts) price remains unchanged at $366.13/t
Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) registered significant growth in almost all areas. To begin with, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.34 per cent to settle at USD 2,591 per tonne and USD 2,591.50 per tonne. As per the LME aluminium price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by USD 34.5 per tonne or 1.34 per cent and USD 35 per tonne or 1.36 per cent to settle at USD 2,595 per tonne and USD 2,596 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price also marked a hike of USD 37 per tonne or 1.42 per cent to arrive at USD 2,635 per tonne and USD 2,640 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price surged by USD 51.5 per tonne or 1.99 per cent to clock at USD...
