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.
How NUST researchers are shaping a sustainable future from discarded aluminium foils
In a breakthrough that combines sustainability with cutting-edge science, researchers at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have developed an eco-friendly method to transform discarded aluminium foil into valuable aluminium oxide nanoparticles. Smart solution to the growing problem of AL scrap This green synthesis approach not only offers an innovative solution to the growing problem of aluminium waste but also opens doors to exciting new applications in energy storage, antimicrobial treatments, and corrosion protection. The study led by Omani researcher Reem Al Maamari from the College of Engineering at the National University of Science and Technology highlights how these nanoparticles demonstrate remarkable effectiveness against bacteria and fungi, positioning...
Spectro Alloys’ aluminium recycling facility - a strategic move against tariff pressure
Minnesota’s manufacturing landscape is undergoing a major transformation, with EGA Spectro Alloys at the forefront. The company’s newly completed $71 million expansion in Rosemount marks a significant milestone with the construction of a new aluminium recycling plant in the region. Image Source: Renée Jones Schneider/The Minnesota Star Tribune The construction is not only important for the business, but also crucial for the region and the nation’s aluminium supply chain, and the broader push toward sustainability and the circular economy. With the addition of a 90,000-square-foot facility, Spectro Alloys has become one of only about 40 plants in the United States capable of producing recycled aluminium billets. Long, solid poles of aluminium that are essential for industries ranging from...
20 years of shaping the aluminium industry, one global platform –ALUMINIUM CHINA 2025
The wait is almost over! Just one day to go until the inauguration of the 20th ALUMINIUM CHINA , Asia’s leading trade show and B2B platform for the aluminium industry, taking place from the July 9 th to 11th at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre. Completing two decades of industry excellence, the event will spotlight Vietnam as the Guest Country of Honour, featuring exclusive forums, targeted business matchmaking, and special promotional showcases. The event is an ideal platform that brings together cutting-edge products, breakthrough technologies, advanced processes, and forward-looking applications spanning the entire aluminium value chain. Bringing together 600+ exhibitors and over 29,000 trade visitors and delegations, ALUMINIUM CHINA is not just a showcase or tradeshow, but a...
Aluminium takes centre stage in Cambodia’s $5.8B investment wave
Cambodia has drawn an impressive $5.8 billion in fixed-asset investments in the first half of 2025, marking a remarkable 77 per cent surge compared to the same period last year, according to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC). Greenlight to 373 investment projects The country greenlit 373 investment projects between January and June, almost doubling last year's figure of 190 projects, setting the stage for the creation of around 255,000 new jobs. The booming investment highlights Cambodia's rising appeal as a dynamic destination for growth and development. According to the Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC), China remained the leading foreign investor, followed by investors from Singapore, Vietnam, the United Kingdom, the United States, Samoa, and South Korea....
Zhonglian’s powder-coated aluminium profiles score big with “Foshan Standard” seal
Guangdong Zhonglian Aluminium has added a new feather to its name with the prestigious “Foshan Standard” certification for its powder-coated 6063-T5 aluminium profiles. The certificate ensures a true testament to the company’s dedication to excellence and innovation. This recognition highlights Zhonglian’s commitment to delivering premium-quality products while constantly advancing its technological capabilities. But what makes the “Foshan Standard” such a big deal? It represents a bold initiative by the Foshan municipal government to elevate manufacturing quality to new heights. Designed to exceed national benchmarks, surpass industry norms, and rival international standards, the “Foshan Standard” sets a high bar for excellence. When you see this mark, it signals that Zhonglian stands...
LG faces aluminium tariff bites – Q2 profits plunge amidst global slowdown
LG Electronics reported a sharp decline in performance for the second quarter of this year (Q2 2025), impacted by weakening global demand amid an economic slowdown and lingering effects of Trump's aluminium and steel tariffs. On July 7, LG Electronics announced that its consolidated operating profit for the second quarter stood at 639.1 billion won (USD $471 million), marking a 46.6 per cent drop compared to the same period last year. Operating profit plunged 49.2 per cent from the previous quarter, effectively halving. Sales declined 4.4 per cent year-on-year to 20.74 trillion won ($15.29 billion) and dropped 8.8 per cent compared with last quarter. How tariffs affected their overall performance LG is known to incorporate aluminium across a range of its products, mainly for its excellent...
CANPACK on expansion mode in Poland
Canpack has officially commenced the expansion of its aluminium cans production facility in Bydgoszcz, Poland, marking the occasion with a groundbreaking ceremony attended by Canpackleadership, local government representatives, the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the US Embassy in Poland, along with business and institutional partners. Supported by the Pomeranian Special Economic Zone, with ALSTAL Grupa Budowlana appointed as the general contractor responsible for the construction phase, the facility will generate over 100 new job opportunities in the region. Currently, Canpack’s Bydgoszcz plant employs more than 470 people. “CANPACK’s latest investment project, valued at approximately PLN 440 million, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to the development of Poland’s packaging sector and...
TCN’s bold move to power up Northern Nigeria’s aluminium and other industrial sectors
Nigeria, one of the world's leading oil producers and home to over 200 million people, continues to grapple with a range of challenges, from insufficient job creation and limited economic opportunities to widespread mismanagement. Among these pressing issues, inadequate electricity supply stands out as a major concern, particularly in key industrial regions where stable power is essential for growth and development. In response to this, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has embarked on the reconductoring of the ageing Kumbotso–Dakata 132kV double-circuit transmission line in Kano, a critical infrastructure project aimed at enhancing power supply to the Dakata Industrial Zone and the upcoming Walalambe Transmission Substation. This line also plays a vital role in strengthening...
Quebec brews a greener future with Nespresso
Sustainability is at the heart of everything Nespresso does. The company is committed to making a positive impact on both people and the planet while continuing to offer customers some of the finest coffees in the world. In keeping with this philosophy, Nespresso Canada and Éco Entreprises Québec are set to expand their ‘green bag’ coffee capsule recycling program to cover all municipalities across Quebec. The initiative aims to make recycling easier for consumers while aligning with the province’s new extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulations. As selective collection systems undergo modernisation in Quebec, Nespresso customers are encouraged to place their used coffee capsules in the green recycling bags. These bags are provided free with every Nespresso online order and are...
New Danish test foundry brings high-efficiency green sand process to more aluminium applications
DISA has established a new test foundry in Denmark to help aluminium, steel, brass, bronze, and iron casting producers adopt the highly efficient green sand moulding process. Designed by DISA's foundry technology experts, the facility will conduct production trials to demonstrate that the green sand method can meet both casting specifications and cost requirements. DISA aims to make it easier for casting producers to switch from more expensive processes like die casting or no-bake, potentially reducing costs by up to 20 per cent, says DISA President Ulla Hartvig Tønnesen. "We typically see a 15 per cent lower cost per casting by switching to green sand, but it can be 20 per cent or more. It's a big opportunity for non-iron foundries currently using processes like shell, no bake and die...
Pahang Customs strikes back with seizure of e-waste and aluminium scrap worth $937K
The Pahang Customs Department is proving to be a formidable force in Malaysia's ongoing battle against smuggling, striking yet again with the recent interception of seven containers packed with electronic waste (e-waste) and aluminium scrap worth an estimated MYR 4.4 million (USD 937,200) at Port Klang, Selangor. The high-stakes operation, carried out in collaboration with the Selangor Department of Environment (DoE), exposed the importer's attempt to dodge regulations by falsely declaring the e-waste as "copper concentrate" to avoid the required import permit. State Customs Director Mohd Asri Seman confirmed that further investigations revealed the shipments lacked both proper permits and accurate customs declarations. "The importer had falsely declared the e-waste as' copper...
Malaysia-based LB Aluminium seals $5.21M land deal with a clever debt swap
LB Aluminium Bhd announced that it is acquiring a 6.74-acre leasehold industrial land along with existing buildings in Banting, Selangor, for RM 22 million (USD 5.21 million). In a filing with Bursa Malaysia, the aluminium extrusion manufacturer said the property is being purchased from Lucksoon Coatings Sdn Bhd. As part of the agreement, LB Aluminium will enter into a contra arrangement with Lucksoon Coatings and its related company, Lucksoon Metal Works Sdn Bhd, to offset RM 4.01 million of outstanding debt owed by Lucksoon Metal, using part of the purchase price. Additionally, LB Aluminium said it will enter into a three-year tenancy agreement to lease the property back to Lucksoon Metal, which currently occupies the site for its metal works operations and metal product trading...
TOMRA Recycling taps industry veteran Katrin Fricke as the new Head & EVP
Germany-based TOMRA Recycling welcomed Katrin Fricke as the new Executive Vice President (EVP) and Head, ushering in a new era of growth and a fresh chapter for the company. Succeeding Dr Volker Rehrmann, whose remarkable career with TOMRA spanned more than two decades, Katrin has expressed gratitude, stating, "A big thank you to Dr Volker Rehrmann for the thoughtful handover. I'm honoured to continue writing the story of TOMRA Recycling alongside a great team of experts, and I'm excited about what lies ahead." Katrin Fricke brings a wealth of leadership experience to her new role, having held key positions across diverse industries with a strong focus on operations management, corporate strategy, and digital transformation. With a background in production engineering and a passion for...
Millions of bottles, endless possibilities – how aluminium is steering Southern Tasmania’s recycling success
Southern Tasmania is placing greater emphasis on recycling. The region already known for aluminium recycling and green movements has unlocked another significant achievement in Goodwood with the opening of its first bulk recycling depot. Inaugurated on Wednesday, July 2, the recycling depot provides locals with a convenient drive-through location to exchange drink containers like aluminium, plastic, glass, etc., for 10-cent refunds while supporting employment for people with disability. “This collaboration with SEED is a terrific example of the extended community benefit potential of Tasmania’s container refund scheme. [The depot] provides employment, training and fundraising opportunities for people with disability, all while creating clean streams of recycling and helping keep our...
Crown Holdings’ sustainability push gains speed, ahead of global carbon clampdowns
Crown Holdings, a global force in metal packaging, is forging ahead on its sustainability journey with the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, ‘Built To Last.’ The report showcases the US-based company’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship, circularity, and responsible growth. From cutting carbon emissions and conserving water to minimising waste and enhancing workplace safety, Crown is making measurable strides across its operations. Central to this progress is its ambitious Twentyby30 program, which sets 20 concrete sustainability goals for 2030 including slashing Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 43 per cent from 2019 levels and transitioning to 75 per cent renewable energy. With investments in on-site renewables and off-site power purchase agreements, Crown is proving...
Yongmaotai Automotive to navigate trade uncertainties with twin expansion in Mexico & Indonesia
Yongmaotai Automotive Technology, a Chinese manufacturer of aluminium alloy auto parts, has announced plans to invest CNY 450 million (USD 62.8 million) in a new factory in Mexico. The move aims to help its European and US clients navigate uncertainties in global trade policies. According to a statement released yesterday by the Shanghai-based firm, its two Singaporean subsidiaries will jointly establish a Mexican entity to finance, construct, and manage the facility. The project is expected to take approximately two years to complete, though further details were not disclosed. Yongmaotai Automotive Technology said the Mexico investment is aimed at mitigating the negative impact of shifting tariff policies on the supply chains of its European and US customers. The move is also intended to...
Lenovo makes sustainability its blueprint, not just a buzzword - says its FY2025 Report
Harnessing a bold fusion of innovation, design, and stewardship, Lenovo is charting a transformative path in circular tech. Gone are the days when green credentials were mere afterthoughts, today, almost every Lenovo products and accessories is being reimagined through a circular lens. With the ambitious target of embedding closed‑loop recycled materials like aluminium, copper, etc., into 100 per cent of its PC lines by FY2026, the company is weaving sustainability directly into the DNA of its products. And this is what Lenovo’s FY2025 ESG Report highlights, pointing out an in-depth look at the company’s continued integration of environmental and social priorities throughout its global operations. It highlights initiatives in sustainable product design, circular economy practices,...
Retired EV batteries to get a new life at FSET’s newly launched recycling facility in Taiwan
On Tuesday, July 1, Formosa Smart Energy (FSET) announced the completion of Taiwan’s first integrated demonstration line for recycling LFP batteries (Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries), uniting front-end physical crushing with back-end chemical extraction. As the global surge in energy storage systems and electric vehicles (EVs) leads to a growing number of retired batteries, recovering valuable metals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, aluminium, etc., through recycling has become an essential strategy for strengthening supply chain resilience and ensuring resource security worldwide. By establishing its own demonstration line, FSET has successfully produced battery-grade lithium carbonate suitable for direct use in lithium battery manufacturing. This achievement supports national policies...
