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.
GBC to supercharge Ghana’s domestic alumina industry with its upcoming Awaso refinery
The Ghana Bauxite Company Limited (GBC), based in Awaso in the Western North Region, is gearing up to transform the local industry with plans to build a state-of-the-art alumina refinery. This bold move promises to supercharge domestic processing capabilities and break Ghana's reliance on foreign refineries, marking a powerful step toward unlocking the full potential of the country's rich bauxite reserves. A commendable move by GBC The government has praised the leadership of Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) at Awaso for taking a bold step towards building an alumina refinery, an initiative to transform the country's bauxite industry. "The refinery will significantly improve our operations and contribute meaningfully to Ghana's economy. It will allow us to process bauxite locally, create jobs,...
Industrial Physics launches Torus Z345 – enhancing efficiency & accuracy for aluminium & steel beverage cans packaging
Industrial Physics, a global leader in test and measurement solutions, has unveiled two state-of-the-art automated gauges aimed at boosting precision and productivity in metal packaging: the Torus Z606 Automatic Score Inspection Gauge and the Torus Z345 Automatic Color Inspection Gauge. The Torus Z345 is the world’s leading automatic colour and artwork inspection system featuring integrated X-Rite® technology. Engineered for decorated aluminium and steel beverage cans, it enables high-resolution colour scanning and inspection at precise, pre-defined checkpoints suitable for body diameter, straight-walled, and finished cans. Cans can be loaded in any orientation, either via an automatic in-feed conveyor or directly from the production line. A high-resolution colour-scan camera captures and...
Ball Corporation & Açaí Motion launches ASI-certified aluminium cans
Ball Corporation, a leading aluminium packaging provider, has teamed up with Açaí Motion, a Brazilian natural energy drink brand, to launch a new line of sustainable aluminium cans certified by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). These ASI-certified cans reflect a commitment to high environmental, social, and governance standards across the entire production chain from mining to final manufacturing. The certification supports transparency and responsible sourcing, empowering consumers to choose products that align with sustainable values. According to Ball, the cans are equipped with its exclusive internal coating technology, designed to preserve the beverage’s flavour and nutritional value while enhancing shelf life. This innovation meets consumer expectations and gives Açaí...
Q1 2025: PABC defies market turbulence, posts 4.29% surge in its gross profit
Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PABC) concluded Q12025 (January to March) with net sales of Rs 4.65 billion, marking a modest 1 per cent Y-o-Y increase most importantly, avoiding a decline. The company also recorded a Y-o-Y surge of 4.29 per cent in its gross profit, arriving at Rs 1.445 billion from Rs 1.385 billion clocked during Q1 2024. In a market where Coca-Cola Pakistan and Pepsi-Cola International have seen mid-single-digit drops in domestic volumes, maintaining stable revenue reflects a noteworthy outperformance. Across the region, Western soda brands faced a 7 per cent sales downturn in the first half of 2024 due to ongoing geopolitical tensions. Market researcher NielsenIQ reported a 7 per cent decline for Western soda brands across the Middle East and South Asia in...
BYD Shenzhen brings 7300 new EVs to Brazil, unlocking a significant milestone in its international expansion
BYD's largest car carrier, the BYD Shenzhen, has made a powerful debut on the global stage, docking in Brazil just one month after setting sail on its maiden voyage. The massive vessel arrived at the Port of Itajaí, delivering 7,300 brand-new BYD new energy vehicles (NEVs) a major milestone in the company's international expansion. Towering at 219.9 meters in length with a beam of 37.7 meters, the BYD Shenzhen is a floating giant. Spanning 16 decks and capable of carrying up to 9,200 vehicles, it boasts a loading capacity equivalent to 20 football fields a true titan of the seas. Officially delivered on April 22 in Yizheng, Jiangsu province, the ship is the fourth car carrier in BYD's growing fleet, reinforcing the automaker's commitment to sustainable transport and efficient global...
Alpha HPA strikes a $20M deal with McCosker Contracting for the construction of its high-purity alumina facility in Gladstone
Alpha HPA has marked a landmark moment in the evolution of its Stage Two HPA (High Purity Alumina) First Project in Gladstone, awarding a flagship $20 million-plus concrete works contract to McCosker Contracting, one of the region's premier civil construction firms. This pivotal partnership places McCosker at the forefront of building the cutting-edge high-purity alumina facility, tapping into the company's deep local expertise and workforce. More than just a contract, this deal exemplifies Alpha HPA's unwavering dedication to championing local industry and driving economic growth in Gladstone. With McCosker's trusted team delivering every major concrete element, the project is poised to unlock significant regional opportunities — a powerful boost for the community and a bold step forward...
Alu+ shower: An eco-conscious innovation with features like 84% recycled aluminium & water saving technology
In a bold move that merges high design with eco-conscious innovation, Ideal Standard has launched Alu+, a cutting-edge shower system crafted from 84 per cent recycled aluminium. Captured in a stunning video by Dezeen, this latest offering is a testament to how sustainability and luxury can effortlessly coexist. Crafted to reduce environmental impact without compromising performance, Alu+ features advanced water-saving technology that limits flow to just eight litres per minute for the hand spray and 12 litres for the overhead faucet. The system is entirely free from chrome, lead, and nickel materials often used in traditional fittings but flagged for their potential risks to water quality. Every plastic component is crafted from water-compliant polymers, while the packaging is recyclable...
New design from Nepenthe Wines allows customers to separate aluminium from glass
South Australia’s Nepenthe Wines is raising the bar on sustainable packaging with a smart, simple innovation featuring a fully recyclable tearaway cap across all its still wines. As a certified B Corp and proud member of Sustainable Winegrowing Australia, Nepenthe knows that small changes can drive big impact. The new cap design lets consumers easily separate aluminium from glass, boosting recycling rates and keeping valuable materials out of landfills. Following three months of rigorous testing to ensure product quality and storage standards, Nepenthe Wines has now introduced fully removable aluminium tearaway capsules across all its still wines. The change, timed to coincide with World Environment Day on 5 June 2025, marks a permanent shift in the winery’s packaging approach. “With...
EGA announces plan to expand the supply of CelestiAL solar aluminium to Hyundai Mobis
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced an expansion of its partnership with Hyundai Mobis, the global automotive parts manufacturer, to increase the supply of CelestiAL solar aluminium. This enhanced agreement builds on their existing relationship, which began in 2015. Under the updated terms, the annual supply of CelestiAL to Hyundai Mobis will grow from 8,000 tonnes this year to as much as 15,000 tonnes by 2026. Looking ahead, EGA and Hyundai Mobis plan to explore a long-term supply arrangement beyond 2026, focusing on value-added products such as billets, primary foundry alloys, and recycled aluminium. The two companies will also collaborate on developing innovative, exclusive alloys tailored for advanced automotive applications. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer...
Dong-A Otsuka partners with Novelis Korea to promote recycling & sustainability ahead of APEC 2025
On Tuesday, May 27th, Dong-A Otsuka (CEO Park Chul-ho) announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Novelis Korea, the world's leading aluminium rolling and recycling company. The partnership aims to promote resource recycling and sustainability for THE Masinda, Dong-A Otsuka's canned drinking water product, in alignment with its role as an official sponsor of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting. As part of the agreement, Dong-A Otsuka will add QR codes to the packaging of THE Masinda products. These cans are made from aluminium sheets with a high recycled content, produced at Novelis' Yeongju facility. Recycling aluminium saves up to 95 per cent of the energy and greenhouse gas emissions compared to primary production from bauxite. These QR...
Alcoa’s Huntly mine expansion - a move to feed Pinjarra alumina refinery enters public consultation
Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in the bauxite, alumina, and aluminium industry, has announced a major update on its ongoing proposal to expand mining operations (Huntly mine) near the Serpentine Dam, a key source of drinking water for Perth. Aimed at supplying the Pinjarra alumina refinery until 2045, the proposal to expand mining operations near the Serpentine Dam has been opened for public comment by Western Australia's Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). With this expansion, Alcoa plans to increase production at its refinery in Pinjarra over the next 20 years. Alcoa has put forward plans to expand mining in three regions, namely Myara North, Holyoake, and O'Neil, and to increase alumina production at its Pinjarra refinery through to 2045. In addition, the...
Henkel unveils first low temperature cleaner for sustainable aluminium can production in Brazil
With over 34 billion aluminium cans produced annually, Brazil’s can industry is making bold strides toward greater sustainability and a game-changing innovation from Henkel. Unveiled at the Latamcan 2025 fair in Atibaia (SP), Henkel’s new Bonderite C-IC 72003 Pre-Cleaner (70203) is setting a new standard for eco-friendly can production. This cutting-edge solution slashes the washing process temperature from the conventional 60 °C down to just 50 °C, dramatically cutting energy use while maintaining performance. The impact? A cleaner, greener production line. “Brazil recycles 100 per cent of the cans that are produced in the country. Having a more sustainable process in production also means keeping up with the sector’s evolution, not to mention that this reduces costs and risks for...
Russia’s largest aluminium foil mill eyes 12% output growth following investment from RUSAL
RUSAL, one of the world's leading aluminium producers is boosting its capacity for thin gauge foil production aimed at food packaging applications. The company is upgrading the С-3/2 finishing foil mill at its SAYANAL facility, the largest foil mill in Russia and the CIS. Once completed, the modernisation valued at 500 million roubles (US$5.62 million) will enhance the mill's automation systems and increase the output of thin gauge foil (less than 9 microns thick) by 10–12 per cent. These ultra-thin foils are essential for advanced food packaging solution, including confectionery wraps, aseptic cartons, and laminated materials. Meanwhile, RUSAL's Ural Foil plant is entering this segment for the first time, marking a significant step forward in its production capabilities. 'In developed...
NASA’s supersonic aircraft clears ‘aluminium bird’ testing, setting up the runway for its first flight
In movies and some places (sometimes in real life too), the number 13 might be the ultimate bad luck charm, but on the periodic table, this number represents one of the most sustainable and recyclable metals on earth – aluminium. Aluminium, the silent hero, is making its presence felt not only on the grounds but also in the sky. NASA's cutting-edge X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft, featuring mostly aluminium in its construction, has made a significant stride in its journey. The X-59 was put through its paces as its subsystems and flight computer were rigorously tested to ensure seamless coordination between hardware and software. This major milestone clears the runway for the X-59's highly anticipated first flight later this year, bringing the dream of quieter supersonic travel...
Enhancing the durability of aluminium profiles with Alborz Pasargad’s nanostructured coatings
Alborz Pasargad Aluminum Company has made a significant leap forward in enhancing the durability and performance of aluminium profiles by introducing two cutting-edge nanostructured coating technologies. Certified at the nanoscale level, these innovations include a nanostructured anodised coating that boosts corrosion resistance and allows for high-precision printing with nanoscale patterns. This breakthrough marks a major advancement in functional and aesthetic aluminium surface treatments, setting a new standard for next-generation coatings in the industry. Wear and corrosion-resistant nanostructured anodised coating The wear- and corrosion-resistant nanostructured anodised coating is a breakthrough in surface protection, achieved through a meticulously controlled anodising process....
EU-funded project IntelLiGent unlocks major breakthrough, produces high-loading electrode rolls featuring aluminium
SINTEF’s Battery Technology group has reached a major milestone by successfully producing high-loading electrode rolls using sustainable materials like aluminium, a vital breakthrough in scaling up next-generation battery cell technology. This achievement marks a significant step forward for the EU-funded IntelLiGent project, which is focused on developing cutting-edge, high-voltage lithium-ion cells for the electric vehicles (EVs) of tomorrow. Electrode manufacturing remains one of the toughest challenges in expanding battery production and overcoming it is key to Europe’s ambition of building a self-sufficient, competitive battery industry. With this progress, IntelLiGent is helping pave the way toward a greener, more resilient future for European e-mobility. This achievement was made...
CCEP Australia's new $75M new caning line to increase production capacity for brands like Coca-Cola & Sprite
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Australia (CCEP) has unveiled a cutting-edge canning line at its Richlands manufacturing facility in Brisbane, Queensland. Backed by a major $75 million investment, this new line isn't just impressive it's the largest and most efficient in CCEP's entire global network. With the power to produce up to 120,000 aluminium cans every hour, it marks a bold leap forward in speed, scale, and sustainability for the iconic beverage brand. Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) Australia relies on aluminium, especially in its iconic cans, as a key part of its packaging. As the world's largest Coca-Cola bottler, CCEP is leading the charge in sustainability down under, actively working to cut plastic waste and boost the use of recycled aluminium in its operations. This...
YKK partners with Sumitomo to source low-carbon aluminium for its upcoming production
YKK recently announced that it will now source only low-carbon aluminium alloy wire for its zippers. This transition is made possible through a partnership with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Toyama Co., Ltd., which will supply the sustainable aluminium material. Conventional aluminium smelting is highly energy-intensive and generates varying levels of CO₂ emissions depending on the energy source used. In contrast, the low-carbon aluminium chosen for this initiative is produced using renewable energy, resulting in less than four metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions per ton of aluminium ingots, significantly reducing the material's environmental impact. "Through these efforts, we aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to climate change mitigation by...
