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.
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...
LME aluminium price opens the week with a growth of $10/t; 3-month bid price adds $12/t
On Monday, October 6, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved up by USD 10 per tonne or 0.37 per cent and 0.36 per cent to halt at USD 2,712 per tonne and USD 2,713 per tonne. As per the data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also added USD 12 per tonne or 0.44 per cent and USD 11 per tonne or 0.40 per cent to settle at USD 2,715 per tonne and USD 2,716 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price inched up by USD 10 per tonne or 0.36 per cent to arrive at USD 2,753 per tonne and USD 2,758 per tonne. Explore our B2B marketplace - AL Biz LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price hiked by USD 22 per tonne or 0.81 per cent to reach USD 2,725 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock settled at 507,300 tonnes. Live warrants...
Press Metal & Solarvest JV advances Malaysia’s Asean green energy hub vision
Solarvest Holdings Bhd and Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd will co-develop a 100MWac solar photovoltaic plant in Mukah, Sarawak, with an estimated investment of RM380 million. Mukah is a coastal town located in the Malaysian state of Sarawak, on the island of Borneo, by the South China Sea. In separate Bursa Malaysia filings, the partners said their joint venture, Mukah Solar Powerplant Sdn Bhd (MSPSB), has signed a power purchase agreement with Syarikat Sesco Bhd to build and operate the facility, targeted to commence operations by November 30, 2027. “At the state level, the Mukah Solar PV Plant contributes to Sarawak state’s target of achieving 10 gigawatts of renewable generation capacity by 2030, a key goal under Sarawak’s Energy Transition Strategy (SET-P) and the Post-COVID-19...
Carney & Trump’s next meeting may unlock movement on the ongoing aluminium & steel tariffs
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is heading to Washington next week for a crucial meeting with US President Donald Trump. This marks Carney's second visit to the White House since taking office, and expectations are high for progress on long-standing issues, particularly steel and aluminium tariffs. The meeting, described as a "working visit," will take place on Tuesday, with Carney accompanied by key ministers, including Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, Industry Minister Melanie Joly, and Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc. Get your hands on - American Aluminium Industry: The Path Forward The primary focus of the visit will be strengthening the economic and security relationship between Canada and the US, with both nations working to resolve trade disputes, especially...
Downstream weekly: US tariffs shake South Korea’s aluminium exports amidst ongoing market shifts
The global aluminium trade is undergoing significant shifts, driven primarily by the impact of US tariffs on semi-fabricated aluminium products and key export markets. South Korea, a major player in the aluminium export sector, is feeling the brunt of these changes. With the imposition of 50 per cent tariffs on aluminium and steel, the country's exports to the US have been severely affected, particularly in sectors like automotive and non-ferrous metals. This economic strain has forced South Korea to seek strategic responses, including diversification of markets and tariff negotiations, to mitigate losses. On the other side of the globe, the United States is grappling with a slowdown in imports of semi-fabricated aluminium products, driven by the sharp rise in tariffs and weakening demand...
Jean Simard, first person from aluminium industry to receive King Charles III Coronation Medal
In recognition of his outstanding leadership and dedication, Jean Simard, the President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, has been awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal. As of October 2025, Jean Simard, President and CEO of the Aluminium Association of Canada, is the only individual from the aluminium industry publicly recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal. “It was with great pride and humility that I was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal last January for my contribution to promoting Canadian aluminium and for my commitment to the arts, at the Fondation du Conservatoire de musique et d'art dramatique du Québec, and at the Petits Chanteurs du Mont- Royal (PCMR),” expressed Jean Simard. This esteemed honour highlights his...
Crown BevCan España boosts Sevilla Plant’s efficiency with new heat recovery system
In today’s world, where sustainability and energy efficiency are more critical than ever, industries are finding innovative ways to meet both environmental and financial goals. A perfect example of this is Crown BevCan España. The Spanish can manufacturer has not only tackled energy consumption but has also demonstrated how a smart retrofit of existing systems can lead to impressive sustainability outcomes. This article dives into how heat recovery technology transformed operations at their Sevilla plant, bringing remarkable energy savings, financial gains, and environmental benefits. Crown BevCan España, a leader in beverage can production, initially set out to meet its energy efficiency goals with a standard energy-saving setup. In 2020, they installed three Pneumofore UV50 VS90 vacuum...
India-based aluminium foil importers' customs duty plea rejected by CESTAT
The Customs, Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) bench in Ahmedabad recently dismissed an appeal concerning the applicable customs duty on imported aluminium foils. The case centred on the date that determines the duty liability and whether the increase in duty rate, from 5 per cent to 7.5 per cent, should apply based on the vessel's earlier arrival or the actual date of unloading at the port. Background of the case The appellant, Jil Pack, based in Ahmedabad, had imported aluminium foils from China. The goods were shipped on a vessel carrying cargo for two different importers, one in Thane and the other, Jil Pack. The vessel first arrived at Bombay Port on 27 February 2016 , where the goods destined for the Thane importer were offloaded. However, Jil Pack's consignment was...
LME aluminium cash bid price adds $16.5/t; 3-month bid price gains $17/t
On Thursday, October 2, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added USD 16.5 per tonne or 0.61 per cent to halt at USD 2,699.5 per tonne and USD 2,700 per tonne. As per the data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price gained USD 17 per tonne or 0.63 per cent and USD 16.5 per tonne or 0.61 per cent to settle at USD 2,704.5 per tonne and USD 2,705 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December offer price went up by USD 12 per tonne or 0.43 per cent to clock at USD 2,740 per tonne and USD 2,745 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price inched up by USD 4 per tonne or 0.14 per cent to halt at USD 2,692.50 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock lost 5000 tonnes to come in at 508,425 tonnes. Live warrants remained unchanged at 412,675...
Drip Water saves 80K aluminium bottles from waste
Drip Water has given a second life to more than 80,000 empty aluminium bottles from the defunct Almighty Water brand, cutting waste while meeting commitments to retail partners. When its regular can supplier fell short, Drip purchased the pre-branded bottles from Leicestershire-based Drinks Chef, then filled them and worked with Prism eLogistics to re-sleeve them in its own branding. The refreshed SKU rolled out in July across WH Smith Travel, Holland & Barrett, and Morrisons Daily. Peel off the sleeve on Drip’s aluminium bottles and the original Almighty Water branding is revealed underneath. Allaying any concern about the origin of the product inside the bottles, the Drip spokesman said,“At Drip, we pride ourselves on the promises we make to our customers and retailers, and would...
ABX Group’s upcoming facility in Tasmania to produce hydrogen fluoride from smelter waste
Beside Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania, ABX Group is building a pilot plant that converts smelter waste into hydrogen fluoride (HF) for aluminium fluoride (AlF₃), opening a new pathway into rare earths. Managing Director of ABX Group, Mark Cooksey outlines how the project turns a costly liability into a high-value, multi-market opportunity. Rather than starting from scratch, ABX has leased and repurposed an existing Rio Tinto facility adjacent to the Bell Bay smelter. The first months were spent stripping out legacy equipment and completing safety-critical civil works so that the pilot plant can be installed cleanly. Cooksey stresses that the execution is tracking to plan – “In fact, some of the minor equipment has already been manufactured, is ready to be shipped to...
Haryana lights up 6000+ villages, unveils INR 200-crore rooftop-solar push
Under the Mhara Gaon Jagmag Gaon scheme, officials reported that more than 6,000 villages now enjoy round-the-clock power, a major milestone in rural electrification. To accelerate rooftop solar uptake statewide, Haryana’s electricity authorities have proposed INR 200-crore revolving fund to extend interest-free advances and subsidies for installations. In a key policy shift, they also plan to relax the current 10 MW cap on individual rooftop or distributed solar projects, enabling larger systems and helping the state pursue its 2,000 MW solar target. These measures were discussed at a recent Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) meeting chaired by Nand Lal Sharma. Key attendees included - HERC members Mukesh Garg and Shiv Kumar J. Ganesan, Managing Director, Haryana Vidyut...
Arconic aims to double its onsite HPA capacity with upcoming facility in US
Arconic Corporation, a US-based company specialising in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing, hosted the ribbon-cutting ceremony of its much-awaited High Purity Aluminum (HPA) facility at its Davenport Works. The ceremony was carried out on Thursday, September 25, with equal excitement and new hope. As per the reports, this expansion doubles onsite HPA capacity and eliminates the need to import HPA from a foreign smelter, the company said. The project was supported by a USD 45.5 million award from the US Department of War in 2023 under Defense Production Act Title III authorities. HPA is a critical feedstock for aluminium sheet, plate, and extrusions used in aviation, space, and defence applications. The new manufacturing lines are expected to be operating at full capacity by...
Daikin & UACJ to manufacture air-conditioner heat exchangers using recycled aluminium
Daikin plans to manufacture air-conditioner heat exchangers from recycled aluminium after refining a horizontal-recycling process. Traditionally, these components rely on high-purity aluminium for ease of processing. By contrast, fins recovered from used heat exchangers contain copper and other impurities, so they’ve typically been downcycled into products such as automobile engine parts, making it difficult to restore the metal to its original grade. Working with recycling specialist Nippon Magnetic Dressing and global aluminium producer UACJ, Daikin is developing a closed-loop approach to resource circulation through horizontal recycling, where the end use remains the same before and after recycling. By sharpening aluminium–copper sorting and enhancing aluminium’s press-formability, the...
Can-to-Can Recycling: IAI's roadmap to net-zero target by 2050
The aluminium beverage can industry is well-positioned for circularity, but achieving this vision requires a unified, collective effort. The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) 's "Can-to-Can Recycling: Performance, Potential and Pathways" factsheet outlines how aluminium can recycling can drive circularity and presents a transformative roadmap that aligns with the International Energy Agency's net-zero target for 2050. To grasp the scale of this opportunity and the urgent need for action, it is crucial to examine both the vast potential and the current challenges of aluminium can recycling. These obstacles can be addressed on a global scale in the future, as Marlen Bertram, director of scenario forecasts at the IAI, discusses in this article for The Metal Packager. By 2030, global...
LME aluminium cash price hikes by $29.5/t; 3-month bid adds $28/t
On Monday, September 29, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by USD 29.5 per tonne or 1.11 per cent to clock at USD 2,671.5 per tonne and USD 2,672 per tonne. As per the data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also added USD 28 per tonne or 27.5 per tonne to halt at USD 2,675 per tonne and USD 2,675.5 per tonne. December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price surged by USD 25 per tonne to settle at USD 2,717 per tonne and USD 2,722 per tonne. Also Read: The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032 LME aluminium opening stock, Live warrants and Cancelled warrants stood at 515,600 tonnes, 412,775 per tonne and 102825 tonnes. The LME alumina (platts) price remained unchanged at USD 332.66 per tonne. Explore our B2B...
New titanium-alloy synthesis method paves way for sustainable aerospace & medical solutions
In a pioneering study set to transform the field of material science, researchers have unveiled groundbreaking findings on the synthesis of titanium-aluminium alloy. Led by experts Jin, M., Zhao, S., and Cai, Y., the team explored a cutting-edge technique for alloy synthesis using molten salt electrolytic deoxidation. This innovative approach not only improves the alloy's quality but also offers an eco-friendly alternative to conventional methods, aligning with the global movement toward sustainable technologies in materials engineering. Titanium alloys are celebrated for their outstanding strength-to-weight ratio, exceptional corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility, making them ideal for applications in aerospace and biomedical fields. However, conventional synthesis methods often...
Fire at Tennessee Aluminum facility - magnesium-laden slag pile to blame?
In the early hours of Wednesday morning, a fire broke out at Tennessee Aluminum Processors (TAP) facility in Mount Pleasant, causing significant damage. The blaze, which began at the Tennessee Aluminum Processors (TAP) plant, was sparked by a magnesium-laden slag pile that ignited, leading to intense flames and extensive damage to the facility's roof. Local fire departments and rescue teams quickly responded to the scene, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Fire Marshal. Mount Pleasant Fire Chief Todd Stewart reported that firefighters were called to the facility on Hoover Mason Road at approximately 5 a.m. The Maury County Fire Department, Columbia Fire and Rescue, and Lawrence County Fire and Rescue assisted in the...
