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.
Milano Cortina 2026 unveils sustainable Olympic torch featuring recycled aluminium
On Monday, the organisers of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games revealed the official torches that will carry the flame of the Games. Crafted from recycled alloys of aluminium and brass, the torch named Essential weighs over one kilogram. Proudly manufactured in Italy, each torch embodies the spirit of Italian design, cutting-edge technology, and environmental sustainability. Designed with sustainability and reusability at its core, the torches can be refilled and reused up to ten times—markedly cutting down the number needed for the relay. The torches were unveiled in a joint ceremony held at the Triennale di Milano in Italy and Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan—symbolising the global unity of the Olympic Movement and the rich cultural heritage of the host nation. The...
NIST researchers discover quasicrystals in 3D printed aluminium alloys
Aluminium is a magic metal. Every day, this recyclable and sustainable metal is uncovering a new dimension. This time researchers at NIST have discovered unique atomic structures known as quasicrystals in 3D-printed aluminium alloys. Found by materials research engineer Andrew Iams when he noticed something highly unusual while examining a sliver of a newly developed aluminium alloy under his electron microscope. At the atomic scale, the atoms appeared arranged in a remarkably unique pattern resembling quasicrystals. “That’s when I started to get excited,” said Iams, “because I thought I might be looking at a quasicrystal.” However, Andrew Iams intuition proved correct. Iams and his team at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) not only confirmed the presence of...
Valimet signs non-binding agreement with APWORKS, aims to produce Scalmalloy powder domestically
Valimet, based in Stockton, California, USA, has announced a non-binding agreement with APWORKS to produce Scalmalloy powder domestically through atomisation. Scalmalloy, a high-strength aluminium alloy specifically developed for additive manufacturing, is particularly well suited for various aerospace and defence applications. Scalmalloy is said to be the only alloy suitable for additive manufacturing that can effectively replace high-strength 7000 series aluminium alloys traditionally produced from plate or forging. With its low density, Scalmalloy offers exceptional strength-to-weight performance, making it highly competitive with even the strongest conventional alternatives. “In 2024, we were awarded a Phase I SBIR grant by the Defense Logistics Agency to support the atomisation of...
Ohio-based aluminium billets & slab manufacturer to shut down its Canton facility with layoffs beginning on June 6
Ohio-based aluminium billet and slab manufacturer Matalco Inc. is set to shut down its Canton, Ohio, facility this summer. This announcement is expected to impact the life of 71 employees, with layoffs beginning on June 6 and continuing over a period of up to 90 days. The company produces the billets and slabs using recycled aluminium. According to a letter dated April 8, 2025, submitted to the Ohio Office of Workforce Development, the plant will begin the closure process on June 6. The notice was issued in compliance with the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which requires companies with 100 or more employees to provide at least 60 days' advance notice before a plant closure or mass layoff involving 50 or more workers. The Canton site is one of seven...
Alcore’s pilot plant project to convert aluminium smelting waste into valuable industrial chemicals
ABx Group’s subsidiary, Alcore, is making steady progress on its pilot plant project near the Bell Bay aluminium smelter in Tasmania. The company has partnered with BFluor Chemicals and Kempe Engineering to support this initiative. Regulatory steps are also moving forward, with Alcore receiving official environmental guidelines from EPA Tasmania for its environmental effects report. Key components for the facility, such as the oleum plant and bath reactors, have been ordered and are scheduled for delivery by year-end. The pilot plant will showcase Alcore’s proprietary technology to convert aluminium smelting waste into valuable industrial chemicals, including hydrogen fluoride. The pilot plant, situated at a leased site next to Rio Tinto’s Bell Bay smelter, is designed to convert hydrogen...
Toshiba’s new SCiB battery featuring aluminium baseplate can be a game changer for EVs
In a bold leap toward the future of sustainable mobility and energy storage, Toshiba Corporation has introduced its latest advancement in lithium-ion battery technology—a new SCiB module specifically designed for use in electric buses, electric ships, and stationary energy systems. Engineered to meet the growing demand for high-power, rapid-charging applications, the new lithium-ion module features an innovative aluminium baseplate that delivers twice the heat dissipation of existing models. Scheduled for commercial release in mid-April 2025 across both Japanese and international markets, this next-generation battery module delivers approximately twice the heat dissipation performance of Toshiba’s existing modules. The new SCiB module represents a major leap forward in battery innovation...
AGI slams ECG over missing containers of imported aluminium conductors & unpaid local manufacturers
The Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) has strongly criticised the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) over the disappearance of more than 1,000 containers of imported electrical cables. AGI described the situation as “most unfortunate” and possibly violating Ghana’s local content laws. In a strongly worded statement signed by AGI CEO Seth Twum-Akwaboah and released on April 5, 2025 AGI expressed deep frustration over ECG’s actions, particularly the import of aluminium conductors that Ghana is fully capable of producing domestically. The Association condemned the move as not only unnecessary but also damaging to the growth and sustainability of local industry. Even more alarming, according to AGI, are widespread rumours that a significant number of these imported containers have...
Ogun State’s upcoming aluminium recycling facility to create $150 million annual revenue & new job opportunities
The Ogun State Government, in partnership with Neveah Limited—an indigenous company—is set to establish an aluminium recycling plant projected to generate over $150 million in annual revenue for the state. According to the company's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lawal Ibidapo, the facility is also expected to contribute approximately 2.5 per cent to Nigeria's total non-oil exports. Mr Ibidapo disclosed this on Monday while speaking to journalists following a closed-door meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun at Okemosan, Abeokuta. The Chief Executive Officer praised Governor Dapo Abiodun for fostering a business-friendly environment in Ogun State, noting that the decision to site the aluminium recycling plant in the Gateway State was strategic, given its proximity to Lagos—Nigeria’s financial...
ASUS wows at Milan Design Week 2025 – innovation with aluminium at its peak
Milan Design Week is back with a bang and lots more exciting innovations to showcase in 2025. The renowned exhibition not only flaunts the latest trends from in and around the world but also serves as a premier platform for designers to showcase their unique ideas and innovations. "Design You Can Feel" exhibition With a similar motto, ASUS, a global technology leader, has come up with some exciting innovations showcasing its design philosophy. The Taiwanese multinational company has unveiled its all-new "Design You Can Feel" exhibition at Milan Design Week, offering a deep dive into materiality, craftsmanship, and artificial intelligence (AI) themes. Each April, Milan becomes a global stage for creativity, drawing in designers, luxury brands, and tech innovators alike. Now in its 63rd...
Upcoming facility in Russellville to feature the largest direct aluminium extrusion press in North America, says Taber Extrusions
Taber Extrusions, a cornerstone of Arkansas manufacturing landscape has announced the groundbreaking ceremony for its major facility expansion in Russellville. The upcoming aluminium extrusion facility will feature the largest direct extrusion press in North America. The expansion was first announced in July 2024 at the USA Partnership Pavilion during the Farnborough Air Show, with Governor Sanders, Taber executives, and state officials in attendance. The company has consistently expanded its Russellville operations—adding fabrication capabilities in 2014, cutting-edge friction stir welding technology in 2019, and a Haas VF-12 CNC machining line in 2021. As part of this project, the company is investing $70 million into its Russellville operations, a move expected to generate 70 new jobs....
Constellium completes ISA3 project, pioneering lightweight aluminium innovation in automotive design
Constellium has announced the successful completion of the ISA3 Research and Development (R&D) project. Launched in 2021, the initiative focused on advancing lightweight automotive design by developing next-generation aluminium components that are lighter, more cost-effective, and highly recyclable. Carried out in collaboration with Renault Group, the ESI Group, the Institut de Soudure (Welding Institute), and the University of Lorraine, the project received financial backing from the France Relance program. “The innovations achieved through this collaboration demonstrate the transformative potential of aluminium to support the decarbonization of the automotive industry while delivering cost benefits,” said Ludovic Piquier, senior vice president of Manufacturing Excellence and chief...
Rimowa x Mykita’s luxe aluminium sunglass collection to make its debut with star-studded campaign
Rimowa has partnered with Berlin-based eyewear specialist Mykita to create co-branded sunglasses, with the first styles launching on April 10. Anodised aluminium—Rimowa's signature material will be utilised in the Heritage series of co-branded sunglasses, which are available in square, aviator, and panto styles. Image Source: Rimowa This marks Mykita's first foray into working with aluminium, diverging from its usual materials of stainless steel, acetate, and Mylon. The rigid metal brings added structural stability to the frames, while the silver and black aluminium rings introduce a bold and distinctive design detail. Cologne-based Rimowa stands out in the luggage industry as one of the few brands that manufactures 100 per cent of its cases at its own facilities in Germany, the Czech...
Hydro’s R100 exhibition showcases aluminium craftsmanship & emission reduction initiative
Designers Sabine Marcelis and Daniel Rybakken are among the talents showcasing aluminium-based furniture and home decor at Hydro's R100 exhibition during Milan Design Week 2025. Organised by the aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro, the exhibition was built entirely from 100 per cent post-consumer aluminium—including all objects, podiums, and display structures. The exhibition featured five design pieces, all developed under a self-imposed constraint: everything, from sourcing the aluminium scrap to producing the finished designs, had to occur within a 100-kilometre radius. This local-first approach underscored the feasibility and beauty of sustainable design at scale. Hosted at Capsule Plaza – Spazio Maiocchi in Milan ( from April 7 to April 13), R100 built upon the momentum of...
Short processing time along with contour-cut aluminium semi-finished products at SCA
Mössner has designed and commissioned an automated sawing system to produce contour-cut aluminium semi-finished products at Service Centres Aero Germany (SCA) in Remshalden, Germany. A trusted name in the aerospace sector, SCA has been serving as a recognised service provider since 1987. Image Source: Mössner website The system is designed to cut aluminium plates as close to the final contour as possible—commonly referred to as near-net-shape or cut-to-size cutting. With over 30 years of expertise in CNC-controlled contour saws, Mössner has developed a solution that significantly reduces the amount of material that needs to be removed during subsequent processing steps. This approach not only shortens processing time at milling or machining centres but also boosts material efficiency by...
CCEP unveils two new flavours, Absolut Vodka & Sprite Watermelon: A refreshing twist in sleek aluminium cans
Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) has introduced Absolut Vodka & Sprite Watermelon, marking the brands first-ever flavour innovation. The two new flavours will be available in sleek 250ml aluminium cans and will be available nationwide. The new blend combines Sprite’s signature crispness with the smoothness of Absolut Vodka, enhanced by a burst of refreshing watermelon—hailed as the ultimate summer flavour. Watermelon was selected for its vibrant, juicy profile, offering a fresh and exciting twist that perfectly complements the existing range. Consumer testing showed strong enthusiasm for the new Absolut Vodka & SPRITE Watermelon, with an impressive 84 per cent purchase intent. Most consumers also indicated they could enjoy more than two drinks in a single session. Blending the crisp,...
New aluminium manufacturing unit by Premier Energies to boost its presence in the renewable energy sector
Premier Energies Limited has established a wholly owned subsidiary, Premier-Green Aluminium Private Limited (PGAPL), according to a regulatory filing dated April 3, 2025. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs issued its certificate of incorporation on the same day. PGAPL has been launched with an authorised share capital of INR 10 lakh and will specialise in the manufacturing, processing, and extrusion of aluminium and its alloys. This strategic initiative is designed to support Premier Energies’ internal consumption needs while enhancing its broader business operations. The new aluminium manufacturing unit is expected to complement the company’s existing presence in the renewable energy sector. Premier Energies will retain full ownership of the new entity, with its operations solely based in...
Renewable energy & recycling key to aluminium’s decarbonisation journey says IAI
A study carried out by Eunomia and commissioned by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) has revealed that renewable electricity and recycling will be the key drivers of emissions reductions in the aluminium industry. Titled as Decarbonisation Pathways in Aluminium Vs. Competing Materials, the research underscores the role of aluminium in industrial decarbonisation, comparing its emissions reduction pathways to those of steel, copper, container glass, and PVC. The study revealed that renewable electricity and recycling will be the key drivers of emissions reductions in the aluminium industry. The research highlighted that combining renewable electricity and recycling will be the primary driver of emissions reductions for aluminium. In contrast, copper’s decarbonisation will rely...
Forensic probe confirms aluminium powder behind the deadly Gujarat firecracker warehouse blast
A devastating explosion in a firecracker storage godown on Dhunva Road in Deesa, Banaskantha district, Gujarat, claimed 21 lives and left six others injured on Tuesday morning. A forensic investigation has confirmed that aluminium powder, a key ingredient in firecrackers, was responsible for the massive explosion and subsequent blaze. Image Source: ANI The blast, caused by a boiler explosion, triggered a fire that led to the roof's collapse, trapping workers inside. Authorities later revealed that the factory's application for licence renewal had been rejected in December after a police inspection found a complete lack of safety measures. In addition to aluminium powder, a team from the forensic science laboratory (FSL) also discovered yellow dextrin powder at the warehouse where the...
