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.
Arctus Aluminium pioneers inert anode smelting for a zero-carbon future
The global primary aluminium production in 2024 reached 72.7 million tonnes (approx.). With demand continuing to rise, it is expected that production will also further increase in the coming years, leading to more environmental challenges. As a result, in order to tackle or overcome these hurdles, it is essential to establish various sustainable initiatives that will help the industry fight against increased CO2 emissions. Image Source: FreePik Arctus Aluminium’s carbon free aluminium production One such initiative has been developed by Iceland-based Arctus Aluminium. Unlike conventional methods, the company is developing a smelting technology that uses inert anodes, which generate oxygen instead of CO2. Additionally, Arctus Aluminium has joined the European REVEAL project, which seeks to...
Growing demand for EVs in Israel spurs new $10 million battery recycling facility in the region
A towering stack of electric vehicle batteries dominates the courtyard of Erlos Produktion und Montagen GmbH recycling plant in a remote corner of eastern Germany. Soon, its counterpart will rise in Israel, spearheaded by a partnership led by veteran car importer Colmobil. The Erlos facility is one of the few in Germany dedicated to recycling electric vehicle batteries. Image Source: Erlos plant in Germany (Peter Fenes) The upcoming facility Set to open by the end of next year, the $10 million facility is under construction in Neot Hovav, where it will handle batteries from wrecked cars, end-of-life units, and defective stock. This milestone marks a major achievement for Erlos and its equipment supplier, Peter Hessler, as they extend their expertise beyond Germany's borders. Colmobil is...
Japanese conglomerate Marubeni joins Vietnam’s aluminium recycling market with NM2
Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate has recently invested Nguyet Minh 2 Trading-Services-Environment Joint Stock Company (NM2), a Vietnamese company specialising in aluminium recycling. Vietnam is Southeast Asia's largest consumer of beverage cans, and the growing middle-income demographic is expected to drive a rise in aluminium scrap generation. Image Source: NM2 website Additionally, with increasing environmental awareness, Vietnam has implemented the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy to establish a resource-circulating economy. As part of its mid-term management strategy, Marubeni has prioritised a green strategy to enhance corporate value, recognising the aluminium industry as a key driver in the transition to a...
Chinalco Testing’s light metal lab secures top spot on China’s Prestigious Quality Control List
The Science and Technology Department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released a public approval list of laboratories for quality control and technical evaluation of industrial products. Out of all applicants, only 200 laboratories in China successfully passed the evaluation and review. Source: Chinalco website Notably, the "Laboratory for Quality Control and Technical Evaluation of Industrial (Light Metal) Products," operated by Chinalco Testing (Zhengzhou) Technology Co., Ltd., secured a place on the prestigious list. Its product quality control and technical evaluation capabilities are recognised as being at the forefront in China. The Laboratory for Quality Control and Technical Evaluation of Industrial Products has been officially approved by the...
Northwest Aluminum secures top spot in Gansu Province’s 2024 High-Tech Enterprise List
The Science and Technology Department of Gansu Province recently released the 2024 list of high-tech, high-growth, and high-value-added enterprises in which Northwest Aluminum earned a spot due to its outstanding innovation capabilities and strong development momentum. For years, Northwest Aluminum has been dedicated to researching, developing, and producing aluminium alloy materials, consistently prioritising technological advancement and product quality. The company continues to increase R&D investments, introduce cutting-edge technologies, refine manufacturing processes, and adopt advanced equipment to enhance its products' scientific value and market competitiveness. Additionally, Northwest Aluminum actively upholds its social responsibilities, contributing to local economic and...
Editors Pick: Where art meets sustainability, aluminium’s expanding role from industry to daily life
Can you believe we're already in the second month of 2025? Time seems to be racing ahead, never pausing—much like aluminium, the metal that never stops. Welcome back to another edition of Editor's Pick, where we bring you the latest launches, innovations, and developments shaping the aluminium industry. In this edition, we look at some of the key events that unfolded in January 2025—a month that arrived like the first page of an unwritten book, filled with promise and edged with the golden glow of new beginnings. Are you interested in knowing about the end-user market and its potential landscape for 2025? Get your hands on AL Circle's latest report, "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2025" , and stay ahead of the curve. The aluminium end-use market in 2025 is shaping up to be a dynamic...
realme Note 60 with upgraded RAM and aluminium die-cast structure to arrive soon in Philippines
Ensuring cutting-edge technology and next-level experience to customers, the India-based Chinese smartphone manufacturer Realme has decided to release an upgraded version of its already available Note 60 in Philippines. As per realme’s website the upgraded version will also include dynamic RAM expansion of upto 12 GB, leading to a total of 18GB RAM. Source- realme website Already available in Philipines, the upgraded version will be available in a more powerful 6GB/128GB edition, apart from the 4GB/64GB (PHP 4,999 SRP) and 4GB/128GB (PHP 5,999 SRP) variants. This upgrade provides larger RAM, enabling faster app loading and improved multitasking. Aluminium die-cast structure Apart from this, the other features like durable die-cast aluminium structure, reinforced glass-coated protection...
Two subsidiaries of Mingtai Aluminum bags the National Green Factories award
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently released the 2024 Green Manufacturing list. As per the list, two subsidiaries of Mingtai Aluminum, namely Henan Mingsheng New Materials Technology Co., Ltd. and Henan Mingtai Technology Development Co., Ltd, were recognised as "National Green Factories." Source- Mingtai Aluminum website The National Green Factory certification, organised by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, plays a key role in advancing the goals of "Made in China 2025" and the "Double Carbon" strategy. With this achievement, Mingtai Aluminum now boasts a total of four national green factories. It aims to drive industrial enterprises toward greener, more efficient, and low-carbon operations while enhancing resource utilisation and...
Game-changing technologies in recycling leading towards aluminium’s green revolution
Technology and advancements are the backbone of progress, continuously reshaping how we live, work, and interact with the world. Both are like the invisible thread that connects the simplest tasks to the most extraordinary feats, shaping how we live, work, and explore, from the flick of a switch that brightens a room to the complex orchestration of a spaceship soaring beyond our atmosphere. It is the bridge between imagination and reality, transforming ideas into tools, machines, and systems that redefine human potential. Technological progress is accelerating solutions to global challenges, from artificial intelligence optimising complex data analysis to renewable energy breakthroughs reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. In materials science, for instance, innovations in aluminium...
Mixed-Up Cocktail to scale up production in 2025 amidst rising global RTD demand
Mixed-Up Cocktail Co. (Mixed-Up), the creator and producer of bold, Ready-to-Drink (RTD) aluminium canned craft cocktails, has announced the plan to expand its facility further in 2025. According to IWSR's RTDs Strategic Study 2024, demand for ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages grew by an average of 2 per cent, with Mexico seeing the highest growth at 8 per cent and Germany at 4 per cent. Image Source- Mixed-Up website In response to this demand, Mixed-Up successfully launched in Japan in late spring, with plans to continue growing its presence into 2025. Looking to capitalise on potential opportunities, especially in Japan, Mixed-Up is taking significant steps to support its growth in 2025. The brand has secured a 45,000 sq ft facility capable of producing over 20,000 cases of cocktails per...
ASI accredits Lizhong Group with the Performance Standard V3 (2022) certification
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a collaborative endeavour aimed at enhancing sustainability throughout the value chain, announced the successful certification of Lizhong Group with the Performance Standard V3 (2022). Lizhong Group's Guangdong Longda Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. facility, located in Guangdong Province, China, has bagged the certification for producing aluminium alloy ingots and cast aluminium alloy liquid. The certification was announced by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The facility specialises in melting, alloying, and casting processes for aluminium alloys, with its primary products being cast aluminium alloy ingots and liquid aluminium alloy. The facility boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes. The independent third-party audit of...
Climate Change Commission backs campaign to end free carbon credits for industry giants
The Climate Change Commission has endorsed a campaign to end free carbon credits for companies like Methanex, Rio Tinto, and NZ Steel. In a letter released overnight, the independent body highlighted significant issues with the subsidy scheme after MPs sought its input on a 6,000-signature petition currently before Parliament. Image Source- FreePik Don't Subsidise Pollution petition The "Don't Subsidise Pollution" petition aims to stop the allocation of hundreds of millions of dollars in free carbon credits granted annually to manufacturers and exporters under the Emissions Trading Scheme. The free allocation scheme was introduced to prevent manufacturers of carbon-intensive products like steel, methanol, and cement from relocating production overseas to avoid emissions pricing. Lawmakers...
Infinity Room by Every Can Counts arrives at Life Science Centre in Newcastle
The Life Science Centre, a vibrant science hub in Newcastle upon Tyne, has unveiled a new immersive exhibit dedicated to recycling. Created by the not-for-profit organization Every Can Counts, the Infinity Room installation offers visitors a unique and engaging experience. Image Source: Every Can Counts As Life celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, the award-winning science centre continues to inspire curiosity and excitement about the world. The Infinity Room highlights the importance of recycling drink cans while showcasing the infinite recyclability of aluminium, making it an educational and interactive attraction for visitors of all ages. Chris Latham-Warde, Programme Manager at Every Can Counts, stated, "The aim of the exhibit is to raise awareness of the infinite recyclability...
Kilkenny residents recycle over 4.5 million aluminium cans & bottles in a year through the return scheme
The people of Kilkenny have recycled over 4.5 million aluminium cans and plastic bottles in just one year through the Return scheme. According to SuperValu and Centra, their stores alone have facilitated the recycling of an amount equivalent to 42 containers per person in Ireland during the first 12 months of the Deposit Return Scheme. Kilkenny is a city in County Kilkenny, Ireland. It is located in the South-East Region and in the province of Leinster. PET bottles can be recycled up to seven times through the Deposit Return Scheme, while aluminium cans can be infinitely recycled. Collected from SuperValu and Centra stores at the end of each week, the containers are transported to a recycling facility in Limerick, where they are sorted by material and colour, with any waste removed from...
Monomoy Capital Partners finalises sale of aluminium extrusion manufacturer Astro Shapes to Wynnchurch
Monomoy Capital Partners, a private investment firm specialising in private equity and credit investments in the middle market, is excited to announce the sale of Astro Shapes, LLC, a top manufacturer of custom aluminium extrusions, to Wynnchurch Capital. "The success Astro Shapes has experienced during our partnership with Monomoy is not only due to tactical improvements but also the holistic value-creation approach we have executed together. In Monomoy, we established a team of thought partners who deeply understand family-led companies and helped equip us with the necessary resources to continue my father's legacy. On behalf of my family, we are proud of the Astro Shapes team and grateful for Monomoy's leadership, and we wish Steve and the entire company continued growth and success,"...
Viva redefines architectural standards with fire-resistant aluminium honeycomb panels
Viva, Asia's leading manufacturer and supplier of aluminium composite panels (ACP), has unveiled its FR A1-rated Honeycomb Panels, redefining industry standards for fire safety and architectural innovation. Designed for superior performance, these panels integrate cutting-edge fire-resistant technology with aesthetic adaptability, providing a groundbreaking solution for safety-critical applications. Importance of fire safety Fire safety at home is essential for protecting lives and property, and using fire-resistant materials can significantly enhance a building's safety. Proper fire safety measures, such as having an evacuation plan and keeping fire extinguishers accessible, can make a critical difference in emergency situations. Additionally, using fire-rated building materials in...
Port of Toledo celebrates record aluminium tonnage with 30% growth in general cargo
Cargo through the Port of Toledo saw a slight overall decline of about 3 per cent in tonnage for 2024. However, the general cargo sector experienced a significant increase of over 30 per cent. This included a record-breaking year for aluminium, with 330,208 tonnes passing through the Toledo docks, according to Joe Cappel, the port authority's vice president of business development. Image Source: Port of Toledo website Record-breaking year for aluminium Mr Cappel noted that it remains uncertain how the aluminium, which was entirely sourced from Canadian smelters, might be impacted in 2025 by President Trump's threat of tariffs on Canadian imports. He also stated that Toledo's status as a London Metals Exchange delivery point for aluminium has boosted traffic in the metal, which typically...
Low on sugar, high on sustainability: Net Zero Foods launches ROBOT Kombucha in aluminium cans
Net Zero Foods, a leader in sustainable food and beverage innovation, is excited to introduce ROBOT Kombucha—the world’s healthiest cola. This cool, super-premium Coke-style drink packed in 100 per cent recyclable aluminium cans blend the health benefits of organic kombucha with the natural sweetness of organic honey, offering a game-changing alternative to traditional sugary soft drinks. Image Source - ROBOT Kombucha website A healthy option to choose By using organic honey, the brand also highlights the critical need to protect pollinators. With no organic honey currently produced in the UK due to pesticide use, ROBOT Kombucha supports ethical beekeeping abroad while advocating for sustainable farming practices at home. Traditional colas are often linked to high sugar content and...
