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.

AL Circle x Norsk Hydro: Scrap, technology, and renewable energy drive our decarbonisation operations
In an exclusive conversation, Bjørn Kjetil Mauritzen, Senior Vice President and Head of Sustainability at Hydro, underscored the company’s unwavering commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. He outlined clear interim goals of cutting emissions by 10 per cent by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030, based on 2018 levels. According to Mauritzen, Hydro is driving this transition through three main strategies - expanding post-consumer scrap recycling, advancing breakthrough technologies like carbon capture and zero-emission smelting, and accelerating the use of renewable energy while boosting efficiency. Dive into the full interview to explore his insights in detail. AL Circle: Hydro has long positioned itself as a sustainability leader in the aluminium industry. Could you share your...

700 jobs coming to Concord with Red Bull, Ball Corporation & Rauch’s upcoming aluminium cans facility
Red Bull, Ball Corporation, and Rauch Fruchtsäfte have begun construction on a 2.3-million-square-foot production, manufacturing, and distribution complex in Concord, N.C. First announced in 2021, the project is expected to transform both the local economy and the wider beverage industry. Concord, N.C., lies in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, positioned in the central part of the state, northeast of Charlotte. From 700 jobs to 3B cans annually The new facility is projected to generate approximately 700 jobs, providing a significant boost to the regional workforce. It will bring together Ball’s state-of-the-art aluminium can manufacturing, Rauch’s advanced filling facilities, and Red Bull North America’s operations in one integrated site. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2028,...

Researchers unlock new method to recover aluminium from red mud in 60 seconds
Researchers at Rice University have developed a faster, cleaner method to recover aluminium and remove toxic metals from bauxite residue, commonly known as red mud. This hazardous by-product of aluminium production has long challenged the industry, but the new process offers a potential breakthrough in sustainable waste management. Image Source: Rice University Did you know that for every tonne of alumina produced, roughly 1.25 tonnes of this caustic residue are generated. And till date, more than 4 billion tonnes have accumulated worldwide, making red mud far more than a by-product. But what is this red mud? Red mud, also known as bauxite residue, is the by-product left after alumina is extracted from bauxite ore through the Bayer process. This highly alkaline, dense sludge is rich in...

iPhone and aluminium: A story of design, identity, & sustainability
The Apple vs. Android debate has been running for years, with endless arguments over software, cameras, and apps. Yet behind those headline battles was a quieter revolution—one built on aluminium. For Apple, aluminium was never just another material. It became part of its identity, a design philosophy, and a way of uniting elegance with strength. In many ways, the story of the iPhone can’t be told without the story of aluminium. Aluminium enters the iPhone landscape When Steve Jobs stepped on stage in 2007 to reveal the first iPhone, the world’s attention was locked on the touchscreen—a feature that would forever change how we use our phones. Yet, almost quietly, another element was shaping the device’s identity. The smooth aluminium back, cool against the hand and refined in its finish,...

Cameroon’s upcoming aluminium plant set to reduce trade deficit by $48M
On September 12, 2025, Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Nguté presided over the groundbreaking ceremony and financing agreement signing for Proalu SA’s upcoming aluminium transformation plant in Douala. Proalu SA is a subsidiary of Prometal Groupe, the leading steel producer in Central Africa. Douala is located in Cameroon, a country in Central Africa. At the heart of this initiative lies a strategic partnership with Alucam, Cameroon’s state-owned aluminium producer. Under the agreement, Alucam will supply 2,500 tonnes of raw material every month, ensuring the new facility’s operations while securing CFA48 billion (USD 86.5 million) in annual revenue, vital support for the struggling enterprise. Worth CFA88 billion (USD 157.5 million), the project is powered by a unique financing...

Global aluminium leaders to promote beverage cans & circularity at Climate Week NYC 2025
Climate Week NYC, one of the world’s largest climate events of its kind, returns to New York City. As the world’s climate challenges intensify, industry leaders are stepping up to showcase real, scalable solutions. Among the most visible examples is the aluminium beverage can—a product that embodies the principles of circularity through its infinite recyclability and lower carbon footprint compared to alternatives. At this year’s Climate Week NYC, the spotlight will be on how this everyday item can help drive systemic change in the race toward net zero. To get industry specific insights - World Recycled ALuminium Market Analysis Industry forecast to 2032 Industry collaboration on circularity Several trade associations, companies, and nonprofit organisations connected to aluminium beverage...

Al Circle x Window Magic: How aluminium is redefining India’s fenestration future
In conversation with Mr Manish Bansal, the Director and CEO of Window Magic highlights aluminium’s pivotal role in reshaping India’s architectural and fenestration industry, offering strength, design flexibility, and sustainability compared to traditional materials. He notes its recyclability, energy-efficient technologies, and alignment with global trends like minimalistic frames, unitised curtain walls, and dynamic façades. With European technology raising performance standards and digital tools like BIM and smart glass driving precision and efficiency, aluminium is positioned as the material of choice for future-ready buildings. Backed by Window Magic’s sustainability initiatives, diversification, and innovation-driven culture, Bansal sees aluminium as central to India’s construction...

Roll with confidence – Top 5 aluminium suitcases for every adventure
Travel isn’t always smooth, but your luggage should or can be. From bumpy taxi rides to overstuffed cargo holds, your suitcase takes more hits than you realise. That’s where aluminium comes in - sleek, strong, and built to last. Think of it as armour for your adventures, protecting your belongings while looking effortlessly stylish. With a year full of long-haul flights and weekend escapes ahead, below is a list of some of the top aluminium luggage that balances toughness with travel-ready elegance. After digging through countless options, testing picks, and tapping into expert advice, two clear winners emerged, one a timeless icon, the other a wallet-friendlier hero. Why ALuminium ? Aluminium suitcases are considered better than most alternatives because they combine strength,...

LME aluminium opens the week with a fall of $13.5/t; December 26 bid price adds $5/t
On Monday, September 15, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved downward by USD 13 per tonne or 0.48 per cent and USD 13.5 per tonne or 0.49 per cent to settle at USD 2,693 per tonne and USD 2,693.5 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price inched down by USD 1 per tonne or 0.03 per cent and USD 0.5 per tonne or 0.01 per cent to settle at USD 2,694 per tonne or USD 2,695 per tonne. On the other hand, both December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price moved up by USD 5 per tonne or 0.18 per cent to arrive at USD 2,728 per tonne and USD 2,733 per tonne. For specialised industry insights - AL Circle Reports LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price also added USD 11 per tonne to peg at USD 2,700.5 per tonne. Live warrants,...

Find out what happens when scrap aluminium engine residue is mixed with concrete
Concrete may be the backbone of modern construction, but its reliance on cement comes at a steep environmental cost. What if industrial waste, something as ordinary as residue from old aluminium engine parts could not only reduce this burden but also make concrete stronger and more efficient? Recent research has uncovered exactly that possibility, pointing to a new way forward in sustainable building materials. Image Source: Scientific Reports Scrap aluminium engine residue (SAER) Researchers have found that substituting just 2.5 per cent of cement with scrap aluminium engine residue (SAER) in foamed concrete can significantly enhance both compressive strength and thermal insulation. This approach not only improves performance but also provides a sustainable way to reduce industrial...

Sip it, enjoy it & recycle it with ready-to-eat soup in aluminium cans
Forget bowls, spoons, or waiting by the microwave, Romania-based read-to-eat meal company Dozz is flipping the script with chilled, ready-to-eat soup in recyclable aluminium cans. Believed to be the first of its kind, the format delivers a chilled shelf life of 4–8 months, depending on the recipe, offering flexibility for both retailers and out-of-home outlets. Already gaining traction with several major European retailers, the product is positioned to meet growing consumer demand for convenience, waste reduction, and sustainable packaging solutions. Dozz will officially unveil the product at the Lunch! show in London on 24–25 September 2025. Visitors can discover the can in person at stand L222 in the Innovation Gallery. Ten flavours, spanning both meat-based and plant-based options, are...

Upstream weekly: Profit gains, policy shifts, & project uncertainty shape the upstream landscape
This week the upstream sector of the aluminium industry, comprising alumina, bauxite and primary aluminium has seen limited but strong incidental happenings that can change the dynamics of the aluminium industry in the coming days. To begin with, following EGA’s footstep Arrow Minerals has also temporarily suspended operations at its Niagara bauxite project in Guinea amid an ongoing dispute over the validity of its mining permits. What will happen next is something to keep an eye for. On the other hand, Canyon Resources expects strong profitability from Minim-Martap owing to both low production costs and also because global demand for aluminium is rising especially due to the EV and aerospace sector. With this, Canyon is making the case that there will be sustained, possibly expanding...

‘Nothing’ but aluminium - Ear (3) teaser says goodbye to plastic?
Nothing has always been about making the ordinary feel extraordinary—and its latest teaser proves just that. The upcoming Ear (3) is not just another set of wireless earbuds, but a statement piece that blends transparent minimalism with a sleek new aluminium finish . With an official reveal set for September 18, 2025, fans are already buzzing about what’s to come. Bye-bye plastic At first glance, the Ear (3) stays true to the transparent aesthetic that has become Nothing’s hallmark. The earbuds themselves closely resemble their Ear (2) predecessors, but the charging case has undergone a dramatic evolution. Out goes the all-plastic build of earlier generations, making way for recycled anodised aluminium . According to Nothing, this switch not only enhances durability but also delivers a...

LME aluminium offer price surge by $32.5/t; 3-month Asian Reference Price gains $48.5/t
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price has shown huge growth on Thursday, September 11. As per the data, both cash bid price and official settlement price surged by USD 32.5 per tonne or 1.23 per cent to settle at USD 2,655.5 per tonne and USD 2,656 per tonne. On the same day, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also gained USD 29.5 per tonne 1.12 per cent and USD 28 per tonne or 1.06 per cent to halt at USD 2,649.5 per tonne and USD 2,650 per tonne. Explore our B2B market at - AL Biz December 26 bid price and December 26 offer price moved up by USD 12 per tonne to clock at USD 2,677 per tonne and USD 2,682 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price shot up by USD 48.5 per tonne or 1.84 per cent to peg at USD 2,673.5 per tonne. On the other hand, LME aluminium...

Aluminium giant Vedanta eyes 6 MTPA expansion in Odisha
Vedanta is pressing ahead with plans to establish a new 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) aluminium smelter in Dhenkanal, Odisha, a senior company official confirmed. The projects, once completed, will effectively double the company's existing aluminium capacity. Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta's Aluminium business, said the company is currently in the process of securing land for the proposed "mega aluminium plant." Vedanta currently operates with an aluminium capacity of 3 MTPA, and the new project is set to raise its total capacity to 6 MTPA . Unlock in-depth aluminium insights from – AL Circle reports section "We are moving towards setting up a new mega aluminium plant at Dhenkanal, Odisha, with a capacity of three million tonnes. We want to go to six million tonnes, for which we are...

Constellium strengthens its role as key aluminium supplier in aerospace sector with Embraer
Constellium (CSTM) announced that it has extended its long-term partnership with Embraer, strengthening its role as a key provider of advanced aluminium solutions for the aerospace sector. The move underscores the company’s ongoing collaboration with leading industry players. Over the past month, Constellium’s share price has risen 1.85 per cent, closely mirroring broader market momentum as the S&P 500 reached record highs. The announcement likely added to the positive sentiment, highlighting investor confidence in companies with strategic aerospace partnerships during a period of favourable market performance. Also Read: Aluminium Flat Rolled Products: Insights & Forecast to 2030 A partnership that will bring positive changes Constellium’s renewed partnership with Embraer strengthens its...

Recycled aluminium powers BMW’s iX3 Neue Klasse E-SUV
The German multinational manufacturer of luxury vehicles, BMW has officially taken the wraps off its much-anticipated 2026 BMW iX3 “Neue Klasse” all-electric SUV, delivering a blend of strong performance and a 20 per cent boost in driving range. And this time, the company has doubled down on renewable energy and recycled materials like aluminium to make the all-new iX3 not only faster but also cleaner than any BEV it has built before. The automotive aluminium market is on the fast track to growth. Valued at USD 97.86 billion in 2024, AL Circle projects it will almost double to USD 205.24 billion by 2032, accelerating at a strong CAGR of 9.7 per cent from 2025 onward. What’s fuelling this rise? Automakers worldwide are racing to integrate lightweight, durable, and endlessly recyclable...

Toyota to shut down one of its two EV production plants in US amidst rising tariffs
America is Toyota’s largest market for its Lexus brand, but this hasn’t stopped the company from deciding to close one of its two US production plants, according to Nikkei, the world’s largest financial newspaper. Currently, Lexus produces the ES mid-size sedan in Kentucky and the TX SUV in Indiana, but the company plans to consolidate production at a single location. Image Source: Joseph Rey Au According to Nikkei, though Lexus and Toyota have yet to officially confirm the move, the report suggests Toyota's decision is a response to the tariffs imposed by the Trump administration on US imports. The new strategy will see Lexus focus on producing its high-selling hybrid vehicles at its remaining American plant in Indiana, while shifting other luxury models to Japan. This change is not...
