AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Ball Corporation offloads 41-point Saudi stake, retains minimal 10% strategic interest
Ball Corporation, an aluminium manufacturing and packaging company based in the US, announced that it has finalised the sale of 41 per cent of its 51 per cent interest in Ball United Arab Can Manufacturing Company (UAC) in Saudi Arabia to a subsidiary of packaging solutions, ORG Technology Co., Ltd., for approximately USD 70 million, subject to customary closing adjustments. The move reduces Ball’s position to a strategic 10 per cent ownership stake, while deconsolidating UAC from its accounts. Image for representational purposes only “Today’s announcement reflects our continued focus on a disciplined, returns-oriented portfolio,” said Daniel W. Fisher, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation. “We are pleased to deepen our relationship with ORG and look forward to...
Hindalco to set up INR 5.86 billion aluminium plant in Andhra Pradesh to support Apple’s iPhone production
Hindalco Industries, the flagship of Aditya Birla Group, has always been at the forefront of upholding India’s status in the global industries supply chain. This time, the company has set up an investment of INR 586 crore (USD 71 million) to build an advanced aluminium extrusion facility at Kuppam in Andhra Pradesh. The new facility is solely aimed at manufacturing high-precision extruded aluminium parts used in the chassis of Apple’s iPhones. Image for representational purposes only As per the recent updates by Hindalco Industries, the new plant is likely to be set up by March 2027, generating over 600 jobs within the first four years of operations. Strengthening Apple’s manufacturing footprint in India Over the past couple of years, Apple has been trying to rely on India as a core...
Trump’s tariffs drive $50B heavy-duty truck industry offshore
The US heavy-duty truck industry, which is worth around USD 50 billion, is facing a combination of tariffs that give an advantage to cross-border competitors. The Trump administration’s Section 232 tariffs add a 50 per cent hefty duty on imported metals, including steel, aluminium and copper derivatives, and extra charges on non-USMCA components, driving up costs for US truckmakers like Paccar, headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. Image for referential purposes only Paccar estimated that tariff-related charges are going to be USD 75 million in Q3 2025. Mexico gains tariff advantage Rival companies like Daimler Truck and Traton sidestep much of this pain by producing in Mexico, where compliance with the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) provides duty-free movement. As Volvo’s North...
Nemak acquires GF Casting Solutions’ automotive unit with a USD 336 million deal
Renowned Mexican auto components manufacturer Nemak has acquired the automotive unit of GF Casting Solutions, a subsidiary of Swiss Industrial Group George Fischer. The Swiss industrial group is known for producing lightweight aluminium and magnesium components using metal casting technologies. Image for representational purposes only (Source: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/ The acquisition value is USD 336 million, but the deal is yet to clear regulatory clearance. Nemak has already made an initial payment of USD 160 million, financed through long-term credit lines, while the balance will be covered over the next five years through assumed liabilities and deferred payments. The acquisition of George Fischer is likely to bring Nemak an annual revenue of USD 707 million and USD 91 million in...
PPG Packaging Coatings appoints Meghan Barrera as global strategic marketing director
PPG Industries, an American paint and coatings company, announced that it has appointed Meghan Barrera as global strategic marketing director for the Packaging Coatings division in an effort to reinforce the company’s leadership in sustainable and innovative coatings for the packaging industry. Image for referential purposes only (Source: https://www.packagingstrategies.com/ In her new position, Barrera will lead the global marketing plan with an emphasis on developing segment growth, defining competitive positioning and increasing customer engagement. To accomplish this, she will manage analysis of market trends, facilitate product innovation and promote packaging advancements, an essential portfolio as food and beverage brands are confronted with increasing desire for safer, recyclable...
India draws in $11.8B in renewable energy investments during the first half of 2025
India’s renewable energy sector experienced USD 11.8 billion in financial investment in the first half of 2025, which is the second-highest half-year inflow in history, according to the latest reports. The momentum is indicative of India's increasing prominence in the global clean energy arena, spurred by an uptick of solar projects and consistent investor confidence. Image source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/ Clean energy auctions and regulatory landscape Clean power auctions were a critical growth lever. India is already one of the world's most active renewable markets, having approved 59 gigawatts (AC) of capacity in 2024, which is more than twice as much as the year before. Auctions provide revenue certainty and allow private developers to scale with long-term visibility. However,...
Rio Tinto announces operating model and executive team updates to unlock additional shareholder value
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rio Tinto today announces a new operating model and executive team to shape the company’s next chapter. The changes simplify and streamline the organisation to drive greater accountability and safe, sustainable, profitable growth through focusing on the most compelling opportunities to deliver long-term shareholder value. Effective immediately, Rio Tinto will simplify its product group structure to three world-class businesses: Iron Ore; Aluminium & Lithium; and Copper. This focused structure and leadership positions each business to deliver excellence for customers and maximise competitive advantages and growth potential, while benefitting from the diversified group. The Iron Ore product group will bring together all of Rio Tinto’s iron ore operations under the...
US Army to gain edge from Velo3D’s aluminium alloy innovation
Velo3D, Inc. has announced its participation in a US Army-funded programme focused on changing the face of additive manufacturing for defence. The focus is to develop low-cost, rapidly implementable routes for Aluminium CP1, an alloy important for lightweight and high strength in military configurations. Building capabilities for defence Velo3D is collaborating with RTX, an aerospace and defence company, along with innovation hub firm Raytheon Technologies Research Centre (RTRC) to optimise laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) techniques for defence-grade aluminium. The project, funded by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Centre, supports modernisation of integrated air and missile defence systems. "Velo3D's metal AM platform was selected by (DEVCOM) AvMC...
Kaiser Aluminium stock rating lowered to 'hold'
Leading American manufacturer and supplier Kaiser Aluminium has downgraded itself from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating, according to a research note released on Monday. The move comes despite JPMorgan Chase & Co. recently raising its price target for the stock from USD 64 to USD 82 and assigning a “neutral” rating on July 28. Currently, one equities research analyst maintains a “buy” recommendation, while two others have rated the stock as “hold”. Data from MarketBeat shows Kaiser Aluminium carries a consensus rating of “Hold” with an average price target of USD 78.00. Share price movement The final day of trading before the downgrade was August 22, 2025, wherein Kaiser Aluminium closed at USD 79.57, which was an increase of 5 per cent. There was no trading on August 25, which was a...
Rio Tinto enhances focus on safety following incident at SimFer site
Rio Tinto has paused production at its SimFer project in Guinea after a contractual employee lost his life in an unfortunate incident on August 22. An immediate and detailed safety review has been initiated in collaboration with relevant authorities. The move underscores the company’s ongoing commitment to strengthening workplace safety across all its global operations, including its bauxite and aluminium portfolio. Safety an utmost priority now Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said, “We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues impacted by this tragic event as well as the wider community. We will offer all the support we can at this very difficult time, and a thorough investigation will take place together with the relevant authorities to establish the...
Metal detection application, Doctor Scrap gains widespread market acceptance
As the recycling industry embraces digital tools to improve efficiency and transparency, Arcadia, California-based Doctor Scrap is seeing its metals identification and trading app gain strong traction worldwide. The platform has not only built a steady user base in North America but is also recording rapid adoption in international markets, particularly in the United States, the Middle East, and across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region. Image source: https://hzcdn.doctorscrap.com/develop-ai/ The app is described by the company as “a highly effective technological app that aims to assist businesses in the recycling industry”. It functions as both a price estimation tool and a global trading platform, enabling recyclers to match buyers and sellers more efficiently in...
Kalahandi rally demands opening of bauxite mines for livelihood and growth
With a demand for the immediate opening of bauxite mines, the residents of Kalahandi, a district in Odisha, led by Lanjigarh Anchalik Vikash Parishad (LAVP), have set up a large-scale rally this Friday, August 22, 2025. The motto of the rally was securing local livelihoods and catalysing regional development. Local leaders rallied against policy paralysis For quite some time, there has been widespread frustration regarding the inaction over resource utilisation. It was more evident from the demonstration led by LAVP president Sridhar Pesnia and supported by community leaders, including the Lanjigarh Block vice-chairman, Zilla Parishad members, tribal elders and transport associations. Protestors in the rally further pointed out that Kalahandi’s own resources remain untapped due to...
Minimal environmental damage following UC Rusal train derailment removal, confirms NEPA
The UC Rusal alumina train that derailed along the Bog Walk Gorge in St Catherine earlier this month has now been removed, with Jamaica’s National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) confirming minimal environmental damage. The incident, which saw three hopper cars tumble off an embankment into the gorge, raised immediate concerns because of its proximity to the Rio Cobre, an essential water source for local communities and agriculture. NEPA’s assessment and cleanup oversight NEPA reported that the alumina spillage was confined to the base of the embankment. It posed no toxic threat and did not affect water quality. Drone inspections and on-site checks confirmed there was no oil leakage, no fish kill, and no observable impact on aquatic life. The cleanup was carried out under NEPA’s...
Comment period ends for Benson aluminium recycling project
The public comment period for a proposed air quality permit with Australian manufacturing firm Aluminium Dynamics, Inc., for its planned aluminium processing plant in Benson, Arizona, has come to an end. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) had been accepting comments and questions about the proposed 174,000-square-foot facility on a 200-acre site. This facility is intended to operate 24 hours a day once approved, effective since July 16, 2025. Comments were accepted until midnight on August 21, 2025, via ADEQ's online comment portal or by e-mail. Project scope and operations As a subsidiary of Steel Dynamics, Aluminium Dynamics proposed a major recycling operation that would eventually process up to 300,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap a year. Once operational, the plant...
Lindian secures funding and greenlights for Kangankunde rare earths project
Lindian Resources has managed to raise A$ 91.5 million (USD 59.39 million) in funds and has made a dinal investment decision to fully develop Stage 1 of its high-grade Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi. The capital puts Lindian on track to become the world's next significant producer of rare earth elements (REEs) and other strategic minerals associated with the high-performance use of aluminium in the green energy revolution. Funds raised, process in progress The firm obtained commitments for its two-tranche round from new Australian and international institutional investors, with demand well in excess of the funds sought. The issue price of USD 0.21 per new share was a significant premium to the recent volume-weighted average trading price, reflecting strong market confidence in...
US tariffs on aluminium weigh heavily on Wisconsin manufacturer
The recent expansion of United States tariffs on aluminium imports has increased the pressure on manufacturers who depend on the metal as a critical input. Wisconsin Aluminium Foundry (WAF), a century-old producer of aluminium and copper alloy castings based in Manitowoc, exemplifies how policy decisions made in Washington have had ripple effects on local economies. Image source: https://wafco.com/ On June 4 this year, tariffs on imported aluminium were doubled from 25 per cent to 50 per cent. By mid-August, the administration broadened its scope to include more than 400 derivative products containing aluminium or steel, according to the Bureau of Industry and Security. While these moves were designed to strengthen domestic production, their effect has been more complex for manufacturers...
America is not short of aluminium but of recycling capacity
The US is suffering the consequences of President Trump doubling tariffs on the import of aluminium to 50 per cent, such as the increased costs and supply chain disruptions. But it is the demand which has not yet faced any hit. However, the nation is not really short of aluminium, according to industry professionals. More than USD 1 billion worth of aluminium from beverage cans, motor vehicles, electronics, and building materials is dumped in landfills annually. It is a lost opportunity when import costs are surging steeply. Recycling aluminium uses only a small fraction of energy and could offset the tariffs if recycling facilities were enlarged. Companies that are struggling with the tariffs The Trump administration increased tariffs on aluminium imports from 25 per cent to 50 per cent....
Germany’s flagship bottom ash recycling facility continues operation amidst harsh environment in Magdeburg
The flagship recycling facility, that has started operations in Magdeburg, targeting the recovery of valuable metals, including aluminium, from waste incineration, is prepared for harsh conditions. Run by Mitteldeutsche Schlackenunion (MDSU), it is now the biggest and most advanced bottom ash treatment plant in Germany. Image source: https://www.winkelmanengineering.nl/ Commissioned in late 2024, this site is built to process up to 90,000 tonnes of incinerator bottom ash annually. However, the current throughput is around 60,000 tonnes, which is likely to increase at the operational scale. The launch of this bottom ash recycling facility is a business imperative. The bottom ash, which was considered a waste byproduct before, still comes with a huge volume of non-ferrous metals such as...
