AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
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...
Alcoa’s WA bauxite expansion under review amid water supply study
Alcoa’s plan to expand its bauxite mining operations in Western Australia’s jarrah forest is undergoing detailed environmental review. A recent study by engineering consultancy GHD highlighted potential risks to Perth’s water supply while also recognising measures the company has proposed to mitigate them. The research, commissioned by Alcoa in relation to its application to mine 67 sq km of forest, identified 22 potential pathways to dams serving the city's 2.3 million people. The key risks that were identified included sewage-borne pathogens, hydrocarbon contamination from oil spills, and turbidity due to erosion of soil, which might render water treatment plants ineffective. Potential contamination of Perth's water supply The government-owned Water Corporation has been warning about...
Australia’s alumina index correction highlights fragility of commodity benchmarks
The reliability of the price benchmarks for commodities is fundamental to global trade and investment decisions made. When even slight adjustments happen to the benchmarks, it is important for the participants in the market to know the implications. The recent adjustments made to the alumina index in Australia focus attention on the accuracy of price reporting and the mechanisms that hold the system accountable. Alumina is the medium for making aluminium from bauxite ore, an important input factor to the global supply chain of metals. About two tonnes of alumina are needed to create a tonne of aluminium, which makes alumina widely used from aerospace to packaging. The FOB Australia alumina index is now the world's most significant benchmark, serving as a reference point for contracts,...
Aluminium powers India-Japan alliance
There is a long history of economic relationships between India and Japan. The key events that fortified this relationship were Japan's contributions to India in the steel sector in the 1950s and Japan's direct investments in the IT sector in the 1990s, and now Japan is beginning to depend on India for aluminium sector supply. India is developing as a reliable provider for Japan's aluminium supply. In 2024, Japan imported nearly USD 337 million (UN COMTRADE) worth of aluminium from India, one of the top four suppliers. This has not happened by accident. Changing geopolitical scenarios, sanctions that included Russia and the need for cleaner production have opened up new space for India's manufacturers. Why aluminium matters to Japan Japan's major industries, comprising transport,...
Welsh Government proposes DRS to prioritise reuse over recycling
A public consultation on Wales’ proposed Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) has been launched by Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister of Wales. This proposal is mainly based on the concept of reuse over recycling to reduce waste and promote net zero. This scheme comprises a 12-week consultation on the DRS (Deposit Return Scheme), which began its historic journey on 18th August at Corona Pop Factory in Porth. This would continue till 10 November, which would be helping to implement the scheme. Deputy First Minister, Huw Irranca-Davies, said, “Wales has always led by example on environmental action, and the deposit return scheme represents our next bold step forward. By putting reuse at the centre of our approach, we’re not just tackling waste – we’re creating a model that other nations can...
Viggo Boats expands global presence with new dealer appointment
Viggo Boats, a boat-building firm, has expanded its global reach through Vortec Marine as the exclusive dealer for the UK and Ireland. Their collaboration represents a growing demand for sustainable marine solutions, and Viggo's hybrid aluminium vessels will fit Vortec's solid position in the region. Vortec, headquartered in Swanwick and Gosport, will provide test drives, technical demonstrations, and full aftersales support, making it the single point of contact for both private owners and commercial operators interested in Viggo’s range. “Vortec Marine’s technical expertise, established reputation, and deep understanding of the UK marine market make them the ideal partner for Viggo Boats,” said Erik Wickgren, CEO of Öregrund Marine Service AB, manufacturer of Viggo Boats. “As interest...
ANB Metal Cast listed its IPO on the NSE at INR 164
ANB Metal Cast Limited company, founded in the year 2019, mainly focuses on the production of aluminium extrusion products like solar profiles, railings, motor bodies, bars, sliding windows and various types of other industrial products required in a broad spectrum of industries like electronics, mechanical, solar, architectural and automotive industries. The main objective of the organisation is to provide high-quality services to its clients within an affordable range. The company also manufactures products like railings, various architectural products, aluminium extrusion products like flat bars, tubes and kitchen profiles. ANB Metal Cast Limited Company have successfully listed its first IPO (Initial Public Offering) on the NSE (National Stock Exchange) with a premium of 5.13 per cent...
Austrian engineering giant Doppelmayr partners with Hindalco for India's first aerial RopeCon installation
Austrian technology and market leader in ropeway engineering group Doppelmayr has secured a major contract to develop and implement India's first RopeCon system at the Aditya Alumina Refinery in Kansariguda, Odisha. The system, which is expected to be operational by Q3 2027, represents a significant step forward in Hindalco's aim to implement sustainable technology throughout its mining and refining activities. Pioneering technology for Indian mining The RopeCon system, which combines the engineering of traditional ropeways with continuous conveyor technology, will span 2,300 metres with an elevation drop of 241 metres. Importantly, it will cross challenging and agricultural terrain with only four supporting towers, considerably reducing land disturbance. It will carry 1,500 tonnes of...
Balancing growth and green: Alcoa’s WA expansion plans put bauxite and climate goals in spotlight
US aluminium giant Alcoa’s proposed expansion plan of its bauxite mining operations near Perth has come to a crossroads where industrial growth, environmental responsibility and community expectations converge. As the essential raw material for aluminium – a metal central to modern infrastructure, transport, and technology – bauxite mining delivers wide industrial and community benefits . Still, specific projects occasionally bring to light environmental concerns, as seen in this case. Image for representational purposes only According to an independent analysis of documents lodged with the Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), the project could result in more than 1.3 billion tonnes of global greenhouse gas emissions over the project’s lifetime. The figure, which...
VBX Limited accelerates Wuudagu bauxite through strategic hires and drilling advances
Bauxite giant VBX Limited has given investors several updates that demonstrate the increasing traction in the Australian bauxite sector, with the Wuudagu Bauxite Project in focus across several areas. From leadership hires to an acceleration in drilling and an initial public offering into a useful market and the performance of that market, the company is positioning itself. It is being taken seriously as the new kid on the block in the global aluminium supply chain. Image source: VBX Limited Strengthened leadership and operational progress One of the key appointments is Lloyd Dolman to the position of General Manager - Development. Dolman adds significant experience in development-phase project delivery requirements and operational management skills, which will be important to guide...
NEPA finds Rusal’s alumina-filled train derailment caused minimal environmental damage
The National Environment & Planning Agency (NEPA), a Jamaican governmental body, stated that there was negligible damage to the environment following UC Rusal's bauxite train derailment in the Bog Walk Gorge on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Reports indicate that the risk to the river is low, too. Bauxite train derailment in Bog Walk Gorge – key details and early findings The accident involved seven rail carts transporting alumina to the port from UC Rusal's Windalco plant in Ewarton. Three carts toppled off the retaining embankment, while one partially fell into the river, prompting NEPA to conduct inspections immediately upon arrival at the site. The Bog Walk Gorge is a critical roadway and railway corridor in St Catherine, beside the Rio Cobre, which is an important water supply for the...
Innovus Engineering launches two new automatic high-speed canning machines
Innovus Engineering is shaking up the beverage packaging sector with the introduction of two new high-speed models, the CF35 and CF70, at the top end of its automatic canning machine range. These machines are designed to meet the growing demands for cans made with speed and precision in the craft beverage industry. Speed with precision control The new machines procured by Innovus are built for performance. The CF35 can process 2,000 cans per hour, while the CF70 doubles that to a remarkable 4,000 cans per hour. The secret behind this performance is the company's new servo seaming technology. This innovation not only boosts the machines' speed but also hands complete control over to the operator. All seam settings can be fine-tuned via a user-friendly Siemens touchscreen HMI, allowing for...
India's ADC12 aluminium alloy imports tumble 87% y-o-y in H1CY'25
India's ADC12 alloy imports saw a sharp downturn in imports during H1CY'25, with volumes slumping 87 percent to 1,511 tonnes (t) from 11,811 t in H1CY'24. Instead, aluminium scrap imports swelled by 9 percent y-o-y to 0.88 million tonnes (mnt) in H1CY'25 from 0.81 mnt in H1CY'24. This growth was largely due to India compensating for the steep reduction in ADC12 alloy imports. BigMint goes behind the scenes. Why did ADC12 alloy imports plummet in H1CY'25? Malaysia, historically India's leading source of ADC12 alloy products, recorded a sharp drop in shipments during H1CY'25. This was the primary contributor to the significantly lower ADC12 imports in H1CY'25. Imports fell by 87 percent to 1,188 t, compared to 9,417 t in H1CY'24. The decline was primarily attributed to delays in obtaining...
EGA to deliver its first CelestiAL-R low-carbon aluminium billets to Sankyo Tateyama
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the UAE, has recently announced that it has signed an agreement to supply CelestiAL-R billets to Sankyo Tateyama through its strategic partner ITOCHU Corporation. Sankyo Tateyama is a leading Japanese manufacturing company that produces various construction materials for buildings, architectural and industrial applications and housing. The recent announcement of EGA, the world’s biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer, has made it obvious that the introduction of CelestiAL-R billets would help the company to meet all the rising demands of low-carbon aluminium within extrusion and other applications. The CelestiAL-R billets are a combination of scrap metal along with aluminium produced with solar power. It would help to reduce...
Arab Aluminium Company swings from profit to $117,950 loss in H1 2025
Egypt’s Arab Aluminium Company (AAC), known for manufacturing extruded aluminium profiles for a wide range of industries like industrial and architectural, has reported a steep reversal in fortunes in the first half of 2025. It has moved from healthy profits last year to a net loss after tax of EGP 5.742 million (approximately USD 117,950), according to its latest financial disclosures. The loss per share was EGP 0.14 in the period ending June 2025, as compared to a profit per share of EGP 0.33 (0.0068 USD) in the equivalent period a year earlier. The change followed a difficult start to the year for AAC, where the company had already recorded a Q1 loss of EGP 6 million (USD 120,760), reversing a Q1 2024 net profit of EGP 6.1 million (USD 120,904) Interestingly, the losses occurred...
Alumina-filled train derailment at Windalco prompts track repair work
Repair work is under way in Bog Walk Gorge, St Catherine, Jamaica, after three alumina-filled cars from a Windalco bauxite train derailed on August 9 at the entrance of the rail tunnel. The cars plunged into the Rio Cobre and knocked down a utility pole, causing major transport and power disruptions. UC Rusal, operator of the Windalco plant in Ewarton, is leading efforts to restore the damaged section of the railway. Immediate disruptions and power outages Due to the derailment, the gorge was temporarily closed, and as a result, vehicular traffic was halted, causing delays throughout St Catherine and neighbouring parishes. Jamaica Public Service (JPS) crews were sent to replace the broken pole and restore electricity to the communities affected. Most of the affected areas have seen power...
Novelis announces $750M senior notes to optimise its debt profile
Novelis Inc., with its subsidiary Novelis Corporation, is all set to tap into the debt market with USD 750 million senior unsecured notes. To be matured in 2033, these privately placed notes will be made available to the qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A. International buyers are also eligible for the same under Regulation S, as guaranteed by Novelis and select subsidiaries. With this issuance, Novelis, the leading aluminium rolling and recycling company, plans to allocate the net proceeds acquired from 750 million senior unsecured notes towards strategic economic decisions Repurchasing existing debts : A majority of the proceeds will be used to repurchase the outstanding 3.250 per cent senior notes, which are likely to mature in November 2026. This is likely to be a...
Manaksia Aluminium improves execution amid sector challenges: Eyes sustainable growth
Manaksia Aluminium Company has recently reaffirmed its quality and valuation grades, indicating it has improved performance execution. The principal financial metrics suggest this view, with 5-year sales growth of 12.60 per cent and EBIT growth of 19.03 per cent, and it is making a better presentation as a participant in the non-ferrous metals industries. In fact, the quality grade increased from below average to average grade, which suggests improved operational execution. The EBIT-to-interest coverage ratio of 1.34 does suggest fair adequacy of ability to manage its financing obligations. The valuation grade increased from very attractive to attractive with a P/E of 28.87, a price-to-book of 1.47, and an EV/EBITDA of 9.16. The overall assessment of initial attractiveness from a...
