AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Orora launches Helio: High-speed digital beverage can decorator
Orora is an Australian packaging company that mainly focuses on the manufacturing of aluminium beverage cans, which holds a strong ground in the markets of Australia and New Zealand. This company produces aluminium cans of various types and sizes, including classic, sleek, and slimline designs. Moreover, the company focuses on using recycled content in its production process to incorporate sustainability in its packaging process. Source: Orora Group The can manufacturing facility at Dandenong, of Orora, has recently taken a strategic step by incorporating Helio, a new high-speed digital can decorator. The company focuses on using various new innovative measures for packaging its beverage cans. Helio is one of its kind, which would assist the company in using digital printing technology to...
Southern states powering India’s aluminium extrusion boom
Southern India is now emerging as a growth engine for the aluminium extrusion industry, with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh leading the way. These states are not merely increasing domestic capacity. They are also becoming players in global supply chains, fuelled by strong industrial activity, export opportunities and the increasing utilisation of lightweight materials across sectors, including EVs, renewable energy and infrastructure. Global Aluminium’s Managing Director, Anil Agarwal, underscored the shift at a recent ALUMEX India 2025 roadshow on August 7, 2025 in Hyderabad , “Among the southern states, Hyderabad is playing a very important role in this industry… To counter trade challenges like the Trump Tariff, the industry must boost domestic consumption, reduce dependency on imports,...
Żywiec forms a strategic partnership with CANPACK
Continuing their momentum from the 2024 collaboration, global packaging solution manufacturing firm CANPACK Group and Polish-based brewing firm Grupa Żywiec, part of the Heineken Group, have now made another imprint in the fabric of Polish festival culture with an actual, collectible representation for fans. Specifically for the 2025 Polish musical festival, Męskie Granie, eight beautiful can designs embodying the thrill of the tour through the cities of Warsaw, Kraków, Gdańsk, and Żywiec have been launched. This year's designs, made possible by CANPACK's Quadromix printing, allow for four variations of each design – all in one run, maximising efficiency and enhancing creativity. The designs capture both the energy of life in Polish cities and imagery under the lens of visual artist...
50% tariff on aluminium imports: A catalyst for Century Aluminum’s big comeback
Century Aluminum Company, a global primary aluminium producer, has announced plans to resume over 50,000 tonnes of idled production at its smelter in Mt. Holly, South Carolina. The investment of approximately USD 50 million is expected to create more than 100 jobs. The facility will be operating at 100 per cent capacity by June 30, 2026, producing aluminium at full capacity for the first time in over a decade. This represents nearly a 10 per cent net increase in total US aluminium production. Currently, it is operating at 75 per cent. The move follows the recent reinforcement of U.S. Section 232 tariffs, now 50 per cent on certain aluminium imports, which Century credits for enabling this strategic push. As CEO Jesse Gary stated, “Today’s announcement was made possible by President...
Himalaya Shipping posts strong Q2 earnings, fixing vessels at premium rates despite tariff headwinds
Independent Bermuda-based bulk carrier firm Himalaya Shipping Ltd. (“Himalaya,” “Himalaya Shipping,” or the “Company”) has released strong preliminary unaudited results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, all while operating in a freight market that continues to experience the fallout from global tensions in metals trading. In Q2, the company had a net income of USD 1.1 million and EBITDA of USD 20.9 million and average daily time charter equivalent (TCE) earnings (gross) of about USD 28,400 per day, which was well above the Baltic Capesize Index (BCI) average of USD 18,681 per day for the quarter. Distributions were paid in cash of USD 0.025, USD 0.03, and USD 0.05 per share in April, May, and June, respectively. The quarter also saw a leadership transition, with...
Ball Corporation launches USD 750M senior notes offering to strengthen liquidity
Ball Corporation, a global aluminium packaging firm headquartered in Colorado, announced a public offering of USD 750 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due 2033 (the "Notes") on August 7. It is currently trading at USD 52.55. The company updated, “The exact amount, terms and timing of the offering will depend on market conditions and other factors.” The proceeds from the public offering sale are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, which may include refinancing or repayment of liabilities. Importantly, Ball said it intends to repay all of its outstanding borrowings under each of its U.S. dollar and multi-currency revolving credit facilities "without a reduction in commitment", using a portion of the net proceeds plus available cash. The company noted, “The...
Pakistan-based aluminium can manufacturer increases production volume
Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PABC), the leading and only vertically integrated beverage can producer in Pakistan, has delivered on the much-awaited debottlenecking and capacity increase development. The development was officially communicated to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in a filing. The company’s annual rated production capacity increased from 1.2 billion to 1.3 billion cans, an increase of 8.3 per cent. “With reference to our earlier announcement dated April 30, 2025, regarding the Board of Directors’ approval of the debottlenecking and capacity enhancement project, we are pleased to inform you that the project has been successfully completed within the projected timeline,” the company stated. PABC confirmed that the new capacity is “now commercially operational and...
Hydro Circal encourages recycled furniture production in the US
Who says aluminium is used only for machinery and factories? Now it’s also finding its way to furniture- literally! Norwegian brand Vestre is making it possible by turning recycled aluminium into sustainable and eco-friendly furniture. Vestre, a Norway-based furniture maker, would be using the recycled aluminium material from Hydro Circal aluminium produced in Michigan to manufacture its furniture in the market of North America. In the European market, Vestre has already produced KINN model chairs and tables using the recycled aluminium from Hydro Circal. Now, Vestre intends to use the recycled aluminium from Hydro’s facility in Cassopolis, Michigan, to manufacture its KINN products. The main motive of Vestre is to manufacture products “closer to the markets it serves, reducing emissions...
Eden Renewables secures approval for 13.8-MW solar project in England
Eden Renewables, a renewable energy developer whose headquarters are in Troy, New York, USA, has received a unanimous planning consent from Braintree District Council for its proposed 13.8 MWac Sheepcote Solar Farm. This farm is close to Cressing in Essex, England. The consent came with glowing endorsements from the councillors, one saying, "If Carlsberg did solar farms," and another described it as "a beautiful proposal". Eden celebrated the planning approval with a post on its LinkedIn page, revealing, “Good to see a rational, constructive and objective assessment of the application from the council's planning team and a testament to all the hard work and skills of our team and the many consultants who supported them – thank you.” Agri-Solar and biodiversity at the heart of the plan...
Tariff woes, soaring alumina costs, and weak aluminium demand weigh on Alba’s Q2 earnings
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world's largest aluminium smelter at one site, announced its financial results for Q2 and the first half of 2025, revealing a large fall in profitability alongside modest revenue growth since the same time last year. Tariff pressure, escalated alumina prices, and sluggish aluminium demand were some of the critical factors that contributed to the downtick in Alba’s Q2 fiscal outcome. Profit for Q2 2025 was BD24.6 million (USD 65.3 million), which reflected a downfall of 64 per cent Y-o-Y from BD 68.5 million (USD 182.2 million) last year. The profit for the first half of 2025 was also down by 54 per cent Y-o-Y to BD 42.7 million (USD 113.5 million). Earnings per share fell from fils (1 fil = AED 8.717.) 48 last year to fils 17 this year. In contrast,...
The 3rd European Green Aluminium Summit 2025
The 3rd European Green Aluminium Summit 2025 will be held on 11-12 November 2025, at Düsseldorf, Germany. The 3rd European Green Aluminium Summit 2025 will focus on advancing aluminum’s role in Europe’s green transition, covering key areas such as Green Aluminum Production, Energy Transition, Recycling & Circular Economy, and Policy & Legislation. The summit will bring together policymakers, industry leaders, and innovators to exchange best practices, showcase cutting-edge technologies, and explore collaborative strategies that accelerate decarbonization and build a resilient, net-zero aluminum industry in Europe. Who Should Be There? Aluminium Producers & Manufacturers Renewable Energy & Technology Providers Recycling & Circular Economy Experts Government & Regulatory Bodies Topics...
New battery technology set to boost Rio Tinto's growth
British-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto is about to set itself up for a game-changing opportunity. If aluminium-ion (Ai) batteries, supported by companies like Tesla, can create new commercialisation, then Rio Tinto could be one of the most strategic beneficiaries. With its combination of critical mineral assets, diversification, and hopes of growth in lithium and copper, Rio Tinto is making itself an integral part of the battery value chain. Aluminium-ion: a game-changer for Rio Tinto Aluminium-ion batteries offer many benefits over lithium-ion batteries . They are lighter, charge faster, and have a higher energy density, with much lower environmental impacts. With aluminium being relatively abundant (bauxite, the ore for aluminium, constitutes ~8 per cent of the Earth’s crust), Ai...
DI Dongil & Dongil Aluminium unite to enhance aluminium foil production for its batteries
On August 4, DI Dongil announced its merger with Dongil Aluminium to ensure that its efficiency increases for its overall production of aluminium foil for its batteries. This merger is expected to increase the efficiency of the working mechanism management. This would also ensure that it would reduce the uncertainties arising from various duplicate listings of the subsidiaries. A DI official stated, "Through this merger, we plan to strengthen our long-term growth foundation centred on advanced materials," adding that "the establishment of the new plant in Cheongju is expected to play a pivotal role in improving the company's performance as well as in the group's strategic transition." Dongil Aluminium is constructing a new plant entirely dedicated to the production of batteries on a site...
Ford takes USD 3 billion tariff hit despite 80 per cent domestic production
American multinational automaker Ford Motor Company is under increasing pressure from trade changes as it re-estimates the 2025 forecast. They announced tariffs will affect future profits by USD 3 billion, up by USD 0.5 billion from the previously announced USD 2.5 billion . The automaker's Station-B-related expenses were USD 800 million in the second quarter, leading Ford to post its first quarterly loss in nearly three years. Image for referential purposes only The adjusted EBIT for 2023 is now expected to fall between USD 6.5 billion and USD 7.5 billion (down from between USD 7 billion and USD 8.5 billion from its February guidance), and Ford management continues to monitor and take advantage of opportunities for improvements to the current EBIT range. Strategic missteps meet policy...
Alcoa investigates gallium mining opportunities in Western Australia
In a strategic pivot highlighting both innovation and geopolitical foresight, global integrated aluminium producing firm Alcoa of Australia Limited, part of Alcoa Corporation, has announced a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with Japan Australia Gallium Associates Pty Ltd (JAGA) to explore gallium recovery at one of its alumina refineries in Western Australia. JAGA is a venture between Sojitz Corporation and the Japan Organisation for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC), both key players in Japan's mineral supply strategy. Image for referential purposes only Gallium is a by-product of the refining of bauxite, is essential in semiconductors and has various aspects of defence. For now, China controls around 80 per cent of the gallium supply worldwide. In 2023, it put in place restrictions...
German company Universal Beteiligungs mbH joins forces with Kaiser Aluminum with a strategic investment
Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH, a Germany-based institutional investor, has bought a fresh stake in Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, a US-based manufacturer. This marks a new investment move in the world of speciality aluminium products. Image Source: Kaiser Aluminum According to official filings, the company acquired 26,355 shares of Kaiser Aluminum during the first quarter of 2025. This stake is valued at approximately USD 1.6 million, making them owners of about 0.16 per cent of the company. However, that is not all. Many other major players in the industry have been rethinking their investments in Kaiser Aluminum Corporation too. Here’s a look at the list of companies that are making significant investments in Kaiser, the US manufacturer. Wellington Management Group...
Kopu's aluminium bottle programme helps luxury hotels reduce waste
Premium American water brand Kopu is providing a turnkey sustainability solution for the luxury hospitality industry, enabling major hotel groups like Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott to replace problematic glass and plastic bottles with elegant, infinitely recyclable aluminium packaging and a built-in recycling program. Image source: https://media.licdn.com/ For decades, the water service in high-end hotels has been dominated by imported European brands in heavy glass bottles. While theoretically recyclable, glass presents immense practical challenges in hospitality settings. “Hospitality bottled water over the last 40 years has been dominated by three imported European brands, all bottled in a different hemisphere and shipped to the U.S. in glass bottles, most of which are destined for...
SMI acquires two recycling facilities to strengthen Kansas operations
Scrap Management Industries (SMI), a ferrous and non-ferrous metal recycler firm located in Kansas City, USA, has expanded its footprint in the Midwest. It has acquired two highly operational recycling facilities, both in Kansas - the 12th & Haskell Recycle Centre in Lawrence and the East Wilson Recycle in Ottawa. These recent acquisitions are SMI's eighth and ninth locations and fit well with the company's overall strategic direction towards viable, scalable recycling solutions to promote more sustainable futures. Enhancing regional efficiency while advancing the circular economy SMI President and CEO Jerrit Burgess said, “This acquisition aligns with our long-term growth strategy and reinforces our commitment to providing sustainable, efficient and responsible recycling solutions.” The...
