AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Odisha Mining Corp. takes home 5-star rating for two mines from Indian Bureau of Mines
In a noteworthy step towards sustainable utilisation of resources across the country, Odisha Mining Corporation’s (OMC) Daitari iron ore mines and Kodingamali bauxite mines have received a "5 Star Rating" from the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) for 2023–24. This award was presented by Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy at a ceremony in Jaipur on July 7. This recognition is not only a testament to OMC’s operational excellence but also a progressive development in the context of the country's mining narrative. Redefining mining beyond extraction Mining, although a crucial economic activity, has always been condemned for causing environmental damage, community displacement, and exploitation. From an economic perspective, OMC's Daitari iron ore and Kodingamali bauxite mines...
India and Brazil forge renewable energy partnership with 6 MoUs
In a landmark bilateral summit, India and Brazil signed six Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) spanning renewable energy, counter-terrorism, agricultural research, and digital cooperation. The agreements, finalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Brazil, the first by an Indian PM in 57 years, include a dedicated pact to accelerate clean energy collaboration, with significant implications for both countries’ emissions-intensive aluminum industries. Renewable energy in the spotlight The MoU on renewable energy looks to tap into Brazil's world-class clean electricity grid, already the cleanest among G20 countries at more than 90 percent renewable, and India's enormous solar and wind deployment initiatives. The partnership will see joint research, technology transfer,...
Del Monte files for bankruptcy amid soaring aluminium tariffs
Heritage canned‑food maker Del Monte Foods has filed for Chapter 11 protection, citing credit pressures and “stunning increases” in packaging costs, driven in large part by President Donald Trump’s decision in early June to double U.S. tariffs on imported steel and aluminium to a whopping 50 per cent. According to court filings, Del Monte is saddled with USD 1.2 billion in secured debt and tapped nearly USD 912.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing to maintain operations mid-restructuring. The company emphasises that its “pack season” will continue uninterrupted but warns sharply increased tin‑plate and aluminium costs have slashed margins. Industry sources highlight that aluminium foil and can suppliers already faced a roughly 6% jump in material costs following the tariff...
CESTAT approves lower import duties on aluminium laminates
India’s electronics manufacturing sector has received a major boost when the Delhi Bench of the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT) granted the benefit of concessional customs duty on aluminium-based copper-clad laminates used in producing metal-clad printed circuit boards (MCPCBs). This landmark ruling, which directly applies to cases involving Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Ltd. and B.S. Electronics Pvt. Ltd., is expected to lower material costs significantly and encourage greater domestic innovation in advanced electronics and LED technologies. Case background and key issues The core issue in the case was whether aluminium-based laminates that were imported to manufacture MCPCBs could be described as Customs Tariff Item (CTI) 8534 00 00, which would be...
Alupro upping recycling game, pledges to assist Welsh Councils for new EPR goals
The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro) has pledged to assist Welsh councils in readiness for the implementation of the UK's new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging scheme in 2025. Given that Wales is already ahead of the UK when it comes to recycling, Alupro is putting its skills and successful behavioural change schemes at the disposal of councils to guide them through the new regime and increase further aluminium recycling rates. This follows a conference conducted a few months ago on this matter. What does the initiative include? Under the new EPR rules, packaging manufacturers will pay financially for the whole net cost of gathering and recycling their packaging when it ends up as waste. This 'polluter pays' concept is intended to encourage more...
Why only Pro Max? Apple iPhone 17 Pro is also returning to aluminium
Iconic California-based tech-giant Apple is likely making a comeback to aluminium for its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, marking a significant departure from the titanium frames used in recent flagship models. Recent leaks reveal Apple's return to aluminium components for its chassis, as opposed to the iPhone 16 Pro series' titanium body, expected to launch in late 2025. This strategic materials shift represents more than a design choice. It signals a potential industry-wide transformation that could reshape global mobile supply chains, affecting manufacturers, suppliers and production costs worldwide. Beyond titanium: why aluminium wins The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max are expected to replace the titanium frames of prior versions with aluminium, based not only on engineering considerations, but...
Cyclone? Rio Tinto’s OC wins the game with Australian bauxite mines' record capacity
Australia Pacific bauxite operations of Rio Tinto achieved a significant milestone during the last cyclone season, as it has not faced any ‘stack outs’ or any ship diversions at the Port of Weipa. This port is located on the far north coast of Queensland in a high weather-exposed part of the Western Cape Peninsula. Image for referential purposes only Rio Tinto exceeded its overall capacity of 22.8 million tonnes per year for the first time since its operations began in 2018, achieving almost 23.3 million tonnes in 2024. A major part of the contribution to the ongoing refinement process of Rio Tinto is managed remotely by the Operations Centre (OC) in Brisbane. Rio Tinto’s operations are being effectively maintained by the Safe Production System (SPS). The SPS is a production system that...
Chhattisgarh government launches online mining auction platform to drive in industrial expansion
In a significant step for Chhattisgarh's mining industry, Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has reportedly launched the e-auction process for new blocks of bauxite, iron ore, and limestone minerals. A pre-bid conference was arranged at Nava Raipur Atal Nagar, aimed at attracting investors to encourage them to invest in local development and make the state's abundant mineral riches accessible for industrial investment. The meeting served as an opportunity for potential investors and other industrial stakeholders to demonstrate their interest in accessing the various mineral resources of Chhattisgarh. The Mission of the pre-bid was to highlight the economic potential of new mineral blocks as well as build interest in subscribing to a fair and transparent auction process. Digital-first approach...
Ma’aden takes over Ma’aden: acquires bauxite, alumina & aluminium stakes from Alcoa
On July 1, 2025, Ma'aden, Saudi Arabian Mining Company, finalised its acquisition of almost 25.1 per cent stakes in MBAC (Ma'aden Bauxite and Alumina Company) and MAC (Ma'aden Aluminum Company), two critical pieces of Saudi Arabia's aluminum value chain. Previously, Alcoa held a 25.1 per cent ownership stake in the company, whereas Ma’aden held a stake of about 74.9 percent. Image Source: Asharq Al Awsat The general assembly meeting of Ma'aden approved the increase in capital and the issue of new shares to help the full ownership of the company. In this new decision made by Ma’aden, Alcoa Saudi would be receiving a 1.74 per cent stake in Ma'aden's share capital, whereas AWA Saudi would be receiving a 0.47 per cent stake. Ma’aden has decided to purchase Alcoa’s 25.1 per cent stakes in MBAC...
Visitor registration now open for Wire and Tube Southeast Asia 2025
Advancing innovation, sustainability, and manufacturing growth in Southeast Asia. Visitor registration is now open for wire and Tube Southeast Asia 2025, taking place from 17–19 September 2025 at BITEC, Bangkok. Marking the 16th edition of wire Southeast Asia and the 15th edition of Tube Southeast Asia, the region’s specialist trade fairs for the wire, cable, tube, and pipe sectors return as a premier international platform for business exchange, strategic sourcing, and cross-border collaboration. Set against the backdrop of Southeast Asia’s rapid infrastructure expansion, ongoing digital transformation, and growing emphasis on sustainability, the 2025 editions will feature 300 exhibitors from over 30 countries, showcasing the latest machinery, materials, manufacturing technologies, and...
Constellation blames Trump's aluminium tariffs for disappointing quarterly results
Constellation Brands, owner of successful beer brands Corona and Modelo, has cited the heavy financial burden of aluminium tariffs as one of the reasons behind its disappointing first-quarter performance. The drinks giant fell short of Wall Street expectations both in terms of sales and profit, emphasising the rising cost pressures facing its flagship beer business, which heavily depends on imported Mexican aluminium cans. For the period ending May 31, 2025, Constellation had net sales of USD 2.52 billion, which was lower than expected at USD 2.55 billion. The company reported a comparable profit of USD 3.22 per share, which was less than expected at USD 3.31. Trump tariffs causing real damage Executives at the company were upfront in blaming the soft performance on trade policy. The...
Hind Aluminium Industries navigates turbulent waters with revised neutral assessment
Hind Aluminium, a maker of aluminium and alloy conductors and aluminium wire rods, recently changed their evaluation to reflect a neutral posture in the face of operating performance issues. The company reported a steep year-over-year profit decline of 53.5 per cent, with Q4 FY24-25 profit after tax dropping to INR 4.01 crore (USD 467,706) – a sharp 38.4 per cent contraction over the past six months alone. Image source: Hind Aluminium Industries Limited (LinkedIn) In addition to the numbers, this company's negative EBIT to interest of -8.44 suggests that there are structural impediments to managing available debt vs financial stability. This changes the technical picture to go from a slightly bullish outlook to neutral. In the June quarter of FY2024-25, the company's net profit was INR...
Canyon Resources nominates Peter Secker as CEO to enhance the Bauxite Projects
Canyon Resources Limited recently announced that Peter Secker has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective from July 1, 2025. Peter Secker has over 40 years of experience in global mining. He has previously served as a strategic advisor to the Minim Martap Bauxite Project of central Cameroon, a large-scale, high-grade bauxite deposit being developed by Canyon Resources. Source credit: Seetao Mr Secker is expected to guide Canyon through its transition from development to production of the first bauxite shipment, which is expected to commence in the first half of 2026. This particular development is expected to make a significant contribution to the aluminium industry by providing a reliable and high-quality source of bauxite, a key ingredient in aluminium production. The...
Dirty Labs promotes new bio-enzyme liquid dish soap in sustainable aluminium bottles
Dirty Labs, an award-winning brand, is revolutionising the entire home cleaning process through the launch of new innovative Bio Enzyme Liquid Dish Soap in a sustainable package. The green chemistry formula is used in this particular dish soap, which is available starting June 17. This Liquid dish soap is packed up in a recyclable, sustainable, and eco-friendly aluminium bottle. Apart from this new dish soap, the company has been using other sustainable packaging materials for many of its products, such as bio-enzyme laundry detergent, which mostly uses cardboard and wooden scoops across all its products. However, the inclusion of aluminium is a first for the consumable manufacturing brand. Image source: Dirty Labs David Watkins, Dirty Labs’ Co-Founder and CEO, said, “Dirty Labs exists to...
Vedanta Aluminium to hire 15 trans-persons in 2026 to foster workplace diversity
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer and a business of Vedanta Group Ltd., is operating outside the conventional gender norms in a hardline manufacturing sector. It has decided to recruit 15 transgender employees in 2026, bringing the total to 44 at its Jharsuguda (Odisha) and Korba (Chhattisgarh) units. Image soure: Vedanta Aluminium The beginning of Pride Month has showcased a number of stories of inclusion from across the world, but Vedanta's decision represents a substantial shift towards inclusivity as a strategic advantage rather than a symbolic action. This can surely be acknowledged as one of the largest workplace integration drives in India's manufacturing sector, based on a straightforward business case. Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Inclusivity...
Budweiser-producer Anheuser-Busch brewing up Houston brewery with $17M investment
Anheuser-Busch’s recently proposed USD 17 million investment is turning up a fizz in Houston! The manufacturer of Budweiser, Bud Light, ULTRA, Busch Light, and Stella Artois, is investing a fortune in its Houston brewery as part of “Brewing Futures” initiative. Source credit: WebWire The recently announced USD 17 million investments is part of Anheuser-Busch’s USD 300 million ventures for strengthening the manufacturing capacity, ensuring sustainability and enhancing US jobs. In today’s news, it is reported that over the last three years, almost USD 50 million has been invested in the Houston brewery of Anheuser-Busch. With a continuous investment for over 165 years in its employees, local communities, and breweries, the iconic brewer has been strengthening manufacturing hubs in America....
EGA put its next-gen smart smelting technology in production, transforming aluminium industry sustainability
The UAE’s largest industrial firm, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), announced the commencement of hot metal production at pilot reduction cells for EX, its next-generation aluminium smelting technology. With this, EGA has taken a pioneering step towards the goal that demands industrial innovation to be aligned with decarbonisation objectives. This development is noteworthy – not only for its technical advancement over DX+ Ultra but also for its long-term strategic goal of building the most self-sufficient, energy-efficient, and low-carbon aluminium smelter in the world by 2028. Image source: EGA EX is the tenth-generation smelting technology of EGA and is a daring combination of automation powered by AI, sustainability, and productivity. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, CEO of EGA, said on this...
ALFED welcomes Industrial Strategy but warns of critical gaps for UK aluminium sector
The biggest announcement in the Industrial Strategy, the British Industry Supercharger expanded to give up to 90 per cent relief on electricity network charges, up from the previous 60 per cent,a significant milestone for over 7,000 energy-intensive businesses. For the aluminium processors and producers alone, energy is a high proportion of their operating costs. “Energy competitiveness is a defining issue for the aluminium sector. Without decisive support, producers and processors across the UK risk becoming globally unviable,” noted Nadine Bloxsome, CEO of ALFED. Image source: ALFED However, as Bloxsome also cautioned, “The Supercharger expansion is a major step forward, but we now need urgent clarity on who qualifies, how SMEs can benefit, and how this aligns with future emissions...
