AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
BofA says aluminium cans are winning over beverage brands and consumers
Whether it's a soft drink, an energy drink or an imported beer, aluminium cans are increasingly becoming the packaging of choice. New market data analysed by Bank of America (BofA) shows the material continues to gain market share, while glass packaging loses ground across several beverage categories, reflecting changing consumer preferences and packaging trends. According to BofA's analysis of Nielsen scanner data for the week ended July 25, 2026, non-alcoholic beverage volumes rose 0.7 per cent during the latest four-week period, with aluminium cans outperforming other packaging formats. Aluminium can volumes increased 2.6 per cent year-on-year over the latest four weeks, while maintaining positive growth of 1.3 per cent over 13 weeks and 2.2 per cent over the past year. In comparison,...
Vedanta Aluminium's next chapter begins with $1.62b refinancing
Less than two months after beginning its journey as an independent listed company, Vedanta Aluminium is raising about ₹13,500 crore (USD 1.62 billion) from a consortium of Indian banks to refinance inherited debt, marking its first major financing initiative since the Vedanta Group's demerger. According to people familiar with the matter, Axis Bank has signed a loan agreement worth ₹5,500 crore (USD 658.3 million) with Vedanta Aluminium Metal Ltd., while HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank will jointly lend about ₹8,000 crore (USD 84.04 million) . Axis Bank is expected to launch the process, with the participating lenders subsequently distributing a portion of the financing. The loan carries a tenure of six-and-a-half to seven years, with interest rates expected to range between 7.9 per cent and 8...
Brazil’s aluminium scrap exports to China surge 590% since 2022, squeezing domestic supply
Brazil's aluminium industry is facing a growing shortage of scrap as exports to Asia, particularly China, continue to increase, raising concerns over domestic recycling, decarbonisation and future competitiveness. Aluminium recycling plays a key role in reducing emissions, with recycled aluminium requiring up to 95 per cent less energy than primary production. However, Brazilian producers say increasing exports of aluminium scrap are making it more difficult to secure raw materials for domestic recycling. According to the Brazilian Aluminium Association (Abal), around 80 per cent of Brazil's aluminium scrap exports are now shipped to Asia, while China accounts for nearly one-quarter of the country's total scrap exports. Shipments have increased by 590 per cent since 2022, reflecting...
LME aluminium cash prices recover to $3,260/t while stocks continue downward
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices rebounded on the August 6 session, with cash, forward and longer-dated contracts all recording gains over the previous trading day. LME aluminium inventories, however, continued to decline, while the LME alumina Platts price also moved higher. The LME aluminium cash bid increased by 0.97 per cent day-on-day on August 6, rising from USD 3,228.5 per tonne to USD 3,260 per tonne, while the cash offer gained 0.99 per cent, climbing from USD 3,229 per tonne to USD 3,261 per tonne. On August 6, the LME aluminium three-month bid price rose from USD 3,229 per tonne on August 5 to USD 3,258 per tonne, marking a 0.90 per cent increase. The three-month offer advanced by 0.94 per cent, moving up from USD 3,229.5 per tonne to USD 3,260 per tonne ....
China's alumina imports surge as growing supply surplus keeps prices under pressure
China's alumina imports continued to rise sharply in the first half of 2026, but expanding domestic production and rising inventories have created a supply surplus that is expected to keep alumina prices volatile and largely range-bound in the near term, according to SunSirs. China imported 2.277 million metric tonnes of alumina between January and June 2026, a 749.1 per cent increase year-on-year, according to data from the General Administration of Customs. During the same period, alumina exports reached 1.609 million metric tonnes, up 19.8 per cent, leaving cumulative net imports at 668,000 metric tonnes as the country's reliance on imported alumina continued to grow. On August 4, the most-traded alumina futures contract was quoted at RMB 2,644 per metric tonne, up 0.38 per cent during...
Aldi Solar expands rooftop solar and home battery packages to Western and South Australia
Aldi Australia has expanded its Aldi Solar programme into Western Australia and South Australia, giving more households access to affordable rooftop solar and home battery systems as rising electricity prices continue to drive demand for renewable energy solutions. The expansion extends Aldi Solar's reach to six Australian states and territories after the retailer first launched the programme in Melbourne in early 2025 before rolling it out across New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory later that year. Developed in partnership with Tempo Group, the programme combines rooftop solar panels, battery storage, inverter technology and installation into fixed-price packages designed to simplify the switch to solar energy. Affordable solar and battery packages target...
Ikonic Yachts lists aluminium-built IMPULSIVE for luxury open-air cruising
Luxury yacht buyers looking for speed, style and outdoor living have a new option on the market as Ikonic Yachts lists the 2019 Vanquish VQ58 IMPULSIVE, an open-air aluminium yacht that combines lightweight construction with high-performance cruising and premium comfort. Listed for USD 1.79 million, the 58-foot IMPULSIVE has been designed to deliver the experience of an open sports yacht while offering the comfort needed for extended weekend escapes. Aluminium design meets performance on the water At the heart of the yacht is a hand-crafted aluminium hull, chosen for its combination of strength, durability and lighter weight compared with many conventional yacht materials. The vessel features a custom metallic paint finish, a 16-foot-10-inch beam and a shallow two-foot-nine-inch draft,...
CBSA increases scrutiny of aluminium surtax exemptions under updated compliance priorities
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has expanded its trade compliance priorities to include closer scrutiny of aluminium imports and tariff classification claims, signalling increased verification of importers seeking relief under Canada's steel and aluminium surtax framework. The updated compliance priorities, released in July 2026, introduce new verification measures covering steel derivative goods, Chapter 99 tariff classifications and trade agreement compliance, while retaining several existing customs and origin verification programmes. CBSA increases scrutiny of aluminium surtax exemptions Among the new priorities is enhanced verification of importers claiming exemptions from Canada's steel and aluminium surtaxes by classifying goods under Chapter 99 of the Customs Tariff. The...
TDK launches 125V aluminium electrolytic capacitors for EV and industrial applications
TDK has expanded its aluminium electrolytic capacitor portfolio with new 125 V-rated components and upgraded existing 63 V products to support higher-voltage electric mobility and industrial applications. The company introduced 125 V versions of its B43693/B43793 axial-lead and soldering star aluminium electrolytic capacitor series, while upgrading the 63 V range of its B41687/B41787 series. The capacitors are designed for DC-link capacitor banks used in systems operating between 48 V and 120 V, including small electric vehicles, micromobility platforms, forklifts, electric boats and humanoid robots. The B43693/B43793 series covers voltage ratings from 125 V to 250 V, offers capacitance between 56 µF and 650 µF, and supports ripple currents of up to 21.6 A. The components operate at...
US adds five Xinjiang aluminium producers to forced labour entity list
The US has added 43 Chinese companies, including several aluminium producers, to its forced labour entity list, increasing pressure on automakers to review their aluminium supply chains. The companies were added under the Uyghur Forced Labour Prevention Act (UFLPA). This US law presumes goods produced by listed entities are linked to forced labour in China's Xinjiang region. They are therefore prohibited from entering the US. The list includes five major aluminium producers based in Xinjiang, highlighting growing scrutiny of the aluminium sector. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transporation sector, explore our report " Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis & Strategic...
LME aluminium cash price eases to $3,228.5/t as stocks decline to 260,900t
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium market witnessed a mixed performance on August 5, with spot and three-month prices declining while longer-dated contracts and the Asian Reference Price strengthened. LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices fell by 1.3 per cent day-on-day. The cash bid slipped from USD 3,270 per tonne to USD 3,228.5 per tonne, while the offer eased from USD 3,271 per tonne to USD 3,229 per tonne. On August 5, the LME aluminium three-month bid price edged down by 0.22 per cent to USD 3,229 per tonne from USD 3,236 per tonne on August 4 . The offer price also declined by 0.22 per cent, falling to USD 3,229.5 per tonne from USD 3,236.5 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036:...
LME aluminium rises above $3,200/t as US-Iran peace talks ease market concerns
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices extended their rally on August 5, climbing above the USD 3,200 per tonne mark as renewed optimism over US-Iran peace talks improved market sentiment and eased concerns over global energy supplies and trade disruptions. Three-month LME aluminium futures rose 1.3 per cent to USD 3,263.50 per tonne, outperforming the previous session as hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough between the United States and Iran weighed on oil prices and weakened the U.S. dollar. A weaker dollar typically supports metals priced in the currency by making them more attractive to international buyers, while easing geopolitical tensions also improved broader investor confidence across commodity markets. Aluminium strengthens as weaker dollar boosts market sentiment According...
Hydro and General Motors give old aluminium a new life in the new Cadillac EV safety system
Aluminium recovered from old vehicles, windows, doors and electrical cables is being given a new life inside General Motors' latest electric vehicle, as Hydro's high-recycled Hydro CIRCAL alloy becomes part of the structural front bumper system of the Cadillac OPTIQ. The collaboration marks one of the first uses of high-recycled aluminium in a safety-critical automotive application in the United States. Hydro will supply Hydro CIRCAL, an advanced aluminium alloy containing at least 75 per cent post-consumer scrap, from its recycling facility in Cassopolis, Michigan. Automotive supplier Shape Corp. will manufacture and assemble the front bumper system to General Motors' specifications before it is integrated into the Cadillac OPTIQ electric vehicle. "By bringing recycled aluminium back...
EQONIC places aluminium at the heart of next-generation battery innovation.
UK battery technology company EQONIC Group has confirmed aluminium as the core material behind its proprietary battery technology, marking a significant step as the company moves towards industrial-scale validation of a lithium-free, sodium-free and rare earth-free energy storage system. EQONIC said its aluminium-based battery technology is now progressing from laboratory development to industrial validation, where it will undergo large-scale testing to assess manufacturability, performance and reliability ahead of commercial deployment. According to the company, the proprietary battery architecture targets manufacturing costs of around 30 per cent of conventional lithium metal batteries, with a long-term production cost target of GBP 50 (USD 67.40) per kWh. Aluminium positioned as an...
Middle East conflict induced global energy bottleneck benefits refiners Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Chevron
Global fuel markets have become significantly tighter than crude oil markets as refining capacity, rather than crude supply, emerges as the primary constraint following the Middle East conflict, driving refining margins to record highs and boosting earnings for the world's largest oil companies. While crude oil flows have faced disruption through the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict, analysts said shortages of refined products such as diesel, gasoline and jet fuel have become more acute, creating one of the strongest refining markets since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The tightening fuel market has benefited major refiners including Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Chevron, all of which reported some of their strongest quarterly earnings in recent years, supported by...
Indonesia resumes mineral exports after easing rare earth byproduct restrictions
Indonesia has resumed exports of minerals containing rare earth element (REE) byproducts, providing relief to exporters of alumina, bauxite, copper cathodes and nickel products after shipment delays caused by mandatory inspections for rare earth content. The Indonesian government said exports of minerals containing trace amounts of rare earth elements can proceed while it prepares new regulations governing acceptable concentration limits and export procedures. Presidential Chief of Staff Dudung Abdurachman said the restriction applies only to rare earth elements exported as a primary product and does not automatically extend to trace rare earth content found as byproducts in other mineral exports. "Exporting rare earth elements as a primary product is indeed prohibited. It does not...
Alba posts 228% H1 profit growth while Q2 aluminium output declines 61%
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) reported sharply higher earnings for the first half of 2026, supported by stronger aluminium prices despite production curtailments and supply chain disruptions during the second quarter. The Bahrain-based aluminium producer posted a profit attributable to equity holders of BHD 140.2 million (USD 372.8 million) for the six months ended June 30, 2026, compared with BHD 42.7 million (USD 113.5 million) in the corresponding period of 2025, representing a 228 per cent year-on-year increase. Basic and diluted earnings per share rose to 99 fils from 30 fils in H1 2025, while total comprehensive income climbed 264 per cent to BHD 140.6 million (USD 374 million) from BHD 38.6 million (USD 102.8 million) a year earlier. For the second quarter alone, profit...
BALCO adds second alumina railway rake to support 1 MTPA aluminium expansion
Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (BALCO) has inducted its second Bogie Tank Alumina Powder (BTAP) M-1 (B12) railway rake at its railway yard, strengthening the movement of alumina to support its aluminium production expansion. BALCO introduced the new rake as it works to increase its aluminium production capacity to 1 million tonnes a year. Alumina is the main raw material for making aluminium, so its transport must be smooth and regular for smelter operations. The rake has been inducted under Indian Railways' Liberalised Special Freight Train Operator (LSFTO) Scheme, allowing BALCO to increase the share of rail transport in its logistics network. The company said greater use of rail will improve the movement of bulk alumina while reducing dependence on road transportation. To know the...
