AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Ford's July sales fall as aluminium shortage continues to limit F-Series production
Ford Motor Co. reported a double-digit decline in U.S. vehicle sales for July as production constraints linked to an aluminium shortage continued to limit F-Series truck availability, although the automaker said demand for its high-margin pickup trucks and SUVs remains resilient. Ford sold 169,951 vehicles in the U.S. during July, down more than 10 per cent year-on-year. The decline was attributed to a combination of constrained F-Series production following disruptions in aluminium supply, the discontinuation of the Escape crossover and a planned reduction in low-margin rental fleet sales. The aluminium shortage stemmed from multiple fires that halted production at aluminium supplier Novelis Inc.'s hot mill last autumn. Although the facility resumed operations in June, Ford said F-Series...
Malaysia considers easing rare earth export curbs amid rising global demand
Malaysia is considering easing its restrictions on exports of unprocessed rare earths as global competition for critical minerals intensifies, with the government assessing whether conditional exports could strengthen the country's position in the international supply chain while continuing to promote domestic value addition. The Southeast Asian nation imposed a moratorium on exports of raw rare earths in 2024 to encourage greater investment in local processing. However, growing interest from countries including the United States, Australia, France and India has prompted authorities to review whether limited exports should be allowed under specific conditions. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the government is evaluating the...
Ball's aluminium packaging shipments rise 4.3% as Q2 earnings strengthen
Ball Corporation reported a stronger second quarter for 2026 as higher demand for aluminium beverage packaging lifted global shipment volumes, supporting earnings growth and reinforcing the company's long-term outlook for sustainable aluminium packaging. Global aluminium packaging shipments increased 4.3 per cent year-on-year during the quarter, accelerating from the previous quarter and driven by higher beverage can demand across North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South America. The company also benefited from growing preference for recyclable aluminium packaging, while higher beverage consumption during the football World Cup supported can demand in several markets. Ball reported comparable net earnings of USD 276 million, or USD 1.03 per diluted share, in the second...
Aluminium cans approach 30% of Romania's DRS packaging mix
Aluminium cans continued to gain ground in Romania's Deposit Return System (DRS), accounting for 29.3 per cent of beverage packaging placed on the market during the second quarter of 2026, as brands expanded canned beverage offerings and consumers increasingly favoured recyclable packaging. According to official RetuRO data analysed by Every Can Counts, aluminium's share of DRS packaging increased from 21.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 to 29.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2026. Over the same period, aluminium's share of returned packaging rose from 18.7 per cent to 28.8 per cent, reflecting growing participation in can recycling. The increase comes as plastic's share of DRS packaging declined from 61 per cent to 51 per cent, while glass remained broadly stable at around 20...
Ball, Unilever launch football-themed Rexona aluminium aerosol cans in Germany
Ball Corporation has partnered with Unilever to launch a football-themed Rexona Maximum Protection aerosol range in Germany, using its Dynamark PRO printing technology to produce six different aluminium can designs in a single production run. The new packaging has been developed as part of Unilever's partnership with the German Football Association (DFB). Each can features stylised illustrations of players from Germany's men's national football team while maintaining the Rexona brand identity across the range. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry, explore our report " ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics " Six aluminium can designs in one production run Unilever wanted to introduce multiple packaging designs without affecting production...
NALCO shares trade at ₹374.20 after strong June quarter revenue and profit growth
NALCO shares were trading at INR 374.20 (USD 3.93) at 12:03 pm on August 4, up from INR 357.20 (USD 3.75) in the previous session. The stock was getting attention after the company posted higher revenue and profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026. The company posted a strong quarter in June 2026, with consolidated revenue rising sharply to about INR 53 billion (USD 556 million) from INR 38 billion (USD 399 million) a year earlier. Net profit also climbed to around INR 20 billion (USD 210 million), and earnings per share nearly doubled to INR 10.91 (USD 0.11). To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts on bauxite and alumina, explore the report " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook " Revenue has increased steadily...
AMS Advanced Material enters aluminium scrap recycling with Johor facility
AMS Advanced Material Bhd, Malaysia, is set to enter the aluminium scrap recycling business after its subsidiary, AMS Ecogreen Sdn Bhd, obtained all the licences required to begin operations. This expansion takes the company into aluminium recycling and strengthens its existing aluminium processing business. The new business will collect, process and sell aluminium scrap from its facility in Johor. The plant will have an initial processing capacity of about 17 tonnes per month. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the construction sector, explore our report " Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation, Pricing Intelligence, Supply Chain Analysis & Strategic Recommendations " Managing Director Keh Teng Yang said receiving the required...
Vedanta Aluminium veteran Rajiv Kumar joins Jindal Steel as COO
Vedanta Aluminium veteran Rajiv Kumar has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jindal Steel after completing a successful stint as Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Aluminium. Kumar, who brings more than three decades of experience in the metals and mining industry, will now oversee the company’s manufacturing and mining operations. In Vedanta Aluminium, Kumar served as Chief Executive Officer and played a key role in driving production capacity expansion, improving operational efficiency and advancing the company’s long-term growth strategy. His background includes extensive experience in large-scale aluminium manufacturing, operational excellence and business leadership. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore " ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation,...
Australian aluminium window industry seeks temporary duties as Chinese imports continue to rise
Australia's window and glazing manufacturing industry is calling on the federal government to introduce temporary duties on aluminium windows and doors imported from China, arguing that imports continue to surge while a formal anti-dumping investigation remains underway. According to the Australian Glass and Window Association (AGWA), imports of Chinese aluminium windows and doors have increased by a further 30 per cent since the Anti-Dumping Commission (ADC) began investigating the products, adding to a broader trend that saw imports rise by more than two-thirds during the three years to November 2025. The industry body says interim trade measures are needed to prevent further market disruption before the investigation reaches its final determination. Industry urges temporary duties...
Hulamin returns to growth with R395.4m as rolling operations regain momentum
South African aluminium rolled products producer Hulamin reported a stronger first-half performance for 2026 as operational stability returned following last year's production disruptions, with higher rolled product volumes, improved plant utilisation and portfolio optimisation helping lift earnings despite ongoing pricing pressures in parts of the business. The company said most of the operational challenges experienced during the second half of 2025 have now been resolved, allowing its core rolling operations to stabilise and progressively ramp up towards the upgraded plant's design capacity. Rolled product volumes reached 85,000 tonnes during the six months ended June 30, reflecting the continued operational recovery. Operational recovery supports stronger earnings Hulamin reported...
Silicon market slump prompts Press Metal to reposition PMBT towards aluminium alloys
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad (PMAH) has proposed to acquire an additional 35.6 per cent stake in PMB Technology Berhad (PMBT) for MYR 464.95 million (USD 109.9 million) in cash, a move that will raise its shareholding to about 58.8 per cent and make PMBT its subsidiary. The proposed acquisition covers 664.22 million PMBT shares at MYR 0.70 (USD 0.17) apiece under a conditional share sale agreement signed on August 3. The shares will be acquired from five members of the Koon family: Tan Sri Dato' Koon Poh Keong, Datuk Koon Poh Ming, Dato' Koon Poh Tat, Koon Poh Weng and Datuk Koon Poh Kong. Upon completion of the transaction, PMAH's interest in PMBT will increase from its current 23.2 per cent to a controlling stake of 58.8 per cent. To know the production, demand and consumption...
Adani's proposed $11.5b aluminium project in Odisha to adopt hybrid power model
Adani Group and Abu Dhabi-based International Holding Company (IHC) are moving ahead with plans to build one of India's largest integrated aluminium manufacturing complexes in Odisha. The project will be powered by a combination of a 4,000 Adani's proposed USD 11.5 billion aluminium project in Odisha to adopt hybrid power model MW captive power plant and a 400 MW renewable energy unit. The project returned to focus after Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani, accompanied by Karan Adani, visited Rayagada to review land availability, transport connectivity and infrastructure for the proposed facility. Hybrid energy model to support aluminium production The project will be developed through a 50:50 joint venture between Adani Enterprises and IHC's subsidiary, International Resources Holding...
NALCO Q1 revenue climbs 39% as higher aluminium prices lift PAT to ₹20.02b
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) reported a sharp increase in revenue and profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2026, driven by higher aluminium prices and improved operational efficiency. The state-owned aluminium producer also recommended a final dividend of INR 1 (USD 0.011) per equity share for FY26, taking the total dividend for the year to INR 11.50 (USD 0.12) per share. On a standalone basis, revenue from operations rose 39.28 per cent year-on-year to INR 53 billion (USD 557 million) from INR 38 billion (USD 400 million), while total income increased 39.30 per cent to INR 54.8 billion (USD 575 million). Profit before tax climbed to INR 26.45 billion (USD 278 million) from INR 14.3 billion (USD 150 million) in the corresponding quarter last year, while profit after tax...
Arun Misra named Vedanta CEO as company posts 72% rise in June-quarter profit
Vedanta Ltd has appointed Hindustan Zinc Chief Executive Officer Arun Misra as its new Chief Executive Officer for a one-year term beginning August 1, as the diversified mining company reported a 72 per cent year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for the June quarter, supported by higher metal prices across its key businesses. Misra, who currently heads Hindustan Zinc, will step down from that role to lead Vedanta following the board's approval of his appointment. The strong quarterly performance follows similar earnings growth across Vedanta Group companies. Hindustan Zinc recently reported more than a twofold increase in quarterly profit, while Vedanta Aluminium reported more than a threefold rise in profit for the June quarter, supported by higher aluminium prices. To learn...
LME aluminium reverses previous gains as alumina Platts rises 2.55%, inventories continue to fall
London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices moved lower on July 31 after recording gains in the previous session. Both cash and forward aluminium contracts declined, while warehouse inventories continued to fall. In contrast, the LME alumina Platts price increased. The LME aluminium cash bid price fell 1.05 per cent to USD 3,195 per tonne from USD 3,229 per tonne on July 30 , while the cash offer price declined 1.08 per cent to USD 3,196 per tonne from USD 3,231 per tonne. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The three-month aluminium bid price also edged down 0.20 per cent to USD 3,178.5 per tonne from USD 3,185 per tonne. The offer price also edged down by...
Sonoco: Aluminium packaging evolving beyond protection with premium design and digital engagement
Brands are increasingly using aluminium packaging not only to protect products, but also to create premium designs, connect with consumers digitally and support circular packaging goals, according to Sonoco. "Across fish and pet food applications, aluminium packaging demonstrates its versatility: not only through product protection and recyclability, but also through the premium decoration possibilities that enable brands to stand out on the shelf and create lasting consumer engagement," speaking to Packaging Insights, Francesco Giannolo, Vice President for Commercial at Sonoco Consumer Packaging EMEA and APAC, said. Premium aluminium packaging supports evolving consumer demand Sonoco said brands are increasingly turning to aluminium packaging to improve shelf appeal while meeting growing...
TRUNNANO highlights advanced ceramic crucibles for aluminium and high-temperature industries
TRUNNANO has released a comprehensive guide covering nine advanced ceramic crucible materials, aiming to help engineers optimise material selection for high-temperature industrial processes as aluminium, metallurgy and advanced manufacturing applications demand greater performance, durability and process efficiency, published in the company's advanced ceramics platform, www.ozbo.com According to Roger Luo, Chief Executive Officer of TRUNNANO, selecting the right crucible material is becoming increasingly important as manufacturers seek higher product purity, longer equipment life and improved process efficiency. "In high-temperature processes, a crucible is not merely a container - it is a critical factor determining product purity and process success," Luo said. Material selection is...
Vedanta Aluminium targets higher-value products as expansion shifts into growth phase
Vedanta Aluminium is entering a new phase of growth as major expansion projects near completion and the company shifts its focus towards higher-value aluminium products and lower production costs, prompting brokerages to reaffirm positive outlooks following a strong first-quarter performance. Brokerages including ICICI Securities, CLSA, Citi, Nuvama and Emkay have maintained bullish views on the recently listed aluminium producer, citing rising production volumes, cost optimisation initiatives and ongoing capacity expansion as key drivers of future earnings growth. ICICI Securities initiated coverage on Vedanta Aluminium with a 'Buy' rating and a target price of INR 520 (USD 5.54), highlighting the company's transition from a capital expenditure-intensive phase towards improving...
