AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
European Commission examines Ireland's Aughinish Alumina refinery over Russia-linked export flows
The European Commission is reviewing the role of Ireland's Aughinish Alumina refinery in alumina supply chains serving third countries, including Russia, following the completion of an investigation by the Irish government. European Commission spokesperson Siobhán McGarry said the Commission had received the findings of the Irish investigation, which concluded that there was no evidence to support allegations that alumina produced at the refinery had been used in Russian weapons manufacturing. The outcome means there is currently no basis for sanctions or other restrictive measures linked to the plant. McGarry said, "The Commission is examining the report and analysing the role played by Aughinish itself vis-à-vis its export flows to Russia and to any third countries." To know the...
Maan Aluminium enters power generation with overwhelming shareholder approval
Maan Aluminium Limited has secured overwhelming shareholder approval to expand its business into power generation, paving the way for the company to formally include renewable and conventional energy activities within its corporate objectives. Through a postal ballot conducted via remote e-voting, shareholders approved two special resolutions with 99.9976 per cent of votes cast in favour, including an amendment to the company's Memorandum of Association (MOA) and the appointment of a new Independent Director. Solar power supports aluminium operations The approved MOA amendment allows Maan Aluminium to generate, manufacture, transmit and distribute electricity from multiple sources, including solar, wind, hydro, tidal, nuclear and hydrocarbon fuels, for captive use or commercial purposes....
VALCO workers questions alleged privatisation plans for state-owned aluminium company
Workers of Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), supported by members of the Industrial and Commercial Workers' Union (ICU-Ghana), staged a questioning on Monday over what they described as alleged plans to privatise the state-owned aluminium producer. The demonstration took place at the VALCO Club House in Tema, where workers gathered wearing red and displayed placards expressing their opposition to any proposal that could result in changes to the company's ownership structure. Workers oppose reported investment plans According to the participants, the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) is pursuing plans to introduce strategic equity investors into VALCO. They argued that such a move would effectively amount to the privatisation of the state-owned aluminium company....
Century Aluminum expansion lifts US primary aluminium output by 10% as top officials mark Mt Holly milestone
Century Aluminum has brought its Mt Holly aluminium smelter in South Carolina back to full capacity through an expansion expected to increase the country's primary aluminium production by approximately 10 per cent. According to the US Department of Commerce, Century Aluminum invested USD 50 million in the project. The ceremony was attended by US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Senior Counselor to President Trump Dr Peter Navarro, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, US Senator Tim Scott, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and Century Aluminum President and CEO Jesse Gary, underscoring the strategic importance of strengthening domestic aluminium production. Expansion strengthens US aluminium supply Century Aluminum said the expansion will increase the Mt Holly workforce...
Africa urged to process bauxite and other critical minerals locally to drive industrial growth
African nations have been urged to accelerate domestic processing of bauxite and "other" critical minerals instead of continuing to export raw materials, as leaders push to transform the continent into a global hub for value-added mineral production. Speaking at the African Development Bank (AfDB) Ministerial Forum in Abidjan, Nigeria's Minister of Solid Minerals and Chair of the Africa Mineral Strategy Group, Dele Alake, said Africa must break its long-standing dependence on exporting raw minerals while importing higher-value finished products at significantly higher costs. Value addition key to industrialisation Alake said Africa possesses abundant reserves of bauxite and "other" critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, manganese, platinum and rare earth elements, that are...
RIMOWA turns a pub classic into a $6,300 aluminium design statement
Luxury luggage maker RIMOWA has expanded the use of its signature grooved aluminium beyond suitcases with the launch of a limited-edition Dartboard Case, reimagining a traditional pub favourite as a high-end design object priced at USD 6,300. Developed in collaboration with professional darts equipment manufacturer Winmau, the new Dartboard Case combines tournament-grade performance with the German brand's signature aluminium craftsmanship, reflecting a growing trend of premium brands using aluminium in products far beyond their traditional categories. Aluminium takes centre stage Handcrafted in Cologne, the double-door cabinet is constructed from anodised grooved aluminium, the same material that has become synonymous with RIMOWA's luggage. The case also features custom latch locks,...
Indonesia's alumina exports hit by regulatory gap over rare earth content
Indonesia is working to resolve a regulatory issue that has delayed exports of alumina and nickel products after authorities raised concerns over the presence of rare earth elements in some shipments. The country’s Presidential Chief of Staff, Dudung Abdurachman, has called for closer coordination among government agencies, law enforcement bodies, and industry to address the lack of regulations specifying the maximum allowable rare earth content in exports of other minerals. Officials acknowledged that the absence of clear rules has disrupted mineral shipments. Industry sources said alumina exports have been directly affected. One source in the aluminium industry said, "The government claims our alumina contains rare earth materials." Indonesia is a major exporter of alumina, a key raw...
Alumex opens 'Alum Transcend Space' to showcase advanced aluminium applications in Sri Lanka
Aluminium extrusion maker Alumex inaugurated its “Alum Transcend Space” in Kotte, Sri Lanka. The new centre will display advanced aluminium applications for architecture, construction, and industry. The facility was created to show how aluminium can be used for more than just doors and windows. It highlights solutions for modern interior and exterior design and supports sustainable building practices. Visitors can explore proprietary aluminium systems from internationally recognised brands, including AluK and Capral, giving architects, builders and homeowners access to global design and engineering solutions. To know the production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium casting, explore our report " Global Aluminium Casting Market 2026-2032: Plant Economics, Alloy Segmentation,...
LME aluminium reaches $3,192/t; alumina Platts price gains 2.70% on July 27
LME aluminium prices recovered their upward trend on July 27, supported by higher alumina prices and continued declines in exchange inventories, indicating a firmer market compared with the previous trading sessions. The LME aluminium cash bid and offer prices increased on July 27. The bid rose by 0.52 per cent to USD 3,191 per tonne on July 27 from USD 3,174.5 per tonne on July 24 . The offer climbed 0.53 per cent to USD 3,192 per tonne from USD 3,175 per tonne. On July 27, the three-month bid gained 0.63 per cent. The bid increased to USD 3,180 per tonne from USD 3,160 per tonne, while the offer moved up 0.65 per cent to USD 3,181 per tonne from USD 3,160.5 per tonne. On the longer-dated contracts, both the Dec-27 bid and offer prices recorded a 0.71 per cent increase over the previous...
Chinese funding pathway and 3 million-tonne offtake boost VBX's Wuudagu bauxite project
VBX has moved a step closer to developing its flagship Wuudagu Bauxite Project after signing a framework agreement with a major Chinese aluminium group that could deliver both project funding and a long-term bauxite offtake arrangement. The non-exclusive agreement, signed with the Hong Kong subsidiary of the Chinese aluminium producer, establishes a pathway for the parties to negotiate investment in the development and operation of the Western Australian project. Under the proposed arrangement, the Chinese group would purchase between 2 million and 3 million tonnes of bauxite per year, while also providing funding expected to cover a significant portion of the project's construction and commissioning costs. Funding linked to project development Investment commitments will be determined...
Vietnam completes bauxite-to-aluminium value chain, targets USD 1.5 billion import reduction
Vietnam has taken a major step towards building a self-sufficient aluminium industry after unveiling its first domestically produced primary aluminium ingots, a milestone that completes the country's bauxite-to-aluminium production chain and is expected to reduce aluminium imports by around USD 1.5 billion annually. The first aluminium ingots were unveiled at the Dak Nong Aluminium Smelter in Nhan Co Industrial Park, Lam Dong Province, making it Vietnam's first pilot facility to produce primary aluminium from domestically processed alumina. From bauxite to finished aluminium The project, operated by Tran Hong Quan Metallurgy Co., Ltd., allows Vietnam to process its own bauxite resources into finished aluminium products instead of exporting alumina for further refining overseas. The...
Airbus expands aluminium supply network as SeAH joins aerospace materials chain
As global aircraft production accelerates and supply chain pressures persist, Airbus has added South Korea's SeAH Aerospace & Defense (SeAH A&D) to its aluminium supply network, making the company the first Korean materials supplier to secure a direct long-term agreement with the European aircraft manufacturer. The agreement, signed during the Farnborough International Airshow 2026, reflects a broader industry effort to secure reliable sources of high-strength aerospace materials as demand for new aircraft continues to outpace the availability of certified suppliers. Airbus secures future aluminium supply Under the long-term agreement, SeAH A&D will begin the quality certification process for its high-strength aluminium alloys during the second half of 2026. The materials are intended for...
The surprising science behind aluminium foil's shiny and dull sides
From wrapping leftovers to lining baking trays, aluminium foil is one of the most common items found in kitchens. Yet one small detail has puzzled home cooks for years: why does one side look shiny while the other looks dull? The answer isn't a special coating or a hidden cooking trick - it's simply science. It all comes down to the manufacturing process Aluminium foil starts out as large sheets of metal that are rolled repeatedly until they become incredibly thin—typically less than 0.02 millimetres thick. By the final stage, the foil is so delicate that it could tear if rolled on its own. To prevent this, manufacturers roll two sheets together at the same time. The outer surfaces are pressed against highly polished steel rollers, which leave them smooth and shiny. Meanwhile, the two...
BRE advances Brazil bauxite-gallium project through A$50 million IPO
Brazilian Rare Earths (BRE) has moved a step closer to developing its Amargosa Bauxite-Gallium Project in Brazil after its newly created subsidiary, Alurion Resources Limited, raised approximately A$50 million (USD 24.5 million) through an initial public offering (IPO) in Australia. The company issued 47,619,048 fully paid ordinary shares at an offer price of A$1.05 (USD 0.74) per share, with the proceeds earmarked to accelerate development of the USD 119 million project. The funding will support land acquisitions, technical studies, environmental licensing, exploration activities, community programmes, safety initiatives and equipment purchases as Alurion advances the project. Shareholder-backed demerger clears path The IPO follows the demerger of the Amargosa Bauxite-Gallium Project...
Jamaica projects 24% rise in bauxite and alumina export earnings despite weak Q1 output
Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina export earnings are expected to improve in 2026, even though the first quarter was weak. The government expects production to rise as repairs continue after Hurricane Melissa, and the aluminium industry is watching closely because bauxite is the raw material used to make alumina for aluminium smelting. According to the Jamaican Government's annual Form 18-K filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), export earnings from bauxite and alumina are projected to rise 24 per cent to USD 760 million in 2026 from USD 612.3 million in 2025. Even if achieved, earnings would remain below the USD 803.4 million recorded in 2024. The recovery is coming after a tough 2025, when Jamaica’s bauxite and alumina earnings fell 23.8 per cent, or USD 191.1 million,...
ALFED calls for greater domestic aluminium recycling to improve the UK's industrial competitiveness
Aluminium is often described as one of the most recyclable industrial materials, and the UK already has much of the infrastructure needed to support a circular aluminium economy. Collection systems are well established, recycling rates are strong, and remelting capacity exists across the supply chain. According to Nadine Bloxsome, CEO of the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), the challenge is no longer whether aluminium can be recycled, but whether the UK is keeping enough of the value created from that recycled material. One of the biggest issues is the way aluminium is still viewed. The term "scrap" often suggests waste, yet secondary aluminium has become one of the UK's most important raw materials, particularly as domestic primary aluminium production remains limited. ALFED estimates that...
China's H1 2026 solar installations fall 66% after record 2025 additions as developers adjust to pricing reforms
China's solar power installations declined sharply in the first half of 2026 after record additions a year earlier, as the market adjusted to changes in the country's renewable energy pricing mechanism. According to an analysis by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association based on official data, China installed 72.07 GW of new solar capacity during January-June 2026, down 66 per cent from 212.21 GW in the same period of 2025. In June, new installations stood at 12.48 GW, a decline of 13.1 per cent year-on-year. The decline follows the unusually high installation levels recorded in early 2025, when developers rushed to connect projects before June 1, the date on which new wind and solar projects shifted from fixed feed-in tariffs to market-based electricity pricing. May 2025 alone...
Wallhack unveils CNC aluminium gaming keyboard ahead of July 24 launch
Gaming hardware maker Wallhack has revealed its first gaming keyboard, expanding its product portfolio beyond gaming mice with the introduction of the Wallhack K-001. The company shared an early preview of the keyboard through its official X account ahead of its scheduled launch on July 24, 2026, showcasing a design centred on premium aluminium construction and Hall-effect switch technology. CNC aluminium body targets premium gaming market The Wallhack K-001 features a CNC-machined aluminium chassis, offering a rigid build designed to enhance durability and provide a solid typing experience. It has a compact 65 per cent layout, keeping the essential navigation keys while reducing the overall footprint to create additional desk space for mouse movement during gaming. The keyboard also...
