AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Alvance British Aluminium begins £400K hydro power upgrade to support aluminium production
Alvance British Aluminium is carrying out a maintenance and investment programme at its Lochaber Power Station. The hydroelectric power station provides the renewable electricity required for the production of low-carbon primary aluminium at the Lochaber Smelter in Scotland. As part of the 2026 programme, all five generators at the power station are undergoing inspection and refurbishment. The work is being planned using a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) process developed in partnership with engineering company Trillium to identify potential equipment risks and prioritise maintenance activities. The company said the maintenance programme is aimed at ensuring a safe, efficient and reliable power supply while supporting future aluminium production at the site. Explore why...
Indonesia's Q2 bauxite downstream investment jumps 193% to $2.23B, surpassing nickel
Minister of Investment and Downstream Processing and Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan Roeslani stated that realised investment in bauxite downstream processing reached IDR 40.1 trillion (approximately USD 2.23 billion) during Q2 2026. This is a 193 per cent increase from IDR 13.7 trillion (USD 765 million) in the previous quarter. The minister said the surge was driven by the development of several bauxite processing facilities by both domestic and foreign investors. Rosan said, “Bauxite has taken first place for the first time, surpassing nickel” as the largest downstream mineral investment category. Investment in nickel downstream projects stood at IDR 29.4 trillion (USD 1.6 billion), followed by copper at IDR 16.7 trillion (USD 932 million), iron and steel at IDR...
LME aluminium price climbs to USD 3,183.5/t on July 21; alumina Platts price up 0.79%
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium market moved higher on July 21, with cash prices, futures contracts and longer-dated contracts all recovering from the previous session. The LME aluminium cash bid price increased from USD 3,155 per tonne on July 20 to USD 3,183 per tonne on July 21, reporting a 0.89 per cent rise. The cash offer price also moved up from USD 3,156 per tonne to USD 3,183.5 per tonne, gaining 0.87 per cent. The LME aluminium three-month contract recorded gains as well. The bid price rose from USD 3,147 per tonne to USD 3,170 per tonne, while the offer price increased from USD 3,147.5 per tonne to USD 3,170.5 per tonne, with both rising 0.73 per cent. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to...
China-made modules revive Arctic LNG 2 construction
Construction work on Arctic LNG 2, Russia's flagship liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, is expected to restart after two heavy-load vessels delivered Chinese-made modules to the LNG Construction Centre in Belokamenka on the Kola Peninsula. The carriers completed a journey of nearly three months from Lusi Port in eastern China. After passing the North Cape in the Barents Sea on 16 July, the vessels anchored near the Rybachii Peninsula before entering Kola Bay two days later. During the voyage, both ships listed Kirkenes, Norway, as their destination, although their cargo was bound for the sanctioned construction facility in Belokamenka. One of the vessels, Bright Ocean (IMO 9830769), is itself subject to sanctions. Previously known as Hunter Star, the carrier transported similar cargo to...
China's LNG imports rebound ahead of summer demand
China's appetite for liquefied natural gas (LNG) strengthened in June, with imports rising for a second straight month as the country built inventories ahead of higher summer electricity demand. Official customs data showed LNG imports reached 5.68 million tonnes in June, up 8.3 per cent from a year earlier. The increase follows a recovery that began in May after imports had fallen for three consecutive months between February and April, with April marking the country's lowest monthly LNG arrivals in eight years. Chinese buyers stepped up purchases from mid-April and have maintained stronger import levels since then, reversing the slowdown seen earlier this year. Middle East disruption tightens supply China's return to the spot market is expected to tighten global LNG availability at a...
Valkyrie enters aluminium keyboard market with Cyber68
Valkyrie has entered the aluminium gaming keyboard segment with the launch of the Cyber68, a new model that replaces the increasingly popular Hall Effect magnetic switches with analog optical switches while pairing them with a CNC-machined aluminium chassis. The keyboard is scheduled to be showcased in greater detail at ChinaJoy 2026, where the company is expected to announce its remaining specifications. Rather than following the current trend of magnetic switches, Valkyrie has opted for an optical sensing system built around a U-shaped reflective sensor. The company says the setup delivers Rapid Trigger accuracy of up to 0.01 mm, enabling the keyboard to register even the slightest key movement during fast-paced games. Performance is another area Valkyrie is targeting. The Cyber68...
Green metallurgy and cement production key to unlocking full value of red mud
Red mud, the highly alkaline by-product generated during alumina production, could become a valuable source of iron and low-carbon construction materials if processed through an integrated recovery route, according to a new review examining advances in green metallurgy and sustainable cement technologies. The study argues that coupling iron extraction with the production of cementitious materials offers a practical pathway for reducing waste, lowering carbon emissions and improving resource efficiency across the aluminium industry. Aluminium industry's waste challenge continues to grow The review notes that global red mud (RM) stockpiles have now exceeded 4 billion tonnes, with the production of every tonne of alumina generating roughly one to two tonnes of the residue. China alone...
New cobalt-aluminium alloy developed with strength up to 10 times that of steel
A research team at Purdue University has developed a new cobalt-aluminium (CoAl) alloy that has the potential to solve one of the major limitations of intermetallic materials, their tendency to break under stress. The newly developed material showed a strength of up to 10 times that of steel with the ability to deform without breaking. This research, published in Science Advances, could help the development of next-generation turbine engines in which materials are required to withstand extreme temperatures. Solving the brittleness problem Intermetallic compounds have long attracted interest for their high strength, excellent heat resistance and ability to withstand long-term mechanical stress. These properties make them suitable for components used in aircraft engines, gas turbines,...
Geopolitical tensions keep aluminium prices volatile, while long-term demand outlook remains firm
For much of 2026, aluminium prices have been driven more by geopolitics than by underlying demand. As tensions between the US and Iran intensified, fears of disrupted shipments through the Strait of Hormuz pushed LME aluminium higher, with prices rising to around a four-year high and reaching an intraday peak above USD 3,700 per tonne The ceasefire eased those concerns, and the geopolitical risk premium quickly faded. LME aluminium prices corrected by more than 17 per cent to around USD 3,019 per tonne. Aluminium stocks also came under pressure, with National Aluminium Company (Nalco) declining more than 19 per cent and Hindalco Industries falling over 15 per cent since the beginning of June. However, renewed attacks involving Iran and the US have again raised concerns over the Strait of...
Vedanta, Hindalco, Adani among industry giants eyeing Odisha's 207 Mt virgin Karlapat bauxite block
Adani Group, Reliance Industries, Hindalco Industries, Vedanta Aluminium, Naveen Jindal-backed Powercem, and Coal India are among the companies interested in Odisha’s Karlapat-Pollingpadar bauxite block. They are seeking long-term supplies of this key raw material as they prepare for major aluminium capacity expansions. Located in Kalahandi district, the Karlapat-Pollingpadar deposit is one of the largest virgin bauxite resources currently available for auction in India. It is among 11 virgin mineral blocks offered by the Odisha government in the current auction round. According to the Directorate of Geology, Government of Odisha, the block contains an estimated 207 million tonnes of bauxite resources, comprising 153 million tonnes of proved reserves and 54 million tonnes of possible...
US executive order cuts tariffs for new primary aluminium investments; Century Aluminum welcomes move
Century Aluminum Company has welcomed a new executive order signed by US President Donald Trump that aims to encourage investment in domestic primary aluminium production. Under the order, approved companies investing in new primary aluminium production facilities in the United States will be allowed to import an equivalent amount of primary aluminium at half the otherwise applicable tariff rate. The announcement follows Century Aluminum's agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), announced in February, to jointly develop a new primary aluminium smelter in Inola, Oklahoma. The project is expected to be the largest single investment in US primary aluminium production and has the potential to more than double the country's current primary aluminium output. CEO of Century Aluminum,...
Anda expands aluminium die casting capacity to meet rising EV demand
China's Anda Group is expanding its aluminium die casting production capacity in Huzhou as demand for lightweight automotive components continues to grow across both internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicle (EV) markets. The first phase of the expansion is already operating at high utilisation, while the second phase is expected to be fully commissioned by the end of 2026. Once completed, the project will add approximately three million aluminium die cast components to the company's annual production capacity. According to the company, the investment is aimed at easing existing production constraints and fulfilling a growing order backlog that is already secured through the second half of 2026. Expansion supports EV component production Anda manufactures a range of precision...
Chalco shares climb as Chinalco plans to raise stake by up to $300m
Shares of Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) rose on Monday after its controlling shareholder, Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco), announced plans to increase its stake in the state-owned aluminium producer by up to USD 300 million (CNY 2 billion), reflecting confidence in the company's future development and long-term investment value. By 04:58 GMT, Chalco's Shanghai-listed shares had gained 6.4 per cent to CNY 8.98, while its Hong Kong-listed shares were up 4.2 per cent at HKD 7.93. According to a company filing, Chinalco and parties acting in concert intend to purchase between CNY 1 billion (USD 147.6 million) and CNY 2 billion (USD 295 million) worth of Chalco's A- and H-shares over the next 12 months through the Shanghai and Hong Kong stock exchanges. Explore: The most...
Mountain Dew celebrates 80yr brand heritage with limited-edition aluminium can
Mountain Dew has unveiled a limited-edition aluminium commemorative can bundle to mark nearly 80 years since the brand was created in Tennessee in 1948. Available exclusively through TikTok Shop, the release celebrates the beverage's heritage while continuing Mountain Dew's long-running use of special-edition aluminium packaging for promotional campaigns and milestone celebrations. The commemorative aluminium can forms part of the brand's "American Original – Tasting Great Since '48" campaign, which highlights Mountain Dew's founding story through a heritage-inspired design printed directly on the can. The bundle is priced at USD 0.05, reflecting the campaign's nostalgic theme. Limited release honours the brand's founding year To commemorate the year of its launch, Mountain Dew is...
ASEAN urged to prepare workforce as EU CBAM reshapes aluminium trade
The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (EU CBAM) is reshaping global trade by placing a carbon price on imports of carbon-intensive products from countries without equivalent carbon pricing systems. Since January 2026, importers of products including steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers and hydrogen have been required to comply with the mechanism. While discussions around the EU CBAM have largely focused on its impact on trade, climate policy and global supply chains, its implications for employment have received less attention. For the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), home to more than 350 million workers, the mechanism presents both risks and opportunities. Its impact on jobs will largely depend on how effectively member countries adapt to the transition...
EU targets 46% electrification by 2040, proposes $114.37b ETS overhaul
The European Commission has proposed raising the European Union's electrification rate to 46 per cent by 2040, alongside a major overhaul of the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) backed by more than USD 114.37 billion (EUR 100 billion) in industrial decarbonisation funding. Announced on July 18, 2026, the Electrification Action Plan and the proposed review of the EU ETS are aimed at reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, lowering electricity costs, strengthening industrial competitiveness and keeping the bloc on track to meet its climate goals. According to the Commission, achieving the proposed electrification target could cut the European Union's annual fossil fuel import bill by around USD 297.29 billion (EUR 260 billion). The proposal will now be considered as...
AAI urges duty safeguards, BIS scrap standards as India’s aluminium imports rise to 3.48 MTPA
The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has urged the Ministry of Finance to strengthen safeguards for the domestic aluminium industry, citing shrinking export markets, rising imports and increasing global competition. In a representation to the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), the association pointed to higher US tariffs, growing protectionism in Mexico, Indonesia's aluminium capacity expansion, Russian dumping and rising imports of low-quality aluminium scrap and aluminium products from Gulf and ASEAN countries as key challenges facing the sector. The association said India should adopt quality standards for aluminium scrap similar to those followed by major global markets, where only high-quality scrap is accepted for imports. It added that a calibrated customs duty...
ALEMAI calls for policy reforms with the launch of Aluminium Bharat-2026
The Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) has launched 'Aluminium Bharat-2026', a national initiative aimed at strengthening India's aluminium midstream and downstream manufacturing sector. The initiative was unveiled at a press conference in Mumbai ahead of an exhibition that will be held alongside Alumex India 2026 from September 26 to 29, 2026, at the Helipad Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. ALEMAI said Indian aluminium manufacturers, particularly micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), continue to face high raw material costs because of elevated interest rates, energy expenses and taxes on inputs. The association noted that under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with ASEAN countries and the UAE, downstream aluminium products can enter India at zero...
