AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
ABx Group’s 37Mt Sunrise bauxite project opens for public comment in Queensland
ABx Group’s proposed Sunrise bauxite project in Queensland, Australia, has reached a milestone in the federal environmental approval process. Its referral under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act is open for public comment until October 26. The greenfield mine is proposed for Binjour, about 115 km southwest of the Port of Bundaberg and 25 km west of Gayndah. Project documents indicate annual production of 600,000 to 800,000 tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) and product bauxite, with an upper limit of approximately 1.2 million tonnes per annum. The mine is expected to operate for 20–25 years. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows...
Vietnam’s proposed aluminium export tax cuts draw VCCI support, with call for wider 0% rates
The Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) has welcomed Vietnam’s proposed cuts to aluminium export taxes but urged the Ministry of Finance to go further by reducing rates to 0 per cent for additional products. The move could help domestic producers clear excess inventory, ease cash flow pressures and improve competitiveness. The proposal comes as Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance prepares amendments to Decree 26/2023/ND-CP, which governs export and import tax rates. The changes aim to address difficulties businesses face amid volatile international markets, including aluminium producers seeking sales contracts for 2027. The draft decree proposes reducing the export tax floor from 5 per cent to 0 per cent for six groups of aluminium and wood products (76.01, 76.03, 76.04, 44.02,...
VMI Group raises aluminium winding wire capacity to 25,000 TPA
Vidya Metal Manufacturing Company Private Limited (VMI Group) has increased its installed aluminium winding wire and strip capacity to 25,000 tonnes per annum (TPA), up from 18,000 TPA in early 2025. The expansion follows the commissioning of its new facility at Bandapur, Rajasthan. Abhinav Goyal, Group Director, VMI Group, said, “ Every distribution transformer, every solar inverter and every motor that India adds needs winding wire, and aluminium is the metal that lets OEMs grow without their raw-material cost running away from them. ” The group also produces around 12,000 TPA of copper products across its seven plants. The capacity expansion comes amid growing demand from transformer, motor, inverter and switchgear manufacturers in India, where aluminium is gaining ground as an...
As Angul smelter expands to 0.96 MTPA, NALCO turns to aluminium fluoride supply security
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from manufacturers, investors and potential joint-venture partners to establish aluminium fluoride (AlF3) production facilities as it prepares to expand its Angul smelter capacity from 0.46 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to approximately 0.96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The proposed facilities would produce high bulk density and low bulk density grades of aluminium fluoride, a critical input in the Hall-Héroult process used for aluminium smelting. Through the initiative, NALCO aims to secure a reliable, cost-competitive supply of the material and reduce its dependence on imports. According to the EOI document, NALCO/BD/ST/2026/5805, dated September 21, 2026, interested parties must submit their...
Outdoor living market targets $215b as smart aluminium pergolas gain attention
The global outdoor-living market is projected to reach USD 215 billion by 2027, with smart aluminium pergolas gaining attention among homeowners and commercial buyers across North America and Europe. Demand for outdoor structures that combine durability, low maintenance and technology-enabled features is growing as consumers increasingly seek to extend their indoor living spaces outdoors. The shift follows a post-pandemic change in how people use outdoor areas, with greater emphasis on creating functional and stylish spaces that complement indoor environments. Aluminium pergolas are emerging as one option for buyers seeking a combination of practical performance and contemporary design. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our...
Head of State Property Fund acknowledges: Mykolaiv Alumina Plant privatisation auction in Q1 2027
Ukraine’s Mykolaiv Alumina Plant could go up for a privatisation auction in the first quarter of 2027, according to Dmytro Natalukha, head of Ukraine's State Property Fund. The government must approve the final auction date, which Natalukha expects to be announced by the end of October 2026. In a recent interview with NikVesti, Natalukha said, “This is one of the few enterprises on our books that attracts regular and persistent interest. However, a change of ownership would not necessarily mean an immediate restart of production. An investor could acquire the facility and keep it idle until operating conditions improve. To know the futuristic market and value proposition of red mud, explore the report " A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource...
Century Aluminum reports $752m in Q2 net sales as output rises 6%
Century Aluminum reported net sales of $752 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $103 million in the previous quarter. Net income reached $249 million, while adjusted EBITDA was $327 million. Aluminum shipments totaled approximately 131,000 metric tons, up 6% quarter-on-quarter, following the Mount Holly expansion in the United States and the restart of Line 2 at the Grundartangi smelter in Iceland. Peter Tripkofsky, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Century Aluminum, said higher LME aluminum prices and regional premiums contributed $95 million to the increase in adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter. Capital expenditure totaled $59 million in Q2, with $37 million for the Mount Holly expansion and Jamalco’s new TG4 power...
Alcoa prepares for quarterly results as metals markets heat up
Alcoa Corporation is drawing market attention ahead of its third-quarter results as firmer aluminium and alumina prices shape expectations for the integrated producer. The company is scheduled to report its results on October 15, 2026, after the close of trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The broader metals market has also attracted interest, with copper and precious metals strengthening and materials companies benefiting from renewed investor attention. Aluminium remains a key industrial metal within this environment, placing producers such as Alcoa in focus as investors assess market conditions ahead of the earnings update. Aluminium prices and energy costs shape the outlook Aluminium is widely used in transport, packaging, construction and electrical applications because of its...
Oswal Pumps targets greater solar supply-chain control with with ₹4.65 billion investment
Oswal Pumps Limited plans to invest INR 4.65 billion (USD 47.3 million) in a 1.2 GW TOPCon solar cell manufacturing facility through its wholly owned subsidiary, Oswal Solar Energy Private Limited (OSEPL), as the company seeks to strengthen backward integration and reduce reliance on external suppliers. Commercial production is expected to begin by April 2028, subject to the necessary approvals. According to a regulatory filing dated October 10, 2026, OSEPL’s board has approved the proposed project. The facility is expected to meet approximately 75% of the subsidiary’s solar cell requirements, with the remaining demand continuing to be sourced from external suppliers. The investment marks a shift in priorities towards solar cell manufacturing, as Oswal Pumps looks to secure a more...
Guinea bauxite shipment reaches China through new sea-rail route
A shipment of 168,000 tonnes of bauxite from Guinea has arrived at Fangchenggang Port in Guangxi, southern China. The first batch of cargo was transported by rail to Wanzhou in Chongqing on October 3, supplying raw materials to a mineral production base in the city. The new route connects overseas bauxite supplies with inland industries through Beibu Gulf Port. According to Beibu Gulf Port Group, it offers a direct sea-rail transport link from the port to Chongqing. The route cuts transit time by about 25 days compared with the traditional river-sea route via the Yangtze River. It is expected to improve the movement of bulk raw materials to industrial businesses in southwest China. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global...
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing joins $5.5m aluminum alloy project
Nikon Advanced Manufacturing has joined the GOTHAAM project to develop a high-strength aluminum alloy for additive manufacturing. The $5.5 million project is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of War’s Manufacturing Technology Office (OSW ManTech). America Makes, based in Youngstown, Ohio, and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), headquartered in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, selected Nikon AM as a project partner. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was named the group leader in August. GOTHAAM stands for Generation of Technical-data for High-strength Aluminum Alloy Material. The project aims to develop material data for a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy equivalent to 7075-T73. The data will cover Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) additive...
TaeguTec sharpens its aluminium machining game with TTA101 insert
TaeguTec has expanded its T-Turn turning insert programme with the introduction of the TTA101 grade, a new tantalum carbide (Ta-C)-coated insert designed to improve tool life, cutting-edge sharpness and surface finish in high-speed aluminium and non-ferrous machining applications. The TTA101 grade is designed for recommended cutting speeds of up to 1,500 m/min when machining wrought aluminium alloys. Its coating technology aims to improve wear resistance while preserving the sharp cutting edge required for consistent surface quality at high cutting speeds. Ultra-thin Ta-C coating preserves cutting-edge sharpness A key feature of the TTA101 grade is its Ta-C coating, which combines exceptional hardness with a very low coefficient of friction. With a thickness of less than 0.5 μm, the...
Strong workplaces start with supported people: Vedanta Aluminium’s approach
Vedanta Aluminium is expanding access to mental health support across its mining, refining, smelting and power operations, combining counselling services, digital wellness programmes and employee engagement initiatives to make emotional well-being a more integral part of workplace culture. At its Jharsuguda operations in Odisha, a digital wellness programme currently supports more than 2,900 employees and extends services to their family members. The initiative offers a 24/7 counselling helpline, personalised wellness pathways and access to professional guidance, allowing employees to seek support around their individual circumstances and work schedules. The company's initiatives come as World Mental Health Day 2026 highlights the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”...
Metro Mining reviews 2026 bauxite guidance after channel disruption and staffing setbacks
Metro Mining Limited is reviewing its full-year 2026 shipment guidance after operational disruptions at its Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland, Australia, constrained barging capacity and equipment utilisation. The company shipped 659,000 tonnes of bauxite in September, bringing year-to-date shipments to 4.013 million tonnes. In an operational update dated October 12, 2026, Metro Mining said a sand-bank collapse reduced the depth of its barging channel from 1.8 metres to 1.3 metres during September, limiting the movement of bauxite. The company is implementing mitigation measures to address the disruption and said it would provide an update on calendar-year volume guidance as soon as possible, if required. Staff absenteeism and turnover also affected operations during the month, as the mine...
Diet Coke can prices rise 40% in India amid higher aluminium costs
Diet Coke prices have risen from INR 50 (USD 0.52) to INR 70 (USD 0.73) for a 330 ml can in several Indian markets as bottlers and retailers face higher aluminium can costs. The new price has been reported in Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Goa. Some stores are charging the current price even for cans that still carry the earlier maximum retail price (MRP) of INR 50 (USD 0.52) Can-grade aluminium prices rose 30 per cent year on year, mainly because of supply disruptions in West Asia amid tensions. The increase has raised packaging costs for beverage bottlers and their suppliers. To learn the future of aluminium in the packaging industry, explore our report " ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics " An independent Coca-Cola bottler confirmed the price increase,...
US aluminum maker Shapes Unlimited faces up to $5m in extra costs as tariffs and Iran conflict bite
US aluminum product manufacturer Shapes Unlimited faces up to $5 million in additional costs this year as President Donald Trump’s tariffs and rising freight charges linked to the conflict involving Iran add pressure to American manufacturers. The Ohio-based company is among businesses grappling with higher input and transportation costs, while uncertainty over US trade policy and deteriorating relations with Canada complicate planning and expansion. Although some American manufacturers have benefited from higher barriers facing foreign competitors, others are struggling to absorb additional expenses and maintain growth. Doug Rende, chief executive of Shapes Unlimited, told AFP that the combined pressures had become increasingly difficult to manage. “Frustrating would be one word,” Rende...
Dak Nong Aluminum advances operations with safety upgrades and digital training for 146 employees
Dak Nong Aluminum Company - TKV in Lam Dong, Vietnam, is linking workplace initiatives with efforts to improve plant operations, equipment safety and operational efficiency. Pham Ngoc Thanh is a shift supervisor at the thermal power plant. He has suggested several changes to fix problems at the plant. In 2023, suggestions and plans for building a low-pressure steam pipeline between the thermal power plant and the coal gasification plant were given by him. This pipeline provides steam when needed. In 2024, he worked on the A06 return water pipeline to reduce noise, vibration and hot water leaks. The changes also reduced the time needed for equipment repairs. Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: " Global Bauxite & Alumina Market...
MINO strengthens India’s aluminium rolling technology as domestic investment grows
India’s aluminium industry is moving to expand domestic production of higher-value flat-rolled products, with new investments in rolling capacity and specialised materials highlighting the growing importance of advanced processing technology. However, imports continue to supply a substantial share of the country’s flat-rolled aluminium requirements, leaving scope for further development of domestic manufacturing capabilities. The shift is visible in Hindalco Industries’ January 2026 commissioning of a 170,000-tonne-per-year flat-rolled products and battery-grade aluminium foil facility in Odisha. The project involved an investment of INR 45 billion (USD 490 million), while the company said nearly 40 per cent of India’s flat-rolled aluminium was being imported. Hindalco expects its...
