AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Chang Aluminum set for control change under $197.9M stake transfer deal
Chang Aluminum is set for a change in ownership after its controlling shareholder, Qilu Caijin Investment Group, agreed to sell a 22.38 per cent stake in the company to Shandong Jixin Industrial Development. The proposed transaction values the shares at RMB 5.79 (USD 0.86) each, putting the total deal value at around RMB 1.338 billion (USD 197.9 million). If the transfer is completed, control of the company will change hands, with Jixin Industrial Development becoming the new controlling shareholder, replacing Qilu Caijin. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The transaction will also result in a change in the company's actual controller. Oversight would...
Alcoa and USW approve four-year labour contract covering 965 workers at Warrick and Massena operations
Alcoa Corporation has announced that a new labour agreement with the United Steelworkers (USW) has been ratified following a vote by union members at the company's US smelting operations. The agreement was approved by a wide margin and covers around 965 employees working at Alcoa’s Warrick Operations in Indiana and Massena Operations in New York. The new contract took effect on May 16, 2026, and will remain in place until May 15, 2030. With the ratification completed, the agreement provides a new four-year framework for employees represented by the USW at the two aluminium smelters. Alcoa said the agreement was reached after negotiations between the company and union representatives and was subsequently approved by union membership. For forward-thinking aluminium market insights amidst...
USA Rare Earth gains after Colorado processing facility begins operations
USA Rare Earth shares rose nearly 7 per cent after the company announced the start-up of its hydrometallurgical demonstration facility in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. The facility is expected to play a key role in the company’s efforts to build a rare earth supply chain outside China. First production of separated rare earth oxides is targeted for the third quarter of 2026. According to the company, the plant will process material from multiple sources, including ore from its Round Top project in Texas, third-party rare earth feedstock and recycled magnet waste. USA Rare Earth said the facility will focus on producing heavy rare earth oxides such as dysprosium, terbium and yttrium, materials widely used in magnets, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies. Explore: The most...
Encore RV introduces lightweight aluminium trailers aimed at EV drivers
Encore RV has introduced a range of compact travel trailers featuring aluminium construction and designed to reduce the impact of towing on electric vehicle driving range. The lineup was recently highlighted in a video by the Playing with Sticks YouTube channel, which focused on the trailers' lightweight aluminium build, low overall height and features intended to improve towing efficiency. One of the models, the 12RKFB, is built to fit under a standard seven-foot garage door. Because of its lower profile, the trailer sits largely behind a pickup truck or SUV instead of extending above the roofline, reducing aerodynamic drag. It comes with a slide-out rear kitchen, an outdoor wet bath mounted on the front tongue and a 400-watt slide-out solar system. The company also showcased the 14RKB,...
US researchers develop aluminium alloys that cut truck engine weight by 15%
Researchers in the United States have demonstrated new aluminium alloys that can reduce the weight of truck engines by about 15 per cent while improving fuel efficiency by more than 10 per cent in tests carried out on a General Motors prototype engine. The work was led by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which operates under the US Department of Energy. The Office of Transportation Technologies funded the project and carried it out in collaboration with General Motors. The research focused on a Low Mass High Efficiency (LMHE) engine. The prototype was designed to meet requirements for strength, durability, performance and long-term operation while reducing overall engine weight. During the project, ORNL tested two aluminium alloys. The first was ACMZ, also known as AlCuMnZr, a...
Constellium or Alcoa: Who is benefiting more from the aluminium market upswing?
Constellium SE and Alcoa Corporation are benefiting from a stronger aluminium market, with demand from electric vehicles, aerospace, packaging and transportation continuing to support the sector. The growing use of recycled aluminium and the recovery in global air travel have also improved conditions for producers and processors. Constellium posts growth across major businesses Higher aluminium prices and steady customer demand helped Constellium's key business segments during the first quarter of 2026. The company's packaging and automotive rolled products division remained a major contributor, aided by increased orders for packaging products. Its aerospace and transportation business also recorded stronger activity, with shipments rising on the back of demand from the aerospace,...
SINOMACH secures $245m EPC contract for the Angola aluminium project
China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH) has increased its presence in the African aluminium industry by signing an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for USD 245 million for Phase II of the Huatong Electrolytic Aluminium Production Line project in Angola. The EPC Contract for USD 245 million was signed by SINOMACH International Engineering (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. The signed accord at the 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Summit Forum and Exhibition dated June 11, 2026, aims at increasing the output of the aluminium plant from the present volume by adding 120,000 tonnes through the electrolysis process. Discover: The Gulf aluminium market risks, China impact, alumina supply, carbon costs, and logistics disruptions shaping...
Chinese ports attract global interest including bauxite as industry leaders explore cooperation opportunities
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 China's ports are becoming increasingly important centres for international cooperation, bringing together industry players to exchange technology, management expertise and business opportunities, with the bauxite trade emerging as a key part of that growth. At a logistics conference in Yantai, eastern China, representatives from around the world gathered to discuss the future of breakbulk shipping before touring the city's port facilities to see how operations are evolving. One of the key attractions is the dedicated shipping route linking China and Guinea. Chinese businesswoman Wang Xiangzhen, whose company exports Chinese trucks to Guinea, said the service has significantly improved logistics since her company began using it in 2024. According to Wang, vessels...
ABx advances Sunrise bauxite project with $2.7M investment from GII
ABx Group is progressing development of its Sunrise bauxite project in southern Queensland following a strategic investment from Good Importing International (GII). The company said GII’s initial USD 2.7 million investment is being used to advance mine planning and secure key environmental and port approvals required for the project’s proposed direct shipping ore (DSO) operation. According to ABx, the approvals process remains on track, with advice from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation indicating completion is expected in 2027, a milestone considered critical to bringing the project into production. In September 2025, ABx entered into a series of agreements with GII under which the investor can commit up to USD 5.4 million in two stages to acquire as much...
Dongfeng’s advanced die-casting facility cuts vehicle component production to minutes
Chinese automotive manufacturer Dongfeng Motor Corporation is accelerating vehicle manufacturing efficiency through one of the world’s largest integrated die-casting facilities, capable of producing major automotive structural components in just minutes. Located in Wuhan, Hubei Province, the advanced workshop uses molten aluminium and ultra-high-pressure die-casting technology to create large finished vehicle parts at unprecedented speed. During production, molten aluminium is poured into specialised moulds before a massive press instantly clamps shut. Within approximately two minutes, a fully formed structural component emerges from the process. At the heart of the operation are two ultra-large die-casting machines operating side by side, with clamping forces of 10,000 tonnes and 16,000...
India standardises ISTS project timelines to improve power transmission planning
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has set standard implementation timelines for Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) projects to improve coordination between power generation and transmission infrastructure. The National Committee on Transmission (NCT) approved the timelines during its 40th meeting held on April 15, 2026, covering transmission assets such as substations, transmission lines and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) systems. According to the CEA's office memorandum, the standard implementation timelines prescribed for ISTS assets range from 24 to 54 months, depending on the type and complexity of the project. For greenfield projects, new 765 kV and 400 kV substations will have a standard implementation timeline of 36 months. Similarly, 765 kV double-circuit...
Tesla starts delivering Model Y L in India, highlights aluminium and giga casting technology
Tesla has started delivering the Model Y L in India, a six-seater version of its Model Y electric SUV. The first vehicles have been handed over to customers through the company’s direct-to-consumer sales model. The variants also use aluminium and Tesla’s giga casting technology, which helps reduce weight, improve structural strength and simplify vehicle production. The Model Y L is priced at INR 6.199 million (USD 65,600). Tesla is also offering financing options with monthly payments starting from INR 49,990 (USD 529) and down payments beginning at INR 650,000 (USD 6,880), subject to loan approval and financing terms. The vehicle offers a claimed driving range of up to 681 km under the WLTP test cycle and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.0 seconds. It offers up to 2,539 litres of...
UK and Japan announce $24B investment deal focused on infrastructure and clean energy
Japan and the United Kingdom have unveiled a series of agreements that could lead to Japanese companies investing up to USD24 billion (EUR 18 billion) in Britain over the coming years. The announcement followed talks in London between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi ahead of the G7 Summit in France. Starmer said the agreements marked a "new era of co-operation" between the two countries. Under the package, about USD 12 billion is expected to be invested in British infrastructure and financial services, while a further EUR 9 billion is earmarked for offshore wind and other renewable energy projects. The UK government said the investments could support the creation of tens of thousands of jobs. Japanese property and investment groups Mitsubishi...
Here’s how Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad shows strong fundamentals with EPS growth and more
While the market may have already priced into Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad much of the company’s value, based on its long-term record of successful operations and solid profitability, the company's consistent success in generating profit and operating successfully suggests that Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad could continue to provide viable opportunities for the company's shareholders over the long term. Strong earnings growth supports the investment case One of the most commonly cited metrics for analysing business success is earnings per share (EPS). In many cases, earnings per share are used as an indicator of a company’s ability to deliver value for shareholders in the long term. Companies that are able to achieve sustainable growth in EPS often inspire confidence...
Hindalco stock in focus as Novelis restarts New York hot mill: UBS remains bullish on aluminium
Hindalco Industries attracted investor attention after Novelis, its subsidiary, resumed operations at the hot mill of its Oswego facility in New York. The unit had been affected by a fire earlier, leading to a temporary disruption. The company said the hot mill is now back in operation and work is underway to gradually increase production and meet customer demand. During the shutdown, Novelis relied on its other facilities around the world to help maintain supplies. The company said that its teams worked with customers and suppliers to minimise disruptions while the Oswego plant was offline. Novelis CEO Steve Fisher said restarting the mill was an important step for both the company and its customers. He also thanked employees, customers and business partners for their support during the...
Destinations for the EU’s aluminium scrap exports in Q1 2026 – India and Thailand top the list despite annual declines
The European Union is one of the largest generators and collectors of aluminium scrap in the world, with over 80 per cent recycling rate. The demand is also robust, with an average annual volume of 8 million tonnes. Yet, the European Union exports 1.2 to 1.3 million tonnes of scrap during a year, which reflects 15 per cent of the volume collected domestically. In Q1 2026, the European Union exported 328,134 tonnes of aluminium scrap, - 69 per cent of which were destined to the Asian countries, according to Eurostat data. India tops the list with reduced import volume India remained the largest importer of aluminium scrap from the European Union during the first quarter of 2026, even though their imports declined sequentially. From January to March 2026, India imported 88,205 tonnes of...
China Hongqiao plans to expand bauxite buying capacity under a long-term supply deal
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 China Hongqiao Group is looking to raise the annual limits on a bauxite supply deal involving its subsidiary, Well Harvest Winning. The company said the current limits may not be enough for its expected needs over the coming years. The supply agreement runs until 2033 and is with Indonesia-based Cita Mineral Investindo. Bauxite is a key ingredient in aluminium production, and Hongqiao expects to require larger volumes as its operations continue. Under the deal, the supplier sells bauxite at a benchmark price of USD 31.50 per dry metric tonne, with adjustments depending on ore quality and periodic reviews. Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook This increase does not change the agreement itself, but it allows Hongqiao...
LME aluminium prices rise on June 12 as stocks continue to decline
LME aluminium price graph showed a stronger trend on June 12, with cash, three-month and forward contracts all moving higher compared with the previous trading session, while stocks continued to fall. The LME aluminium cash bid price rose to USD 3,535 per tonne on June 12 from USD 3,498 per tonne on June 11, an increase of 1.06 per cent. The cash offer price also gained 1.07 per cent, climbing to USD 3,536 per tonne from USD 3,498.50 per tonne. In the three-month market, the bid price increased to USD 3,531 per tonne, up 1.03 per cent from USD 3,495 per tonne. The three-month offer price rose by 1.04 per cent to USD 3,532 per tonne, compared with USD 3,495.50 per tonne a day earlier. The December 2027 contract posted stronger gains. The bid price advanced 1.79 per cent to USD 3,250 per...
