AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
India rejects China’s move for WTO dispute panel on solar sector support measures
India has blocked China’s first request at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to establish a dispute panel over India’s support measures for solar cells, solar modules and information technology sectors. China had requested the formation of a dispute settlement panel earlier this month after bilateral consultations between the two countries failed to resolve the matter. The request was discussed during a meeting of the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Body in Geneva on May 22. To gain insights into the the current aluminium extrusions market, explore our report The World of Aluminium Extrusions – Industry Forecast to 2032 China’s complaint, filed in December last year, challenges India’s tariff measures on certain technology imports and incentive schemes that encourage the use of domestically...
Thatchman rolls out aluminium welding certification for complex vehicle repair technicians
Thatcham Research has launched a new aluminium welding certification programme aimed at helping vehicle repair technicians work on modern aluminium vehicle structures, including megacast components. The certification has been introduced as vehicle manufacturers increasingly adopt aluminium-intensive designs and megacasting techniques to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce weight and support electric vehicle development. Megacasting involves producing large sections of a vehicle body as a single aluminium casting instead of using multiple steel components. The process, first associated with Tesla, is now also being adopted by companies including Toyota and Ford. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036:...
Italy records 92.8% aluminium beverage can recycling rate in 2025
CIAL said Italy’s aluminium packaging recycling rate reached 69.5 per cent in 2025, while aluminium beverage cans achieved a significantly higher recycling rate of 92.8 per cent. According to the consortium, the country’s overall aluminium packaging recovery rate stood at 72.9 per cent during the year. Although the recovery figure was slightly lower than the adjusted 2024 level, CIAL said this was mainly due to a 7 per cent increase in the volume of aluminium packaging placed on the market rather than weaker recycling performance. The organisation added that changes in calculation methods under updated European regulations also affected the figures, including adjustments related to aluminium content in composite packaging materials. Around 65,000 tonnes of aluminium were reportedly sent...
Century Aluminum faces earnings pressure from energy costs and aluminium price swings
Century Aluminum Company has returned to investor’s focus after its recent quarterly results showed how falling aluminium prices and high power costs are affecting profitability. The company is also continuing to spend on expansion and low-carbon projects, adding pressure to near-term earnings. The aluminium producer operates smelters in the United States and Europe and supplies primary aluminium products to industries such as automotive, packaging, construction and manufacturing. Its financial performance is closely linked to London Metal Exchange aluminium prices, while regional premiums, alumina costs and electricity rates also have a major impact on margins. Power remains one of the company’s most important cost factors because aluminium smelting consumes large amounts of electricity....
Red mud back in focus as Jamaica pursues mining expansion
Jamaica is once again turning its attention to an overlooked by-product of the bauxite industry that officials believe could hold substantial economic value. During his presentation in the House of Representatives for the 2026/27 Sectoral Debate on May 13, Floyd Green outlined fresh efforts to develop commercial opportunities linked to bauxite residue, more commonly referred to as Jamaican red mud. According to the minister, interest in the material is not new. More than ten years ago, Japanese company Nippon Light Metal collaborated with the Jamaica Bauxite Institute to investigate the composition of the residue. There was an unusual high concentration of rare earth elements in their findings, which is almost 25 times higher than those typically found within the upper continental crust....
The aluminium-built voyager 56 Fly makes its debut
Dutch yacht builder Van den Hoven Jachtbouw has unveiled the Voyager 56 Fly, a new aluminium adventure cruiser designed to expand outdoor living space while maintaining the long-range cruising capabilities of the Voyager series. Constructed with an aluminium hull and cabin structure, the Voyager 56 Fly is designed to be lighter than similarly sized fiberglass boats, helping improve fuel efficiency and speed. The yacht is powered by twin Volvo D6-600 diesel engines with straight shafts, delivering a cruising speed of about 18 knots and a top speed ranging from 22 to 25 knots. The new model is based on the Voyager 56 Coupe platform and introduces a discreet low-profile flybridge that nearly doubles the vessel’s open-air social areas. The flybridge includes an upper helm station, L-shaped...
Germany’s aluminium recycling output drops 3% Y-o-Y; Recovery looks lean in 2026
Aluminium Deutschland said Germany’s aluminium sector remains under pressure after production declined further during the first quarter of 2026, with most companies not expecting conditions to improve by the end of the year. According to the association, Germany produced 684,564 tonnes of recycled aluminium during the first quarter, down around 3 per cent compared with the same period last year. The industry continues to face major raw material challenges, with 85 per cent of surveyed companies reporting shortages of aluminium scrap. Within the recycled aluminium segment, refiners increased production by 2 per cent to 128,639 tonnes, while remelters recorded a 4 per cent decline to 555,925 tonnes, making them the main contributor to the sector’s overall weakness. Demand from key customer...
Gulf aluminium output falls 35% y-o-y as Middle East crisis disrupts smelters
Primary aluminium production in the Gulf dropped to its weakest level in more than a decade in April as the ongoing Iran war disrupted smelter operations and raw material supplies across the region, according to preliminary data released by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) on Wednesday. The Gulf produced 330,000 tonnes of primary aluminium in April, marking a 35 per cent decline from the same month in 2025, the IAI said. The sharp fall highlights the growing pressure on aluminium producers in the region as the conflict continues to affect logistics and supply chains. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” The Gulf accounts for around 8 per cent of global...
Bering Yachts rolls out first hull of aluminium BC60 expedition catamaran
Bering Yachts has launched the first hull of its aluminium Bering BC60 expedition catamaran, marking the debut of the 60ft (18.29m) model designed for long-range cruising and shallow-water access. The aluminium catamaran has a reported draft of 1.3m, allowing it to access bays and anchorages that may be difficult for deeper-draft vessels. Bering says the BC60 carries more than 13,500 litres of fuel and offers a range exceeding 3,000 nautical miles, while onboard provision storage is designed to support extended voyages away from marinas and support facilities. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused upcoming report " ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap " The BC60 uses a displacement hull form intended to provide stable handling...
US gallium strategy depends on Jamaica bauxite supply
The USD 450 million partnership involves Atlantic Alumina Company and aims to maintain operations at the Gramercy alumina refinery in Louisiana while also building the country’s first large-scale gallium production circuit. The United States currently has no domestic gallium production and only one operating alumina refinery, according to details released around a strategic partnership announced by the US Department of Defence in January 2026. To know the long-term bauxite market forecast, book our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” The agreement includes USD 150 million in preferred equity from the Pentagon and more than USD 300 million from Concord Resources, a subsidiary of Pinnacle Asset Management. The Gramercy...
Kazakhstan eyes major bauxite, alumina and aluminium expansion projects
Kazakhstan is exploring large-scale metallurgy projects worth between USD 10 billion and USD 12 billion, with a major focus on expanding domestic processing capacity for bauxite, alumina and aluminium. According to Arman Kassenov, the country has significant untapped potential across several metals sectors, particularly in aluminium and copper value-added manufacturing. Kassenov said Kazakhstan currently holds substantial bauxite reserves and already processes part of that material into alumina. However, only around one-third of the alumina produced in the country is converted into primary aluminium at facilities in Pavlodar, while the remaining volumes are exported. He noted that the existing alumina processing plant operated by ERG is already running at full capacity. To strengthen...
Citi downgrades Norsk Hydro after aluminium rally boosts shares
Norsk Hydro has been downgraded to “neutral” from “buy” by Citi Research after the company’s shares surged around 25 per cent since February on the back of rising aluminium prices. Citi also increased its target price for Norsk Hydro shares to NKr110 (USD 12.1) from NKr105 (USD 11.55). According to the brokerage, aluminium prices have climbed roughly 20 per cent so far this year, outperforming copper, which has risen around 12 per cent over the same period. Citi said the rally in aluminium prices has been largely driven by geopolitical disruptions in the Middle East, which have reportedly removed close to 3 million tonnes of aluminium production capacity from the market. That accounts for around 4 per cent of global aluminium supply and roughly 11 per cent of production capacity outside...
Cooler Master launches aluminium-framed MasterFan A and M Series cooling fans
Cooler Master has unveiled the full specifications and European pricing for its new MasterFan A and MasterFan M Series cooling fans, featuring aluminium-frame designs and technology derived from the company’s enterprise AI computing division. The new fan series incorporates a three-phase industrial-standard motor along with an enterprise-grade Magnetic Dynamic Bearing (MDB) system equipped with active lubricant recycling technology, aimed at improving cooling efficiency and operational durability. The product lineup is split into two variants based on blade material. The MasterFan A Series features aluminium blades combined with a full-aluminium frame, which Cooler Master describes as a first in the consumer cooling segment. Meanwhile, the MasterFan M Series uses Liquid Crystal Polymer...
NALCO reports governance compliance challenges in FY2026 secretarial review
National Aluminium Company Limited has released its Annual Secretarial Compliance Report for the year ended 31st March, 2026 covering compliance of corporate governance and regulatory requirements. The report stated that it conducted a detailed review of internal records, statutory filings and governance practices as part of its annual compliance assessment process. A key issue highlighted during the review was the company’s inability to consistently maintain the required composition of non-executive and independent directors on its board during certain periods of FY2026. According to the report, NALCO did not fully meet the requirement for maintaining a board with at least 50 per cent non-executive directors, while the required number of independent directors was also not available...
NTPC Green Energy floats EPC tender for 100MW solar project in Uttar Pradesh
NTPC Green Energy Limited, on behalf of NTPC UP Green Energy Limited (NUGEL), has announced an EPC tender for a 100 MW ground-mounted solar project planned at Khanshi in Jhansi district, Uttar Pradesh. The last date for bid submission is June 8, 2026. The contract covers the complete execution of the solar power plant, including design and engineering, manufacturing, supply, transportation, installation, testing and final commissioning. The selected contractor will also be responsible for supplying the solar modules required for the project. Preparatory work at the site will form an important part of the assignment. This includes land grading and levelling, vegetation clearance, topographical mapping and geotechnical studies. The project site will be handed over by the owner on an “as is,...
European Union adds safeguard to US trade pact over aluminium and steel tariffs
The European Union has reached a provisional agreement to implement a trade pact with the United States, a move aimed at avoiding tariff increases from the US and easing uncertainty around transatlantic trade, including aluminium and steel. The agreement includes safeguards that would allow the European Commission to suspend tariffs if US imports harm European industry. It also allows Brussels to suspend tariff preferences if Washington continues applying duties above 15 per cent on EU steel and aluminium derivatives beyond the end of 2026. Steel and aluminium derivatives remained among the most contentious issues during negotiations, with some US duties still reaching 50 per cent despite the 15 per cent ceiling agreed under the Turnberry trade deal signed last year. To know the long-term...
Arab Aluminum swings to profit in Q1 2026 as sales rise 8%
Arab Aluminum Company reported net profit after tax of EGP 2.243 million (USD 45,300) in the first quarter of 2026, compared with a net loss of EGP 6.003 million (USD 121,200) during the same period last year. The company’s sales increased 8 per cent year-on-year to EGP 137.906 million (USD 2.79 million) in Q1 2026, up from EGP 127.162 million (USD 2.57 million) a year earlier. Arab Aluminum operates across several aluminium processing segments, including billet casting, extrusion, alloy production, anodizing and aluminium painting. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report - Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook Its product portfolio mainly serves the construction and building industries and includes...
Novelis aluminium hot mill plant in Oswego set to restart weeks ahead of schedule
Novelis said the hot mill aluminium plant at its Oswego plant in New York is expected to resume production within the next few weeks following recovery work after two major fires in 2025. The company had earlier expected the restart to take place by the end of June, but said commissioning activities are now progressing faster than previously estimated. The Oswego facility experienced two separate fires in September and November 2025. The incidents were contained to the hot mill area, and no injuries were reported; all employees were evacuated safely during both events. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report " Aluminium Flat Rolled Products: Insights & Forecast to 2032 " According to Novelis, other critical assets at the Oswego plant remained...
