AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Norton patents Manx R in India with aluminium frame; V4 engine launch likely by end-2026
Norton Motorcycles has taken a step towards its India plans, with the Manx R’s design now patented, hinting that the flagship supersport could make its way to the market in the future. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The motorcycle is built around an aluminium monocoque frame and gets a single-sided swingarm, pointing to a clear focus on weight optimisation and performance. It uses semi-active Marzocchi suspension and runs on carbon fibre wheels, keeping it firmly in the track-focused space. Also Read: S trait of Hormuz disruption halts aluminium supply for EV production The Manx R first broke cover at EICMA 2025, where it was shown alongside the Manx street naked. Its styling follows a sharp,...
Kibar Americas acquires 100-year-old former Novelis facility
Kibar Americas confirmed in a press release that it is acquiring the former Novelis aluminium plant in Fairmont, West Virginia, in a bid to strengthen its operations in the United States. This acquisition marks a fresh chapter for the long-standing industrial site, which is over 100 years old. The purchase comes nearly a year after the facility was shut in March 2025. The facility was known for flat-rolled aluminium production, supporting the local manufacturing base in West Virginia. More than 200 workers lost their jobs when it stopped operating. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " City officials worked relentlessly to keep the manufacturing site eligible for future investment. This year-long dedication...
RPM adds aluminium roofing capabilities with Kalzip acquisition
RPM International Inc. has finalised its acquisition of Kalzip GmbH, a company known for its aluminium roofing and facade systems, bringing the business under its Tremco Construction Products Group. The move adds to RPM’s presence in aluminium-based construction materials. Kalzip, based in Koblenz, Germany, works on aluminium solutions used in building envelopes and has delivered more than 1.2 billion square feet of such systems worldwide. Its past projects include the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, the Children’s Hospital in Dublin, the Pickering GO Pedestrian Bridge in Canada and the LAX Train Station in Los Angeles. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " For 2024, Kalzip reported net sales of...
Assan Alüminyum acquires US aluminium foil plant in West Virginia to expand local production
Assan Alüminyum has bought an aluminium foil production plant in West Virginia through its subsidiary Kibar Americas. With this purchase, the company will now produce aluminium foil locally in the United States. This helps it expand its operations outside its home country. The new plant will produce aluminium foil for automotive fin stock, HVAC fin stock, food-grade foil containers, and industrial use. This move comes at a time when many companies are focusing on local production instead of imports. Producing in the US can help reduce supply risks and transport costs. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Haluk Kayabaşı, CEO of Kibar Holding, said, “The acquisition of this US facility marks a strategically...
Azerbaijan Aluminum moves toward liquidation, assets to be transferred to Azeraluminum
Azerbaijan Aluminum is being liquidated following a decree signed by Ilham Aliyev, the President of Azerbaijan. The decision is part of broader steps to develop the mining and metallurgy sectors in the country. As part of this process, all assets of the company will be transferred to Azeraluminum. This includes its facilities, equipment, and other resources. The aim is to reorganise the sector under a new structure. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The government has also outlined steps to settle the company’s financial obligations. The Ministry of Finance of Azerbaijan has been directed to repay the approved debts of the company. These payments will be made to non-governmental organisations. Also read:...
Guinea-Conakry limits its 2026 bauxite exports despite a 200 million tonne forecast
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 Guinea-Conakry is set to reduce its bauxite export volumes, starting from April 2026, to support prices and protect the smaller producers from collapsing due to volatile margins. This move comes due to the weak Chinese demand and higher freight rates because of the Middle East conflict squeezing the world’s top supplier. Guinea-Conakry exported 183 million tonnes in 2025, which is up 25 per cent year over year, and shipments had been expected to reach 200 million tonnes in 2026, but due to the market crash, prices have fallen 25 per cent to 35 per cent from 2025 highs, while about 70 per cent of exports still head to the Chinese grounds. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Guinea-Conakry...
Strikes on Gulf aluminium facilities disrupt supply chains, lowering Airbus’ price target
Bank of America lowered its price target for Airbus from EUR 259 (USD 300.62) to EUR 255 (USD 295.98), while maintaining a ‘Buy’ rating, citing rising aluminium supply costs. The price revision follows supply disruptions linked to strikes by Iran, which damaged aluminium plants in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. The Emirates Global Aluminium plant in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi, and the Aluminium Bahrain facility were affected, with Alba stopping some deliveries after the attack. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " These two plants produced about 1.6 million tonnes each in 2025. Together, they account for about 4 per cent of global aluminium supply. Aluminium prices rose after the disruption. Prices...
Vietnam strengthens solar sustainability with IREX–Hamada partnership boosting aluminium recycling potential
Vietnam has formed a new partnership between IREX Energy Joint Stock Company and Hamada Company to make its solar industry more sustainable. These two firms have signed a recycling memorandum of understanding (MoU) to recover aluminium and other valuable materials from end-of-life solar panels. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Vietnam’s Power Development Plan 8 (PDP8) targets to achieve 18-34 GW of solar capacity by 2030. This expansion has motivated Vietnam to achieve clean energy goals. However, it has also created a new challenge. Solar panels do not last forever. Most photovoltaic modules have a lifespan of 20 to 25 years . Early installations in Vietnam are now approaching that limit. Discarded...
Cairo rolls out monorail service with aluminium train sets supplied by Alstom
Cairo has officially opened its first monorail route, a 56.5 km corridor with 22 stations, launched in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. The system is expected to carry up to 500,000 passengers per day, adding a new high-capacity transit option to the city’s transport network. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" For the project, Alstom delivered a fleet of 40 Innovia 300 trains, each made up of four cars, along with the Cityflo 650 signalling system operating at GoA4 automation. The scope of supply also covered switches, depot systems, platform doors, and communication and energy infrastructure. These trains were manufactured at Alstom’s Derby facility in the UK. From a design perspective, the...
EU–US talks focus on critical minerals and tariff cooperation
On the sidelines of a World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on March 28, the European Union’s trade commissioner, Maroš Šefčovič, held talks with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer that he later described in notably upbeat terms. According to Šefčovič, the discussion was “very positive”, with both sides indicating a willingness to keep moving forward on shared economic priorities despite a somewhat unsettled global backdrop. Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics One area that received particular attention was cooperation on critical minerals. The importance of these materials had increased across a range of sectors, including clean energy and advanced manufacturing. Both parties agreed on the scope to build on...
Fitch assigns ‘BBB+’ rating to Chalco HongKong, outlook stable
Fitch Ratings has assigned Chalco HongKong Limited a Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) of ‘BBB+’, with a stable outlook. The agency has also assigned a ‘BBB+’ rating to the company’s long-term senior unsecured debt. Fitch rates ChalcoHK under its Parent and Subsidiary Linkage (PSL) Rating Criteria, following a “strong parent, weak subsidiary” approach. The ratings are equalised with those of its parent, Aluminium Corporation of China Limited, reflecting ‘Medium’ legal, ‘High’ strategic, and ‘High’ operational incentives for the parent to provide support. Fitch further noted that Chalco’s ratings are aligned with those of its own parent, Aluminium Corporation of China, due to strong operational and strategic linkages. Under Fitch’s Government-Related Entities (GRE) Rating Criteria,...
Constellium celebrates the performance of its team at the 2025 THANK YOU AWARDS
Constellium marked its 2025 THANK YOU AWARDS on March 25, 2026, recognising the team’s global operations that contributed to the improvement of the company's culture and performance and its advancements in innovation and sustainability within the aluminium sector. The virtual event showcased the initiatives that continue to shape the company’s operational and technological progress. A total of eighteen projects were recognised during the ceremony, with one leading project selected in each category. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" Under the Casting our Culture category, the Decin facility in the Czech Republic was recognised for introducing AI-based tools aimed at improving pedestrian safety across the...
Rising use of synthetic calcium fluoride in aluminium production and industrial processes
Demand for synthetic calcium fluoride is increasing as industries need more high-purity materials. It is widely used as a substitute for natural fluorspar and plays an important role in aluminium production. The aluminium industry uses the most synthetic calcium fluoride. It is used as a flux to lower the melting temperature and make the smelting process more efficient. The cement industry also uses it to improve production efficiency. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Calcium fluoride with more than 99 per cent purity is used mostly in high-accuracy processes like aluminium smelting and specialised chemical production. Low-grade materials are used in simpler work because they are cheaper. Improvements...
Strait of Hormuz disruption halts aluminium supply for EV production
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) reduced aluminium output by 19 per cent and stopped some deliveries because it could not ship through the Strait of Hormuz. Qatalum stopped production after the gas supply was disrupted following attacks on the energy infrastructure. The conflict in the region has disrupted the supply of aluminium from the Gulf. Many smelters in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Qatar are unable to meet supply contracts or have reduced operations. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has blocked a major route for aluminium shipments. The Gulf produces about 9 per cent of the world’s aluminium, and this supply is especially important for electric vehicles, which use more aluminium than traditional cars. Aluminium is used in body structures, battery cases, and...
Toyota feeds recycled aluminium into UK Corolla engine production
Toyota is advancing its circular manufacturing strategy in the UK by feeding aluminium recovered from end-of-life vehicles into new engine components for Corolla production. Don’t miss out- Buyers are looking for your products on our B2B platform At Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, end-of-life vehicles are dismantled and alloy wheels are extracted for use in the newly launched closed-loop recycling systems. The extracted wheels are then sent to Toyota’s Deeside plant in North Wales, where they are used in engine component production. The finished hybrid power units are then returned to Burnaston for installation into new Corolla models. Toyota confirmed the first vehicle with recycled material rolled off the production line on March 19, 2026. Also Read: PPG...
ABx Group moves ahead with hydrogen fluoride project in Tasmania
ABx Group has taken a step forward with its hydrogen fluoride (HF) pilot plant plans in Tasmania, after its subsidiary ALCORE submitted an Environmental Effects Report (EER). The project is being positioned as a way to reduce Australia’s reliance on imported fluorine-based chemicals, which are used across industries including aluminium production. Hydrogen fluoride is used to produce aluminium fluoride, which is required in aluminium smelting, and is also used in refrigerants, fluoropolymers, and battery-related materials. On top of that, it plays a role in semiconductor and solar cell manufacturing, which makes it relevant beyond just heavy industry. At the moment, the supply side is where the challenge lies. Hydrogen fluoride is produced from fluorspar, which comes from fluorite, and...
Impact Minerals raises $1.37M to advance HPA and fertiliser opportunities in Australia
Impact Minerals Limited has raised about AUD 2 million (USD 1.37 million) from existing and new investors to advance its high-purity alumina plans and support ongoing project development amid market volatility. It is also progressing its Lake Hope HPA project towards feasibility in collaboration with Edith Cowan University, while integrating the Alluminous HiPurA® process to develop a scalable and cost-competitive production route. The company also continues to support Alluminous, where the HiPurA® technology is advancing with pilot plant commissioning underway in continuous mode. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " In addition to HPA, the company is exploring the possibility of producing sulphate of...
Hammerer Aluminium Industries invests in Aluminij to strengthen European aluminium supply
From left to right: Rob van Gils, CEO of the HAI Group, and Amir Kabiri, CEO of Aluminij Industries (Image source: Aluminij Industries & HAI) Hammerer Aluminium Industries has acquired a stake in Aluminij Industries, in a strategic move to strengthen its footprint in Europe’s aluminium sector and advance its growth and sustainability ambitions. This development was welcomed by M.T. Abraham Group, which also remains a major stakeholder in Aluminij. Amir Gross Kabiri, Chairman, M.T. Abraham Group, said, “The partnership with HAI is yet another confirmation of the trust and strong relationship that we have established with our partners and clients. “Together, we are entering a new chapter of Aluminij. It is my pleasure to welcome the HAI team, in particular its CEO, Mr Rob van Gils, with...
