AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Floating metal: Here’s how University of Rochester scientists made aluminium tubes unsinkable
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed a technology that will enable aluminium to float on water by securing air bubbles inside. The tubes themselves are quite slender, about one-fifth of an inch in diameter. However, when stacked together, they can be combined into larger assemblies. Such configurations could form the basis of floating platforms or devices designed to capture energy from the rhythmic motion of ocean waves. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Aluminium is one of the lightest structural metals, yet it is still about 2.7 times denser than water. If a solid piece is dropped into the ocean, it will sink immediately. To create aluminium tubes that cannot sink, researchers at...
Laura Haury becomes sustainability project coordinator for Kentucky's MI2 Metals initiative
Kentucky’s Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2) has appointed Laura Haury from Logan Aluminum as its new sustainability project coordinator. To learn about the global aluminium outlook, download our report: Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 In her new role, Haury will connect manufacturing practices with environmental stewardship and public engagement. She is expected to lead initiatives centered on recycling, sustainability education, and community outreach. Working alongside The Recycling Society through its Million Can Contest program, Haury will promote aluminium recycling awareness and help develop school and community-based programs aimed at improving recycling participation across Kentucky. Read More: China’s solar panel industry is shrinking: Impact of overcapacity, price...
Odisha, India attracts $7.4 billion in renewable energy investments
Odisha has drawn renewable energy investment commitments of INR 670,000 million (USD 7.4 billion) for the development of 6.8 gigawatts (GW), announced on the opening day of the third edition of the Odisha Renewable Energy Investor Conclave. To learn about the global aluminium outlook, download our report: Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2026 The agreement brings a mix of renewable energy, especially wind and solar developments, simultaneously with hybrid and storage-backed systems. It is aligned with Odisha’s ambition to strengthen its position within India’s evolving renewable energy landscape. This is one of the several major agreements signed during the event, which was inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister KV Singh Deo. The state’s power trading company, GRIDCO,...
India posts record power capacity expansion with renewables leading the process
India has expanded its electricity generation base by more than 50,000 megawatts (MW) during the current financial year, setting a new annual benchmark for capacity growth. According to figures released on Sunday by the Union Ministry of Power, the country added 52,537 MW of generation capacity across all energy sources between April and January 31. This increase represents an expansion of over 11 per cent compared with the total installed capacity recorded at the close of the previous financial year. Officials described this as a significant development, mentioning that the energy generation this time exceeds the earlier high of 34,054 MW achieved in FY 2024–25. Renewable energy accounted for the bulk of the newly installed capacity. Of the 52,537 MW added this year, 39,657 MW came from...
China’s solar panel industry is shrinking: Impact of overcapacity, price collapse & socioeconomic volatility
China’s solar panel manufacturing sector is facing a serious slowdown despite solar energy becoming the cheapest form of clean power worldwide. Over the past decade, China emerged as the global leader in solar panel production. Strong government support, large-scale industrial expansion, and technological advancements enabled manufacturers to significantly reduce production costs. As a result, solar panels became more affordable. This rapid expansion has created a major imbalance. Manufacturing capacity in China is 500 GW per year, exceeding the global demand of 270 GW in 2024. This oversupply has intensified competition among producers, leading to a sharp decline in prices. In many cases, solar panels are being sold below their production cost. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026...
CANPACK’s Russian operations transferred to external administrators, funds already donated
Image source: CANPACK Leading global manufacturer of sustainable packaging solutions, CANPACK Group, Inc., reported that its Russian operations have been placed under temporary external administration by presidential decree without giving prior notice or asking for consent and approval. Following the decree, the long-serving general manager of CANPACK’s Russian business has been removed and replaced by a new appointee selected by the external administrators. The company added that all communication channels with its Russian operations have since been severed. Also read: Canpack posts 9% rise in Q3 revenue to $1.18B but EBITDA falls 6% amid cost pressures CANPACK says it has come to know from Russian media that its money has been allegedly transferred by the external administrators to a...
CME approves aluminium storage sites in Taiwan and Hong Kong
Taiwan and Hong Kong are set to be added as the new aluminium warehouse locations on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) , according to three sources. This marks a move by CME to step up its challenge to the London Metal Exchange (LME) in Asia, particularly in locations that account for two-thirds of global aluminium production. CME’s warehouse expansion plans beyond its current footprint in Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea also signify increasing aluminium trade flows from the Asian market. Warehouse operators C. Steinweg and Pacorini Global Services, which already operate LME warehouses in Kaohsiung holding just under 10 per cent of total LME aluminium warehouses of 483,500 tonnes, have already applied to list facilities in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, to handle metal deliverable against...
CME Group plans first Rare Earth Futures Contract to reduce western dependence on China
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 The CME Group, an American financial services company based in Chicago, is preparing a plan to introduce the world’s first futures contract for rare earth elements. This initiative would enable governments, companies, and banks to safeguard price risks in the rare earth sector, which China currently dominates. Another American multinational financial services company, Intercontinental Exchange, is also considering the introduction of rare earth futures. However, it is reported to be at a less advanced stage of planning compared to CME. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " One of the major obstacles in the West’s effort to reduce dependence on China, which controls around 90 per cent of...
HES Fos and Alteo sign partnership agreement for hydrated alumina logistics
In order to relocate a major part of its logistics operations to Fos-sur-Mer, Alteo has joined hands with HES Fos, a subsidiary of HES International BV. According to this arrangement, the latter will be responsible for the unloading of ships, storage of hydrated alumina and delivery to Alteo’s industrial plant in Gardanne. Previously, these operations were centred in Marseille. However, with limited rail connections and a desire to cut down on road transport, Fos-sur-Mer offers a more practical solution. The relocation is aligned with both companies’ efforts and ambitions to reduce the environmental footprint. The relocation is completely in accordance with the company’s efforts to reduce its environmental impact. Also read: A 5-year high production of world alumina tells just the...
French Aluminium consortium launches CO2 capture pilot trials
A consortium comprising Fives, Aluminium Dunkerque, Trimet and Rio Tinto has formally begun pilot testing of a new carbon capture system designed specifically for primary aluminium production. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The initiative, known as C4Capture, entered its trial phase following a partners' meeting on January 14, 2026 at the Aluminium Dunkerque facility. In the upcoming weeks, testing will be conducted at sites in Dunkerque and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne. The objective is to validate the technical reliability and economic viability of the proposed solution before moving forward with the potential industrial development. Also Read: Indonesia’s aluminium industry to be hit by 317% inflated...
China versus the West: Here’s how China prepares for critical minerals and strategic tussle
China is reinforcing its dominance over rare earth metals as Unites States and its allies of over 50 nations, intensify efforts to reduce dependence on Beijing. Chinese Premier Li Qiang recently visited Ganzhou in Jiangxi province, a major hub for heavy rare earth element production, signalling China’s possession of a slight advantage over Washington in terms of leadership. Additionally, he discussed strategy, scope and plans with the Ganjoang Innovation Academy, Chinese Academy of Sciences, a premier research institution focused on the green separation of resources, high-end materials and critical technologies, along with producers of critical minerals and local business leaders. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry...
Guinea faces a paradox with rising bauxite production not helping with the falling prices
A leading bauxite producer in Guinea revised its Q1 26 long-term contract price downward from USD 66 per tonne to USD 62 per tonne on January 29, 2026. Usually, long-term pricing agreements are typically adjusted at the close of a contractual cycle. However, this event is an exception. Unlike fluctuations in the short-run spot market, long-term contracts indicate a broader reassessment of market fundamentals by both suppliers and buyers. Overcapacity in both bauxite and alumina is the real reason behind this readjustment. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The recent price decline is driven by this simultaneous oversupply of bauxite and alumina. The excess alumina capacity has exerted downward pressure on...
Trimet invests in the circular economy to boost European aluminium supply security
Europe’s push for strategic raw material security is gaining momentum as Trimet Aluminium SE sharpens its circular economy model to reinforce regional aluminium supply chains. Amid rising geopolitical uncertainty and energy transition demands, the company is positioning recycled aluminium as a cornerstone of supply resilience, as part of its ongoing strategy to continue advancing the expansion of the circular economy in the aluminium industry. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " The company confirmed that Trimet plans to expand its production of aluminium alloys for wired applications with recycled content. This initiative aligns with its broader strategy to deepen circularity in the aluminium sector,...
TotalEnergies backs Google’s data centres with 1 GW solar energy supply
France-based energy and petroleum firm, TotalEnergies has entered into two long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) to supply 1 GW of solar power capacity to Google’s data centres in Texas, equivalent to 28 TWh of renewable electricity over a 15-year period. Also Read: UAE-backed Masdar advances solar cooperation with Kyrgyzstan The electricity will come from two TotalEnergies-owned solar projects currently under development in Texas - Wichita (805 MWp) and Mustang Creek (195 MWp). Construction at both sites is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026, according to the company’s statement. The newly signed 1 GW agreements complement an additional 1.2 GW of gross PPAs secured by Clearway, a California-based renewables company that is 50 per cent owned by TotalEnergies. These...
From fuel to strategic asset: White House recasts coal in the US policy
The White House has demonstrated a renewed strategic interest in coal, not simply as a conventional fuel source, but as a potential supplier of rare earth elements and other critical minerals considered vital to national security and advanced manufacturing. To know more about the global primary aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Speaking at the “Champion of Coal” event in Washington, the US President Donald Trump and senior industry executives outlined a broader vision for the sector’s future. Rather than focusing solely on electricity generation, the discussion centred on coal’s possible role in strengthening domestic supply chains for materials essential to defence systems, electronics and emerging technologies. Also Read: US...
97 tonnes in January: Sharp dip in Ukraine’s bauxite imports M-o-M amid geopolitical disruptions
As of January 2026, Ukraine has managed to expand its imports of aluminium ore of bauxite to 97 tonnes from 31 tonnes in the previous year. However, the m-o-m scenario speaks differently. The State Customs Service (SCS) released the import numbers for December on Tuesday, February 10, representing 5,556 tonnes. With China being the main supplier of bauxite in Ukraine throughout January 2026, the numbers increased from USD 27 thousand to USD 83 thousand, without Ukraine being the re-exporter in the year. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " In 2025, aluminium ore imports in Ukraine were 23.7 per cent (43.5 thousand tonnes) more than in the previous year in terms of material, which was 15.8 per cent (USD 4.7...
Rio Tinto legal chief Isabelle Deschamps to part ways in 2026
Rio Tinto has confirmed that Isabelle Deschamps, its Chief Legal, Governance and Corporate Affairs Officer, will step down during 2026 after five years in the role. To know more about the global recycled aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ". Deschamps, who joined the Anglo-Australian miner in 2021, will remain in post until at least mid-2026 to ensure continuity while the company undertakes a formal succession process. Also Read: EGA brings forth the significance of its proposed Inola aluminium project amidst local opposition Her tenure has spanned a period of strategic repositioning for the group, during which she led legal, governance, and corporate affairs functions. Chief Executive Simon Trott said Deschamps had helped strengthen...
Kaiser Aluminum shares double in a year, setting a new all-time high
Kaiser Aluminium shares are all set to create a new record in the market with an unprecedented high of USD 145.62, which is way beyond the earlier 52-week peak of USD 144.93. The growth marks the culmination of a remarkable run for the US aluminium producer, whose stock has surged 101.25 per cent over the past 12 months. Over a shorter horizon, the momentum has been equally striking: returns stand at 96.23 per cent for the last six months and 22.74 per cent since the beginning of the year. To know more about the global recycled aluminium industry 2026 outlook, book the report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 ". The rally has lifted the company’s market capitalisation to approximately USD 2.32 billion. Yet valuation models from InvestingPro indicate the shares are currently trading...
