AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
ElementUSA moves with an $850M critical minerals refinery in Louisiana
ElementUSA has confirmed plans to invest USD 850 million in a rare earth and critical minerals refining project in Gramercy, Louisiana, advancing a strategy first outlined several years ago. The project is likely to generate 200 direct jobs on site. In addition, Louisiana Economic Development forecasts 554 jobs to emerge from the supporting industries and services. Rather than relying on the newly mined materials, the operations in the facility will now focus on the recovery of high-value minerals from bauxite residue and alumina by-product, which is often treated as waste. ElementUSA intends to apply its proprietary processing methods to extract gallium, scandium, iron, and other critical materials from more than 30 million tonnes of residue available from nearby industrial operations....
CBAM rules may widen as EU targets downstream imports
The European Union is considering an expansion of its carbon border charge, a levy which is already set to apply to carbon-intensive metals like steel and aluminium as they enter the bloc. CBAM is designed to put a carbon price on imports of these materials to align them with the EU’s domestic emissions costs under its Emissions Trading System, a move aimed at discouraging production in countries with looser climate rules and reducing “carbon leakage”. Items such as car components and household appliances, including fridges and washing machines, are among the products that could be added, as the bloc moves to shut down avenues that allow overseas producers to avoid the levy. Image for reference only Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value...
NORDEN secures guinea bauxite logistics contract with Africa Oil Supply
Global shipping and logistics company NORDEN has secured a new bauxite logistics contract in Guinea with Africa Oil Supply (AOS), strengthening its growing role in bulk commodity supply chains. The contract will commence in early 2026 and marks NORDEN’s second logistics deal this year, following a May agreement with a private business firm KMG in Australia. It is also the company’s third active logistics project, alongside its ongoing operation in Gabon with Comilog. “We are grateful to our customer AOS for entrusting us to deliver this service for them,” says NORDEN CEO Jan Rindbo. He also added, “We’re also excited to bring our palette of services to Guinea, expanding our growing presence and brand across the African continent, in which we see significant potential.” Also read:...
Guinea-Conakry begins construction of Boké alumina refinery
Guinea-Conakry has formally moved into the construction phase of a large-scale alumina refinery in the Boké prefecture, identifying a key development in the country’s efforts to deepen domestic mineral processing and capture greater value from its vast bauxite reserves. The project, known as the Winning Consortium Alumina Guinea (WCAG) refinery, is designed to produce 1.2 million tonnes of alumina annually once operational. This facility is considered a crucial player in Guinea’s broader ambition to shift from exporting raw bauxite only and align itself more closely with the global aluminium supply chain. The refinery is now being seen as central to Guinea’s efforts to move beyond the export of unprocessed bauxite and adopt a more integrated role within the global aluminium value chain....
SBTi endorses Trivium Packaging’s climate goals
Trivium Packaging is all set to celebrate yet another milestone in the company’s climate strategy following a formal approval from the Science Based Targets initiative ( SBTi) for its net-zero emissions target. The validation confirms that Trivium’s long-term plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions align with a 1.5°C global warming pathway and with the wider international aim of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. Image for reference only Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Michael Mapes, Chief Executive of Trivium Packaging, said the endorsement provides reassurance both internally and across the company’s wider network. “SBTi approval gives our teams and partners confidence in our commitment to decarbonisation,” he...
Guinea-EGA bauxite supply talks underway, sources confirm
Guinea has opened talks with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) on a possible bauxite supply arrangement. The deal could see EGA source ore from Guinea’s state-owned Nimba Mining. Three people familiar with the matter confirmed the discussions between them. Image for reference only (source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The talks come months after Guinea’s military-led government revoked the licence of EGA subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) in July. The decision followed a year-long dispute over the construction of an alumina refinery. Guinea later transferred GAC’s mining assets to Nimba Mining. A supply agreement could help ease tensions. It may also prevent legal action EGA has...
Mozal aluminium operations to be suspended owing to power deal deadlock
After months of prolonged struggle to secure a long-term power supply at Mozal Aluminium Smelter in Mozambique, South32 Limited (ASX/LSE/JSE: S32) has finally decided to halt its operations. By March 15, 2026, the company plans for the Mozambique smelter closure and subsequent care and maintenance, as at present, it is not economically sustainable to keep up with the operations once the existing supply contract expires. Image source: https://clubofmozambique.com/ Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain According to the company, negotiations were held with multiple stakeholders, including the Mozambican government, Hidroeléctrica de Cahora Bassa (HCB) and South Africa’s state-owned utility Eskom. Though several discussions had taken...
Bridgnorth Aluminium commits to county-wide community support initiative
Bridgnorth Aluminium has added its name to a growing list of businesses backing community-led work across Shropshire, formally joining the Shropshire Investors in Community programme. The move brings one of the county’s largest employers into a scheme designed to channel long-term support towards charities and grassroots organisations working at the local level. Image for reference only (source: https://i.vimeocdn.com/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Based at Stourbridge Road in Bridgnorth, the aluminium manufacturer employs more than 330 people and operates from a 66-acre site in the town. By signing up to the initiative, run by Shropshire Community Foundation, the company will contribute to projects aimed at supporting...
Maan Aluminium embraces a fresh yearly high amidst a volatile trading premise
Maan Aluminium stood apart in the latest session, climbing to a fresh 52-week high while the broader market remained on a downward trend. Maan Aluminium's share price touched INR 169.3 (USD 2.04) in intraday trade on 15 December 2025, posting a clear advance on a day when benchmark indices showed little movement. Though the broader market opened on a subdued note with Sensex standing at INR 84,891.75 (USD 933.66), down 375.91 points or 0.44 per cent, and later traded marginally below its previous close of INR 85,215.09 (USD 937.22), reflecting a modest decline of 0.06 per cent. Despite the soft opening, the index continues to hover near record territory and is currently just 1.11per cent short of its 52-week high. Considering from a structural standpoint, the benchmark’s trend remains...
Taural India delivers aluminium castings to a domestic shipbuilder
Taural India, one of India’s premier integrated aluminium foundries, has strengthened India's maritime manufacturing base with a significant indigenous defence contract. The company has supplied high-quality aluminium castings to Triveni Engineering & Industries Ltd. for propulsion gearboxes as part of the Indigenous Patrol Vessels Programme. Co-designed by Taural India and Triveni Engineering, the successful delivery of gearboxes marks a milestone in India’s advanced marine manufacturing system. While the collaboration of these two companies reinforces their role as a trusted partner in India’s marine manufacturing ecosystem. Under the collaboration,Taural India delivered 16 complete sets of aluminium castings in less than five months.The company applied its aluminium sand casting...
HLIB upgrades Press Metal target to USD 1.84 on record earnings outlook, strong aluminium prices
Hong Leong Investment Bank Bhd (HLIB) has reaffirmed its “BUY” call on Press Metal Aluminium Bhd. The bank raised its target price to MYR 7.64 (USD 1.84), reflecting stronger earnings visibility. The upgrade is driven by robust aluminium prices, favourable alumina costs and steady operational expansions. Image for reference only (source: Press Metal) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain HLIB said Press Metal is on track for record earnings in FY26. It expects higher contributions from value-added products and rising alumina self-sufficiency. Forecasts for FY25-FY27 were revised up by 8.5 per cent, 15.7 per cent and 2.2 per cent, respectively. Press Metal Aluminium's operational momentum remains strong even though LME aluminium...
NALCO’s share price rally tells a bigger story than just a new high
A steady climb has taken National Aluminium Company’s share price to a fresh 52-week high of INR 279.85 ( USD 3.10). The move crowns a year of rising earnings, expanding cash flows, and a balance sheet that has remained largely untouched by debt. The stock’s journey has been notable for its consistency. From a 52 week low of Rs.140 (USD 1.54 ), NALCO has been on a consistent high, recording a cumulative return of 6.41 per cent over the last three trading sessions alone. On 15 December 2025, it not only reached a new annual peak but also outpaced its sector by 0.84 per cent on the same day. NALCO builds momentum amidst a cautious market While NALCO was hitting new highs, the broader market was moving more cautiously. The Sensex opened the day lower at INR 84,891.75 (USD 933.91), slipping...
New study sheds light on Karst bauxite deposit in Samar
Recently, a soil examination conducted by scientists from the University of the Philippines–Diliman has confirmed a Karst bauxite deposit in Paranas, Samar, containing aluminium and rare earth elements. Image source: Wikipedia Karst bauxite deposit is primarily formed by the prolonged exposure of silicate rocks to intense tropical weathering. Over the years, due to weather conditions, the less stable materials got stripped, thus allowing aluminium-rich minerals to concentrate within the rock mass. The team carried out sampling from test pits reaching depths of up to four metres. Additional samples were taken from an existing drill core extending more than 11 metres below ground. Leveraging modern X-ray techniques, lab analysis was conducted to evaluate both mineral composition and...
India must map a broader route beyond EVs to meet net-zero ambitions, say industry leaders
Electric vehicles are slowly becoming mainstream in India’s net-zero plans, though industry leaders are still a little apprehensive about it. Speaking at the ETAuto EV Conclave 2025, policymakers and executives expressed considering electric vehicles and decarbonisation as synonymous is risky. Instead, they suggest India must explore a multi-pathway, well-to-wheel strategy, aligned with technology choices, grid decarbonisation, business viability and workforce readiness. Vikram Gulati, Country Head and EVP for Corporate Affairs and Governance at Toyota Kirloskar Motor, said decarbonisation must be assessed beyond the tailpipe. He pointed out that strong hybrids already deliver emissions of around 110 grams of CO₂, and with higher ethanol blending, figures can drop further to around 91...
Metallium and ElementUSA sign $10 million deal to recover gallium and scandium from red mud
Australian-based industrial technology company Metallium has agreed to work with a US company called ElementUSA to extract two important metals, gallium and scandium, from red mud at its demonstration facility in Gramercy, Louisiana.The project will focus on using Metallium’s proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology, which involves passing of a direct current through a material, where the resistance of the material itself converts electrical energy into heat energy. Being home to a nationally significant alumina refinery, Gramercy holds around 30 million tonnes of red mud feedstock that offers long-term processing potential. Under the agreement, Metallium will receive up to USD 10.1 million (AUD 15.16 million) in non-dilutive funding. This funding will be used to install and...
Mexico’s tariff hike to squeeze a swathe of Indian auto, electronics and other major exports
India’s exporters are bracing for a setback after Mexico approved a sweeping rise in import tariffs that analysts say could disrupt nearly three-quarters of India’s shipments to the country in the coming financial year. Image for reference only (source: https://www.orfonline.org/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The decision was cleared by Mexico’s Senate on December 11 and approved by both chambers of Congress. From January 1, 2026, Mexico will levy higher duties, typically ranging from about 5 per cent to as much as 35 per cent, on imports from countries without a free trade agreement. India is among those affected. The move is likely to reshape the business case for Indian firms in Mexico, particularly in sectors that have...
Austria’s deposit scheme returns 1.2B aluminium and PET bottles in first year
Austria started a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on January 1, 2025, and it closed the first year with 1.2 billion PET bottles and aluminium cans returned by the end of November, showing strong public participation and early operational stability. Austria introduced a EUR 0.25 (USD 0.29) deposit on single-use beverage containers from 0.1 to 3 litres. The scheme is run by EWP Recycling Pfand Österreich and supported by its core technology partner Sensoneo. According to Sensoneo, 75 per cent of consumers support the system, driven by visible reductions in litter and improved recycling as key motivations. Weekly returns of aluminium cans and PET bottles rose gradually during the initial days and stabilised at 7–9 million units per week. Also read: Secondary aluminium on track to add 22 MT of...
Gamme Telco in France launches an all-aluminium solar carport
Gamme Telco, a division of Group Mitjavila, has unveiled its newly developed all-aluminium solar carport named Electra Design 3 for residential and commercial application. The uniqueness of this carport is it generates solar power while providing shelter to the parked cars, besides being fully customisable and compatible with standard PV modules. The all-aluminium frame is fully recyclable and backed by a 5-year warranty. Company president Frédéric Arpin explained, “No special modules are required, as we adapt the structure to fit 99 per cent of the panels available on the market, typically between 30 mm and 35 mm thick.” This flexibility is central to its design. Every installation can be tailored to the buyer’s preferred panels or layout. Arpin added, “The dimensions are flexible. We...
