AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
Kaiser Aluminium expands Trentwood operations after pandemic pause with a USD 25 million investment
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation has completed a USD 25 million expansion at its Trentwood rolling mill in Spokane Valley, marking another step in the company’s two-decade-long investment programme at the site. The project follows a pause during the pandemic and brings the total investment in the plant to about USD 415 million since 2005. The latest phase expands one of the mill’s heat-treating furnaces, increasing output by around 5 per cent, according to Kevin Barron, vice president of manufacturing. He described the project as an efficiency upgrade that keeps staffing steady at about 1,000 full-time employees. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The work was carried out within the existing 65-acre facility, which sits on 565 acres...
ABx Group’s Deep Leads rare earth programme reaches new milestone with high-purity MREC results
ABx Group’s Deep Leads rare earth project has taken another technical step forward, with new impurity-removal tests confirming an Al:TREE ratio of less than 0.005 under near-optimum pH conditions (5.9 and 6.2). The results reinforce confidence in ABx’s ability to produce a high-value, low-impurity mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) at low cost. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain In this latest testwork by ANSTO, two impurity removal (IR) trials have been conducted on rare earth-enriched leach solutions produced from a 1.2 kg sub-sample of the 100 kg bulk sample, taken from trial pit DLP002 within the Deep Leads resource area. The result confirms Deep Leads has an unusual mix of 62-66 per cent dysprosium and 25 per cent terbium....
Fraunhofer (IWU) & Amsted Automotive launches aluminium foam battery for EVs
Fraunhofer Institute for Machine Tools and Forming Technology (IWU) and Amsted Automotive have developed a new electric vehicle (EV) battery using aluminium foam sandwich (AAS) structures. The battery uses two sheets of aluminium covering a small closed-cell aluminium foam. It is developed to enhance the efficiency of thermal management of the battery, along with increasing its durability. As per Fraunhofer, the AAS housing could be produced in numerous ways, like AAS, AAS with infiltrated phase change material, AAS with an integrated cooling structure and AAS with both a cooling structure and PCM. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Fraunhofer IWU says that integrating PCM within closed-cell aluminium foam enables substantial...
Trafigura moves large aluminium volumes to LME warehouses in Malaysia
Commodity trader Trafigura has delivered significant amounts of aluminium to London Metal Exchange (LME)-approved warehouses in Malaysia, reportedly to take advantage of a financial arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. Surge in the aluminium stocks Aluminium inventories in LME-registered warehouses in Port Klang jumped by nearly 100,000 tonnes on October 30, lifting the total to about 366,850 tonnes. The rise is largely attributed to Trafigura’s deliveries, which were mostly placed on LME warrant, a certificate granting ownership of the metal. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Metal on warrant enables higher rent than material stored off warrant, making such transactions financially attractive for...
Hindalco faces downgrades after Novelis’ weak quarter; Launches ‘Saksham Niveshak’ Drive
Hindalco Industries Ltd, the flagship metals company of the Aditya Birla Group, is facing twin challenges this quarter. Its US-based subsidiary, Novelis Inc ., reported weaker-than-expected earnings, prompting several brokerage downgrades. At the same time, the company has rolled out a 100-day campaign aimed at helping shareholders recover unclaimed dividends. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Poor performance of Novelis in the quarter Novelis posted quarterly net sales of around USD 4.7 billion, marking a 10 per cent increase year-on-year. However, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) slipped to USD 422 million, compared with USD 462 million in the previous period. The company took a USD 54...
WEEKLY: China's thermal coal holds steady amid rosy demand outlook
Last week, according to Mysteel's assessment, the benchmark 5,500 kcal per kg NAR thermal coal dipped from RMB 768 per tonne (USD 107.9 per tonne) on Monday to RMB 766 per tonne on Tuesday. After staying at this level in the following two days, it rebounded to RMB 769 per tonne on Friday. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain At northern ports, bullish sentiment largely persisted through the week despite thin liquidity, as the market converged on a broadly bullish outlook for demand during the seasonal peak period. Starting from November 1, most places in North China enter the heating season that will last until mid-March next year. Meanwhile, as some utilities missed opportunities to restock in October, they are expected to make...
Ola launches its new two-wheeler EV model S1 Pro+
Ola Electric launches its new model S1 Pro+ with its advanced 4680 Bharat cell battery pack. The battery pack uses aluminium to enhance its conductivity. In this new design the Ola Electric has mainly focused on several new areas, including the use of a new die-cast aluminium grab handle. The use of aluminium alloys in its body frame helps to enhance its efficiency and durability. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The integration of aluminium in the EV’s design and engineering is in the effective utilisation of gleaming metal in the body frame, grab handles and within the rims. This new model uses the 4680 Bharat cell battery, which is a significant step by the company towards launching its EV products. The product is launched...
VIVA launches 0.7mm aluminium louver system, targets 5 per cent share of India’s market
VIVA, one of India’s leading manufacturers of aluminium composite panels, is all set to launch its new 0.7mm aluminium louvers and baffles from 6 to 9 November 2025 at ACETECH Mumbai. The new range of aluminium louvers features top-notch functionality, high-precision engineering, and architectural excellence alongside smart visual appeal. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The latest version of VIVA’s aluminium louver range sets a new standard for ceiling and façade innovation. It features an advanced interlocking technology that reflects precise alignment, concealed joints, and efficient installation for premium construction. Its modular structure guarantees fast and easy installation. Alongside, PVDF-coated panels offer...
Project Vidya: An initiative of Vedanta Aluminium empowering 600 students
Vedanta Aluminium, the largest aluminium producer in India, has upheld its CSR initiative to assist the educational quality in Odisha through its initiative, Project Vidya. The organisation has distributed reference books to the students of classes 9 and 10 across government schools in the Lakhanpur block. Through this flagship initiative, Vedanta Aluminium has supported more than 600 students by distributing academic resources and books. Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium, said, “Education is the foundation for progress because it empowers individuals to think, innovate, and shape their future. Through Project Vidya, we aim to equip students with the right learning tools and opportunities to help them succeed and build a strong foundation for their future. Our commitment is to ensure...
Poland intercepts 37 tonnes of illegal aluminium scrap shipment from Germany
Poland has blocked over 37 tonnes of illegal aluminium scrap at its border and returned the shipment to Germany. Officials detained two trucks near Jędrzychowice, a key crossing point close to the German border. The load had been logged in Poland’s digital monitoring platform. However, the designated Polish recipient lacked mandatory paperwork for “processing and disposal”, according to the National Revenue Administration. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The waste was to be delivered to the Lesser Poland (Małopolska) Province, authorities confirmed.. The recipient may now face a potential fine of up to €235,000 ( USD 269,986.8), signalling that Warsaw is prepared to make waste-crime expensive. After China’s 2018 waste-import...
Vianode’s Canada move signals a new phase for synthetic graphite security
Vianode, a Norwegian producer of advanced battery materials, announced that their first large-scale low-emission synthetic graphite plant, which they had featured at G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan (CMAP) in June 2025, would come up in Ontario, Canada. This plant will serve the demand for an essential component used in lithium-ion batteries and in defence and industrial applications. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The Norwegian battery-materials producer plans a phased investment beginning with over CAD 2 billion (USD 1.45 billion), scaling capacity to 150,000 tonnes a year. This project matters much as it will turn Canada home to North America’s first industrial-scale synthetic graphite hub, enabling the country to be...
Global instability reshapes demand for Hydro’s aluminium products
The leading Norwegian aluminium producer, Norsk Hydro , has experienced mixed fortunes in its key markets amid global political tensions. With the growing trade barriers, the industrial activity of some of its segments has slowed. It has reshaped demand patterns for obvious reasons. However, the growth in products linked to Europe’s energy transition has been a source of consistent profit for the company. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Market volatility drives the company to focus on cost-saving measures In its third quarter results, Norsk Hydro has described the current market conditions as “demanding”, which is in a way responsible for the weaker consumption. Coupled with the geopolitical tensions and tariff disputes, the...
Australian recycler turns nearly half a million aluminium cans into a two-bedroom home
Damian Gordon, an Australian recycler, began collecting discarded drink containers along beaches, roadsides and at festivals in New South Wales. He used Australia’s container-deposit scheme (worth 10 cents per eligible item) to turn bottles and cans into cash. Over several years he amassed roughly AUD 46,000 (USD 30,084), enough for a modest two-bedroom home in a rural area. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain He said that his biggest single-day haul came from cleaning up after large-scale events, “I’m going to recycle my way to a house deposit.” His efforts highlight how small, consistent actions, keeping nearly half a million containers out of landfill not only rewarded him financially but also carried environmental benefits....
Alba forges global aluminium alliance with SIG and BlueFive to expand beyond Bahrain
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter on one site, announced a strategic partnership with the aluminium manufacturer, Shandong Innovation Group (SIG) and global investment firm BlueFive Capital on the sidelines of Gateway Gulf 2025 with the aim to optimise the global aluminium supply chain. This move reflects the growing GCC-Asia industrial alignment at a moment when supply security and advanced alloys are becoming strategic levers in automotive, aerospace and energy transition markets. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain A cooperation built on scale, tech and capital Alba, majority-owned by Bahrain’s sovereign wealth fund, brings decades of smelting excellence. To this, SIG adds advanced alloy...
Emirates Extrusion Factory celebrates 30 years of growth and innovation
Emirates Extrusion Factory (EEF), the UAE’s leading aluminium extrusion producer, has recently celebrated three decades in business with new investment in state-of-the-art technology and eco-friendly manufacturing. A subsidiary of Dubai Investments Industries, EEF has evolved from a tiny local unit to a reliable supplier on a global scale, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Image for referential purposes only (source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/) Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Three decades of sustainable production Started in 1995 with a single press line, EEF has walked a long way to expand its capabilities. Presently, the manufacturing house produces around 18,000 tonnes of aluminium annually. So far,...
Antipodes Partners takes fresh stake in Century Aluminium
Antipodes Partners Ltd has taken a fresh position in Century Aluminium Company (NASDAQ: CENX), according to its latest SEC filing. The Sydney-based investment firm acquired 153,131 shares in the industrial metals producer, a stake valued at roughly USD 2.8 million at the time of purchase. By the end of the quarter, the holding represented about 0.16 per cent of Century Aluminium’s total stock. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Institutional investment renews market confidence Besides Antipodes Partners, a number of other major funds have also increased their exposure to the company this year. Woodline Partners LP opened a new position in the first quarter valued at about USD 19.3 million. Impala Asset Management LLC raised its...
Ball Corporation celebrates 90 years of the beverage can
At Drinktec 2025 , held to mark the 90th anniversary of the beverage can in Ball Corporation, Jag Bains, Vice President of Commercial for Ball Corporation, spoke on the theme ‘ Design for Life’ , emphasising how modern lifestyles, shifting consumer habits, and rising sustainability demands are shaping the future of global beverage packaging. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain In her speech, Bains underlined the lasting relevance of aluminium, the core material in Ball’s cans. She highlighted aluminium’s intrinsic property of infinite recyclability, which makes it central to the company’s innovation strategy. Bains, who joined Ball six years ago after two decades in the FMCG sector, said the packaging industry is undergoing a...
Prosecutors charge group over Samsung SDI battery technology leak to Vietnam and China
South Korean prosecutors have formally charged a group with stealing and leaking key electric vehicle (EV) battery technology belonging to Samsung SDI, one of the country’s leading battery manufacturers. The Defence Industry and Industrial Technology Crime Investigation Division of the Suwon District Prosecutors’ Office announced that a 37-year-old man, identified only as B - the actual operator of A Co., a KOSDAQ-listed company- and three associates have been indicted without bail. They face charges under the Industrial Technology Protection Act and Unfair Competition Prevention Act for allegedly leaking national core technology and trade secrets. Additionally, 11 individuals connected to the case have also been referred for trial. Core technology leaked overseas Between October 2022 and...
