AlCircle News Edited By "Staff Editor"
BIS announces renewed submission scope for steel and aluminium tariff expansion
The US-based government agency, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), announced another bout of probability in expanding the derivative horizon of Section 232 tariffs. On September 17, 2025, the Federal Register notice confirmed that requests to add new derivative steel and aluminium products can be filed between September 15 and 29. Each request must include detailed tariff classification data. Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/ Also read: American Aluminium Industry: The Path Forward After the filing window, BIS will post petitions for a two-week public comment period. The International Trade Administration (ITA) will then conduct a sixty-day review. Approved inclusions will be announced in the Federal Register, with duties taking effect shortly thereafter. This is the second...
Vedanta initiates land acquisition for 3 MTPA aluminium expansion in Odisha
Vedanta has recently announced that it has begun a land acquisition process for manufacturing an aluminium smelter in Dhenkanal, Odisha. This is part of its production expansion plan from 3 MTPA to 6 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). This particular announcement was made by Rajiv Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta’s aluminium business, at ALUMEX India 2025 in Delhi, a dedicated event for the aluminium extrusion sector. This project is estimated to generate more than two lakh jobs for the people in the region. It is a capital-intensive project that would require almost three to four years to complete. In addition, the company has also decided to expand its billet capacity and establish an aluminium park in Jharsuguda, creating a wide range of opportunities for MSMEs, boosting...
Vedanta clears demerger hurdle with NCLAT nod, puts spotlight on 3D strategy now
Global mining and metals company Vedanta Resources is pressing ahead with its long-awaited corporate restructuring, with Chief Executive Officer Deshnee Naidoo confirming that the demerger of its Indian arm is targeted for completion within FY2025–26. Her optimism follows a breakthrough in the Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd (TSPL) case, which was awaiting the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) approval to move forward with its separation from Vedanta Ltd. Naidoo said, “I’m very optimistic. I think for me the work right now is actually restructuring the organisation as if we are already a demerged company.” She stressed that her immediate priority is to manage the transition smoothly, with the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) hearing scheduled for September 17. The TSPL...
Alba on alumina spree! Renews agreement with Hydro
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the largest single-site aluminium smelter, has renewed its alumina supply agreement with Hydro during the Fastmarkets International Aluminium 2025 Conference in Barcelona. The renewed agreement plays a key role in Alba’s long-term growth strategy, ensuring reliable access to critical raw materials. Securing alumina supply is essential for maintaining Alba’s annual production capacity of over 1.62 million metric tonnes of aluminium. This partnership not only shapes Alba’s future growth strategy but also takes a step forward to align with Bahrain’s national economic diversification and sustainability goals. Commenting on the renewal, Ali Al Baqali, the Chief Executive Officer of Alba, said, “The agreement reflects Alba’s longstanding and valued collaboration...
Talum advances $65M investment in green aluminium operations
Slovenian aluminium producer Talum is moving forward with a EUR 55 million (USD 65 million) green transformation project, to be completed by the end of 2025. The investment will drive Talum's transition away from primary aluminium production towards recycled aluminium. This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy efficiency, and align with Europe’s circular economy goals. Marko Drobnic, Chairman of the Management Board of Talum, noted that by focusing on the production of aluminium rods from recycled aluminium, the project would be having a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions reduction, as well as energy efficiency improvement and other specific impacts directly on the European circular economy objectives. Talum has secured financing of EUR 16 million (USD 19...
Metro Mining looks no back since March after seasonal operation halt, posts 5.5% hike in Aug. bauxite shipments
Metro Mining Limited, the Brisbane-based miner in Australia, shipped 753,101 wet metric tonnes (WMT) of bauxite from its Bauxite Hills operation in Queensland during August. The figure marked a 6 per cent year-on-year increase and a solid improvement from July’s 714,000 WMT. Despite losing a few operational days to unfavourable weather, the company reported record throughput rates at its Barge Loading Facility, averaging over 1,700 tonnes per hour. Image source: Metro Mining In 2025, Metro has shipped a total of 3.4 million WMT to date, placing it in a solid position to achieve its target of 6.5 to 7 million WMT this year. After a seasonal shutdown during the first two months of 2025 owing to an annual wet season maintenance program, Metro Mining kickstarted its operations from March,...
Kerala to begin bauxite mining with Kasaragod high-grade deposits
The state of Kerala is on the cusp of entering India's bauxite mining sector, with plans advancing to auction off what are being described as among the richest new deposits discovered in the country in three decades. Found in the Kasaragod district, the high-grade bauxite deposits are poised to provide a significant new source of raw material for India's burgeoning aluminium industry and a potential revenue windfall of INR 5,000 crore (USD 600 million) for the state. Bauxite deposits of high quality The Department of Mining and Geology is preparing a detailed report for the state government, where mining work can be initiated as early as next year. A key revised survey is ongoing to map the deposits carefully, making sure that the forest lands and residential areas are kept out of the...
Golden Aluminum launches nexcast® line in Colorado, advancing high-alloy strip casting
Golden Aluminum Inc. (GAI) has recently partnered with SMS group to launch the commercial operations of a state-of-the-art aluminium strip, called nexcast®, at its Fort Lupton, Colorado facility. This represents a significant breakthrough in aluminium casting methods, facilitating the production of high-alloy aluminium grades. What’s important and exciting in this new venture? Nexcast® is a novel, high-precision continuous casting line that completely converts molten aluminium directly into hot-rolled 36-inch wide coils, which are ready for further processing. Using this, a 40-year-old block caster, which was previously used at the plant, could be replaced. On July 5, 2025, Nexcast® started producing its first coil, which was just four weeks after it was installed. Within the first month...
APAA raises question over Canada’s $5B aluminium tariff relief fund
The American Primary Aluminium Association (APAA) has voiced concerns over Ottawa’s new USD 5 billion tariff relief fund. According to Canadian Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, this fund is nothing but a replica of the earlier subsidies that only provide hundreds of millions of dollars in support to the aluminium sector. The only difference is the previous funds issued USD 850 million in subsidies, while the recent one is providing USD 5 billion. “With the Canadian Government now giving hundreds of millions more to boost Canadian aluminium production, this is just more of the same from Canada,” said APAA President Mark Duffy. He added that “rather than allowing their producers to compete on a free market basis, Canada has chosen to double down and distort the global market further at the...
Hon. Speaker Om Birla envisions greater role of aluminium in India
On Wednesday, September 10, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla highlighted the significant role of aluminium, in global manufacturing and green transition. Speaking at Alumex India 2025, an exclusive event for aluminium extrusion and its allied industries, Birla described aluminium as a versatile metal, vital for both industrial growth and sustainable development. “Alumex India 2025 has been organised to present India’s aluminium industry, MSMEs, and their innovations before the world,” he said, underpinning its use in sectors from consumer goods to aircraft and electric vehicles and noting its recyclability as a critical advantage for green transitions. Birla acknowledged that India is witnessing opportunities across industry, services, and technology, where aluminium has an important role to...
Lithoz 3D printer uses aluminium nitride for manufacturing heat exchangers for hydrogen aircraft
An Austrian company, Lithoz, which specialises in ceramic 3D printing, is now focusing on the manufacturing of aluminium nitride (AlN) heat exchangers for hydrogen-electric propulsion systems for aircraft. This project forms a part of the TRIATHLON project that mainly aims to produce low-emission and less maintenance power trains to ensure a sustainable future and decarbonisation of aviation. Lithoz company was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Vienna. Lithoz has been a core supplier of ceramic 3D printers and parts across aerospace, medical, and industrial growing markets. Image Source: Lithoz Ergon Research manufactured a heat exchanger using a thermodynamically driven control system, while Lithoz produced it with the CeraFab 3D printers. It uses mostly printers using ceramic 3D...
EGA rolls out training for 200 Emiratis to support local employment in aluminium
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the UAE’s largest industrial company outside oil and gas, has signed an agreement with the Department of Government Enablement to recruit more than 200 UAE nationals in the newly launched EGA Academy industrial training programmes. The signing took place at the academy’s Al Taweelah campus, witnessed by His Excellency Ibrahim Nasser, Undersecretary of the Department of Government Enablement, and Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, Chief Executive Officer of EGA. Under the agreement, Emiratis registered with the department and holding high school certificates will join EGA Academy’s industrial programmes over the next five years. This initiative is aligned with the UAE’s Operation 300 billion strategy to develop skilled workforce within the aluminium sector and boost...
Sampat Aluminium to reveal its IPO next week
Sampat Aluminium, an aluminium products producer from Gujarat, is opening its first initial public offering (IPO) for subscription from 17 September 2025, with the issue closing on 19 September 2025. The company aims to raise about INR 305 million (USD 3.67 million) from a fresh issue of 25.44 lakh shares at a price range of INR 114–INR 120 (USD 1.37–1.45) per share. IPO structure and utilisation of funds The public offer is structured as a Book Built Issue with a retail quota of 35 per cent, Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIB) at 50 per cent, and High Net-worth Individuals (HNI) at 15 per cent. The issue will be finalised on 22 September 2025, with the shares expected to list on the BSE SME platform on 24 September 2025. Sampat Aluminium will use INR 233.2 million (USD 2.81 million) of...
Toyota Tsusho invests $46.65M in Taiwan’s TCSP to secure EV aluminium supply
Toyota Tsusho Corporation, a trading company, has stepped up its electric vehicle (EV) materials strategy. It has invested USD 46.65 million in Ta Chen Stainless Pipe Co., Ltd. (TCSP) through its US subsidiary TCI, which operates TCI Texarkana (TKA) in Arkansas. The deal, made through a third-party allotment, gives Toyota Tsusho a 2 per cent stake and secures a foothold in one of Asia’s largest stainless steel and aluminium suppliers. Strengthening aluminium for EVs The move is designed to stabilise aluminium supply in North America, where demand for the lightweight metal continues to exceed supply. Aluminium is essential for EV lightweighting, especially in battery cases and covers. Toyota Tsusho already manufactures these through FUJIHATSU & TOYOTSU Battery Components (FTBC) in North...
US 50% metal tariffs pinch farm equipment makers
The United States’ sharp 50 per cent tariff on aluminium and steel imports seem to have spared no end-user sector, not even farm equipment manufacturers. Reports indicate that the punitive duty has driven up production costs and disrupted supply chain stability, leaving equipment makers grappling with uncertainty. The situation is especially concerning as farmers head into the crucial harvest season, where reliable access to machinery is vital. Although steel is a major constituent, the tariffs also jack up the price of high-strength aluminium, used more and more in newer farm equipment for parts such as engine blocks, wheels, and structural elements to save weight and improve fuel consumption. The tariffs directly influence the US Midwest Premium, the principal physical aluminium price...
TRUNNANO develops high-purity spherical aluminum nitride for next-gen EVs
TRUNNANO, a China-based chemical materials firm, has announced a big step forward in producing high-purity spherical aluminium nitride (AlN) powder. The company stated that the new material overcomes long-standing technical challenges. This includes challenges with sphericity, purity, and particle distribution. The powder is made with 99.5 per cent purity and very low oxygen content, and so it offers potential for high thermal conductivity and consistent performance in real-world applications. Spherical AlN is important for thermal interface materials in EVs, where unwanted heat must be managed effectively. It is also important for high-performance ceramic substrates for power electronics and for additive manufacturing of complex heat-resistant components. Traditional AlN production often...
Offset plate of Eco3 helps to reduce carbon footprint
The Belgian printing consumables manufacturer Eco3 (ex-Agfa) has studied the overall environmental impact of the offset plate at the request of its printing customers. This particular study has been carried out by an independent German organisation, Telusio, which mainly focused on analysing the whole life cycle of the offset plates from the raw material to their final delivery. According to the study carried out by German organisation Telusio, "Our carbon footprint calculation uses an activity-based approach, which captures greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product lifecycle from birth to customer, eco3 details. This includes all relevant stages from raw material extraction, manufacturing, to product delivery." The analysis showed that almost 75 per cent of the entire offset...
Sun Chemical and X-Rite expand PantoneLIVE libraries, boosting aluminium packaging innovation
Sun Chemical and X-Rite Incorporated have joined forces to expand the PantoneLIVE™ digital colour ecosystem, bringing innovation to aluminium can packaging . The expansion plan is focused on incorporating exclusive colour libraries that will facilitate precise visualisation and reproduction of Pantone and brand colours on two-piece aluminium cans. Image for representational purposes only Also read: Toyota to shut down one of its two EV production plants in US amidst rising tariffs They are using metal deco inks with a matte finish to enhance colour predictability and consistency. It will help brands using aluminium cans preserve their visual identity across various substrates and finishes. Accommodating growing demand for non-gloss finish The new packaging is available through the Print...
