AlCircle News Edited By "Trisha Hazra"
Trisha Hazra is a rising digital marketing enthusiast who is passionate about writing and content creation. She is pursuing an MBA in Digital Marketing and is on a journey to blend creativity and aluminium with strategic insights.
How far is Europe from securing its rare earth future?
China, which has been the long-standing dominator of rare earths and its supply chain, imposed strict restrictions on rare earth exports on October 8. Many dependents on China’s rare earth, including the US and the EU, faced impacts, but later on, managed to strike a year-long truce. Beside China, the EU also entered into rare earth supply agreements with Canada, Namibia, Chile and others. Meanwhile, the bloc is also targeting to become self-reliant with 10 per cent extraction, 40 per cent processing and 15 per cent recycling. We are here to analyse if self reliance with no trace of domestic rare earth mining would be feasible for Europe. EU’s imports of rare earth from China As per the report of Statista, the EU imports nearly half of its rare earth from China, followed by Russia, which...
GSI steps up critical minerals push as fresh exploration milestones emerge
As reported to the Parliament on Monday, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) informed that it is pushing its efforts in exploring essential and strategic minerals. This will include the launch of 230 projects in the current fiscal year, up from 195 last year. As a reply to the question raised in the Rajya Sabha, G. Kishan Reddy, the Coal and Mines Minister of India, shed light on the initiative that the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) have affirmed to 62 exploration projects in the last financial year, along with 36 more planned for 2025 and 2026. Also read: Cabinet clears ₹7,280 crore push to reshape India’s rare earth magnet future In the same reply, the minister further states that, for strengthening the critical mineral sector, several different initiatives...
LME aluminium eases to $2,854/t but Asian 3-month price rises $32/t
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices on December 3 have further inched down from the previous close. However, the 3-month Asian Reference Price showed an upward movement. The LME cash bid declined from USD 2,858 per tonne to USD 2,853 per tonne, representing a decline of USD 5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent. The cash offer price reduced from USD 2,858.5 per tonne to USD 2,854 per tonne, showing a dip of USD 4.5 per tonne or 0.15 per cent. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain The 3-month bid and offer also dipped by USD 5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, where the bid came down to USD 2,882 per tonne from USD 2,887 per tonne, and the offer at USD 2,883 per tonne from USD 2,888 per tonne. The prices for the longer-dated contract...
Impact Minerals signals a breakthrough path for low-cost HPA at Lake Hope at Resourcing Tomorrow 2025
At Resourcing Tomorrow, the Anchor of the London Mining Week, which brings the global mining industry leaders together for sourcing metals and minerals that power the future, showcased a latest conversation centring around High Purity Alumina (HPA). In this, an interesting conversation with the managing director of Impact Minerals, Dr Mike Jones, highlights the progress of its latest project on its Lake Hope HPA in Western Australia. Latest updates of Lake Hope HPA Pre-feasibility study on the Lake Hope High Purity Alumina has been completed, delivering a billion-dollar NPV in Australian dollars. Acquiring proprietary processing technologies from a failed competitor, which is deemed to be a fantastic match for the back end of the Lake Hope feedstock, which shall further aid in improving...
Novelis secures German Ecodesign Award with a breakthrough 100% recycled aluminium automotive sheet
The leading sustainable aluminium solutions provider and the global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, Novelis, has successfully bagged the 2025 German Ecodesign Award under the category of “Product”. This award has been given to the firm as a recognition of the aluminium sheet prototype, which has been made by using 100 per cent end-of-life vehicle scrap, uniquely designed for application in the exterior car body. Novelis, due to the ongoing research and development as well as strong partnerships throughout the automotive value chain, has marked a significant achievement in the aluminium circularity with the award-winning product. Currently commercially available alloy, Advanz™ 6F–e170RC, accounts for the exterior application by 75 per cent of recycled content, attained from a...
LME cash aluminium slips 0.03% to $2,858/t as futures extend gains
On December 2, the London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium cash price fell slightly, but other contracts continued the upward trend. The inventory further dropped from the previous day’s close. The LME cash bid fell by USD 1 per tonne or 0.03 per cent to reach USD 2,858 per tonne and the cash offer dropped by USD 1.5 per tonne or 0.05 per cent and concluded at USD 2,858.5 per tonne on December 2. From the previous close, the 3-month bid and offer rose by USD 4 per tonne or 0.13 per cent, where each settled at USD 2,887 per tonne and USD 2,888 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Concurrently, the prices for the longer-dated contract also strengthened, with the December 26 bid and offer price increased by USD 6 per tonne...
Nuclear earnings in Q3: Which players held steady and which stumbled?
Many key investments have emerged in various themes, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing and memory chip stocks. But for now, the attention is more extensive on the nuclear energy stocks. This is more so because many high-profile nuclear stocks in Q3 have reported their earnings. NuScale’s heavy loss is affecting Q3 earnings NuScale Power, a pioneering developer of small modular nuclear reactors, has been on a rollercoaster ride throughout 2025 due to many small pre-revenue nuclear stocks. The firm, till mid-October, presented an upward trajectory of 200 per cent, but after mid-October, the stock collapsed by 61 per cent from its peak. Because of this, a direct impact on the firm’s revenue has been seen with a loss of USD 1.85 per share. The downturn of its stock is...
Talum moves to transform waste landfills into Slovenia’s biggest solar power plant
A new solar power plant project has surfaced by Talum, an aluminium producer of up to 60 MW overall, aiming to evolve utility-scale solar in Slovenia rapidly. In this region, the photovoltaic (PV) facilities, which are installed by households and firms, account for nearly the entire operational capacity of 1.5 GW. At present, 7.1 MW is the capacity of the highest solar power plant located in Slovenia near the Krvavi Potok village, which started its operations back in July 2025. To focus, the expansion of the Prapretno photovoltaic plant is currently taking place, shifting from 6 MW to 9.8 MW. Apart from this, another large project, highlighting a total capacity of 140 MW, is underway. The firm is looking forward to indulging itself in a project for installing the largest solar power plant...
LME aluminium climbs to $2,860/t, up 1.2%; alumina Platts slips 1.6%
The London Metal Exchange (LME) price on December 1 significantly increased from the previous day’s close. However, the opening stock and cancelled warrants declined along with the cost of alumina platts. Both the LME cash bid and offer rose by USD 34 per tonne or 1.2 per cent, where the bid stood at USD 2,859 per tonne, up from USD 2,825 per tonne and the offer at USD 2,860 per tonne, up from USD 2,826 per tonne. The 3-month bid price climbed USD 33 per tonne or 1.12 per cent to settle at USD 2,883 per tonne from USD 2,850 per tonne. Similarly, the 3-month offer price increased by USD 32 per tonne or 1.1 per cent, to reach USD 2,884 per tonne from USD 2,852 per tonne. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain Concurrently, both the...
New Valencia–Nestlé pact aims to recover thousands of small aluminium items long lost in sorting
Instead of recycling, millions of worn-out coffee capsules and other minuscule aluminium items are deemed to pose crucial environmental challenges. Loss of these aluminium items mainly happens when they undergo the conventional sorting systems, which then ends up in the waste. For this, a new agreement between Nestlé-Nespresso and Generalitat Valenciana is drafted, which offers the long-awaited solutions, enabling the recovery of these problematic materials efficiently in Benidom. Outlining the agreement A signed agreement between the Generalitat Valenciana and Nestlé-Nespresso aims to identify and recover the small aluminium products, which previously went missing in the waste while sorting at the Light Packaging Sorting Plant in Benidorm, which is operated by Vaersa, a public company....
Harman faces $11.8m payout after decade-long duty evasion on Chinese aluminium imports comes to light
An agreement to pay USD 11.8 million by Harman International Industries, Inc., has surfaced for settling the allegations of violating the False Claims Act and other statutes. This allegation came by evading the antidumping and countervailing duties on goods which are made of extruded aluminium from China. The audio electronics company works for automakers, enterprises globally and consumers. Not only this, the firm’s portfolio brands include Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson and JBL. The allegation time span includes June 1, 2011, through March 31, 2023, which has been resolved with the settlement offer. Harman is alleged to have knowingly imported heat sinks which contained extruded aluminium from the People’s Republic of China without paying the deemed fees. Upon confrontation by the US...
Samsung T7 Resurrected: Where 100% recycled aluminium meets high-speed reliability
A refreshed version of the T7, with the Portable SSD T7 Resurrected, as introduced by Samsung, widens the firm’s sustainable approach whilst maintaining the same performance as the previous model. The body of the new drive is made of 100 per cent recycled aluminium, which is certified by TUV Rheinland. Use of recycled aluminium The sourcing of the recycled aluminium is done by using the leftover material from the production of the company’s Galaxy device series. While developing with the T7, Samsung has eliminated the colouring process, aiding in giving the SSD a natural finish as well as reducing the chemical usage. T7 Resurrected packaging is done by utilising 100 per cent recycled paper and ASA-certified soy ink. Implementation of these changes has ensured the firm to nurture a product...
Premier-Green Aluminium to invest INR 600 million in a strategic solar frame expansion
Premier Energies’ joint venture, Premier-Green Aluminium, is on the road to invest INR 600 million (USD 6.7 million). This investment will be rolled out in rounds of funding to push the use of aluminium frame projects, aiming to enhance the country’s solar module manufacturing. To achieve this vision, the firm has issued 25 thousand equity shares with each valued at INR 10 (USD 11), which marks the total value of the shares to be INR 250 thousand (USD 2,793.61) for Nuevosol Energy, its joint venture partner. After allotting the equity shares, Premier Energies will hold a total of 80 per cent ownership, and Nuevosol Energy will hold the remaining 20 per cent. To produce solar module frames which are purely made of aluminium and its alloys, Premier-Green Aluminium was formed. At present,...
Cabinet clears ₹7,280 crore push to reshape India’s rare earth magnet future
The Indian Union Cabinet is providing a total of INR 7,280 crore (USD 815.0 million) scheme, which is designed to promote the country’s manufacturing prowess of rare-earth permanent magnets. The country’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has given his approval for the initiative, popularly known as “Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Sintered Rare Earth Permanent Magnets.” The main agenda of the scheme is to boost domestic production, reduce dependency on imports and uphold sectors like electronics, automotive and renewable energy. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters, “The scheme will promote the manufacturing of rare-earth permanent magnets. The aim is to create a capacity of 6,000 MTPA (metric tonne per annum)." Within industries like electric vehicles,...
Gen Z’s sustainability dilemma: They are passionate about the planet but do not resonate with recycling
Recent UK research conducted by Every Can Count (ECC), a recycling not-for-profit organisation, has revealed a shocking generational divide in recycling awareness and support for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Despite Gen Z’s (from the age group of 16 to 28) reputation for having a strong voice for environmental well-being, they are found to be less responsive to the DRS system. The survey, ahead of the launch of the UK’s own DRS system in 2027, shows only 59 per cent of Gen Z are supportive of Deposit Return Schemes (DRS), compared to 77 per cent of boomers, falling in the age group of 55 to 74. This finding is astonishing, especially at a time when Gen Z are considered to be the flag bearer of climate protection and sustainability. Moreover, they are the ones more willing to pay a...
From Europe to Asia, aluminium’s downstream sector hits a week of defining changes and here’s everything you need to know
This week, the aluminium downstream sector has presented a mix of progress and challenges across global markets. In Europe, a rise in foil demand and some exciting new production technologies have surfaced. Meanwhile, the US is grappling with operational hurdles, Asia is experiencing a rollercoaster of market sentiment and South Africa is pushing forward with strategic modernisation efforts. Each region is at a pivotal moment. On top of that, global extrusion forecasts and India’s import-duty issues are adding more layers of complexity to the sector’s short-term outlook. All these developments paint a picture of a week filled with strategic changes, competitive pressures and shifting market signals, setting the stage for what could be a crucial time for aluminium’s value-added segments...
LME aluminium cash offer inches up to $2,804/t as inventories reveal a mixed shift
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices on November 27 showed a slight uptick. On the other hand, the LME inventory showed a mixed trend. The LME cash bid and offer moved up by USD 18.5 per tonne or 0.65 per cent, where each reached USD 2,803.5 per tonne and USD 2,804 per tonne. The 3-month contract also strengthened, where both the bid and offer inched up by USD 20.5 per tonne or 0.7 per cent to finally settle at USD 2,827.5 per tonne and USD 2,828 per tonne, respectively. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with 50+ reports across the value chain. A similar trend is seen in the December 26 contract, where both on November 27 increased by USD 16 per tonne or 0.55 per cent, with a bid at USD 2,862 per tonne and an offer at USD 2,867 per tonne. The LME...
Ferrari details recycled aluminium use for its first all-electric car
A new chapter in luxury mobility is unfolding, equal parts precision and provocation. Ferrari, for its newly launched electric car, the Elettrica, which is the firm’s first full-electric model, has revealed that the production-ready chassis and components will be used. Both the chassis and the body shell of the car will be crafted by using 75 per cent of recycled aluminium for the first time, aiding the firm to save nearly 6.7 tonnes of CO2 for every manufactured car. The model has been a cornerstone element for the firm’s multi-energy strategy, which will consist of the internal combustion engine (ICE), hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and fully electric powertrains. What made Ferrari choose recycled aluminium? Elettrica’s chassis has a short wheelbase, making the...
