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.
Nalco set to pioneer gallium production, the first in India
In a bold leap toward self-reliance and semiconductor supremacy, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) is gearing up to become the first Indian company to produce the elusive rare metal gallium within the next two years. On Tuesday, the firm announced its initiative to extract gallium is now at the advanced stage and the likelihood to start the commercial production in the upcoming two years. India's leading aluminium producer has partnered with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and the Heavy Water Board (HWB) on R&D initiatives focused on gallium extraction and non-nuclear applications of heavy water. Leveraging these collaborations, the company has successfully developed an indigenous technology to extract gallium, a critical metal recovered as a by-product in the alumina production...
Higher imports of AL extruded products from ASEAN; India demands re-examine FTA
Indian aluminium extrusion manufacturers are sounding the alarm over surging pressure from low-priced Chinese imports. They warn that these imports, facilitated indirectly through regional trade agreements, are disrupting domestic competitiveness, exposing a critical imbalance in the market's playing field. This led to the manufacturers demanding that the government re-examine the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between ASEAN countries and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Industry stakeholders allege that China is routing its finished aluminium products into the Indian market via Vietnam and Malaysia at zero duty under the FTA framework. In contrast, domestic producers face an 8.25 per cent import duty burden, leaving them at a competitive disadvantage against Chinese suppliers in both domestic...
Peel Ports joins ALFED to boost UK aluminium trade and sustainable supply chains
Peel Ports Group, providing port and logistics services, has become the first UK port operator to join the Aluminium Federation (ALFED), a non-profit organisation dedicated to representing and supporting the UK aluminium industry, underpinning its strategic focus on helping the steel and metals industries. This development aligns with the Group's ambition to strengthen its presence in the aluminium sector, building on a record year for steel imports handled at the Port of Liverpool. The Group stated that its membership with the ALFED will enable it to deliver more efficient and sustainable supply chain solutions for aluminium importers. In addition to this, it has already been collaborating with customers to position cargo closer to demand hubs, mainly across its seven statutory harbour...
NALCO ramps up expansions in production to fast-track Maharatna status
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navaratna central public sector enterprise (CPSE), is pursuing brownfield expansions in alumina and aluminium production as part of its strategy to secure Maharatna status. NALCO plans to invest INR 17,163 crore (USD 2.06 billion) to enhance smelter capacity by 0.5 million tonnes per annum and an additional INR 12,000 crore (USD 1.44 billion) to set up 1,080 MW of power generation capacity, with land acquisition for the smelter project nearing the final stage of completion. In addition, the company is also developing advanced plans to expand its alumina refinery capacity through a fifth stream of 1 MTPA with an investment of INR 5,677 crore (USD 681 million), alongside an INR 1,961 crore (USD 235 million) project to develop the Pottangi...
Germany’s flagship facility redefines bottom ash metal recovery
In Magdeburg, Mitteldeutsche Schlackenunion (MDSU) is establishing a benchmark in circular economy solutions. Through its advanced plant for metal recovery from bottom ash, the company highlights the critical role of reliable, high-performance sorting technology, reinforcing STEINERT’s position as the preferred partner for industrial metal recovery. MDSU is transforming how the industry views incineration residues. At municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plants, 20 to 30 per cent of processed material remains as bottom ash, a resource-rich byproduct containing aluminium, copper, brass and stainless steel. Recognising this potential, MDSU has launched a cutting-edge recovery facility featuring advanced X-ray technology, setting a new standard for sustainable resource management and...
Vedanta Aluminium drives India’s progress with ‘Badhte Bharat ki Pehchaan’ on 79th Independence day
Following India's 79th Independence Day, Vedanta Aluminium, the nation's largest aluminium producer, launched its campaign "Badhte Bharat ki Pehchaan." The initiative underscores the company's commitment to driving inclusive growth, innovation and self-reliance while highlighting its role in enabling transformation across multiple sectors. The campaign underscores Vedanta Aluminium's role in advancing transformation across key sectors vital to India's resurgence, including electric mobility, renewable energy, aerospace and defence and infrastructure . It further positions aluminium as a pivotal enabler of the nation's Viksit Bharat@2047 vision. This aligns seamlessly with the firm's recent endorsement of India's National Aluminium Vision document, which outlines a strategic roadmap to...
Lotte launches limited-edition aluminium cups in Power Pro Baseball collab
Lotte Corporation, the South Korean conglomerate, announced on August 18, 2025, the launch of its limited-edition aluminium cups in collaboration with Powerful Pro Baseball and The Marines, available only for 6 days. The cups will be available during the Seibu games from August 22 to 24, 2025, and the Softbank games from August 29 to 31, 2025. The limited-edition aluminium cups , which are a part of the Power Pro Baseball and The Marines collaboration, are designed to Power Pro specifications for five players. These players include Kyota Fujiwara (outfielder), Misho Nishikawa (outfielder), Kazuya Ojima (pitcher), Daito Yamamoto (outfielder) and Ryusei Terachi (catcher). The limited-edition aluminium cups will be available for purchase with the PLAYERS COLLAB MENU 2025 at an additional USD...
Indian Railways pioneers solar energy generation on railway tracks
What if the very ground beneath our trains could double as a power source, clever, cost-wise and brilliantly green? India’s transport sector is witnessing a new wave of innovation that blends infrastructure with sustainability. This includes the incorporation of removable solar panels on the railway tracks at Varanasi. Indian Railways has commissioned the nation’s first removable solar panel system integrated between railway tracks at Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW), Varanasi. Officially inaugurated on August 15, 2025, the pilot installation spans 70 metres with 28 panels, delivering a total peak capacity of 15 kWp. The solar panels are affixed to concrete sleepers using epoxy adhesive and supported with rubber pads to endure train-induced vibrations. The removable design enables...
Kimelman & Baird trims stake in Ball Corporation, among others
Market activity surrounding Ball Corporation reflects broader trends in investor sentiment towards industrial and packaging equities. Kimelman & Baird LLC, a registered investment advisor and broker, has pared back its stake in Ball Corporation, a manufacturer and seller of aluminium cans and has offloaded 4,800 shares, equating to a nearly 47.7 per cent reduction, marking a notable repositioning among institutional investors. Following the sale of 4,800 shares during the quarter, Kimelman & Baird LLC reported holding 5,265 shares of the aluminium can manufacturer , valued at approximately USD 274,000, according to its latest Form 13F Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filing. Several institutional investors have recently adjusted their stakes in Ball Corporation. This includes...
China's aluminium imports surge in July'25
With China’s aluminium production cap being at 45 million tonnes and the strengthening demand trends, especially from sectors like construction and transportation, it is evident as China's unwrought aluminium and its product imports in July 2025 recorded a 38.2 per cent year-on-year surge, as per the customs data revealed on Monday. China’s imports of aluminium and its products As of July, the total imports from the world's top consumer alone stood at 360,000 tonnes, which directly links with the rising demand in the region from various allied industries. July's inflows pushed China's cumulative imports of unwrought aluminium and related products to 2.33 million tonnes for the first seven months of 2025, reflecting a 1.5 per cent year-on-year increase. China's aluminium output in July...
$180m investment drives Rio Tinto's Norman Creek project launch
Rio Tinto, a British-Australian multinational company and the world's second largest metals and mining corporation, announced the commencement of works on the Norman Creek access at its Amrun bauxite mine in Queensland's Cape York Peninsula. Work is underway on the project following approval of a USD 180 million investment, enabling access to the Norman Creek region's 978 million tonnes of ore reserves. Initial production is targeted for 2027. As of now, the firm has initiated early works and a final feasibility study for the Kangwinan project, aimed at boosting its annual bauxite production capacity. This initiative unlocks around 466 million tonnes of high-grade bauxite , almost half of Amrun's 978 million tonne declared reserves, averaging 54.4 per cent alumina. Infrastructure works...
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro to debut an aluminium frame, replacing titanium
If you're eyeing your next smartphone upgrade, the iPhone 17 Pro might surprise you. A recent leak provided an early glimpse of Apple's forthcoming iPhone 17 Pro, indicating a significant shift in design and materials. While it remains unconfirmed whether the component shown is an actual frame or a prototype mould, the design aligns with prior industry reports suggesting Apple's transition to an all-aluminium body for its Pro series. In July 2025, Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max models were set to return to an aluminium chassis , moving away from the titanium frames of the iPhone 16 Pro series. This strategic shift was grounded in sustainability, with aluminium production generating roughly 67 per cent less carbon emissions than titanium, as highlighted by GF Securities analyst Jeff Pu,...
South32 to mothball Mozal Aluminium amid power deal deadlock
As of August 2025, South32, a mining and metals company, has made an announcement of its plan to place the operations of Moral Aluminium on care and maintenance from March 2026. Back in July 2025, Australia's South32 announced plans to mothball its Mozal Aluminium Smelter in Mozambique, citing an inability to secure affordable and reliable electricity beyond the expiration of its current power supply agreement in March 2026. The company has flagged a USD 372 million impairment charge, reflecting the growing uncertainty over the smelter's long-term viability. Due to the uncertainties around "significant" and "affordable" power supply, the plan for Mozal Aluminium's operation will be under care and maintenance. With the existing power supply agreement expiring in March 2026, ongoing...
Kaiser Aluminum ramps up aerospace aluminium part with new facility
Ever wondered what keeps your flight airborne? A significant part is high-grade aluminium. In line with this, Kaiser Aluminum, a North American manufacturer of semi-fabricated speciality aluminium products delivering highly engineered, value-added solutions for aerospace, defence, automotive and general industrial sectors , is set to launch a new industrial facility dedicated to aerospace parts by the end of this year. Kaiser Aluminum’s expansion at its Trentwood, Washington facility is moving ahead without delays, the company confirmed. This site produces heat-treated plate and sheet for aerospace and GE end-market applications, which is currently at its Phase Seven investment. Keith Harvey, the Chairman, President and CEO at Kaiser Aluminum, stated, “The project’s completion is closely...
Novelis and DRT join forces to drive high-recycled-content beverage can ends globally
In the aluminium sector, initiatives often prioritise the integration of recycled content as a key sustainability driver. In line with this focus, Novelis, a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, specialising in sustainable aluminium solutions, has entered into a joint development agreement with DRT Holdings, LLC, a specialised manufacturer serving the metal packaging, aerospace and general industrial sectors. The collaboration aims to enhance the manufacturing process for sustainable beverage can ends, reinforcing the industry's commitment to advancing environmentally responsible packaging solutions. Image source: Novelis The partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of high-recycled-content alloys in aluminium beverage can ends, driving broader implementation across the...
India–UK CETA pact: what does it mean for trade, particularly aluminium?
India and the United Kingdom have unveiled a new trade pact poised to open fresh avenues for India's mineral sector, particularly aluminium. The pact called CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) is expected to enhance market access and competitiveness, setting the stage for strategic collaborations and export opportunities. For industry stakeholders and observers alike, this marks a potentially transformative moment worth exploring further. What is the CETA pact all about? Once which started back in January 2022 and finalised on May 6, 2025 has been finally inked on July 27, 2025, the India–UK CETA pact is hailed as a historic step to boost jobs, exports and growth. The pact grants duty-free access to about USD 6.5 billion worth of Indian exports to the UK, covering textiles,...
Aluminium uptrend supported by tight supply and positive market sentiment
In line with the forecasts indicating tight supply and rising demand in Asian countries, Kedia Advisory reports aluminium prices have increased 0.99 per cent to INR 254.85 (USD 2.90). The supply to the European factories continues to face supply constraints amid sanctions on major producer Russia, while the US enforces a 50 per cent aluminium import levy since June 4 to strengthen domestic smelting capacity and curb import reliance. Although market speculation points to a potential halving of tariffs or a Canada exemption, physical aluminium price premiums continue to trade at elevated levels. The August commodity exchange of aluminium premium surged past 70 cents per pound (USD 1,543 per tonne), reflecting an almost 90 per cent increase since late May, with market sentiment further...
Novelis notes strong demand for aluminium beverage packaging
Driven by robust aluminium demand across diverse global packaging industries , Novelis, a global leader in aluminium rolling, recycling and sustainable solutions, has reported strong momentum in the aluminium beverage packaging segment. To address this growth trajectory, the company is progressing with capacity expansion at its new Alabama facility, targeting sustainability-led demand in the sector. For the quarter ended June 30, the company reported beverage packaging sales of nearly USD 2.5 billion, marking a year-on-year growth of over 22 per cent. Increased beverage packaging shipments across regions offset declines in automotive and speciality segments, resulting in a total rolled product shipment increase of just over 1 per cent year-on-year. The performance, however, faced pressure...
