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.
LME intervenes as Mercuria's massive aluminium June position sparks supply concerns
To avert a supply squeeze, the London Metal Exchange has ordered Mercuria Energy Group Ltd to loan out part of its outsized June aluminium position, which exceeds the metal available in LME warehouses. As of June 2025, Mercuria Energies' aluminium stock was reported around 600,000-800,000 tonnes, indicating 30 per cent to 39 per cent of the open interest for June. According to LME, the position held by the firm represented almost 40 per cent above the peak. On the same grounds, the LME system's on-warrant aluminium inventories were only above 320,000 tonnes. Mercuria holding 90 per cent of the inventory creates a mismatch between the contract and the material available for delivery. Moreover, this mismatch restricts the small position holding traders from sourcing the right amount of...
Mining and downstream investments pillars of economic growth in Ketapang
Industries in the Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, have been altering the region by creating mining investments and enhancing downstream processing. Ketapang Regency has the potential to extend from the seas and plantations to bauxite mining. Mining investment, as reported by West Kalimantan Investment Coordinating Board and One-Stop Service, included the Realisation of Domestic Investment (PMDN) as well as Foreign Investment (PMA) in 2024, totalling IDR 31.47 trillion (USD 1.94 billion). One of the significant investments made to PMDN and PMA by Ketapang Regency was valued at IDR 8.60 trillion (USD 530.86 million). Image for representational purposes only (Image source: researchgate.net) Extended downstream processing and mining investments at Ketapang Regency will have broader...
Rimowa x Vitra have invented dual utility luggages which can extend as aluminium stools and toolboxes
What if a product comes into light that not only carries your luggage but also helps you find a seat anywhere? You read that right because Rimowain's collaboration with Vitra has turned their former aluminium luggage into a limited-edition luxe living room decor. Image source: rimowa.com Crafted by the innovations of two major German engineers, making the impossible possible. The Swiss furniture company Vitra and a luxury luggage and bag manufacturer, Rimowa, recreated their former aluminium suitcase to aid people with aesthetic sitting stools and toolboxes. Thanks to aluminium, the master of converting travel mobility into a seater of living spaces has finally come to light. The luggage that transforms into a seat for a full-grown person is made with a signature grooved aluminium...
190% surge in US premium - how are the US market and consumers reacting to it?
The implementation of the United States’ tariff hike to 50 per cent on June 4 instantly prompted a 4.85 per cent surge in the US Midwest duty-paid premium on the physical market on June 5, clocked at USD 973, compared to USD 928 the previous day. Image source: lme.com Trump doubled the aluminium and steel tariff from 25 per cent to 50 per cent, creating severe tensions among key players in the industry worldwide, especially those heavily reliant on imports and exports. Ever since Donald Trump proposed tariffs on aluminium and steel with his second term of his presidency, the US Midwest duty-paid premium witnessed a gain of 190 per cent. It is already known that the US heavily relies on imports when aluminium is in question. To date, the exports have been paying the premiums per the...
Game-changer for EV industry: New tech enables in-motion charging using electromagnetic field energy
The world has already witnessed a transition from fuel cars to electric passenger vehicles. This transition had one significant challenge: locating the right place to charge EVs. Well, this is no longer a concern for all future EV owners. As shared by Thane Heins, a Canadian Physicist embarked on creating an innovation at the University of Ottawa, enabling all EVs to recharge themselves while driving, eliminating the need for plug-ins from 2025 onwards. Image source: evfy.in As proposed by Thane Heins, the Electromagnetic Field Energy repulsion has been used significantly to make all the EVs self-charging cars. The innovation also encourages using internal combustion engines (ICE) to provide propulsion energy. This is because it enables EV cars to convert electrical energy into mechanical...
China’s clean energy investment push surpasses the US and EU, driven by USD 1T net-zero vision
We are already well-versed in the fact that China is the top country which invests in and consumes energy. As of 2025, China is expected to indulge in higher spending on energy than the US and EU combined. Moreover, in the past few years, China has securely moved their investment in global clean energy up to 33 per cent from 25 per cent. This spending has been distributed between wind, nuclear, batteries, solar and nuclear. It's only been 6 months into 2025, and the total global energy investment is expected to create a new record of USD 3.3 trillion. However, this is subject to the world facing high economic fluctuations and rising geopolitical risks. From the new global record of investment, the majority of the share, USD 2.2 trillion, would be devoted to developing clean technologies....
Indian giant, World Aluminium Ltd, witnesses high buying interest amidst stock price fluctuation and Trump's 50% reciprocal tariff
Worldwide Aluminium Limited, an Indian aluminium giant specialising in both aluminium-based industry and household products, has recently reported seeing a significant increase in buying activity, irrespective of market decline. How does it indicate for the Indian aluminium industry amidst the tariff imposed by Trump? As of June 3, 2025, Worldwide Aluminium Limited saw a rebound in buying activity after witnessing a decline for five consecutive days. On the same day, the performance increased by 4.98 per cent, representing a contrast to the Sensex, which showed a decline of 0.62 per cent. It shows a stock trend reversal, as before the gain, the market was low for five days straight. Despite the gain, the firm's stock indicates mixed performance in various frames. In the past week, the...
Hindalco, India Potash Ltd and JM Baxi collaborate to establish India’s first automated sustainable alumina handling facility
Two major Indian companies, India Potash Ltd and JM Baxi Ports and Logistics, have forged a joint venture by signing an agreement with Aditya Birla Group's flagship metal company, Hindalco Industries Ltd. This joint venture is formed to develop India's first fully automated, sustainable alumina handling facility. Image source: toppersnotes.com The project of India's first fully automated sustainable alumina handling facility will be coming up at the EQ-07 berth of the Visakhapatnam Port and is estimated to be completed by next year. By developing this automated, sustainable alumina handling facility via the joint venture, the common aim lies in: Eliminating the need for manual cargo handling Enabling the shift to railway rakes from truck-based transportation Reduced greenhouse gas...
Rio Tinto’s NZAS decides to expand production after Meridian backs plan amid improved hydro storage
Rio Tinto-owned the New Zealand aluminium smelter at Tiwai Point is eyeing production expansion with hydro lake storage levels on the rise. As per the report, the output is likely to ramp up to 335,000 tonnes per year from June 16, 2025. Image source: southlandtribune.substack.com Tiwai Point smelter has gained confidence for expanding its annual production, following assurance from NZX-listed Meridian Energy that New Zealand’s hydro storage levels are now better positioned to support a reliable electricity supply than just a week ago. In light of this development, NZAS and Meridian have reached a mutual agreement to move forward with the expansion plans. As a result, the smelter is now set to reach full production capacity by August 2025, three months ahead of the previously scheduled...
EGA and FYA collaborate to empower UAE youth for emerging opportunities
Great opportunities are unlocked for today's youth in the United Arab Emirates. With the continuous vision of empowering UAE young generations, Emirates Global Emirates (EGA) along with The Federal Youth Authority (FYA) have signed a cooperation agreement. Both firms are focused on a common goal of fostering a supportive ecosystem, helping youth to tap into growth opportunities within the region. Image source: media.ega.ae This has been initiated under the presence of His Excellency Sultan bin Saif Al Neyadi and UAE's Minister of State for Youth Affairs. Furthermore, the agreement has been signed by Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, the Chief Executive Officer of EGA and His Excellency Khaled Mohammed Al Nuaimi, the Director of the Federal Youth Authority at EGA's headquarters located in Al...
586 MW solar modules order worth $176M enables an Indian manufacturer to tap the growing US renewable energy market
A leading Indian solar module manufacturer, Waaree Energies Limited, has announced an international deal to supply 586 MW of solar modules, valued at USD 176 million, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Waaree Solar Americas. An operator of utility-scale solar and energy projects in the United States has placed the order, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the financial year 2026-2027. Image source: IndiaMART The manufacturing of the booked solar modules will take place in the Waaree Solar Americas' Texas facility, which the company is setting up to serve the growing US market. This will not only expand the firm's presence within the US renewable energy sector but should also reflect on its revenue in the next financial year, given the company’s 78 per cent of revenue comes from solar...
iPhone 17 Pro Max reduces 67% carbon footprint by switching back to aluminium
Environment over everything. Apple has made a secure transition from the use of two generations of premium titanium to aluminium for the production of its latest iPhone 17 Pro Max. Both the performance and the environmental implications are intensive, representing a strategic masterstroke reshaping the next-generation smartphone manufacturing process. Image source: zeera wireless Owing to Apple's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, the transition to aluminium from titanium will have a more positive environmental impact than marginal performance. As per the report by materials science data, by incorporating aluminium, the company has reduced their carbon footprint by 67 per cent if compared with production using titanium. Irrespective of titanium providing a 6:1...
A future forward collab between IAI and WBCSD for effective beverage can recovery
On May 29, 2025, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) announced its collaboration with the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) to facilitate a smooth and efficient transition of the industry to a circular economy. With this collaboration, both firms shall focus on improving the aluminium beverage can collection systems and validating closed-loop recycling. Collaboration focus The collaboration between the two firms has been done by constituting two major initiatives, which are WBCSD's Critical Materials Collective and IAI's Global Beverage Can Circularity Alliance (GBCCA). IAI and WBCSD will design aluminium products which would be easy to recycle as well as prevent downcycling and attain good quality recycled aluminium covering the entire value chain. The...
Manaksia Aluminium reports growing sales and profit for Q4 FY2025, yet stock price dips
Manaksia Aluminium Co., an India-based mining and metal company engaged in manufacturing secondary aluminium products like aluminium rolled, sheets and coils, has announced its financials for the March 2025 quarter, highlighting increased sales and net profit. Image source: equitybulls.com Q4 financials In the last quarter of FY 2024-25, the firm witnessed an increase in sales by 16.45 per cent, amounting to INR 137.07 crores (USD 16.46 million) vs INR 117.71 crores (USD 14.09 million), in Q4 FY2023-24. In case of net profit, the firm generated INR 2 crore (USD 2.42 million) in Q4 FY2025, which was 27.4 per cent higher than INR 1.57 crore (USD 1.90 million) during the corresponding period of the previous year. Q1, Q2 and Q3 at a glance In the financial year 2024–2025, the firm began with...
Codelco + Rio Tinto = high-grade lithium project initiation in Chile
A strategic partnership has been initiated in Chile between Corporación Nacional Del Cobre de Chile (Codelco) and Rio Tinto in an initiative to operate a high-grade lithium project within the region. As of May 10, 2025, both parties involved have signed a binding agreement, which is deemed to be the next step in this broader strategic partnership. Image source: riotinto.com The idea of this joint venture struck between the two firms first came into form back in 2022, where they signed an agreement for collaboration that has been made by focusing on their accumulated experience in designing, construction and operation of the underground mines. Fast forward to 2023, both companies exchanged information with each other, like mutual interest, objectives, electrification of mining activities,...
Hydro Rjukan hydropower to receive a major upgrade
Rjukan is set to witness the upgrade of the hydropower production initiated by Hydro, a leading aluminium and renewable energy company. For the upgrade, the firm is initiating an impact assessment, which further includes submitting a new application for setting up a new hydropower plant. Image source: hydro.com With the upgrade of the hydropower, the region can benefit in various ways, including: Modernised power production with increased flexibility and pumped storage for the power system in Norway Providing up to 750 MW of upgraded capacity for maximum production and pumping Expected increase of up to 50 per cent of Mana River's gross annual production Optimises the current annual production of 3 TWh of power from the firm's existing plant in the region Reduced risk of floods during the...
April 2025: China sees 3.8%Y-oY drop in aluminium imports; bauxite imports rise 19%
According to customs data, China's unwrought aluminium and aluminium products imports in April saw a 3.8 per cent decline year-on-year, but it increased 8.82 per cent month-on-month. In April 2025, China’s unwrought aluminium and aluminium product imports stood at 370,000 tonnes, representing a 3.8 per cent year-on-year fall from 380,00 tonnes . In the first four months of 2025, China's imports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products totalled 1.32 million tonnes. This number shows a fall of 11.4 per cent from the first four months of 2024, where the imports stood at 1.49 million in the same year. However, on a month-on-month comparison, China’s unwrought aluminium and product imports rose 8.82 per cent from 340,000 tonnes. That was a rebound after a monthly fall of 10.6 per cent in...
Standert's Kreissäge RS aluminium bike revamped for enhanced speed and performance
Standert has unveiled an updated version of its Kreissäge RS aluminium race bike in Berlin this May. The redesign aims to enhance aerodynamic performance, aligning with the company's commitment to innovation in aluminium race bike design. Utilising Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), the new model features refined tube shapes and increased tyre clearance, catering to the demands of competitive racing. Aluminium plays a pivotal role in this update, offering a balance between weight and stiffness essential for racing. The Kreissäge RS employs custom-drawn scandium tubing from Dedacciai, a choice that underscores Standert's dedication to high-performance materials. This approach allows for precise control over frame characteristics, ensuring responsiveness and durability. Aesthetically, the...
