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.
Cymat & Nuvia forge a 10-year partnership to develop protected infrastructure and nuclear facilities in France
On April 30, 2025, Cymat Technologies, a Canada-based innovative materials company that manufactures and produces Stabilised Aluminium Form (SAF), has recently joined hands with France-based NUVIA. This collaboration has been signed for a decade, with an agreement in the nuclear energy industry securing seamless integration of the Cymat SmartMetal panels. Image for representational purposes France, within its nuclear energy plants, at present, is deemed to be undertaking life extension programmes. At present, the majority of the sectors are providing extra attention to nuclear electricity generation as it is a safer option for conducting low-carbon energy production. This collaboration will serve to support both companies' joint marketing initiatives, which shall extend beyond the...
New partnership in wire rods: Hydro x NKT sign an offtake agreement to support renewable power transmission in Europe
A new sustainability partnership has emerged recently! Hydro, an aluminium and renewable energy-based company, has signed a long-term offtake agreement with NKT, a power cable solution provider of wire rods for power cables. This agreement has been struck for ramping up the production to meet the growing market demand of medium and high voltage power cable solutions in Europe. Image source: hydro.com Partnership benefiting both companies As per the signed agreement, Hydro will supply around 274,000 tonnes of wire rods to NKT, effective from 2026. The deal is valid through 2033, with an option to increase the amount upon request. As of now, the committed volume shall be used to make medium-voltage cables. The estimated value of the wire rod to be shipped from Hydro to NKT is EUR 1 billion...
Record Q1 bauxite shipments put Metro Mining on track for 2025 goal
Metro Mining Limited, an Australia's Queensland-based mining and exploration company has reported the Q1 2025 bauxite shipment, marking a record of 184,000 wet metric tonnes (WMT) generating USD 9 million in the FOB (Free on Board) revenue. Image source: MarineLink For the entire year of 2025, the company has set a target of shipping 6.5 to 7 million WMT bauxite. In order to achieve this, the company is focused on leveraging strategic offtake agreements as well as maintaining an industry-leading cost position despite volatile market conditions. Comparison with 2024 On January 6, 2025, Metro Mining Limited reported that its total capacity for shipping bauxite for the year would be 7 million WMT. As of 2024, the company had shipped a total of 5.7 million WMT bauxite, marking a growth of 24...
Alba, the first Middle-Eastern aluminium smelter, announces integration of AI analytics in partnership with CSS
On April 27, 2025, Alba (Aluminium Bahrain) announced their adaptation of the AI-powered analytics platform Seeq, the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East with such cutting-edge technology. This has been done in a strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia's Crucial Solutions and Services (CSS) to witness seamless integration. Image source: LinkedIn.com Why Seeq? Seeq is an advanced analytics platform designed for process manufacturing industries, enabling users to rapidly analyse and visualise time series data from various sources to enhance operational efficiency, sustainability and profitability. On this strategic partnership, Ali Al Baqali, the CEO of Alba said, "Since its inception in 1971, Alba has always been synonymous with scale and quality. Today, we are adding another...
Trump hints at easing US-China trade tensions, aluminium prices climb
On Thursday, April 24, 2025, US President Donald Trump signaled a possible easing of trade tensions with China, boosting market sentiment. As a result, aluminium price has grown in India by 1.32 per cent to INR 234.5 (USD 2.75). The optimism in the market has further been evoked by Trump’s announcement that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell would continue in his position. However, despite the uptick in market sentiment, the aluminium gains have witnessed a restrained growth, largely due to a stronger US dollar, which typically weighs on commodity prices. Additionally, concerns over a global oversupply because of growing aluminium production amid weaker consumption in some parts of the world have kept price movement relatively range-bound. Globally, aluminium production is showing an...
LME unveils plans to introduce sustainability premia pricing for four major metals, including aluminium
London Metal Exchange, on April 23, 2025, stated in a meeting with its respective stakeholders that it is currently working on establishing a system where it would add a premium to the prices of sustainable metals, including both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. The four major metals at a focus for premia pricing include aluminium, zinc, copper, and nickel. Image source: Wikipedia.com This initiative for producing sustainable metal pricing is available for LME-approved brands. However, not all companies listed under LME can attain these premia prices because it is only for those who have met the criteria of low-carbon footprint requirements in the nonferrous metal certification bodies. Some of the companies that produce low-carbon aluminium and are also listed under LME are Hindalco, whose...
On the 55th Earth Day, Vedanta Aluminium initiates sustainability step forward
Vedanta Aluminium marked the 55th Earth Day, themed ‘Our Power, Our Planet’, quite literally by strengthening their sustainability milestones. By collaborating with PwC, the company achieved success in waste-to-wealth initiatives, renewable energy adoption, and biodiversity conservation. This marks the organisation's commitment towards integrating sustainability into industrial practices. Image source: vedantalimited.com Vedanta Aluminium, since 2022, has successfully provided over 1.5 million tonnes of fly ash to cement producers and 3 million tonnes to NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) projects. Besides this, the organisation has also delivered over 0.3 million tonnes of fly ash to MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise) for effective brick production. This also marks the...
Benchmark cuts Kaiser Aluminum price target to USD 74, maintaining ‘Buy’ rating
On Monday, April 21, 2025, Benchmark analysts reaffirmed their 'Buy' rating on American aluminium producer Kaiser Aluminum but lowered the price target from USD 100 to USD 74. As of 11:21 AM on April 23, the company's stock is trading at USD 55.95, marking a 37% decline over the past year. Image source: Kaiser Aluminum The reduction recommended on the current stock price of Kaiser Aluminum reflects a valuation of 9 times projected for the company’s value to EBITDA in FY25. However, the company's major sector of operation, the aerospace/high strength division, is expected to witness strong financial growth in the first quarter of 2025. For the rest of the year, the division, accounting for 36 per cent of sales and a significant portion of EBITDA, shall witness financial growth by an...
Ghana’s scrap metal dealers urge the government to implement regulations to eliminate criminal activities
Rising criminal activities have created tension among Ghana’s scrap dealers, leading to lower returns across the scrap metal industry. This gave a nudge to the scrap dealers to take up the issue to the government with the demand to implement stringent regulation to mitigate the current issue. The scrap dealers blame the current situation of the Ghana scrap metal industry on a lack of oversight leading to loopholes by the government which enabled the criminals to invade the scrap trade process. Due to these criminal activities infiltrating the scrap metal industry, many businesses have witnessed a tarnished reputation and functionality within the operating market. Moreover, Ghana's scrap dealers have also claimed that the nation's scrap business has been struggling for a long time to...
India questions US tariffs as safeguard measures, high-level bilateral discussion to begin in Washington on April 23
India Government is reportedly initiating a bilateral trade talk with the United States to address the 25 per cent tariff concern on aluminium and steel exports, scheduled on April 23, 2025. The move follows India’s approach to the World Trade Organization, arguing the Trump administration’s tariff move was a safeguard measure rather than genuine national security concerns. Image source: Adobe Stock India's complaint at WTO Seven years after the initial dispute, India once again approached the World Trade Organization, requesting consultations with the United States over tariffs reminiscent of those imposed in 2018. At that time, the US had introduced a 25 per cent tariff on steel and a 10 per cent on aluminium, citing national security concerns as justification for protecting its...
Steelforce Packaging launches aluminium division, names Angelica Papageorgiou as Global Director of Aluminum Business Unit
On April 15, 2025, Steelforce Packaging, a global leader in metal trading and packaging solutions, announced its business expansion with the launch of a dedicated Aluminium Division. This move represents the company’s sustainable commitment and diversification goal in key global markets. The company also named the Global Director of Aluminum Business Unit. as Angelica Papageorgiou, demonstrating a promptness in its decision. Image source: LinkedIn The expansion of focus Consumers worldwide are increasingly seeking products that are sustainable and endlessly recyclable. This unmatched demand is only possible to be fulfilled by aluminium which is believed to be the future of the global packaging industry. With this launch, the company can now offer a full spectrum of metal packaging...
China’s aluminium imports fall 10.6% in March 2025, while bauxite shipments rise 39.1%
According to the customs data, in March 2025, China witnessed a 10.6 per cent decline in aluminium imports, including unwrought aluminium and aluminium products, year-on-year to 340,000 tonnes. Image source: IndiaMART In March 2024, China’s primary aluminium imports surged by 246 per cent year-on-year, reaching 249,000 tonnes. During the same period, imports of unwrought aluminium also rose by 89.8 per cent year-on-year. In 2024, Russia accounted for the largest share of China’s primary aluminium imports at 46.5 per cent, followed by India at 10 per cent. In the first quarter of 2025, China’s total aluminium and product imports amounted to 950,000 tonnes, whereas in the entire year of 2024, it stood at 3,747,070.84 tonnes. However, China’s Q1 imports reflect a 14 per cent decline compared...
Vedanta Aluminium fined INR 71.16 crore over fly ash disposal breach, company plans legal action
Vedanta Aluminium faces a severe environmental fine of INR 71.16 (USD 8.52 million) crore for a suspected breach of fly ash disposal regulation, as issued by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board on April 10, 2025. However, Vedanta Aluminium is repudiating the allegation and is on the way to taking legal action for the same. Image source: Eco Material Technologies What is fly ash? When pulverised coal is burned in a power plant to generate electricity, it creates a hazardous byproduct known as fly ash. In its true nature, fly ash has no benefits, but the byproduct consisting of aluminous and siliceous components is used to extract and produce aluminium-fly ash composites. Although it has no direct use in aluminium smelters, it can serve as a good source of alumina and can be...
Two-year extension for Net Zero Lab Valais as Novelis ramps up sustainability efforts
Novelis, a leading American aluminium rolled products company and recycler, has extended its partnership for two more years to support carbon-neutral aluminium manufacturing at the Net Zero Lab Valais. The collaboration includes HES-SO Valais-Wallis, EPFL and OIKEN, showing Novelis’ ongoing commitment to sustainable aluminium production. Image source: Novelis What is Net Zero Lab Valais? With its inception on February 14, 2022, Net Zero Lab Valais is an R&D (research & development) facility established by Novelis with the focus of developing carbon-neutral solutions applicable to aluminium manufacturers. The main reason behind developing this facility is to reduce the company’s scope 1 and 2 emissions within the operations of their Sierre (Switzerland) plant. “Together Towards Carbon...
NeoR just got lighter as Paschal debuts powder-coated aluminium panels in its formwork panels
Paschal, a Bahrain-based concrete formwork solution provider, has introduced its new range of powder-coated aluminium formwork panels. This is an extended version of the company’s NeoR range of lightweight formwork. Image source: Paschal The new NeoR range provides lightweight steel formwork panels and further lighter powder-coated aluminium panels. The latter weighs 23 kg and is 75cm x 150cm in size. The allowable pressure for fresh concrete is 50 kN/m², provided that the flatness tolerances specified in DIN 18202, Table 3, line 6, are maintained. NeoR strap 75 aids in connecting the steel panel powder-coated aluminium panels fast and firmly. This not only enhances durability but also the overall compatibility of the formwork panels. Similarly, the company's other product NeoR Multi...
Amid global tariff tension, Capral revives Australian Made Campaigns to promote locally manufactured aluminium extrusion
Capral Aluminium, an Australia-based national supplier and distributor of aluminium products, is now coming together with the Australian Made Campaign to promote locally manufactured aluminium extrusions to protect them from threats and uncertainties posed by global trade policies and tariff measures. Image source: Capral Impact of Recent Tariff on Australia Currently, the Australian aluminium industry is under significant pressure due to Trump’s recently imposed tariff making it difficult for the country to export to the United States. As a result, this is also creating mounting anxiety within the country concerning the rising trade disruption as well as the increased threat of dumped aluminium entering the threshold. Amidst this wake, it has become highly crucial to promote...
Chalco reveals Q1 profit estimation with a surprise Chinalco’s stake hike revelation
As recently shared by Aluminium Corporation of China, popularly known as Chalco (HKG:2600, SHA: 601600), in the first quarter of 2025, the multinational aluminium production company expects a lucrative profit between RMB 3.4 billion (USD 476 million) and RMB 3.6 billion (USD 504 million). This announcement reflects an increase of 53 per cent to 63 per cent remunerative growth if compared with the previous year. Image source: Companies History Chalco is a state-owned multinational aluminium company with its headquarters in Beijing, China. It solely focuses on the production and distribution of aluminium products. The company's shares are listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Shanghai Stock Exchange as publicly traded companies. With the Q1 2025 financial prediction, Chalco is...
Marumae eyes aluminium semiconductor sector, secures 100% of KM Aluminium shares
Marumae Co., Ltd., a key producer of aluminium products like slabs, alloys, billets and high-purity aluminium ingots, has successfully acquired 100 per cent shares of Japan-based company KM Aluminium Co. Ltd. The acquisition agreement, initially signed on March 4, 2025, is coming into effect on April 8 with the commencement of share transfer process. Image source: Small Business Australia Marumae shall purchase a total of 13,062,703 shares with 130,627 of voting rights. Why did Marumae take over KM Aluminium? Marumae plans to secure a growth trajectory for its business in the semiconductor sector, and this acquisition will give it the perfect opportunity to tap into this field because KM Aluminium Co. deals in manufacturing and selling ultra-high purity aluminium products for aluminium...
