Kaiser Aluminum is seeing stronger demand across aerospace, defence, packaging and semiconductor-related markets, with customer bookings extending into 2027. However, the aluminium producer’s latest results highlight a challenge: converting rising shipments and record conversion revenue into stronger profitability as planned outages, lower scrap utilisation and startup costs weigh on margins. The company reported third-quarter 2026 shipments of 300 million pounds, up from 270 million pounds in the same period last year, while conversion revenue climbed 25 per cent year-on-year to a record USD 439 million from USD 351 million. Net sales reached USD 1.21 billion. Despite the growth, adjusted EBITDA increased by only USD 3 million year-on-year to USD 84 million. A USD 29 million unfavourable...
The US aluminum industry is placing renewed emphasis on workforce safety, domestic production, and material recovery, with the Aluminum Association’s sold-out Casthouse Safety Workshop in Charlotte, North Carolina, highlighting the importance of safe molten aluminum handling. The program trained more than 120 industry workers and has been running for over 30 years, with the Association describing it as a global benchmark for casthouse operators and supervisors. The workshop comes as the industry continues to focus on strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and supply chains. Alongside workforce training, the Aluminum Association has called for bipartisan permitting reform to accelerate investment in US aluminum production, arguing that faster approvals could help unlock the...
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China's aluminium wire exports surged in May as rising aluminium prices and favourable trade incentives drove a sharp increase in overseas shipments. Official customs data showed that exports of aluminium wire reached 50,224 tonnes in May, up 222.67 per cent from April and surpassed the combined 42,955 tonnes shipped during the first four months of the year. The sharp increase highlights how exporters are increasingly using the product to capture stronger international prices while benefiting from supportive trade policies. The May surge lifted cumulative exports for the January-May period to 93,179 tonnes, putting shipments on track to surpass last year's pace. The five-month total has already nearly matched the 94,369 tonnes exported during the first eleven months of 2025. Price rally...
With the launch of a new aluminium bicycle component manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune, Maharashtra, Hindalco Industries has set its strong foot in the mobility sector of India. This new plant is likely to serve both Indian and overseas markets with a wide range of aluminium bicycle components. It comes with rigid forks, frames, wheel rims, handlebars, and all those things that are lightweight and sustainable as mobility solutions. The newly commissioned plant has been established to serve both the Indian and overseas markets and focuses on producing a range of aluminium bicycle components . It includes frames, rigid forks, wheel rims, handlebars, and more that reflect the company’s growing emphasis on lightweight and sustainable mobility solutions. The new facility comes with...
The three state-run road transport corporations in Karnataka are facing growing financial pressure following sharp increases in fuel and material costs linked to supply chain disruptions caused by the US-Iran tension. According to officials, prices of key inputs used in bus operations, including spare parts, petrochemical products, liquid urea, aluminium sheets, lubricants and rubber for tyre retreading, have risen by 10 per cent to 30 per cent over the past few months. Supply shortages have also affected the availability of several materials. At the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), monthly spending on materials has increased from around INR 450 million (USD 4.75 million) to INR 540 million (USD 57 million), adding nearly INR 90 million (USD 952,000) to operating costs....
Combustion systems are essential throughout the aluminium value chain, supplying the heat needed for melting, holding, re-heating, homogenising and heat-treatment processes. These systems are an integral part of aluminium operations and their efficiency has a direct impact on fuel consumption, production costs and product quality. Aluminium producers are seeking to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions, which has increased demand for advanced burner technology that provides precise temperature control and minimises environmental impact. The industrial players are also considering alternative fuels, such as hydrogen and biofuels, as part of wider decarbonisation efforts. Companies specialising in combustion engineering are helping manufacturers meet these challenges with better...
Forklifts, powered trucks that lift and move heavy items, are essential across the aluminium value chain. They carry raw materials in smelters and move billets, slabs, coils, sheets, extrusions and finished products in downstream plants. Good material handling keeps production flowing smoothly. As aluminium moves further down the value chain into rolling mills, extrusion plants and fabrication facilities, forklifts become even more important. They handle long, heavy and often high-value products that require careful transportation and storage without damage. Combilift, an Irish company founded in 1998, is the world’s largest maker of multi-directional forklifts and straddle carriers. It has sold over 95,000 units in more than 85 countries and is a recognised leader in handling long loads....
Although BALCO, owned by Vedanta, doesn’t get a lot of attention for its aluminium wire rods, they are an important part of the supply chain for power transmission and distribution projects across India. BALCO manufactures the wire rods at its Korba plant in Chhattisgarh and sells them to cable and conductor manufacturers who use the rods to make products used in power lines, electrical infrastructure and industrial applications. The rods are made from electrical grade aluminium and engineered to ensure high conductivity and consistent quality. Usually they are in large coils, which are then drawn out into thinner wires for various uses. The products are available in electrical conductor grades and speciality alloys for applications ranging from building cables to high-voltage...
Bridgnorth Aluminium (BAL), the UK’s last remaining aluminium rolling mill, has strengthened its position in the growing battery materials market after signing a five-year supply agreement with Lotte Aluminium Materials USA. The agreement was signed at Lotte’s facility in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and will see BAL supply battery-grade aluminium for use in battery foil production. The material will support the manufacture of next-generation batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) and energy storage systems (ESS) across North America. The deal follows joint development work, qualification programmes and product testing aimed at meeting the requirements of the rapidly expanding battery sector. Bridgnorth Aluminium employs 368 people at its production facility in Shropshire and has...
The US Court of International Trade has ruled in favour of the Commerce Department in a dispute involving Turkish aluminium sheet producer Assan, confirming that the company was not eligible for a duty drawback adjustment under an anti-dumping order. The case relates to imports of common alloy aluminium sheet from Turkey and Commerce's review of whether Assan qualified for a reduction in its dumping margin through the duty drawback programme. A duty drawback allows companies to recover duties paid on imported materials that are later exported or used in exported products. According to the court, Assan submitted documents intended to support its eligibility claim after the deadline set by Commerce. As a result, the agency declined to include the information in its review. Explore: The most...
Egypt Aluminium Company (Egyptalum) is said to be looking for a USD 100 million loan to help fund the development of Egypt's first aluminium foil plant, which is deemed to play an important part in Egypt's strategy to strengthen its downstream aluminium industry, thereby decreasing the need for imports. According to a report by a renowned news media, the financing will be arranged through a consortium of Egyptian and Gulf-based banks. The National Bank of Egypt is leading the process and managing the dollar-denominated loan, with the final financing agreement expected to be signed during the fourth quarter of 2026. The report cited unnamed sources familiar with the matter. The initial step of the project will require about USD 90 million in investment and will produce 25,000 tonnes of...
The 2025 calendar maps the aluminium flat-rolled products (FRP) industry at the intersection of two major trends, i.e., the accelerating transition toward circular manufacturing and the rapid growth of sectors requiring advanced aluminium FRP solutions. Leading this transformation are a select group of companies that combine large-scale rolling and foil production capabilities with strong sustainability credentials, advanced recycling infrastructure and extensive global customer networks. These companies continue to shape the competitive landscape while strengthening the industry's focus on innovation, circularity and low-carbon solutions. Explore the accurate insights and forecasts for the aluminium flat rolled products (FRP) market in Aluminium Flat Rolled Products: Insights & Forecast...
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate a 10,000-tonne aluminium extrusion press at Yantra India Limited's Ordnance Factory in Ambajhari, Nagpur, on Friday. The proposed facility is expected to become an important resource for India's defence manufacturing sector. The extrusion press will enhance the country's ability to produce large, high-strength and precision aluminium alloy extrusions required for defence and aerospace applications. Ministry of Defence said the Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Devendra Fadnavis, Secretary Sanjeev Kumar, alongside other officials of the Department of Defence Production and YIL, will be present at the ceremony. India’s defence production touched a record INR 1.78 trillion (USD 18.85 billion) in FY 2025-26, according to the Ministry of Defence. The...
Conglin Aluminum Technology has completed the supply of aluminium carbody profiles and precision-machined components for a rail transit project involving CRRC Qingdao Sifang, one of China's largest train manufacturers. The supplied aluminium products will be used in several parts of the train body, including roof structures, sidewalls, floor sections, side beams and components linked to power collection systems. According to the company, the materials are designed to support the lightweight construction and structural requirements of modern rail vehicles, including metro, suburban and intercity trains. The project adds to Conglin Aluminum's long-standing relationship with CRRC, which has used the company's aluminium products in a range of railway applications over the years. Explore: The...
Hydro has announced plans to close its aluminium extrusion plants in City of Industry, California, and Delhi, Louisiana, during 2027. The company said operations at the California facility will end on January 1, 2027, although some activities are expected to continue through the first quarter. The Louisiana plant will continue operating until April 1, 2027, followed by a gradual shutdown through the third quarter of the year. According to Hydro, both facilities have been operating below capacity and would require significant investment to continue meeting operational requirements. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The company said the closures are part...
The European Parliament has given final approval to two pieces of legislation implementing tariff commitments agreed under the August 2025 EU-US joint statement. The main regulation removes tariffs on all US industrial goods and grants preferential market access for a range of US seafood and agricultural products. This includes specific provisions for the aluminium sector, addressing US tariffs on aluminium and steel derivatives. In August 2025, the United States added 407 categories of derivative steel and aluminium products to its tariff list. It raised concerns within the European Union over growing trade uncertainty. In contrast, the European Commission will have the authority to suspend tariff preferences granted to the United States if, by December 31, 2026, the US continues to...
Chang Aluminum is set for a change in ownership after its controlling shareholder, Qilu Caijin Investment Group, agreed to sell a 22.38 per cent stake in the company to Shandong Jixin Industrial Development. The proposed transaction values the shares at RMB 5.79 (USD 0.86) each, putting the total deal value at around RMB 1.338 billion (USD 197.9 million). If the transfer is completed, control of the company will change hands, with Jixin Industrial Development becoming the new controlling shareholder, replacing Qilu Caijin. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The transaction will also result in a change in the company's actual controller. Oversight would...
China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH) has increased its presence in the African aluminium industry by signing an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract for USD 245 million for Phase II of the Huatong Electrolytic Aluminium Production Line project in Angola. The EPC Contract for USD 245 million was signed by SINOMACH International Engineering (Jiangsu) Co., Ltd. The signed accord at the 17th International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Summit Forum and Exhibition dated June 11, 2026, aims at increasing the output of the aluminium plant from the present volume by adding 120,000 tonnes through the electrolysis process. Discover: The Gulf aluminium market risks, China impact, alumina supply, carbon costs, and logistics disruptions shaping...
中文翻译附于新闻末尾，敬请继续阅读。 The global aluminium extrusion industry is currently navigating a severe structural dichotomy. If you look purely at the macroeconomic surface, the sector is riding an aggressive demand supercycle. The global push for electric vehicles, the rollout of green infrastructure, and strict regulatory mandates for lightweighting make the volume growth narrative look virtually unassailable. However, dig a little deeper into the factory floor and a much darker picture emerges. Operating just beneath this surface-level optimism is a brutal margin compression dynamic. Escalating energy costs, aggressive international trade tariffs, war, rigid limits on primary raw material supplies, and the new reality of carbon pricing are threatening to trap traditional extruders in a...
As aluminium producers and fabricators increasingly focus on high-value applications, surface finishing is playing a bigger role in the manufacturing process. One technique used extensively across the industry is bead blasting, which is commonly carried out before anodising, painting, powder coating and other finishing operations. By the time bead blasting takes place, the aluminium has already been cast, extruded, rolled or machined into its required shape. The process uses compressed air to direct fine spherical media - usually glass or ceramic beads - onto the surface of the component. The impact removes oxidation, traces of light corrosion, machining marks, residual oils and other surface contamination, while removing only a very small amount of the base material. For aluminium...
