Bahrain’s aluminium wire exports continued to gain momentum in the second quarter of 2026, with shipments rising significantly compared with the corresponding periods of 2025 and 2024. The country exported 80,895 tonnes of aluminium wire in Q2 2026, taking its total shipments during the first half of the year to 143,518 tonnes. The export data covers aluminium wire under HS code 7605, excluding stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and similar products, electrically insulated wires and strings for musical instruments. Export volume registers strong Y-o-Y growth Comparing the quarterly figures, Bahrain’s aluminium wire export volume increased by 23.76 per cent Y-o-Y in Q2 2026, against 65,366 tonnes shipped during Q2 2025. The latest quarterly volume also marked a considerable rise from Q2...
India-based KEC International Limited is pushing ahead with Phase II of its aluminium conductor capacity expansion, even as a difficult second quarter dragged consolidated profit down. The Q2 FY27 investor presentation, dated November 2, lists the expansion as underway in its Cables & Conductors business, one of the few segments that grew in the quarter. The update comes over a year after KEC’s commissioning of the first phase of the plant in Vadodara in February 2025, marking an investment of about INR 600 million (USD 6.33 million). The company has not disclosed the capacity to be added, the investment or a completion date. Explore AL Circle’s report ALuminium Wires & Cables - Insights & Forecast to 2030 for insights into aluminium applications, industry developments and opportunities...
Grow with
AL Circle
After the White House issued a plan to reduce energy use in federal buildings by 2.5% per year from 2015 to 2025, Aluminum Association released a statement stating how aluminium can be used to achieve this target. The motivation to reduce energy consumption in buildings is strong as many private companies that supply to federal government like IBM, GE and Honeywell have announced their own voluntary emission targets. Heidi Brock, the President and CEO of Aluminum Association, says that aluminium can be used as an important tool to achieve higher standards of energy efficiency in both public and private sector. Use of aluminium has long been a key component to ensure LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. The government policy ‘incentivizes’ the use of products...
Yasuda Metal Industries, based in Osaka, Japan, has placed an order with SMS Meer for an extrusion press of type HybrEx 14. Yasuda intends to use the press, which can attain a maximum force of 14.5 MN, to produce light-metal sections for windows and facades. It is capable of processing billets of up to 800 millimeters in length and has a capacity of around 5,000 tons per year. Thanks to the drive technology used in the HybrEx 14, energy savings of up to 55 percent can be achieved compared to conventional presses. The HybrEx press developed by SMS Meer uses its hydraulic system solely to generate the forming forces required for manufacturing semi-finished long products, with only the auxiliary movements of the extrusion press produced by dynamic, electric servo drives. Compared to the...
The U.S. Department of Energy has agreed to lend Alcoa Inc. $259 million to expand automotive aluminum sheet production capacity at the supplier’s Tennessee factory, reviving a long-dormant loan program to support the development of energy-efficient vehicles. The funds will finance most of the costs of a $275 million expansion project already under way at the plant, where Alcoa is converting capacity previously used for making aluminum cans to produce high-strength aluminum for automakers. The project began in 2013 and is expected to add 200 permanent jobs after its mid-2015 completion, plus an additional 400 jobs during peak construction, the company and the DOE said. Automotive News first reported the DOE’s interest in Alcoa last May. “Alcoa’s innovative, high-strength aluminum...
Constellium launched today a new website dedicated to the soft alloys extrusions market in Europe. It features Constellium's portfolio, capabilities and services in four languages: English, French, German and Slovak. Our five plants located in Germany (Crailsheim, Landau, Burg), France (Nuits Saint Georges) and Slovakia (Levice) are geographically well positioned to serve European customers in the automotive, transport, industry, solar and building segments. “This new website presents our operations and broad extrusion offering in terms of dimensions, surfaces, tolerances and sizes,” said Anne Gauthier, Business Planning and Marketing Director of Soft Alloys Europe at Constellium.
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association updated and released two documents specific to architectural aluminum: the combined AAMA 609 & 610-15, “Cleaning and Maintenance Guide for Architecturally Finished Aluminum” and CW-10-15, "Care and Handling of Architectural Aluminum from Shop to Site." Architecturally finished aluminum is considered any that has been treated with anodic or organic coatings. AAMA 609 & 610-15 lists methods, equipment and materials applicable for cleaning such finished aluminum after construction and for subsequent periodic maintenance. AAMA CW-10-15 poses how best to care for aluminum from the mill to product fabrication, to loading and shipping of the finished product, and finally after building completion. A single paragraph addressing finish damage to...
After some teaser pictures of the brand new 2015 Jaguar XF, full fledged pictures of the car was revealed featuring the company’s latest modular aluminium architecture. The second generation Jaguar XF is going to be officially launched at the New York motor show in April and will go on sale in autumn 2015, fighting for market space amongst other new releases like Jaguar Land Rover and smaller XE saloon. Jaguar says that 75% of the car’s structure is made up of aluminium making it 190 kg lighter than its predecessor and giving it an edge of 28% increase in torsional rigidity. The platform used is similar to the one used in XE saloon, only longer. The design of the car has been tweaked to offer more legroom, kneeroom and headroom which is good news for the taller passengers. The car will...
Valley Craft Industries (Booth 3191) has announced the introduction of its newest product: The PAL 500 lightweight aluminum lift. The PAL 500 is designed and built in the United States. The Powered Aluminum Lift from Valley Craft allows for safe and efficient lifting and transportation of heavy materials. The aluminum lift has a 500-pound load capacity. With an overall unit height of 81 inches, the powered aluminum lift is capable of fitting through standard doorways. The slim profile makes maneuvering in narrow and confined spaces easy. The unit is also equipped with overload protection for operator safety and equipment protection. Features include: Lightweight aluminum construction, ergonomic handle, motor control with variable lift speeds, smooth and precise lifting, precision ball...
Coca-Cola has introduced a collectible limited-edition 250ml aluminium bottle with Mynews site. It is named Coca-Cola Polar Bear and only available at mynews site stores at RM7.90 each from April 1. The jolly-looking polar bear bottle is a must-have for any Coca-Cola fan’s collection and conveys a message on environmental awareness. Inspired by the importance of conservation works, Mynews.com aims to bring a clear message throughout its expansive network of stores. Customers can also look forward to winning gold bars by participating in the store’s April promotion. There will be 10 units of gold bar weighing five grammes each up for grabs.
The new Millermatic® 350P auto body aluminum repair system provides all the equipment, from the power source to the gun and wire, to make quality aluminum auto body repairs. Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has introduced the new Millermatic® 350P auto body aluminum repair system — a complete welding package designed to provide high weld quality and simplify repairs on aluminum auto body panels and beds, such as found in the 2015 Ford F-150 truck. This turnkey solution addresses the growing trend of aluminum usage in the automotive market and has been designed specifically to address the challenges posed by welding thin gauge aluminum, such as warping, distortion and burn-through. It builds on the trusted performance of the popular Miller® Millermatic 350P MIG power source and can also be used to...
Gulf Extrusions (Gulfex), a leading global manufacturer of extruded aluminium products, launched it's first-ever e-library. The release of the new e-library, which is in AutoCAD format, is aimed at helping architects, design professionals and developers in coming up with flawless designs for windows or façade systems of their respective projects. The new e-library, first of its kind in the region, is also expected to act as a strategic tool that consultants can use to easily estimate costs and feasibilities for the projects they are working on. In addition, aluminium and glass contractors can also make use of the e-library to produce shop drawings, elevations, renderings and also generate quotes easily. Modar Al Mekdad, General Manager, Gulfex, said, "We are proud to release this new...
Rusal recently accused China of dumping aluminum semis and has called for a discussion of the issue at the next World Customs Organisation meeting. China exported 3.67 million tonnes of aluminum semis in 2014, up 600,000 tonnes or 19.5% from a year ago. The country also exported 800,000 tonnes of aluminum wheel rim, up 81,000 tonnes or 11.3% year-on-year. Export rebates on aluminum semis – 13% on aluminum plate/sheet, strip and extrusion; 15% on aluminum foil; and 17% on aluminum wheel rim – have given Chinese exporters a competitive edge in overseas market. However, the outward flood of Chinese aluminum semi, combined with expansions in India’s aluminum market, and Russia’s own growing aluminum exports have pushed down LME aluminum prices and aluminum premiums overseas. This has not only...
Demand for aluminum semi-fabricated (mill) products in the United States and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an esti-mated 1,487 million pounds in January, increasing 10.1 percent over the January 2014 total of 1,351 million pounds. Aluminum sheet and plate totaled 858 million pounds in January, up 13.6 percent. Extruded products were up 8.1 percent year-over-year to 415 million pounds. Estimated shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and other uses totaled 636 million pounds, down 17.4 percent from a year ago. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets totaled 1,912 million pounds in January, up 7.9 percent year-over-year. Estimated apparent consumption in 2014 totaled 21,953 million pounds. The Association’s “Index of...
Portuguese beer brand named Sagres had chosen the leading global can maker Rexam, to create special limited edition packaging cans to showcase designs that would portray the cultural diversity of Portugal’s ten regions. Famous Portuguese artist, Joana Vasconcelos created the design and Rexam used their innovative HD printing technique to transfer the design onto the cans and coated them with a matt-over-varnish finish. The limited edition cans were launched to celebrate the Portuguese passion for arts and home grown talent. Raul Simão, Sagres marketing manager talks about the partnership saying, “We are thrilled with how Rexam was able to provide a packaging format to display our ten fantastic eye-catching designs that illustrate our patriotism and pride in our culture. The cans have...
Premiums for the aluminium Ford 2015 F-150 to remain similar to the steel versions, although they are likely to change once insurance companies gain enough experience in accident repair for the redesigned pickup truck. Since the insurance companies rely on the latest data available to them to calculate the rates, they are at present basing their premiums on the 2014 model claims. It could take a year for the insurance companies to get usable repair data and other useful information to evaluate the ideal rates for insurance of the aluminium-bodied model. "The cost to insure the F-150 may go up, or it may go down," said Progressive Corp. spokesman Jeff Sibel. "We won't have [enough] data until we have claims experiences." Ford is confident that the premiums will remain similar to the steel...
Increased knowledge is driving the use of aluminium solutions, and Sapa is one of the educators. Last year, the company provided more than 37,000 hours of technical training to external stakeholders worldwide – more than twice the amount provided in 2013. Most of the training is offered free of charge to customers, product designers and developers, technicians, engineers, and architects across markets and industries. Only in a handful of countries are participants required to pay a small fee according to government regulations. The growth in the amount of technical knowledge training, from 15,000 hours in 2013 to 37,000 hours in 2014, took place in all of the company’s business areas and in all regions. Local support is the goal. Tutoring takes place in a variety of ways and settings. In...
Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today announced a number of management appointments designed to strengthen its customer focus on the beverage can and specialty products end markets. Gary Yogan has been appointed Vice President, Global Can Sales, effective April 1. Yogan will be responsible for maintaining Novelis' position as a leading provider of beverage can sheet worldwide with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Key to this role will be the continued market growth of the company's high-recycled content evercan™ product. Yogan was previously Vice President and General Manager, Light Gauge and Specialties, North America. He has held a succession of senior sales and operational roles since joining Novelis in 1984 as a metallurgist and process engineer....
UK-based Aluminium Structures has planned to open its first overseas office in Dubai and also keen to expand in other Gulf countries. The company has more than 20 years of experience in designing, managing and implementing aluminium work platforms for a multitude of sectors, including transport, utilities, aviation and oil and gas. “We design, manufacture and install top-quality bespoke access systems and see great potential of business in the UAE,” Aluminium Structures director Matthew Butt told Khaleej Times in an interview. The Gulf region’s governments have announced billions of dollars in infrastructure projects and there are a lot of opportunities for everyone, Butt said, adding: “That’s the reason we selected Dubai as our first office outside the UK and hoped to expand in other GCC...
Tianjin Huaruide Co. recently inked a 300,000-tpy aluminum alloy cooperation agreement with the government of Holingola, Inner Mongolia, local media reported. Under the agreement, the company will build 100,000-tpy aluminum alloy bar project, 100,000-tpy aluminum alloy wire project, and 100,000-tpy high-end aluminum alloy rod project. Investment will total 650 million yuan ($106 million).
