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VMI Group raises aluminium winding wire capacity to 25,000 TPA
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VMI Group raises aluminium winding wire capacity to 25,000 TPA

Vidya Metal Manufacturing Company Private Limited (VMI Group) has increased its installed aluminium winding wire and strip capacity to 25,000 tonnes per annum (TPA), up from 18,000 TPA in early 2025. The expansion follows the commissioning of its new facility at Bandapur, Rajasthan. Abhinav Goyal, Group Director, VMI Group, said, “ Every distribution transformer, every solar inverter and every motor that India adds needs winding wire, and aluminium is the metal that lets OEMs grow without their raw-material cost running away from them. ” The group also produces around 12,000 TPA of copper products across its seven plants. The capacity expansion comes amid growing demand from transformer, motor, inverter and switchgear manufacturers in India, where aluminium is gaining ground as an...

Outdoor living market targets $215b as smart aluminium pergolas gain attention
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Outdoor living market targets $215b as smart aluminium pergolas gain attention

The global outdoor-living market is projected to reach USD 215 billion by 2027, with smart aluminium pergolas gaining attention among homeowners and commercial buyers across North America and Europe. Demand for outdoor structures that combine durability, low maintenance and technology-enabled features is growing as consumers increasingly seek to extend their indoor living spaces outdoors. The shift follows a post-pandemic change in how people use outdoor areas, with greater emphasis on creating functional and stylish spaces that complement indoor environments. Aluminium pergolas are emerging as one option for buyers seeking a combination of practical performance and contemporary design. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our...

Century Aluminum reports $752m in Q2 net sales as output rises 6%
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Century Aluminum reports $752m in Q2 net sales as output rises 6%

Century Aluminum reported net sales of $752 million in the second quarter of 2026, up from $103 million in the previous quarter. Net income reached $249 million, while adjusted EBITDA was $327 million. Aluminum shipments totaled approximately 131,000 metric tons, up 6% quarter-on-quarter, following the Mount Holly expansion in the United States and the restart of Line 2 at the Grundartangi smelter in Iceland. Peter Tripkofsky, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Century Aluminum, said higher LME aluminum prices and regional premiums contributed $95 million to the increase in adjusted EBITDA in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter. Capital expenditure totaled $59 million in Q2, with $37 million for the Mount Holly expansion and Jamalco’s new TG4 power...

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing joins $5.5m aluminum alloy project
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Nikon Advanced Manufacturing joins $5.5m aluminum alloy project

Nikon Advanced Manufacturing has joined the GOTHAAM project to develop a high-strength aluminum alloy for additive manufacturing. The $5.5 million project is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of War’s Manufacturing Technology Office (OSW ManTech). America Makes, based in Youngstown, Ohio, and the National Center for Defense Manufacturing and Machining (NCDMM), headquartered in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, selected Nikon AM as a project partner. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was named the group leader in August. GOTHAAM stands for Generation of Technical-data for High-strength Aluminum Alloy Material. The project aims to develop material data for a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy equivalent to 7075-T73. The data will cover Laser Beam Powder Bed Fusion (PBF-LB) additive...

TaeguTec sharpens its aluminium machining game with TTA101 insert
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TaeguTec sharpens its aluminium machining game with TTA101 insert

TaeguTec has expanded its T-Turn turning insert programme with the introduction of the TTA101 grade, a new tantalum carbide (Ta-C)-coated insert designed to improve tool life, cutting-edge sharpness and surface finish in high-speed aluminium and non-ferrous machining applications. The TTA101 grade is designed for recommended cutting speeds of up to 1,500 m/min when machining wrought aluminium alloys. Its coating technology aims to improve wear resistance while preserving the sharp cutting edge required for consistent surface quality at high cutting speeds. Ultra-thin Ta-C coating preserves cutting-edge sharpness A key feature of the TTA101 grade is its Ta-C coating, which combines exceptional hardness with a very low coefficient of friction. With a thickness of less than 0.5 μm, the...

US aluminum maker Shapes Unlimited faces up to $5m in extra costs as tariffs and Iran conflict bite
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US aluminum maker Shapes Unlimited faces up to $5m in extra costs as tariffs and Iran conflict bite

US aluminum product manufacturer Shapes Unlimited faces up to $5 million in additional costs this year as President Donald Trump’s tariffs and rising freight charges linked to the conflict involving Iran add pressure to American manufacturers. The Ohio-based company is among businesses grappling with higher input and transportation costs, while uncertainty over US trade policy and deteriorating relations with Canada complicate planning and expansion. Although some American manufacturers have benefited from higher barriers facing foreign competitors, others are struggling to absorb additional expenses and maintain growth. Doug Rende, chief executive of Shapes Unlimited, told AFP that the combined pressures had become increasingly difficult to manage. “Frustrating would be one word,” Rende...

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