India's Diet Coke shortage in 2026 exposed an unexpected weakness in the country's aluminium industry. Despite being the world's second-largest primary aluminium producer, India struggled to ensure adequate supplies of aluminium cans when disruptions to Middle Eastern shipping affected imports of specialised can-sheet material. The episode highlighted a structural gap in the domestic aluminium value chain: producing the metal is one thing, but converting it into higher-value finished products is another. The shortage emerged during the summer drinking season, when Diet Coke became increasingly difficult to find on Indian shelves. Quick-commerce platforms reported limited availability as shipping disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict affected aluminium supplies through the Strait...
Tesla's ambitions for its Optimus humanoid robot extend well beyond factory automation, with the company envisioning a future in which robots could support vehicle servicing, logistics and even last-mile delivery. However, turning that vision into a commercially viable product will require more than advances in artificial intelligence and robotics. It will also depend on access to aluminium, critical minerals and the downstream manufacturing capabilities needed to produce increasingly sophisticated hardware at scale. Tesla has already taken an important step towards that ambition. On October 21, 2026, the company announced that Optimus production had begun on its high-volume manufacturing line in Fremont, California. Tesla described the units coming off the line as its first...
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The Russian aluminium giant, Rusal made public that it has improved the alloy composition for anodized aluminium facade panels and this will enhance the quality of building cladding products supplied to the market. However, as part of the project, RUSAL has successfully mastered the production of slabs from an optimized alloy (5005A) at the Bratsk Aluminum Smelter. The alloy is made of low-carbon ALLOW aluminium and will be utilized for the production of facade panels. With this development, RUSAL's partners are adjusting the technology for producing sheets for anodizing aiming to obtain a higher surface quality. The goal of the project is to reduce the percentage of rejections due to issues around the appearance of facade panels and to stabilize the colour shades of the anodic panel...
Aluminium containers are considered as best packing materials in the food industry, as it provides blockade to protect food against light and air and preserves food quality, however it can also be recycled and designed individually according to consumer’s requirements and can also be produced in different sizes and shapes. The landlocked East Alpine country in the southern part of Central Europe, Austria imported 862 tonnes of aluminium containers during 2018-20 and the revenue expended for the import accounted for $7.12 million. Austria imported aluminium containers of 311 tonnes in 2018 and the expenditure occurred for the import was $2.37 million, whereas, in 2019 the import showcased a sharp downfall by 24.75% and the expenditure also fell short to $2.05 million. In 2020, the nation’s...
According to a recent report, The Body Shop Canada has begun a national refill programme whereby the brand offers shoppers a refillable aluminium bottle for a selection of the best-selling shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, and hand washes. The objective of this programme is to help take action against the global plastic crisis. By switching to refill into an aluminium bottle, each customer can prevent around 32 plastic bottles from going to landfills. This is the company’s first step in a 5-year plan to roll out refill stations in the majority of their stores across the globe. The first Body Shop store in Brighton, England, dates back to 1976 when the founder of the brand Dame Anita developed a refill service for her customers’ bottles as she could not afford new ones. Now, 45 years...
ALUFUN has joined ASI as a new General Supporter member, bringing the total number of ASI Members to 187. The company is committed to explore, research and develop commercial interiors design in aluminium furniture industry. ALUFUN (SHANGHAI ALUFUN ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO.LTD) offers the services of design, manufacture, sale, lease, Installation, recycle and reuse aluminium products. The company aims to help the aluminium industry to achieve the goal of carbon neutral, energy conservation and pollution reduction. “ALUFUN has been engaging in the circular and recycle economy of aluminum industry. With the application of our innovative leasing business model, it is beneficial for us to make proactive efforts to implement and support ASI commitment. Considering that sustainable...
The Paris, France headquartered global cable and optical fiber manufacturing company, Nexans S.A. published its financial statements for H1 2021 ending June 30, as approved by the Board of Directors, Chaired by Jean Mouton has revealed strong performance. Christopher Guérin, Nexans’ Chief Executive Officer, while commenting on the Group’s performance, said: “Ahead of expectations for 2021, we are confidently building the blocks of our 2022 – 2024 new strategic ambition presented at our Capital Markets Day last February.” “This first semester’s strong performance anchors the first steps of our strategic vision to become the pure player in sustainable electrification. Nexans is now a structured, healthy and solid Group. We will continue to trigger structural value growth while amplifying...
Mulk Holdings International, the UAE based diversified multinational business conglomerate with interests in Manufacturing of Metal Composites (Alubond U.S.A.), Facade Contracting, Aluminum Coil Coatings, etc. have entered into a joint venture with Park International Investments LLC, a global investment powerhouse and Silver Heights Real Estate, a Dubai-based property management group and real estate broker to establish Alubond USA LLC. The partnership between Mulk Holdings International and Park International Investments has already gained supply contracts of over $100 million involving five mega projects across the US and is counting to spearhead exterior facades at a time when the US economy rebounds to the pre-pandemic levels. Nawab Shaji Ul Mulk, Chairman of Mulk Holdings...
The South Korean economy inflated at the fastest annual pace in a decade during Q2, accredits to a pick-up in private consumption, though a resurgence of COVID-19 casts doubts over the outlook for growth for the rest of the year, as reported by Reuters. Data from the Bank of Korea revealed that gross domestic product (GDP) grew 0.7% in the second quarter, rising 1.7% three months earlier and matching 0.7% growth tipped. The East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea imported 20,328 tonnes of aluminium household articles during 2019-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import accounted for $240.28 million. South Korea’s import of aluminium household articles in 2019 was recorded at 12,115 tonnes and the expenditure inherited for the import was $95.80...
The aluminium end-user segment remained quite insightful during the week. In Japan, beverage vendors are progressing towards the usage of aluminium replacing plastic bottles to counter ocean pollution. While in Canada Wildpack Beverages has purchased aluminium cans filler Vertical Distilling for $4.5 million in a cash deal. The world’s largest country, Russia exported 117,127 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2018-20 and the earnings occurred for the export was $338.90 million. Russian aluminium giant Rusal is a global leader in the production of primary aluminium (low carbon). To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/russian-export-of-aluminium-foil-during-2018-20-signifies-robust-growth-with-minimal-dip-1-growth-estimated-for-2021-69069 On 9th August 2021, Aluminium Fuel Cells...
As reported by a railway official, Indian Railways (IR) is anticipated to receive its first batch of aluminium-bodied coaches by February 2022. In a technological transpose for railways, the Raebareli based Modern Coach Factory (MCF) is considering manufacturing aluminium coaches. However, the first set of 3 coaches for Kolkata Metro are expected to be ready by early next year, whereas, in due course, IR expects to get aluminium coaches for Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express style premium trains. MCF has inked an INR 128 crore agreement with South Korean firm Dawonsys for this enterprising project. The execution of the project has been detained by the COVID-19 pandemic, as it hit hard both India and South Korea. The design for the metro coaches is believed to be concluded by the end of this...
The US Department of Energy (DOE) will reward nine domestic projects to fast-track the commercialisation of technologies that can support combining more solar electricity into the power grid. DOE will allocate $14 million of funding as part of an attempt to incentivise the domestic manufacturing across the solar industry supply chain, succouring to certify that US-made hardware is used to deploy large quantities of solar. The projects will aim at spheres such as the development of a connector that anticipates and safeguards arc fault that can cause electrical fires in PV systems, as well as a 1MW inverter for utility-scale solar systems that eradicates the need for a transformer. The revolutionary module manufacturer, Silfab Solar has secured $3 million towards enhancing scale-up...
Cardiff-based aluminium fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium has reportedly bagged another multimillion pound project contract with Willmott Dixon to work on the Millwrights Place and Coopers Court residential scheme at Finzels Reach. Dudley’s has already started working on Halo, an office accommodation within the same development, worth £5.1 million. For the new project, the fabricator will install a range of Kawneer products including windows, capped and structural silicone glazed curtain walling, swing doors and patio doors, in addition to louvres, steel doors, automatic opening and fire rated windows, across the build at the former site of the Avon Fire and Rescue headquarters. Millwrights Place will feature 231 private rental apartments in a 14-storey building, while Coopers Court will...
The world's largest producer of low-carbon aluminium and independent hydropower, En+ Group collaborated with V&A, the world’s leading museum of art, design and performance to produce a fascinating pavilion for the London Design Festival. The En+ Group’s metal division Rusal produces the world’s lowest carbon emitted aluminium with a unique inert anode technology and from that particular green metal, the pavilion theme “Between Forests and Skies” is developed. This will emphasize the fundamental role of low-carbon raw materials in creating a more sustainable world, and the importance of low-carbon aluminium – a key promoter of more sustainable economic development and a ‘green’ recovery worldwide. Light, durable, and almost infinitely recyclable, aluminium is a critical material for...
The Canadian drinks production and packaging company Wildpack Beverage has agreed to acquire aluminium cans filler Vertical Distilling for $4.5 million in a cash deal. The company stated that the Colorado-based, Vertical Distilling is the ‘leading filler’ in its home territory and encircling states, establishing it as a vital region for the middle market beverage industry and inherent to Wildpack’s growth strategy. The finalization of the agreement will enable Wildpack’s expectation to see several synergistic opportunities, which comprises adding more shifts, the withdrawal of “throughput pinch points with light capital upgrades and the installation of new capabilities.” Thomas Walker, Chief Growth Officer, Wildpack, said: “We have completed two acquisitions pursuant to our previously...
The Russian ministry of economy has raised its outlook for economic growth and oil prices in 2021 and now envisages a stronger rouble, and it has also raised this year’s inflation forecast, as reported by Reuters. However, after contracting 3% in 2020, its sharpest downfall in 11 years, the Russian economy has been on the restore due to a rebound in consumer demand and high prices for oil, which is its vital export, prompting a series of upgrades to its economic outlook. The world’s largest country, Russia exported 117,127 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2018-20 and the earnings occurred for the export was $338.90 million. Russian aluminium giant Rusal is a global leader in the production of primary aluminium (low carbon). In 2018, the Russian export of aluminium foil was recorded at...
On 9 th August 2021, Aluminium Fuel Cells technology developer Log 9 Materials stated that it has raised $ 8.5 million in a funding round led by Amara Raja, the makers of automobile battery Amaron. Log 9 Materials quoted in a statement that the company has set foot into an equity partnership and collaboration with Amara Raja Batteries Ltd (ARBL), a leading manufacturer of industrial and automotive batteries. However, ARBL was the prime investor in this funding round, investing $ 5 million. “Existing investors, including Exfinity Ventures and Sequoia Capital India's Surge Programme, alongside a clutch of new investors, we're also a part of the Series A+ funding round”, Log9 Material added. "The new investors have, along with the existing investors, invested around $ 8.5 million in the...
A group of Japanese beverage sellers and retailers in recent times progressed to desert the usage of plastic bottles, substituting them with aluminium bottles and cans in a proposal to counter ocean plastic pollution, inflicting disruption with the ecosystem. Ryohin Keikaku Co., operator of retail brand Muji, the seller of 12 types of teas and soft drinks have received in aluminium cans following the April data exhibited the rate of horizontal recycling that grants for the reuse of materials in an analogous function, was considerably towering for such cans nudging to plastic bottles. As per the Japan Aluminium Association and the Council for PET Bottle Recycling, the rate of horizontal recycling for aluminium cans remains at 71.0% compared to 24.3% for plastic bottles. However, in the...
The global aluminium end-user segment further displays the June Quarter results this week, positioned with a higher reach in revenue; however, investments remain in the sector. The American company headquartered in Colorado, Ball Corporation reported net earnings of $202 million on sales of $3.5 billion in the second quarter of 2021, compared to $94 million net earnings on sales of $2.8 billion in 2020, while the company has commenced production of Pittston, Pennsylvania, beverage can manufacturing facility. On the other part of the world, the Russian aluminium giant, Rusal unveiled the first consignment of lighting poles made of aluminium alloys to the domestic market, in partnership with the Krasnoyarsk Metallurgical Plant (KraMZ) and Alluminate Company. On 31st July 2021, India’s...
According to the report by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Dutch economy is projected to grow by 2.7% in 2021 and 3.7% in 2022, reaching pre-crisis levels at the beginning of 2022. Consumption will drive the recovery as households normalise their saving after the sharp increase in 2020. Private investment will improve, but continue to be held back by lingering uncertainty. However, Bankruptcies are expected to rise and unemployment is set to peak in the second half of 2021. The sixth most expensive nation in the European Union, Netherlands exported 143,752 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2018-20 and the earnings occurred from the export accounted for $402.24 million. In 2018, Netherlands export of aluminium foil was recorded at 19,845 tonnes and the earnings...
