
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...
Grow with
AL Circle

On 27th July 2021, the global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, Novelis is investing more than $7 million to recruit 37 new employees and resumes the several pieces of idled equipment at its manufacturing facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. The plant with this expansion will produce aluminium for household foil applications later this year after recently securing several multi-year agreements with key customers. The applications include products such as aluminium foil sheets and rolls used in commercial and residential kitchens. Ryan Smith, Plant Manager, said: "Novelis has been a strong community partner here in the Wabash Valley for more than 60 years and this investment solidifies not only our leadership position in the aluminium foil market but also our commitment to bringing...

As per Reuters latest survey, Egypt's economy will grow 5.0% in the fiscal year that ends in June next year, which remains unchanged from analysts' expectations in a similar poll three months ago and slightly below the government's target of 5.4%. The northeast African nation, Egypt imported 8244 tonnes of aluminium household articles during 2018-19 and the expenditure occurred for the import was $50.16 million. The import for 2020 remained at 10,692 tonnes and the expenditure counted for the import was $37.07 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets assorted with the existing two years, it signifies 18,936 tonnes and $87.23 million respectively. Egypt’s export of aluminium household articles during 2018-19 recorded 5049 tonnes and the revenue generated from...

As per the report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 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 steer the recovery as households normalise their saving after the rapid rise in 2020. Private investment will improve, but continue to be held back by lingering uncertainty. Bankruptcies are expected to increase and unemployment is set to peak in the second half of 2021 following the phasing out of support measures. The North-western European nation, Netherlands exported 63,749 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-19 and the revenue earned from the export accounted for $244.16 million. The export for 2020 remained at 68,390 tonnes and the earnings stood at...

The Iraqi analysts who support their country stated that Poverty, unemployment, and a lack of local industry continue to plague Iraq's economy, and the resulting public unrest could be dangerous. Oil price volatility and COVID-19 have increased Iraq’s economic distress and deepened existing economic and social fragilities. However, with global oil markets trends turning positive, the outlook for Iraq is set to improve. The political situation in Iraq remains extremely unstable, even though the war was officially declared as over in December 2017. The Western Asian nation, Iraq has imported 21,534 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2018-20 and the foreign revenue expended for the import accounted for $51.63 million. In 2018, the Iraqi import of aluminium foil was recorded 2282 tonnes only and...

CCL Container has teamed up with Pathwater to manufacture its 100% recyclable aluminum bottled water containers. The demand for eco-friendly products is driven by convenience and functionality. CCL Container is North America’s leading manufacturer of recyclable aluminum packaging, while Pathwater is a sustainable bottled water company. CCL partnered with Pathwater to end single-use plastic bottles. “We are proud to partner with Pathwater in creating a truly sustainable container for the bottled water market,” said Kimberly Kizer, Vice President of Sales for CCL Container. “Our refillable aluminum bottles are functional and attractive, encouraging customers to reuse each bottle infinitely. And we use virgin aluminum, the bottles are highly recyclable whenever the consumer is ready to...

According to Reuters’ quarterly poll, Turkey’s economy will augment at the rate of 5.5% annually in 2020, which is more than previously thought and close to a government forecast, although it will be a sturdy battle countering double-digit inflation in coming years. The nation spanning Western Asia and Southeast Europe, Turkey exported 52,966 tonnes of aluminium stranded wires during 2019-20 and the revenue earned from the export of the wires accounted for $121.45 million. Turkey exported 19,856 tonnes of aluminium wires in 2018 and made inflowing revenue of $50.21 million, whereas, in 2020, the export exhibited 66.75% growth, as the export volume up-surged to 33,110 tonnes and the earnings also climbed to $71.24 million. As aluminium yields a better conductivity to weight ratio than...

As per the data revealed by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the South African economy is projected to rebound by 3.8% in 2021 and 2.5% in 2022. The powerful rebound at the end of 2020 has decelerated in the first half of 2021 due to a protracted second wave of the Covid-19 that has held back economic activity. The growth is projected to pick up in the second half of the year, driven by domestic demand and commodity exports. Africa’s third-largest economy, South Africa exported 64,021 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-19 and the foreign revenue earnings accounted for from the export was $1.206 billion. The export for 2020 remained at 28,876 tonnes and the earnings occurred was $561.22. However, when the export volume and earnings of 2020 get assorted with...

Fairphone has joined ASI as a new Downstream Supporter member, bringing the total number of Members to 179. The company is building a market for ethical phones and motivating the industry to act more responsibly. “Fairphone shortlisted 14 materials that show the most urgent need for intervention and provide us with the most potential to make a significant impact. Aluminum is one of Fairphone’s 14 focus materials. We therefore join ASI and aim for the integration of ASI-certified aluminum in our supply chain, in order to promote and demand responsible and sustainable material production and sourcing,” said Tirza Voss, Sustainable Materials & Mining Manager. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organisation...

The Greek aluminium architectural system developer, Alumil's slogan is 'building excellence every day', which outlines every aspect of the company's activities. Lately, Alumil received special recognition at the event of 'Diamonds of the Greek Economy 2021'. In 2020, during the 18 th edition of the annual forum, the healthiest and fastest-growing companies of the country were awarded. In a more specific way, these organizations stood out among the 10,000 most important companies, based on 5 economic indicators. ALUMIL is considered as the leading power for more than 3 decades in the field of aluminium applications, which received an honorary distinction for its several innovative business activities in Greece and in the international market. This award complemented the significant...

Kazakhstan will resist deeper integration and strengthen its ties with China and the West, while its relationship with Russia remains crucial. The country’s GDP forecast says that it will return to the pre-crisis level by the end of 2021 and the economy will pursue to be sensitive to commodity market volatility over the medium term. The Central Asian nation, Kazakhstan imported 433 tonnes of aluminium containers during 2019-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import stood at $3.79 million. In 2019, Kazakhstan’s import of aluminium containers was registered at 173 tonnes and the expenditure for the import accounted for $1.42 million, whereas, in 2020, the import recorded an impressive growth of 50.28%, as the import volume grew to 260 tonnes and the expenditure also surged to $2.37...

The aluminium end-user segment unfolded some of the best news from across the world. The American multi-national and the world's leading provider of innovative, sustainable aluminium packaging for beverage, personal care and household products, Ball Corporation intends to expand increase its manufacturing capacity with new facilities in the UK and Russia. Ball has recognized a site at the SEGRO Park Kettering Gateway in the UK, while the 2014 born India electronics brand ‘Noise’ rolls-out smartwatch made from aircraft-grade aluminium. CANPACK S.A. has joined ASI as a new Industrial User member, bringing the total number of ASI Members to 178. The company, founded in 1992, is a manufacturer of aluminium beverage cans. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global,...

The Indian consumer electronics brand, Noise which started in 2014 founded by Amit Khatri and Gaurav Khatri has developed to be a popular wearable brand, now rolled out another smartwatch in the market. On 15 th July 2021, the electronic company revealed Noise ColorFit Ultra at an online event. The ColorFit Ultra comes with the biggest display Noise has ever floated. The smartwatch is tooled with magnificent features including Calls and SMS quick reply, 60 sports modes, a blood oxygen monitor and more. The dial of the smartwatch is featured square-shaped and is made up of aluminium alloy. During the online event, the company disclosed that the aluminium used in the Noise ColorFit Ultra is aircraft-grade aluminium. Noise ColorFit Ultra is yet another smartwatch that the company has...

In the Sustainable Circular Challenge organised by Ball Beverage Packaging India, a team of six students from Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar (XIMB) bagged the runners-up trophy by demonstrating effective ways to reuse aluminium cans. The Thinkers, as they call themselves, has devised an innovative plan of changing the design of the cans to have a reattachable lid to be able to reuse the cans for a couple of more times, considering sustainability can come at a cost in the country like India and packaging can diminish profits. Bandhan Pramanik from the team of six explained, "In a country like India, sustainability can come at a cost and since packaging can actually diminish profits, we planned to use the existing infrastructure to help them.” Installing beverage dispensers in...

Ball Corporation intends to expand increase its manufacturing capacity with new facilities in the UK and Russia. The plant will start operations in 2023. Each facility will manufacture billions of cans a year across a range of formats and sizes Ball has recognized a site at the SEGRO Park Kettering Gateway in the UK. The company has submitted its formal application to North Northamptonshire Council and anticipates breaking ground during 2021, following a period of public consultation. Carey Causey, President, Ball Beverage Packaging EMEA said: "With the demand for our infinitely recyclable aluminium packaging growing fast in an expanding number of categories, we are acting now to support our customers in the UK and Russia. The pandemic and changing consumption patterns mean that consumers...

CANPACK S.A. has joined ASI as a new Industrial User member, bringing the total number of ASI Members to 178. The company, founded in 1992, is a manufacturer of aluminium beverage cans. “As one of the world’s leading aluminium can manufacturers with a truly global footprint, we are delighted to join ASI. Working together, alongside other members, we believe that by joining ASI CANPACK will be able to play its full part in further improving the production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium,” John O’Maoileoin, Group Sustainability Director, CANPACK S.A. CANPACK now offers high-quality glass, metal closures, and food and industrial packaging. The company’s capabilities go beyond producing packaging, helping grow brands and optimize businesses. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI)...

According to a report on Wednesday, July 14, construction on Heesen’s 57-metre, all-aluminium superyacht project Akira is due to begin this year. The news came after the yard announced the yacht, which was first revealed at the 2019 Monaco Yacht Show, would begin construction at Heesen’s Oss shipyard in the autumn. “We see great potential for this new model," said Arthur Brouwer, Heesen's chief executive. “Akira is the only 57-metre, all-aluminium fast motor yacht with a Northern European pedigree available for delivery in spring 2024." This four-deck yacht is the first model in Heesen’s 5700 Aluminium class. Its exterior design is penned by Frank Laupman’s Omega Architects and interior by Harrison Eidsgaard. Built from an aluminium hull, the exterior features a “shapely silhouette” with...

As per ‘Economic Key Facts Germany’ by KPMG, the German started to augment in Q2 2021, with all major indicators now signifying to growth. The economy will regain strength and is predicted to grow by almost 4% in 2021. After the contraction in GDP of 4.9% in 2020, KPMG expected economic output in Germany to expand by 3.6% year on year in 2021. The development of the economy is fuelled by the vaccination programme in Germany, which has delivered doses to almost 60% of the population with about 40% now being fully vaccinated. The seventh-largest country in Europe, Germany recorded export of 46,812 tonnes of aluminium household articles during 2018-20 and the revenue earnings accounted for from the export was $358.75 million. In 2018, the Western European nation registered 11,961 tonnes of...

On 23rd June 2021, the central bank of Thailand, which is known as the Bank of Thailand predicted, the Thai economy would expand by 1.8% in 2021 and 3.9% in 2022. This would be lesser than the previous projection owing to lower foreign tourist figures and domestic demand held down by the third wave of the outbreak. The Southeast Asian country, Thailand has registered an export of 147,409 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-19 and the foreign revenue earnings accounted for the export remained at $133.44 million. The export for 2020 stood at 139,314 tonnes and the earnings counted to $82.42 million. However, when the export volume and earnings for 2020 gets assorted with the existing two years, it denotes 286,723 tonnes and $215.86 million respectively. Thailand’s export of aluminium cans...