Germany exports 86% of TRIMET’s aluminium production despite 1.84Mt domestic demand from automotive, packaging & extrusion industries
Germany’s last remaining primary aluminium producer, TRIMET Aluminium SE, has a combined nameplate capacity of approximately 540,000 tonnes per year across its German and French smelters. Yet Germany exported 466,756 tonnes of unwrought primary aluminium in 2025, equivalent to 86.44 per cent of that combined capacity. Exports reached 501,678 tonnes in 2023 and 449,590 tonnes in 2024, while shipments totalled 273,080 tonnes between January and July 2026. The comparison presents an intriguing picture of Germany’s aluminium industry. Despite having a limited primary smelting base, the country continues to export hundreds of thousands of tonnes of unwrought aluminium annually. At the same time, it imported 2 million tonnes of primary aluminium in 2025, more than four times its exports. Why...
Indonesian Aluminium: The shift from mining to smelting
Indonesia is pitched as the next big Asian aluminium hub as the country has released an expansive alumina and aluminium expansion plan, based on the abundant bauxite resource in the country. China has exhausted its aluminium capacity cap and is unlikely to raise installed capacity significantly in the coming years. Additionally, geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, and tariffs have made much of global aluminium capacity inaccessible and vulnerable. This includes Russian aluminium and the Gulf output, along with restricted and costly access to Canadian aluminium for the US smelters. The already tight supply conditions have been made worse after the Iran-Israel-US war that disrupted the Gulf aluminium capacity. Under current supply conditions, India and Indonesia will play a critical role in...
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Multi Mech targets 600 forklift order for aluminium smelters in 3yrs
Multi Mech is targeting three regional aluminium operations with its smelter-customised forklifts, which are manufactured by Doosan and distributed exclusively by Multi Mech in the region. The company is hoping to replace much of the 200-machine fleets of a couple of existing smelter operations in the region, as well as playing a role in supplying a 200-machine bauxite-refining operation that is yet to come online. “So we’re talking about 600 machines for three years down the line, and the market size for lift trucks is only 10,000 across segments,” states Gopinath. “If I take over three smelters, I'm taking a 30% share of the market [in aluminium]. “Two years down the line, our forklift business in the GCC will be worth $50m to $75m, and it’s not just the trucks: the aftersales and parts...
Century Aluminum to retain 250 workers at its Hawesville Smelter
Century Aluminum says about 250 employees will remain working at its Hawesville Smelter in western Kentucky. The Messenger-Inquirer reports in a statement Wednesday, the company said that the plant will continue operating at about 40 percent capacity after October 24. Company officials had originally planned to shut down the smelter on that date, citing a stagnant aluminum market and low prices for Chinese aluminum. The company now says it will keep two pot lines operating at the plant. Century Aluminum's spokesman Kenny Barkley says the company would monitor the economy and the price of aluminum to determine if the two pot lines would continue operating. Barkley says the company believes it can still operate with two pot lines and be profitable.
SWSI to buy US$30 million CBs of XinRen Aluminum
Southwest Securities International Securities Limited (00812) (SWSI) has conditionally agreed to subscribe for the secured convertible bonds issued by XinRen Aluminum Holdings Limited in an aggregate principal amount of US$30 million. The convertible bonds, bearing interest at a rate of 8% per annum, will become mature on 27 August 2020. Assuming full conversion of the convertible bonds at a conversion price of S$1.01 per XinRen Aluminum share, the maximum number of conversion shares to be allotted and issued by XinRen Aluminum will be 39.386 million shares. XinRen Aluminum, whose shares are listed on the Main Board of SGX-ST, is a vertically integrated maker of primary aluminum products in the PRC. As the rate of return of the convertible bonds is generally more favourable and higher...
Alcoa signs $1 billion contract with Airbus for high-tech fastening systems
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa has signed an approximately $1 billion contract with Airbus for high-tech, multi-material aerospace fastening systems. The deal is Alcoa’s largest fastener contract ever with the aircraft manufacturer. Alcoa’s fasteners fly on every Airbus platform. “Our growing aerospace capabilities, technology strength and global, first-rate customer service continue to strengthen Alcoa’s decades-long partnership with Airbus,” said Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Klaus Kleinfeld. “Alcoa is proud to partner with Airbus to provide breakthrough technologies for some of the most advanced aircraft in the world.” Alcoa’s fasteners will be used to assemble some of Airbus’s latest high-growth airplanes, including the A350 XWB, Airbus’ newest commercial airplane, and...
Up to $2.48 billion worth aluminium project kickoffs expected in U.S. in Q4 2015
According to a study conducted by the Industrial Info Resources, Sugar Land, Texas, aluminium smelters across the United States have gone through a distressed phase of cutbacks and closures, amid a global oversupply and resultant price decline. Even so, downstream aluminium-related projects in the U.S. continue to start up, especially those tied to aluminium sheet and extrusion products. Industrial Info is tracking 11 active U.S. aluminium production projects worth $2.48 billion that are slated for kickoff in fourth-quarter 2015. However, all but $80 million of that amount is tied to one grassroot, flat-rolled aluminium minimill. Some of the notable aluminium project kickoffs expected in Q4 2015 in the U.S include those of big names such as Alcoa, Century Aluminum Company, Constellium...
Alcoa to scale up production at its Pinjarra alumina refinery
Alcoa has flagged a move to expand production at its Pinjarra refinery by up to 20 per cent, winning environmental approval to push the facility’s total alumina output to five million tonnes a year. The Environmental Protection Authority last month ticked off on an Alcoa application to amend existing environmental approvals to boost the refinery’s nameplate capacity from 4.2mtpa to 5mtpa, with a corresponding increase in mining at its Huntley bauxite operations. A spokeswoman for Alcoa said yesterday the approval related to “potential future production” at the facility, and no major capital works were planned at Pinjarra. “Any production increases would be achieved through incremental process efficiency improvements,” she said. It is understood the company hopes to push production rates...
Audi uses special aluminum alloys in its all new A8 L Security sedan
One of the quieter, more subtle reveals of the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, the A8 L Security sedan debuted as Audi's most secure car ever. It leaps two levels beyond its predecessor and packs enough reinforcements to survive armor-piercing assault rifle fire and hand grenade explosions. Last year, Mercedes introduced its VR9-certified Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard, and now Audi is meeting the same benchmark with its luxury flagship. The black A8 makes an appropriately stately but low-profile platform for an armored package. Audi has built the unitary occupant safety cell up from lightweight but high-strength materials including aramide fabric, special aluminum alloys and hot-formed armor steel. That gives it full VR9-level protection, which in layman's terms, means it can withstand fire from...
Strange Engineering releases new adjustable aluminium shocks
Strange Engineering, the US based autoparts manufacturer with a rich racing heritage, has introduced their all new range of Adjustable Aluminum Shocks. These lightweight shocks make tuning your suspension easy and are available in both single and double adjustable configurations. Strange Engineering aluminum bolt-in shocks are based on the proven coil-over technology that has been relied on by racers for years. The lightweight aluminum construction make tuning the suspension easy by locating the adjuster knob(s) at the bottom of the shock body. The wide range of valving allows each shock to be utilized in street, strip and road race applications and comes with high quality mounting hardware to handle the most demanding of applications. Strange Engineering aluminum bodied bolt-in shocks...
National Manufacturing Day highlights impact of recycling to U.S. economy
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) joins in the nationwide celebration of National Manufacturing Day by emphasizing the many positive economic contributions of the recycling industry to the U.S. manufacturing landscape. In 2014 alone, more than 135 million metric tons of metal, paper, plastic, glass, textiles, rubber, and electronics were manufactured in specification grade commodities by the U.S. scrap recycling industry. “National Manufacturing Day helps to highlight the important role recyclers play in America’s overall economy, and their involvement in the goods and products people use in everyday life,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “As the first link in the manufacturing supply chain, the recycling industry provides a source of raw material to other...
Aluminum Association updates on its U.S. - China Aluminum Trade Policy
The current imbalance in the aluminum supply/demand relationship inside China has spurred an oversupply which is resulting in two negative outcomes for the U.S. economy and the aluminum industry as a whole. It encourages illegal trade, trans-shipment, and re-melting of fabricated aluminum products, which is fundamentally impacting U.S. aluminum producers. It has also created an oversupply of material from the most carbon intensive operations in the world, supplanting aluminum produced in less carbon intensive regions, including North America. At the direction of the Aluminum Association’s Executive Committee Trade Working Group – chaired by Michelle O’Neill, Alcoa; and including John Barneson, Kaiser; Kip Smith, Noranda; John Gardner, Novelis; and Garney Scott, Scepter – the Association...
Utkal Alumina updates on its recently approved expansion plans
The High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), the highest body to approve investment proposals, has approved seven projects with investments totaling to INR 41,900 crore. The projects that got the HLCA's nod include a mix of new as well as existing projects that proposed to ramp up their capacities. Among the expansion projects, the HLCA cleared proposal by Aditya Birla Group owned Utkal Alumina Ltd. Utkal Alumina has proposed to ramp up its alumina refinery capacity at Rayagada in south Odisha from one million tonne per annum (mtpa) to 1.5 mtpa and that of its captive power plant (CPP) from 50 Mw to 90 Mw. The total cost of the refinery is estimated at INR 7,563 crore. Another important project that got HLCA's approval is a power generation plant by Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. MCL, a...
Audi Q7 construction revealed at Pfaff event
Pfaff Autoworks hosted its annual insurance open house last week. The event provided a chance for those in the insurance industry to become familiar with new trends in the collision repair space. The emergence of aluminum as a more common material in new cars took centre stage at the Pfaff Autoworks event. There has already been a load of speculation about the rise of aluminum. Some facility owners have taken the plunge, but others are holding off of on the installation of a dedicated aluminum room or curtained bay. But there is no lack of evidence that a big shift is coming. Major aluminum producers like Alcoa are rapidly expanding production and reorganizing their corporate structure to get ready for new demand from the auto sector. Alcoa recently announced it is splitting in two as a...
Next-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom to debut all aluminium architecture
According to a recently published report, the new Rolls-Royce Phantom will ride on all new aluminium platform, which will also underpin future vehicles from the British marque. The next-generation Phantom, which could debut as early as next year, will be the first car to utilise a new aluminium architecture that’s being developed for Rolls-Royce by BMW. The move to aluminium will allow the brand to shed kilos, improve performance and increase fuel economy, as well as have bragging rights over some of its competition. As is the rage throughout the industry, Rolls-Royce’s new architecture is modular and flexible, and can be scaled up or down for a variety of different vehicles. For instance, the brand’s first ever SUV, currently being developed under the title Project Cullinan, will use the...
Stricter rules on bauxite mining planned in Terengganu, Malaysia
Government of Terengganu, the sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia, intends to be more stringent on bauxite mining to prevent environmental pollution, Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said recently. He said new conditions on mining permits would be announced after the state executive council had discussed and finalised them. “Miners who flout the new rules will be severely dealt with,” he said after a lantern festival programme at Sura Gate here last night. Ahmad Razif said bauxite mining was carried out on private land and enforcement was conducted round-the-clock, including against firms operating in Pahang that used and damaged roads in Terengganu and which had drawn the ire of the people. “The new measures are necessary to curb pollution and prevent damage to...
Indian aluminium industry officials to meet Revenue Secretary on safeguard duty
Indian aluminium industry officials are set to meet Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia this week and pitch for a safeguard duty on the lines of one on steel products in a bid to check cheap imports from China and the Middle-East. Following the imposition of 20 per cent provisional safeguard duty on steel products by the government, industry body Aluminium Association India (AAI) is readying its case for a similar duty, sources said. The association is collating data for all primary and rolled products to strengthen its case and its members are slated to meet the Revenue Secretary next week, they added. Last month, the association members -- Vedanta Group CEO Tom Albanese, Hindalco Deputy Managing Director D Satish Pai and Nalco CMD T K Chand -- met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and urged him...
Ball-Rexam deal may increase price of aluminium cans and bottles
Ball has allegedly received a statement of objections (SO) from competition watchdogs over its deal with Rexam, warning it may increase the price of aluminum cans and bottles. Ball agreed to buy Rexam for $6.7bn in February this year, which is one of the biggest takeovers in metal and glass packaging, according to Bloomberg. It has to get regulatory clearances to close the deal during the first half of 2016. Acquisition to close in 2016 In response, Ball confirmed it had taken note of the European Commission's provisional objections and concerns as outlined in the SO. "Ball values the insight which the SO brings on the on-going EU regulatory process,” Ball said in a statement to FE Investegate. “It is the view of Ball the concerns raised in the SO allow the parties to develop the...
Constellium-UACJ joint venture to start mid-2016
The $150 million Constellium/UACJ Corp. joint venture under construction at the 4,000-acre Kentucky Transpark is 80 percent complete and on schedule, said Markus Wild, chief executive officer. The first 300-meter-long production line at the 225,000-square foot aluminum facility should be operational by mid-2016, Wild told the Daily News on Friday. Employment at the site is currently about 40 workers, and that number is expected to increase to 80 at full production. There could be 70 employees within several months. The number of employees could expand even more if a second line locates here. Constellium, a Netherlands company that is partnering with Japanese aluminum company UACJ, is looking to establish a second production line in the United States. That expansion has a good chance of...
Glencore - Queensland Govt's preferred developer for Aurukun bauxite mine
A consortium seeking to mine rich bauxite deposits in Aurukun, in far north Queensland, is urging the State Government to reconsider its bid, amid growing uncertainty about Glencore's future. Glencore is the Government's preferred developer but the multinational's share price plunged 30 per cent over debt concerns earlier this week and despite a rebound, it is still down 70 per cent since the start of the year. Analysts predict the Swiss-based resources giant may shelve projects. The Aurukun Bauxite Development (ABD) consortium, including some traditional owners, lost out to Glencore. ABD chairman Nick Stump said its bid was still financially sound. "We'd have to see a change in the attitude from the State Government here," he said. Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Government had no plans...
