Europe holds 10% of global aluminium extrusion demand, supported by Germany’s Constellium, France’s Hydro Extrusions & Italy’s Metra
Across Europe, aluminium extrusion has become closely woven into some of the region’s biggest industrial and construction markets. From automotive and transport to buildings and industrial applications, extruded profiles are finding demand across a wide range of sectors. This is reflected in Europe’s position in the global market: the region accounted for 12 per cent of global aluminium extrusion capacity, making it the second-largest regional contributor after China. At the same time, Europe represented 10 per cent of global aluminium extrusion usage, out of total global usage of 35.35 million tonnes . With production capacity and usage shares relatively close, Europe’s extrusion capacity and consumption are broadly at par. If we break down Europe’s 10 per cent share of global aluminium...
H1 2026 sees more renewable energy than ever: Here’s a region-by-region guide to renewable energy supply in the recent past
In the first half of 2025, humanity generated more electricity from renewables than from coal for the first time ever. What led to it? It was possible only because of two decades of falling solar panel prices, taller wind turbines, and governments finally treating clean power like an economic opportunity instead of a favour to the planet. But the renewable energy scenario cannot be portrayed as a single global story. To get the full picture, one has to connect dozens of regional stories moving at wildly different speeds. Some countries are already powered almost entirely by sun, wind and water. Others are still warming up. Here is a tour of how renewable energy supply looks across the world’s regions right now, and who is actually leading the charge. The global scorecard: Renewable energy...
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From waste to wealth: how AI robots can recover $6.5B a year and transform recycling’s future
In America’s ongoing battle with climate change and mounting waste, the recycling line is becoming the stage for an unexpected revolution. Despite decades of effort to sort plastics, papers, and metals, the country’s recycling system remains deeply inefficient. Each year, about USD 6.5 billion worth of recyclable materials is lost to landfills, as a result of outdated processes, contamination, and an overstretched workforce. Image for representational purpose The solution may not be more people on the sorting line but a new kind of worker: robots powered by artificial intelligence. With high-speed cameras, sensors, and nimble robotic arms, these machines are beginning to transform how recyclables are recovered, cleaned, and put back into circulation. Why the system is under strain? Inside...
Odisha – A capital of Indian aluminium industry (Part 1)
Odisha has emerged as the cornerstone of India’s aluminium industry, accounting for 59 per cent of the country’s bauxite reserves, primarily located in the Eastern Ghats. The state hosts integrated operations encompassing bauxite mining, alumina refining , and aluminium smelting, led by major players such as NALCO, VEDANTA, and HINDALCO. The predominance of gibbsitic bauxite enables efficient extraction under low temperature and pressure conditions, enhancing economic viability. The large aluminium smelters are also located in the Jharsuguda and Angul industrial belts of this state. Odisha's industrial growth is further supported by robust infrastructure, dedicated industrial zones, and proactive government policies. With planned capacity expansions, renewable energy integration, and...
WEEKLY: China's alumina supply remains loose despite output fall
The 44 Chinese alumina producers under Mysteel's regular tracking produced 1.82 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina over the week of August 29-September 4, down by 1.4 per cent from a week earlier, according to the results of Mysteel's latest survey. This marked the second consecutive weekly decline and was sharper than the prior week's 0.3 per cent dip, Mysteel Global noted. Last week's output drop was largely the result of short-term production cuts lasting one to two days at some refineries in Hebei, Shandong, and Henan provinces around September 3, according to market watchers. In addition, one refinery in Shanxi province reduced production on its 500,000 tonnes per year line during the same week due to tight domestic bauxite supplies. Production and deliveries of the ore...
India leads aluminium scrap imports with $1.96B as China drops 76% and US rises to $980M
Global aluminium scrap trade is undergoing a major reshuffle, with shifting demand patterns, tariff pressures, and regional recycling dynamics driving sharp changes in import rankings . Latest UN Comtrade data for the first half of 2025 shows India rising to the top as the largest importer, while China’s share has fallen dramatically. Image used for representational purpose The US has surged into second place on the back of tariff-driven demand, Germany has held steady despite industry headwinds, and Thailand has entered the top five, displacing South Korea. India leads the market India imported aluminium scrap worth USD 1,961 million in the first six months of 2025. That compares with USD 1,589 million during the same period in 2024. The increase of more than 23 per cent lifted India’s...
China’s aluminium trade contradiction: Export peaks but import grows, too!
China’s aluminium story has always been a study in contradictions. On paper, the country dominates the industry. It produced nearly 43 million tonnes of primary aluminium in 2024, more than half the world’s supply. Yet in the same year, it imported over 3 million tonnes of primary aluminium, largely from Russia. Even more puzzling, China simultaneously exported about 6 million tonnes of semi-manufactured aluminium products, making it the world’s largest exporter of value-added aluminium. Image source: https://www.omfif.org/ Watch exclusively on AL Circle: Aluminium and Other Base Metals: Understanding Risk Management and Hedging by Jorge Eduardo Dyszel The paradox raises pressing questions as to why the world’s biggest producer and consumer of aluminium needs to import. Why does it...
DAILY: Chinese alumina spot, futures prices track lower
On Thursday, the national average spot price for smelter-grade alumina with over 98.6 per cent purity slipped by RMB 14 per tonne (USD 2 per tonne) from Wednesday to RMB 3,187 per tonne, extending its decline for a third straight working day, Mysteel's daily price assessment showed. The price drop stemmed from reduced trading prices and seller quotations across the country's five major alumina production bases. Among those, the sharpest on-day fall was in Shandong province, with average prices there dropping by RMB 20 per tonne to RMB 3,110 per tonne. Prices in Shanxi and Henan provinces decreased by RMB 15 per tonne each from the prior day to RMB 3,125 per tonne and RMB 3,150 per tonne, respectively, while those in Guizhou province and the Guangxi autonomous region both slid by a smaller...
From packaging to automobiles: aluminium sheets, foils and cans to reach 2.5M tonnes by 2033
At the start of September 2025, primary aluminium is trading on the London Metal Exchange at a fairly narrow range of USD 2,591.75 per tonne to USD 2,606 per tonne. While primary aluminium prices influence global trade dynamics, the downstream market of sheets, foils, and cans demonstrates the metal’s broader economic significance across packaging, construction, transport, and consumer industries. Aluminium sheets is considered as one of the most common rolled forms of the metal. Light, durable and resistant to corrosion, they are cut into body panels for cars, roofing and cladding for buildings, and even kitchen appliances. Foil takes on a different role. Thin and ductile, it wraps food, protects medicines and, more recently, lines lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. Cans,...
If aluminium exports are rising, why is South Korea crying foul over US tariffs and rushing to offer support funds?
Among many countries being affected by the United States’ steep aluminium and steel tariffs, South Korea claims to be one of them. The country that was once an important trade partner of the United States, back from 2007 with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), is now one of the major victims of the United States’ latest protectionist measures. Firstly, the implementation of 25 per cent duty was enough to blow the country, while the subsequent hike by another 25 per cent has proved to be the final nail in the coffin. Being a significant aluminium and steel exporter to the United States (valued at USD 851 million in 2024), South Korea says it has taken a major hit on its economy due to Donald Trump’s tariff regime. Its exports to the US in the month of August slid 12 per cent...
AL Circle x Jagannath Prasad: Runaya charts 5x growth path, backed by partnerships, tech & green energy
With nearly two decades of rich industry experience, Jagannath Prasad Routray serves as the CEO of Green Aluminium Recovery & Diversified Metal Recovery Businesses. His steadfast dedication to building a greener, empowered, and sustainable future has been the driving force behind the many milestones he has achieved throughout his career. In this interview, He highlighted Runaya’s rapid growth from INR 500 crore in FY24 to a target of INR 2,500 crore by FY28, which is driven by a clear focus on circularity, efficiency, and sustainable practices backed by capital investments, partnerships, in-house technology, and renewable energy. Side by side, Mr Jagannath Prasad also shared his vision of how Runaya’s legacy is proving that Indian manufacturing can be clean, inclusive, and globally...
US Appeals Court rules tariff mostly illegal! Now, Trump pleas to the Supreme Court
In a surprise twist for those watching global trade, a divided US appeals court has determined that Donald Trump's tariffs are illegal, further weakening one of the Republican President's scripts for using levies as a linchpin of international economic policy. This ruling may have wide-ranging impacts across sectors that depend on tariff-enabled protections and disrupt import-export planning. With a legal lens becoming clearer, the fight over the independence of the Federal Reserve appears on course for the Supreme Court, keeping alive the prospect of a historic showdown this year that could challenge the full breadth of Trump's economic agenda. As of now, the court has permitted the tariffs to stay in effect until October 14, providing the Trump administration a window to escalate the...
Electricity behind aluminium’s price tag? Then, why does Europe’s “green” metal costs so much?
Whenever there is a question of pricing, the aluminium industry has pointed towards a single influx inducer — electricity. If you’ve ever toured a smelter or skimmed an investor deck, you’ll hear the same refrain, “power is king, and aluminium is electricity in solid form”. But, as Maros Durka, Area Sales Manager at Grupa Kety, states, that is only half the truth. Yes, electrolysis eats megawatts like popcorn, but if power were the only story, Europe’s aluminium would be cheap and cheerful by now. After all, Europe boasts the cleanest smelters on earth, with over 78 per cent of output powered by renewables. And yet, paradoxically, European primary aluminium is still the world’s priciest. So, what gives? Why are Europe’s ‘green’ tonnes also the most expensive ones? Also read: China, a...
Alba chooses Egypt for its first alumina refinery; here’s an explanation to why Egypt
Egypt is in the forefront with a new strategic partnership embarked on to develop an alumina refinery. As of September 3, 2025, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), a manufacturer and distributor of aluminium and its related products, has officially, in the presence of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Metallurgical Industries Holding Co., a company that operates through its subsidiaries to produce aluminium and other metals. The MoU has been signed to explore and get into a collaborative relationship that will provide the opportunity to develop an alumina refinery in Egypt in accordance with an offtake agreement and equity participation. His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa AL Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National...
China Aug anode material production up 3% MoM
According to Mysteel OilChem's survey, China's anode material production reported 223,500 tonnes in August, up 3.19 per cent from the previous month and 63.50 per cent from the same period last year, with a monthly average capacity utilisation rate of 62.71 per cent. The anode material producers generally maintained active production in August, and some raised the production based on orders received. In addition, the favorable hydropower prices in the wet season prompted the top-tier producers to produce at full capacity, which build up finished products stocks for the upcoming traditional peak season. From the raw material side, the domestic prices of low-sulfur petroleum coke (petcoke) edged up from RMB 3,500-3,600 per tonne to RMB 3,600-3,700 per tonne, with high-quality resources...
From Guinea to China: bauxite demand fuels $126B global market outlook
The bauxite market is expanding steadily, with analysts predicting the market will be worth nearly USD 126 billion by 2033. This sharp climb from USD 84.5 billion in 2025 is equal to a compound annual growth rate of 5.11 per cent. Aluminium demand lies at the heart of this surge. Yet, the outlook is not all smooth. Supply bottlenecks, tougher environmental rules and geopolitical rivalries are there. Aluminium’s expanding reach Most of the world’s bauxite, about 85 per cent, ends up as alumina, which is then refined into aluminium. The metal has become hard to replace. In cars, the story is striking. Back in 1980, an average vehicle carried only about 120 pounds of aluminium. By 2030, that figure is expected to hit 252 kilograms. For a broader view of the global bauxite market click: A...
Here’s how to turn 9Mt of car waste into aluminium alloy for next-gen EVs
Imagine a world where scrap cars no longer pile up in landfills, but instead help build the electric vehicles of tomorrow. That is what a team of researchers in Europe are busy with. Stefan Pogatscher and his team have pioneered an exciting new process to recycle scrap metals from cars (amounting to 7 to 9 million tonnes in Europe annually) into a high-grade aluminium alloy perfect for building a variety of components for new electric vehicles. Get industry specific insights from - ALuminium in Packaging: Consumer Trends and Market Dynamics How will this new innovation be carried out? The secret to this innovative solution is preserving a diverse mix of alloys found in scrap cars to create a superior product. Typically, when cars are dismantled, materials like aluminium, plastics, fabrics...
China, a decade-old ally, unharmed in Guinea’s bauxite game. But why?
Over 100 mining licences were cancelled in Guinea, where big names like EGA have made headlines. But how many China-owned firms have been the target of Guinea’s ‘mine here, refine here regime’? The answer is a big-n-bold ZERO. The only report that deep search found when AL Circle was investigating the matter was of the single active operation affected by this crackdown of a joint venture in the Boffa-Fria corridor that included the Chinese-backed company SD Mining SA, which held a 42 per cent stake. Naturally, the question arises as to why Guinea has been cooperating with China when it comes to mining (we are mainly concerned about bauxite). For over 30 years, China has actively supported Guinea in various aspects. But why? As we dig deep, it seems to be clearing layer by layer. Also...
China falls, Turkey rises: aluminium bars and rods exports reshape global trade
The global trade in aluminium bars and rods profiles during the first half of 2025 painted a picture of divergence, with some exporters expanding their reach while others struggled under regulatory and market pressures. China, still the largest player, endured the steepest fall. Its export volume slipped 21.09 per cent, dropping from 520,144.8 tonnes in H1 2024 to 410,485 tonnes in H1 2025. The financial blow was even harder, as net trade value fell by 27.4 per cent — from USD 1.8 billion to USD1.328 billion. Germany too found itself weighed down by weaker flows. Exports through May 2025 came to 107,240.4 tonnes, from 134,596.5 tonnes shipped in May 2024, a contraction of 20.29 per cent. The country’s export revenues followed the same path, tumbling 15.6 per cent from USD 932 million in...
Guinea bauxite prices edge higher on low spot supply
As of August 29, Mysteel's daily assessment for Guinea bauxite (Al:45 per cent,Si:3 per cent) was USD 74.5/dry metric tonne, rising USD 0.5 per dry metric tonne from a week ago. The assessment for Australia bauxite (Al:50 per cent,Si:6.5 per cent) remained flat at USD 69 per dry metric tonne. China's domestic bauxite supply remained constrained by the wet season and environmental policy, supporting prices at high levels. Market participants are optimistic about the supply and stability of bauxite in Shanxi after policy adjustments, but it is unlikely to see significant improvement in the short term. In terms of seaborne bauxite, Guinea bauxite (45 per cent,Si:3 per cent) prices continued to edge higher last week amid low supply of spot cargo from the top supplier. On the supply side,...
