AL Circle Analysis: Guinea’s 150Mt bauxite cap, China’s import swings, US tariffs draw aluminium Q4’26
The global aluminium supply chain is facing a series of changes that extend from bauxite mines and alumina refineries to smelters, regional premiums and finished-metal trade. In 2026, the market’s direction is being shaped not only by production volumes but also by freight costs, export restrictions, shifting Chinese demand and tariffs. Developments across Guinea, Australia, China, Europe and North America point to a market where access to supply is increasingly as important as the availability of raw materials. Bauxite supply: Guinea’s cap meets a well-stocked China, but is it stable? Guinea remains central to the seaborne bauxite market, with its shipment connections to China demonstrating the importance of reliable logistics. A new sea-rail route has enabled a Guinea bauxite shipment...
EU approves Germany’s power relief instrument: Could aluminium producers save €459m annually?
Germany’s aluminium industry could receive some relief from persistently high electricity costs after the European Commission, under the European Union (EU) approved the country’s industrial electricity price scheme for 2026–2028. The measure is intended to ease the burden on energy-intensive businesses, strengthen industrial competitiveness and support Germany’s position as a manufacturing hub. The stakes are particularly high for aluminium producers. Electricity can account for 30–40 per cent of primary aluminium production costs, making power prices a critical factor in operating margins and investment decisions. Explore- Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook...
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Reliance Steel & Aluminum Co. reports fourth quarter and full year 2014 financial results
Fourth Quarter 2014 Financial Highlights • Sales were $2.58 billion, up 11.7% from $2.31 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013 and down 4.7% from $2.71 billion in the third quarter of 2014. • Tons sold were up 4.4% from the fourth quarter of 2013 and down 4.9% from the third quarter of 2014, with the average selling price per ton sold up 6.4% from the fourth quarter of 2013 and down 0.1% from the third quarter of 2014. • Net income attributable to Reliance was $92.3 million, up 49.4% from $61.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 and down 3.4% from $95.5 million in the third quarter of 2014. • Earnings per diluted share were $1.18, up 49.4% from $0.79 in the fourth quarter of 2013 and down 2.5% from $1.21 in the third quarter of 2014. • Non-GAAP earnings per diluted share were $1.01, up...
Custom Aluminum announces expansion plans at Genoa Chamber of Commerce’s gala
Receiving one of the Genoa Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious awards was an honor for Michael Cirone, but it didn’t compare to another announcement he heard Thursday. During the Genoa Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting, City Administrator Joe Misurelli announced that Custom Aluminum plans to add a 37,500-square-foot expansion to the company’s facility at 312 Eureka St. “I’m just a small speck in the big picture,” Cirone said. “To have that happen, it’s an amazing push in the right direction, which is what we’re all striving for. It’s to make it a better community.” Misurelli delivered the news to a crowd of more than 100 people who gathered at the Genoa Veterans Home for the 57th annual meeting. He said the company, which has been in Genoa since 2006, is going to add aluminum...
MRAI: Custom duties weigh heavily on scrap sales
Starting with customs duties paid for inbound scrap, metals recyclers and producers in India say their industry cannot gain momentum or even operate profitably until the government reconsiders its policies. Throughout two days of programming at the 2015 Metal Recycling Association of India (MRAI) International Conference, held in Mumbai in February, speakers and audience members returned regularly to the topic of India’s tax structure. “India is the only country in the world where there is an export duty on scrap and an import duty on scrap,” stated MRAI President Ikbal Nathani of Mumbai-based Nathani Industrial Services. Nathani, a ferrous scrap trader, pointed to a flood of low-priced steel billets pouring into India as a symptom of the import duty on scrap. “Now China is dumping...
ARN Auto Recycling awarded ISO 9001 certificate
The Dutch firm ARN Auto Recycling has been awarded the ISO 9001 certification following an audit conducted by the Dutch certifying body KIWA. ARN notes that complying with the internationally recognized standard demonstrates that it has its internal processes and the quality of its management systems up to all standards. “This helps us show that ARN as an organization is still moving forwards. We constantly strive to improve and ensure that all our staff remain involved in that process. ISO 9001 will help us to soundly control our business processes, which is extremely important to our service provision and transparency,” says Aarnout van Duuren, manager at ARN Auto Recycling. ARN Auto Recycling placed ISO 9001 certification on its agenda February 2014, and the company took its first...
American Specialty Alloys picks Central Louisiana for their aluminium sheet plant
After much contemplation about the precise location of the elusive aluminium mill planned by American Specialty Alloys, an official announcement reveals that the proposed $1.2 billion plant will be built in Central Louisiana where 650 or more people will be hired to supply aluminium for automobile bodies. The announcement came from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office via press release on Friday. Roger Boggs, the Chief Executive for American Specialty alloys had earlier said that they had applied for environmental permits in a number of states including Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas but no one was sure where the final mill would be set up. They had shown interest in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park initially for the project but since they did not follow up on the site after that,...
Canyon Resources signs MoU with Bolloré Africa Logistics for Birsok Bauxite Project
Canyon Resources, to facilitate easier access to the new under-development Birsok Bauxite Project, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bolloré Africa Logistics Cameroon, operators of the Doula port and Camrail SA. The company has 75% stakes in the budding mining project in the town of Ngaoundal in Central Cameroon which promises to yield high grade, low contaminant DSO bauxite. The agreement will help the company to fulfill the key requirements of logistics and transport services required to develop and operate the Birsok Bauxite Project as a DSO bauxite operation. There is an existing Camrail rail line connecting the Douala Port to the Birsok Project across the 10 km distance. According to initial studies, the rail line will prove useful in carrying commercial quantities of...
Alba achieves 4 million hours without LTI
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium smelter in the world, announced a major safety milestone as it successfully achieved 4 million hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI) on Thursday, February 19, 2015. This achievement is a testimony of the Company’s commitment to a safe working environment for employees across the plant. Speaking on this achievement, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray said: “Alba’s main objective is to bring a change in the belief and behaviour of the employees, making them the owners of safety. At all times, we ensure the implementation of accredited international guidelines and highest standards of occupational health and safety, thus creating an environment that is safe for everyone. This significant accomplishment is a testament to our...
Coal auctions: Balco bags one more mine in Chhattisgarh
Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. (Balco) bagged one more coal block on the eighth day of the auction, taking the total number of mines sold so far through the ongoing auction to 18 that will generate an estimated over Rs1 lakh crore for respective states. Friday night, Hindalco Industries Ltd. had bagged Gare Palma IV/4 mine in Chhattisgarh. The Aditya Birla Group company has bagged three coal blocks — two in Chhattisgarh and one in Jharkhand so far. Of the 19 blocks put on sale in the first tranche, 18 have been sold in eight days. The remaining one — Gare Palma IV-7 mine in Chhattisgarh — is the most sought after block as 12 bids have technically qualified for this non-power sector mine. “Gare Palma IV-1 mine closed at Rs1,585 (per tonne) and the winner is Balco,” a coal ministry official...
Birmingham Aluminium Ltd is now called BAL GROUP: Global Aluminium Solutions
One of UK’s leading aluminium component manufacturers, Birmingham Aluminium Ltd, is revamping its brand with a brand new name and logo. The company will now be called BAL GROUP: Global Aluminium Solutions. The new brand identity is aimed at maintaining the heritage of Birmingham Aluminium at the same time reflecting the international nature of the business today. Managing Director, Steve Kane says that the company already deals with global clients across 29 different countries and hopes the new branding will help them double their revenue over the next three years by expanding their reach across a wider international market. Steve hopes that much of the demand will come from the automotive sector and once the desired targets are reached, they will be making fresh investments in...
Nigeria’s Aluminium Smelter Company receives power generation license
Two companies, KVK power Nigeria Pvt. Limited and Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria Plc, have been issued on-grid electricity licenses by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. These companies will now be able to generate electricity from solar and gas respectively amounting to a total amount of 590 megawatts of electricity after they become fully operational, the Commission revealed in a statement on Thursday. Dr. Sam Amadi, the Chairman cum CEO of NERC congratulated the two companies on receiving the licenses after going through the all the processes that lead to the issuance. “Our system is to ensure that whoever is licensed is able to carry the construction to completion. What we can tell the licencee is that we will support you in any way we can as you make progress,”...
Asian aluminum premiums set to sag as China exports swell
Premiums for aluminum in Asia are set to slip from record highs as China ramps up exports of semi-manufactured products, leaving regional producers searching for buyers for their surplus metal. Premiums, the surcharge for obtaining physical metal, have nearly doubled in the past two years outside of China after Western producers cut supply due to years of low prices. A backlog at London Metal Exchange warehouses and financing demand from Western banks earning profit on stored metal also tightened supply. But Japanese buyers and those elsewhere in the region, say premiums are not likely to extend from the current records. China has been stepping up exports of its surplus metal, at the same time the LME overhauls its warehouse rules to release aluminum stores and banks back off from their...
EGA welcomed customers from around the world during 2015 Omega DDC
Customers of Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") from around the world visited Dubai recently to attend a series of events that coincident with the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic ("the Omega DDC"). A sponsor of the Omega DDC since 1992, EGA leverages the tournament each year to solidify and build on relationships with key global partners by hosting guests at the golf, offering an entertaining social programme (including the annual EGA Golf Day), conducting tours of its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites, and holding numerous business-related meetings. The latter included the annual EGA Customer Meeting, held on 1 February at Madinat Jumeirah. The keynote address was given by Abdulla Kalban (MD & CEO: EGA), who reflected on the successes of the past and looked to the future as he presented...
Alcoa named fortune's most Admired Metals Company in the world for fourth year in a row
Alcoa has once again been named the most admired metals company in the world by Fortune magazine. This is the fourth year in a row that Alcoa has been awarded the top position in the Metals category in the magazine's annual ranking on corporate reputation. Alcoa has been on Fortune's Most Admired List since the publication began its annual ranking more than 30 years ago. Alcoa received top scores in the following key attributes: use of corporate assets, financial soundness, long-term investment value, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness. "Fortune’s recognition is a tribute to our 59,000 employees who, through their tireless pursuit of excellence, innovative products and strong customer focus, have made Alcoa the top metals company for four consecutive years," said...
Queensland Bauxite extends time for entitlement issue
Queensland Bauxite has offered shareholders additional time to take up shares under its one-for-four entitlement issue priced at $0.014 per share to raise up to $1,782,167. The issue, which now closes on 10th March 2015, includes one free attaching option exercisable at $0.10 and expiring 31st July 2016 for every two shares subscribed. Proceeds will be used to prove up larger tonnages of Indicated bauxite resource from drilling an initial surface only Exploration Target area at the South Johnstone Bauxite Project. Funds will also be used to prepare for the mining of the existing indicated resources. A Scoping Study for the South Johnstone Bauxite Project in Queensland indicated a highly profitable bauxite business could be achieved based on low capital costs, low operating costs and...
Beverage container recycling fraud: US State to receive $1.8 million settlement
A Los Angeles-area recycling business will pay $1.8 million in restitution to the state’s Beverage Container Recycling Program as part of a settlement agreement resulting from illegal claims for refunds on out-of-state bottles and cans. As part of the agreement with the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), Action Sales and Metal, Inc. and owner Bruce Falk will be barred from future participation in the program. CalRecycle received $845,000 of the settlement last week, when the agreement was signed; the outstanding $955,000, seized from the business by law enforcement during two separate investigations, will be released to CalRecycle within 30 days. The settlement comes on the heels of an investigation by CalRecycle, the California Department of Justice, and the Los...
Cando project rids Cheltenham's streets of 10,000 cans
When it comes to keeping Cheltenham tidy and helping to save the planet, a group of green-minded enthusiasts say there is a lot you Cando. One of the town’s environmental groups, Vision 21, has collected and recycled a staggering 100kg worth of aluminium cans in the past 12 months. On the basis that each weighs 10g, that is the equivalent of 10,000 cans. They have all been picked up by the group’s volunteers in Cheltenham, either on foot or using a three-wheel bike with a large box on the front to keep the cans in. The volunteers are part of Vision 21’s Reclaim project, which focuses on recycling furniture and repairing bicycles. Spokesman Dave Entwhistle said he was keen for people to know about the work of the volunteers and said he was prompted to contact the Echo after reading our...
Indian Govt. plans to sell some shares from Nalco and other PSUs
The government is planning to sell stakes in its three blue chip companies Nalco, Bhel and NMDC after the last attempt of selling shares in IndianOil and ONGC backfired due to the sharp fall in oil prices. An estimated 10% stakes will be sold from both NMDC and Nalco, one a mining company and other an aluminium producer, as proposed by the finance minister. In case of Bhel, a fresh 5% disinvestment is being contemplated. Wednesday’s closing rates suggest that selling stakes of these companies is likely to fetch the government INR 10,000 crore. On Thursday a cabinet is scheduled where the proposals will be discussed although it is still unclear whether the sales would occur in this financial year or will they spill over to the next year featuring on the list of PSUs where the government...
Rio Tinto to invest in Canada aluminium smelters when market improves
Rio Tinto Alcan’s CEO Alfredo Barrios announced on Wednesday their plans to expand smelting capacities in Canada once the aluminium gains strength. Barrios says, since the aluminium prices have fallen since last year, the market situation is not conducive for further investment at the moment. He however maintains that in the long term, bolstered by the strong use of aluminium in the automotive industry, the market is expected to grow till 2025 providing ample opportunities for new investments. "If the market starts improving and the returns start remunerating the investments then there are a number of projects that we have across the world, even in Quebec, to potentially grow," said Barrios. He specifically mentions the new Alouette smelter and expansion plans of the AP60 pilot project in...
