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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GACC: China's H1 aluminum scrap imports up 7% YoY
China's imports of aluminum scrap during January-June this year totalled 1.012 million tonnes, higher by 6.9 per cent compared with the same period last year, according to the latest data released by the country's General Administration and Customs (GACC). The increase in the overall import quantity in the first half of this year was driven mainly by the ongoing tightness of scrap supply in China, plus the steady buying demand of domestic secondary aluminum product manufacturers, Mysteel Global noted. Thailand remained the largest aluminum scrap supplier to China in H1, with its exports in the first six months totalling 262,255 tonnes, soaring 98.2 per cent on year and accounting for 25.9 per cent of China's total imports, according to GACC. Also read: India’s aluminium scrap imports from...
AL Circle in conversation with Tulip 3P’s CEO Priyank Jain on India’s Leading Wire & Cable Expo
Since its inception in 2015, the Cable & Wire Fair (CWF), organised by Tulip 3P Media Private Limited, has grown from a modest 3,000 sq. m. launch to a 35,000 sq. m. mega-expo. Featuring 500+ exhibitors from 20 countries and 15,000+ visitors from around 50 countries, the 6th edition (Nov 4–6, 2025), to be held with Tube & Pipe Fair (TPF) and Bharat Metal Expo (BME), includes two-day conference. Because of its deep industry understanding, the event is now a key gathering for India’s industrial development. Priyank Jain, CEO of Tulip 3P Media, recounts the development, goals, and influence of India’s premier wire and cable exhibition in this interview. AL Circle: How would you assess the wire & cable industry’s growth in connection with the fair? Priyank Jain: The Cable & Wire Fair is a...
50% tariffs on Canadian aluminium and steel bring US housing to suffer from an additional $10,000 construction cost
The American dream of owning a white-picket-fenced home is quietly being priced out - brick by brick, beam by beam. And no, this time it’s not inflation or rising mortgage rates to blame but tariffs it is, with a maple twist. According to the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, tariffs imposed on Canadian construction materials can potentially incur an additional cost of USD 10,000 to building a home in the United States by 2027, given some of the key construction materials used in building a house come from Canada. Such as 70 per cent of the lumber used in the US residential buildings, 25 per cent of iron and steel, and 18 per cent of copper. What more? Aluminium, which is widely used in the residential construction sector in US, comes from Canada, is tariff-stricken too. In 2024, the United...
US Court sustains Chinese firm's aluminium foil duty escapade verdict: a precedent for global commodity exporters
On July 21, 2025, the US Court of International Trade delivered a decisive ruling in Hanon Systems Alabama Corp. versus United States, rejecting the plaintiff’s challenge and sustaining the US Department of Commerce’s final affirmative determination in its anticircumvention inquiry on aluminium foil imports from South Korea. For India and other major aluminium foil exporters navigating an increasingly enforcement-heavy global trade environment, this ruling is a signal flare of the future, wherein circumvention scrutiny is beyond intent, and about consequence. Image for representational purposes only The crux of the case At the heart of the case was the US Commerce Department’s 2023 determination that certain aluminium foil completed in South Korea using Chinese-origin inputs was...
Global LNG exports and imports both up in June
Global liquefied natural gas exports and imports both climbed year-on-year in June 2025, yet the increase in exports decelerated, with the US still leading and the Middle East continuing expansion in exports. Image source: Asia Natural Gas & Energy Association Export landscape: US leads while Middle East continues expansion In June 2025, global LNG exports reached approximately 33,185,100 tonnes, marking a year-on-year increase of 0.30 per cent. Exports continued to rise, yet the growth rate slowed down. By country, the US consolidated its leading position with exports of 7,937,100 tonnes, up 12.36 per cent year-on-year, accounting for 23.92 per cent of global LNG exports. Qatar overtook Australia by 352,100 tonnes to claim second place, with exports reaching 6,636,200 tonnes compared to...
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India’s aluminium scrap imports from UAE, Saudi & UK spark new trade momentum – is dependency on US gradually decreasing?
The demand for aluminium scrap in India is on the rise, standing at 2.5 million tonnes (approx.) , driven by increasing focus on circular economy principles and the need for sustainable manufacturing practices. As per the Ministry of Commerce and Industry data, India imported a total of 0.42 million tonnes of aluminium scrap during Q1 2025, jumping from 0.34 million tonnes in Q1 2024. If India continues to import in the same way, then the scenario may come to 1.6 million tonnes every year out of the 2.5 million tonnes. In Q1 2025 India imported a total of 45,661 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the UAE, recording a surge of 20.37 per cent from 37,931 tonnes in Q1 2024. The other two regions that showed considerable growth were Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. During Q1 2025, India...
India’s USD 1.5 trillion plan: Will heavy industries be the collateral damage?
India’s climate ambitions just received a reality check. But it is going to be one with a USD 1.5 trillion price tag. A new Deloitte-backed report has laid out the math for New Delhi’s decarbonisation journey through 2030, and the numbers are not for the faint-hearted. To meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement, including 500 GW of non-fossil capacity and major emissions reductions across sectors, India will need to unlock an investment corpus that is nearly half its current GDP. Image for representational purposes only But this isn’t just a green finance problem. This is a hard-asset dilemma. What India is being asked to build at unprecedented scale and speed sits at the intersection of policy ambition and industrial inertia. And that makes this not just a climate story, but one...
Powering progress: ASEAN’s clean energy momentum and aluminium sector’s low-carbon shift
ASEAN’s shift to renewable energy is being slowed not by technology or cost. Although solar PV prices have plunged 80 per cent and battery costs by 70 per cent over the past decade, the region lacks unified policy frameworks like harmonised renewable energy certificates, emissions accounting, and coherent regional regulations. Southeast Asia is positioned at a critical juncture in its energy transition, with electricity demand across the ASEAN bloc expected to rise by 30 per cent by 2030, driven by urban expansion, higher income levels and accelerating digitalisation. Moreover, the government is underway to demonstrate rapid clean energy deployment, which is significantly possible under promising conditions. Vietnam & Indonesia’s energy collaboration Vietnam, in 2020, became the...
Are Europe’s airlines stuck as Boeing and Airbus struggle to deliver?
European air travel, particularly short-haul flights, is facing mounting challenges due to persistent aircraft delivery delays from Boeing and Airbus. These bottlenecks are threatening to limit traffic growth, raise operating costs, and undermine environmental targets for the rest of the decade. Image for representational purpose In its Q1 FY2026 update, Ryanair reported a 4 per cent year-on-year rise in passenger volumes and a consistent load factor of 94 per cent, yet it projected only a 3 per cent growth in full-year traffic to 206 million passengers, citing heavily delayed Boeing deliveries. Ryanair stated, "We believe European short-haul capacity will remain constrained for the next five years to 2030 as the big two OEMs remain well behind on aircraft deliveries." In the first half...
GACC: China's H1 alumina exports surge 66% YoY
China's exports of alumina including metallurgical-grade totalled 170,981 tonnes in June, down by 17.7 per cent from May but up by 8.9 per cent from the same month in 2024, according to the latest data released by the country's General Administration of Customs (GACC). Last month's decline marked the third consecutive on-month decrease in alumina exports, Mysteel Global noted. The June figure brought China's total alumina exports over the first half of 2025 to 1.34 million tonnes, representing a sharp 65.7 per cent increase from the January-June period last year, the GACC data showed. Russia remained the largest buyer of China's alumina, accounting for 86.7 per cent of June's total exports. However, shipments to Russia fell by 19.1 per cent from May to 148,326 tonnes, according to the...
Hydro’s strong EBITDA growth in Q2 2025 is toned down by cautious outlook and cost discipline
Amid an uncertain market trend across the globe, Norsk Hydro from Norway has managed to show resilience in its fiscal Q2 2025 performance, supported by firm aluminium and energy prices. The company reported a 33.41 per cent year-on-year increase in adjusted EBITDA, reaching NOK 7,790 million from NOK 5,839 million. However, beneath these headline numbers lies a more nuanced narrative that reveals both strengths and vulnerabilities shaping Hydro’s strategic trajectory. Caution behind confidence While Hydro’s annual EBITDA growth is noteworthy, the sequential figures suggest growing headwinds. Adjusted EBITDA declined 18.2 per cent quarter-on-quarter from NOK 9,516 million. Revenue followed a similar trend, contracting by7 per cent from Q1, although it still rose 4.26 per cent Y-o-Y to NOK...
WEEKLY: China's spot alumina prices rise on tight supply, slower output growth
China's spot alumina prices edged higher during the week of July 11-17 amid temporary supply tightness in the domestic spot market. Image for referential purposes only According to Mysteel's price assessment, the national price for smelter-grade alumina with purity above 98.6 per cent had risen by 1.1 per cent from July 10 to reach Yuan 3,193/tonne ($445/t) on July 17. This followed a 1.2 per cent increase recorded during the previous week. Last week's price gains were largely driven by reduced availability of spot goods, as output growth slowed. This was primarily due to ongoing maintenance stoppages at two alumina producers in Shandong province and the Guangxi autonomous region which began in early July and have continued to constrain production, market analysts noted. During the same...
US strikes bilateral deal with Southeast Asia! EU exports face the heat, India watches keenly
As the United States deepens its bilateral trade ties with Indonesia and Vietnam, a lion’s share of European exports to these Southeast Asian economies faces a potential risk of trade dislodgment. According to a recent media analysis, around 10 per cent of the European Union’s total exports to these two nations are now under competitive threat due to newly signed preferential trade agreements between Washington and the two southeastern nations. Image for referential purposes only Scale of the potential disruption In 2023, the EU exported EUR 11.4 billion of goods to Vietnam (and imported EUR 47.7 billion), while trade with Indonesia stood at EUR 11.3 billion of export goods (and import of EUR 18.4 billion), as per Eurostat data. Based on a modelling assumption, if 10-12 per cent of that...
Canada to revise 25% tariff on the US trade on aluminium & steel?
A new development has surfaced in the US–Canada trade relationship. As of July 2025, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a potential revision of the existing 25 per cent retaliatory tariff on US aluminium and steel products. This move is contingent upon the outcome of trade negotiations between the two nations and if no agreement is reached within the next 30 days, the tariff structure will be reassessed. The announcement follows a formal policy update issued in July, establishing a conditional framework to guide tariff adjustments based on the progress and direction of ongoing bilateral discussions. A throwback to the ongoing trade tension between the US and Canada The trade tensions between the US and Canada escalated when the US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on all Canadian...
Bahrain’s $7bn Boeing order highlights resilient US trade partnerships
The US Department of Commerce signed a landmark commercial agreement between Boeing and Bahrain’s Gulf Air for the purchase of up to eighteen 787 Dreamliner aircraft, valued at USD 7 billion. The deal is expected to support more than 400,000 US jobs during production and delivery, reinforcing Gulf Air’s commitment to operating an all-Boeing widebody fleet. Image Source: International Trade Administration Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said, “Today’s deal between Boeing and Gulf Air is yet another example of how companies are working with this administration to invest in America at historic levels. American workers, industry, and technology are the best in the world, and this deal demonstrates that.” The agreement adds to a record-breaking year for US commercial deals, with 87...
AL Circle x Industrial Physics: Safeguarding aluminium packaging quality in a circular economy
Stefan Welker brings over 18 years of dedicated experience in the packaging industry, with a strong focus on inspection systems. His expertise spans the entire process from designing and specifying systems to developing advanced measurement and image processing solutions. This conversation offers a deep dive into how Industrial Physics is driving quality assurance and innovation in the aluminium packaging value chain, particularly as the world pivots toward sustainability and circularity. As sustainability gains momentum and recycled aluminium becomes more prevalent (and often more variable in quality), precise testing becomes essential. He further provided overview about how Industrial Physics helps detect faults early, reduce waste, and prevent costly recalls all while supporting...
US targets India, Indonesia & Laos with import tariffs on solar panels – a covert move to shield domestic aluminium industry?
The United States’ dumping allegation against India has now extended beyond aluminium to include solar panels. Indonesia and Laos are also carrying similar accusations, as a group of US solar panel manufacturers have claimed that an influx of cheap products from these countries is harming the domestic market of solar items. Image source: Britannica On Thursday, July 17, the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade filed a formal petition, citing the surge in imports from Indonesia, Laos, and India intensified following the imposition of steep tariffs of up to 3,500 per cent on solar panels imported from Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand. The allegation is clear that the countries hit by US tariffs are rerouting their solar exports through these new channels to sidestep...
Maan Aluminium’s stock surges over 60% since March—what’s fuelling the comeback?
Maan Aluminium, a manufacturer and trader of aluminium profiles, has seen a sharp rise in its stock price to INR 122.95 (USD 1.43) as of July 21, marking a significant recovery from earlier lows this year. Image for representational purpose The stock’s recent surge follows a challenging period beginning in late February 2025. On February 25, Maan Aluminium was trading at INR 97.50 (USD 1.12) but quickly slipped amid sector volatility and broader market weakness. After a market holiday on February 26, the stock declined further to INR 92.74 (USD 1.06) on February 27, then dropped below INR 90 (USD 1.03) and closed at INR 89.56 (USD 1.03) by February 28. The downtrend continued into March, culminating in a 52-week low of INR 75.51 (USD 0.88) on March 28. However, the tide began to turn...
