German downstream aluminium exports fall 13% in H1 2026 but US enters top 5 with 228.1% import surge
Germany’s downstream aluminium export map underwent a noticeable shift in H1 2026. Shipments to the world fell, with most of Germany’s traditional European customers taking less aluminium downstream product. Yet, amid that broad retreat, one market moved in the opposite direction: the United States. German downstream aluminium exports to the world fell to 897,773.19 tonnes in H1 2026 from 1 million tonnes in H1 2025, a decline of 13 per cent year on year. The contrast was particularly sharp in the US market. American imports of German downstream aluminium reached 68,061.61 tonnes in H1 2026, up 228.1 per cent from just 20,743.62 tonnes in H1 2025. The increase of more than 47,000 tonnes was enough to push the US into Germany’s top 5 destinations for the first time. The export map is...
Caustic soda plant setup in India: How aluminium growth is reshaping demand, costs and opportunities
Caustic soda may not be the most visible ingredient in aluminium production, but without it, the journey from bauxite to alumina would look very different. The chemical, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a crucial reagent in the Bayer process, where it helps dissolve alumina-bearing material in bauxite and separate it from impurities. The dissolved material is then processed to recover alumina, which ultimately feeds aluminium production. That makes caustic soda more than just another industrial chemical. Its availability, price and efficient use can influence the economics of alumina refining and, by extension, the wider aluminium value chain. As India expands its alumina and aluminium capacity, the requirement for this chemical is also becoming increasingly important. For companies...
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The automotive industry embraces the “lightweight” trend
A new survey among the designers and engineers involved with the automotive industry sees “lightweighting” as the newest trend in automotive production, as both US and Europe are facing tougher new fuel economy goals in the years to come. Ford’s upcoming sales start of the aluminum-made F-150 truck is just the highlight of manufacturers looking to shed weight from their vehicles to gain significant advancements when it comes to fuel economy and meeting ever more stringent emission standards. “The automotive industry is racing to develop safe, fun and affordable vehicles that are much more fuel efficient and produce far fewer emissions,” said Pat Lindner, president of DuPont Performance Polymers. “There is no silver bullet – every part and vehicle system faces a different set of...
Novelis reports first quarter of fiscal year 2015 results
Solid Operating Performance in Q1 Begins Year on a Strong Note - Q1 Net Income Increased 150% versus Prior Year to $35 Million - Q1 Adjusted EBITDA Increased 15% versus Prior Year to $235 Million - Q1 Sales Increased 12% versus Prior Year to $2.7 Billion - Q1 Shipments Increased 9% versus Prior Year to 770 Kilotonnes - Portfolio Transformation Towards High-Recycled Content Premium Products Continues Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, today reported net income attributable to its common shareholder of $35 million for the first quarter of fiscal year 2015 compared to $14 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. Excluding certain tax-effected items, net income was $30 million , up 43% compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. "Excellent plant...
CM's Bauxite Mining plan opens Pandora's Box
With chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu making it clear that the state government is keen on permitting bauxite mining in the Visakhapatnam agency area, the opposition for the same is regaining momentum. While the AP government has already launched an exercise to review the stand on the issue, organisations and individuals including tribals who have been opposing the project, are up in arms against the approval. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC) during 2005-07 has been kept under abeyance by the UPA-II government in August 2010 following strong objections raised by the then Araku MP V Kishore Chandra Deo and others against mining in the Scheduled Areas in contravention of the Constitution. After he became Union...
Aluminium industry inspires new exhibition in Limerick
Growing up in Askeaton, in the shadow of Aughinish Alumina, it is not altogether surprising that local artist Michele Horrigan would find inspiration in the giant alumina processing facility. Its presence has spurred Michele to create her latest solo exhibition, now on display in the Occupy Space in Leamy House. Entitled Stigma Damages, the exhibition examines how aluminium pervades modern life, from its origin as bauxite, through the mining and refining process, to the end product which is essential to the functioning of contemporary society. “The exhibition is the culmination of research I have been doing since 2007,” explains the artist who currently lives between London and Askeaton where she is curator of Askeaton Contemporary Arts. “The initial spur was the refinery in Aughinish. I...
Hindalco slides as Novelis' profit lags some estimates
Hindalco Industries lost 3.83% to INR 182 at 12:01 IST on BSE, after the company's US subsidiary Novelis reported Q1 June 2014 operating profit that lagged some estimates. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was down 247.70 points, or 0.97%, to 25,341.31 On BSE, so far 2.41 lakh shares were traded in the counter, compared with an average volume of 12.53 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit a high of INR 187.90 and low of INR 183.30 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of INR 198.70 on 25 July 2014. The stock hit a 52-week low of INR 83.05 on 7 August 2013. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 7 August 2014, rising 8.73% compared with 1.96% fall in the Sensex. The scrip also outperformed the market in past one quarter, surging 39.77% as...
Henan Mingtai Al. posts 58.84% rise in H1 profit
Henan Mingtai Al. Industrial Co.’s net profit increased 58.84% year-on-year to 50.59 million yuan ($8.2 million) in the first six months, the company said in its mid-year financial report filed to Shanghai Stock Exchange. Lower cost was among contributing factors to this growth in net profit, the company said. Mingtai completed its gas-fired power upgrade in the first half of the year, and acquired 90.4% stake in Henan Gongdian Heating Co. – a company engaging in power transmission projects and electricity distribution equipment, helping it cut power costs. In addition, the company also secured approval for establishing the work station devoting to manufacturing and wider application of high-performance aluminum alloy plate/sheet, strip and foil, which paved way for its R&D in new...
Alba wins prestigious International Green Apple Awards 2014
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium producer in the world, announced today that it has been named a winner in the Environmental Best Practice category of the prestigious International Green Apple Awards 2014. This win brings international recognition to Alba’s commitment towards creating and maintaining a sustainable environment, thus fostering a healthy work environment for its employees. Hailed as one of the world’s foremost environment award campaigns, the Green Apple Environment Awards was established in 1994 and recognises, rewards and promotes environmental best practice around the world. Alba will be presented with its trophy and certificate at a glittering presentation ceremony in The Houses of Parliament, United Kingdom, on November 10. Commenting on this...
Noranda Aluminum to announce earnings today
Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp.is scheduled to release its Q214 earnings data on Monday, August 11th. Analysts expect Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. to post earnings of ($0.08) per share and revenue of $341.57 million for the quarter. Persons interested in listening to the company’s earnings conference call can do so using this link. Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. opened at 4.25 on Friday. Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. has a 52 week low of $2.21 and a 52 week high of $5.08. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $4.06 and a 200-day moving average of $3.82. The company’s market cap is $291.4 million. On a related note, analysts at Citigroup Inc. reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. in a research note on Monday, July 14th. They now have a $4.50 price...
China aluminum exports at 3-year high on rising overseas prices
Aluminum shipments from China, the world’s largest producer and user, rose to the highest level in three years as higher prices overseas encouraged exports of the metal used in everything from aircrafts to window frames. China shipped 380,000 metric tons of unwrought aluminum and aluminum products in July, according to data released by the country’s General Administration of Customs today. That was the highest since 390,000 tons in July 2011 and up 23 percent from a year earlier, customs data showed. The premium added to the LME price for immediate delivery at Rotterdam warehouses is at a record $380 a ton, compared with about $200 a ton a year ago, according to Metal Bulletin data. The surcharge doesn’t include European Union tariffs. The global aluminum market will move into a deficit...
Rusal ships 20% more aluminum by rail in 7M - RZD
UC Rusal's key smelters increased aluminum shipments by rail 19.7% year-on-year in January-July to 1.627 million tonnes, Russian Railways (RZD) (MOEX: RZHD) said. Export shipments rose 12.1% to 1.439 million tonnes but domestic shipments were up nearly 2.5-fold to 188,000 tonnes. RZD's figures differ from Rusal's own, which are usually published later because, the aluminum company says, RZD reports aluminum shipped in containers as container cargo, without a breakdown for the type of cargo. Aluminum shipments by rail from Rusal smelters in Jan-July 2014 ('000 tonnes): Domestic shipments Export Total Smelters 7M 2013 7M 2014 Change 7M 2013 7M 2014 Change 7M 2013 7M 2014 Change Bratsk 5,4 30,7 +5.6-fold 479,1 521,1 8,8% 484,4 551,8 13,9% Krasnoyarsk 23,6 74,9 +3.2-fold 333,9 396,6 18,8%...
Depressed Rare Earth market puts Nippon's project in Jamaica on hold
Dull demand and prices in the rare earths market have led Nippon Light Metal to take the decision to stop developing its red mud beneficiation-based project in Jamaica. The Japanese company will continue refining the process while waiting for more profitable market conditions. Japan-based Nippon Light Metal Co. and the Jamaican government have decided to stop developing a process to extract rare earths from red mud effluent left over from bauxite refinement, due to unfavourable market conditions. Nippon and the Jamaican Bauxite Institute (JBI) said the decision was taken as current low prices and higher cost of production are not supporting the project In the meantime, Nippon and the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI), continue to attempt to refine the technology, which they own 50:50 and...
China's bauxite imports fall 39.8% from year ago
China has witnessed a 39.8% decline in June’s imports from a year ago, down to 19.5 million tonnes. The fall is attributed to last year’s high base following large stockpiling and the preference to consume on-hand stocks. Except for one shipment of Indonesian ore in May, no arrivals of Indonesian goods have been reported since this April after the country implemented its export ban on unprocessed ore early this year. Shipments of bauxite increased from outside Indonesia by 37.9% from May to 2.93 million tonnes in June. Imports grew in June from Ghana, Brazil and Malaysia by 176.6%, 187.6% and 92.3% respectively, all on a yearly basis. ASX-listed Bauxite Companies Some companies that could be of interest to investors include: Bauxite Resources holds a portfolio of bauxite projects...
Aluminum maker Zhongfu Industrial reports profit in H1 on improving aluminum consumption
Chinese aluminium producer Henan Zhongfu Industrial Co. returned to profitability by registering a 3.05% year-on-year growth in net profit during the first six months, thanks to improving aluminum demand and upbeat macro news, according to the company’s interim report. Zhongfu Industrial created 142.34 million yuan ($23.08 million) in net profit in the first of the year. Aluminum consumption slipped at the beginning of the year as production at downstream fabricators slowed, while commissioning of new capacities left a glut in aluminum market. Later, however, a pick-up in automobile and air conditioner sectors allowed operating rates at aluminum fabricators to increase, boosting aluminum consumption. That, combined with upbeat data from major economies and Indonesia’s ban on unprocessed...
JNARDDC sucessfully concludes national conference on “Energy Efficiency Opportunities and Challenges in Aluminium Industries" on 4th and 5th August,
The Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur which has recently completed 25 years of its existence has organized a national conference “Energy Efficiency Opportunities and Challenges in Aluminium Industries (NCEEOCAI)” on 4th and 5th August, 2014 in association with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Maharashtra Energy Development Authority (MEDA), SESA Sterlite Industry, GIZ, Indo-German Energy Program (IGEN) and National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO) as a part of its silver jubilee celebrations. As we know, energy is the propeller of growth of any economy, which needs to be conserved. Hence efficient use of energy resources and their conservation assume tremendous significance which is essential for curtailment of wasteful consumption and...
Environment Day workshop held in Sohar
Sohar Battery Collection and Sohar University organised a workshop for 40 teachers from government schools of Sohar and Liwa to mark World Environment Day. Education and awareness are important tools to bring in a culture of ‘reduce, reuse, repair and recycle’ among the Omani public and schools are an important target audience since that is where behaviours are moulded and good practices developed. Teachers being valuable drivers of change who reach out to generations of students were invited for a half day workshop that was conducted in Sohar University. Researchers from the University gave the participants a broad overview of the status of waste generation in Oman and health problems caused by dumping or burning of the same. Representatives of Sohar Environmental Unit presented a...
Hungarian eco-center features Andritz shredder for e-scrap and appliances
Andritz MeWa, part of the Germany-based Andritz Group, has completed a recycling plant for electrical and electronic scrap and refrigerators in the town of Karcag in eastern Hungary. The plant is the start of the new Eco-Center being set up in Karcag intended to strengthen the region’s economy with several hundred new jobs. At the end of March 2014, politicians and representatives from the business sector attended the celebrations to open the country’s largest recycling center for electronic scrap, Andritz reports. The combined plant is designed to recycle 20,000 tons of electrical and electronic scrap as well as over 150,000 refrigerators a year to meet the latest European environmental standards and with a recycling quota nearing 95%. According to Andritz, the plant provides flexibility...
Polish aluminium products maker Kety ups 2014 profit goal
Poland's leading aluminium products maker Kety on Thursday raised its full-year net profit forecast by 34 percent to 170 million zlotys ($54 million) reflecting a rebounding Polish economy. "Due to the high progress in executing the forecast after 6 months of 2014 and stable outlook for the second half of the year the board of Grupa Kety decided to increase the forecast," Kety said in a statement. The company is benefiting from Poland's accelerated economic growth, which reached 3.4 percent in the first quarter and is expected to stay at 3.3 percent in the second. Kety said its net profit in the April-June period rose by 40 percent to almost 55 million zlotys, while for the first half of the year it rose to 81 million zlotys. (1 US dollar = 3.1438 Polish zloty)
Lakeport City Council considers new aluminum docks
Before its members headed over to the city's National Night Out event, the Lakeport City Council held an early meeting to look over a sampling of new docks and take up some other business. The council convened at city hall before council members and city staff walked over to Library Park to look at new aluminum docks as an option for replacing the city's aging wood docks. Councilman Martin Scheel recused himself from the tour due to a conflict of interest. In May, the council had toured a sampling of vinyl docks constructed by Missouri-based EZ Docks, which were presented by Clearlake Oaks marine contractor and EZ Docks master distributor Wayne Chatoff, as Lake County News has reported. This time, Paul Racine and son, PJ, owners of the Lakeport-based The Dock Factory and Supply Co., and...
