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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Year-end delivery of backlog orders supports China’s aluminium wire and cable operating rate, bringing it 1.27% higher M-o-M
The comprehensive operating rate of China’s domestic aluminium wire and cable industry in November 2024 saw a month-on-month increase of 1.27 per cent and a year-on-year hike of 10.36 per cent, nearing 60 per cent. The operating rate increased without being impacted by temperature on power grid construction. Instead, resilient demand for distribution network order pickups supported the operating rate. Additionally, the effort behind completing the delivery tasks by year-end ramped up the operations. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the operating rate precisely stood at 59.96 per cent, demonstrating a growth driven by large enterprises with an operating rate of 70.11 per cent. The medium-sized and small enterprises illustrated 56.32 per cent and 40.68 per cent operating rates, both...
Aluminium wire rod consumption: Key trends and global growth drivers
Global aluminium wire rod consumption has risen steadily across the world. Aluminium's unique properties make it a key material in the electrical and electronics industries, enabling a wide range of applications. The global wire and cable market, valued at US$ 191.6 billion in 2022, is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3 per cent between 2023 and 2032. The global aluminium wire rod market was valued at $22.6 billion in 2023 based on consumption and regional trade flow. It is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.7 per cent from 2024 to 2030. The increasing demand from the power, automotive, and aerospace sectors is a substantial factor driving this market. Aluminium wire rod usage is driven mainly by the growth of worldwide electrical transmission and...
“The biggest impact that sport can have on carbon emissions is to mobilise fans to act”, Tom Gribbin, Co-founder of Planet League
Tom Gribbin is the Co-founder of Planet League, a platform leveraging football to inspire sustainable living. Since 2019, Tom and Planet League have helped football fans and clubs score green goals for the planet. He has worked in sustainability, behaviour change, marketing, sports, and venture space for over 20 years. He has an MBA from the University of Cambridge and has been a Trustee of Nottingham Forest Community Trust. AL Circle Team had the distinct privilege of interviewing Tom Gribbin, the visionary Co-founder of Planet League. AL Circle: What motivated Planet League to collaborate with Ball Corporation and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment on the Green Action League? How does this align with Planet League’s broader mission? Tom Gribbin: We use the passion of sports to create real...
Why is the world scrambling for aluminium's building block? Let's dig deep into the geopolitical scenario…
The World Bank identified aluminium as the 'high-impact, cross-cutting metal'. As a result, today's world intensely competes over securing bauxite ore, the raw material used to produce aluminium. "I read... that every clay bank was a mine of aluminium and that the metal was as costly as silver. I soon after began to think of processes for making aluminium cheaply," said Charles Martin Hall, an American inventor, businessman, and chemist. He is best known for his invention in 1886 of an inexpensive method for producing aluminium. This process was also discovered at nearly the same time by the Frenchman Paul Héroult, and it has come to be known as the Hall–Héroult process. Henceforth, the demand for non-ferrous metal, which was once even pricier than gold, has seen continual growth. Guinea...
Increased tariffs under Section 301 on China impact the United States Q3 aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports
The United States imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars stood below 100,000 tonnes for the two consecutive months in the third quarter of 2024, resulting in a dip in the total import volume through Q3. According to the US Geological Survey, the imports of aluminium plates, sheets and bars totalled 300,600 tonnes, significantly down by 11.33 per cent from 339,000 tonnes in Q2 2024. However, annually, imports in Q3 2024 showed a rise of 25.25 per cent from 240,000 tonnes. Also from the first quarter of this year, the import volume stood 3 per cent higher than 291,800 tonnes. It is to be noted that despite the sequential fall in Q3, the import volume stood above the mark of 300,000 tonnes. In September 2024, the country imported 94,100 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars...
US crude and dried bauxite imports uptick in Q3 but remain insufficient to offset Y-T-D decline
The United States crude and dried bauxite imports continued to increase sequentially in the third quarter of 2024 but could not offset the overall year-to-date downfall. The Q-o-Q growth in Q3 import was primarily driven by Turkey with a significantly increased supply of crude and dried bauxite, even higher than the same period of the previous year. Image Source: LinkedIn According to the US Census Bureau Survey, the United States imported 553,000 tonnes of bauxite, extending the quarter-on-quarter growth. In Q3, the import volume was 26,000 tonnes or 5 per cent higher sequentially, echoing the growth rate seen in the second quarter. In Q2, the United States crude and dried bauxite imports stood at 527,000 tonnes versus 501,000 tonnes in the first quarter. However, annually, the United...
Surge in export orders to avoid increased costs from December 1 leads to steady aluminium billet output in Nov’24
In November 2024, just ahead of the cancellation of the aluminium semis export tax rebate on December 1, overseas orders for Chinese extruded aluminium products surged, driving some billet enterprises to increase operations. Therefore, despite one less operating day in November than October, China’s domestic primary aluminium billet production per day remained stable at 49,000 tonnes. Image Source: Guoxin Aluminum According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the monthly output also stood firm at 1.477 million tonnes in November versus 1.507 million tonnes in October. That reflected a 2 per cent drop month-on-month, primarily due to one operation day less. The number of sample enterprises in the SMM monthly survey was 169, with a total capacity of 31.205 million tonnes, unchanged from the...
Rising operation costs weigh down the United States primary aluminium output and scrap recovery in Q3
According to the US Geological Survey data, the United States' primary aluminium production slightly rebounded in the third quarter, standing at 167,600 tonnes versus 167,000 tonnes in Q2. However, despite the sequential increase, the Q3 output volume was less than the Q2 production of 172,000 tonnes. Also, the output in Q3 recorded a year-on-year fall of 9.89 per cent from 186,000 tonnes. Image Source: Alcoa Corporation The above data indicates the sluggish trend in the United States' primary aluminium production prevails , primarily due to rising production costs. Companies like Alcoa cited higher raw material prices and overall economic pressures as key factors impacting their output. In September 2024, the output was down by 2.5 per cent M-o-M, amounting to 54,600 tonnes versus 56,000...
Indian aluminium industry: Is the fight for higher import duties justified?
The Indian aluminium industry has been encountering challenges in recent times, principally due to the surge in competitively priced imports from countries like China. The industry has been advocating for higher import duties to level the playing field and protect domestic producers. But is it at all necessary? And, if so, why? The current state of affairs India's aluminium production has steadily increased over the years, with the country producing around 4.1 million tonnes of aluminium in FY2022-23. However, despite this growth, the industry has been struggling to compete with cheap imports. In FY2022-23, India imported around 1.4 million tonnes of aluminium, with China being the largest supplier, accounting for over 40 per cent of the total imports. "The current import duty of 7.5 per...
Maybank's vision of a net zero economy expands to aluminium and steel sector
Maybank has expanded its white paper series to include a focus on the aluminium and steel sectors, reinforcing its commitment to driving the transition to a net-zero economy. This initiative reflects Maybank's dedication as a Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA) signatory to align its operations with sustainability goals while supporting clients in their transition journeys. Maybank is Malaysia's largest bank by market capitalisation and total assets, operating throughout the country and broader region. A white paper is an informational document issued by a company or not-for-profit organisation to promote or highlight the features of a solution, product, or service it offers or plans to offer. As a result of its initial decarbonisation efforts communicated in its maiden white paper titled,...
Environment protection controls requiring production cuts lead to China's reduced aluminium output in November 2024
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s domestic aluminium production destabilised in November 2024 (30 calendar days), recording a month-on-month downfall of 3.21 per cent, attributed to environment protection-related controls requiring production cuts during the dry season. In addition to production cuts, increased alumina prices were another factor that contributed to the reduced aluminium output volume in China during the period under review. Image Source: Getty Images However, the resumption of some aluminium projects, which were under maintenance in Sichuan, Xinjiang, and other regions, slightly offset the monthly fall and led to a year-on-year hike of 2.74 per cent. As per the SMM data, China’s domestic aluminium production in November was approximately 3.583...
“The aluminium can sector for beverages in Brazil is a great example of a circular economy,” Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas)
AL Circle presents a brief conversation with Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas). Mr Cândido is a Brazilian lawyer and the Executive President of Abralatas. An executive with more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, strategic business development and management, with experience in industry, commerce, and retail. He has occupied several leadership positions throughout his career. Here, Mr Cândido has explained the current situation of aluminium can industry in Brazil, the third-largest market in the world after the United States and Canada. AL Circle: Please shed some light on why aluminium cans are so widely consumed in Brazil? In an interview, you said a complex interplay of scale, temperature, and economy...
Rising global demand for aluminium foil during festive seasons: a peek into production, revenue and more…
The festive season, especially around Christmas, brings with it a surge in demand for aluminium foil, a versatile product indispensable in many households and industries. With its primary application in the food and beverage sector, aluminium foil has become a staple for packaging, storage, and cooking, showcasing its multi-dimensional utility. A booming market The aluminium foil manufacturing industry has grown into a vast global enterprise. According to a report by Verified Market Research, the Aluminium Foil Used in Food Packaging Market was valued at USD 14.49 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 19.82 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 per cent over the forecast period. Another report by AL Circle, titled ‘Aluminium Foil and its End Uses:...
China is nearing the year-end with higher alumina production each month. November is no exception
China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production continued to grow in November 2024, driven by expanded capacity. As of December 6, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood at about 103.02 million tonnes, up by 0.31 per cent from 102.7 million tonnes in the previous month. Image Source: Made-in-China Operating rate and output volume According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the actual operating capacity of alumina refineries increased by 3.24 per cent in November, compared to a 2.93 per cent growth in October, leading to a record-high capacity. The operating rate in the specified period stood at 86.63 per cent against 84.22 per cent in the previous month. The increased capacity and operating rate drove China’s monthly alumina output in November. Month-on-month, the...
"We are a mining and resources company with a global footprint and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable practices", Victor Tan, CEO, TOP International Holding
Victor Tan is the CEO of TOP International Holding. As CEO, he leads the company’s strategic direction and drives growth for the company. Founded in 2014, TOP has grown exponentially over the years. Under his leadership, TOP became Malaysia’s biggest bauxite exporter in 2015 and pioneered anchorage loading in the country. In 2017, TOP was the fastest-growing physical coal trader in Indonesia. As a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence, TOP has earned industry accolades such as bagging The KPMG & The Business Times Enterprise 50 Award twice, Deloitte Best Managed Companies twice, and was identified by Enterprise Singapore to participate in Scale-Up SG, a programme that grooms local companies into future global champions. He is also a member and contributor at the Singapore...
UK’s aluminium packaging recycling further grows in Q3, leading to 81% annual target achievement
The third quarter of 2024 witnessed a continued rise in aluminium packaging recycling volume across the United Kingdom, and that too at a much higher growth rate than in the previous quarter. Compared to a 3 per cent increase in Q2 , the United Kingdom's aluminium packaging recycling volume surged by 15 per cent in Q3, which ended September 30, according to the data published on the National Packaging Waste Database by the Environment Agency. Q3 recycling volume The United Kingdom's total collection of aluminium packaging in Q3 was 43,466 tonnes, including 32,293 tonnes through kerbside and 10,910 tonnes recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA). Although the total collection decreased Q-o-Q, the recycling rate improved significantly. The 17 per cent decline in aluminium packaging...
German industrial sector shows no recovery signs, Q4 at risk: ING
Germany's industrial downturn persisted in October, with production declining further, as reported by ING. Industrial output dropped by 1 per cent month-on-month, following a steeper 2.5 per cent contraction in September. Production has fallen nearly 5 per cent compared to last year's period. This weak start to the fourth quarter heightens concerns of a potential winter recession for Europe's largest economy. The industrial outlook remains challenging The challenges faced by German industry over the past few years exemplify the broader struggles of the nation's economy. Caught between cyclical downturns and structural obstacles, Germany has had to confront the reality that its traditional macroeconomic model—reliant on affordable energy and accessible export markets—is no longer...
US aluminium cans recycling rate drops to 43%, prompting associations to revisit policies to meet 70% goal by 2030
A recent survey by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) has shown a surprising downtrend in consumer aluminium cans recycling in the United States. Once averaging at around 52 per cent in the 1990s, the rate has decreased to 43 per cent in 2023. However, a silver lining is that aluminium cans still have a higher recycling rate than glass, with a recycling rate of 39.6 per cent and plastic bottles with 20 per cent. Image Source: The Aluminum Association Learning and suggestions Outdated recycling infrastructure and less passive approach to recycling policy could be the reasons behind the drop in the United States’ aluminium cans recycling rate. Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, said: “Our current approach to recycling in America is...
