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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Cameroon’s annual revenue from aluminium sheet exports grows 80%, strengthening Central’s Africa’s fiscal position
According to official figures released by the National Institute of Statistics, Cameroon in Africa exported 3,011 tonnes of aluminium sheets in 2023 and collected CFA6.6 billion. On a year-on-year calculation, the export volume from Cameroon surged by 90.8 per cent from 1,578 tonnes, resulting in an increase in revenues by 80.2 per cent annually from CFA3.6 billion. This jump in exports and revenues is expected to rejuvenate the aluminium industry in Central Africa and likely to strengthen the financial position of the Cameroon Aluminium Company (Alucam), the primary producer and exporter of aluminium sheets in Cameroon. The company produces flat sheets, corrugated sheets, and trays sheets. Alucam has been facing challenges since 2014 when the Canadian firm Rio Tinto withdrew its...
Aluminium dross: 7 diverse applications beyond metal extraction
The aluminium industry has actively sought strategies and technologies to establish a closed-loop supply chain model. Aluminium smelters worldwide are committing significant efforts to minimise and recycle aluminium dross to fulfil their sustainability and environmental objectives. In the past few years, technological advancements in aluminium dross processing have greatly assisted companies in attaining these objectives. As a result, the proportion of dross sent to the landfill has recently reduced significantly. When aluminium reaches its molten state, oxidation occurs on the surface, forming a dross resembling a “skin-like” layer. This dross is then skimmed off the top surface, leaving behind the pure metal. Dross is predominantly generated in primary aluminium smelters, recycling...
Benefits and usage of the 3003 aluminium plate for power battery shell material
The 3003 aluminium plate, a standout rust-proof material, finds widespread use in diverse applications. Its strength, though not exceptional (marginally higher than industrial pure aluminium), is not amenable to enhancement through heat treatment. Instead, its mechanical properties are elevated through the use of cold working techniques. The 3003 alloy exhibits remarkable plasticity when annealed, good plasticity when semi-cold worked, and low plasticity when cold worked, making it a versatile material. Additionally, it offers excellent corrosion resistance and weldability. It can be used in multiple products like blinds, lamp caps, ultra-wide curtain walls, and power battery casings. Also, aluminium as a metal is increasingly recyclable and is becoming an essential component of the...
Thailand emerges as the second-highest importer of aluminium scrap from US, replacing India
In February 2024, there was a notable shift in the export dynamics of US aluminium scrap, according to the United States Geological Survey. Previously, India held the position of second-highest export destination until January 2024. But subsequently, Thailand emerged as the second top importer of US aluminium scrap, following Malaysia. As per the data revealed by the US Geological Survey, Thailand's aluminium scrap imports from the US exceeded India's by 4,800 tonnes in February 2024. Thailand's aluminium scrap import volume in the said month was 25,700 tonnes, while that of India was 20,900 tonnes. Thailand's imports grew by 6,400 tonnes or 33.16 per cent month-on-month from 19,300 tonnes and increased year-on-year by 7,600 tonnes or 41.99 per cent from 18,100 tonnes. In contrast,...
Jan-Apr 2024: World primary aluminium production grows 4% Y-o-Y due to demand recovery and reduced production costs
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, the world’s primary aluminium production in April 2024 witnessed a month-on-month drop of 3.12 per cent but a year-on-year rise of 3.33 per cent. As per the data revealed, world’s primary aluminum output was 5.9 million tonnes in April 2024, compared to 6.09 million tonnes in March 2024 and 5.71 million tonnes in April 2023. The year-on-year increase in production during April 2024 was primarily driven by demand recovery in manufacturing sectors, like automobile, packaging, and solar power, reduced production costs, and higher profit margin due to bullish aluminium benchmark price on the London Metal Exchange. World’s daily average output of primary aluminium also grew 3.3 per cent year-on-year in April 2024 to stand at 196,600...
DECO Australia celebrates two decades of excellence in aluminium innovation
DECO Australia, a family-owned business, proudly marks its twentieth anniversary this year. Since its inception in 2004, DECO has evolved from a humble start-up specialising in aluminium woodgrain finishes to a leading Australian provider of timber-look aluminium building products. Founded by Ross Doonan, whose extensive career in engineering, industrial automation, and product design laid the foundation for DECO, the company has overcome significant challenges to achieve its current stature. Ross Doonan established DECO in 2004, leveraging his vast experience in the building products sector, including aluminium windows and doors. Initially focused on raising market awareness about their innovative finishing technology, DECO faced a major setback with the global financial crisis in 2007....
Conwy Council achieves milestone in aluminium coffee pod recycling with over 1 million in the loop
Conwy Borough Council, in collaboration with local charity Crest and recycling specialists Podback, has triumphantly recycled over 1 million aluminium coffee pods. This innovative service, launched in September 2022, has prevented 16.4 tonnes of waste from incineration, marking a significant step in sustainable waste management. As the first council in Wales to introduce such a service, Conwy has set a commendable precedent. More than 2,900 households have embraced this initiative, diligently recycling their plastic and aluminium coffee pods. Residents receive Podback recycling bags to fill and leave out during their fortnightly textiles and electricals kerbside collection, or they can book a collection with Crest if they reside in rural areas. Recycling coffee pods uses significantly...
AL Biz adds Henan Foshan Aluminum Technology to its list of 2100+ aluminium sellers
China-based Henan Foshan Aluminum Technology , one of the renowned manufacturers of aluminium coils, sheets, plates and circles, has been successfully registered under the world's first B2B platform with 2100+ aluminium suppliers/sellers. AL Biz is the world's first global marketplace, connecting millions of buyers and sellers along the aluminium value chain. About Henan Foshan Aluminum Technology Henan Foshan Aluminum Technology's specialisation lies in crafting and distributing high-quality aluminium products that serve many industries. Their diverse product portfolio encompasses aluminium sheets, coils, embossed sheets (in patterns such as 5 bars, diamond, and stucco), circles, colour-coated sheets (using PE & PVDF), and foil. The products offered include: Pre-coated Aluminium Sheet...
Alpha HPA officially commences construction of the world’s largest single-site alumina refinery in Gladstone
Alpha HPA is officially set to establish the world's largest single-site high-purity alumina products refinery in Gladstone, Queensland. The company has made a final investment decision (FID) on Stage Two of its 'HPA First' project, following the successful construction, commissioning, and 16-month operation of the Stage One precursor facility. "Construction of the 10-hectare, state-of-the-art, full-scale facility will commence mid-2024 on the existing HPA First project site at Yarwun, near Gladstone, where the company's Stage One facility is already in small-scale production of its high purity aluminas and aluminium materials product range. Stage Two will encompass full-scale production of up to 10,000 tonnes of high-purity aluminium materials per year creating 120 ongoing local jobs on...
UK’s RKN Aluminium enters administration: Mapping the challenges and overall impact
RKN Aluminium, an expert in aluminium cladding, doors, and windows, has entered administration, impacting its longstanding services and clientele. Established in 2006, RKN Aluminium specialised in designing, manufacturing, and fitting curtain walls, windows, and doors. Based in Melton Mowbray, the firm served hundreds of projects nationwide, collaborating with prominent contractors such as VolkerFitzpatrick, Glencar, and Ashe. The company recently relocated to purpose-built premises, employing around 30 staff. RKN Aluminium notably partnered with Bowmer & Kirkland on the Government's DfE ESFA Framework, supporting the Modern Methods of Construction initiative. This collaboration facilitated numerous school construction projects, showcasing RKN’s expertise in educational infrastructure....
IAI appoints Vedanta Aluminium’s CEO John Slaven as one of the new vice-chairs
International Aluminium Institute has reportedly appointed John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, vice-chairman. In the new position, Slaven will lead global initiatives to promote aluminium's critical role in transforming the manufacturing industry into a zero-carbon modern world. Since inception in 1972, the International Aluminium Institute is single-handedly representing the global primary aluminium industry, advocating for industry's responsible productions and operations and promoting the benefits of using aluminium in different industrial sectors. Besides, IAI maintains comprehensive global data with 40 years of analysis on production, consumption, energy use, and environmental impact. Upon his appointment as vice-chairman of IAI, John Slaven said: "Aluminium has already proven...
China's Hongqiao Institute and RWTH Aachen University team up for advanced manufacturing solutions
The recent collaboration between China Hongqiao Lightweight Research Institute and the Institute of Metal Forming (IBF) at RWTH Aachen University in Germany signifies a significant stride in advancing mutual exchange and cooperation in cutting-edge manufacturing technology. During their visit to Germany, representatives from the Lightweight Research Institute and China Hongqiao European Innovation Centre had the opportunity to tour several esteemed German research institutions. One notable visit was to the Institute of Forming Technology (IUL) at Dortmund University in the Ruhr Industrial Area. Here, Professor Tekkaya, a distinguished figure in the industry, provided comprehensive insights drawn from over 70 years of technical expertise at the institute. He delved into various innovative...
Strong demand and depleted production costs to boost Indian primary aluminium operating margin by over 25% in FY2025
Indian primary aluminium manufacturers’ operating margin is likely to grow by over 25 per cent in this ongoing financial year due to robust demand and potentially lesser production costs driven by cheaper energy and alumina. The primary aluminium industry is capital-intensive and marked by volatile prices. An increase in operating margin/profit will enable manufacturers to reduce reliance on debt to fund ongoing capital expenditure often required for capacity expansion. The estimation of increased operating margin for FY2025 is established by a CRISIL Ratings study conducted on three domestic primary aluminium producers, who account for 90 percent of the 4.1 million tonnes of domestic capacity. In the previous fiscal year, 2024, the operating margin of Indian manufacturers grew by 20 per...
Neolea introduces sustainable aluminium packaging for premium olive oil
Neolea, a pioneer in modern Mediterranean products, is set to reinvent olive oil packaging with the launch of its extra virgin olive oil in eco-friendly aluminium cans. The new packaging features the innovative ‘Fresh Cap,’ designed to preserve the olive oil’s integrity, freshness, and flavour. The ‘Fresh Cap’ offers a spill-free, flow-controlled pouring experience and allows the can to be resealed , ensuring optimal freshness between uses. Dishwasher-safe and user-friendly, this cap magnifies Neolea’s dedication to product quality and consumer convenience. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable without quality loss, with the recycling process consuming 95% less energy than producing new aluminium from raw materials. This makes it an ideal choice for sustainable packaging, aligning perfectly...
Industry Group presses EU to address the sanctions gap on major aluminium products from Russia
European Aluminium, the leading association representing the entire European aluminium value chain, urgently calls on the EU to address the ongoing exclusion of major aluminium product categories from its sanctions regime on Russia. This stark disparity in action is evident when comparing the EU's stance to that of other G7 partners, such as the US, UK, and Canada, all of whom have already implemented sanctions on Russian aluminium ingots. European Aluminium emphasises that a comprehensive ban should cover all principal categories of aluminium products—ingots, slabs, and billets. These categories comprise over 85 per cent of the EU's aluminium imports from Russia. Implementing this comprehensive ban is crucial for aligning the EU's actions with those of other G7 partners. A united stance...
China’s alumina price further gains RMB2/t due to continued demand growth; A00 aluminium ingot price stands 2.56% higher M-o-M
China’s domestic alumina spot price has been rallying uninterruptedly since April 22 due to increased demand but limited supply because of production cuts at some refineries, especially in Henan, for insufficient availability of bauxite. Over the past weekend, the ore price has gained RMB 2 per tonne to reach RMB 3,721 per tonne as of May 20, up by 12.18 per cent from RMB 3,317 per tonne a month ago. In Shandong and Guangxi, alumina prices have increased by RMB 10 per tonne and RMB 5 per tonne, respectively to come in at RMB 3,680 per tonne and RMB 3,750 per tonne, according to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). Australian alumina FOB price has continued to remain restrained at US$425 per tonne since May 16. Backed on the increase in alumina spot price, China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot...
LME aluminium benchmark price moves up by US$5.5/t; SHFE price gains US21/t
LME aluminium opened at US$2,586 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its low and high at US$2,582 per tonne and US$2,623 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,621 per tonne, up US$33 per tonne or 1.28 per cent. On Friday, May 17, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price went up by US$6 per tonne or 0.23 per cent and US$5.5 per tonne or 0.21 per cent to clock at US$2,543.50 per tonne and US$2,544 per tonne. As per the LME price graph , both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price added US$3.5 per tonne or 0.13 per cent to settle at US$2,597.50 per tonne and US$2,598 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price hiked by US$4 per tonne or 0.14 per cent to rest at US$2,727 per tonne and US$2,732 per tonne. LME aluminium...
“To address the aluminium recycling problem and improve sustainability in the industry, RecycleOS allows MRFs to accurately capture missorted cans to increase the recycling rate,” JD Ambati, founder and CEO of EverestLabs
JD Ambati is the founder and CEO of EverestLabs , an artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company enabling material recovery facilities (MRFs) to digitise and automate recycling. Steeped in more than 20 years of experience across AI, product development, and strategy – JD saw an opportunity to modernise MRFs to enable the decarbonisation of packaging at scale and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Prior to EverestLabs, Ambati grew multiple companies from infancy to maturity and oversaw three exits, including WPP's acquisition of Decide Interactive and 24/7 Real Media for $650M, TPG's strategic investment in Wikia, and Vector Capital's acquisition of Rocket Fuel for $145M. Ambati holds a Master's degree in Computer Science and AI and a Bachelor's degree in Chemical...
