AL Circle analysis: Germany’s aluminium trade surplus, Novelis’ US expansion, Asia’s EV demand & India’s underutilised downstream capacity
Aluminium’s next growth phase is increasingly being shaped by downstream processing, supply-chain resilience and demand from specialised applications. Germany continues to generate a substantial trade surplus in flat-rolled products despite a shrinking primary aluminium base, while North America is investing in recycling and rolling. Across Asia, new manufacturing capabilities and growing demand from electric vehicles, railways and batteries are creating further opportunities. However, declining exports, underutilised capacity and uneven profitability show that investment alone does not guarantee success. For industry leaders, the challenge is to identify where demand is shifting, develop products that meet customer requirements and ensure that new investments translate into sustainable...
AL Circle Analysis: From Guinea to Gulf, how bauxite, tariffs and logistics redraw aluminium map
Aluminium markets in late 2026 are being shaped by more than the headline LME aluminium price. Bauxite security, alumina availability, geopolitical disruptions, tariff negotiations, logistics diversification and regional premiums are increasingly determining where metal moves and what buyers pay. From RUSAL reassessing Caribbean assets and Vedanta securing Odisha bauxite to Brazil extending mine life and EGA rebuilding its Guinea supply chain, producers are strengthening control over critical raw materials. At the same time, the US remains heavily dependent on imported bauxite and alumina, while Europe and Asia are experiencing sharply different premium dynamics. These developments point to a market where physical availability is becoming a regional factor even as aluminium itself remains...
Grow with
AL Circle
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...
Oman’s trade surplus hits RO 1.693 billion; metal exports soar by 142.7%
The Sultanate of Oman has achieved a significant trade surplus of RO 1.693 billion by the end of February 2024, marking a notable increase from the RO 1.378 billion surplus recorded during the same period in 2023. This information comes from the latest preliminary statistics the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI) released. The data underscore a positive trend in Oman's trade balance, reflecting robust economic activities and possibly effective policy measures to boost trade. As Oman continues to navigate the complexities of the global economic landscape, this surplus is a testament to its resilience and strategic financial planning. The NCSI's figures highlight the Sultanate's ongoing efforts to enhance its trade performance and strengthen its economic foundation....
Nissan Motors plans to embrace low CO2 emission aluminium parts composed of recycled material
Nissan Motor is gearing up to integrate low CO 2 emission aluminium parts, crafted from green or recycled sources, into upcoming and existing models starting from the fiscal year 2024. This initiative holds significant promise, with aluminium constituting about 10 per cent of a vehicle's weight. Nissan's ambitious target Looking ahead to 2030, Nissan is setting ambitious targets, aiming to incorporate recycled aluminium components across its entire vehicle lineup. This strategic move aligns with the company's broader mission of achieving carbon neutrality by harnessing low CO 2 emission aluminium. The ultimate goal is to ensure that every stage of a Nissan vehicle's lifecycle, from production to disposal, is carbon neutral by 2050. Green aluminium, produced using electricity derived from...
Primary aluminium weekly: Joe Biden’s spiked tariff strategy for China; Alba's presents mixed Q1 2024 results amid economic challenges
In a series of pivotal moves, the aluminium industry has witnessed significant developments, from tariff impositions by the United States to technological advancements by major global players. President Joe Biden's decision to increase tariffs on Chinese imports, Alba's financial results amid fluctuating LME prices, Hong Leong Investment Bank's optimistic forecasts for Press Metal, RUSAL's AI integration, and EGA's digital manufacturing initiative collectively signal a dynamic shift towards sustainability, innovation, and fair trade practices. Joe Biden's tariff strategy - Century Aluminum's response To safeguard American manufacturers against unfair trade practices, President Joe Biden has substantially increased tariffs on Chinese imports, including aluminium. The new tariffs, set at...
Hindalco’s latest price hike brings its aluminium ingot price to INR248500/t
This week, dated May 15 and 16, Hindalco’s aluminium prices saw two consecutive days of alteration. On Wednesday, May 15, Hindalco’s aluminium prices were cut from the previous week in line with the LME aluminium price fall, while Hindalco’s prices on May 16 saw an elevation in concurrence with the LME aluminium price hike. On May 15, Hindalco trimmed its aluminium ingot price by INR 3,250 per tonne, or 1.31 per cent, to INR 244000 per tonne. As far as aluminium wire rod and billet prices were concerned, they too experienced a cut of INR 3,250 per tonne, reaching INR 261,000 per tonne and INR 258,100 per tonne, respectively. On the subsequent day, Hindalco increased its aluminium ingot price by INR 4,500 per tonne or 1.84 per cent to INR 248,500 per tonne as of May 16. Hindalco’s...
China’s primary aluminium production grows 7.2% Y-o-Y in April’24 as investors bet on potential profit margin
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s primary aluminium production rose 7.2 per cent from a year earlier, standing at 3.58 million tonnes. Aluminium price rally in China and across the globe drove the output hike during the said period. China’s average daily aluminium output in April was 119,333 tonnes, up by 3.05 per cent from 115,806 tonnes in March, according to Reuters calculation based on NBS data. In Yunnan, China’s fourth-biggest aluminium producing province, resumed some operations in April amid uncertain time ahead due to drought and reduced rainfall. If China’s primary aluminium production in April is calculated M-o-M, the output stood slightly less than 3.59 million tonnes Aluminium prices grew in April on potential demand growth from domestic clean...
