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...
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The Americas’ alumina production in January 2024 sees a downfall, with greater intensity in North America
Total alumina production in the Americas during January 2024 witnessed a downfall month-on-month and year-on-year. According to the International Aluminium Institute data, the output in January 2024 amounted to 1.215 million tonnes, down by 4.1 per cent from 1.267 million tonnes in December 2023 and 2.80 per cent less than 1.250 million tonnes in January 2023. The downfall was contributed by both South America and North America, except that the former saw month-on-month and year-on-year decline, unlike North America, wherein the alumina output only decreased on a year-over-year calculation and edged a rise month-on-month. However, the intensity of the annual downfall in North America was much higher than in South America. According to the International Aluminium Institute data, alumina...
Oleg Deripaska advocates against pressure on Western investors to divest Russian assets
Russian oligarch and billionaire Oleg Deripaska has criticised the pressure on Western investors to divest their Russian assets following the 2022 Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis. He argues that such practices are unethical, shortsighted, and counterproductive to both the Russian and global economies. In the aftermath of the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis, numerous Western companies exited Russia, and some of their assets fell under state management. Remaining Western investors in Russia have reported facing coercion to sell their holdings, often at undervalued prices, and experiencing effective expropriation. The Russian edition of Forbes quoted Deripaska as saying a spokesman confirmed the remarks, "Pushing foreign companies to sell their Russian assets is dishonest,...
Sustainable packaging is here to stay! An interview with Victoria Marletta of Aerosol Packaging at Ball Corporation
As we turn the page to a new year, sustainability remains a key trend that will dominate the metal packaging industry. The Metal Packager’s Iris Arsic asked Victoria Marletta, commercial vice president, Aerosol Packaging at Ball Corporation, about key developments in the company’s eco-friendly aerosol packaging solutions. Here, she talks about Eyeris, Ball’s proprietary enhanced printing technology, previously used in its beverage business and now widely available to aerosol customers to provide standout shelf appeal and attract consumers with premium packaging design. Marletta also gives insights into the challenges to making sustainable packaging and shortlists trends that will shape the aluminium aerosol can industry. The Metal Packager: In January 2023, Ball Aerosol Packaging became...
Russian aluminium fuels over half of LME warehouse stockpiles
In March 2024, data from the London Metal Exchange (LME) indicated that Russian aluminium stocks in registered warehouses rose to 53 per cent of the total, reaching 220,575 tonnes, up from 41 per cent in January 2024. This indicates consumers may have evaded Russian metal across various sectors such as transport, construction, and packaging, as a global news agency reported. Despite the geopolitical crisis, the world's oldest exchange and most significant market for industrial metals has refrained from banning the trading and storage of Russian metals within its system, nor has it shown any willingness, as Western sanctions on Russian base metals have not been imposed. According to sources familiar with the matter, Glencore has recently deposited tens of thousands of tonnes of Russian...
Hindalco Industries cuts its aluminium selling prices in response to LME aluminium price fall
Hindalco Industries Limited has reduced its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices on Thursday, March 15, in line with the LME aluminium price drop. Like other Indian aluminium companies, Hindalco links its aluminium prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. On Thursday, March 14, the LME aluminium benchmark price decreased by US$19 per tonne, and in response, Hindalco Industries Limited cut its aluminium prices by INR 1,750 per tonne or 0.8 per cent on March 15. On March 14, Hindalco increased its aluminium prices by INR 1,750 per tonne in tandem with the LME aluminium benchmark price rise by US$10.50 per tonne on March 13. This indicates that Hindalco's aluminium prices lost what they gained the previous day. With the latest cut on March 15,...
North America’s aluminium industry analysis: Demand starts turning to a positive trend after a gloomy 2023
The market dynamics of the aluminium industry in North America are gradually displaying a positive change, with a demand recovery in Q4 2023, as indicated by the preliminary estimates of the Aluminum Association. Even the beginning of 2024 has set a progressive tone, as the association’s index of net new orders of aluminium bill products hit 114.5 (baseline index of 100), the highest level since June 2022. Market Analysis Until the third quarter of 2023, aluminium demand in North America was sluggish, contracting by 4.4 per cent year-on-year to about 20,908 million pounds. That led to a downfall in the full-year demand by about 3.9 per cent, totalling 26,271 million pounds, compared to 27,337 million tonnes a year ago. The recovery in Q4 slightly offset the annual fall. Charles Johnson,...
With the new circular economy trend, we trust there is room to increase recycling within a primary and secondary aluminium producer ecosystem - EPIQ Machinery
AL Circle : What kind of solutions do you provide for aluminium casthouse handling systems and casting lines? Can you please share a case study where your solution has significantly benefited a casthouse in material handling? EPIQ Machinery : Under the BROCHOT brand, EPIQ has produced fully automated aluminium Foundry Ingot Stack Handling Systems. These systems considerably reduce the route of mobile equipment and, proportionally, the co-activity in this often-congested sector. It also avoids stopping the production line if there is a delay or failure in removing the ingots’ piles from the conveyor. The Foundry Ingot Stack Handling Systems are designed to handle foundry ingots from the casting to the discharge conveyor and onto the packaging area. The bundles are then handled by forklifts...
“Inductotherm's induction melting systems for aluminium casting boast IIoT readiness, facilitating real-time data access for process control,” Ed Chmielecki, Sales Manager Light Metal Applications – Inductotherm Corp.
Ed has 21 years in the metalcasting industry, primarily in non-ferrous metal. He has been with Inductotherm Corp. since September 2019 as Sales Manager for Light Metal Applications and District Manager covering the South-Central US. Before joining Inductotherm, Ed was a Regional Sales Manager for a Crucible Company, and prior to that was a Furnace Services Engineer covering North America, installing and servicing Electric Resistance and Gas Fired Crucible furnaces. At Inductotherm, he now uses his years of experience to show customers the benefits of using induction melting to reduce their carbon footprint while producing cleaner molten aluminium more efficiently. Inductotherm is the leading manufacturer of induction metal melting systems for metal producers today. We design and...
“Visiometa’s goal is nothing less than to drive the evolution of the foundry industry through innovation and rethinking,” Dr Ralf Gerke-Cantow, Managing Director of Visiometa
A seasoned management professional, Dr Ralf Gerke-Cantow, the Managing Director of Visiometa GmbH, has a rich background in foundry engineering, specialising in investment casting of aluminium and titanium. With 19 years of hands-on experience in the industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role at Visiometa GmbH. Ralf began his journey by studying foundry technology at the Gießen-Friedberg University of Applied Sciences, laying a solid foundation for his career. Throughout his professional life, he has excelled in various capacities, including customer advisory and calculation, research and development, and management of titanium production involving several hundred employees. His dedication to continuous improvement is evident through his pursuit of a PhD at TU...
“Our commitment is to serve our customers by delivering optimal technological solutions tailored to their specific needs within our areas of expertise,” Associated Industrial Furnaces (P) Ltd. (AIFL)
Headquartered in Kolkata, Associated Industrial Furnaces (P) Ltd. (AIFL) operates from its central project office, strategically extending its presence nationwide through a robust network of regional and branch offices. Complemented by dedicated representatives strategically positioned in major metropolitan areas and key locations across India, AIFL ensures comprehensive coverage and accessibility throughout the country. AL Circle: Can you provide an overview of your company's history and role in the aluminium casthouse equipment sector? AIFL: Since its inception in 1988, Associated Industrial Furnaces (P) Ltd. (AIFL) has emerged as India's foremost furnace and ancillary equipment manufacturer, catering to both ferrous and non-ferrous industries. Bolstered by the technological expertise...
"Atomic13 is focused on commercialising its ShAPE technology that manufactures high-quality aluminium extrusions from 100% post-consumer scrap, thereby reducing embodied carbon by 80-90%," Eric Donsky, Innovator, Chairman & CEO of Atomic13
Eric Donsky is a serial deep tech entrepreneur, having founded the first industrial synthetic biology and bio-based chemical company, which was spun out of 4 national labs funded by the U.S. DoE, including PNNL. This company went public on the NYSE at a $1B+ valuation. His latest venture, Atomic13, focuses on upcycling aluminium scrap into high-value aluminium extruded parts for the building and construction industry. The DoE has developed a highly novel solid-phase process technology that converts 100% post-consumer aluminium scrap into extruded parts that meet or exceed the ASTM standards on structural specifications for various aluminium alloys, including 6061 and 6063. AL Circle: Give our readers a brief introduction about yourself and your startup, Atomic13. Eric Donsky : I am a...
“Many foundries are ‘Hidden Champions,’ which are not visible to potential customers but perform well. SUpplyDU.com want to give these companies a stage and the possibility of being easily recognized by relevant buyers,” SUpplyDU.com
With over two decades of dedicated experience in the casting and automotive sectors, Kai Maier has assumed various management positions, leveraging his expertise in casting and market dynamics. Currently serving as the Co-Founder and General Manager for Europe at SupplyDu.com, he is pivotal in steering the company's strategic direction and operational excellence within the region. Maier's profound industry knowledge and leadership have driven growth and innovation in the automotive and casting domains. Matthias Bressau brings extensive leadership experience in materials management and operations across various European and Asian industries. With a proven track record, he assumes the role of Co-Founder and General Manager for the Asia Pacific region. As an industry expert and a specialist...
“The role of aluminium-ion battery technology in the design of the transparent battery lies in addressing the challenges associated with colour indicator energy storage, particularly in applications such as energy-efficient buildings and wearable devices,” Dr Ashutosh Kumar Singh, Scientist, Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Science (CeNS)
Dr Ashutosh Kumar Singh is a materials scientist specialising in synthesising and designing nanomaterials for applications like energy conversion, storage, sensors, and optoelectronics. He excels in translating research into practical prototypes and large-scale devices, with a strong track record in collaborating with industries and government sectors. With a B.Sc. from Hindu College, Delhi University, and an Integrated MSc-PhD from S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, he has extensive experience, including postdoctoral research and roles in academia and industry. Dr Singh's research focuses on functional nanomaterials, smart coatings, transparent electrodes, and energy-related technologies. He prioritises affordability and enhanced energy efficiency in his projects and...
“The expansion of primary aluminium production in the Gulf indeed leads to increased customer demand towards Fives for machinery and equipment with advanced automation and control systems,” Frédéric Pereira, Services Development Manager, Aluminium Division, Fives.
Frédéric Pereira is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of dedicated service at Fives ECL, where he currently holds the esteemed position of Services Development Manager for the Aluminium division. With a robust background in production engineering complemented by a Master of Business Administration, Frédéric brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role. Throughout his career, Frédéric has demonstrated a strong aptitude for project management, particularly within the machine design industry. His tenure as a Project Manager equipped him with invaluable skills in overseeing complex projects from conception to execution, ensuring efficiency and excellence at every step. AL Circle: How do you foresee the growth of the aluminium industry in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)...
“The potential increase in the primary aluminium production in the Middle East and the slowing of European output can be offset by the additional capacity from the Middle East,” Bruce Wilson, Director – Aluminium Division at REEL
Bruce Wilson is a successful engineering professional with over 25 years of experience in the primary aluminium industry. A graduate in mechanical engineering and business administration with certification in project management. His experience working for world-class companies has given him strong business acumen. He has excellent leadership qualities and can mentor and motivate individuals and create high-performance teams. A strong track record in the successful execution of multi-disciplined projects with high standards in technical, contractual, and managerial roles in green-field and brown-field primary aluminium smelter projects. Bruce currently leads an energetic, innovative, and dynamic team as the Director of the Aluminium Division for REEL INTERNATIONAL. AL Circle: What is REEL...
“It is not difficult to follow the arguments and the goals for decarbonisation and sustainability. There are big questions about how to get there, ” Dr Thomas Niehoff, founder of combustion POTENTIAL GmbH in Germany
Dr Thomas Niehoff studied mechanical engineering at the technical university RWTH Aachen (Germany) and later made his PhD thesis at the IEHK in Aachen. Dr. Thomas Niehoff has worked for over 30 years in the industrial gas industry. He managed an R&D department in an executive position an R&D department and projects for metallurgical gas applications there. EH&S has always been the highest priority in his work area. He combines decades of experience with expertise in R&D management and melting and combustion technology. Dr. Thomas Niehoff is an inventor or co-inventor of 14 patents. He is the founder and owner of combustion POTENTIAL GmbH in Germany. AL Circle: What is you background in this industry? Dr. Thomas Niehoff : I have worked my entire professional career as a combustion...
“The aluminium industry in the Gulf is constantly evolving, and it will remain a prominent centre for aluminium production outside of China,” Mahmood Daylami, Secretary General, Gulf Aluminium Council.
Mahmood Daylami is the Secretary General of the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC) and former Deputy Chief Executive at ALBA. He has been associated with the aluminium business for over forty years. Additionally, he is the author of the book 'Understanding Cultural Diversity in the Gulf: A Management Perspective. AL Circle: As we are nearing the end of 2023 - we would like to know how the aluminium industry did in the GCC this year - some key trends emerging? Mahmood Daylami: Despite market uncertainty due to the war in Europe, GCC smelters maintained full-capacity production in 2023, with a collective output expected to exceed 2022. The key focus area is developing carbon emission reduction strategies; some have moved to implementation, refarming GCC producers' commitment to long-term carbon...
“KAN-NAK will continue supporting smelters in decreasing energy consumption by reducing the cell voltage and improving the cell magnetohydrodynamic status,” René von Kaenel, CEO and President, KAN-NAK
René von Kaenel received his diploma as a physicist from The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) before working for International Computer Limited in London and specialising in computer science. In 1981, he joined Alusuisse and became the head of the modelling activities for smelting technology. In 2000, he received the title of Electrolysis director in the ALCAN organisation and supervised ALCAN’s R&D activities for the Hall-Héroult process. Since 1981, he has participated in many smelter modernisation projects worldwide, leading to large productivity increases and significant energy savings. He has published many articles on electrolysis cells, casting processes and inert anode technology. In 2004, he created KAN-NAK Ltd., a specialised company for the optimisation of...
