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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“Our primary focus is to support the development of new market opportunities and help local companies make effective uses of aluminium through design optimization,” Francois Racine, CEO of AluQuébec
Francois Racine has been the chief executive officer of AluQuébec, Québec’s aluminium cluster, since February 2021. He manages the organisation’s operations and ensures the cluster’s outreach throughout Québec’s aluminium ecosystem. Previously, from 2012 to 2020, Mr. Racine was president and administrator at Alcoa Innovation. He was also director of business development within Alcoa Aluminium’s Global strategy team from 2017 to 2020. In that position, he led an annual planification process and executed key strategic initiatives for the multinational company. Also, within that same organisation, Mr. Racine was director of business development at Alcoa Canada from 2011 to 2017. His role was to identify and support implementing cost-reducing initiatives and value-creating projects in Alcoa...
“In terms of specific sectors, we see the potential for continued growth in transportation and recovery in the packaging and in the building and construction sectors,” Renato Bacchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Alcoa Corp.
Renato Bacchi is the Executive VP and CCO of Alcoa Corp, overseeing sales, marketing, supply chain, and more. He previously held roles in strategy, finance, and treasury at Alcoa. Renato joined Alcoa in 1997, working on energy projects and material procurement in Brazil. He holds an MBA and CFA designation and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Renato also serves on the board of directors for The Tull Family Theatre, a nonprofit in Pittsburgh. AL Circle: Alcoa has a strong commitment to sustainability. What are the key sustainability initiatives that Alcoa has undertaken to reduce its environmental footprint in the Americas? Renato Bacchi: At Alcoa, we are reinventing the aluminium industry for a sustainable future. We believe the market for sustainable...
“Inductotherm's advanced solid-state power supply technology is one of the main reasons we hold the majority share in the American market,” Michael P. Looby, Director of Sales – Canada & Senior District Manager, Inductotherm Corp.
Over 17 years at Inductotherm Corp, Mike held several key roles. Starting in 2006 as a Field Service Engineer, he commissioned new induction melting and heating systems, gaining deep product knowledge. In 2008, he became District Manager for the Southeast U.S., using his technical background to work with manufacturing companies. In 2018, Mike became Senior District Manager, mentoring new team members and sharing successful sales strategies. His promotion to Director of Inter-Company Sales, collaborating with global Inductotherm entities, occurred in 2021. His role as Director of Sales for Inductotherm Group Canada began in 2023. AL Circle: Can you give a brief overview of Inductotherm's history and its significant milestones in the induction metal melting systems industry? Michael P....
“We are proud to be recognised as the most environmentally-friendly aluminium smelter in North America,” Jean-Pierre Bérubé, Vice President – Asset Management and Maintenance of Aluminerie Alouette
Jean-Pierre Bérubé joined Aluminerie Alouette in 2006 as Director of Maintenance. He subsequently held positions in the continuous improvement department as well as in the casthouse, metal shipping and energy sectors. In 2019, he became Senior Director, Metal and was responsible for the operation and optimisation of the potrooms, the gas treatment centres, and the casthouse. In 2021, he was appointed Vice President responsible for the anode plant, asset management and maintenance, potrooms and casthouse. Mr Bérubé, originally from Rimouski, Quebec (Canada), holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Laval University. He began his career on the North Shore in the pulp and paper industry which led him to settle in the municipality of Port-Cartier in 1997. He then held various...
"ABAL has been engaged in a series of discussions aiming to improve regulatory frameworks to enable the creation of a business environment that recognises the strategic importance of the aluminium industry." Janaina Donas, Executive President at ABAL (Brazilian Aluminium Association)
AL Circle: What are some recent initiatives and projects ABAL has been working on to promote the sustainable growth of the aluminium industry in Brazil and the Americas? Janaina: ABAL has been engaged in a series of discussions aiming to improve regulatory frameworks to enable the creation of a business environment that recognises the strategic importance of the aluminium industry, its competitive advantages, and the strengthening of our competitiveness. Among those initiatives, ABAL have provided contributions to discussions related to the overcoming of barriers to the Brazilian business environment within the scope of the Brazil Cost Reduction Project, led by the Brazilian government. ABAL also participates in the collaborative network Made in Brasil Ilimitado (MiBI), an initiative...
“The aluminium industry in the Americas has been facing various challenges in recent years, such as the global oversupply of aluminium, which has led to low prices and reduced profitability for many companies in the industry, along with energy contract uncertainties.” - EPIQ Machinery
AL Circle: How prompt is the American market in incorporating the latest technologies in the domestic aluminium industry? What is the current market size of aluminium technologies in the Americas? EPIQ: Incorporating the latest technologies to reduce energy consumption and achieve carbon neutrality is a crucial step towards sustainability for primary aluminium producers. Canada has a strong focus on environmental initiatives, and many companies in the country are actively working towards these goals. By adopting innovative technologies, such as advanced process control systems, energy-efficient equipment, and renewable energy sources, primary aluminium producers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. These technologies can help optimize production processes, minimize waste, and...
“Q1 2024 is anticipated to mirror Q4 2023, with no market peak expected, as the declining demand for aluminium continues to reduce the premium”, Dr Emrah Fahri OZDOGRU, Co-Owner & General Manager, of TRI METALURJI.
Emrah Fahri Ozdogru is co-owner and General Manager of TRI METALURJI. He is a metallurgist, and in 2009, he earned his PhD degree. He has 25 years of experience in the aluminium industry as a variety of Researchers in the Research Institute, Engineer and then as Manager at Casthouse and Extrusion Factory and Rolling Company. He set the TRI in 2016, and now, seven engineers and one technician are working in TRI. He is co-owner of LIME Billet Casthouse with eight team members as well. TRI is an engineering company and works based on the Project with the following frames: training, technical consultancy, alloy development, material characterization lab-scale and pilot-scale aluminium casting. TRI works 50% with domestic market needs and 50% with the other countries, mainly from Europe. AL...
“Unlike steel or iron, aluminium requires highly specialized industrial ovens and controls to meet stringent temperature uniformity and precision heat treatment,” Tasha Jamaluddin, Managing Director, Epcon Industrial Systems, LP.
Tasha Jamaluddin is Managing Director of Epcon Industrial Systems, LP, widely published with technical expertise across industrial applications. She graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master’s Degree from NYU, a certified LEED, AP with the US Green Building Council, and OSHA 30 Certified in General Industry Safety. She is Vice Chair of the Environmental Technology Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) to the US Department of Commerce. AL Circle: Can you briefly introduce Epcon Industrial Systems and its specialization in the American aluminium industry as well as globally? Tasha Jamaluddin: Epcon is a global leader in engineering and manufacturing integrated Air Pollution Control and Process Heating Equipment for the aluminium industry. With over 45 years’ experience and 4,500...
“As we head into 2024/2025, we believe there will be a very large increase in scrap melting capacity throughout North America of approximately 2.5 billion lbs. in increased melt capacity,” Michael Siemer, President & CEO of Sortera Technologies
Michael Siemer is the President and CEO of Sortera Technologies. Before joining Sortera, Mr Siemer served as president of OSIsoft, the data management platform company now part of Aveva, where he oversaw the strategic vision and future of OSIsoft, created and led the new executive committee and supported the company’s global revenue growth and subscription transition. Prior to OSIsoft, he served as vice president of operations technology at Devon Energy. He has a BS in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, an MS in electrical engineering from Colorado State University, and an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University. In this interview, Mr Siemer shares his overview of the aluminium recycling and sorting industry in the Americas and the role Sortera is playing in this sector with...
“I would like to show everyone waste might not be waste if you can discover its beauty and alternative uses,” Wong Ka Man (Charlotte), Founder of coffee pod recycling brand Wind.n.Sand
Wind.n.Sand is an upcycling jewellery and ornament brand from Hong Kong. The Founder and Designer of Wind.n.Sand, Wong Ka Man (Charlotte), started making coffee capsule jewellery three years ago. She started promoting her brand by joining different weekend markets and collaborating with different companies for souvenir making. The workshop is also one of the important medium for Wind.n.Sand to educate the general public. In 2023, she was awarded The Upcycling Innovator Award and the Green Chic Award in the Reborn! Upcycling Design Award 2023. Her encouraging story was also being shared on SCMP, Yahoo! and RTHK. Recently, she had her first exhibition with the use of the material - coffee capsules. It was her first time creating larger-scale art pieces than jewellery, and more will be in...
“The global trend in the railway sector is moving toward materials that offer a balance between strength, durability, and lightweight properties, and aluminium stands out as a key material contributing to these advancements”, L C Trivedi, Railway Expert
A distinguished railway professional, L C Trivedi, with over 40 years of exemplary service, boasts a remarkable career deeply rooted in Indian Railways. With an engineering degree and management education from prestigious institutions such as HEC Paris and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to excellence. A Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London, L C Trivedi currently holds the esteemed position of Chair of the Railway Division of India within the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). His journey in the railways began in 1981, when he spent two formative years at NTPC, followed by a transition to Indian Railways, where he would go on to achieve remarkable feats. In June 2021, L C Trivedi retired as the...
"Automation and robotics have become integral to mining operations. Autonomous vehicles, drones, and robotic systems are being used for exploration, excavation, and transportation within mines", Sanjoy Chatterjee, Co-Founder & Director of Entiovi Technologies.
An experienced engineer from Tata Motors and Tata Technologies background, Sanjoy Chatterjee holds an M.Tech from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. His entrepreneurial venture began 15 years ago when he established several innovative startups, including Ideation Technology Solutions, Ideal Analytics Solutions, and Entiovi Technologies. These ventures have been dedicated to pioneering advancements in Defence, Healthcare, Transportation, and Environmental Technology. Sanjoy's passion lies in developing cutting-edge software products and solutions in Analytics & Data Science, IoT, and Enterprise Mobility. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavours, he serves as the Chair of NASSCOM East, further demonstrating his commitment to the tech industry's growth and...
"We are driving through an aspiration to be the lead in the integrated aluminium industry in Africa with the view to adding value to our raw materials" - Michael Ansah, CEO of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC)
AL Circle had the pleasure of talking to Michael Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC). GIADEC is a wholly owned Government of Ghana entity that has been established with a mandate to promote and develop Ghana’s Integrated Aluminium Industry. He is also a member of the Volta Aluminium Company (Valco) Board of Directors (a wholly-owned subsidiary of GIADEC. Prior to his appointment as CEO of GIADEC, Michael was Senior Vice President (SVP) at Dell Technologies, with responsibilities for Global operations across over 180 countries. In a career spanning over 30 years, he has held a number of senior executive leadership roles. He was a Director/Associate Partner at PWC Consulting/IBM Business Consulting Services. He was also...
"Given the evolving technological landscape and the growing demand for innovative solutions across industries, the prospects for future generations of the aluminium industry are truly exciting", Dr. Amit Chatterjee, Chief Research and Development Officer at Vedanta Ltd - Aluminium Business
Dr. Chatterjee, with 33 years of Industrial R&D experience and expertise, is a visionary leader in innovative Research and Development, driving new product development, process improvement, beneficiation of minerals, wealth from waste and decarbonisation efforts in the aluminium industry. His leadership sparks open innovation and effective collaborations that translate research into real-world applications and sustainable business solutions. Dr. Chatterjee is an eminent force in the field with a rich background encompassing upstream and downstream aluminium processes, process intensification by modelling and simulation, and valorisation of waste by chemical processing. AL Circle: Among the various industries extensively utilising aluminium, which sectors demand greater emphasis on...
“As a major emitter of greenhouse gases, companies in the aluminium industry have a responsibility to transparently report on their emissions,” David Lloyd, Sustainability Consultancy Team, ClearVUE.Business
David Lloyd supports all modelling, reporting, and compliance activities undertaken by ClearVUE.Business. David has an MSci degree in Physics from Imperial College London and a DPhil in Physics from the University of Oxford. He is a member of the Institute of Physics. David has a broad range of consultancy experience, covering financial, manufacturing, and energy sectors. He is an expert in data science and forecasting and has previously published scientific research in environmental monitoring. AL Circle: Why do you think Net Zero is essential? ClearVUE.Business: Climate change poses a huge existential risk not only to businesses but to wider society as well. Action is required now to both reduce this risk and mitigate the impacts that are already being felt. The concept of Net Zero is a...
“Recognising the opportunities and potential for growth in aluminium recycling, Recykal aims to leverage its expertise and technology-driven waste management solutions,” Abhishek Deshpande, Co-Founder & COO of Recykal
AL Circle: Can you please share the journey of Recykal from its inception? Abhishek Deshpande : Recykal was founded in 2016 with the mission to divert at least 5% of waste from landfills and channel it to recycling and reuse. It launched India's first managed marketplace in 2018 formalising the informal waste management system in India. Since then, it has expanded its services to include EPR, plastic neutrality, circularity platform, and IT asset disposal. It has received numerous national and international accolades, including recognition from the World Economic Forum and the Digital India Award from the honorable president of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Solving some of the biggest challenges faced by the industry, Recykal has successfully channelised 700,000 tonnes of waste and spread...
“Granco Clark’s heating equipment is always in high demand, but that does not stop us from continually challenging our engineers to make product enhancements” Granco Clark
AL Circle: Why do you think Granco Clark’s aluminium extrusion equipment line is the best in the industry? Granco Clark: Granco Clark’s dedication to serving the aluminium extrusion industry may be unparalleled. We proudly support our solutions throughout their entire lifecycle, which is intended to span decades. Almost every product and service we deliver is “engineered to order” and manufactured custom for each project. We start with the customer’s goals in mind, then apply the most modern engineering and manufacturing methods to ensure we meet their goals efficiently. We prefer to collaborate in real-time with the customer to ensure their wants and needs are understood and met at every step of the process. We manufacture and test our equipment fully in our Belding, MI, USA facility...
“Broadly speaking, heat treatment involves the controlled heating and cooling of a product, in a specific way, to change its microstructure,” ALFED
ALFED, the Aluminium Federation, collaborates with businesses and stakeholders to foster innovation, promote best practices and champion the industry’s interests. As the voice of the UK industry, its mission is to expand the market for aluminium products by helping members solve problems, lobby government and boost their competitiveness. AL Circle: Can you describe the importance of heat treatment in the aluminium industry and its role in enhancing the properties of aluminium products? ALFED: Aluminium is one of the two most common materials that undergo heat treatment, where it's used to alter the physical and chemical properties of the material. The versatile process can be used to improve the hardness, change the colour and alter the ductility of a material. Each aluminium alloy has...
