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 FSW welding head for CNC and FSW spindle for robot technology is fully integrated with the digital transformation of the aluminium industry”, Laurent Dubourg, Co-founder & CEO of Stirweld
Laurent Dubourg the co-founder and the CEO of Stirweld, a deep-tech created in 2017 with the aim to democratize Friction Stir Welding all around the world. He worked as an R&D engineer at IREPA Laser for five years in developing laser cladding and additive manufacturing processes for automotive applications. Then Laurent did a PhD thesis on 'Laser cladding of aluminium substrate and the development of the associated metallurgical coatings' at the National Research Council of Canada. At the CNRC, he was responsible for Friction Stir Welding – FSW Program development and laser welding applications. AlCircle: Stirweld was founded in 2017 based on Friction Stir Welding (FSW). What has been your journey to success in the world of technology? Laurent Dubourg: Indeed, Stirweld was created in...
“The shift is happening in India, but globally aluminium is the standard for high-speed, semi-high speed and metro coaches”, Prithish Chowdhary, CMO, Titagarh Group
AlCircle had the opportunity to interview Mr Prithish Chowdhary, Chief Marketing Officer of Titagarh Group, and the discussion centered on manufacturing aluminium train coaches. AlCircle: Can you tell us about Titagarh's journey with its state-of-the-art manufacturing of aluminium coaches, which are used globally? Prithish Chowdhary: In order to properly answer the question, we need to tell a bit about the background, of where Titagarh actually started. So, when we started as a wagon manufacturer in 1997, our capacity was very minor, something about half a wagon per day at then and since then we managed to establish ourselves as the largest wagon manufacturer in the country. Because of these changes in the wagon industry in about 2007-2008 we acquired a factory in Hind Motor Complex,...
“A digital transformation and partnership with aluminium end-users is the only way the aluminium industry can be fully transparent along the entire value chain. To help meet this imperative, we created START—the first digital sustainability label for the aluminium industry”, Paramita Das, Head of Metals and Minerals, Marketing and ESG at Rio Tinto
Paramita Das is a global executive with extensive experience in the commodities sector (metal, oil, and gas). She leads market development for aluminium globally and the establishment of a more customer-centric approach in the Americas. Before her work in the aluminium marketing and development space, Paramita was the Chief of Staff to the CEO of Rio Tinto and Chief Transformation Officer for the Atlantic Operations for the Aluminium segment with Rio Tinto. Paramita joined Rio Tinto in 2015, before which she worked with companies including Sumitomo Corporation and BP. She is a passionate advocate for ESG and inclusion. AlCircle: Why digital transformation is the key to sustainability? What is Rio Tinto's aluminium business doing to make progress towards this? Paramita Das: Aluminium...
“We offer holistic digitalisation solutions, enhancing safety, productivity, availability and efficiency not only for a particular equipment or system but for the overall plants,” Alexis Fredrich, Digital Business Leader of REEL International
AlCircle: How is Digital Transformation taking place at REEL International? Alexis Fredrich : At REEL, we always try to integrate the latest innovations in order to improve our equipment and enhance our customer’s satisfaction with evolving systems and services. We work every day to preserve our leadership on the markets, and the 4th industrial revolution is a challenge we are considering seriously and proactively. For a few years already, we have been delivering digital solutions: Connected equipment, Remote monitoring systems, Assisted reality helmet for instantaneous remote support, Tracking Solutions, Video analysis, virtual reality, Digital commissioning system, etc. are part of our portfolio. As example, the REEL AMS (Anode Management System) provided by REEL NKM Noell is a solution...
“Digitalisation is vital in increasing the efficiency of aluminium extrusion production,” Christian Ferman, Senior Electrical Engineer and project manager of Granco Clark
Christian Ferman is a Senior Electrical Engineer and project manager with 12 years’ experience in the design of control systems, embedded systems, and safety systems for Granco Clark. He is also a certified Safety Engineer with a CMSE accreditation. He graduated from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Let us here from him his opinion on digital transformation in the aluminium industry. AlCircle: How do you incorporate digitalisation in every stage of developing aluminium extrusions equipment? Christian Ferman : Digitalisation is a vital part of Graco Clark’s software development process. Our company has spent thousands of hours of intensive testing and data collection, to produce the most cutting-edge software in the industry...
“Digitization is an essential tool for utilizing data streams which make the process more efficient, reduce energy consumption and contribute to our sustainability objectives”, Geir Sandnes, Head of Digital Production Support, Technology & Operational Support at Hydro Aluminium Metal
Geir Sandnes heads Hydro Aluminium Metal's Digital Production Support, Technology, and Operational Support department. Before starting this role, he was part of the management team in Hydro Corporate IT with responsibility for the Digital Center of Excellence and Digital Plant Products across the business areas in Hydro. Digital Production Support is responsible and guarantor for several digital products in the production area at Hydro Aluminium Metal. The products range from control systems and sensors on the factory floor via production follow-up systems to data analysis platforms and information portals in the cloud. Products are mainly developed in-house at Hydro. The department has expertise in cybernetics, robotics, automation and software engineering. AlCircle: Could you tell us...
“We have seamlessly integrated several smart automations in our plant operations to improve efficiency, increase safety and reduce manual intervention. Our digital dashboards make use of smart analytics for real-time data and trend monitoring of various business operations using thermal image processing”, Abhijit Pati, CEO & Director at BALCO
Abhijit Pati is the Chief Executive Officer & Whole Time Director of Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (Balco). Abhijit Pati has been a name to reckon with the Aluminium industry for the past three decades. He joins Balco after an appreciable stint as Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Limited, Jharsuguda. He comes with a rich experience and an illustrious career spanning over 30 years in the Aluminium Industry. An Alumni of Calcutta University, Abhijit Pati started his career as an engineer with Indian Aluminium Company (a subsidiary of ALCAN, a major Canadian aluminium Producer) in 1989. Later joined INDAL/HINDALCO, Hirakud, under the flagship of Aditya Birla Group of Industries and established himself as a frontline leader. As a young and budding professional in his early career, he was...
“Deployment of the Alcore technology will consume excess bath, and reduce the need for fluorspar as a feedstock for aluminium fluoride production.” Dr Mark Cooksey, Managing Director and CEO at ABx Group
As the Managing Director and CEO of the organization, Dr Mark Cooksey joined in early 2020. He previously held process improvement and process development leadership positions with Rio Tinto, GE and CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Dr Cooksey has focused on process innovation throughout his 25-year career. He has extensive experience developing and commercializing new mineral industry processes, particularly in the aluminium value chain. AlCircle: Could you share Alcore’s innovative journey of building the fluorine recovery reactor? What inspired the creation of this cutting-edge technology? Dr Mark Cooksey: The inspiration came from recognising that fluorine is the most expensive component of aluminium fluoride, fluorine is typically high-cost in Australia because it has no...
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine immediately led to uncertainty in the market, with corresponding price hike on energy and increasing raw material prices”, Halvor Molland, SVP of Communication & Public Affairs at Norsk Hydro ASA
Halvor Molland is Senior Vice President of Communication & Public Affairs at Norsk Hydro ASA, a global energy and aluminium company headquartered in Norway. An experienced journalist, he holds a Master of Science with experience in offshore oil and gas development projects. Molland has extensive experience in the field of international corporate communication. Previously, Molland served as Press and Information Officer at the Stabilization Force (SFOR) headquarters in Sarajevo, the NATO-led multinational peacekeeping force. AlCircle: What has been Hydro's journey to produce the first near-zero carbon aluminium at their recycling facility in Clervaux, Luxembourg? Halvor Molland: Hydro has developed our low-carbon aluminium offerings over the last few years. This includes Hydro CIRCAL, a...
“The Brazilian aluminium industry is closely monitoring developments in Europe, as the tensions in the geopolitical scenario have direct effects on global supply chains, especially on the availability and price of the metal”, Janaina Donas, Executive President of the Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL)
As a corporate affairs executive, Janaina Donas acquired a broad experience in government relations, communications, sustainability, community relations and business development. She graduated in International Relations, with an MBA in Business Administration. Before taking on the role as Executive President of the Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL), she served as Regional Director of External Relations and New Business for Latin America at Newmont Corporation, in Peru and Miami. She also worked as Government Relations and Communication Director for Alcoa, 3M and as an associated partner at Patri, a Government Relations and Public Policy Consulting Company in Brazil. AlCircle: The European aluminium industry is facing critical challenges since the previous year. How has this impacted...
“To a large extent, the European Union is dependent on China for the primary aluminium supply because of the continuous decline in primary metal production in Europe,” President of the International Aluminium Exhibition METEF
AlCircle is honoured to have Dr Mario Conserva giving his views and opinions of the European aluminium market. Dr Conserva is associated with the aluminium industry since 1963 and now the President of the International Aluminium Exhibition METEF, Cofounder and General Secretary of Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE) and General Director of the International Magazine A&L Aluminium and Alloys. He also serves EAC Edimet Aluminium Consulting Srl as a Chief Executive Officer. Let’s hear from him. AlCircle: Could you please share your views on the overall market trend in the European aluminium industry this year? Dr Conserva: The Italian aluminium market had a substantial and significant recovery last year, with an overall record of metal use of approximately 2.3 million tonnes...
“We plan to offer more secondary aluminium to OEMs and traders in the European market in a bid to increase the total recycled content in machinery, products, and manufacturing,” Raymond Onovwigun, CEO & founder of Romco Group
Raymond Onovwigun is the CEO & founder of Romco Group. As a serial entrepreneur, Raymond has successfully built Romco as the fastest-growing green aluminium producer in West Africa. Romco is now a big part of a recycling effort to help build Africa into a powerhouse of sustainability. Starting with just one small can baler 5 years ago, Raymond’s vision has seen Romco now operate over three continents, producing from over four countries and having an annual turn over of US$29.4 million in 2021. Romco has over 350 employees and projects to have 500 more within a year. It plans to ship recycled metals from all coasts of the African continent — greatly reducing the need for mining and burning coal to produce aluminium everywhere. To know his views and opinions on the European aluminium...
“A great uncertainty remains in Europe. We must stay watchful and alert to envision all possible outcomes”, Éloïse Harvey, CEO at EPIQ MACHINERY
Born in Montreal, Éloïse Harvey obtained her Bachelor of Engineering & Management from McMaster University (Hamilton, ON). In 1999, Éloïse joined Mecfor (equipment manufacturer), the youngest of the four companies in the family group (Ceger) as a Technical Sales Representative. Over the years, her dynamism and her vision for business development led her to work her way up within the growing organization. Indeed, from 12 employees and 2 million in turnover when started, Mecfor saw its number of employees and its volume multiply by 10 during the first twenty years of Éloïse's career. In 2018, Éloïse and a group of a few operator partners bought Mecfor from Ceger. The arrival of a patient financial partner who invests in the long term represents the first step towards an aggressive program...
“The market tightened further as European aluminium producers tried to replace Russian aluminium with alternative suppliers”, Moritz Hansen, Head of Marketing & Communication at Speira
In his role as Head of Communication & Marketing at Speira (formerly Hydro Rolling), Moritz Hansen is responsible for communicating with a 360° approach towards internal and external stakeholders including the disciplines of the employee, marketing and crisis communications, as well as media relations. In addition, he is also acting as spokesperson for Speira. AlCircle: What was the major reason Speira entered into an agreement with Alcoa for the supply of low-carbon EcoLum™ aluminium? Moritz Hansen: In Speira, we share the passion for reducing the carbon footprint of our products and driving the decarbonisation of our business. We think sustainability is end-to-end, from sourcing through efficient operations to products. The partnership with Alcoa and the decision to purchase EcoLumTM is...
“EnPot can have a positive impact on aluminium smelters’ carbon footprint; particularly those that have access to variable renewable electricity but struggle to take advantage of it because of its variability,” Karyna Young, CEO of EnPot
Karyna Young is associated with EnPot since inception in 2016 and now serving the company as Chief Executive Officer from early 2021. EnPot is an innovative new technology that fundamentally changes the way smelters use energy to produce aluminium. Karyna started her career as a commercial lawyer and finance company director in both New Zealand and Australia. In addition to leading EnPot, she is the CEO of Yunca Group, a manufacturing and engineering business and supplier to the global aluminium industry. We are extremely delighted to have her with us in our “European Aluminium Industry Focus 2022” e-Magazine, and here is an excerpt from her interview. AlCircle: EnPot technology enables smelters to vary their energy usage to better match electricity price fluctuations. Could this help...
“We have been shocked and appalled by the events in Ukraine and we have publicly expressed our desire for an early end to the conflict”, Roman Borisov, Sales Director for EMEA at Rusal
Roman Borisov is the Sales Director for Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) of Rusal with more than 15 years of commercial leadership experience in the aluminium industry. In his role, Roman is responsible for Value Added Product and Low Carbon Aluminium sales across the region, supporting key vertical markets including Automotive, Packaging, Construction and Energy Transition. AlCircle: How would you rate Rusal’s performance for 2021 and envision the year 2022? Mr Roman Borisov: In general, 2021 was a very solid year for RUSAL. The Company showed resilience in withstanding the COVID-19 pandemic and various challenges particular to the aluminium industry. We supported our clients around the globe, providing flexibility and options required to absorb the supply chain disruptions, and...
“In South Africa, among the various industrial sectors, packaging is the current major aluminium demand driver”, Mr Muzi Manzi, Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA)
Mr Muzi Manzi is the Chief Executive Officer of AFSA and is responsible for the management and governance of the Federation. He is also a member of the AFSA Board of Directors, responsible for development and implementation of the South African Aluminium Industry Roadmap (SAAIR). One of the deliverables of the SAAIR is to elevate the local industry to become competitive to be able to double local aluminium demand and ultimately for the country to become a net exporter of value-added aluminium products. Muzi Manzi, a qualified Metallurgical Engineer and MBA, has an extensive experience in the aluminium industry, especially related to policy development and stakeholder engagement. Being an integral part of the aluminium industry, especially in South Africa, he has shared his projections...
“The unfortunate situation with Russia and Ukraine will also affect our industry and we are waiting to see how the various sanctions will further impact our occidental clients”, Eloise Harvey, CEO of EPIQ Machinery.
Born in Montreal, Éloïse Harvey obtained her Bachelor of Engineering & Management from McMaster University (Hamilton, ON). In 1999, Éloïse joined Mecfor (equipment manufacturer), the youngest of the four companies in the family group (Ceger) as a Technical Sales Representative. Over the years, her dynamism and her vision for business development led her to work her way up within the growing organization. Indeed, from 12 employees and 2 million in turnover when started, Mecfor saw its number of employees and its volume multiply by 10 during the first twenty years of Éloïse's career. In 2018, Éloïse and a group of a few operator partners bought Mecfor from Ceger. The arrival of a patient financial partner who invests in the long term represents the first step towards an aggressive program...
