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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“In 2021, we are pleased to report that the lost business has already returned and looking at forecasts, we expect good growth in sales of both Optifine and our new super Optifine product, particularly for plants with high-quality applications within the big groups”, John Courtenay, chairman, MQP
John Courtenay is the Chairman of MQP, the leading specialist for the global aluminium industry and producer of high-efficiency grain refiner Optifine. Studying metallurgy at the University of Aston, John Courtenay started at Foseco International, working his way through ONC, HNC and LIM, before being seconded to Foseco Canada for three years to work on an exciting new product for steel continuous casting plants, going onto hold several International marketing and technical positions before joining Foseco Japan as General Manager of their steel mills division, returning to Foseco International in 1983. In 1986, he switched from steel to aluminium, starting a long association with aluminium casthouse technology as Director of Technology and marketing of Foseco Aluminium. After the sale of...
“In 2021, the Standards Revision work will continue to make important progress with a goal of launching the new version of the program in March 2022”, Fiona Solomon, CEO, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organisation, aiming to recognise and foster the responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. ASI is the result of producers, users and stakeholders in the aluminium value chain coming together with a commitment to maximising the contribution of aluminium to a sustainable society. Fiona Solomon, CEO of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative gives an insight into the ASI's thoughts about COVID 19 impact on the global aluminium value chain and developments in 2021 in the below interview: AlCircle: ASI has already certified major aluminium producers in the global aluminium value chain. How is it influencing the other companies to go for ASI Certification?...
“After the reduction of capital equipment expenditure in 2020, we indeed see a significant increase in demand for aluminium cast house equipment”, Michael Rockstroh, Managing Director of RIA Cast House Engineering GmbH
Michael Rockstroh has extensive experience in project management, equipment design, engineering services, and business development related to aluminium casthouse machinery with a focus on charging and skimming machines. He began working fulltime for Rackwitz Industrieanlagen GmbH (now RIA Cast House Engineering GmbH) in 2012, although assisted part-time in the workshop as far back as the year 2000. Michael has a B.Sc. and M. Sc. in Industrial Engineering, both from the University of Applied Sciences Jena in Germany. AlCircle is pleased to interview Mr Rockstroh and know his aluminium market projection for 2021 and how his company is gearing up for the year. AlCircle: What new developments are you planning for your Cast House equipment in 2021? Mr Michael Rockstroh: After very interesting...
“The aerospace market is going to take some time still to recover from the pandemic and we expect demand to remain muted in 2021 due to lower consumer air travel”, Sachin Satpute - President of Novelis Asia and SVP of Novelis Inc.
Sachin Satpute is President of Novelis Asia and Senior Vice President of Novelis Inc. since 1st June, 2016. In this role, he is responsible for leading the overall business strategy and P&L of Novelis’ Asia Pacific business, which includes sales to the automotive, beverage can and specialty product markets. He also has oversight responsibilities with Ulsan Aluminium, a joint venture between Novelis Korea and Kobe Steel, Japan. Prior to being named to this position in June 2016, Sachin served as Chief Marketing Officer, Hindalco Industries Limited. Before joining in his role with Hindalco, he held roles of increasing responsibility within Novelis including Director, Business Development & Strategy for Novelis Asia; Vice President, Sales, Marketing & Technical Services for Novelis Asia; and...
“The development of innovations and the introduction of new technologies and products remain the Company's top priority. RUSAL develops, tests and implements advanced technologies, materials and equipment that often have no analogues in the world”, Evgenii Nikitin, Chief Executive Officer, RUSAL
Mr Nikitin was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of RUSAL in November 2018. Before this, he was the acting CEO of the Company from May 2018 and RUSAL’s Head of Aluminium Division from January 2014. Prior to that, he was the director of the Aluminium Division East from October 2013, while before that appointment Mr Nikitin was the Managing Director of KrAZ, one of the world’s largest aluminium production facilities. From 2008 to 2010, he was Managing Director of SAZ after beginning his career with the Group as a reduction pot operator in 1993. Mr Nikitin graduated from the Moscow State Technical University of Civil Aviation in 1989 and from Lomonosov Moscow State University with a Master’s degree in business management (MBA) production systems in 2009. It was a great opportunity to...
“I´m sure 2021 will be a truly successful year for the aluminium industry”, André E. Barten, President & CEO of the Achenbach Group
André E. Barten is President & CEO of the Achenbach Group, leading the family company in the 8th generation. He studied mechanical engineering and business administration and is an award winner in 2021 of the famous ‘Social Market Economy Award’ of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. Together with his team he was awarded the Handelsblatt Diamond Star Award 2019 in the category ‘Best Industrial Solution 4.0 – Smart Solution’ for the Achenbach OPTILINK System. As part of the Industry Advisory Board of the Cluster of Excellency ‘Internet of Production’ of the RWTH Aachen, André E. Barten is engaged in various activities around the digitalization of production technology. Read the interview to know his projection for the 2021 aluminium industry. AlCircle: How do you anticipate the year 2021 for...
“We can see some positive signals from the market. I believe that the LME returns to a level that is viable for our customers, which should free-up investments”, Benjamin Ulmann, Fives’ Aluminium Regional Sales Director, Middle East
Benjamin, graduated in 2005, worked for 8 year as Sales & Marketing for US based company named LUFKIN (now part of GE), a worldwide leading manufacturer of gearing solutions. Then in 2013, he worked for a UK based company named WELDING ALLOYS, a manufacturer of advanced welding consumables, automated equipment for wear protection, and engineered wear solutions. In 2016, he joined the Aluminium division of the French group Fives. After having worked with several subsidiaries of the division in the UK and in France, he is now Regional Sales Director for the Middle East. Benjamin has shared his insightful thoughts on how the use of smart automation solutions in aluminium plants will increase remarkably in 2021. Here is an excerpt from the interview: AlCircle: Do you plan to design any new...
“2021 will probably be a year of slow healing for the complete industry. What I see is that the effect of LME on aluminium pricing was probably as important as the COVID-crisis”, Peter Vanvuchelen, Director Sales & Business Development, Hencon
AlCircle: How do you visualize 2021 for the global aluminium industry after the COVID-19 economic impact? Mr Peter Vanvuchelen: It is very difficult to predict what will happen, and how industries will react, as a pandemic situation as COVID is a completely new situation for every one of us. 2021 will probably be a year of slow healing for the complete industry. What I see is that the effect of LME on aluminium pricing was probably as important as the COVID-crisis. We observed that since Q4 2020 (when aluminium prices equalled their old level) aluminium-industry started picking up projects again. My feeling is that we start to learn and live with the ‘new situation’ and that even our way of thinking and look at how to be productive will be changed profoundly and definitively, even after...
“There is no question the international mining industry was crippled during the 2020 Covid-19 period. However, in early 2021 Canyon sees the door opening, international travel is returning at a cost, and developing countries like Cameroon are welcoming investment and development of domestic mining projects”, Rick Smith, Director
General, CAMALCO SA (Canyon Resources’ wholly-owned Cameroon subsidiary). Mr Rick Smith was appointed as Director-General of the Canyon’s wholly-owned Cameroon subsidiary Camalco Cameroon SA (Camalco) on 17 th January 2021and will be based in Cameroon. Mr Smith will focus on the delivery of the Project through key agreements with suppliers and the Government. Mr Rick Smith was previously a senior executive, within Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), who successfully commissioned the $1.4 billion CAPEX, GAC Project. The bauxite mine is located in Tinguilinta, Guinea and is West Africa’s newest bauxite mine that will export 12 million tonnes per annum through its Kamsar bauxite port facilities which were commissioned in Q3 2019. Mr Smith has more than 35 years of experience in a variety of...
“We have no doubt that the long-term future of aluminium is bright”, Cédric Schmuck, Deputy CEO of REEL International SAS
Cédric Schmuck is Deputy CEO at REEL International SAS, where he has over 25 years’ experience in different Engineering, Project Management, Business development, and Executive management positions. Active since 1999 in the aluminium industry, Cédric has been in charge of REEL’s Aluminium Division till end 2020. Cédric graduated from engineering school Arts et Métiers in Lyon and holds an MBA from Würzburg University, Germany. Here is a brief excerpt of his interview with AlCircle: AlCircle: Could you please share the insights of the latest acquisition of FLS Möller and Outotec Aluminium business by REEL? Mr Cédric Schmuck : At REEL, we strongly believe in the future of sustainable aluminium, which will be key in the global efforts in the fight against climate change. As demand for the...
“LivNSense has invested significantly into delivering IIoT & AI Based Innovations for Metals Industry, especially with focus into Bauxite Refineries and Aluminium Smelter Plants”, Avnish Kumar, Founder and CEO, LivNSense Technologies Pvt. Ltd
Avnish Kumar, Founder and CEO of LivNSense Technologies Pvt. Ltd., has a proven and astounding experience of 25+ years in the Engineering and Information Technology (IT) industry. Being an alumnus of NIT-Durgapur and MBA from the University of Melbourne itself speaks volumes about his expertise and knowledge in the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). Mr Avnish is a business and technology leader with extensive experience in IIOT, AI, AI-Vision, Cloud Engineering and Product R&D with a successful track record of innovating “out of box” products. Mr Kumar kick-started his career by being a part of the R&D team in the Telecommunication Industry and had been with Motorola, before moving on to Infosys. After working for Infosys for some time, he switched...
“Lucchini RS in the Aluminium business: How forged steel products enhance the aluminium productivity” - Maurizio Grisanti, Commercial Director of the Forging & Casting Division at Lucchini RS
Federico Piazza from AlCircle Team had a special meeting with Maurizio Grisanti, Commercial Director of the Forging & Casting Division at Lucchini RS. The tradition and skills of Mr. Grisanti allow enhancing a peculiar drive into the metallurgical research between the aluminium and steel production. AlCircle : Lucchini RS Group's Forging and Casting Division aims to consolidate its contribution to the aluminium sector. Which product is it offering in this market? Maurizio Grisanti : Since several years, the Lucchini RS Group has been looking at the aluminium industry with growing interest because this non-ferrous metal has so many applications—ranging from the automotive sector, to the industrial sector, to packaging and consumer electronics. Its characteristics mean that it can serve as...
Survey on metallurgy and transport in Russia, with an interview to Antonello Colussi, CEO of Danieli Russia by Federico Piazza
The aluminum industry in Russia is not catalyzed only by the presence of the giant Rusal, the world's second largest group in the primary product market. In fact Russia also boasts advanced laboratories and research centers, such as those that gather every year at the Congress "Non-ferrous metals and minerals" at Krasnoyarsk, in the mining region of Siberia. In the field of research for innovation in industrial applications, for example, the work of MISIS, the Russian National University of Science and Technology, deserves to be highlighted for experimenting new aluminum alloys (Al-Ni-La crystallization) that enable a significant reduction in weight for transport, aeronautics and automotive. Plenty of innovation particularly regards aluminium for transports. For example, it concerns new...
“Our guess is that the world’s top priority will be to better protect our environment, and at Fives, we are determined to become an active player in environmental commitments in the post-COVID-19 world.” - Aurélie Fillon, VP Services, Fives - Aluminium division.
Graduated from Edhec Business School in Lille in 2000, Aurélie has been first working as an Auditor at Ernst&Young before joining Fives Group in 2004 as Financial Controller at the Head Office. In 2007, she became Financial Control of Fives Solios before being promoted to CFO. In 2018, she moved to the position of VP Services of the Aluminium division of Fives, supervising four Services Companies (Canada, Australia, South Africa and the Middle East) plus the Europe Front office. She is leading the Services strategy and its implantation. AlCircle: How COVID-19 changes the outlook for 2020 for the aluminium industry? Aurélie Fillon: As everybody knows, the situation is for now very complex for the producers of aluminium. Despite the drop in the demand of aluminium, the production of...
“Industry 4.0 has been a revolution in terms of modernizing the aluminium industry from the smallest up to the biggest players”- Adriana Torres, International Business Development Manager of GHI Smart Furnaces
GHI Smart Furnaces, S.L., is a family owned company with 80 years of history that designs and supplies industrial furnaces, auxiliary equipment and associated services for technical assistance and digitalization. The company is involved in the design and manufacture of industrial furnaces, turnkey plants, SAT and 4.0 digitization. The company has supplied more than 8,000 facilities, 1,400 exported to the international market. The sectors GHI Smart Furnaces addresses are, among others, the iron and steel industry, the aluminium and copper industry, foundries, metal workshops, shipyards, aeronautical industry, heat treatment and hot stamping companies. Adriana Torres and Pablo Fuentetaja Business Development Managers of GHI Smart Furnaces, give an insight into the GHI’s latest strategies...
“The unfortunate pandemic that we are facing is a catalyst for the Industry 4.0,” Éloïse Harvey, B.Eng. & Mgmt, President of Mecfor
Éloïse Harvey is president of Mecfor, a Quebec-based company that supplies and manufactures specialized equipment for heavy industry, primary aluminium smelters and secondary plants, mining, rail and nuclear. Éloïse Harvey has been working for the heavy industry (with a strong focus on the aluminium sector) since 1999 holding various positions related to sales, marketing and business development for MECFOR and today she is president for Mecfor. We are glad to get an opportunity to interview Ms Harvey to know her individual insights into the Industry 4.0, especially in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She thinks implementation of new technologies in the aluminium industry does change the dynamic that exists between equipment manufacturers and aluminium producers. She says COVID-19 has...
“Industry 4.0 now directly impacts all the process and manufacturing sectors.” - Miles Prosser, Secretary-General of the International Aluminium Institute
Miles Prosser is the Secretary-General of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the only body that represents the aluminium industry at the global level. With more than twenty years’ experience working on various industrial policy issues, Miles brings in-depth knowledge on resource allocation, sustainability and climate change. Miles joined the IAI from the Australian Aluminium Council where he served as Executive Director for more than 10 years. He leads the IAI to promote the unique and valuable properties of aluminium in sustainable development. He holds an honours degree from the Australian National University. Miles Prosser, Secretary-General of the International Aluminium Institute speaks to AlCircle: AlCircle: Currently, IAI membership represents over 60% of global bauxite,...
“The impact of Covid-19 has mainly accelerated the innovative solutions, based mainly on the diffusion of new connecting technology that was already defined by Continuus-Properzi for the future.” - Alberto Ghisetti, Sales Director, Continuus-Properzi
Alberto Ghisetti is graduated in Mechanical Engineering with a specialization in industrial automation & robotics and has completed an executive master in Project Management. In the last fifteen years, he has matured experience in the international sale of complete plants in the non-ferrous, mine and steel industry. He is working at Continuus-Properzi for ten years, actually, as Sales Director, focused in both aluminium and copper plants for rod and ingots production. Alberto Ghisetti, Sales Director of Continuus-Properzi shares his insights in an interview with AlCircle concerning COVID-19 impact to the industry: AlCircle: Can you briefly introduce your Company? Mr Alberto: Continuus-Properzi, the leading expert in the aluminium and copper wire rod continuous casting industry, invented...
