Beyond aluminium smelting capacity, we propose to incentivise emissions cuts to support wider decarbonisation: Ed Boyd, Mission Possible Partnership
As the European Council seeks political alignment on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), the debate over how to accelerate aluminium decarbonisation in bringing emissions accounting and demand for low-carbon metal into focus. Against the backdrop of Mission Possible Partnership’s (MPP) open letter, AL Circle speaks with Ed Boyd, MPP’s Global Policy Lead, about the policies needed to support the European aluminium industry’s transition. Boyd argues that effective decarbonisation must account for emissions from alumina refining and track Scope 2 emissions associated with purchased electricity. On mandatory green procurement and lead-market thresholds of at least 50 per cent for aluminium, he says producers are ready to supply low-carbon metal at scale and considers the proposed threshold...
EU-India FTA, CBAM and carbon costs: Can Indian aluminium crack the European market?
A former Deputy Secretary General of the European Parliament and Director of the EPP Group, Paolo Licandro, has extensive experience in European policymaking, international relations, industry, energy and EU affairs. He is currently the Founder and CEO of eEuropa Belgium and Editor of eEuropa.Blog. He has worked with European prime ministers, ministers and EU commissioners and has held senior roles covering EU enlargement, Mediterranean and Middle East relations, and industry, research and energy. A nuclear engineer, he holds a master’s degree from Politecnico di Milano and has worked with ENI, ARS-Pragma and the EU Joint Research Centre. In this interview, Paolo Licandro shares his perspective on EU–India aluminium trade, CBAM and the opportunities for Indian producers in Europe. AL...
Grow with
AL Circle
“In addition to new smelters, the United States should find ways to capture and recycle more aluminium scrap – something that can be done at a fraction of the cost of building new smelters,” Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association
In conversation with Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association, regarding US tariffs challenges, impacts, and solutions. Mr Meenan has candidly shared his opinion that the United States should find ways to capture and recycle more aluminium scrap - something that can be done at a fraction of the cost of building new smelters. He said this in the context of growing demand for aluminium in the US domestic market. According to him, domestic US aluminium demand remains 3.5 per cent higher than the last year and 10 per cent more than a decade ago. He also pointed out that the long-term demand for aluminium is expected to grow by 80 per cent globally by 2050. To know more about Matt Meenan's valuable insights, read the full interview below. AL Circle: How will...
“Granco Clark is constantly evolving its equipment technology to take advantage of the ongoing digital transformation. Most recently, our entirely electric ePuller systems have been installed at customer locations with great success,” Christian Ferman, Senior Electrical Engineer and Project Manager
Christian Ferman is a Senior Electrical Engineer and Project Manager with 14 years of experience in designing 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. In this edition of Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry: Drivers & Changemakers of 2024 e-Magazine, Ferman sheds light upon the evolving cutting-edge technologies, especially for the aluminium extrusion industry. The discussion further escalates to the firm's recent technological development and the advancement received by implementing them within their operations. This insightful discussion with Ferman not only enhances...
“Hamilton’s systems leverage AI and machine learning to revolutionise energy efficiency and emission control," Vikas Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Hamilton Research & Technology Private Limited
In the 29th edition of the e-Magazine, themed “Digital Transformation in the Aluminium Industry: Drivers & Changemakers of 2024,” Vikas Arora, Managing Director and CEO of Hamilton Research & Technology Private Limited, shares his insights on driving innovation in aluminium plant operations through retrofit solutions. He highlights how the company’s deep industry expertise and strong in-house design capabilities are helping aluminium facilities become more self-reliant, profitable, and sustainable in a rapidly evolving industrial landscape. With over two decades of leadership in technology and engineering, Vikas combines technical acumen with strategic business insight, rooted in his MBA in Operations from Indian Management Technology CDL, Ghaziabad and a Bachelor's degree in Mathematics....
"China’s 2025-2027 action plan aims to boost clean energy adoption to over 30 per cent, increase recycled aluminium production beyond 15 million tonnes, and improve energy efficiency across at least 30 per cent of capacity by 2027,” Michelle Leung, Head of Asia Metals & Mining, Sustainability, at Bloomberg
Michelle Leung is the Head of Asia Metals and Mining, Sustainability at Bloomberg Intelligence, where she conducts comprehensive research on key metals in Asia, with a particular focus on China and an active speaker at global conferences. Prior to her current role, Michelle served as an ESG Analyst who specialized in climate-related ESG strategies and analysis, as well as ESG integration research and data, including ESG Scores. she took the lead in the ESG committee at Women in Finance Asia. Before working for Bloomberg, Michelle worked for various international and Chinese Investment banks. Her areas of expertise extend across sectors such as metals and mining and utilities in Asia. Notably, she has been recognized as one of the top-ranked analysts for institutional investor and...
“Our process fluids, lubricants and coatings are relied on by customers throughout the full value chain of aluminium production — from mine to mill and on to manufacturing,” Nozi Hamidi, Global Strategy Director at Quaker Houghton
In a recent conversation with Nozi Hamidi (Global Strategy Director), Peter De Bruyne (Global Business Director), and Peter Weissman (Senior Global Coatings Director), the trio shed light on how QH FLUID INTELLIGENCE™ is redefining fluid management in aluminium production. Peter Weissman addressed a long-standing challenge in the industry called manual fluid monitoring. Traditional methods rely heavily on time-consuming lab tests to measure key parameters like pH, temperature, and conductivity, particularly in conversion coating processes. Nozi Hamidi emphasised a critical gap in data utilisation. While aluminium plants are rich in operational data, they are concentrated around core production processes. Ancillary systems like fluid management often remain overlooked. Here is an excerpt...
"Our platform now helps businesses digitise their supply chains, streamline procurement, and access finance more easily. In FY24, Bizongo saw..," Prahlad Krishnamurthi, CEO of Bizongo
In a conversation with Prahlad Krishnamurthi, a dynamic business leader with over 19 years of hands-on experience in corporate transformation and high-impact coaching. Currently, as the CEO of Bizongo, Prahlad is at the forefront of reinventing B2B commerce, leveraging digital platforms and data-driven raw-material sourcing to streamline supply chains and empower industrial buyers and suppliers alike. Here is an excerpt of his interview with us. AL Circle: Can you walk us through Bizongo’s journey from its inception in 2014 to its expansion into the B2B vendor digitisation space? What challenges has the company faced along the way, and how have those experiences shaped its evolution? How has Bizongo’s vision transformed as it continues to revolutionise vendor digitisation? Prahlad...
"We aim to help producers stay focused, responsive, and aligned with their strategic objectives," Dror Shaked, STAS
Dror Shaked, Vice President of Strategy at STAS, has opened up in an interview with AL Circle for its LeaderSpeak 2025 e-magazine, highlighting his perspective on the company’s unique position as a fully integrated OEM rooted in Canada’s Aluminium Valley, with over 35 years of hands-on innovation. STAS’s multidisciplinary expertise and strong partnerships- such as with Rio Tinto and FOUNDRY ECOCER- enable it to deliver advanced, field-driven technologies and collaborative solutions, helping aluminium producers navigate global volatility with resilience and long-term vision. Here’s an intriguing part of the conversation: AL Circle: In a landscape where many strong players contribute to the advancement of aluminium production, what sets STAS apart in terms of its approach to innovation? How...
"India’s billet production is indeed rising rapidly, but downstream demand – especially from infrastructure and construction – has not kept pace," Abhijit Pati
Presenting an interview excerpt of Abhijit Pati, two times gold medallist from prestigious institutes like Calcutta University and International Management Institute (IMI), New Delhi. Abhijit Pati worked in an aluminium complex (Odisha) with a 2 million tonne annual capacity, 3615 MW Power generation, annual revenue of USD 2 billion, EBIDTA of USD 800 million, and 12000 direct and indirect head counts with gender diversity of 15%. At Balco, Chhattisgarh led a 600,000-tonne aluminium facility with a 2000 MW power base with 100KTPA aluminium rolled product as Whole-timeDirector and Member of the Balco Board and conceptualised 1MnT Club journey of Balco as 6 th largest single location aluminium smelter in the globe with best in class leading edge technology. Driving 8000 direct and indirect...
“…commitments made by FMC members are subject to the availability of material supply,” Jelena Aleksić, First Movers Coalition, World Economic Forum
Jelena Aleksić, Metals Lead for Aluminium and Steel at the First Movers Coalition under the World Economic Forum, shares critical insights on accelerating sustainable aluminium adoption in our latest issue of LeadSpeak 2025 e-magazine. She highlights how corporate purchasing commitments create powerful demand signals that drive decarbonisation technologies. Jelena emphasises the coalition’s focus on breakthrough innovations like inert anodes and carbon capture, essential for achieving net-zero aluminium by 2050 despite supply and cost challenges. AL Circle: One of the core strategies of First Movers Coalition is leveraging corporate purchasing commitments to accelerate demand for low-carbon materials. Can you share insights into how committed buyers influence aluminium suppliers and what...
"From the outset, ACT has targeted critical, quality, and high-value segments such as aerospace, automotive, and beverage cans because we believe that our technologies will be of greater benefit to the end user in these applications," John Courtenay, Chairman of MQP & CEO of MQP International Ltd and co-director of ACT
In conversation with John Courtenay, Chairman of MQP & CEO of MQP International Ltd and co-director of ACT, who has highlighted the innovations they have adopted to transform casthouse operations in our e-Magazine ‘ Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2025 ’. He also noted that China and the United States were the highest adopters of their technologies for the aerospace, automotive, and beverage cans industries. In 1986, Mr Courtenay switched from steel to aluminium, starting a long association with aluminium casthouse technology as director of technology and marketing of Foseco Aluminium. After selling this business to Pyotek, he used his experience to form ACT, a family firm celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026. Here is an excerpt of his interview with us. AL Circle: ACT products are used by...
“With global aluminium demand expected to nearly double by 2050, the need for increased bauxite mining and alumina refining remains essential,” Marghanita Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, the Australian Aluminium Council.
In our latest e-Magazine LeaderSpeak 2025 , Marghanita Johnson, the Chief Executive Officer at the Australian Aluminium Council, has discussed the importance of having increased alumina refineries and bauxite mining. She also adds her key takeaways on the need to reach the target of net zero in the mining sector. The further interview also unfolds strategies for conducting sustainable bauxite mining. Unlock the entire interview, refer to the e-Magazine. AL Circle: Why is sustainable bauxite mining important in achieving global emissions reductions? Marghanita Johnson: Australia has more than 60 years of technical experience in bauxite mining and alumina refining technologies. This deep knowledge benefits not only our domestic industry but also our global customers as they work towards...
“The situation with trade tariffs at the beginning of the year has certainly sparked a period of volatility and uncertainty, which is never good for business!” Michael Clinch, Managing Director at INNOVAL TECHNOLOGY
Professor Michael Clinch, Managing Director at INNOVAL TECHNOLOGY, brings over 25 years of global experience at the forefront of manufacturing and advanced materials. A visionary strategist and changemaker, he’s known for energising teams, championing innovation, and delivering tangible results. He shares his expertise, which spans across strategic planning, technology road mapping, product development, and innovation leadership, through an engaging interview with AL Circle for its 7th edition of LeaderSpeak e-magazine . Here’s a sneak peek into the persona’s insights and beyond into his firm belief in the power of collaboration. AL Circle: In the face of the rapidly evolving global aluminium industry, how do you help companies future-proof their operations and stay competitive? What role...
"Aluminium customers operate in an environment where efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness drive every decision," Wayne McVey, Director of Metals Process Fluids North America, Quaker Houghton
In an interview for the 7th edition of LeaderSpeak 2025 , Wayne McVey, Director of Metals Process Fluids North America, sheds light on the current challenges and future opportunities in the aluminium industry, addressing issues like tariff volatility, limited domestic capacity and the growing importance of recycling and process efficiency. He also discusses how Quaker Houghton is tackling these needs through innovative fluid technologies, digital solutions and a strong customer-focused strategy, with a clear goal of leading the aluminium hot rolling market. With over 30 years in technical leadership, sales and product management, McVey is now regarded as the market leader of the company’s hot-rolling business. Refer to the e-magazine for the full interview. AL Circle: What innovations or...
"The robots are the workhorses pulling the wagon, and the people, our colleagues, drive the wagon and tell them which way to go and how to get there," Michel Grootenboer of Gouda Refractories B.V.
Michel Grootenboer, the Director of Sales and Marketing at Gouda Refractories B.V., shared valuable insights in an enlightening interview for the 7th edition of AL Circle’s LeaderSpeak 2025 e-magazine. He discussed Gouda's history, current state, and future prospects, as well as his views on the industry, drawing from over 30 years of experience. Here are some key highlights from the detailed interview. AL Circle: From a leadership perspective, how are you aligning Gouda’s legacy with the brand’s global vision while ensuring continuity and innovation? How do you strike the right balance between tradition and transformation? Michel Grootenboer: As explained, Gouda Refractories and Gouda Refractories Group as a whole, including our service companies, will continue to operate as an...
“As industries demand more sustainable and cost-effective raw materials, scrap processing is now viewed as a strategic asset in industrial development,” Judit Jeney, Managing Director, Austin AI Europe
In the 7th edition of LeaderSpeak 2025 , AL Circle chats with Judit Jeney, the Managing Director of Austin AI Europe, to explore the intersection of cutting-edge technology and aluminium recycling. From LIBS-based sensor systems to redefining what AI really means in aluminium sorting, Judit offers a no-nonsense take on how smart sorting is powering the next wave of industrial sustainability. Here’s a glimpse into the future of scrap processing, direct from one of the industry’s sharpest voices. For the full interview, head to the e-magazine. AL Circle: How do you view the advancements in aluminium scrap processing for extracting aluminium and utilising it in industrial development? Judit Jeney: Aluminium scrap processing has come a long way. Advanced, modern technologies, such as the...
“Aluminium billets, primarily used in construction and transportation, are highly sought-after value-added products,” Fabio Martins, CEO – Billets, Vedanta Aluminium
Fábio Martins is the CEO of Billets at Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer and a key player in the global metals sector. With over 25 years of experience in operations, sales, and strategic management across the aluminium value chain, Fábio brings deep industry expertise and a proven track record of operational excellence, business turnaround, and stakeholder engagement. Prior to joining Vedanta Aluminium, Fábio held several senior leadership roles at Alcoa, where he was most recently Operations Director for the Poços de Caldas site in Brazil. He was instrumental in leading transformative projects, including a $60 million transition to dry residue management and a $100 million impoundment de-characterisation initiative, both of which were delivered in close coordination...
Beyond China, India and the Middle East are ready to play pivotal roles in shaping the future of global primary aluminium production: Éloïse Harvey, CEO of EPIQ Machinery
Éloïse Harvey, the dynamic CEO of EPIQ Machinery, has communicated with AL Circle for the seventh edition of its flagship annual digital magazine, ‘ LeaderSpeak 2025 ’ . Known for its curated perspectives from across the aluminium value chain, this year’s edition continues the tradition of bringing together influential voices to guide readers, be they decision-makers or emerging entrepreneurs, towards more informed and inspired choices. In her conversation, Harvey delves into how she and her team have consistently pushed boundaries by integrating cutting-edge technologies into EPIQ’s equipment portfolio. With her rich industry experience and forward-looking approach, Harvey offers valuable insights that could resonate with anyone navigating the evolving landscape of aluminium...
"We stay committed to achieving net-zero emissions in aluminium production by 2050 or earlier," Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President, Hydro Aluminium Metal
In an insightful conversation with Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President, Hydro Aluminium Metal, published in AL Circle's latest e-Magazine ' LeaderSpeak 2025 '. In a candid discussion, Ms Simensen offered a comprehensive perspective on the evolving aluminium landscape, emphasising the impact of global economic trends, decarbonisation policies, and shifting supply chain dynamics on the industry and Hydro's operations. Simensen underscored aluminium's growing significance as a critical material in addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges while highlighting Hydro's active role in forging strategic partnerships, particularly in pursuit of achieving net-zero emissions in aluminium production by 2050 or earlier. She also took us through the transformative role of technology,...
