Can Oklahoma reshape US aluminium supply? EGA’s Ziad Fares explains the project
As the US seeks to rebuild its domestic aluminium production capacity, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum are advancing plans for a new primary aluminium smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, targeting more than 750,000 tonnes of annual production. In this exclusive conversation with AL Circle, Ziad Fares, Project Director for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum , discusses the project’s strategic rationale, progress towards a targeted construction start in early 2027, planned smelting technology, power and infrastructure requirements, investment considerations, and its potential impact on US aluminium supply chains. He also addresses environmental safeguards and stakeholder concerns. Fares brings more than 20 years of experience across engineering, strategy, finance, metals and mining, and...
The lower the aluminium content of the dross, the greater the aluminium recovery benefit RAME can achieve
In a recent conversation with AL Circle, Eric Lefebvre, Vice President of Business Development at Lefebvre Industri-AL, discussed the company’s approach to recovering and recycling aluminium residues and its role in advancing the circular economy. Based in Quebec, Lefebvre Industri-AL develops solutions, including RAME technology, that transform aluminium residues into reusable resources while helping producers reduce their environmental footprint and improve operational efficiency. With extensive experience in the industrial sector, Lefebvre works with aluminium producers, technology partners and other industry stakeholders to develop strategic partnerships and expand markets. His approach focuses on turning the industry’s environmental challenges into economically viable opportunities...
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Each tonne of aluminium manufactured through recycling results in saving of 5-6 tonnes of bauxite, 1-1.5 tonnes of limestone, 20-25 tonnes of water and ~14000 kwh of energy: Mohan Agarwal, MD, CMR Green Technologies
Mohan Agarwal, Managing Director, founded CMR Green Technologies in 2006 with a single plant. Today, the company has grown to 12 plants across India. CMR is a pioneer in the industry to scale up, and over the past few years, it has expanded its metal recycling capacity to over 418,000 tonnes per annum. Since its inception, CMR has recorded a CAGR of over 25 per cent and solidified its position as India's leading producer of aluminium-based die-cast alloy, a critical component for automotive manufacturers. In this Interview, Agarwal has put the spotlight into the Indian aluminium recycling business. He reveals about the dips and floats of the ever-evolving market and shares his experience of surfing through the tides of time. AL Circle: What is the primary business model of CMR Green...
“We, as Intals, are finalising the renovation of a new facility: GML.The mission of GML is simple yet ambitious: to recover aluminium from materials that are difficult to process using traditional methods,” Alessandro Colla, Purchase and Sales Manager, Intals S.p.A
Intals S.p.A. is a leading European company specialising in aluminium recycling. With origins dating back to 1902 in a small artistic aluminium foundry in central Milan, Intals has established itself as a key player in the European aluminium recovery and recycling industry. In this exclusive interview, Mr. Alessandro Colla, Purchase and Sales Manager at Intals, has shared his insights into the company’s mission and vision, upcoming projects, investment strategies, and the evolving landscape of the European aluminium recycling market. Read on to discover how Intals is reinforcing its position as a leader in the industry. Image source: LinkedIn, Intals AL Circle: How would you describe the transformation in the secondary aluminium industry over less than a decade? Alessandro Colla : In the...
“In terms of investment, our focus is on strengthening GHI Smart Furnaces' position as a leader in providing advanced turnkey solutions for the aluminium recycling sector,” José Domingo Berasategui, CEO of GHI Smart Furnaces
We are honored to have a conversation with José Domingo Berasategui, CEO of GHI Smart Furnaces. After serving for over a decade as General Manager, Berasategui now takes on the role of executive leader, strengthening GHI’s commitment to innovation and excellence. In an exclusive discussion with AL Circle, he shares insights into his new role and responsibilities, his vision for the future of GHI Furnaces, and his strategy for advancing digitalisation. Most importantly, he highlights his mission to embed a culture of innovation and sustainability at GHI, driving transformation from within. AL Circle: Congratulations on your appointment as CEO of GHI Smart Furnaces! Please share your vision for the company's future in terms of investment, innovation, and business operations. José Domingo...
"Regulatory pressure and increasing environmental requirements are opening up many opportunities for us," Romain Girbal, co-founder of IB2
Romain Girbal, a seasoned entrepreneur and business developer, has over 20 years of experience across various industries. A graduate of HEC Paris with a specialisation in Business Law and Management, Romain is known for his strategic vision and leadership. In 2013, he co-founded Alliance Minière Responsable (AMR), a French bauxite mining company operating in the Republic of Guinea, where he played a pivotal role in fostering responsible and sustainable mining practices. As a member of the board at IB2 and a business development expert, Romain continues to contribute his expertise to various ventures, driving innovation and growth. In this interview, Mr Girbal has brought forth the present and future strategies of the company in combatting all odds and steering forward the development of...
“The biggest impact that sport can have on carbon emissions is to mobilise fans to act”, Tom Gribbin, Co-founder of Planet League
Tom Gribbin is the Co-founder of Planet League, a platform leveraging football to inspire sustainable living. Since 2019, Tom and Planet League have helped football fans and clubs score green goals for the planet. He has worked in sustainability, behaviour change, marketing, sports, and venture space for over 20 years. He has an MBA from the University of Cambridge and has been a Trustee of Nottingham Forest Community Trust. AL Circle Team had the distinct privilege of interviewing Tom Gribbin, the visionary Co-founder of Planet League. AL Circle: What motivated Planet League to collaborate with Ball Corporation and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment on the Green Action League? How does this align with Planet League’s broader mission? Tom Gribbin: We use the passion of sports to create real...
“The aluminium can sector for beverages in Brazil is a great example of a circular economy,” Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas)
AL Circle presents a brief conversation with Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas). Mr Cândido is a Brazilian lawyer and the Executive President of Abralatas. An executive with more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, strategic business development and management, with experience in industry, commerce, and retail. He has occupied several leadership positions throughout his career. Here, Mr Cândido has explained the current situation of aluminium can industry in Brazil, the third-largest market in the world after the United States and Canada. AL Circle: Please shed some light on why aluminium cans are so widely consumed in Brazil? In an interview, you said a complex interplay of scale, temperature, and economy...
"We are a mining and resources company with a global footprint and a deep-rooted commitment to sustainable practices", Victor Tan, CEO, TOP International Holding
Victor Tan is the CEO of TOP International Holding. As CEO, he leads the company’s strategic direction and drives growth for the company. Founded in 2014, TOP has grown exponentially over the years. Under his leadership, TOP became Malaysia’s biggest bauxite exporter in 2015 and pioneered anchorage loading in the country. In 2017, TOP was the fastest-growing physical coal trader in Indonesia. As a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence, TOP has earned industry accolades such as bagging The KPMG & The Business Times Enterprise 50 Award twice, Deloitte Best Managed Companies twice, and was identified by Enterprise Singapore to participate in Scale-Up SG, a programme that grooms local companies into future global champions. He is also a member and contributor at the Singapore...
“Aluminium flat-rolled products will increase in volume. Globally,” Vincenzo ZINNI, CEO, Niche Fusina Rolled Products S.r.L.
Vincenzo ZINNI, Chief Executive Officer, joined Fusina in 2022 with the acquisition of the plant by Dada Holding and Invitalia. With a background in metal trading, he is managing the group and driving the team to excellence, quality, and reliability. Under his management and focus, the plant is on track to regain its position in the marketplace. This is the result of a series of new investments and production improvements. Fusina, under its new leadership and ownership, has been able to be considered as one of the best suppliers for marine, road transportation, silos, or defence applications. AL Circle: What is Niche Fusina Rolled Products S.r.l.’s contribution to the global production of aluminium flat-rolled products? Could you provide insights into your yearly production capacity and...
“The future of the global aluminium FRP is promising with many opportunities, and the building and construction sector is also experiencing an upward growth rate,” Mohamed Rafea, CEO, GARMCO
Mohamed Rafea joined GARMCO in April 2020 and has over 27 years of experience in the aluminium industry. Prior to joining GARMCO, Mohamed served as Chief Executive Officer at Riyadh Cable Group of Companies, Riyadh—Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He also worked with Midal Cables Group, headquartered in Bahrain, as Chief Executive Officer, in addition to various roles within the Production and maintenance, Purchasing, Quality, and Product Development areas. Mohamed Rafea holds an M.Sc in Engineering Business Management (MSC) from Coventry University, UK, and a B.Sc in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University, Kingsville, USA. AL Circle: Can you briefly overview GARMCO's history and evolution since its establishment in 1981? What are some of the key milestones that GARMCO has achieved over...
"Aluminium is considered a strategic material for the transition to a low-carbon economy and for securing a strong and sustainable base industry." Janaina Donas Executive president of ABAL (Brazilian Aluminum Association).
Janaina has great experience in the Corporate Affairs market with a demonstrated history of working in the mining, metals, and infrastructure industries. Skilled in Public Affairs, Crisis Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, Governmental Affairs, and Crisis Communications. Strong Community and social services with an MBA focused in Business Management from Ibmec Business School. AL Circle: How has the demand for flat-rolled products evolved within the Brazilian aluminium market over the past few years? Janaina Donas: According to data from ABAL's Aluminium Statistical Yearbook (Brazilian Aluminium Association), the production of aluminium sheets has increased by 20,6% over the last 10 years, from 585 tonnes in 2014, reaching 706 tonnes last year. From a consumption perspective,...
"As producers call for defect-free aluminium flat-rolled products to meet rapidly growing global demand, ABB's innovative solutions for measuring flatness, thickness and tension hold the key to enhanced accuracy, reliability, and longevity. Our commitment to continuous development and refinement, including realizing the possibilities of digitalization, enhances real-time decision-making, reduces waste and energy consumption, and addresses the industry's skills gap,” Marko Sydänlammi, Global Product Line Manager Flatness Systems, ABB
Currently, Marko Sydänlammi serves as the Global Product Line Manager for Flatness systems at ABB Measurement & Analytics. In this pivotal role, he is entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring end-to-end profitable growth and development of the flatness systems offering over the entire life cycle. This includes portfolio management, footprint analysis, and the development of a business mix strategy for the products. He has worked in product management, operations, engineering, and sales of measurement and control equipment for the battery, metals, paper, and converting industries for over 33 years. Marko holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanics and Computer Science from Linköping University, Sweden. AL Circle: The aluminium flat-rolled products industry requires precise quality...
“We have identified sustainable packaging as a potential growth market,” Adam Hunter, Deputy General Manager, Bridgnorth Aluminium
Adam Hunter joined Bridgnorth Aluminium in April 2024 as Deputy General Manager, bringing extensive expertise in cold rolled steel manufacturing across construction, automotive, industrial, and agricultural sectors. His career began as a Designer in the Aerospace industry, working with prestigious clients like Rolls-Royce and Airbus. He later specialised in designing high-precision, fast-volume production lines and gained global experience in operational excellence. With a focus on root-cause analysis and technical process development, Adam is known for his hands-on approach and ability to lead teams through complex challenges to achieve operational excellence. AL Circle: Bridgnorth Aluminium has been a leader in flat-rolled aluminium coils for over 80 years. How has the company evolved...
“By mimicking real process conditions on our pilot mill, Quaker Houghton de-risks fluid upgrades for rolling mills,” Peter De Bruyne, Global Business Director Non-Ferrous, Quaker Houghton
Peter De Bruyne, Global Business Director Non-Ferrous, is responsible for strategy development for the non-ferrous industry at Quaker Houghton. Peter was awarded a PhD in analytical chemistry before joining the aluminium industry in 1993. He gained hands-on experience as a laboratory manager and lubrication engineer in the aluminium rolling industry. In his 18 years at Quaker Houghton, Peter has worked in both technical and commercial roles before taking up his current position in 2016. AL Circle: Could you provide a brief overview of the function of rolling fluids in flat rolled aluminium production? Peter De Bruyne: During the rolling process, rolling fluids serve to lubricate, cool, and remove aluminium fines from the strip surface. For cold rolling, this is usually achieved with...
“The cosmetics industry increasingly embraces aluminium packaging, particularly for its sustainability benefits,” Dr. Ing. Catalina Fernandez, Director of CINDAL (Aludium R&D Centre).
Dr. Ing. Catalina Fernandez is the Director of CINDAL (Aludium R&D Centre). She is at the forefront of innovation in aluminium-rolled products (FRPs) and plays a pivotal role in driving sustainability initiatives at Aludium. Her background in metallurgy and materials science, along with her passion for environmental stewardship, has allowed her to combine technical expertise with a vision for a greener future for the aluminium industry. In this interview, she shares her insights into the modern world of aluminium FRPs, focusing on the importance of recyclability and third-party verification to prevent greenwashing while exploring the role of aluminium in markets such as packaging, automotive, and construction. AL Circle: Could you begin by giving us an overview of your experience and how...
“SeCoil is an investment that brings real benefits to a company involved in producing aluminium sheets”, Piotr Skarbiński, Vice President, Business Segment Aluminum Process and CAB, SECO/WARWICK
Piotr Skarbinski earned an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Zielona Góra, specialising in precision and biomedical instruments. His professional career began in 1988 with Elterma as a project engineer. He joined SECO/WARWICK in 1990 as a project engineer for atmosphere furnaces and was promoted to Atmosphere Furnace Team Leader in 1995. In addition to these responsibilities, he worked with both the Aluminum Process and Incinerator product groups. In 2000, he assumed responsibility as Director of Europe's Controlled Atmosphere Brazing (CAB) Team. He became the CAB Global Product Leader in 2006, and since 2014, he has served as a Vice President of the CAB and Aluminium Process business segment at SECO/WARWICK S.A. AL Circle: How does SECO/WARWICK's vision align with the...
“Using aluminium FRPs in railway systems contributes to a more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly operation,” 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...
“TAHA aims to further its contribution to Aluminium Vision 2030 by expanding the adoption of its zero-waste dross processing solutions across the industry worldwide,” Taha Pollmann, Process Manager at TAHA Resource Management GmbH
AL Circle caught up on a quick conversation with Taha Pollmann, Process Manager at TAHA Resource Management GmbH, at IBAAS-IIM 2024, held from September 25-27, 2024, where the organisation bagged the prestigious ESG Award. We are happy to share our insightful interaction where Taha Pollmann briefed us about the company’s ESG initiatives, his personal contribution to this milestone, the role of Industry 4.0 technologies in the journey, and their future plans to advance sustainability practices in consonance with Aluminium Vision 2030. To draw some key notes from our conversation, read the interview below. AL Circle: Congratulations on winning the ESG Award at IBAAS 2024. Please share with us the key initiatives your organisation has taken to uphold ESG principles. Taha Pollmann: TAHA...
“JS Group and later Uniseven have many firsts; in fact, it has grown with the growth of the primary aluminium industry in India,” Kamal Prakash, Director, Uniseven Engineering & Infrastructure
Kamal Prakash is passionate about aluminium and is the director of Uniseven Engineering & Infrastructure, part of the 124-year-old JS Group, which has been servicing the global aluminium value chain for the last 50 years. JS and Uniseven have pioneered introducing a number of technologies and technological products to the aluminium industry, helping process improvements, CAPEX and OPEX reduction, CO2 emission reduction, and enhanced recycling. Also, he is involved in the fields of education and health, especially mental health and economic and environmental sustainability initiatives, especially with an economically weakest section of society. He is also an avid gardener. He holds a degree in Business Management and brings 44 years of global experience working with partners across the...
