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...
Grow with
AL Circle
“Asian industry is gaining traction in aluminium production due to growing demand from many industries,” Isabelle Gaudreau, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, EPIQ Machinery
Isabelle Gaudreau manages Marketing and Communication for EPIQ Machinery. She has managed all marketing-related activities since the merger between Mecfor and Advanced Dynamics. Isabelle's journey in the industry began in 2006 when she played a pivotal role in assisting the MECFOR sales team develop standards, marketing, promotional materials, and general sales activities. Her background in professional writing, creative design work, and administrative services offers a balanced mix of insights into the industry and observation of new trends and opportunities. AL Circle: What is your perspective on the current state of the Asian aluminium industry? How do you see the demand for aluminium evolving in Asia over the next decade? Isabelle Gaudreau: The Asian aluminium industry, despite facing...
“Alumina refineries and aluminium smelters are increasingly realising the need for real-time process information,” Petra Mühlen, Partner and CEO, SpectraFlow Analytics
After working for 14 years in the family business Mühlen Sohn, which manufactures technical textiles and is also used in the aluminium smelters in sales and management roles, Petra started with the newly founded SpectraFlow Analytics in 2014. She has a master’s degree in mathematics and economics, which strengthens her quick technical as well as economic understanding. Her initial focus was on sales and technical implementation of the SpectraFlow product range over various industries. In 2020, she took over the CEO role as well. AL Circle: Please describe how SpectraFlow quantifies Gibbsite or Kaolinite content in bauxite ore. Does this technology ensure enhanced quality of bauxite? Petra Mühlen: SpectraFlow uses near-infra-red (NIR) technology to perform the real-time chemical analysis...
“The Asian aluminium extrusion market is steadily growing, especially in countries and regions such as China, Japan, India, and Southeast Asia.” Wang Xingyao, Founder of GLD ALLOYS (M) SDN BHD
Wang Xingyao is a seasoned veteran in the aluminium manufacturing industry with over 25 years of experience. He has successfully led several high-profile aluminium companies across Asia, producing various products including aluminium sheets, extrusions, and alloy wheels. Mr Wang’s expertise in supply chain management and operational efficiency has positioned him as a key player in the market. His leadership style is characterised by a keen focus on sustainability and environmental stewardship, ensuring long-term profitability while adhering to global best practices. Mr Wang’s vision and strategic acumen have consistently delivered impressive results, making him a valuable asset to the company. AL Circle: What motivated the founding of GLD ALLOYS (M) SDN BHD in 2024, mainly focusing on...
“The opportunities in Asia are still tremendous if one compares the aluminium consumption per capita of different countries and regions,” Dr-Ing. Oliver Moos, Managing Director, CETAG – Casthouse Engineering and Technology AG
Oliver started his professional life as a mechanical draftsman at a leading supplier of casthouse equipment in 1985. He worked in various technical and commercial positions for the same company after further education at the University of Applied Sciences in Konstanz, Germany, and the University of Brasov in Romania. Oliver became the Managing Director of CETAG in 2016. With its small but dedicated workforce, CETAG provides consulting services, project management, site services, and equipment to the aluminium industry worldwide. AL Circle: Please brief us about your services and solutions to the aluminium casthouse. How do you help casthouse enhance production while reducing carbon emissions? Dr-Ing. Oliver Moos: CETAG of Switzerland is an expert adviser in aluminium casthouse technology,...
“The mining industry has seen a surge in the adoption of drone technology in recent years.” Mughilan Thiru Ramasamy, Co-founder and CEO of Skylark Drones
Mughilan holds a master’s degree in Aerospace Systems from Purdue University, Indiana (USA). Mughilan designed over 8 Un-Manned Aerial Vehicles, all of which were successfully test-flown; he led the team to win the NASA Systems Engineering Award for engineering a holistic UAV-based solution. Mughilan is also on the R.V. College of Engineering board and helps them design industry-relevant courses. He has given over 100 talks and workshops. AL Circle: Please brief us on the functionalities of Spectra and their usage in bauxite mining. Mughilan: Spectra is a worksite intelligence platform that harnesses drone data to provide actionable insights. By using drone images, Spectra generates accurate 3D models at a centimetre scale, aiding in precise planning and monitoring. It runs on the cloud,...
“Asia is the largest and most important region in terms of aluminium supply in the world,” Dr Yanchen Wang, Managing Director, SMM (Shanghai Metals Market) GLOBAL UK Ltd.
Dr Yanchen Wang is the Managing Director of the SMM UK office, which was established in May 2021. Currently, he focuses on base metals, battery metals market research, and overseas business development for SMM. Dr Yanchen Wang has a PhD in Engineering from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and is a well-known analyst in the global commodity industry. His expertise includes the base metals market, the coal and power industry, and the carbon emission market. He has recently extended his research into the battery metals markets. He has visited more than 100 base metals assets around the world. Dr Yanchen Wang has more than 19 years of commodity market research experience. He also often attends technical and market conferences and gives presentations as a keynote speaker, like AABC, Cobalt...
“The aluminium market is global, and Asia is already a key region for aluminium production and consumption,” Vincenzo ZINNI, CEO & Maël de la BELLIERE, Co-Head of Sales and Marketing, Niche Fusina
Vincenzo ZINNI, Chief Executive Officer, joined Fusina in 2022 when Dada Holding and Invitalia acquired the plant. With a background in metal trading, he manages the group and drives 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. Maël de la BELLIERE, Co-Head of Sales and Marketing, joined Fusina in 2017. With a background in flat-rolled products at Alcoa and in the coil coating industry with Euramax, he is steering the development of markets...
“Aluminium has become the metal of choice for sunrise sectors,” John Slaven, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium
John Slaven is the Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, India's largest producer of aluminium and among the top producers globally. He is a reputed leader in the industry with over three decades of rich experience in the metals, mining and modern manufacturing industries. Through diverse positions in industry-leading companies within these sectors, John has helped shape the overall domain in transformative ways. He previously held key leadership positions at Alcoa, BHP, and The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in roles across the industry value chain from exploration, development, operations, strategy, finance, and sales & marketing. Over the years, he has lived and worked in countries across the globe, including South Africa, the USA, China, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia,...
“The sustainability goals of the Indian aluminium industry are gaining momentum, with large players deploying a multi-pronged approach to reduce emissions.” Mayank Chauhan, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LogicLadder Technologies
As the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of LogicLadder Technologies, Mayank Chauhan is a sustainability and Net Zero leader who empowers enterprises to navigate the climate economy. From envisioning to executing innovative solutions, he has meticulously crafted the growth narrative of India’s first climate tech company, LogicLadder. Today, the company’s climate action platform, The Sustainability Cloud, is used by 1000+ customers worldwide to measure, track, and report their carbon emissions, manage ESG initiatives, and drive their sustainability goals toward a Net Zero future. In his role, Mayank strategises product development and collaborates closely with local leadership in international markets to spearhead the continuous expansion of LogicLadder. With a wealth of experience in...
"The Aluminium business from The GCC perspective." Mahmood Dailami, Secretary General of the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC)
AL Circle : The world is likely to surpass a dangerous temperature threshold within the next ten years unless countries transition away from fossil fuels. GCC countries are currently using gas as a source of energy. How do you foresee the situation developing? Mr. Mahmood Dailami : Looking around, emissions reduction plans by most governments are falling short, and if the situation continues, the world will reach 2.8C degrees by 2100. We can reverse the trend by reducing the use of fossil fuels and helping developing nations develop their renewable energy facilities and infrastructure. The European Union is pressing Africa, India, and other countries to stop using Coal and wants the GCC to halt any new oil and gas exploration projects. If they do, these countries will commit economic...
“Asia's non-ferrous metal industry, specifically aluminium, has several key opportunities for growth,” Parmod Sagar, Managing Director & CEO – India, RHI Magnesita
Parmod comes with more than 3 decades of extensive experience of serving the steel and refractory industry. A Mechanical Engineer by profession, Parmod started his career in the steel industry and worked in the sector for over 7 years gaining valuable insights. Thereafter, he transitioned to the refractories business joining Orient Refractories Limited (ORL) as a Manager -Technical Marketing in 1992. In 2013, after RHI AG acquired ORL, Parmod was appointed in the role of Managing Director & CEO of ORL. He currently holds the position of the Managing Director and CEO of the RHI Magnesita India Ltd. Additionally, he is also the President of World Refractories Association. AL Circle: How do you see the aluminium industry's future evolving in the Asian market, particularly in the context of...
"Speira is heavily investing in recycling assets like new recycling furnaces," Reinhard Pritzlaff, Technical Advisor, Speira
After completing his studies in process engineering at Cologne University, Reinhard Pritzlaff began his career as a development engineer at the Alunorf aluminium rolling mill in Germany. He now applies his technical expertise to support customers. Since 2021, Reinhard Pritzlaff has been working as the Technical Advisor at Speira, specialising in Aluminium Applications Optimisation. AL Circle: What do you think is the future of recycling – Do you think aluminium recycling is a challenging task? How well do you think the industry has geared up in terms of recycling or circular economy? Reinhard Pritzlaff: The future of recycling is based on two important pillars: On the one hand, better collection and deposit schemes for the consumer and, on the other hand, broad investments in sorting and...
"Respect for the environment embodies the Hu'chu philosophy and my personal story," Daniel Roesner, CEO at Hu'chu GmbH
An actor, film producer and environmental entrepreneur, Daniel Roesner is an innovative leader and the CEO of Hu'chu 55, a company known for its sustainable catamaran projects. With a vision rooted deeply in environmental stewardship and cutting-edge technology, Roesner has guided Hu'chu 55 to the forefront of eco-friendly marine transportation. His commitment to sustainability is reflected in the company’s flagship project, the Hu'chu 55 catamaran, designed to minimise environmental impact while maximising efficiency and comfort. In addition to his role at Hu'chu 55, Roesner is an advocate for sustainable practices across various sectors, often speaking at industry events and contributing to discussions on the future of green technology. His work continues to inspire others in the...
"The EEASY Lid is the world’s first aluminium lug jar lid," Brandon Bach, President of CCT
Brandon Bach brings over 18 years of experience in project management, marketing, and video production, including expertise in video and graphic design and the coordination of live events. As the current president of Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT), he leads the company behind the EEASY Lid, a significant innovation in jar lids that represents the first major advancement in over 75 years. AL Circle: Tell us about yourself and CCT. Brandon Bach: My name is Brandon Bach, and I am the president of Consumer Convenience Technologies (CCT). CCT is the maker of the EEASY Lid – the first jar lid innovation in 80 years. AL Circle: What is the EEASY Lid? Brandon Bach: The EEASY Lid helps take the struggle out of opening stubborn jars. It allows consumers to vent a vacuum-sealed jar by...
“Sustainability is key to Mechatherm's ongoing business plan”, Chris Emes, Chairman, Mechatherm International Limited
Chris Emes is the newly appointed Chairman of Mechatherm International Limited, where he has served since 1980. Starting as a project engineer after graduating from John Moores University, Chris has held various roles, including Sales Manager in the UK and South Africa. As a key figure in developing aluminium recycling and cast house technologies, he became the sole Managing Director in 1993. Influenced by the company's founders, Chris has driven significant milestones, such as securing Mechatherm's first million-pound order and receiving the Queen's Award for Enterprise. His leadership focuses on innovation, sustainability, and expanding Mechatherm's global reach, particularly in the Australasian and Asian markets. AL Circle: Could you briefly overview your career and how you arrived at...
“GO2 provides solutions that can be used on high-temp metal with existing thermal transfer print technology”, Dan Schroer, Chief Operating Officer at GO2 Partners
Dan Schroer has worked in manufacturing, metals, and adjacent industries for over 30 years. His expertise ranges across the manufacturing value stream, from supply chain optimisation to packaging solutions to material identification innovations, using the latest technology to increase safety, eliminate mixed metal, and maximise efficiency from receiving materials to shipping final products. Today, Dan is the Chief Operating Officer at GO2 Partners, where he leads and supports special projects and delivers results for customers, including some of the world's largest companies. AL Circle: Can you briefly overview GO2 Partners and its core mission? Dan Schroer: GO2 Partners provides industrial solutions that focus on solving clients' pain points through better label, tag, and material ID...
“Inductotherm hopes to play a pivotal role in advancing aluminium casting technology in the coming years through continued investment in technology, product, and process improvements,” Ed Chmielecki, Sales Manager Light Metal Applications – Inductotherm Corp.
Ed has 21 years in the metal casting industry, primarily in non-ferrous metal. He has been with Inductotherm Corp. since September 2019 as Sales Manager for Light Metal Applications and District Manager covering the South-Central US. Before joining Inductotherm, Ed was a Regional Sales Manager for a Crucible Company, and prior to that was a Furnace Services Engineer covering North America, installing, and servicing Electric Resistance and Gas Fired Crucible furnaces. At Inductotherm, he now uses his years of experience to show customers the benefits of using induction melting to reduce their carbon footprint while producing cleaner molten aluminium more efficiently. AL Circle: Please briefly overview your foundry equipment and machinery, highlighting their key features. Ed Chmielecki:...
Aluminium is far easier to recycle than plastic, so it was a no-brainer that we should use it instead of bottles: Josh White, Co-founder and CEO of Cano Water
Josh White is the Co-Founder and CEO of Cano Water, the world's first canned water brand, founded in 2015. Josh has spoken extensively about his battles with ADHD and feeling different while growing up - and prides himself on embodying the brand's "Don't Bottle It" attitude. He is passionate about helping other entrepreneurs who want to do good but might be facing similar struggles. He has extensive experience in building, launching, and managing a successful beverage brand, growing Cano Water from a startup to a household name stocked in over 10,000 retail points across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East. Josh White's commitment to creating impactful social and environmental change has not gone unnoticed. As a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree, he has been recognised for his passion and...
