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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Thick, hard-anodised AAO is vital for wear-resistant aluminium extrusions, says Dr Judy Runge
Dr Judy Runge when approached for her key insights into the importance of anodisation for aluminium extrusions as part of AL Circle’s exclusive campaign on “ Aluminium Extrusion Growth Markets ” , she extensively spoke about the advantages that anodisation offers to aluminium extruded products, how it can be developed further, and what sustainability measures it should take. Dr Judy Runge is a metallurgical engineer and surface scientist specialising in the surface treatment and interfacial science of aluminium and its alloys. Her career spans more than 40 years, beginning with her work in electronic materials and processes at Northrop Corporation, and culminating with the last 11 1/2 years at Apple, from where she retired in 2023. Dr. Runge is an independent consultant at her company,...
Lithium, graphite and REEs may outpace aluminium growth due to smaller starting bases, says OLI’s Chief Sustainability Officer
In an exclusive conversation with AL Circle, Vineeth Ram, Chief Sustainability Officer of OLI Systems, shares his perspectives on rare earth processing in the United States, the country’s growing demand for REEs, and its roadmap for reducing dependence on China. While he notes that complete self-sufficiency is not a realistic near-term goal, he believes that significantly reducing dependence is achievable. Talking about the demand growth of aluminium and other critical minerals, he explains that minerals like gallium, graphite and REEs are likely to register higher percentage growth than aluminium, largely because they are starting from much smaller demand bases. At the same time, he highlights that aluminium is increasingly being recognised globally as a critical and strategic mineral...
Middle East shipping disruptions have pushed ALUPCO to re-strategise its aluminium extrusion supply chain strategies
From a Saudi extrusion manufacturer established in 1975 to an integrated aluminium solutions provider serving more than 26 countries, ALUPCO’s growth mirrors the rapid transformation of the Middle East’s construction and infrastructure landscape. In this exclusive AL Circle interview, Abdul Aziz AlGhamdi, General Manager at ALUPCO discusses how the company is strengthening its position across domestic and export markets while responding to shifting customer expectations, complex architectural requirements and rising demand linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 developments. With more than 85,000 tonnes of annual extrusion capacity, manufacturing operations on both the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea coasts, and growing investments in green billet production, ALUPCO is navigating new opportunities...
Can recycled aluminium reshape automotive engineering? Gavin Shipley on PIVOT’s 90% CO₂ opportunity
With more than three decades of experience spanning automotive, aerospace and industrial innovation, Gavin Shipley, Technical Director at Sarginsons Industries, has built his career around taking ambitious engineering concepts beyond the drawing board and into scalable, commercially viable production. Today, that philosophy sits at the heart of his work on advanced lightweight aluminium casting, where simulation, digital twin technology, circularity and low-carbon manufacturing are increasingly converging. Shipley is currently leading the APC25 PIVOT programme, working alongside industry and academic partners to develop next-generation structural aluminium casting solutions. At Sarginsons, this includes a world-first capability to virtually crash-test aluminium castings using variable...
Beyond construction, Australia’s aluminium extrusion demand expands across renewables, defence and automation
In this exclusive interview, AL Circle speaks with Gabriel Algar, Founder and Director of Extrut Aluminium Pty Ltd, a Western Australia-based aluminium extrusion manufacturer. The discussion explores the demand drivers of extruded aluminium products in Australia and examines the country’s competitive strengths in manufacturing quality, infrastructure and production capabilities. With a strong passion for manufacturing and innovation, Gabriel is committed to delivering high-quality aluminium extrusion solutions through advanced production technologies, sustainable practices and continuous improvement. His approach reflects the growing potential and resilience of Australia’s aluminium extrusion industry. Conducted as part of AL Circle’s exclusive campaign, “ Aluminium Extrusion Growth...
Will domestic content rules reshape the future of US aluminium extrusion? AEC President weighs in
As the US strengthens domestic manufacturing under clean energy incentives, aluminium extrusion is becoming central to policy debates. In this exclusive interview, Aluminum Extruders Council President Jason Weber discusses domestic content rules, solar manufacturing, trade enforcement, sustainability, regional supply chains and how US aluminium extruders can strengthen competitiveness in the evolving global market. Jason Weber is President of the Aluminum Extruders Council. He has more than 30 years of experience in the aluminium business, including senior sales, marketing, and executive leadership positions with several major extrusion companies. As President of AEC, Jason works closely with industry leaders on workforce development, technical education, trade policy and enforcement,...
USD 11 billion investment is transforming North America’s aluminium landscape
Matt Meenan joined the Aluminum Association in December of 2012 and has served in roles of increasing responsibility managing all aspects of the association’s external communications. As Vice President of External Affairs, Meenan oversees the external affairs department and develops strategies and programmes to promote aluminium, respond to external threats and protect the brand of the association/industry. In this interview for Mine to Market , Meenan highlights how the US aluminium industry is navigating a critical moment of transformation — balancing the need for stronger domestic supply, competitive trade policies and a more resilient recycling ecosystem. From the challenges of rebuilding primary aluminium capacity and securing affordable energy to unlocking the untapped potential of...
Defence, aviation and space growth are a new aluminium demand engine
In this exclusive interview, Kelly Thomas, President & CEO and board member of Vista Metals, shares her perspective on the evolving landscape of speciality aluminium and the factors shaping the future of high-performance materials. A globally recognised executive with over two decades of experience across finance, operations and commercial strategy, Thomas has played a key role in transforming complex industrial operations into high-performing enterprises and now leads Vista Metals’ growth as a critical supplier to aerospace, defence, transportation and industrial sectors. From the growing demand for aerospace-grade aluminium and the challenges of producing highly specialised alloys to supply chain resilience, recycled content and long-term investment strategies, Thomas discusses how...
Part 2: Does every stakeholder in Europe’s aluminium scrap debate fully understand the recycling business model?
In Part 1 of this interview, Stefanie Dixon challenged some of the biggest assumptions shaping Europe's aluminium scrap debate, arguing that recycling policy cannot be built on tonnage figures alone. Stefanie is a strong advocate for evidence-based policymaking and believes that effective regulation must be built on a clear understanding of how the recycling industry actually works. Having worked directly with recyclers, processors, traders and foundries across international markets, she brings a unique value-chain perspective that bridges the gap between policy, manufacturing and the commercial realities of recycling. In this second instalment, the discussion moves beyond the fundamentals to examine the policy, investment and market reforms needed to strengthen Europe's recycling...
Part 1: Does every stakeholder in Europe’s aluminium scrap debate fully understand the recycling business model?
In Part 1 of this exclusive interview with AL Circle, Stefanie Dixon, an international non-ferrous metals trading specialist with nearly two decades of experience in secondary raw materials, explains why aluminium scrap cannot be treated as a single commodity, why market dynamics matter as much as policy ambitions, and how a deeper understanding of alloy chemistry, quality and commercial realities could reshape the debate around Europe's recycling future. Her work focuses on international aluminium scrap markets, recycling economics, commodity trading and the interaction between policy and market dynamics. She is a strong advocate for evidence-based policymaking and believes that effective regulation must be built on a clear understanding of how the recycling industry actually works. AL...
A measure intended to increase the availability of recycled aluminium in Europe could ultimately reduce it, says Julia Ettinger
Europe’s aluminium scrap market is at the centre of a growing debate over whether rising exports are tightening domestic supply or are a result of weak demand from European smelters. In this interview, Julia Ettinger, Secretary General of Recycling Europe, explains the market factors driving scrap exports and the challenges affecting smelter capacity utilisation. She also discusses the possible impact of a proposed export levy on scrap collection, processing and recycling investment, alongside changing aluminium trade flows towards Asian markets and the outlook for Europe’s recycled aluminium sector through 2030. Julia joined Recycling Europe in 2018 and has served as Secretary General since April 2024, leading the association’s work on key regulatory, policy and legal issues affecting...
Salt slag remains one of the most difficult issues for aluminium recyclers to manage today, says Dr Zhongping Que
Europe’s aluminium recycling industry is facing a difficult question: how can increasingly mixed and contaminated scrap be transformed into high-quality alloys without adding more waste, emissions or processing costs? This is what has been addressed by Dr Zhongping Que, an expert in advanced metallurgy and sustainable aluminium recycling, in this interview. She has explained how the CLEANMAT project has brought a viable solution to this through smarter sorting, intelligent pre-treatment, advanced refining and closer control of scrap quality before melting. Her work focuses on alloy design, impurity management and recycling technologies that support a low-carbon, circular metals industry. The discussion explores how next-generation recycling strategies could improve scrap quality, reduce...
From 4.5-micron aluminium foil to mono-material packs: Engineering packaging’s shift
As packaging manufacturers face growing pressure to reconcile performance, recyclability and supply security, integrated manufacturing is emerging as a strategic advantage. Jupiter Group is building across the value chain, spanning aluminium rolling and ultra-thin foil to inks, engraving and flexible packaging. In this conversation with AL Circle, Kunal Bajaj discusses mono-material innovation, precision manufacturing, decarbonisation, backward integration and how India can scale globally competitive packaging solutions without compromising environmental accountability or operational resilience. Bajaj is a second-generation entrepreneur and Promoter at Jupiter Group, where he oversees a diversified manufacturing portfolio spanning flexible packaging, aluminium foils, flat-rolled aluminium...
Stronger collection, sorting and quality standards can enable European aluminium scrap to return to high-value applications
In this exclusive AL Circle interview, Emilio Braghi shares Novelis’ perspective on why aluminium scrap is becoming one of Europe’s most strategic industrial resources and what must change to keep more value within the region. Appointed as Chief Operating Officer in January 2026, Braghi is responsible for driving operational performance across Novelis and advancing excellence in safety, quality and reliability to world-class standards. He also continues to serve as the President of Novelis Europe, a role he has held since September 2016, overseeing 10 manufacturing facilities that produce and recycle aluminium for industries including automotive, aerospace, beverage packaging and construction. With this deep operational view of Europe’s aluminium value chain, Braghi reflects on the forces...
Safeguarding 1.3 Mt of aluminium scrap could enable Europe to reduce primary metal imports by a similar volume
In conversation with Jerome Lucaes regarding aluminium scrap challenges in the European domestic market. In the interview, Mr Lucaes highlighted that if Europe had not exported 1.3 million tonnes of aluminium scrap, it could have cut a similar volume of primary imports. That could reduce Europe’s aluminium carbon footprint by around 17 million tonnes of CO₂ per tonne, according to Lucaes.The conversation also covered the risk of non-inclusion of aluminium scrap within the scope of CBAM, which, according to Lucaes, might leave EU recyclers more than EUR 200 a tonne worse off by 2035. Jerome Lucaes is a senior leader with 35 years of experience, including 25 in the aluminum sector (incl Rio Tinto, RUSAL, Constellium, Arctial), Jerome is an independent advisor driving business...
Indonesia’s aluminium industry must be defined by global credibility, not just production growth
PT Hua Chin Aluminium Indonesia is steadily carving out its space within Indonesia’s fast-growing industrial metals sector, with a strong focus on operational discipline and long-term supply stability. At the core of its operations is a tightly structured procurement system that secures not only primary raw materials but also critical auxiliary inputs essential for smelting efficiency. In this interview, the company highlighted that operational stability is built on a structured procurement framework that secures both primary raw materials and key auxiliary inputs required for smelting. This diversified sourcing strategy is designed to reduce exposure to freight volatility and trade uncertainty, ensuring uninterrupted operations even during external disruptions. A key milestone in its...
The grade of finished products made from recycled aluminium raw materials is improving year by year, says SIMVIC
This exclusive interview with SIMVIC highlights the technical advancements in shredding and sorting. SIMVIC explains iron contamination is the major challenge in scrap recycling. While magnetic separation helps remove iron, aluminium attached to the iron fraction can result in direct aluminium loss. SIMVIC further explains effective recycling solutions must begin with a clear understanding of the customer’s local feedstock conditions. Factors such as lifestyle patterns, waste collection practices and regional material characteristics play a critical role in determining the composition of raw material and the technology required to process it efficiently. According to SIMVIC, the overarching trend in today's recycling market is towards greater refinement. The grade of finished products...
The European aluminium recycling market is currently going through an exciting yet challenging phase with rising demand and scrap outflow
In this interview, as part of the “ Europe Aluminium Recycling Market” , Karl Hoffman, Global Sales Director Metal Recycling of STEINERT, has explained the critical role of sorting and separation in determining the quality of recycled aluminium. According to him, this, in turn, may lead to increased recycling rates of aluminium in Europe. Karl Hoffmann has collected more than 30 years of experience in different positions within the environmental technology industry. Since 2010, Karl has worked for Steinert in Cologne/Germany in different positions. After he joined as Sales Manager, he became Global Key Account Manager and Product Manager for Separation and Sorting Solutions in Metal Recycling. Since the beginning of 2018, he has been responsible for Steinert’s global sales activities in...
