Power cost of EUR 600 vs EUR 1,800 per tonne: How electricity prices are reshaping Europe’s aluminium industry (Part 1)
How much does it really cost to produce aluminium in Europe, and can the region’s smelters compete with producers in the US and China? Beyond electricity prices, the economics of primary and recycled aluminium, industrial electrification and changing automotive demand are shaping the future of Europe’s aluminium industry. In this exclusive interview with AL Circle, Dr Martin Iffert, Founder and CEO of Martin Iffert Consulting, examines these challenges, discussing smelter economics, recycling competitiveness and the outlook for Europe’s 2040 electrification vision. He also shares his views on Germany’s production landscape and the investments needed to improve productivity and strengthen the aluminium value chain. Dr Iffert brings over 30 years of industry experience. He served as CEO of...
Inside Novelis’ 2030 strategy: Aligning scrap supply, recycling investment and new opportunities in aluminium markets
The AL Circle team caught up with Michael Hahne, Vice President Commercial, Novelis Europe, for a conversation at ALUMINIUM 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany. With experience across the company’s automotive and beverage can businesses, Hahne brings a commercial perspective to the evolving relationship between aluminium, customer needs and circularity. In this exclusive interview, Hahne explains why aluminium’s next growth chapter will depend on more than expanding production. Securing scrap, closing material loops and turning metallurgical expertise into new customer solutions are becoming central to the industry’s competitiveness. As automotive lightweighting, battery applications and circularity reshape demand, he discusses the strategies behind Novelis’ global footprint and the challenges of...
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AL Circle x Bharath Rao: Inside Emobi’s frugal EV strategy powering India’s last-mile mobility transition
Bharath Krishna Rao Potluri is a renewable energy–led entrepreneur with deep experience across power generation, energy storage and electric mobility. Having scaled wind and solar assets in India and now leading Emobi, he brings a systems-level understanding of energy, manufacturing and EV adoption. His leadership blends frugal engineering, localised manufacturing and data-driven decision-making to accelerate sustainable mobility at scale. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Rao explored through Emobi’s role in India’s fast-growing EV two-wheeler and last-mile delivery market, highlighting frugal engineering, microfactory-led manufacturing, battery flexibility and cost-efficient fleet economics. It also examines policy impact, TCO...
AL Circle X Göksal Güngör from EAFA Roller Group: “Packaging will continue to be the primary driver of demand for aluminium foil in Europe”
In conversation with Göksal Güngör, the newly elected Chair of the Roller Group at the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA), wherein the industry veteran outlines a clear roadmap for the Association’s next phase. Güngör, who also serves as General Manager of Assan Alüminyum , emphasises innovation and sustainability as his top priorities in the new role. In this interview, he has shared his aluminium foil market projection for 2026, while highlighting the key sectors that he expects to drive the trajectory in Europe. AL Circle: As the newly elected chair of the European Aluminium Foil Association, what will be your first priority in steering the continent’s foil industry toward its next phase of growth? Göksal Güngör: As the newly elected Chair of the Roller Group within the...
AL Circle x Rafael Aun Ming: A deep dive into clean energy beverages, aluminium packaging, and circular global growth
Rafael Aun Ming, Founder and Chairman of Açaí Motion Group, is a visionary entrepreneur scaling an authentic Brazilian functional beverage brand across 60+ countries. A strong advocate of sustainability, ethical sourcing and the circular economy, he pioneered the use of ASI-certified aluminium cans in Brazil, aligning business growth with environmental responsibility. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Ming shared how Açaí Motion is redefining the energy drink category through clean-label formulations, advanced aluminium packaging, circular economy practices, decentralised production and global market expansion driven by wellness-focused consumers. AL Circle: You’ve differentiated the brand with “no synthetic caffeine, no taurine”...
AL Circle x Patrice L’HUILLIER from Nimba Mining: "We are targeting China and India, which are the major bauxite consumers for alumina production”
Patrice L’HUILLIER is a seasoned mining & metals executive with more than 30 years’ global experience in project development & operations across the resources sector. He has led development, and operation of projects in France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Africa and Canada, with expertise across a range of commodities including bauxite, aluminum, iron ore, copper, cobalt and manganese. As COO of multiple publicly listed companies over the past two decades, Mr L’Huillier has extensive experience of operations management covering exploration, mining, metallurgy, and putting several greenfield projects into production. Patrice L’Huillier has graduated from Ecole Nationale des Ponts & Chaussées, Paris, France. AL Circle: Nimba Mining Company has made an impressive debut, shipping 200,000...
AL Circle x Benjamin Pope from Sortera: “Scrap is necessary to support a competitive aluminium market”
Benjamin Pope’s career spans over 20 years in the metals industry, with a concentration in non-ferrous materials, primarily aluminium. His experience encompasses the full spectrum of aluminium products, including billet, flat-roll, secondary ingot, and various scrap streams, all within the context of supporting the automotive industry. This hands-on experience in the buying and selling of aluminium has given him a deep understanding of the industry’s processes and a robust network, enabling him to introduce and implement new technologies aimed at improving aluminium circularity. AL Circle: Looking back at 2025, how would you characterise the aluminium recycling landscape and its defining trends? In what ways has the industry transformed amid rapid technological breakthroughs? Benjamin...
AL Circle x Edgardo Gelsomino from Wood Mackenzie: “I am afraid aluminium supply in the coming years is not going to get greener”
Edgardo Gelsomino has been a Subject Matter Expert in aluminium at Wood Mackenzie since 2010. Before joining Wood Mackenzie, Edgardo worked for an aluminium producer other leading London-based research and consulting firms. His work has spanned the entire aluminium value chain, including carbon products and power, delivering both research studies and consulting assignments. In an interview with AL Circle, he has shared his valuable opinion on future aluminium prices, supply chain in the near-term, impact of China’s 45-million-tonne cap on the global industry, and CBAM implications. Read the interview below to get key insights into the near-term aluminium industry dynamics. AL Circle: Aluminium prices touched USD2,900/t in early November 2025, and after a short-lived correction, they...
AL Circle x Avneet Singh: India’s beer market evolution, packaging shifts and Medusa’s strategic growth approach form the interview’s core
Avneet Singh, Founder & CEO of Medusa Beverages, has rapidly scaled the brand since 2018 through strategic innovation, portfolio expansion, and strong distribution growth. His leadership blends sharp market understanding with a focus on product freshness, brand identity and sustainable long-term momentum. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Singh walked through India’s shifting beer landscape, rising demand for lighter formats and the growing role of aluminium packaging. It highlights Medusa’s market strategy across formats, cost management, regulatory navigation and its push toward premiumisation, operational efficiency and future-ready sustainability. AL Circle: How would you describe the current size and growth rate of India’s...
AL Circle x Mario Conserva: European aluminium demand, policies, pricing and downstream priorities decoded through insights from FACE’s leadership
Mario Conserva, Secretary General of FACE and a veteran with over six decades in the aluminium industry, brings unmatched expertise as founder of METEF, leader of A&L Alluminio e Leghe, and a pioneering contributor with 800+ technical works. Recognised by the IAI as one of the 50 most influential global aluminium figures, he continues to shape policy, innovation and downstream competitiveness across Europe. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Conserva talked about Europe’s shifting aluminium landscape, covering inflation-led demand changes, pricing volatility, downstream supply pressures, mobility-driven consumption, scrap and duty policies, CBAM implications and FACE’s role in strengthening SME competitiveness and securing stable...
AL Circle x Giorgio Di Betta: EURAL’s 6026LF sets a new benchmark in sustainable alloy performance and industry adoption
Giorgio Di Betta, the Commercial Director of Eural Gnutti’s Bars Division, leads the company’s global alloy strategy with deep expertise in extrusion standards and industry governance. Serving key roles across European Aluminium committees, he drives standardisation, quality excellence and the advancement of high-performance, lead-free alloys. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Betta shared insights on EURAL’s sustainable production of Alloy 6026LF, its high recycled content, superior mechanical performance, and rising adoption across automotive, packaging, and electronics sectors. It highlights how the alloy supports circular economy goals while offering manufacturers stronger, machinable, low-carbon alternatives. AL Circle: EURAL...
AL Circle x Violeta Pisin: Insights on EngView’s digital measurement technologies advancing precision and quality in aluminium extrusion
Violeta Pisin, Product Manager at EngView Systems, leads the Scan Fit & Measure (SFM) solution with over a decade of expertise in high-precision metrology for the extrusion sector. She has been instrumental in advancing automated inspection, data integration, and MDC-driven traceability for aluminium, PVC, and rubber profile manufacturers. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: ALuminium's Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Violeta Pisin talks about how EngView’s SFM and mCaliper solutions digitalise quality control, automate inspection, enhance dimensional accuracy, and provide complete data traceability. It explores how real-time analytics, workflow integration, and AI-driven measurement optimisation help extrusion plants boost efficiency, reduce waste, and strengthen operational...
AL Circle x Mayank Jain: On India’s evolving Façade market and VIVA’s foray into 0.7 mm aluminium Louvre & Baffles
Mayank Jain, the Director of VIVA ACP, holds a total experience of 6 years within the organisation. He focuses mainly on driving innovation in the future of façade architecture. His vision is to expand Viva ACP’s footprint to more than 100 countries in the coming time. He focuses on embedding both innovative ideas and sustainability for the entire global façade industry to shape iconic skylines. Jain, through an interview with AL Circle, shares his views on India’s evolving façade market as the best place for VIVA to enter the market, which supports performance, sustainability, and integrated design solutions. He believes VIVA’s entry into louvres and baffles aligns perfectly with the present demand of façade architecture in the market. He mainly emphasises the quality, durability,...
AL Circle x Stefan Welker: Insights on how precision-led quality control is reshaping aluminium packaging performance and sustainability
Stefan Welker, Strategic Segment Manager for Rigid Packaging at Industrial Physics, brings deep technical expertise in aluminium packaging, quality assurance and process optimisation. He leads advancements in digitalisation, automation and precision testing across rigid and flexible formats, enabling manufacturers to enhance efficiency, lightweight safely and maintain regulatory-grade performance. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: Aluminium’s Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Welker explores how aluminium packaging manufacturers can elevate quality control from a compliance task to a strategic lever for sustainability, material efficiency and competitiveness. It covers market demand trends, sector-wise growth outlook, the impact of tariffs, digitalisation of testing systems...
AL Circle x Mike Kelley: Strategic partnerships, innovation and sustainability shaping aluminium packaging and consumer engagement
Michael J. Kelley, Senior Director of Global Strategic Partnerships at Ball Corporation, leads the company’s global sports and entertainment collaborations, driving award-winning marketing programmes with major teams such as Arsenal FC, the LA Rams, Denver Nuggets, and Colorado Avalanche. With nearly two decades in sports marketing, he specialises in building community-driven, high-impact campaigns that connect brands with passionate audiences. In an interview for “ End-user Revolution: Aluminium’s Impact on Modern Living ” e-Magazine, Kelley discusses how Ball Corporation leverages strategic partnerships to accelerate aluminium can adoption, build consumer awareness, and strengthen sustainability behaviours. Kelley discusses fan-engagement initiatives like “Aluminum Assists,” the...
AL Circle x Dr Garrett Boudinot: A deep dive into Vycarb’s water-based carbon capture and its impact on aluminium decarbonisation
Dr. Garrett Boudinot, the CEO and Founder of Vycarb, is a climate scientist and carbon chemist pioneering water-based carbon capture and permanent CO₂ storage. With a research background in ocean carbon cycles and carbon removal at Cornell University, he brings strong scientific, technical and industry expertise to scaling innovative CCS solutions for hard-to-abate sectors. In an interview for “ Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium's Dual Commitment ” e-Magazine, Boudinot explores how Vycarb’s full-stack, water-driven carbon capture technology offers a low-purity CO₂ solution tailored for aluminium’s complex value chain. He further highlights deployment opportunities across smelting, refining and maritime logistics, along with insights on decarbonisation challenges, adoption barriers,...
AL Circle x Otavio Augusto Rezende Carvalheira: Insights on Brazil’s aluminium recycling leadership, circularity systems and global scrap market dynamics
Otavio Augusto Rezende Carvalheira is a veteran metals industry leader with 35+ years in global aluminium operations. As former President of Alcoa Brazil and current Senior Advisor to AL Circle and Boston Consulting Group (BCG), he brings deep expertise in recycling systems, industrial strategy and circular value chains across major markets. In an interview for “ Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium's Dual Commitment ” e-Magazine, Otavio provided some great insights into Brazil’s world-leading aluminium can recycling model, the critical role of waste pickers, industrial investments, reverse logistics, scrap retention policies, and the projected surge in scrap demand by 2030. It also examines how global mechanisms like CBAM are reshaping recycling competitiveness and secondary aluminium...
AL Circle x Tom Giddings: Alupro’s strategic approach to boosting aluminium recycling rates and achieving packaging circularity in the UK
Tom Giddings, Executive Director of Alupro, leads the UK aluminium packaging industry’s initiatives to enhance recycling rates, reduce carbon emissions and promote circularity. Under his leadership, Alupro continues to pioneer national awareness programs and policy collaborations that align stakeholders toward sustainable aluminium use. In an interview for “ Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium's Dual Commitment ” e-Magazine, Giddings delved into Alupro’s nationwide efforts to boost aluminium packaging recycling, overcome behavioural barriers and drive sustainability through Deposit Return Schemes (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). It also explores the organisation’s initiatives for carbon reduction, stakeholder collaboration and the growing role of recycled aluminium in...
AL Circle x Benjamin Pope: Advancing alloy-level aluminium scrap sorting for a sustainable circular economy
Benjamin Pope, Senior VP of Operations and Commercial Development at Sortera Technologies, brings over two decades of expertise in non-ferrous metals, especially aluminium. With a deep understanding of aluminium processes and markets, he drives innovations that enhance recycling efficiency and promote aluminium circularity. In an interview for “ Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium's Dual Commitment ” e-Magazine, Pope delves into how Sortera Technologies is revolutionising aluminium recycling through advanced, AI-driven sorting systems capable of identifying alloys at the end-of-life stage. It highlights the growing importance of precise sortation in boosting scrap utilisation, reducing carbon emissions and supporting sustainability goals across the aluminium value chain. AL Circle: With...
AL Circle x Karl Hoffmann: Advanced sorting technologies driving aluminium recycling efficiency and sustainability
Karl Hoffmann, Global Sales Director at STEINERT GmbH, Germany, brings over 30 years of experience in environmental technology. Leading the company’s global Metal Recycling Division since 2018, he spearheads innovation in sensor-based sorting systems that enable recyclers to achieve superior aluminium recovery and quality. In an interview for “ Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium's Dual Commitment ” e-Magazine, Hoffmann delved into the pivotal role of sorting in enhancing aluminium recycling efficiency, product quality and sustainability. He further highlights STEINERT’s advancements in digitalisation, automation and alloy-specific sorting technologies, underscoring their growing importance in achieving global decarbonisation and circular economy goals. AL Circle: What role does sorting...
