China Sept bauxite imports climb 18.7% M-o-M; elevated freight costs hit non-mainstream imports
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China's total bauxite imports reached 18.33 million tonnes in September 2026, up 18.7 per cent month-on-month and 15.4 per cent year-on-year. Over January-September, cumulative bauxite imports totalled 173.9 million tonnes, up 10.3 per cent year-on-year, with overall imported ore supply remaining at elevated levels. According to Mysteel's data, Chinese alumina producers consumed approximately 128.79 million tonnes of imported ore on a cumulative basis from January to September 2026. Actual imported ore consumption significantly lagged total imports over the same period, indicating that the imported bauxite market remains surplus for now. Among China's bauxite imports in September,...
Technical rebound combined with destocking support; Marginal supply increase limits aluminium price upside
Futures: SHFE aluminium closed at RMB 23,300 per tonne, up 1.44 per cent. Prices broke firmly above MA5 (23,057) and MA10 (23,082), but upside remains capped by MA30 (23,802) and MA60 (23,772), with the overall move representing a strong rebound after oversold conditions. Although the MACD lines (DIF=-265.99, DEA=-229.00) remain below the zero axis, the green bars narrowed sharply to -73.98 (previous day -156.23), indicating a significant decline in bearish momentum and the initial emergence of a technical bullish divergence. Trading volume reached 102,100 lots, reflecting active bottom-fishing. The suggested core trading range for SHFE aluminium is 23,000-23,800. LME aluminium closed at USD 3,037.5 per tonne, up 0.35 per cent. Prices have stabilised above MA5 (3,026.7) and MA10...
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Alba successfully migrates to RISE with SAP Private Edition
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest smelter on one site, announces the successful migration to RISE with SAP Private Cloud Edition (PCE). This milestone, completed in partnership with SAP's Customer Success & Delivery (CS&D) team, advances Alba's digital transformation journey. This strategic move provides Alba with a modern, scalable, and high-performance digital platform. It will enable enhanced functionality, an improved user experience, and powerful analytics, all crucial for navigating the evolving industrial landscape. Commenting on this achievement, Ali Al Baqali, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, stated: “Our migration to Rise with SAP Private Cloud is more than a technological upgrade; it's a strategic leap forward. This advanced digital infrastructure will not...
Crafted with Capral: From stamps to skylines Albert Smith signs story of innovation and identity
What began as a humble Brisbane rubber stamp shop 150 years ago, has grown into one of Australia's most enduring manufacturing success stories. For more than 70 years, Albert Smith Signs has helped shape the identity of the built environment producing signs for the country's biggest brands and landmarks, and exporting to regions as far afield as Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific Islands. At the centre of this story is Rodney Smith, a hands-on CEO with deep roots in the business his family built. " I love making things," he says with a grin. "I still sketch ideas on whiteboards. I build prototypes in my shed. I've always liked solving problems with my hands — and I've never stopped doing that." The company's evolution mirrors the shifts in Australia's industrial landscape — from...
India’s refractory industry at the forefront of rapid economic growth in the region
India's refractory sector is on a transformative growth trajectory, fueled by rapid industrialisation, surging steel production, and an ambitious “Make in India” agenda. At the forefront of this momentum stands Almatis, reinforcing its legacy as a global leader in specialty alumina with its state-of-the-art fully integrated Tabular Alumina plant in Falta, West Bengal. Since its inauguration in 2022 Almatis Falta facility has emerged as a cornerstone in the regional and global supply chain. This locally manufactured tabular alumina delivers unmatched quality, consistency, and just-in-time availability, addressing the evolving needs of India’s steel, cement, and technical ceramics industries. Production in India, for India Almatis' journey in India began in 1995 with a joint venture focused...
ASI certifies Zhejiang Daxia Aluminum Co., Ltd. against Performance Standard V3.1
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Zhejiang Daxia Aluminum Co., Ltd. has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023). The facility produces approximately 8,000 tonnes of aluminium alloy profiles annually, including bright and oxidised coloured profiles. Its production processes include extrusion, polishing, oxidation, waste recycling, and melting. The Certification covers the facility’s operations related to the manufacture of aluminium alloy profiles primarily used in shower rooms and enclosures. The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022)...
Aluminium powers the future: New digital series spotlights UK’s most strategic metal
The UK aluminium sector has been on a rollercoaster in recent months. Following significant concern over punitive US tariffs, the recent UK-US Economic Prosperity Agreement delivered an important reprieve, removing the 25 per cent duty on aluminium and restoring confidence for exporters. ALFED played an active role in championing the sector’s position, and this development only reinforces why a louder, unified voice for British aluminium is needed, both in Westminster and globally. With decarbonisation, resilience, and strategic autonomy at stake, aluminium is no longer a background player, it’s central to the UK’s future economy. As a result, a new digital series launched today, The Element of Choice: A Sustainable Future. It is set to reshape public perception of one of the UK’s most...
Gewinner des etma Tube of the Year Award 2025: Europäische Tubenindustrie zeigt Kreativität und Innovationskraft: Nachhaltige Konzepte, Design for Recycling und faszinierende Ästhetik
Die Preisverleihung des etma Tube of the Year Award 2025 fand im Rahmen der Jahrestagung der European Tube Manufacturers Association (etma) am 21. Mai in Nizza statt. Eine siebenköpfige Jury aus Vertretern von Mitgliedsunternehmen kürte die Sieger in fünf Kategorien: Aluminium-, Kunststoff- und Laminattuben sowie Prototypen und Nachhaltigkeit. Auch in diesem Jahr unterstreicht der etma Award eindrucksvoll die Leistungsfähigkeit, Kreativität und Innovationskraft der europäischen Tubenindustrie. Gewinner bei den Aluminiumtuben ist der österreichische Hersteller TUBEX Aluminium Tubes mit einer Nachfülltube, die für Caudalie entwickelt wurde. Die französische Naturkosmetikmarke hat kürzlich Nachfülllösungen für ihr gesamtes Produktsortiment eingeführt, um ihr Nachhaltigkeitsengagement weiter...
ASI certifies CSMET Group Co., Ltd. against Performance Standard V3
CSMET Group Co., Ltd. has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for the production of aluminium alloy ingots and aluminium alloy liquid, at their CSMET New Material Group Co., Ltd. facility in Jinshan District, Shanghai, China. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that CSMET New Material Group Co., Ltd. has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022). The certified facility produces aluminium alloy ingots and aluminium alloy liquid for domestic component die-casting and host factories. The facility’s annual production capacity is approximately 70,000 tonnes, with production processes including feeding, melting, alloying, degassing, slag removal, ingot casting and transportation. The ASI Certification program was developed through an...
An integrated hub for industrial furnace is born - a strategic step to strengthen operational synergy and offer solutions to the non-ferrous foundry
During our annual conference, we shared an important update: the CIFE headquarters have been moved next to the main headquarters of Foundry Ecocer. This strategic choice will allow us to work in a more direct and synergic way. CIFE, a historic manufacturer of industrial furnaces and systems, is controlled by Foundry Ecocer and represents a fundamental piece that completes our range of solutions for the non-ferrous foundry. Foundry Ecocer boasts one of the most complete range of solutions for the non-ferrous foundry, covering the entire supply chain of aluminum, its alloys, copper alloys, zinc and all non-ferrous metals. The integration of CIFE, a company specialised in the production of industrial furnaces, represents a fundamental strategic step: with this synergy we improve our offer,...
Aluminum Association statement on 50% Section 232 aluminium tariffs
Aluminum Association President & CEO Charles Johnson issued the following statement in response the Trump administration’s decision to increase Section 232 aluminium tariffs from 25 per cent to 50 per cent: “Re-establishing a more level playing field for domestic producers is critical but a Section 232 tariff of 50 per cent threatens to undermine the very industry the administration aims to support. The Aluminum Association, which represents the full industry supply chain and 70 per cent of domestic production, urges the administration to reconsider today's decision given the negative impact it will have on manufacturers. Aluminium and steel are fundamentally different metals with distinct supply chains, market dynamics and strategic challenges. A one-size-fits-all approach to trade...
ASI certifies MinTa Aluminum Technology against Performance Standard V3
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Min Ta Al-Tech (Taicang) Co., Ltd. has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022). The Certification covers processes including aluminium extrusion, processing, deep processing and surface treatment. The facility operates ten aluminium extrusion production lines and produces seamed and seamless aluminium tubes, industrial profiles and aluminium alloy parts for automobiles and electronic machinery as well as medical, sports and transportation equipment. The facility has an annual production capacity of 20,000 tonnes. The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium...
Vedanta Aluminium’s Jamkhani Mine rated 4-Star for sustainable, responsible Production
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has earned a prestigious 4-Star rating from the Ministry of Coal for its Jamkhani coal mine in Sundargarh, Odisha, for the financial year 2023–24. Scoring an impressive 83 out of 100 in the Ministry’s star rating assessment, the mine has emerged as one of the top-performing in the country - within just two years of commencing operations. The Jamkhani mine plays a pivotal role in Vedanta Aluminium’s vision of achieving 100 per cent vertical integration and reducing India’s reliance on coal imports, contributing to the larger goal of a self-reliant, Viksit Bharat. The star rating assessment scheme, introduced by the Ministry of Coal in FY 2019, aims to promote sustainable and responsible mining by evaluating mines across a wide range of...
China bets on IB2 to secure its bauxite future
Amid growing concerns over its reliance on imported bauxite, China is quietly adjusting its industrial strategy. Several major aluminium producers are now turning to IB2, a French technology co-developed by entrepreneur Romain Girbal and chemist Yves Occello, to tap into the country’s vast but underused domestic bauxite reserves. Image Source: Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/romaingirbal/) The shift follows Beijing’s March release of its 2025-2027 roadmap for critical raw materials. One of its stated goals is to reduce reliance on imports, which currently account for more than 60 per cent of China’s bauxite supply, while significantly increasing the use of local ore. Recent permit cancellations in Guinea, China’s top supplier, have only heightened the urgency of this reorientation....
NASA visits Constellium Ravenswood to celebrate Artemis partnership
Constellium is honoured to welcome NASA representatives to its Ravenswood, West Virginia facility today to celebrate their collaboration on the Artemis program — NASA’s bold mission to return humans to the Moon and pave the way for crewed missions to Mars. Image for representational purposes only Constellium plays a vital role in the Artemis program through its contribution to NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, both of which rely on Constellium’s state-of-the-art Airware® aluminium-lithium and advanced conventional alloy solutions. Developed and produced exclusively by Constellium, Airware® combines low density with high-specific stiffness and strength, making it ideally suited for the extreme demands of spaceflight, from liftoff to re-entry. “Constellium is...
Alba signs MoU with NFPA to strengthen fire safety and occupational health measures
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world's largest aluminium smelter on one site, has entered into a strategic partnership with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®), a global self-funded U.S.-based non-profit organization, dedicated to advancing fire prevention and safety on a global scale for nearly 130 years. The signing ceremony took place between Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali and NFPA MENA’s Director of International Business Development Director Eng. Dana Kamal on 12 May 2025, marking the beginning of a three-year strategic collaboration aimed at enhancing knowledge-sharing and exchanging best practices in occupational health, safety, and fire prevention initiatives. Commenting on the partnership, Alba’s CEO Ali Al Baqali stated: “Joining forces with...
ASI certifies Jiangsu Zhongji Lamination Materials Co., Ltd against Chain of Custody Standard V2
Jiangsu Zhongji Lamination Materials Co., Ltd has achieved ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for their Anhui Maximum Aluminium Industries Co., Ltd. facility, located in Anhui, China. The facility attained ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification (Provisional) in March 2025. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Anhui Maximum Aluminium Industries Co., Ltd. has been successfully certified against the ASI CoC Standard V2 (2022). The facility specialises in producing aluminium plate strips through casting, rolling and cold rolling processes, with an annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes. The ASI CoC Standard V2 sets out requirements for the creation of a Chain of Custody for material that is produced and processed through the value...
UK recycling groups celebrated with national awards as over £4,200 raised for local causes
Two recycling groups are celebrating after being recognised in a national awards scheme that champions outstanding recycling efforts. The initiatives, run by LINK19 College in Gravesend, Kent, and The Welfare Park in Parkeston, North East Essex, were named winners of the Green Can Award by not-for-profit organisation, Every Can Counts, in recognition of their achievements after collectively raising more than GBP 4,200 for local causes. Image for referential purposes only (Source: https://everycancounts.co.uk/about-us/) LINK19 College has improved its recycling practices and raised awareness of the importance of protecting the planet, including by installing dedicated aluminium recycling bins for learners and staff, which have collected over 500 kg of cans in the last year alone. The GBP...
ASI certifies Foma S.p.A against Performance Standard V3.1 with provisional status
Foma S.p.A has achieved ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) with Provisional status for the production of aluminium die cast and machined components for the automotive industry at their facilities located in Pralboino, Italy. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Foma S.p.A has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3.1 with Provisional status. The Certification covers the Pralboino site, which serves as the main die casting foundry producing aluminium components for structural, safety and performance applications in the automotive industry. The operations span the full aluminium casting process including mould design, die casting, mechanical machining and final assembly. The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive...
Rio Tinto confirmed as preferred partner on world-class Salares Altoandinos lithium project
Rio Tinto has been confirmed as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos lithium project in the Atacama region of Chile by Empresa Nacional de Minería (ENAMI), a state-owned Chilean mining company. Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm said: “We are honoured to have been selected by ENAMI as the preferred partner for the Salares Altoandinos project, which has the potential to be a world-class lithium development. “We welcome the opportunity to develop our partnership with ENAMI, building on our interests in Nuevo Cobre and Salar de Maricunga, and to support Chile’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of minerals critical to the energy transition.” Under the terms of the proposal, Rio Tinto would acquire an initial 51% stake in the project with ENAMI holding the...
