Algeria has inaugurated a 300-megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant in El Oued Province, marking a major step in its renewable energy expansion. The El-Foulia solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, spread across 600 hectares in northeastern Algeria, is the country’s largest solar park to date and forms part of its 3.2-gigawatt (GW) national renewable energy programme. The project will feed solar-generated electricity into the national grid, helping meet rising power demand while reducing natural gas consumption for electricity generation. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore "ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap" 300 MWp facility strengthens Algeria’s solar capacity The inauguration took place on October 26, 2026, in the presence of...
Singapore is exploring solar photovoltaic (PV) roof tiles that could allow heritage buildings to generate clean electricity without compromising their traditional appearance, as the Energy Market Authority (EMA) steps up efforts to advance solar technologies through partnerships with public and private sector organisations. EMA will collaborate with Swiss technology innovation centre CSEM and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) to pilot the use of solar PV roof tiles on heritage State buildings. Designed to resemble traditional clay roof tiles, the technology could enable more roof space to generate clean electricity while preserving the overall appearance of historic properties. Traditional clay-tile roofs are an integral part of the character of Singapore’s heritage precincts....
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It has been over a month since we released our special magazine, “ Women in Aluminium: Real Stories. Real Shifts ”, where women working in the aluminium industry across roles and domains have come together and shared their stories. Be it navigating the industry upon entering or thriving through the challenges, they have done it all. The participants not only talked about their challenges, but also shared the projects and milestones that shaped their journey while maintaining both their professional and personal lives. In the debut edition, the esteemed participants include Angelica Papageorgiou from Allumforce; Muna Abdullah Mohammed Al Nofali from Sohar Aluminium; Véronique Dufour from EPIQ Machinery; Carla Vierhout from Gouda Refractories BV; Dr Yashuang Gao (Song) from EnPot; Julie...
The US is stepping up efforts to reshape how critical minerals are sourced, with its top trade official signalling that allies may have to accept higher prices if they want more secure supply chains. Jamieson Greer has told partner countries that reliance on low-cost imports has contributed to the West’s dependence on China, particularly in areas like rare earths. In conversations with allies, he has argued that a shift away from that model will come with added costs, something he described as a “national security premium”. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" The idea being discussed goes beyond just sourcing changes. Washington is looking at forming a group of like-minded countries, including parts of...
Battery recycler NavPrakriti is setting up a greenfield critical minerals refining unit in Odisha with an investment of over INR 1000 million (USD 10.66 million), aiming to bring it onstream by FY29. Backed by its selection under the National Critical Mineral Mission, the plant will recover cobalt, nickel and lithium from end-of-life batteries. It is planned to handle about 5,000 tonnes a year, targeting high-purity output of critical and rare earth materials to support domestic supply and cut import dependence. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " Started in 2024 by Akhilesh Bagaria and Avnish Bagaria, the company already operates a lithium-ion recycling facility in Serampore, West Bengal, with 12,000...
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers have developed a method to convert polyethylene plastic waste into fuel at temperatures below 200°C. The process uses a molten salt solution containing aluminium chloride. It breaks down plastic into smaller molecules that can be used as fuel. Around 60 per cent of the output is similar to gasoline, making it suitable for transport and industrial use. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " This approach uses much lower temperatures than existing methods. Most conventional processes require 450 to 500°C. The lower temperature reduces energy use and may make the process easier to scale for industrial use. The method focuses on polyethylene. This plastic is widely used...
Critical Metals Corp. has appointed Thomas “TYT” Mogensen as Chief Executive Officer of its subsidiary, Tanbreez Mining A/S. Mogensen has over 20 years of experience in finance, infrastructure, and natural resources, with a focus on Greenland and the Nordic region. He has worked on business development, financial restructuring, and large-scale project execution. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " He most recently served as Managing Director of Nalik Ventures A/S, a business development company owned by the Government of Greenland. During his tenure, the company moved from a DKK 88 million (USD 13.8 million) loss to a DKK 28 million (USD 4.4 million) profit. He also led a restructuring process, including a...
USA Rare Earth is moving ahead with the acquisition of Serra Verde Group in a deal that comes out to roughly USD 2.8 billion based on the current share price. The structure is a mix, about USD 300 million in cash, with the rest coming through newly issued shares. The timeline, for now, points to closing sometime in the third quarter of 2026, assuming regulatory clearances go through. Serra Verde is not a long-running mine, its production only started in 2024, but it’s already being positioned as one of the few sources outside Asia that can supply all the key magnetic rare earths at scale. That includes Nd, Pr, Dy and Tb, along with yttrium. There’s also a long-term offtake piece tied to it. A vehicle backed by US government-linked funding and private capital has signed on for 15 years,...
Despite expected pressure, Vedanta Limited shares have reported remarkable gains despite the unfortunate boiler tube explosion at a Vedanta Limited thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district on April 14, which caused the demise of 24 workers and injured about 12. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain On April 13, the Vedanta stocks closed at INR 752.55 per share. The explosion of a steel tube carrying high-pressure steam from the boiler to the turbine at the Vedanta Limited power plant, the Unit-1 boiler of its Athena Power plant in Singhitarai, Chhattisgarh, on April 14, created the possibility for the company’s share price fluctuation. Interestingly, on April 15, the market saw a new...
An agreement has been reached among the Finance Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) nations to increase the pace of critical minerals supply chain diversification in order to break free from the Chinese hegemony over the market. Held on Friday, in Washington, the G7 meeting agenda was to address the growing concerns over China’s dominance in critical minerals, including rare earth elements , focusing on securing supply chains and exploring coordinated strategies, including incentives to boost alternative sources. Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain The discussion was held among core partner economies and senior officials of the group, viz., Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US....
Competition Commission of India has dismissed a complaint accusing Adani Group and others of rigging a major solar tender, saying there was no evidence to support the claims. The case was linked to a 2019 tender issued by Solar Energy Corporation of India for setting up 7 GW of solar capacity along with 2 GW of manufacturing. The idea was to push domestic production by tying project awards to factory commitments. Adani Green Energy and Azure Power ended up as the main winners. Adani secured capacity linked to 2 GW of manufacturing and 8 GW of solar projects, while Azure got 1 GW manufacturing and 4 GW solar. The complaint argued the rules favoured large companies and made it harder for smaller players to compete. It also flagged the greenshoe option, saying it allowed extra capacity to be...
CleanPeak Energy has taken full ownership of Sustainable Energy Infrastructure, adding a mix of smaller-scale solar and battery projects to its portfolio across multiple Australian states. SEI mainly focuses on projects under 5 MW, but together they add up. The deal brings in about 71 MWac of solar capacity across 16 sites and another 42 MW of battery storage spread over 11 locations, covering New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. The move is part of CleanPeak’s plan over the next few years, roughly a three to five year window, where it’s trying to scale up its “in-front-of-the-meter” operations. Basically, power that goes straight into the grid or to customers, not just behind-the-meter setups. The company is also looking to strengthen its retail energy side through this. For...
India has launched an Approved List of Battery Manufacturers (ALBM) with the aim to establish a national battery ecosystem. The goal is to boost domestic battery production so that reliance on China can be reduced. In addition to promoting the goal of energy storage projects supported by government funding, ALBM will also encourage the use of locally manufactured batteries and strengthen the national energy self-reliance and industrial capabilities. This new initiative follows the existing solar sector strategy, where approved vendor lists help in ensuring stable demand for domestic producers. With China accounting for nearly 85 per cent of global battery cell manufacturing and a dominant share in critical mineral processing, India’s strategy aims to reduce external dependence. For the...
Leonardo Durans, a top official at the country’s industry ministry, mentioned during a press conference with international media that while Brazil is still welcoming foreign investment, its approach has changed. There’s now a clear expectation that all partners will focus on developing local technology and creating jobs. Given the rising exploration for rare earth elements, Brazil is now moving to enter into a foreign partnership for processing rare earth minerals domestically due to the need for reserve access. As informed by a senior government official, this move comes as an answer to the growing competition between the Chinese and Western companies, who are deemed to be highly reliant on exporting the raw form of these resources. Leonardo Durans on Brazil's new rare earth strategy In...
SAGA Metals Corp. has entered into an agreement to acquire the Wolverine rare earth project in Labrador from Catalyst Rare Metals Ltd., a deal that would give it full ownership of the asset. The project is about 50 km from Hopedale and covers a bit over 230 sq. km. Access is by air mostly, then helicopter. Not unusual for that region. The company has been adding different minerals to its portfolio over the past year, lithium, uranium, vanadium, and this one adds rare earths. CEO Mike Stier said it fits into supply chain needs for energy and defence, which is the usual angle companies are taking right now. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026" Geology is tied to the Flowers River Igneous Suite. Same broader...
At least nine people are feared dead and between 30 to 40 others have been reported injured following a boiler explosion at a power plant operated by Vedanta Limited in Chhattisgarh’s Sakti district on Tuesday. The incident occurred around 2 pm at the plant located in Singhitarai village, where a blast is believed to have originated in a boiler tube unit. Police officials said several workers may still be trapped inside, prompting an ongoing rescue operation. Emergency teams, including local administration and police, rushed to the site soon after the explosion. Authorities have instructed that boiler operations be halted to allow the system to cool, enabling safer access for rescue personnel. In a statement, the Vedanta power plant spokesperson said, “An unfortunate incident occurred at...
Namibia Critical Metals has appointed Niels Verbaan as Vice President of Metallurgy to lead technical work on its Lofdal rare earth project in Namibia. Verbaan has more than 25 years of experience in metallurgical process development, especially in rare earth elements. He has worked on several global projects and most recently served as Senior Director at SGS Lakefield. He is expected to join Namibia Critical Metals in May. For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " In his new role, he will oversee metallurgical testing, process design, pilot programmes, and overall process improvement for the Lofdal project. His work will focus on improving the recovery of key heavy rare earth elements such as dysprosium and...
India’s power equipment sector is moving into a multi-year growth phase, driven largely by the country’s expanding renewable energy pipeline and rising investments in transmission infrastructure, according to a report by JPMorgan Chase. The report points out that manufacturers of high-voltage (HV) equipment are moving through a long-term upcycle, as grid expansion keeps pace with a sharp rise in renewable capacity. At the centre of this is India’s plan to add 470 GW of solar and wind capacity over the next decade. The report highlights that large-scale transmission projects typically take three to five years to complete, providing strong multi-year revenue visibility for HV original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), even if renewable project commissioning timelines fluctuate. For the global...
China has become a major driver of renewable energy growth after years of investment and new technology. Even as global oil markets face uncertainty, the country’s green energy sector continues to expand. Renewable energy is no longer just a backup. It is now being used as a main power source in industries and new sectors like data centres and artificial intelligence (AI). For the global aluminium value-chain 2026 outlook, book our exclusive report “ Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 " In Inner Mongolia, wind and solar resources are widely used. The region holds about 57 per cent of China’s wind and 21 per cent of its solar potential. In the city of Holingol, aluminium production once depended on coal power; today, it uses wind energy managed through modern grid systems. In 2025,...
China Northern Rare Earth Group has raised its benchmark price for rare earth concentrate in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, indicating a notable shift in cost dynamics for upstream producers. The new benchmark stands at RMB 38,804 per tonne (approximately USD 5,390) for the material containing 50 per cent rare earth oxide (REO). Explore- Most accurate data to drive business decisions with Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2026 across the value chain Sulphuric acid, used in the leaching and separating of rare earth elements, has turned into a bottleneck. China’s plan to restrict sulphuric acid exports from May is expected to further tighten availability in global markets. The price revision represents a staggering increase of 44.6 per cent compared to the previous quarter and is more...
