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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Quaker Houghton has strengthened its position in the aerospace manufacturing sector by securing Boeing BAC 5008 approval for its Hocut 4260 metalworking coolant, expanding its portfolio of certified solutions for machining aluminium alloys and other high-performance aerospace materials. The approval reinforces the product’s suitability for critical aerospace production, where manufacturers require high-performance coolant technologies that improve machining efficiency, extend tool life and comply with stringent environmental standards. Jonathan Dilley, Global Director of Aerospace and Defence at Quaker Houghton, stated, “Earning Boeing’s BAC 5008 approval is a significant milestone for Hocut 4260 and a testament to the fluid’s consistent performance in the most demanding aerospace...
Former industrial sites across Kentucky, including an aluminium smelter, are being repurposed as hyperscale data centres as developers seek locations with existing high-capacity power infrastructure to support artificial intelligence (AI) projects. One of the most prominent examples is the former Century Aluminum smelter in Hancock County, which stopped production in 2022 after more than 50 years of operation because of high electricity costs. The closure resulted in the loss of more than 600 jobs, but the site's 482 MW grid connection capacity remained intact. That existing power capacity has now attracted hyperscale data centre developer TeraWulf, which acquired the property earlier this year. The company plans to convert the former aluminium smelter into a 482 MW AI-focused data...
Global fuel markets have become significantly tighter than crude oil markets as refining capacity, rather than crude supply, emerges as the primary constraint following the Middle East conflict, driving refining margins to record highs and boosting earnings for the world's largest oil companies. While crude oil flows have faced disruption through the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran conflict, analysts said shortages of refined products such as diesel, gasoline and jet fuel have become more acute, creating one of the strongest refining markets since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The tightening fuel market has benefited major refiners including Shell, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil and Chevron, all of which reported some of their strongest quarterly earnings in recent years, supported by...
Europe's efforts to reduce its dependence on imported critical minerals gathered momentum after METLEN Energy & Metals signed a long-term agreement to supply a leading US technology company with approximately 25 per cent of the annual gallium output expected from its planned production facility in Greece. The agreement also highlights the growing strategic importance of Europe's aluminium value chain. Gallium is commercially recovered during alumina refining from bauxite rather than mined directly, making integrated aluminium operations central to global gallium supply. According to METLEN, the agreement is the first major commercial gallium supply deal between a European producer and a US technology company. Europe looks beyond China for gallium The deal comes as European countries...
Malaysia is considering easing its restrictions on exports of unprocessed rare earths as global competition for critical minerals intensifies, with the government assessing whether conditional exports could strengthen the country's position in the international supply chain while continuing to promote domestic value addition. The Southeast Asian nation imposed a moratorium on exports of raw rare earths in 2024 to encourage greater investment in local processing. However, growing interest from countries including the United States, Australia, France and India has prompted authorities to review whether limited exports should be allowed under specific conditions. Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Syed Ibrahim Syed Noh said the government is evaluating the...
Vedanta Aluminium veteran Rajiv Kumar has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Jindal Steel after completing a successful stint as Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Aluminium. Kumar, who brings more than three decades of experience in the metals and mining industry, will now oversee the company’s manufacturing and mining operations. In Vedanta Aluminium, Kumar served as Chief Executive Officer and played a key role in driving production capacity expansion, improving operational efficiency and advancing the company’s long-term growth strategy. His background includes extensive experience in large-scale aluminium manufacturing, operational excellence and business leadership. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore " ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation,...
India's electricity mix underwent a notable shift in July as record renewable energy generation reduced coal's share of power production to its lowest level in a year, even as overall electricity demand continued to climb. Government data showed renewable energy generated 36.25 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) during the month, marking a 30 per cent increase from July last year and raising its share in the country's power mix to 20 per cent. At the same time, coal's contribution declined to 65.7 per cent from 69 per cent in June, according to Reuters calculations based on daily data from Grid-India. The changing generation pattern coincided with a rise in overall electricity production, which increased 10.4 per cent year on year to 181.79 billion kWh in July. Solar and wind drive the demand...
Vedanta Ltd has appointed Hindustan Zinc Chief Executive Officer Arun Misra as its new Chief Executive Officer for a one-year term beginning August 1, as the diversified mining company reported a 72 per cent year-on-year increase in consolidated net profit for the June quarter, supported by higher metal prices across its key businesses. Misra, who currently heads Hindustan Zinc, will step down from that role to lead Vedanta following the board's approval of his appointment. The strong quarterly performance follows similar earnings growth across Vedanta Group companies. Hindustan Zinc recently reported more than a twofold increase in quarterly profit, while Vedanta Aluminium reported more than a threefold rise in profit for the June quarter, supported by higher aluminium prices. To learn...
An environmental advocacy group has raised questions about Alcoa Corporation's planned gallium production project in Western Australia, citing concerns over the proposed expansion of mining activities and the suitability of the region's bauxite resources for gallium extraction following the project's final investment decision. The comments were made by the Jarrahdale Forest Protectors (JFP) after Australia, Japan and the United States, together with Alcoa, confirmed plans to establish a gallium production facility at the company's Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia. According to the organisation, expanding gallium production from the region could result in additional mining activity across the Northern Jarrah Forest and the Darling Range if legislative changes are introduced to...
Europe's efforts to build an alternative supply chain for critical raw materials have taken another step forward after Metlen signed a landmark long-term agreement to supply a leading US technology company with approximately 25 per cent of the annual gallium output from its planned production facility in Greece. The agreement, described by Metlen as the first major commercial gallium supply agreement between a European producer and a leading US technology company, will draw material from the company's planned Greek facility, which is expected to produce 50 tonnes of gallium annually from 2028. Gallium forms alloys with metals including aluminium, gold and silver, making it an essential raw material for artificial intelligence, semiconductors, advanced renewable energy infrastructure,...
Vedanta Aluminium has expanded its assistive support initiative across Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts in Odisha, extending accessibility support to people with disabilities and elderly residents as part of its wider community development programme. The latest phase of the initiative covered Jamkhani, Girisima, Jharpalam, R&R Colony Mendra, Garjanjore, Bileimunda, Chhatabar and Ghogharpalli, where 19 wheelchairs were distributed to identified beneficiaries. Similar support had previously been provided in Kuraloi. 49 beneficiaries supported With the latest distribution, 49 beneficiaries have now received wheelchairs and hearing aids aimed at improving mobility, accessibility and participation in everyday life. Vedanta Aluminium Coal Mines CEO Amaresh Kumar said the initiative reflects...
Paradeep Phosphates Limited (PPL) is planning to invest INR 2.5 billion (USD 26.18 million) in the set-up of a greenfield aluminium fluoride (AlF₃) plant at its Paradeep complex worth. The project’s approval marks the company’s entry into industrial chemicals while strengthening value addition from existing operations. The new facility, with a projected annual production capacity of 15,000 tonnes, will utilise hydrofluorosilicic acid (HFSA), a by-product generated during phosphoric acid production, to manufacture aluminium fluoride, a critical raw material used in aluminium smelting. To learn about the market potential of aluminium dross, explore “ ALuminium Dross Processing: Generation, Recovery & Strategic Roadmap ” By converting a low-value by-product into a high-value industrial...
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has warned that escalating tensions involving Iran are increasing risks to global energy security, with concerns centred on potential disruptions to key oil transit routes and critical energy infrastructure across the Middle East. According to the agency, the deteriorating geopolitical situation has heightened uncertainty in international oil markets, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, two of the world's most strategically important maritime chokepoints for crude oil and refined petroleum shipments. Any sustained disruption to these corridors could significantly impede global energy trade. Despite the heightened risks, the oil market has so far demonstrated resilience, supported by alternative supply channels and...
Canadian climate technology company Enervoxa is planning to establish a commercial-scale rare earth processing plant in India that would recover critical minerals from red mud, the aluminium waste residue generated during alumina refining. The company is exploring partnerships with Vedanta Aluminium, Hindalco Industries and state-run National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) for the project. According to Vandit Verma, Enervoxa Chief Executive Officer, the proposed facility would require an investment worth USD 250 million to USD 350 million, developed in eastern India, through a mix of strategic equity and project financing. To know the futuristic market and value proposition of red mud, explore the report A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource...
China's solar power installations declined sharply in the first half of 2026 after record additions a year earlier, as the market adjusted to changes in the country's renewable energy pricing mechanism. According to an analysis by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association based on official data, China installed 72.07 GW of new solar capacity during January-June 2026, down 66 per cent from 212.21 GW in the same period of 2025. In June, new installations stood at 12.48 GW, a decline of 13.1 per cent year-on-year. The decline follows the unusually high installation levels recorded in early 2025, when developers rushed to connect projects before June 1, the date on which new wind and solar projects shifted from fixed feed-in tariffs to market-based electricity pricing. May 2025 alone...
Carbon and graphite products are essential components in aluminium smelting, ironmaking and several metallurgical processes. Among the companies serving these industries is Tokai COBEX, a Germany-headquartered manufacturer with production facilities in Poland and France and a sales and technical service office in China. The company's portfolio includes cathode blocks for aluminium electrolysis cells, blast furnace (used for the production of pig iron) linings, carbon electrodes, Söderberg paste and speciality graphite products. These materials are designed for applications requiring high electrical and thermal conductivity, resistance to heat and corrosion, and long operational life. For the aluminium industry, Tokai COBEX supplies a complete cathode product range, including amorphous,...
Construction work on Arctic LNG 2, Russia's flagship liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, is expected to restart after two heavy-load vessels delivered Chinese-made modules to the LNG Construction Centre in Belokamenka on the Kola Peninsula. The carriers completed a journey of nearly three months from Lusi Port in eastern China. After passing the North Cape in the Barents Sea on 16 July, the vessels anchored near the Rybachii Peninsula before entering Kola Bay two days later. During the voyage, both ships listed Kirkenes, Norway, as their destination, although their cargo was bound for the sanctioned construction facility in Belokamenka. One of the vessels, Bright Ocean (IMO 9830769), is itself subject to sanctions. Previously known as Hunter Star, the carrier transported similar cargo to...
China's appetite for liquefied natural gas (LNG) strengthened in June, with imports rising for a second straight month as the country built inventories ahead of higher summer electricity demand. Official customs data showed LNG imports reached 5.68 million tonnes in June, up 8.3 per cent from a year earlier. The increase follows a recovery that began in May after imports had fallen for three consecutive months between February and April, with April marking the country's lowest monthly LNG arrivals in eight years. Chinese buyers stepped up purchases from mid-April and have maintained stronger import levels since then, reversing the slowdown seen earlier this year. Middle East disruption tightens supply China's return to the spot market is expected to tighten global LNG availability at a...
