Aluminium’s decarbonisation challenge extends beyond the electricity powering its smelters. Inside the reduction cell, electrode quality influences how efficiently that electricity is used, how much carbon is consumed and how consistently the process performs. Improving electrodes therefore offers producers a practical opportunity to address operating costs and emissions together. For Switzerland-based R&D Carbon , understanding the relationship between raw materials, electrode quality and industrial performance has been a focus for four decades. Founded in 1986 by Werner K. Fischer, the company built on carbon research previously undertaken at Swiss Aluminium Ltd., or Alusuisse. Today, it operates from Granges, near Sierre, with a team of 30 specialists serving more than 150 customers...
Mexico’s aluminum industry is looking to capitalize on rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, electric mobility, automotive manufacturing, and aerospace. Expanding technology investments and international market opportunities are expected to support sales growth, while the country’s reliance on imported aluminum highlights the importance of strengthening domestic processing capabilities. Ramón Beltrán, president of Mexico’s National Chamber of the Aluminum Industry (Canalum), expects the country’s domestic and international aluminum sales to gain momentum in 2026, supported by demand from advanced technology applications and established manufacturing sectors. “We expect to close out this year with growth of between 7.5% and 7.8% in domestic and international...
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In a bold move towards sustainability, Moddex Group Australia, a leading manufacturer of pre-fabricated handrail and balustrade systems, has announced its transition to Capral's LocAl® Green lower-carbon aluminium. This strategic decision underscores Moddex's commitment to environmental responsibility and contributes to the imperative goal of decarbonising the built environment and infrastructure projects. The aluminium industry is gradually striving towards zero waste owing to adopting a circular economy, making the life cycle of aluminium resource-efficient. To know more about aluminium's contribution to an energy-efficient future read AL Circle's report on, "Sustainability in the Aluminium Industry". Over the years, global aluminium producers have experimented heavily to lower their...
Vedanta Limited's Aluminium Business in Jharsuguda, Odisha, India, has recently attained ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for its smelter located in the Special Economic Zone. This certification marks a significant achievement, with Vedanta's operations in Jharsuguda comprising two smelters and three casthouses and boasting 3615 MW of power generation facilities. With an impressive annual smelting capacity of 1.8 million tonnes, it is one of the largest single-location aluminium plants globally. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has officially recognised Vedanta Limited's accomplishment, announcing its successful certification against the ASI CoC Standard V2 (2022). Notably, the company had previously achieved Performance Standard V2 Certification for...
Abiding by the commitment to lead and empower the metal production industry’s shift towards full sustainability, Bathco, in collaboration with its technology arm Metsol, has entered into a multi-year partnership with Alucam to help it with the integration of the APC+, a next-generation, smart Pot Control System at its smelter, and Bathco will now market a significant share of the metal produced. . This cutting-edge technology will enable Cameroon’s sole aluminium smelter to enhance production efficiency, optimise power utilisation, and increase operational stability, targeting to save as much as 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This collaboration will not only steer operational efficiency and environmental sustainability but will also cater to the increasing worldwide demand...
Mubadala Energy, an international energy company headquartered in Abu Dhabi with operations in 11 countries and overseeing operations at the South Andaman Gross Split PSC, has unveiled a significant gas discovery stemming from the Tangkulo-1 Exploration well. Situated approximately 65 kilometres offshore of North Sumatra, Indonesia, this discovery marks a noteworthy milestone in the region's energy exploration efforts. The company's second deepwater well discovery has been made with the Tangkulo-1. This well was drilled to a depth of 3,400 metres in water 1,200 metres deep, shortly following the significant find at the Layaran-1 well, also located in South Andaman. The Tangkulo-1 well encountered 80 metres of gas column in a good-quality Oligocene sandstone reservoir, confirmed through an...
Ali Al Baqali, CEO of Aluminium Bahrain BSC (Alba), has been appointed as the new Chair of the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), succeeding Satish Pai of Hindalco Industries. Al Baqali brings a wealth of experience from his tenure at Alba, one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters. “I am incredibly humbled to take on the leadership of the IAI at this critical juncture. We face many challenges within the industry, particularly climate change, and I am committed to guiding the IAI towards a sustainable future, ” Baqali stated. With Al Baqali's appointment, the IAI anticipates a continued focus on sustainability and growth within the aluminium industry. His proven track record of innovation and commitment to sustainability positions him as a fitting successor to Satish Pai. Al...
The world's largest aluminium producer, China Hongqiao Group's subsidiary Shandong Hongqiao, has been recognised as one of the top 100 'most attractive' private enterprises for the employment of college graduates in the Shandong Province. The China-based company achieved this milestone through strategic recruitment, comprehensive vocational training, and a commitment to talent development. About the achievement Shandong Hongqiao stands out in its approach to talent development. By offering dual development pathways and independent evaluation frameworks, the company empowers its team members at every level to unleash their creative potential. This unique strategy has led to significant growth in their personnel, with 31 senior technicians, 81 technicians, 811 senior workers, and 4,557...
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO), a prominent figure in India’s aluminium industry, has forged a strategic partnership with Shree Cement Limited. This alliance aims to revolutionise cement production by harnessing the power of fly ash, a by-product with immense potential for environmental benefit. BALCO’s recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Shree Cement Limited marks a significant milestone in sustainable industrial practices. Under this agreement, BALCO will supply 90,000 metric tonnes of fly ash to Shree Cement, enabling the production of low-carbon cement . Fly ash, a residue of thermal power generation holds promise as a valuable resource in the quest for eco-friendly cement production. By diverting fly ash from landfills and utilising it in cement manufacturing,...
Norwegian aluminium and energy giant Norsk Hydro recently announced Eivind Kallevik's appointment as its new President and CEO. Eivind officially commenced his role on May 13, unveiling his plan to expedite Hydro's strategy of spearheading the shift to sustainable aluminium production by leveraging renewable energy, aiming for significant progress by 2030. Hydro has always been at the forefront of sustainability and promoting the importance of moving towards an eco-friendly environment. The Norwegian aluminium giant is also considered one of the leading providers of low-carbon and recycled aluminium solutions, pioneering its way towards an emission-free environment. To know more about how the aluminium industry is moving towards a sustainable and greener environment, grab AL Circle's...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has reportedly introduced a new low-carbon aluminium product line called EternAl with two variants: EternAl-30 and EternAl-15. They respectively have 30 per cent and 15 per cent recycled content. Alba's EternAl product line rightly reflects the company's novel stride towards creating a greener future through the use of secondary aluminium and advocating a circular economy. It also addresses the growing demand for low-carbon aluminium across the globe. Both the variants of EternAl are verified by DNV, a globally recognised leader in verification assurance, which further underpins Alba's unwavering commitment towards responsible production of low-carbon aluminium. DNV verification assures customers that Alba's EternAl product line significantly reduces carbon...
On May 8, 2024, the world witnessed the inauguration of a colossal initiative to combat climate change head-on: the largest-ever direct air capture plant. Developed by Swiss firm Climeworks, this mammoth facility in Iceland dwarfs its predecessor, Orca, by a factor of ten. Direct air capture (DAC) technology is the backbone of this endeavour, functioning like a massive vacuum to extract carbon from the atmosphere using specialised chemicals. Once captured, this carbon can be stored underground, repurposed, or even converted into solid materials, offering a promising avenue in the fight against global warming. Climeworks is set to utilise Iceland's plentiful, clean geothermal energy to power its ambitious carbon sequestration project in collaboration with Icelandic company Carbfix . This...
Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, has reportedly placed 100 solar-powered streetlights in and around the remote villages of Jamkhani, Girisma, Munderkhet, Jharpalam, and Hemgir in Sundargarh district, Odisha. This initiative represents the company’s dual commitment. One is towards community empowerment and another is towards environment-friendly development in the society. Before installing the lights, Vedanta corresponded with villagers and local committee members to identify critical points that needed lighting, such as schools, drinking water points, wells, crossings, key transportation routes, and community centres. Vedanta Aluminium is always at an attempt to contribute towards a greener and more sustainable future in whatever way possible. Mr. V. Srikanth, CEO...
The European Commission has greenlit Macquarie Asset Management's acquisition of a 49.9% share in Hydro Rein, the renewable energy arm of Norsk Hydro ASA. This strategic move signals a significant development in the renewable energy landscape and underlines the growing importance of sustainable practices in the aluminium industry. Transaction Approval: The European Commission approved Macquarie's acquisition under the simplified merger review procedure, citing no adverse effects on competition due to non-overlapping markets. Financial Terms: Macquarie Asset Management will purchase the stake for USD 332 million (EUR 309.2m) in equity, allowing Norsk Hydro to retain a controlling interest of 50.1%. Joint Venture Formation: Post-acquisition, Hydro Rein will function as a joint venture,...
The ecological transition presents an exceptional opportunity for emerging leaders seeking purpose. Romain Girbal, the co-founder of IB2, is encouraging young managers to embrace green initiatives, which not only foster growth but also cultivate meaningful leadership in our dynamic business environment. With environmental issues mounting, sustainable practices are advantageous and essential for companies aiming to stay competitive and socially conscious. Transforming the ecological impact of the aluminium industry is the core mission at IB2, where co-founder Romain Girbal has seen firsthand how prioritising sustainability can drive both innovation and economic prosperity. IB2's pioneering approach involves converting low-grade bauxite into high-grade ore, a breakthrough dramatically...
Indonesia, rich in bauxites, seeks to harness its natural resources to emerge as a frontrunner in green aluminium production. Green aluminium, synonymous with sustainability and environmental consciousness, employs renewable energy or recycled materials in its manufacturing process. The nation's aspiration to process its abundant resources indigenously not only promises economic growth but also aligns with global demands for eco-friendly solutions. At a recent Dubai Chambers forum in Jakarta, Pradana Indraputra, a special advisor at the Investment Ministry, focused on Indonesia's keenness to collaborate with the UAE, particularly in the aluminium sector. Advocating for green aluminium production , he highlighted the potential to serve the never-ending needs of global giants like BMW, who...
COSCO Shipping, a Chinese state-owned enterprise, has unveiled what it heralds as the "world's largest" electric container ship capable of navigating river to sea. Named the Green Water 01, this vessel surpasses the 10,000-ton mark, marking a significant milestone in advancing sustainability within the maritime logistics sector. Cosco, abbreviated as China Ocean Shipping (Group) Company, is a formidable state-owned multinational conglomerate headquartered in Shanghai. Its primary expertise lies in marine transportation. COSCO Shipping was founded in 2016 following a sanctioned merger between COSCO and China Shipping, solidifying its prominent presence in the industry. COSCO Group is China's premier liner carrier, facilitating the daily transport of numerous container vessels. Moreover, it...
The aluminium industry is making constant advancements in promoting the environmental efficiency of its production. The use of aluminium is highly encouraged for multiple end-use industries. The production of aluminium has traditionally been energy-intensive, but a growing emphasis on sustainability has prompted the industry to adopt innovative practices. A heightened focus on sustainability has spurred the industry to embrace innovative approaches. These include a shift towards renewable energy sources for production, concerted efforts in recycling, and the promotion of ethically sourced raw materials. Governments and top aluminium producers from different countries, global organisations, and non-profit entities have all joined hands to innovate and implement strategies to minimise the...
The National Health Service (NHS) University College London Hospitals (UCLH) has introduced a groundbreaking program in partnership with Johnson & Johnson MedTech and collaborators MYGroup and Resourcify. This innovative scheme aims to tackle the challenge of recycling the packaging of single-use surgical items that are historically difficult to process due to their composition. Simultaneously, the metal components will undergo melting and recycling processes to be transformed into new aluminium products. This strategic shift is poised to diminish the hospital's carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, further reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability. About the collaboration Through this collaborative effort, approximately 215kg of waste per year, previously destined for...
The global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling , Gränges has once again secured its position as one of Europe’s Climate Leaders, as acknowledged by the Financial Times. This prestigious recognition underscores the company's commitment to substantial reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and its dedication to transparent sustainability reporting practices. Scientists warn of intensified weather phenomena due to a warming planet: storms, floods, droughts, and fires. Alongside these environmental challenges, Europe's businesses and policymakers grapple with increasingly stringent regulations aimed at mitigating climate change. Through the EU's Green Deal initiative, which seeks to position Europe as the world's inaugural climate-neutral continent, companies find themselves navigating a...
