H1 2026 sees more renewable energy than ever: Here’s a region-by-region guide to renewable energy supply in the recent past
In the first half of 2025, humanity generated more electricity from renewables than from coal for the first time ever. What led to it? It was possible only because of two decades of falling solar panel prices, taller wind turbines, and governments finally treating clean power like an economic...
AL Circle Analysis: Import rise meets demand growth on aluminium extrusion chessboard
Aluminium’s downstream trade network is getting more fragmented as import dependence, changing end-use demand and trade-policy interventions reshape regional markets. From North America and Europe to Asia-Pacific, the aluminium industry is navigating a market where access to supply, competitive...
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EU Plans to Discuss Metal Premiums and LME Warehouse ‘Issue’
The European Commission will discuss aluminum premiums and “difficulties” in getting metal from warehouses monitored by the London Metal Exchange, at a time when consumers pay record fees to obtain metal. “We can confirm that industry, especially aluminum industry, has brought to our attention the...
Ball Packaging Europe significantly reduces weight of aluminium cans
Beverage can manufacturer Ball Packaging Europe has succeeded in reducing the weight of 33cl aluminium cans to just under 9.5g. This quantum leap in lightweighting will significantly reduce beverage cans’ ecological footprint. The seemingly minor drop in weight will have major effects. Assuming...
Every Second Alufoil Container is Recycled in Europe
Recycling rates for alufoil trays and semi-rigid containers across Europe rose above 50 per cent in 2010 (2008: 45 per cent) helped by the industry’s commitment to promote the benefits of resource efficient and sustainable packaging options. Aluminium is endlessly recyclable, which saves up to 95...
Rusal earnings hit by falling aluminium prices
Russian aluminium giant Rusal posted a third-quarter loss of $118 million on Monday, blaming Europe's economic turmoil and China's slowdown for sinking global demand for the metal. "The growth in the global demand for aluminium moderated in the third quarter of 2012 due to slower economic activity...
Aluminum consumers are buying metal on a short-term basis
Aluminum consumers are buying metal on a short-term basis rather than for later delivery, according to Sucden Financial Ltd., one of the 12 companies on the floor of the London Metal Exchange. “There is little sign of forward bookings,” said Steve Hardcastle, head of client services for industrial...
Alcoa shuts down Sardinian smelter
Alcoa’s Portovesme aluminium smelter in Sardinia’s Sulcis region has closed down, one day ahead of schedule. Unions had been in negotiation with Alcoa and the Government to keep the plant operational while a buyer was found and while three companies did express interest, nothing has happened....
European aluminum sheet price drops 5.9%
European 1050 aluminum sheet prices dropped, making it the biggest mover on the weekly construction metals price index after drifting 5.9 percent. Following a steady week, prices for Chinese aluminum bar closed flat. Chinese H-beam steel saw its price rise 0.6 percent over the past week. For the...
Flexible packaging demand boosts aluminium foil industry in Europe
The first nine months of this year showed a positive development for the European manufacturers of aluminium foil, according to the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA)." The trade body said 618,500 tonnes were delivered compared to 611,400 tonnes in 2011, representing an increase of 1.2%....
Japanese traders seek to sell more European secondary aluminum alloy to diecasters
Japanese traders are seeking to increase sales of European secondary aluminum alloy to local diecasters making automotive components, industry sources said Tuesday. One diecaster source with three plants in west Japan, making engine parts, said offers from Japanese traders for European ADC12...
European Aluminium Awards 2012: Winners announced
The winners of the Aluminium Awards 2012 have been announced. The awards, which set out to recognise product innovation, attracted 63 industrial design and engineering entries from 12 different countries covering both consumer and industrial products. In the automotive and transport category the...
Montenegro's Ministry of Economy in talk with Turkish Tosyali Group on KAP aluminium plant
Representatives of the Ministry of Economy and Turkish Tosyali Group met in Podgorica to discuss the KAP aluminium plant and the offer to take over the company. The dominant topic of the talks was the electricity supply, which is known to be the most troubling issue for KAP. The Government requires...
Spot prices of Europe aluminum alloy dip again in sluggish market
Spot prices of standard grade aluminum alloy pulled back by a further Eur20/mt ($26/mt) in Europe this week as sluggish demand and good supply weighed on the market. "It's quiet as there are so many holidays across Europe this week," said a Polish aluminum alloy producer. "Prices have come down a...
Alcoa Sardinia smelter shuts down its final cell
The troubled Alcoa aluminium smelter in Portovesme shut down the last of its cells on Thursday, one day ahead of schedule, in the wake of a decision to power down the plant that has pitted workers against the Italian government and the American aluminium giant. ''This is the saddest day,'' said...
Alufoil performs well in the First Nine Months
The first nine months of 2012 showed a positive development for the European manufacturers of aluminium foil. According to European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) 618,500 tonnes were delivered in the three quarters (2011: 611,400 tonnes), representing an increase of 1.2%. Thinner gauges mainly...
Flexibe Aluminum Powerline ALU Cable launched
Manufacturing components for the wind turbine industry have certainly come along way. With cost and efficiency driving concerns to the customer, manufactures have had to raise the bar to stay competitive. Hi Tech Controls is carying a new Flexible Aluminum POWERLINE ALU. This diesel locomotive...
EU Hits China with Five-Year Duties on Aluminum Radiators
The European Union imposed five-year tariffs on aluminum radiators from China to help Italian and Polish producers compete with cheaper imports. The duties as high as 61.4 percent punish Chinese exporters such as Zhejiang Guangying Machinery Co. for selling the radiators in the EU below cost, a...
Søral secures power supply for continued operation
Sør-Norge Aluminium (Søral) primary aluminium plant in Norway has signed electricity contracts with Agder Energi, Lyse, Statkraft and Hydro for the long-term annual supply of up to 2.6 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity in Norway over an eight-year period, starting in 2013. "We are pleased that...
Auto Lightweighting to Push Aluminum Companies’ Innovation
The tussle between the steel and aluminum industry over their respective places in supplying the automotive sector is far from over, but has only just begun. “However you want to measure it, the steel industry is roughly 9 times bigger than the aluminum industry,” said Richard Schultz, managing...
