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Rio Tinto’s graphene battery technology push adds a new dimension to its materials strategy
Rio Tinto Group’s efforts to expand its presence in battery materials are drawing attention following progress on graphene-based battery technology developed with Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG), alongside the miner’s third-quarter 2026 production update. Under a joint development agreement between the companies, GMG has reported progress on its graphene G®CELLS technology, which the supplied report describes as maintaining performance over rapid charging cycles. The development adds a technology-focused dimension to Rio Tinto’s wider battery materials strategy, although it is not yet identified as a current earnings driver. Rio Tinto’s latest operating figures provide the broader production context. The company reported 15.7 million tonnes of bauxite, 0.8 Mt of aluminium and 2.1 Mt of...
PV Aluminium frame enterprises see divergent operating rates with leading players holding steady; aluminium prices expected to consolidate on a subdued note amid macro and production resumption expectations
PV aluminium extrusion: This week, operating rates among sampled PV frame enterprises showed divergence. Some top-tier PV frame enterprises in Anhui and Hebei continued to run at relatively full operating rates; some other small and medium-sized integrated industrial extrusion enterprises reported that, for profitability considerations, they have proactively controlled production and reduced PV frame orders after the holiday, but their PV frame orders are limited, having little impact on the overall PV aluminium extrusion operating rate. From the downstream module side, October module scheduled production is expected to edge up from September, but the growth falls short of expectations, with China's scheduled production increasing by only 1-2 GW, providing limited support for PV-related...
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15th International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Conference & Exhibition - IBAAS–VFMSTA 2026
ICSOBA 2026 - 44th International Conference and Exhibition
India Mining Week 2026
15th International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Conference & Exhibition - IBAAS–VFMSTA 2026
ICSOBA 2026 - 44th International Conference and Exhibition
India Mining Week 2026
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
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A report that reveals where the aluminium casting industry is heading and how businesses can act.
LEARN MOREGermany’s automotive industry drives 32.8% of aluminium consumption as EV production rises 23%, led by Volkswagen, BMW & Mercedes-Benz
AL Circle Analysis: US scrap imports hit 580kt as China slips 3.2%, who drives aluminium recycling?
A should-cost analysis of an aluminium tower furnace in India: Comparing the economics of LPG, PNG, and electric energy sources
Germany’s construction aluminium demand falls 12%, but 2027 recovery and recycling offer fresh growth prospects
AL Circle analysis: Germany’s aluminium trade surplus, Novelis’ US expansion, Asia’s EV demand & India’s underutilised downstream capacity
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Ex-China aluminium market remains weak, spot offers in major markets fall under pressure
This week, the overseas aluminium market overall remained in the doldrums. Weak demand continued to be the core issue across major markets, with offer prices in Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the US, and China generally under pressure. Trading activity was sluggish, and the tug-of-war between sellers and buyers persisted, with the market lacking clear directional guidance overall. Japan: MJP negotiations continue, market sentiment remains subdued The Japanese market remained relatively quiet this week, with focus still on the progress of Q4 MJP negotiations. Some sellers are still negotiating premiums with buyers, but the two sides have significant differences in price expectations, and negotiations are progressing slowly. As a result, the MJP market remains subdued, with limited spot...
Alcoa reports $483m net income in Q3 2026 as aluminium production rises
Alcoa Corporation reported net income of USD 483 million in the third quarter of 2026, up from USD 407 million in the previous quarter and USD 232 million in the same period last year, as the company increased aluminium production and improved refinery performance. Revenue reached USD 3.7 billion, down 6.6 per cent from USD 4 billion in the second quarter but up from about USD 3 billion in the third quarter of 2025. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding special items, was USD 789 million, compared with USD 901 million in the previous quarter and USD 270 million a year earlier. Adjusted net income stood at USD 1.82 per share, while earnings per common share were USD 1.81. Alcoa generated USD 643 million in cash from operations and reported free cash flow of USD 472 million. Its cash balance reached...
Ghana urged to unlock bauxite export opportunities through China and AfCFTA
Ghana should develop a clear strategy to expand bauxite exports, strengthen value addition and take advantage of emerging international markets, rather than focusing solely on membership of global economic blocs such as BRICS, Africa Prosperity Network founder and Executive Chairman Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko has said. Otchere-Darko argued that Ghana must prioritise the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and intra-African trade while preparing to benefit from China's reported zero-tariff initiative for 53 African countries. His remarks highlighted the need for the country to translate access to international markets into tangible economic gains, including opportunities for commodity sectors such as bauxite. “Because if you're not careful, your relevance will be reduced to...
AI model identifies electrolyte conditions to reduce aluminium corrosion in batteries
Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed an artificial intelligence-based framework to analyse aluminium corrosion and identify electrolyte conditions that could improve the performance of aluminium-air batteries. Aluminium-air batteries have attracted interest as a potential energy source for electric vehicles because aluminium is abundant, recyclable and relatively inexpensive. However, corrosion of the aluminium anode in alkaline electrolytes remains a major challenge, as it wastes active material, generates hydrogen gas and affects battery reliability. Published in Frontiers in Batteries and Electrochemistry , the study examined how a commercial aluminium-magnesium-silicon (Al-Mg-Si) alloy corrodes in sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) solutions at...
Alcoa’s Alumar Smelter completes internal investigation into the September fatality in Brazil
Alcoa’s Alumar aluminum smelter in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil, has completed its internal investigation into a work-related fatality involving lighting maintenance at its carbon plant. The company is also cooperating with its partners and relevant authorities as their investigations continue. An employee died following a workplace incident at Alcoa’s Alumar aluminum smelter in Brazil, prompting renewed attention to safety controls during industrial maintenance operations. According to Alcoa, the employee was found unconscious at the facility on September 16, 2026, and immediately transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. The employee later died, and the incident was determined to be work-related. The incident involved lighting maintenance at the smelter’s carbon plant....
Ardagh Metal Packaging sale preparations can resume after Luxembourg court lifts injunction
Ardagh Holdings S.A. can resume preparations for a potential sale of its stake in Ardagh Metal Packaging S.A. (AMP) after a Luxembourg court lifted an order that had prevented the parent company from proceeding with the transaction. The ruling, issued on 14 October by a summary judge at the Luxembourg district court, allows Ardagh Holdings to re-engage with its advisers on a possible sale. The injunction was originally imposed following a unilateral ( ex parte ) application by certain minority holders of senior secured toggle notes due in 2027, issued by ARD Finance S.A. before its parent company, Ardagh Group S.A., completed its recapitalisation transaction in November 2025. The order had prohibited Ardagh Holdings from selling all or part of its interests in AMP. Following the court's...
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As Angul smelter expands to 0.96 MTPA, NALCO turns to aluminium fluoride supply security
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from manufacturers, investors and potential joint-venture partners to establish aluminium fluoride (AlF3) production facilities as it prepares to expand its Angul smelter capacity from 0.46 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to approximately 0.96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The proposed facilities would produce high bulk density and low bulk density grades of aluminium fluoride, a critical input in the Hall-Héroult process used for aluminium smelting. Through the initiative, NALCO aims to secure a reliable, cost-competitive supply of the material and reduce its dependence on imports. According to the EOI document, NALCO/BD/ST/2026/5805, dated September 21, 2026, interested parties must submit their...
VMI Group raises aluminium winding wire capacity to 25,000 TPA
Vidya Metal Manufacturing Company Private Limited (VMI Group) has increased its installed aluminium winding wire and strip capacity to 25,000 tonnes per annum (TPA), up from 18,000 TPA in early 2025. The expansion follows the commissioning of its new facility at Bandapur, Rajasthan. Abhinav Goyal, Group Director, VMI Group, said, “ Every distribution transformer, every solar inverter and every motor that India adds needs winding wire, and aluminium is the metal that lets OEMs grow without their raw-material cost running away from them. ” The group also produces around 12,000 TPA of copper products across its seven plants. The capacity expansion comes amid growing demand from transformer, motor, inverter and switchgear manufacturers in India, where aluminium is gaining ground as an...
Acer launches four Swift Air 14 laptops with all-aluminium bodies weighing 1.18 kg
Acer Japan has introduced four models in its Swift Air 14 laptop series, featuring all-aluminium bodies, 14-inch displays and lightweight designs aimed at users seeking portability and everyday computing performance. The laptops measure approximately 12.99 mm thick and weigh around 1.18 kg, with CNC diamond-cut processing used on the lid. The four models - SFA14-I31-A38Y, SFA14-I31-A32Y, SFA14-I31-A58Y and SFA14-I31-A52Y - differ in specifications, including processor and memory configurations. The range offers Intel Core 3 Processor 304 and Intel Core 5 Processor 320 options, both equipped with integrated Intel AI Boost technology. Aluminium construction and display specifications The Swift Air 14 features an all-metal aluminium chassis designed to combine a slim profile with a...
As Angul smelter expands to 0.96 MTPA, NALCO turns to aluminium fluoride supply security
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has invited expressions of interest (EOI) from manufacturers, investors and potential joint-venture partners to establish aluminium fluoride (AlF3) production facilities as it prepares to expand its Angul smelter capacity from 0.46 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to approximately 0.96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). The proposed facilities would produce high bulk density and low bulk density grades of aluminium fluoride, a critical input in the Hall-Héroult process used for aluminium smelting. Through the initiative, NALCO aims to secure a reliable, cost-competitive supply of the material and reduce its dependence on imports. According to the EOI document, NALCO/BD/ST/2026/5805, dated September 21, 2026, interested parties must submit their...
VMI Group raises aluminium winding wire capacity to 25,000 TPA
Vidya Metal Manufacturing Company Private Limited (VMI Group) has increased its installed aluminium winding wire and strip capacity to 25,000 tonnes per annum (TPA), up from 18,000 TPA in early 2025. The expansion follows the commissioning of its new facility at Bandapur, Rajasthan. Abhinav Goyal, Group Director, VMI Group, said, “ Every distribution transformer, every solar inverter and every motor that India adds needs winding wire, and aluminium is the metal that lets OEMs grow without their raw-material cost running away from them. ” The group also produces around 12,000 TPA of copper products across its seven plants. The capacity expansion comes amid growing demand from transformer, motor, inverter and switchgear manufacturers in India, where aluminium is gaining ground as an...
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