AlCircle: Latest alumina news update

Alcoa rejects alleged mercury concerns at Wagerup alumina refinery

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 20:30:00 +0530

Alcoa has pushed back against concerns over rising mercury emissions at its Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia, even as environmental groups move to challenge its operating licence.

The refinery is located about 120 km south of Perth in the Jarrah forest region and it has come under scrutiny after recent data showed a steady increase in mercury emissions in recent years. Emissions reached around 400 kilograms in 2025, nearly double the levels which were recorded in 2022.

The Conservation Council of Western Australia has formally opposed the state’s decision to approve a revised licence for the facility, arguing that the environmental and public health risks linked to the increase have not been fully addressed.

CCWA executive director Matt Roberts said, “It seems Alcoa has seen increased mercury emissions from the Wagerup refinery for at least three years, with no action taken to remedy that.” He added that the situation raises concerns about regulatory oversight and long-term environmental exposure.

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According to a review by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), the rise in emissions has been linked to higher mercury content in bauxite ore as well as declining performance of condensers at the refinery. The regulator concluded that the increase could be tolerated without posing an unacceptable risk.

Alcoa, however, maintained that there had been no sudden or uncontrolled release of mercury. A company spokesperson said the rise reflects changes in recovery processes, along with increased bauxite processing volumes at the site.

“Mercury is a common element found in low concentrations in rocks and ores,” the spokesperson said, adding that variations in ore composition and higher throughput were likely contributing factors.

Environmental groups, however, remain suspicious and unconvinced, saying that mercury is a known neurotoxin and can accumulate over time in soil, water and wildlife, causing a potential threat to ecosystems surrounding the refinery. The group also mentioned about the limited monitoring data about threatening species such as black cockatoos, numbats and western ringtail possums.

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Further concerns were raised about how the emissions increase was identified. According to CCWA, the spike was detected through the National Pollutant Inventory rather than routine compliance reporting, raising questions about monitoring systems.

Independent experts say the actual risk depends on exposure levels. John Mamo, a professor at Curtin University, noted that mercury exists naturally in the environment but can become harmful depending on how it interacts with water and enters ecosystems.

“In nature, mercury is part of the soil architecture of the planet,” he said, adding that exposure risks vary and depend on concentration and duration.

The appeal against the licence is now under review by the Office of the Appeals Convenor, with DWER declining to comment while the process is ongoing.

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Runaya reports progress on India’s first gas-atomised aluminium powder JV with Eckart

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 08:20:00 +0530

Runaya Metsource, an Indian sustainable manufacturing company that specialises in resource recovery and green aluminium production, which is by Vedanta, on Thursday announced its achievement in developing green, spherical gas-atomised aluminium powder at its facility in Jharsuguda, Odisha. The project has been initiated in collaboration with Eckart, a firm that develops, produces and distributes metallic effects and pearlescent pigments in powder.

Currently, the facility is deemed to produce aluminium powder with the focus of fostering a sustainable and integrated value chain. With this project, the firm aims to cut down on imports and then further boost different industrial sectors like aerospace, solar energy, catalysts and effect pigments.

The first announcement

Tracing back to January 2026, the firm announced the collaboration with the German company, including the new joint venture facility, which will be located in Jharsuguda, Odisha. This venture marks India’s first plant, which will focus on developing green, spherical gas-atomised aluminium powders.

Also read: TRUNNANO introduces surface-modified alumina powder for advanced aluminium-based thermal applications

The facility is set to manufacture high-precision aluminium powders through cutting-edge atomisation technology and further cater to a variety of sectors, including aerospace, aviation, solar energy, process catalysts, and effect pigments. This initiative not only aims to reduce reliance on imports but also to boost a sustainable and integrated domestic value chain.

Eckart with Altana AG in chemical innovation

Altana Ag, a global player in the speciality chemical field, collaborated with Eckart and has become one of its standout divisions focusing on effect pigments and advanced material solutions. Both firms offer chemical innovation and deep technical know-how, which is deemed to support multiple industries, starting from automotive to cosmetics and packaging.

Both the firms mark the initial phase of the projects, where the operations are expected to start by the end of 2026, and already pose multiple interests from the key industrial players. It is expected that the new facility will be producing high-quality aluminium powder, which is being designed to uphold a sustainable, integrated value chain, reduce import dependency and enhance India’s advanced manufacturing sectors.

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Martin Babilas, the CEO of Altana AG, stated, “Our partnership with Runaya represents a powerful confluence of technology, sustainability, and innovation. With its strong local expertise and shared commitment to responsible manufacturing, Runaya is an ideal partner, and this collaboration further reinforces our commitment to carbon-neutral manufacturing and building long-term global partnerships.”

On the other hand, Naivedya Agarwal, the Managing Director of Runaya, stated, “The milestone demonstrates the consistent progress our teams are making towards establishing an advanced materials facility in India. By enabling the domestic manufacturing of high-value aluminium powders, this JV strengthens India’s ability to move beyond basic metal supply towards the development of engineered materials that support sophisticated, value-driven industries.”

By merging Eckart’s world-leading expertise in effect pigments and aluminium powder technologies with Runaya’s innovative manufacturing and commitment to a circular economy, this joint venture aims to create a competitive advanced materials ecosystem right here in India.

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DAILY: Chinese spot alumina prices stabilise, futures slide further

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:01:00 +0530

The national average spot price for smelter-grade alumina with a minimum purity of 98.6 per cent remained stable from last Friday at RMB 2,783 per tonne (USD 404.2 per tonne), including 13 per cent VAT on Tuesday, Mysteel's daily price assessment showed. The price has held steady for about a week, Mysteel Global noted.

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Meanwhile, Mysteel-assessed regional prices for the same grade of alumina were unchanged across China's five major alumina production bases - Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou, and Guangxi - averaging between RMB 2,750 per tonne and RMB 2,830 per tonne.

Also Read: TRUNNANO introduces surface-modified alumina powder for advanced aluminium-based thermal applications

In the derivatives market, Shanghai alumina futures continued to slide on the first trading day following the three-day Qingming Festival holiday. The most-traded May contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange slumped by 2.9 per cent during Tuesday's daytime trading and fell by a further 0.96 per cent overnight, closing the nighttime session at RMB 2,683 per tonne. This marked the fifth consecutive trading day of losses, Mysteel Global noted.

The sustained declines in domestic alumina futures over the past week weighed on spot market sentiment, according to market watchers. Some downstream aluminium smelters adopted a wait-and-see approach, anticipating lower spot prices, while alumina producers largely held their offers steady. As a result, only smelters with immediate restocking needs entered the physical market to secure tonnage.

Mysteel heard of two deals involving 13,000 tonnes of alumina concluded yesterday. A smelter in Xinjiang purchased 10,000 tonnes of North China-origin alumina via tender at a delivered price of RMB 2,950 per tonne, including freight costs and VAT, and a Henan-based smelter procured 3,000 tonnes of Shandong-origin material from a trader at RMB 2,675 per tonne EXW, including VAT.

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Note: This news is published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel

TRUNNANO introduces surface-modified alumina powder for advanced aluminium-based thermal applications

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 23:30:00 +0530

TRUNNANO has launched a surface-modified spherical alumina powder, marking progress in functional materials used across aluminium-related thermal management applications in electronics.

A KH570 silane coupling agent is used by the product for surface treatment and is designed to be used in high-performance thermal fillers with applications like thermal interface materials, thermally conductive potting compounds, conductive plastics and copper-clad laminates to support high demands for efficient heat dissipation in electronic components.

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Spherical alumina is also used widely in such applications due to high thermal conductivity, high packing density and low abrasion, whereas conventional alumina powders face complications such as poor compatibility with organic materials, which can cause issues such as particle agglomeration, higher system viscosity and weaker thermal conduction networks and restricting performance in advanced use cases.

TRUNNANO said that their surface-modified alumina works around these complications through improved interfacial compatibility, which enables better dispersion within composite materials and more efficient thermal pathways.

According to CEO Roger Luo, the development reflects the company’s focus on improving product performance through innovation while also helping customers enhance thermal conductivity, streamline processing and reduce costs.

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The technical team has worked to solve problems linked to the performance of alumina powder. One of the main areas of focus was increasing the particle sphericity, which plays an important role in packing density and surface treatment effectiveness.

The development team has refined the high temperature spheroidization processes and stages, such as shaping, cooling or melting, which produced high purity alumina powder with a sphericity of ≥0.95, a smooth surface and a narrow particle size distribution, which provides for a more stable base for surface modification, allowing for a more uniform and densely coated layer.

Also read: TRUNNANO develops high-purity spherical aluminum nitride for next-gen EVs

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DAILY: Chinese spot alumina prices hold steady over Qingming festival break

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:06:00 +0530

On April 3, Mysteel assessed the national average spot price for metallurgical-grade alumina with a minimum purity of 98.6 per cent at RMB 2,783 per tonne (USD 404.2 per tonne), including 13 per cent VAT, unchanged for the third consecutive working day.

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Regionally, price assessments for the same grade of alumina also stayed flat across China's five key alumina-producing regions – namely, Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou, and Guangxi – and ranged between RMB 2,750per tonne and RMB 2,830 per tonne.

Also Read: WEEKLY: China's alumina inventory build slows

In contrast, the domestic alumina futures market weakened further before trading was halted for the holiday weekend after the daytime session on April 3. The most-traded May contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange ended the daytime trading period at RMB 2,741 per tonne last Friday, down by 0.9 per cent from Thursday's settlement price. This marked the lowest level since late January this year, Mysteel Global noted.

Buying activity in the spot market was subdued before and during the three-day holiday. Alumina sellers and buyers were largely inactive in terms of offering quotations and making price inquiries, contributing to the flat price trend.

Transactions were limited during the period, with Mysteel not hearing of any concluded deals.

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Note: This news is published under a content and exchange agreement with Mysteel

RUSAL implements neural networks to improve alumina quality

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:14:00 +0530

RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, has implemented a proprietary neural network-based technology for controlling aluminium hydroxide particle fractions. The technology improves the quality of alumina, which in turn enhances the quality of the aluminium produced from it and reduces energy consumption during electrolysis.

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Decomposition is a key stage in the multi-step process of producing alumina (aluminium oxide) from bauxite ore, as the quality of the decomposition intermediate directly affects the quality of the final alumina and the aluminium smelted from it. In the decomposition battery, the aluminate-alkaline solution derived from bauxite processing is decomposed, precipitating aluminium hydroxide, which is then used in the final stage of the cycle to produce alumina.

Also Read: UAE aluminium giant moves to offload alumina cargoes after smelter strike disruption

The technology was developed by RUSAL's Engineering Department. It has completed trials and is now in industrial operation at the decomposition unit of the RUSAL Kamensk-Uralsky alumina refinery. The technology comprises a neural network digital twin of the decomposition process, trained on 15 years of historical data, and a mathematical algorithm for multi-parameter process optimisation.

The neural network continuously accumulates data on the fractional composition of aluminium hydroxide and the physical parameters of decomposition over the preceding 120 days, and generates a forecast of the fractional composition for the following 90 days. Based on this forecast, the optimisation algorithm recommends parameter adjustments to improve the fractional composition of the aluminium hydroxide. With a forecast error rate below 5 per cent, the system enables process engineers to control the decomposition process with greater precision than was previously possible. This has resulted in a 4.4 per cent reduction in fine fraction content in the product. Coarsening the alumina improves dry gas cleaning performance at aluminium smelters and reduces the consumption of alumina, anodes, and electricity per tonne of metal, thereby improving overall electrolysis performance. Energy efficiency and environmental sustainability remain central priorities for the company.

RUSAL has previously been among the first global producers to implement digital twins at its alumina refineries to optimise production processes, achieving lower resource consumption and higher productivity. The digital twin of the decomposition process at the Kamensk-Uralsky refinery marks a further advance in the application of artificial intelligence. By leveraging neural networks, RUSAL has, for the first time, achieved predictive, advisory control of the decomposition process, surpassing comparable solutions developed elsewhere.

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Note: This article has been issued by RUSAL and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

Contractor at Alunorte passed away after emergency attendance

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:32:00 +0530

Hydro regrets to inform that a contractor at the Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil passed away in a local hospital during the afternoon of March 30, 2026.

Alunorte's emergency team was activated and immediately attended to the contractor after medical assistance on site was required. After initial care on site, the worker was taken to the hospital, where he was later confirmed dead.

The root cause of the incident is under investigation by the authorities and Hydro has launched an internal investigation.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of a contractor from our Alunorte plant. Our thoughts are with the family, loved ones and colleagues affected,” says Hydro President and CEO, Eivind Kallevik.

Alunorte is in close contact with contracting company DTA Engenharia to ensure that necessary support and assistance are provided to the family.

Note: This article has been issued by Hydro and has been published by AL Circle with its original information without any modifications or edits to the core subject/data.

UAE aluminium giant moves to offload alumina cargoes after smelter strike disruption

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 07:25:00 +0530

Following the strike of Iran on two major aluminium facilities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, escalating the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is now moving to sell a large volume of alumina, which is deemed the key raw material required for producing aluminium. This has been informed by the people who are familiar with the matter for the strike on a smelter which runs on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.

According to the recent report of Bloomberg, this week, EGA has offered to sell many of its alumina cargoes, especially for the shipments which are planned to move out between April and June. These potential sales came up after the recent attacks on Saturday caused “significant” damage to its Al Taweelah smelter, which is one of the largest in the world. On Wednesday, the company mentioned that it could not provide any further comments at this time.

The firm has been assessing the damage at the site, especially since aluminium prices have taken a sharp leap since the weekend. The surge, which follows another attack on a major facility run by Alba, which was also targeted by Iran.

Also read: From copper oversupply to aluminium crisis: Middle East conflict reshapes metals market

Post this attack, the concerns about the supply risk in the region have made it more difficult after the production cuts at the smelter, which has been struggling with the raw material shortage, which comes in from the Strait of Hormuz.

Aluminium, which is the second most used industrial metal after steel, has been facing rising challenges due to the disruptions in its overall global supply chain, which includes bauxite mining, alumina refining and metal smelting.

Irrespective of EGA not being involved in producing alumina, it is highly dependent on imports, bringing in extra cargoes through the strait to keep operations running at Al Taweelah and its second smelter in Dubai.

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Although EGA does produce some of its own alumina, it still relies heavily on imports, bringing in extra cargoes through the strait to keep operations running at Al Taweelah and its second smelter in Dubai.

What led up to this?

On March 28, two key aluminium production facilities, which are said to be run by Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), were attacked by Iranian missile and drone strikes. The attack damaged crucial parts of the smelters, including power and processing units, which led to a disruption in the overall operations as well as a temporary shutdown, while the assessments are underway.

Impact of the attack on EGA

Post the recent missile and drone strike in Iran, EGA shared the details of the impact on its Al Taweelah complex, revealing that operations have faced significant disruptions at one of their key production sites. Moreover, because of the attack, damage was caused to essential infrastructure, including power and aluminium handling units, which led to a complete halt in operations and raised concerns about supply.

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Given that Al Taweelah plays a vital role in EGA’s overall production, covering smelting, refining and recycling, this disruption may affect customer deliveries. This results in the company working closely with clients and relying on its existing metal stockpiles to meet short-term commitments.

While more information is still pending to come out, many analysts suggest that if the firm confirms the gravity of the impact, which may lead to an uncontrolled shutdown, further causing metal to solidify in the smelting circuits. However, fixing that damage is deemed not only costly but also time-consuming. Additionally, the analysts at Natixis SA predicted that the recovery may take up to a year to complete.

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Aughinish Alumina gathers $119 profit due to 50% revenue surge

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 00:30:00 +0530

The Aughinish Alumina refinery in Ireland has returned to profit due to the latest alumina price hikes. Its revenue rose sharply.

This is the largest alumina refinery in Europe. It is operated by Limerick Alumina Refinery Ltd. (LARL). It is located in the Shannon Estuary. It has witnessed a sharp increase in revenue in 2024. The newly filed accounts for CY 2024 show that the company has recorded a profit of USD 119.36 million before tax. This is a remarkable turnaround for the company, as it went to a loss of USD 113.64 million in 2023. The swing shows an improvement of around USD 233 million year-on-year.

The board of directors explained that the profits returned “primarily due to higher alumina market prices”.

The refinery’s revenue increased by 50 per cent from 2023 to 2024. It was USD 583.1 million in 2023 and increased to USD 875.36 million in the next year. The strong price environment supported higher earnings despite ongoing operational and market challenges.

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The operating profit reached USD 188.26 million. This figure includes the exceptional costs of USD 27.37 million. It is mainly linked to the impairment of tangible assets worth USD 25.8 million.

This refinery remains an important contributor to the local economy in the Midwest of Ireland. Staff costs rose from USD 52.42 million in 2023 to USD 55.4 million in 2024. Also, the remuneration of the directors increased from USD 706,000 to USD 766,000.

The company operates as a part of the wider UC Rusal group. It depends on the financial support from its parent company. The directors also stated that UC Rusal reported a profit in 2024, but the next year was not financially profitable. The group incurred a loss and increased net current liabilities.

The business continues to face challenges linked to the current global geopolitical tensions. UC Rusal and LARL are not directly targeted by the UK, EU, and US sanctions. The overall alumina market behaviour and restrictions affected the business operations.

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The directors stated that the company is impacted by the self-sanctioning from commercial partners and intermediaries. This resulted in reduced willingness among counterparties to do business with Russian entities. Such self-sanctioning activities also delay banking transactions. In fact, the directors fear that the company or its parent could be included in future sanctions packages.

Ernst & Young (EY) audited and highlighted the risks related to the company’s financial position. EY pointed to uncertainty around UC Rusal’s financial outlook. It said the factors mentioned above could raise doubts about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

UC Rusal accumulated a total loss of USD 240.17 million in December 2024. Its cash reserves also declined sharply from USD 85.13 million to USD 17.67 million.

LARL changed part of its trading structure after the balance sheet development. The company entered into direct sales agreements with 3rd-party buyers in 2025. One such alumina and alumina trihydrate sales agreement included a prepayment of USD 100 million, signed in May 2025. The same agreement was extended to an additional USD 50 million in December 2025.

NALCO posts record performance with 11.2% uptick in alumina production and 30.7% in sales

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 23:30:00 +0530

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) reported its highest ever performance in FY26, setting a record in production and sales across major segments, according to an exchange filing.

The company recorded excavation of 7.701 million tonnes of bauxite and transported around 7.707 million tonnes, which is a 6.13 per cent year-on-year increase.

Alumina hydrate production stood at 2.3 million tonnes, while calcined alumina output rose 11.16 per cent year-on-year to 2.275 million tonnes. Aluminium production remained steady, with output at 472,000 tonnes.

NALCO also reported its highest-ever net power generation at 6,953 million units, alongside coal production of 4 million tonnes.

On the sales side, alumina sales rose 30.74 per cent year-on-year to 1.446 million tonnes, marking the strongest growth across segments. Aluminium metal sales increased 2.82 per cent to 474,000 tonnes, with domestic aluminium sales reaching a record 461,000 tonnes.

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Chairman-cum-Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh said the performance reflects continued focus on operational efficiency and growth across the company’s integrated aluminium value chain.

NALCO shares closed at INR 401.55 (USD 4.33) on the NSE, up 0.53 per cent for the day.

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