AlCircle: latest news update

Trivium reports sharp emissions cuts in latest ESG performance update

Tue, 19 May 2026 14:00:00 +0530

Trivium Packaging has reported significant progress on its sustainability targets, including major reductions in carbon emissions and increased sourcing from suppliers with stronger ESG performance.

In its 2025 ESG KPI summary, the company said Scope 1 and 2 carbon dioxide emissions were reduced by 36 per cent compared with its 2020 baseline. Scope 3 emissions were also down 24 per cent over the same period.

According to Trivium, the results keep the company on track toward its 2030 Science Based Targets initiative goals, which call for a 42 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 25 per cent cut in Scope 3 emissions.

The company also said 52 per cent of its purchasing spend during 2025 went toward suppliers rated average or above average on ESG performance metrics, up from 49 per cent in the previous year.

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Trivium said the shift reflects tighter procurement standards and a broader effort to strengthen sustainability across its supply chain.

The company also highlighted growing commercial demand for environmentally focused packaging products. Eco-designed products accounted for 23 per cent of Trivium’s total sales revenue during the year.

On the social side, the company reported that all of its production facilities participated in at least one community engagement project during 2025.

Trivium retained its position on the CDP Climate A-List for the third consecutive year and also received EcoVadis Gold status, placing it among the top 5 per cent of companies assessed globally by the ratings platform.

The company said environmental performance data was independently verified by the Research Institutes of Sweden.

Trivium expects to release its full sustainability report later in 2026, prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative standards.

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ASI certifies Nemak México S.A. facilities against Chain of Custody Standard V2

Tue, 19 May 2026 12:30:00 +0530

Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Nemak México S.A. has been certified against the ASI Chain of Custody Standard V2 (2022). The Certification applies to multiple manufacturing facilities located in García, Nuevo León, including Plants 1 & 2, Plants 3 & 4, Plants 5 & 6, the Product Development Centre (PDC), High-Pressure Die Casting plant (HPDC), the Machining Plant, the Electric Mobility Centre (EMC), and the Melting Centre.

These facilities manufacture aluminium automotive components such as engine blocks, structural components, and battery trays, with activities including aluminium melting, high-pressure die casting, machining, product development, and electric mobility manufacturing operations.

The ASI CoC Standard V2 sets out requirements for the creation of a Chain of Custody for material that is produced and processed through the value chain into diverse downstream sectors. The implementation of ASI’s CoC Standard links verified practices at successive steps of the supply chain – certified under the ASI Performance Standard – to the materials produced by ASI Certified Entities.

The CoC Standard also confirms that appropriate policies and due diligence processes are in place to identify and address critical issues, such as corruption, human rights abuses, materials originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas in the supply chain and support responsible sourcing.

Discover how leading aluminium companies are driving the next phase of the sustainability transition from our e-Magazine, “Sustainability & Recycling: Aluminium’s Dual Commitment.”

The independent, third-party audit of Nemak México S.A. was carried out by DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd. A full listing of audit findings outlining evidence of conformances is available from page 5 of the summary audit report, linked below. No non-conformances were identified during the Chain of Custody Certification audit.

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

AMP upgrades Madrid plant with two-stage emissions treatment technology

Tue, 19 May 2026 11:30:00 +0530

Ardagh Metal Packaging (AMP) is increasing output at its Spanish beverage can facility through the introduction of an advanced emissions treatment installation at its plant outside Madrid. The project, delivered by environmental engineering company [Dürr CTS], represents an investment worth several million euros and is intended to support both production growth and tighter environmental performance standards.

The newly commissioned setup has been designed to manage emissions from AMP’s current manufacturing line, as well as an additional line being introduced at the site. With higher production capacity, the facility is expected to create a larger flow of exhaust air with higher solvent concentrations, which requires a more advanced treatment process.

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To meet this requirement, the system uses a two-phase approach. Air flows produced during the internal coating phase, which usually have low solvent concentrations but a high flow rate, are first treated in a filtration phase before entering a VOC concentration unit. Once concentrated, the resulting air flow is transferred to a regenerative thermal oxidiser (RTO), where contaminants are broken down through high-temperature thermal treatment.

According to the companies involved, the technology has been configured to operate automatically under standard conditions. In practice, this means the process can largely sustain itself using the energy released by the solvent-laden emissions, thereby reducing reliance on additional fuel sources.

The installation also aligns with AMP’s wider sustainability agenda. The company has previously outlined plans to cut the intensity of its global VOC emissions by 10 per cent before the end of the decade, and the Madrid upgrade forms part of that broader strategy.

Commenting on the agreement, Dr Ralf Klöpfer, Co-Chief Executive Officer of [Dürr CTS] described the initiative as another example of the ongoing partnership between the two businesses, noting that beverage can manufacturers are increasingly under pressure to improve operational efficiency while also meeting more demanding environmental regulations.

EMS acquires American Metals Supply to expand US aluminium distribution network

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:50:00 +0530

EMS, a distributor specialising in value-added aluminium products and backed by Wynnchurch Capital, has confirmed the acquisition of American Metals Supply (“AMS”), strengthening its position across the patio and industrial aluminium markets.

AMS was founded in Tampa, Florida, more than 25 years ago and has since grown its presence across the United States. The company supplies aluminium products used in residential, commercial, industrial and patio applications, and is recognised for maintaining strong inventory levels and dependable delivery services.

EMS Chief Executive Mike Swedick said the two companies share a similar operating approach focused on service, responsiveness and supporting manufacturers and contractors with reliable supply. He added that the acquisition would extend EMS’s reach into additional markets while strengthening its capabilities across several customer segments.

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Kevin Gonzalez, Chief Executive of AMS, said joining EMS would support the company’s next phase of growth and provide opportunities to expand its capabilities while continuing to prioritise customer service.The transaction is the seventh acquisition completed by EMS since Wynnchurch acquired the company in 2019. Legal advisory services for the deal were provided by Foley & Lardner LLP.

Headquartered in Lake Worth, Florida, EMS supplies aluminium products to customers operating in the industrial, commercial, residential and marine sectors. Established in 1982, the company has grown from a single Florida location to a network of more than 20 manufacturing and distribution facilities covering close to two million square feet.

AMS, headquartered in Tampa, distributes aluminium products for industrial, structural and architectural uses.

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Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, Wynnchurch Capital is a middle-market private equity investment firm with operations in both the United States and Canada. The firm partners with businesses that demonstrate strong growth potential and opportunities for operational improvement.

Aluminium moves beyond automotive into humanoid robotics, autonomous vehicles, and similar technologies

Tue, 19 May 2026 07:50:00 +0530

Part 2 of the interview with John Stokes, General Manager of IDRA Group, moves from identifying industry challenges to exploring practical solutions. While in Part 1, Mr Stokes pointed to two major concerns of the European aluminium die casting industry, such as scrap leakage and weak data analysis, in this part, he focuses on the role of data crunching and data mining as a critical enabler for the sector’s next phase of growth. Mr Stokes stresses the need to make die casting data more accessible and usable, including for third-party service providers. This, he explains, would allow major software companies to feed valuable insights back into the die casting industry and enable seamless data exchange in and out of die casting machines. Highlighting the demand for aluminium die cast components, he states the use of aluminium has moved beyond just the automotive industry into humanoid robotics, autonomous vehicles, and similar technologies.

To read more of such interesting perspectives from Mr Stokes about the aluminium die casting industry, read the full interview below.

AL Circle: Automation and digitalisation are widely credited with improving productivity and efficiency in die casting operations. To what extent has automation improved production efficiency of IDRA’s technologies? And if you could just share a concrete case study from an installation using your machinery?

John Stokes: Okay, we’re going back to the beginning of the interview here - data management, data crunching, data moving. So, one of the really important aspects that we have done is to concentrate on industry-standard data management, enabling us through MES and different systems to export data and manage it within the tier one or OEM infrastructure to manage our data.

Now, as the die casting industry, I believe that we have some difficulty - we’re all relatively small compared to the automotive industry in terms of money and the software infrastructure they have. And I think that what we can do is we can make the data available and then utilise third-party services. I’m being very generic here as for example, we’ve been working with some German-Indian groups as well for AI data analysis. The really big thing is, though, we’re doing all of this data analysis and until today through the automation, we don’t have a really good way of feeding it back into the production process, meaning making automatic adjustments of the machine or modifying the cooling process of the die. All of this is still done manually. So, my answer to your question is that we have not done enough as an industry. We’re really good now at gathering data, and this started back in the 70s and the 80s when I was still working in the foundry in Birmingham, England.

We started by gathering injection data. Then we started to fit encoders to measure the velocity and the pressure, and we started to analyse, and that was our key data. So, our KPI was injection data and that subsequently expanded to the whole machine.

Now, we’re monitoring energy and thermal control, and using thermal cameras to identify the stability of the thermal process. So, I would say the biggest contribution is data gathering and putting that data into an SQL-style database that we can then query and use third-party systems.

What we have to do as a small industry is to make that data available so that major software houses can feed us back information and have the ability to cross the data string in and out of the die casting machine. This is where the major groups like Siemens, Parker, Rockwell, Allen-Bradley, and Mitsubishi can help us with the transmission of data efficiently and in real time. And this is where it becomes difficult because the real time for a process of die casting on a big machine is 100-120 milliseconds. On a small machine, we're talking about a process that lasts less than 60 milliseconds. So, yeah, lots of data, but the current thinking is if you've got lots of data and you don't know what to do with it, give it to AI. But then what? What is AI going to do with it? It's going to give us a summary or give us a good, or in die casting terms, a suspect part, but what are we going to do with it? And that's the real question right now. How do we make this transformative step, allowing us to take this data that's being analysed and feed it back into the process? Until now, we have relied on very skilful people to do this operation. And trust me, in the world today, there are not enough skilled people in the die casting industry.

It's not a very popular industry. It's dirty, it's hot, and it's difficult, but it's super exciting at the same time. So, let's hope that we can attract young people and if I may say so, that's one of the major things for 2026 through till 2030, let's educate, let's bring the young blood into the industry, because without them, we're going to die. And certainly here in Western Europe, we're struggling so much that we have a real ageing population of engineers, and we need the young engineers to come in. I don’t want to see big brands die because of the lack of an enthusiastic workforce.

AL Circle: Demand for aluminium die cast components continues to rise across multiple end-use sectors. How do you assess the growth outlook for aluminium die-casting machinery, and which regions are likely to be the main drivers of market expansion over the next five years?

John Stokes: Clearly, the use of aluminium in the automotive industry is dominant, but there are also other new industrial growth areas. There’s a lot happening around humanoid robotics, autonomous vehicles, and similar technologies. I think that, in addition to what we do, this is part of the growth area in the use of aluminium.

It’s also true to say that the use of aluminium in public transport, like trains, aircraft, and the aerospace industry as a whole, is significant. It is still a growth area, even though the volumes are relatively low.

Geographically speaking, there are some interesting trends. We continue to advocate for and support India in becoming more of a global player in terms of high-tech production. Also, we’re working more and more in Southeast Asia, and I think probably the most interesting area of growth right now is North Africa - what’s going to happen there? Will it do what everybody says it’s going to do, or will it not? That remains to be seen. If we look at current trends in existing markets, then clearly the US and China remain fairly dominant.

But in terms of growth areas, Southeast Asia, North Africa, and, of course, there has been a lot of discussions around Saudi Arabia as well. Will they choose to go industrial as oil starts to taper off? Will they transition into industrial states? We’ll have to see. But clearly, the current situation does not help at all.

AL Circle: As customers increasingly demand complex, high-precision aluminium castings for specialised applications, how is IDRA responding from a product development perspective? And are you expanding your machinery portfolio or upgrading existing ones to address these design and performance requirements?

John Stokes: So, absolutely, there is a big demand for high-integrity, high-performance die casting. I think one of the most important things from our point of view is that you can’t expect to know everything and be an expert on every aspect. So for us, partnership is fundamental. And our partners within the Foundry Star Alliance, where we bring nine companies together to work on exactly what you’re saying—projects for developing tooling, developing products—is super important.

So, that’s one side of it. On the other side, we have to continue to strive, innovate, push, and do bold things—things that people might be sceptical and laugh at, like giga casting—that are going to make a change. So, yes, we’re looking at new products, expanding our portfolio, and seeing what we can do for the future to have new and exciting products coming through. And being part of the global group between IDRA Group, where we have our own global subsidiaries, and LK Group, we have the resources, the commitment, and the engineering to make some of our dreams come true. So, we are working on new and interesting products.

AL Circle: Energy consumption remains one of the major cost factors in die casting due to the high temperatures required for melting and thermal processes. How is IDRA addressing this challenge through machine design and process optimisation? And what tangible energy efficiency gains can die casting plants expect from your technologies?

John Stokes: Okay, first of all, if we look at the die casting machine, there are obvious efficiencies that we’re working on, and IDRA is one of the leading companies in designing energy-efficient die casting machines, both on the smaller and the higher end of the scale. We have hydraulic machines driven by electric motors, and as such, we need to optimise energy usage. Clearly, our hope is to be able to do more with less.

So, what does that mean? That means efficient hydraulic design, utilising the motors in the best way possible, being able to provide the fluid power needed to move the machine backwards and forwards while optimising the losses of energy. So, we’re able to take a motor and use it to drive the machine, but when we’re not using it, we need to shut that electric motor down or at least minimise its energy consumption. And so, that’s one side. That’s the machine, etc. And IDRA is also very focused on our new injection system that’s so popular right now in the world of structural castings, at least. We’re able to manage directly on the machine and reduce the energy usage of a machine by over 50 per cent. And this is important, big numbers, right? Especially when we’ve got such big motors and big machines.

On the other side, we’re working very closely with our partners, looking at furnaces, looking at managing the air inside the foundry, working very closely with the OEMs and with our partner companies to actually make heat recovery. There are a couple of companies within the Foundry Star Alliance that are focused on melting and managing the air within the foundry and heat recovery.

And this also forms an important part of what we’re doing, right? We can then use the energy from the furnace, which would normally be wasted energy—it goes up and out through the roof—and we’re able to use that to do heat recovery programmes and then utilise that heat for different things. It could be used as a heating process for the foundry. It could be used in colder countries, of course. It can be used as a way of heating water within the foundry for a secondary process, maybe for the paint shop, or maybe we can even use it towards energy for the local population. And that’s really what we like to work on. I really like to think that we’re able to give something back. So we’re burning gas, we’re using electricity to make these castings, but then we need to do more in terms of heat recovery, utilising that wasted energy and feeding it back into the community—whether it’s the community within the factory or the community outside, supplying hot water for local houses and factories. There are many different possibilities.

But all of this—the electric motors, the use of the machine, heat recovery, working on the total installation of the machine—is helping to be respectful to what we’re doing and hopefully improve energy efficiency. Of course, energy efficiency right now is a huge thing for all of us, right? So, we account for waste resources.

AL Circle: How do you see the aluminium die-casting market in Europe evolving through 2026 and beyond, and what strategic priorities will guide IDRA’s efforts to capture growth and strengthen its position in the European market?

John Stokes: Well, first of all, I think we have to say that all of the forecasts from industry leaders and politicians suggest that we should enter into the next phase of growth. And I think that Euroguss, when we were together earlier this year, helped to really focus on that—that we’re all enthusiastic, we all want to move forward.

Clearly, it seems these days that we take two steps forward and one step back, right? We’re enthusiastic, we’re moving forward, but then we have geopolitical unrest, and so it’s like—should we really do it right now, or maybe it is better we wait? But at the end of the day, I think that 2026, 2027, and 2028 are going to fundamentally change the way that we do business and focus our attention on how we are able to remain competitive in Europe on a global scale.

And maybe if you hear me speak, you hear me often talking about the MG badge. So for me, as a very old Englishman, an MG is a little English sports car—that’s no longer the case, right? And I think that there are a lot of European brands that could go the same way. So pay attention, keep working. I believe that there is definitely a recovery growth. And the reason why I believe so is that we’re already at the bottom after years of hardship, and it’s time to start climbing up. And I know this is difficult within Europe. I know there are a lot of respondents with whom we really have to work together, and we have to move forward.

Europe remains an important global asset, and I think that we have to maintain that and we have to continue to invest. And the governments must understand that we can’t all be investment bankers. If I have one message to the European governments and the actual European entity itself, then don’t forget that we still have a lot to contribute to the world of manufacturing. We have a lot of innovation. We have some of the best engineers in the world here in Europe. And so, let’s continue to move forward, and I believe that 2026, 2027 and beyond will be a period of growth, a period of reinvestment, and above all, a period of generational gain. Okay, there are a lot of old people like me in the industry, and what we need is to bring in the next generation who are enthusiastic. I would like to believe that the next generation will also be as dedicated to the industry. Let’s see. Partly, that’s our job to lead.

China offers limited rare earth relief as US supply concerns persist

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:40:00 +0530

The White House said China has agreed to address US concerns over shortages of rare earths and critical minerals following last week’s leaders’ summit in Beijing, although existing Chinese export controls are expected to remain in place.

Washington did not call for the removal of restrictions that have disrupted supply chains linked to aerospace, semiconductor and advanced manufacturing industries in the United States.

China introduced tighter export controls on several rare earths and critical minerals in April 2025 following tariff measures announced by US President Donald Trump.

According to the White House summary released after the summit, China agreed to address concerns related to shortages of minerals including yttrium, scandium and indium, which are used in high-tech and strategic manufacturing applications.

The statement also referenced concerns over restrictions tied to rare earth processing technologies, an area where China maintains global dominance.

However, China’s Ministry of Commerce did not mention rare earths in its own summary of the discussions, highlighting continuing differences between the two sides over how the issue is being presented publicly.

Analysts said the latest agreement suggests Washington is increasingly acknowledging that China’s export-control regime for critical minerals is unlikely to disappear entirely.

Cory Combs, associate director at Trivium China, said the outcome was not ideal for the United States but still reflected a shared interest in maintaining stability between the two countries.

Also read: Assam pushes rare earth exploration with focus on sustainable mining

Export delays persist for strategic industries

Rare earth export licences are reportedly continuing to flow to sectors such as consumer electronics and automotive manufacturing, although delays remain for industries linked to military or strategic applications.

Reuters previously reported that shortages of yttrium and scandium had affected parts of the US aerospace and semiconductor industries. Yttrium is used in heat-resistant coatings for aircraft engines, while scandium plays a role in chip manufacturing.

Indium restrictions raise concerns for AI and chip supply chains

The White House also highlighted indium, which appeared for the first time in official U.S. messaging on the issue. China added indium to its export control list in early 2025.

Indium and its compounds are used in products including photonic chips, optical communication systems, LED displays and high-speed optical lasers tied to AI data centres and next-generation 6G networks.

Industry observers noted that Chinese indium exports have fallen sharply since the controls were introduced, with shipments to the United States reportedly dropping by around 77 per cent.

Coherent, which holds a major share of the global market for indium phosphide optical components, was among the companies represented during the US delegation’s visit to Beijing.

Paul Triolo said slower or politically dependent licensing approvals from China could create supply challenges and higher costs for companies involved in advanced chip and AI infrastructure projects.

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Tsingshan asks Indonesian nickel producers to cut output to support aluminium operations

Tue, 19 May 2026 07:48:00 +0530

Tsingshan Group has reportedly asked several nickel pig iron (NPI) producers operating at Indonesia’s Weda Bay industrial park to curb production in June as the company prioritises electricity supply for aluminium operations.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the request was made last week to producers of NPI, a key material used in stainless steel manufacturing.

The move reflects growing pressure on power availability at the Weda Bay complex, where Tsingshan has expanded into aluminium production through a joint venture with Xinfa.

Industry sources said Tsingshan has increasingly shifted focus toward aluminium after prices for the metal rose sharply following disruption linked to the Iran conflict and shipping uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz.

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Benchmark aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange have reportedly climbed more than 12 per cent since the conflict began, helping improve margins for aluminium producers.

The Weda Bay industrial park, located on Indonesia’s Halmahera Island, contains more than 700,000 tonnes per year of nickel-in-NPI production capacity, according to investor material released by Eramet, which partners with Tsingshan in PT Weda Bay Nickel.

The site also houses the Tsingshan-Xinfa Juwan aluminium project, which has an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonnes.

Both aluminium smelting and NPI production require large amounts of electricity, and sources said the park’s captive power generation system has struggled to keep pace with rapid smelter expansion.

Analysts noted that aluminium margins have recently become significantly more attractive than those for nickel pig iron production, where profit margins were already under pressure.

Rachel Zhang said construction of captive power plants generally takes around two to two-and-a-half years, while aluminium smelters can be built in less than a year, creating bottlenecks in power availability.

She also noted that delivery timelines for power-generation equipment in Indonesia have lengthened to roughly 21 months, while costs have increased by around 30 per cent compared with 2024 levels.

Tsingshan has not publicly commented on the reported production adjustments.

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China's primary aluminium output rises 3% Y-o-Y in April

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:11:00 +0530

On an on-month basis, last month's output increased by 0.5 per cent from March, Mysteel Global calculated based on the NBS data.

Daily production averaged 129,000 tonnes in April, representing a 3.1 per cent increase from the same month last year and a 3.8 per cent rise from March, according to Mysteel Global's calculation.

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The climb in output was largely driven by robust profitability in China's primary aluminium sector, market analysts said. Mysteel's survey showed that during April, the average profit margin enjoyed by smelters when selling their semis rose by 1.4 per cent on month to RMB 8,947 per tonne (USD 1,314 per tonne), the highest level since the survey was first conducted in early 2019.

Although production costs also rose during the month, growth in Chinese primary aluminium prices outpaced cost Increases, further expanding industry profit margins, analysts added. Mysteel assessed the weighted average spot price for primary aluminium ingots with a minimum purity of 99.7 per cent at RMB 24,664 per tonne in April, up 1.1 per cent from March. Meanwhile, the industry's weighted average cost increased by 0.9 per cent on a month to RMB 15,717 per tonne.

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Inventories continued to build in April, as higher primary aluminium prices still dampened downstream purchasing. However, the pace of accumulation slowed notably. By the end of April, retail inventories of primary aluminium held in warehouses in the 16 major cities under Mysteel's tracking stood at 1.45 million tonnes, up 3.7 per cent from a month earlier and easing from the sharper 18.9 per cent on-month increase recorded in March, Mysteel Global noted.

The slowdown in primary aluminium inventory growth suggests a gradual recovery in demand from aluminium re-rollers and end-users.

Over the January-April period, China's primary aluminium output totalled 15.33 million tonnes, up 3.5 per cent on year, according to the NBS data.

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At Forward Africa Forum in Nairobi, President Doumbouya links aluminium to Africa’s economic transformation

Tue, 19 May 2026 08:10:00 +0530

In his speech at the Forward Africa Forum held in Nairobi, Kenya, President of Guinea, General Mamadi Doumbouya called upon African nations to rethink their place within the international economic arena and to shift from relying solely on selling raw materials towards industrialisation.

Addressing participants at the forum, President Doumbouya said, “Africa can no longer be a mere supplier of raw materials to feed the world's industries,” drawing applause from the audience.

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The statement underscored growing concerns over Africa’s long-standing dependence on exporting natural resources, including bauxite, gold, oil, lithium and cocoa, in raw form while value-added processing and manufacturing largely take place elsewhere.

Guinea, one of the world’s leading bauxite producers, has increasingly focused on strengthening domestic mineral processing and industrialisation efforts. The sentiments from Doumbouya came amid growing efforts aimed at encouraging African countries to keep more value out of their natural resources.

This was also consistent with the developing pan-African approach that has been championed by many leaders, who have called for greater economic independence and more involvement in international trade as a producer rather than a supplier of commodities.

Gulf disruptions are reshaping global aluminium supply chains faster than expected

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:30:00 +0530

The global aluminium market is witnessing a great ordeal as it shifts into a new era, where disruption is becoming a constant rather than just an occasional bump. AZ Global’s report “Gulf Disruptions Roadmap: Decoding Aluminium Market Volatility, Supply Risks & Trade Flow Shifts” provides core insights on the current constraints reshaping the global aluminium supply, demand, trade flows, production inputs and procurement behaviours as it becomes more intertwined.

Given the current trend in the market, it indicates that the people who are involved in navigating the industry are finding that traditional indicators are losing their reliability. Why so? This is because high prices do not point clearly to a shortage, and weaker demand is not reducing the market pressure.

Also read: Aluminium market on edge: Gulf supply crisis fuels fears of $4,000 prices amid global shortage

Irrespective of adequate supply in the market, factors like continuity, accessibility and timeliness are making it crucial to have a more focused look at them. This change within the market dynamics reflects that there is a larger shift in the constraints impacting the aluminium industry.

The report by AZ Global, "Gulf Disruptions Roadmap: Decoding Aluminium Market Volatility, Supply Risks & Trade Flow Shifts" states that is changing from issues like logistics disruptions to production inputs, carbon exposure and the resilience of supply chains. Among all this, for the industry, logistics is deemed to be the major challenge. This is because its evolving role is shifting from being a single problem to a factor that is swaying how different regional supply and demand are fulfilled with proper supply.

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Concurrently, the global aluminium industry is deemed to be becoming more fragmented. What makes this assumption? Multiple industrial areas are seeing softer demand and increasing inventories, while others are trying to adapt with tighter availability and varying price trends. Due to this, the aluminium market is not moving as it should, making regional access and supply security more critical than ever for downstream industries.

Another key player, according to the AZ Global, "Gulf Disruptions Roadmap: Decoding Aluminium Market Volatility, Supply Risks & Trade Flow Shifts" report, which is shaping the next chapter of the global aluminium market pressure is carbon. Unlike the exchange of raw materials or making short-term logistical tweaks, challenges which are carbon-related are proving to be more difficult to navigate. What makes this? The inclusion of stricter compliance requirements, fragile supply chains and limited inventory increases concerns about future disruptions that may arise even before a recovery in demand is seen.

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Region-wise, China still holds the lion's share as the key player in the global landscape. Weakening domestic demand, rising inventories and export trends are the major factors that are deemed to shape international trade flows and cause delays in how the broader market reacts.

Although the demand from China is not easing, it does not indicate that the global market is in the clear. Moreover, given the pressure, it is being distributed unevenly across various regions, making the existing gaps in pricing and supply conditions even more pronounced.

Read our latest e-magazine, ALuminium LeaderSpeak 2026 for current market insights from industry's leading voices.

Currently, the according to the AZ Global, "Gulf Disruptions Roadmap: Decoding Aluminium Market Volatility, Supply Risks & Trade Flow Shifts" report, the market is slowly shifting away from a wait-and-see mentality towards a more lean early positioning, marking it as another important shift taking place in the market. As of now, the market is focused on continuity, reliability and protecting their inventory, rather than just chasing the best prices. This shift reflects a growing recognition that future disruptions could hit suddenly and upstream, especially in areas related to production inputs and carbon exposure.

For aluminium producers, traders and downstream consumers, these changes carry significant implications. Market conditions are becoming less predictable, supply chains are less synchronised and interpreting pricing signals is getting trickier. In this kind of environment, having access to a reliable supply could increasingly become a competitive edge, especially as the industry faces a tightening rather than stabilising system.

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Geopolitical risks in the Middle East cool down, aluminium prices under pressure in the short term

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:30:00 +0530

Futures: SHFE aluminium closed at RMB 24,320 per tonne, up 0.48 per cent, with an intraday high of 24,395 and a low of 24,250. The price barely held above MA30 (24,320) but remained suppressed by MA5 (24,506), MA10 (24,517), and MA60 (24,594), with the short-term moving average bearish alignment unchanged. MACD indicator DIF = -84.97, DEA = -33.26, with negative histogram bars expanding to -103.43 after the death cross, indicating continuously strengthening bearish momentum. Trading volume shrank to 49,800 lots, with the rebound lacking volume support. The suggested core trading range for SHFE aluminium is 24,000-24,500. LME aluminium closed at USD 3,564.5 per tonne, edging up 0.20 per cent. The price was below MA10 (3,568.9) but above MA30 (3,555.5), under short-term pressure but with medium-term support still intact. MACD indicator DIF = 30.21, DEA = 35.01, with the death cross continuing and negative histogram bars expanding to -9.6, indicating somewhat strengthening bearish momentum. The suggested core trading range for LME aluminium is 3,530-3,590.

Macro Front: US President Trump posted on social platform "Truth Social" stating that at the request of leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, he had ordered that the originally planned military strike on Iran not be launched on May 19. Trump stated that given serious negotiations were underway and that in the view of these leaders and allies, both sides would eventually reach an agreement. Most importantly, this agreement would explicitly include the following core terms: Iran shall not possess nuclear weapons.

Fundamentals: Outside China, amid Middle East conflicts, ex-China aluminium exhibited a rigid supply gap, driving LME inventory to continue destocking. As of last Wednesday, LME inventory decreased by approximately 11,700 tonnes Y-o-Y to 346,500 tonnes. The LME aluminium Cash-3M premium structure continued to deepen. In China, as of this Monday, SMM aluminium social inventory was approximately 1.435 million tonnes, an inventory buildup of approximately 7,000 tonnes compared to last Thursday, with inventory still at elevated levels, continuing to exert pressure on aluminium prices.

Primary Aluminium Market: Yesterday during the morning session, SHFE aluminium 2606 contract fluctuated downward, with the overall price centre significantly lower than the previous trading day. Market purchasing sentiment remained at a relatively weak level. Affected by the sharp decline in aluminium prices, some sellers held back from selling, with strong price-holding sentiment. The mainstream spot cargo quotation was at SMMA00 minus RMB 10 per tonne to the average price. The east China market shipments sentiment index was 2.9, down 0.1 W-o-W; the purchasing sentiment index was 2.83, flat W-o-W.

Yesterday, futures aluminium prices continued to pull back. In the central China market, buying sentiment recovered somewhat, with downstream processing enterprises showing stronger purchase willingness, but some suppliers adopted a wait-and-see attitude, with weakening shipment sentiment. Ultimately, mainstream transaction prices in the central China market hovered between premiums of RMB 10 to RMB 30 over the central China price, with a continued strengthening trend. The shipment sentiment index in the central China market was 2.82, down 0.01 M-o-M; the procurement sentiment index was 2.29, up 0.03 M-o-M.

Aluminium scrap: Yesterday, A00 aluminium prices fell RMB 320 per tonne from the previous trading day, with aluminium scrap market prices generally following the decline. On the supply side, policy constraints were significant, as strict inspections on reverse invoicing led to a shortage of compliant invoice sources, raising industry costs, with yards generally holding back from selling and holding prices firm. According to survey feedback, warehouse inflows at mainstream yards in east China declined Y-o-Y, showing a slight inventory buildup trend, while aluminium tense scrap inventories pulled back somewhat.

For imported aluminium scrap, persistently inverted high LME prices made import traders more cautious, and subsequent imports are expected to pull back. On the demand side, entering the traditional consumption off-season, the operating rate of secondary aluminium enterprises pulled back slightly. High tax pressure combined with low-price difficulties forced some enterprises to cut or halt production, further weakening market demand. The aluminium tense scrap segment maintained a low-inventory just-in-time procurement mode, while the wrought aluminium alloy scrap segment, though slightly supported by sheet and strip operations, saw limited overall strength, with sluggish market transactions and strong wait-and-see sentiment.

Secondary aluminium alloy: Yesterday, the ADC12 market was mainly down overall. Driven by the sharp pullback in aluminium prices, most enterprises lowered quotes accordingly, with declines generally controlled within RMB 100-200 per tonne, as the cost side still provided some support. Currently, compliant aluminium scrap sources are tightening, forcing some secondary aluminium enterprises to cut production, and market supply has contracted slightly, leading to rising hold-back sentiment amid falling prices, which supported prices. However, persistently weak downstream demand continued to clearly constrain upward price movement. In the short term, ADC12 prices will continue to move sideways in a narrow range. Amid the tug-of-war between cost support and weak demand, downside room is relatively limited, but rebound momentum is also insufficient. On imports, current import ADC12 quotes edged down but remained in the high range of USD 3,340-3,430 per tonne, with immediate import losses exceeding RMB 3,000 per tonne, keeping the theoretical import window closed.

Aluminium market summary: Macro front, Trump announced the cancellation of the previously planned military strike against Iran, as negotiations made progress through mediation by relevant countries, easing market concerns over escalation of the Middle East conflict. Domestically, high inventory remained the core factor suppressing significant price rallies, and weak spot market transactions further limited upside room for aluminium prices. Aluminium prices are expected to continue the pattern of LME outperforming SHFE and fluctuate at highs in the short term.

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

LME aluminium cash offer price steadies at $3,637/t amid mixed market cues

Tue, 19 May 2026 05:10:00 +0530

The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price, after declining at the previous close, again rose on May 18; however, the rise was not significant. Moreover, the 3-month Asian Reference Price also rose, but the longer-dated contracts continued the declining trend. A slight decline in the LME alumina platts price has also been witnessed on May 18.

The LME cash bid rose from USD 3,634 per tonne to USD 3,635 per tonne, owing to an increase of USD 1 per tonne or 0.03 per cent. Similarly, the LME cash offer finally stood at USD 3,637 per tonne, inching up by USD 2 per tonne or 0.05 per cent from the previous close, which was recorded at USD 3,635 per tonne.

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At the forward contracts, both the LME 3-month bid and offer declined by USD 15 per tonne or 0.4 per cent, where the bid shifted from USD 3,578 per tonne to USD 3,563 per tonne and the offer from USD 3,580 per tonne to USD 3,565 per tonne.

Concurrently, the LME longer-dated contracts also declined, where both the December 27 bid and offer moved down by USD 12 per tonne or 0.4 per cent, with the bid inching down to USD 3,145 per tonne from USD 3,157 per tonne and the offer at USD 3,150 per tonne from USD 3,162 per tonne.

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The LME 3-month Asian Reference Price, on the other hand, rose by USD 6 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, rising to USD 3,569 per tonne from USD 3,563 per tonne.

At the inventory level, the opening stock and live warrant declined by 2,500 tonnes or 0.7 per cent and 2,850 tonnes or 1 per cent, respectively. As of May 18, the opening stock stood at 344,000 tonnes, down from 346,500 tonnes and live warrant at 283,875 tonnes, declining from 286,725 tonnes.

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On the other hand, the LME cancelled warrant continued to rise by 625 tonnes or 1.1 per cent and on May 18, it rose from 57,275 tonnes to 57,900 tonnes.

A slight decline has been witnessed at LME alumina platts price, where it moved down by USD 0.5 per tonne or 0.2 per cent, shifting from USD 305.90 per tonne to USD 305.40 per tonne.

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Assam pushes rare earth exploration with focus on sustainable mining

Tue, 19 May 2026 02:30:00 +0530

Assam has begun moving towards rare earth and critical mineral exploration as the state looks to align itself with India’s broader push to secure strategic mineral resources for future industries.

At a recent review meeting of the Mines and Minerals Department, state officials discussed plans to start exploration work for rare earth reserves in coordination with central government policies. The state government said Assam already has identified reserves of rare earths and other minerals considered important for advanced manufacturing, clean energy systems and Industry 4.0 technologies.

Officials also reviewed exploration activity for other minerals across the state. According to the government, several of these projects have already attracted investment commitments worth more than INR 50,000 trillion (USD 5.19 trillion).

Alongside the expansion plans, the state emphasised that mining activity must remain within existing environmental and sustainability guidelines, with ecological protection continuing to be a priority for future projects.

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Exploration plans tied to India’s wider critical minerals strategy

Assam’s latest push comes at a time when India is increasing efforts to build domestic supply chains for critical minerals used in sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, electric mobility, electronics and defence manufacturing.

In the Union Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman proposed customs duty exemptions on capital equipment required for critical mineral processing, a move aimed at boosting domestic value addition and processing capacity.

Rare earths and strategic minerals were also a major topic during the 2nd North East Mining Ministers’ Conclave held in June 2025, where Assam highlighted its growing ambitions in the mining and minerals sector.

The state has also been actively seeking investment in the sector. During the Advantage Assam 2.0 summit, Assam signed 14 memorandums of understanding involving investment proposals worth more than INR 46,000 billion (USD 477.49 billion) from Indian and overseas investors.

The exploration initiative also fits into the framework of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM), launched in 2025 to reduce India’s dependence on imported strategic minerals and strengthen long-term mineral security.

As part of the mission, the Geological Survey of India has been assigned 1,200 exploration projects between 2024–25 and 2030–31 to identify and assess critical mineral reserves across the country.

Skuld files patent application for scrap-to-wrought aluminium casting process under DARPA programme

Tue, 19 May 2026 00:30:00 +0530

Skuld has filed a patent application for a process that enables wrought-grade aluminium alloys to be cast directly from scrap metal, marking a significant development in advanced recycling and field-based manufacturing technologies.

The US-based manufacturing company is leading a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Rubble to Rockets (R2R) programme aimed at converting scrap metal into structural components using advanced casting techniques and artificial intelligence-assisted analysis.

According to the company, the patent application covers the ability to cast wrought-grade aluminium alloys such as 6061 and 7075 directly from scrap feedstock. The process could eliminate the need for traditional rolling or forging steps typically required to achieve wrought-equivalent mechanical properties.

The project is being developed in collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Foundry Casting Systems and MatMicronia.

Sarah Jordan, chief executive officer of Skuld, said the R2R programme is evaluating casting methods, alloy behaviour and AI-assisted tools to expand manufacturing options in challenging operating environments.

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AI and portable casting systems central to R2R programme

The programme focuses on solving three major technical challenges: rapid identification of unknown scrap alloys, prediction of alloy performance under load and production of functional components without conventional supply chains.

Skuld is using AI-assisted spark testing technology to identify scrap alloy compositions by analysing the light spectrum generated when metal is ground. Research teams at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and MatMicronia are supporting efforts to predict microstructure and mechanical performance.

The company said recent casting experiments successfully eliminated cracking in complex geometries, a problem that had previously limited the use of scrap-based casting for structural components. Test results showed wrought-level strength could be achieved through casting and heat treatment alone.

Skuld’s manufacturing process, known as Additive Manufacturing Evaporative Casting (AMEC), uses 3D-printed patterns to create lost foam casting moulds without requiring hard tooling. The approach is intended to reduce lead times and capital costs associated with traditional tooling systems.

The R2R programme also includes the development of compact and portable casting systems designed for on-demand production in remote or supply-constrained environments. The capability aligns with broader US military efforts to strengthen domestic manufacturing resilience and field logistics.

The company said the patent filing reflects confidence that the casting process could offer commercially viable applications beyond defence-related use cases.

Separately, QinetiQ recently completed a flight test involving a structural hinge component produced through 3D printing using titanium recovered from a decommissioned aircraft, highlighting growing interest in advanced recycled metal applications across the aerospace and defence sectors.

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Japan’s primary aluminium imports rise 6.6% in March 2026 as auto demand recovers

Mon, 18 May 2026 21:30:00 +0530

Japan’s primary aluminium imports increased by 6.6 per cent year-on-year and 16 per cent month-on-month to 89,497 tonnes in March 2026, supported by improving automotive demand and higher domestic production of aluminium products.

Data from Japan’s Finance Ministry showed stronger activity in flat-rolled and extruded aluminium products during the month, while vehicle production also continued to recover.

The Japan Aluminium Association said shipments of flat-rolled products used for can stock increased by 3.6 per cent year-on-year to 33,639 tonnes, supported by seasonal beverage product launches. Deliveries to the automotive sector also rose 1.2 per cent to 16,105 tonnes in line with higher domestic vehicle output.

Extrusions output and domestic shipments turned positive for the first time in six months. Shipments to the automotive sector increased 15 per cent year-on-year to 13,149 tonnes.

Japan’s domestic vehicle production rose 8.8 per cent year-on-year to 742,120 units in March, according to data compiled by Argus from eight major automakers.

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Construction and battery demand remain weak

However, demand from the construction sector remained weak due to lower housing activity. Extruded aluminium shipments for construction applications fell 5.3 per cent year-on-year to 27,221 tonnes, while housing starts in Japan dropped 29 per cent year-on-year to 63,495 units in March 2026.

Production and shipments of aluminium foil also declined to 7,608 tonnes and 8,060 tonnes, respectively. The Japan Aluminium Association attributed the decline partly to weaker demand from automotive lithium-ion battery applications.

Japan’s imports of aluminium alloy ingots (ADC12) fell 3 per cent year-on-year to 79,137 tonnes in March. However, the average import value increased 5.6 per cent year-on-year to USD 2,969 per tonne.

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Japan’s aluminium sourcing shifts in March

Australia remained Japan’s largest supplier of primary aluminium in March despite lower shipments. Imports from Australia declined 9.1 per cent year-on-year and 14 per cent month-on-month to 22,756 tonnes. However, cumulative imports during January–March 2026 edged up 1.1 per cent to 75,260 tonnes.

Brazil ranked as Japan’s second-largest supplier in March, with shipments increasing 7.4 per cent year-on-year to 19,504 tonnes. Imports from Brazil during the first quarter rose sharply by 45.1 per cent to 50,698 tonnes.

Imports from India recorded the strongest growth among major suppliers. Japan’s imports from India more than doubled year-on-year to 13,619 tonnes in March 2026, while January–March imports increased 19.1 per cent to 25,941 tonnes.

Shipments from the United Arab Emirates also posted steady growth. Japan imported 8,710 tonnes of primary aluminium from the UAE in March, up 9.9 per cent year-on-year. First-quarter imports from the UAE increased 9.4 per cent to 28,534 tonnes.

Malaysia registered the sharpest increase in percentage terms, although from a relatively low base. Japan’s aluminium imports from Malaysia surged 836.9 per cent year-on-year to 7,545 tonnes in March. Imports during January–March 2026 more than doubled, rising 108.3 per cent to 13,570 tonnes.

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Premier Energies reports 64% rise in Q4 FY26 profit on strong solar cell demand and expansion push

Tue, 19 May 2026 01:30:00 +0530

Premier Energies Limited reported strong growth in revenue and profit during the fourth quarter of FY26, supported by higher-margin solar cell sales and increased production utilisation.

The company’s revenue for Q4 FY26 rose 37.6 per cent year-on-year to INR 22.3 billion (USD 232 million). Profit after tax increased 64.45 per cent to INR 4.57 billion (USD 47.5 million) during the quarter.

On a sequential basis, revenue increased 15.17 per cent, while net profit rose 15.34 per cent, indicating continued momentum heading into FY27.

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The company said stronger operating leverage, favourable product mix and silver price hedging supported profitability despite commodity cost pressures. Capacity utilisation during the quarter stood at 84 per cent.

Premier Energies Limited reported an order book of 9,383 MW valued at INR 140.1 billion (USD 1.45 billion) as of March 31, 2026. Management expects more than two-thirds of the current order book to be executed during FY27.

The company plans to expand manufacturing capacity across several business segments. It aims to add 7 GW of solar cell capacity by September 2026 and 10 GW of ingot-wafer capacity by December 2028.

Also read: British Columbia funds testing of aluminium-coated lightning suppression technology for wildfire prevention

Additional expansion targets include nearly 6 GWh of battery energy storage system container capacity by March 2027, 10 GVA transformer capacity by July 2026 and 3 GW inverter capacity by December 2026.

The board has approved plans to raise up to INR 50 billion (USD 520 million) through equity, debt or convertible securities to support expansion projects. Total planned capital expenditure for FY27 stands at INR 51 billion (USD 530 million) as part of a broader INR 120 billion (USD 1.25 billion) expansion programme through FY28.

Brokerage firms revised their targets for the stock following the quarterly results. Jefferies maintained a “Buy” rating with a target price of INR 1,135 (USD 11.79), while UBS also retained a “Buy” rating and raised its target to INR 1,340 (USD 13.92).

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Kotak Mahindra Bank maintained a “Sell” rating with a target price of INR 900 (USD 9.35), citing delays in the battery energy storage business and the cancellation of an inverter acquisition.

Analysts said future growth will depend on the execution of expansion projects, the timely delivery of orders and continued policy support for the solar energy sector.

British Columbia funds testing of aluminium-coated lightning suppression technology for wildfire prevention

Mon, 18 May 2026 19:00:00 +0530

British Columbia will invest up to CAD 1 million (more than USD 727,000) to support field testing of wildfire prevention technology using aluminium nanoparticle-based materials developed by Vancouver-based Skyward Wildfire Technologies.

The company is developing a system aimed at predicting and reducing lightning strikes that could spark wildfires. According to Skyward, the technology disperses a “lightning reduction material” into storm systems in regions facing a high risk of wildfire ignition.

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The material is made from silica or basalt fibre coated with aluminium nanoparticles. Skyward said the particles help redistribute electrical charges within storm clouds, reducing the conditions that can lead to cloud-to-ground lightning strikes.

Funding for the project is being provided through Innovate BC, according to the British Columbia Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth.

In addition to the lightning reduction system, Skyward uses artificial intelligence-based forecasting tools to identify areas at increased risk of lightning-caused wildfires, allowing more targeted deployment of the technology.

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Lightning continues to be one of the leading causes of wildfires in British Columbia. Provincial data showed that nearly 70 per cent of wildfires recorded in 2024 were triggered by lightning, accounting for 97 per cent of the total area burned during the year.

The field trials will assess whether the technology can meet wildfire prevention standards in British Columbia and support possible deployment in other parts of Canada.

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Skyward Wildfire Technologies said research into lightning suppression dates back to the 1960s, but advances in forecasting systems and deployment methods are now enabling more precise and practical applications.

The company added that its lightning-reduction material is non-toxic and environmentally safer compared with large-scale fire retardants or the emissions generated by wildfire smoke.

Constellium SE vs Ryerson Holding: Which aluminium stock has the stronger edge?

Mon, 18 May 2026 16:00:00 +0530

Constellium SE and Ryerson Holding Corporation are drawing investor attention as aluminium prices remain elevated amid global economic uncertainty and trade tensions.

Strong demand for lightweight electric vehicles, recycled aluminium, rechargeable batteries and aerospace applications continues to support aluminium consumption globally. Healthy air travel activity and rising aircraft production are also boosting demand for aluminium alloys used in fuselages and wings.

Constellium strengthened by packaging and aerospace growth

Constellium has continued to benefit from strong momentum across its Packaging & Automotive Rolled Products business. Demand for packaging rolled products in North America and Europe, along with automotive rolled product orders in North America, supported strong quarterly growth.

During the fourth quarter of 2025, shipments from the segment rose 11 per cent year on year to 265,000 tonnes, while revenues increased 34 per cent to USD 1.35 billion due to stronger shipments and higher metal prices.

The company’s Aerospace & Transportation segment also posted solid gains amid healthy orders for transportation, industrial and defense rolled products. Segment shipments increased 21 per cent year on year to 53,000 tonnes, while revenues climbed 23 per cent to USD 527 million.

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Supported by growth across both businesses and elevated aluminium prices, Constellium’s total quarterly revenues rose 28 per cent year on year to USD 2.2 billion.

The company also maintained a strong focus on shareholder returns and financial discipline. Constellium generated free cash flow of USD 110 million during the fourth quarter and returned around USD 40 million through share repurchases. Its leverage ratio improved to 2.5x by the end of 2025.

Analysts currently expect the company’s 2026 sales to grow 15.6 per cent year on year, while earnings per share are projected to rise 6.8 per cent. Earnings estimates have also moved higher over the past 60 days.

Ryerson benefits from aluminium business, but debt weighs on outlook

Ryerson continues to benefit from its diversified metals portfolio and exposure to infrastructure spending, reshoring trends and manufacturing supply-chain restructuring.

Its aluminium product line remains the strongest contributor to performance. Aluminium shipments in 2025 remained stable year on year at 185,000 tonnes, while revenues from the segment increased 10.4 per cent to USD 1.15 billion due to higher aluminium prices.

The company also reported shipment growth in its carbon steel and stainless steel segments. However, revenues from those businesses declined 5 per cent and 1.4 per cent respectively because of lower average selling prices.

Also read: Maan Aluminium reports weaker quarterly profit, while long-term stock performance stays strong

Soft manufacturing demand is expected to continue affecting Ryerson’s near-term performance. Investors also remain cautious regarding the company’s debt profile. Ryerson ended 2025 with long-term debt of USD 461.2 million, while current liabilities stood at USD 668.1 million compared with cash and equivalents of about USD 26.9 million.

Interest expenses remained elevated at USD 38.9 million during 2025 and are projected at roughly USD 12 million for the first quarter of 2026.

Analysts expect Ryerson’s 2026 sales to rise 11.7 per cent year on year, while earnings per share are projected to jump 180.1 per cent. However, earnings estimates for the company have remained largely unchanged in recent months.

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Stock performance favours Constellium

Investor sentiment has remained significantly stronger toward Constellium. Over the past six months, Constellium shares have surged 60.8 per cent, while Ryerson stock has declined 6.6 per cent.

Constellium currently trades at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio of 11.59x, above its three-year median of 9.78x. Ryerson trades at 13.12x, also above its historical median of 12.07x.

With stronger exposure to aerospace and packaging demand, rising analyst confidence and improving financial performance, Constellium currently appears better positioned than Ryerson in the aluminium sector.

ASI certifies Reynaers Aluminium NV against Performance Standard V3.1

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:20:00 +0530

Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced that Reynaers Aluminium NV has been certified against the ASI Performance Standard V3.1 (2023). The facility operates as a central distribution and logistics centre supporting operational activities for aluminium systems for building envelope applications.

Activities include warehousing, storage, order processing, logistics coordination, and shipment preparation of aluminium profiles and related components. Supporting activities at the site also include limited insulation processes, product testing, and training functions carried out within integrated warehouse and operational facilities.

The ASI Certification program was developed through an extensive multi-stakeholder consultation process and is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 and ASI CoC Standard V2 were launched in May 2022 following a multi-year revision process.

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The ASI Performance Standard V3 defines 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainability pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance – with the aim to address pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain, such as biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions. The 2022 Standards and related documents underwent a minor update in 2023, accounting for editorial changes, correction of minor errors and for general clarification, culminating in the release of Performance Standard V3.1 (2023) and Chain of Custody Standard V2.1 (2023).

The independent, third-party audit of Reynaers Aluminium NV was carried out by GUTcert (AFNOR Group). A full listing of audit findings is available in the summary audit reports, linked below. Three minor non-conformances were identified during the audit under the Criteria 6.4a-b Public Disclosure of Spills and Leakages, 9.1a-d Human Rights Due Diligence and 9.2a-e Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment. Reynaers Aluminium NV will be implementing corrective actions, to be verified in a follow-up audit.

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

Hindalco wins local backing for Aditya Aluminium’s 9 LTPA expansion

Mon, 18 May 2026 12:27:00 +0530

The public hearing session conducted by Hindalco Industries Limited for the expansion of the aluminium smelter and captive power plant owned by its subsidiary, Aditya Aluminium, in Lapanga, Sambalpur district, Odisha, received unanimous approval from the Panchayat Raj and resident villagers. It was held under the guidelines of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and aimed at securing an environmental clearance.

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The proposed expansion aims to increase production capacity in the smelter and power units. Aluminium output is expected to rise from 6.8 lakh tonnes per annum (LTPA) to 9.0 LTPA, while the captive power plant capacity would surge from 1,230 MW to 1,530 MW. Company officials clarified that the project is entirely brownfield in nature, to be carried out within the existing plant premises. Utilising already available company-owned land, it would not result in land acquisition, displacement or rehabilitation.

The session was attended by district officials like Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi, Sambalpur ADM, SN Nanda, Regional Officer of Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), sub-collector Pushpanjali Panda, PRI representatives, and company officials. Local and surrounding village residents, such as those from Lapanga, Bomaloi, Dharopani, Derba, Khadiapali, and Tileimal also attended the meeting and expressed their consent for the proposal.

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The unanimous support was driven by the scope of the expansion, which would generate employment and boost the local economy. Leading the unit at Lapanga, Jagannath Prasad Nayak, noted that commissioning the project would generate about 1,169 additional jobs, whereby locals would receive hiring preference. Locals from other villages too supported the proposal, anticipating the expansion would usher in domestic industrial growth.

Alongside the expansion proposal, the company also highlighted its continued contribution to regional development through various CSR initiatives. At present, nearly 1.42 lakh people across 63 villages are benefiting from these programmes, which are centred on key areas such as education, healthcare, women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihood generation.

Women from Dharopani village under the Bomaloi Gram Panchayat appreciated Hindalco’s efforts in creating livelihood opportunities for local women and girls, including those without formal education.

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