Hillsdale Investment Boosts Stake in Kaiser Aluminum, Highlighting Institutional Interest

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Contact Energy has signed a non-binding power supply agreement with Rio Tinto to support the restart of the idle Line 4 potline at the New Zealand Aluminum Smelter in Tiwai Point. The restart would require around 50 MW of additional electricity and add approximately 30,000 tpy of aluminum production, while supporting development of Contact’s Southland Wind Farm. Rio Tinto estimates the project could generate around NZ$100 million annually in additional export revenue for New Zealand.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] New Zealand has launched a WTO safeguard investigation into imports of certain aluminum extrusions, citing concerns that rising import volumes may be causing or threatening serious injury to the domestic industry. The investigation covers selected aluminum alloy bars, rods, and profiles, and could lead to temporary import restrictions if material injury is confirmed under WTO safeguard rules.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Alupro has launched a new manifesto calling for policy reforms to accelerate a circular aluminum packaging economy in the UK. The industry group is advocating for stronger recycling infrastructure, can-to-can closed-loop recycling, greater use of recycled aluminum in packaging, and targeted support to improve competitiveness and decarbonization across the aluminum value chain. Alupro said the initiative aims to improve recycled material availability for new aluminum packaging production while supporting long-term growth in the UK’s packaging and recycling sectors.