【SMM Aluminum Flash News】Novelis Cuts Kingston Production and Lays Off Around 80 Employees

The 2026 Global Beverage Container Recycling Dataset released by the Global Beverage Can Circularity Alliance shows that the global aluminum can recycling rate has increased from 74.8% to 76%, while the collection rate reached 77%, remaining ahead of other major beverage packaging formats. PET bottles recorded collection and recycling rates of 69% and 54%, respectively, compared with 56% and 51% for glass bottles. The dataset covers markets representing at least 84% of global sales for each packaging format. The industry is targeting an 80% recycling rate for used beverage cans by 2030, followed by a goal of approaching 100% by 2050. India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Nigeria are among the emerging beverage markets highlighted for further improvements in collection and recycling systems.

Canyon Resources’ Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon faces fresh uncertainty after AFG Bank Cameroon suspended further drawdowns from the project’s syndicated financing facility on August 24, pending a review of its development schedule, financial model and economic assumptions. Canyon has confirmed that Phase 1 will not meet its previous timetable and has withdrawn its Q4 2026 first-shipment target, with no new date announced. Minim Martap has a mineral resource of around 1.1 billion tonnes and an ore reserve of 144 million tonnes, averaging approximately 51% alumina and 2% silica. Canyon held around AUD 31 million in cash at the end of July, while approximately $75 million had already been drawn from the CFA 82 billion syndicated facility. The company is reducing non-essential spending while reassessing the project’s development and funding pathway.

Caterpillar has launched the Cat 355 Hydraulic Excavator, Cat D5 Dozer and Cat 120 GC Motor Grader at bauma CONEXPO India 2026, targeting mining, heavy infrastructure and road construction applications. The Cat 355 features a C13B engine and electrohydraulic system with bucket options of up to 4.5 m³, while the Cat D5 is powered by a 170 hp C7.1 engine and features a 4.3 m³ blade. The Cat 120 GC is designed mainly for road maintenance and finish grading applications. The launches further expand Caterpillar’s equipment offering for India’s mining and infrastructure sectors.