New Zealand Minister: No Safeguard Measures on Aluminum Imports

German aluminum producer Speira has commissioned a new recycling furnace at its Rheinwerk facility in Grevenbroich on October 9, completing a €40 million (US$44.75 million) investment. The new furnace adds approximately 60,000 mt/year of aluminum recycling capacity, primarily supporting the beverage can market. The investment also includes upgrades to an existing casting line and an additional 6,500 mt of used beverage can (UBC) scrap storage capacity. The furnace is also hydrogen-ready for future energy transition. Speira said growing demand for recycled aluminum packaging from beverage producers, including Red Bull, is supporting its expansion, which will strengthen Europe’s closed-loop aluminum recycling capacity and reduce reliance on primary aluminum.

Canada-based AlumaPower has secured a C$4 million (US$2.81 million) federal grant to advance the commercialization of its recycled aluminum-powered generator technology and expand into defense and telecommunications markets. The funding forms part of a C$8 million investment program, with the company matching the government contribution. AlumaPower's technology uses recycled aluminum to generate electricity and has been developed in collaboration with the Canadian military over the past four years. The company is now preparing for commercial deployment, with potential applications in backup power for telecommunications towers and remote northern communities, offering an alternative to conventional diesel generators.

According to reports, Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) expects Saudi Arabia's annual aluminum demand to potentially rise to 1.8 million tonnes by 2030, driven by large-scale exhibitions and preparations for the 2034 FIFA World Cup.