New Aluminum Era Co. Launched in Chongqing, Focusing on AI and Robotics Development

Egyptalum has signed an agreement with Trafigura to study the expansion of its Nag Hammadi aluminum smelter in Egypt, with an initial investment of about USD 900 million. The project includes a new 300,000-tonne-per-year primary aluminum smelter and a 150,000-tonne-per-year anode plant, which would nearly double the company’s current output. Under the agreement, a new project company will be established to develop and operate the facility, while Trafigura will participate as a minority investor, financing provider and long-term feedstock and offtake partner. The company said the project will strengthen Egypt’s position in the global aluminum industry chain.

AGI Greenpac has started construction of its aluminum beverage can manufacturing facility in Uttar Pradesh, India, with an investment of about INR 10 billion (USD 105 million). The 34-acre project is expected to begin operations by June 2027 with an initial capacity of 1.3 billion cans per year, expandable to 1.6 billion and eventually over 2 billion cans annually. The company said the facility will use advanced high-speed production systems to supply ready-to-drink beverages, energy drinks, beer and soft drinks. Rising premiumization, urban demand and sustainable packaging trends continue to support growth in India’s aluminum can market.

[Geopolitical Disruptions Combined with Elevated Inventory Highlight LME Outperforming SHFE in Aluminum Market] Overall, the core pattern of LME outperforming SHFE in the aluminum market is difficult to reverse in the short term. LME strength will support room for SHFE aluminum to catch up after the holiday, but high domestic inventory and weak demand will cap overall gains. Going forward, the focus will be on the pace of aluminum ingot destocking in China and the strength of rigid demand release from downstream resumption of work and production resumptions.