In my last column, I wrote about a dilemma that most small and mid-sized aluminium extruders live with: the constant trade-off between cutting prices to stay competitive and protecting product quality to survive. I suggested there’s a third path, upgrading. But before we talk about what that looks like, we need to understand what we’re […]
Updated on 22 July 2025 Aluminium is everywhere, from the bauxite mines to the sleek products we use daily. But how well do we understand the journey of this versatile metal? That’s where AL Pedia, a knowledge hub under AL Learn, comes in. Through AL Pedia, we’re building an easy-to-follow A-Z encyclopedia of aluminium, covering […]
In this blog of Hedging with Jorge, we take a fresh look at call options and explore why a hedger might choose to pay a premium on a call instead of using futures, even when the futures curve is flat. To simplify the concept, Jorge draws on an everyday analogy, car insurance and highlights how […]
Aluminium remains a cornerstone of the global economy, with growing demand for the ‘green metal’ highlighting its critical role in a sustainable future. Despite periodic challenges and market disruptions, the industry’s momentum towards cleaner, low-carbon aluminium production is stronger than ever. The second quarter of 2025 showcased strong operational resilience from two of the world’s […]
Aluminium doesn’t do goodbyes, it just keeps showing up. Melt it down, shape it up, and boom, it’s back again. Cans today, cars tomorrow and maybe skyscrapers next week! While other materials retire, aluminium just reinvents itself. Forget the old-school image of recycling as a chore. Aluminium recycling is a high-impact, low-effort solution to reducing […]
In the world of global trade, few tools stir as much debate as tariffs. Framed as shields for domestic industries or weapons in economic stand-offs, tariffs can reshape markets, tilt competitive landscapes, and leave lasting marks on entire value chains. So what is tariff? A tariff is essentially a tax that a government charges on […]
Welcome back to a new episode of Hedging with Jorge, your go-to series for breaking down complex hedging strategies into simple, actionable insights. In today’s episode, we introduce another key tool in the hedging toolbox, the call option. On popular demand, Jorge’s second edition of Aluminium and Other Base Metals: Understanding Risk Management and Hedging […]
The ongoing trade dynamics between the United States and India have taken a critical turn amid discussions over a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). India has intensified its retaliatory measures in response to the US decision to increase import tariffs on aluminium and steel from 25 per cent to 50 per cent on June 3, 2025. […]
Aluminium is used in many aspects of modern life, from the foil that keeps your chocolate fresh to the alloys that launch rockets into space. However, after years of working in the sustainability field, I’ve come to the conclusion that the production process of aluminium is just as important as its final destination. Aluminium is […]
Aluminium, unlike many other materials, retains its properties after infinite recycling. This makes it the ultimate circular metal, with far-reaching implications for both sustainability and economics. Producing recycled (secondary) aluminium consumes only 5 per cent of the energy and produces less than 5 per cent of the CO₂ emissions compared to primary aluminium made from […]