Emirates Global Aluminium to Increase Solar Aluminium Supplies
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has deepened its long-standing relationship with Hyundai Mobis, the major South Korean automotive components manufacturer, by signing a new agreement to significantly increase the supply of its CelestiAL brand solar-powered aluminium. The new agreement is a continuation of their collaboration, reflecting a mutual commitment to advancing sustainability within the automotive supply chain and responding to the growing global demand for environmentally conscious materials.
The terms of the renewed agreement specify a structured ramp-up in the delivery of CelestiAL aluminium. Shipments will commence with 8,000 tonnes this year and are scheduled to increase progressively to a target of 15,000 tonnes per year by 2026. CelestiAL is a premium brand of primary aluminium that stands out for its production process, which is powered entirely by electricity generated from a dedicated solar power plant. The metal has an exceptionally low carbon footprint, making it a highly desirable material for industries and nations with rigorous environmental standards and a strong focus on corporate sustainability. Underscoring its commitment to this green product line, EGA boosted its production of CelestiAL by 27% last year, achieving a total output of 80,000 tonnes.
Beyond the supply arrangement, the two companies have also formalized their intent to collaborate on research and development. This joint effort will concentrate on creating new, advanced aluminium alloys specifically designed to meet the evolving and demanding requirements of the automotive sector, with the goal of developing lighter, stronger, and more efficient vehicle components. Additionally, EGA and Hyundai Mobis are set to explore the potential for a comprehensive, long-term supply agreement covering a broader range of aluminium products, including various alloys and other semi-finished goods, which could be implemented after the current contract period ends in 2026.
As the largest primary aluminium producer in the Middle East, EGA operates two major plants with a combined annual capacity exceeding 2.3 million tonnes. The company's global footprint is extensive, with a portfolio that includes a bauxite mine in Guinea, the solar power facility in the United Arab Emirates, a foundry in Germany, and a scrap recycling plant in the United States. In line with its international growth strategy, EGA's management is also advancing plans to construct a new primary aluminium production facility in the United States, further solidifying its global presence.
New Tin Smelting Technology Developed in Germany
Researchers at the University of Freiberg in Germany have achieved a breakthrough by developing a fundamentally new tin smelting technology that, if successfully brought to a commercial scale, could revolutionize the global market for this vital non-ferrous metal. The process utilizes hydrogen as the primary reducing agent, replacing traditional carbon-based methods and dramatically minimizing the carbon footprint associated with tin production.
The conventional method for producing tin from cassiterite, its natural oxide ore, is a carbothermic reduction process that involves high-temperature furnaces and carbon-rich fuels like wood or coal. While effective, this traditional technique releases substantial amounts of carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide, contributing to atmospheric pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The new hydrogen-based direct reduction technology developed in Freiberg presents a much cleaner and more sustainable alternative, particularly when the hydrogen is generated through electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources, which would create a nearly carbon-neutral production cycle.
During their experimental trials, the German research team successfully demonstrated the efficiency of this new method. Their results showed that using only three grams of hydrogen per 100 grams of cassiterite concentrate was sufficient to produce tin metal with a purity level exceeding 99%. Furthermore, a crucial secondary finding was that the slag produced during the process contained approximately 13% tin, which was subsequently extracted with high efficiency through a chemical leaching process. This indicates a high overall metal recovery rate and minimal waste generation. Similar innovations in the steel industry, where hydrogen-based reduction is being increasingly adopted to decarbonize iron production, show the potential for wider application.
Global tin mining in 2024 amounted to 300,000 tonnes. The leading producing countries were China with 64,000 tonnes and Indonesia with 50,000 tonnes, followed by Myanmar, Peru, and Brazil. The introduction of a viable low-carbon smelting technology could provide a competitive advantage to producers who adopt it, as both market and regulatory pressures for sustainably sourced materials continue to intensify.
Accident at UKTMK May Have Negative Impact on Global Titanium Market
The situation surrounding the Ust-Kamenogorsk Titanium-Magnesium Combine (UKTMK) in Kazakhstan remains tense following an industrial accident in late May, raising concerns that could have repercussions for the global titanium market. The incident reportedly involved a chlorine gas leak during an unscheduled preventive cleaning of a chlorination unit, prompting an investigation by local authorities to assess the circumstances and potential threats.
As the sole producer of titanium in Kazakhstan, UKTMK is a critical player in the global supply of this strategic metal, which is indispensable for the aerospace industry due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. Last year, Kazakhstan produced 14,000 tonnes of titanium sponge, a key raw material. While this is less than the output from China (220,000 tonnes), Japan (55,000 tonnes), and Russia (20,000 tonnes), Kazakhstan's contribution is vital, particularly for aerospace applications. A potential shutdown or even disruption at UKTMK could send shockwaves through the market, with analysts predicting a possible price surge of 20–25%. Global production capacity is already fully utilized, and there is little spare capacity to compensate for a loss of Kazakh supply, which could lead to a deficit of up to 14,000 tonnes.
The consequences for key customers would be severe. Major aircraft manufacturers, including the American company Boeing and its European competitor Airbus, rely on UKTMK for a portion of their titanium supplies. A supply disruption would create serious interruptions in their long-term production schedules. Boeing, which recently secured massive contracts from Qatar Airways for 210 aircraft (worth nearly $100 billion) and from Etihad Airways for 28 airliners ($14.5 billion), cannot afford such disruptions. Any interruption in its titanium supply chain could lead to a failure to fulfill these orders, resulting in staggering financial losses from which the company might struggle to recover for many years. Similarly, Airbus, which needs to secure more orders to remain competitive with Boeing, would see its production capacity severely curtailed by a titanium shortage.
In light of these circumstances, the incident highlights the strategic vulnerability of these aerospace giants. It would be prudent for both Boeing and Airbus to reconsider their previous decisions to halt titanium purchases from Russia, as failing to secure alternative, reliable supply lines in the face of such disruptions could expose them to heavy and potentially crippling losses.
Nornickel Creates a New Area of Consumption for Palladium
Nornickel, in a joint effort with Ekofes, has developed an innovative application for palladium by creating specialized electrodes for use in advanced water purification systems. The technology involves applying an active coating containing palladium to electrodes, which are then used to produce sodium hypochlorite—a powerful disinfecting compound—directly from simple table salt and water through an electrochemical process.
The palladium coating reduces the operating voltage required on the electrodes, which in turn lowers electricity consumption by approximately 19%. At the same time, it extends the service life of the electrodes by almost double and increases the total amount of sodium hypochlorite produced, making the entire process more efficient and cost-effective.
This on-site generation method offers a stark contrast to traditional water disinfection practices, which often involve the transportation and storage of large quantities of bulk chlorine. In Russia alone, chlorine consumption for water disinfection is estimated at 80,000 to 100,000 tonnes annually, a process that carries logistical challenges and safety risks, including the potential for leaks that could cause serious harm to human health and the environment. In contrast, sodium hypochlorite generated directly at the point of use is much safer for handling in the concentrations used at water treatment plants. It effectively destroys pathogenic microorganisms and then safely decomposes in nature into harmless components: table salt, water, and oxygen.
Nornickel has set its sights on developing a fundamentally new area of application for palladium, one with enormous potential: the volume of wastewater discharged in Russia exceeds 35 billion cubic meters annually, while worldwide it reaches around 400 billion cubic meters. The introduction of palladium for wastewater disinfection could create additional demand for palladium in the short term of up to 5 tonnes.
The implementation of this and other projects aimed at developing and commercializing innovative palladium-based products reflects Nornickel's strategy of creating promising markets that can replace traditional ones, such as the manufacture of catalysts for internal combustion engines. In this way, it ensures business stability and maximizes shareholder value amid the transformation of global palladium consumption.
CATL to Increase Copper Foil Purchases from Solus Advanced Materials
Solus Advanced Materials, a South Korean manufacturer of copper foil, has secured an agreement with China's Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) to supply its plants in Europe. This deal will see Solus deliver electrolytic copper foil from its two production facilities in Hungary, which have a combined total capacity of 38,000 tonnes per year—sufficient to produce components for approximately 1.5 million lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
As a leading global manufacturer of high-performance copper foil, Solus Advanced Materials is known for its advanced products, including an ultra-thin foil with a thickness of just 4.5 micrometers. The company is also expanding its global footprint with the construction of a new plant in Canada, which is set to begin production next year with an initial capacity of 25,000 tonnes of copper foil annually. This North American facility will enable Solus to strengthen its position in that key regional market.
CATL, the world's largest manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries, is also actively expanding its operations beyond China, with a major focus on the European Union and the United States. The company already operates a battery plant in Germany and is on track to open an even larger facility in Hungary by the end of 2025. The agreement with Solus is strategically important for both parties. It provides Solus with a key contract to supply a global industry leader, while CATL secures a localized European supply chain for a critical battery component, which is vital for its ambitious expansion plans. The partnership will also explore opportunities for joint research and development initiatives.
Over the past decade, Hungary has emerged as a major European hub for the production of lithium-ion batteries, attracting investments from other industry giants such as Samsung and SK Innovation. Global copper foil production capacity surpassed 2.4 million tonnes in 2024, although actual production was closer to 1.4 million tonnes. The majority of this capacity is concentrated in China, with South Korean firms like Solus competing vigorously in the global market. In the long term, copper foil production is expected to grow, driven by the continued expansion of electric vehicle manufacturing. This growth potential is attracting new players to the market; for example, in March 2025, the Taiwanese company Prosperity Tieh Enterprise, which traditionally specializes in galvanized steel products, announced its intention to enter the market by starting copper foil manufacturing at its Hung You Copper plant.
