Discovery Alert

China’s aluminium foil market reflects more than manufacturing scale. In 2024, domestic consumption reached about 3.32 million tonnes, or 50.35% of global use, with demand increasingly supported by EV batteries, grid storage, pharmaceuticals, food packaging and electronics rather than traditional property-linked growth.

Battery-grade foil stands out as the main growth channel, with roughly 800 tonnes required per GWh of lithium-ion battery production. The article also notes China exported 1.55 million tonnes in 2024, indicating surplus capacity is becoming a larger part of the global trade picture as domestic consumption matures.

Read more: https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/china-aluminium-foil-consumption-battery-demand-exports-2026

Processing plant design is becoming a key variable in hard rock lithium economics, with roasting technology increasingly influencing capital intensity, operating costs and financing outcomes.

At European Metals Holdings’ Cinovec project in Czechia, testwork indicates a tunnel kiln could reduce upfront capex by about US$112 million versus the DFS rotary kiln baseline. It could also contribute to annual opex savings within a broader optimisation program estimated at about US$64 million per year.

The article outlines how tighter temperature control, removal of post-roast milling and greater energy flexibility could materially reshape project economics.

Read more: https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/cinovec-tunnel-kiln-capex-savings-lithium-processing-design

India’s aluminium recycling sector is under growing pressure from a layered scrap import cost structure: a 2.5% basic customs duty, plus 18% IGST and a 10% Social Welfare Surcharge. The result is higher input costs for recyclers, even as finished aluminium alloys from several countries can enter India at zero duty.

With imports meeting 80–85% of scrap demand and domestic supply unlikely to mature for 15–20 years, the issue has major implications for SMEs, manufacturing competitiveness and circular economy goals. The article also highlights global export restrictions that could tighten supply even further.

Read more:
https://discoveryalert.com.au/news/aluminium-scrap-import-duty-india-recycling-tariffs-2026