Metals and alloys
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ANDRITZ has commissioned another acid-regeneration plant for Indian steelmaking operations. The 6,400-litre-per-hour installation at JSW Steel’s Vasind Works supports a new pickling line and supplies recovered hydrochloric acid for reuse in steel processing.
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Nippon Steel has advanced hydrogen reduction using lower-grade iron ore. At its Hasaki research centre, a pilot shaft furnace completed more than 300 hours of continuous operation and produced over 1,000 tonnes of direct reduced iron cumulatively.
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Norsk Titanium has installed an additive manufacturing machine at Airbus. The Varel deployment follows site acceptance in September and supports qualification of Rapid Plasma Deposition for structural aircraft parts alongside growing serial component deliveries.
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Aluminium Shapes has won an award for lower-carbon extrusion manufacturing. The Corby company made recycled-content Ali4 billet its standard feedstock in January and estimates that the change has avoided more than 20,000 tonnes of emissions.
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MPs want new financing powers for Britain’s critical minerals industry. A parliamentary report recommends coordinated investment in mining, processing and recycling, allied purchasing arrangements and strategic stockpiles to reduce supply risks for UK manufacturing and defence.
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Britain’s aluminium industry seeks stronger domestic processing and recycling capacity. ALFED estimates a £3.78bn direct economic contribution and proposes coordinated measures on electricity costs, scrap quality, trade policy and investment in manufacturing.
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British metals manufacturers report mounting costs and worsening recruitment pressures. A UK Metals Council survey of 200 companies highlights expensive raw materials, trade friction and skilled labour shortages as the industry proposes eight policy priorities.
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Government support for British Steel has reached £751 million cumulatively. Ministers say the publicly owned business continues producing steel, while its board develops plans for operational stability, safety and long-term investment.
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Rio Tinto is progressively restarting underground operations at Oyu Tolgoi. A 29 October seismic event caused a localised rockfall; three workers were injured, and the company reports no structural damage to the cave or its operating infrastructure.
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Rio Tinto has inaugurated two major lithium projects in Argentina. Fénix 1B and Sal de Vida began production earlier in 2026 and are ramping towards 25,000 tonnes of additional annual lithium carbonate equivalent capacity.
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