India’s leading copper producers, including Adani, Vedanta, Hindalco, and Hindustan Copper, are opposing the inclusion of scrap-based copper wire rods in national quality standards. The companies argue that some recycled copper products may not meet the purity requirements needed for transformers, power cables, and other critical electrical infrastructure. The debate comes as India rapidly expands its power grid and clean-energy investments, driving strong copper demand growth. Analysts say the dispute reflects growing efforts to strengthen copper supply-chain quality and security in India.

Vedanta released its fourth-quarter and full-year results for fiscal year 2026 (ending March 31, 2026), showing the company achieved its best financial performance ever, primarily driven by its well-structured business and rigorous execution. In fiscal year 2026, Vedanta's profit reached a record high of $2.8 billion, a 22% year-over-year increase. Fourth-quarter profit was $1 billion, representing a nearly 90% year-over-year increase. Revenue also reached a record high of approximately $20 billion in fiscal year 2026, a 15% year-over-year increase. Fourth-quarter revenue was $5.6 billion, a nearly 30% year-over-year increase. EBITDA reached a record $6.3 billion in fiscal year 2026, a nearly 30% year-over-year increase, with profit margins also improving to approximately 40%.

According to foreign media reports, the Indian government announced Monday evening that it will launch an investigation into certain aluminum wire products from Malaysia in response to review applications submitted by companies including Indian Aluminium Corporation, Vedanta, and Bharat Aluminium. The existing countervailing duties are set to expire in September, and the investigation aims to determine whether it is necessary to extend the tariffs.

SMM News, April 30: According to SMM statistics, the total primary aluminum output overseas in April 2026 fell 10.2% year-on-year, while the average daily overseas output dropped 10.0% month-on-month, mainly as the impact of production cuts at Middle Eastern aluminum smelters became more evident. During the period, despite accelerated production resumptions at overseas primary aluminum smelters amid high prices, the overall incremental volume was far lower than the scale of production cuts in the Middle East, leading to a notable year-on-year and month-on-month decline in overseas primary aluminum output in April. Per Alcoa’s Q1 earnings report, the company announced on April 8, 2026 that the restart of its San Ciprián aluminum smelter in Spain had been safely completed. According to Vedanta’s production report, its primary aluminum output in the 2026 fiscal year (Q2 2025 to Q1 2026) hit a record high of 2.456 million tons, up 1% year-on-year, mainly driven by improved operational efficiency. As per an official announcement from Century Aluminum, idle capacity at its Mt. Holly aluminum smelter in South Carolina has commenced restarting, with the first batch of primary aluminum production underway. It is expected that the resumed capacity will reach full operational status by the end of June, involving a total capacity of approximately 50,000 tons. In addition, the second production line at its primary aluminum smelter in Iceland has resumed production several months ahead of schedule. Staff are energizing the first batch of electrolytic cells for the second line and will accelerate the restart of remaining cells, targeting a near-full production level by the end of July. Looking ahead to May 2026, production resumptions at smelters in the US and Iceland, together with the ramp-up of new capacity in Indonesia, are expected to push average daily output higher month-on-month, though year-on-year output is projected to remain in sharp negative growth. Overall, given the unresolved situation in the Middle East, overseas primary aluminum output is expected to stay in sustained year-on-year negative growth in the short term. Market participants shall continue to monitor subsequent announcements from relevant aluminum smelters in the Middle East as well as global aluminum inventory trends.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] India has launched an investigation into aluminium wire imports from Malaysia ahead of the expiry of existing countervailing duties in September. The review was initiated following a petition by domestic producers including Hindalco Industries, Vedanta Limited, and Bharat Aluminium Company, who are seeking an extension of the trade measures.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] India has approved a broad-gauge rail line linking Tikiri to the Kutrumali and Sijimali bauxite mines in Odisha, boosting upstream logistics for the aluminum sector. The project, granted Special Railway Project status, will be developed under a PPP model with funding support expected from Kalinga Alumina and Vedanta Limited, improving bauxite evacuation and supply chain efficiency.