ClearFlow Metalworks plans to invest $28 million in a new aluminum manufacturing facility in Russellville, Kentucky, marking an expansion of secondary aluminum production in the United States. The project is expected to create 50 full-time jobs, with its first phase designed to deliver an estimated annual production capacity of approximately 100,000 tons. The company, which focuses on sustainable aluminum recycling and production, will develop the facility in phases. Phase I will feature a secondary aluminum billet casting operation, processing recycled aluminum materials into billets for extrusion and other downstream manufacturing applications. The project will establish ClearFlow's manufacturing presence in the U.S. and support domestic demand for aluminum products while expanding...
Shareholders of Slovenia's Impol 2000 are set to consider a proposal to bring the company's shares onto a regulated market, potentially opening up trading opportunities while introducing tighter corporate disclosure requirements. The proposal will be discussed at a shareholders' meeting scheduled for December 3. Impol 2000, which owns Impol Group, the country's largest producer of aluminium semi-finished products, says the move is intended to improve the ease and speed of share transactions. However, entering the regulated market would also require the company to meet additional transparency standards and comply with rules governing related-party transactions. As of October 29, Impol 2000 had 1,066,767 ordinary, freely transferable, registered no-par value shares. Of these, 979,887...
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The alumina price in China continued to remain flat over the week. The average spot price started the week higher at RMB 2495 per tonne on Monday, July 13, up RMB 50 per tonne from Friday. Alumina price remained unchanged in the last four days of the week. Other raw materials like Bauxite (6.5≤Al/Si＜7.5)Guangxi, Alumina (Imported), Australian Alumina FOB Price, Prebaked Anode Central, and Al Fluoride are hovering at RMB 265 per tonne, RMB 2450 per tonne, USD 284 per tonne, RMB 2810 per tonne and RMB 7600 per tonne as of Friday, July 17 2020. A00 aluminium ingot price started the week with a jump of RMB 620 per tonne at RMB 15320 on Monday, July 13. The price then continued to decline at RMB 14900 per tonne and RMB 14820 per tonne on Tuesday and Wednesday. The week ended lower at RMB14370...
The US dollar started the week lower on July 13, and then fell to its lowest in more than a month against a basket of rivals on Tuesday, July 14. On Wednesday, July 15, the dollar expanded its decline and stood at the lowest level in nearly five weeks. On Thursday, July 16, the currency, however rebounded as investors reacted to a mixed batch of economic data out of China and the US. The US dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of rivals, gained 0.29 per cent to 96.250, after the four consecutive days of losses. Three-month LME aluminium jumped to a fresh four-month high of US$1,705 per tonne on Monday, while on Tuesday, eased 0.44 per cent to US$1,682.5 per tonne amidst choppy trading. On Wednesday, it closed at US$1,678.5 per tonne, and then further declined on...
Rio Tinto’s alumina production for the second quarter of 2020 was six per cent higher than the than the same period of 2019. This was due to higher production levels in the Pacific refineries with Yarwun delivering a half year production record. On a quarter-on-quarter comparison, output registered a decrease of 1 per cent to 1.99 million tonnes. Rio Tinto Chief Executive J-S Jacques said “Despite various COVID-19 related challenges, all our assets have continued to operate, with our first priority to protect the health and safety of all our employees and communities. “Our focus is to maintain a business as usual approach with many safeguards at a very unusual time. Our operational teams are continuing to run our assets safely so we can continue to contribute to local and national...
MAHLE, working together with sports car manufacturer Porsche and mechanical engineering company Trumpf, has manufactured high-performance aluminium pistons using 3D printing techniques for the first time. The pistons were successfully tested on the engine test bench for Porsche’s 911 GT2 RS sports car. The standard forged pistons have reached the limits of their performance potential; it is feasible that the power of the 700hp Porsche engine could be boosted by 30hp with an associated increase inefficiency. MAHLE said: “It is specifically developing its expertise in 3D printing, so that, in the future, it will also be able to support its customers in the field of alternative drives, including electric drives, by supplying suitable components for drives, thermal management, and...
National Aluminium Company has decreased its aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices with effect from Saturday, July 18, following a hike on July 10. The company has cut its aluminium ingot price by INR 2,700 per tonne or 1.88 per cent to INR 140,750-144,250 per tonne. After the last hike with effect from July 10, the company sold its aluminium ingot at INR 143,450-146,950 per tonne. Nalco’s aluminium billets price after the latest cut has come in at INR 144,200-146,850 per tonne, also down by INR 2,700 per tonne or 1.84 per cent from INR 146,900-149,550 per tonne as of July 10. The company’s aluminium wire rod price is now at INR 144,250-148,600 per tonne after the cut from INR 146,950–151,300 per tonne. Like any other major Indian aluminium producers, Nalco links its aluminium...
Hindalco Industries Limited has cut its aluminium ingot and product prices with effect Friday, July 17, following three consecutive hikes last week. The aluminium ingot price of the company has been reduced by INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.56 per cent to INR 141,250 per tonne. After the last hike on July 10, Hindalco was selling its aluminium ingot price at INR 143,500 per tonne. With the latest cut, Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price has come down to INR 152,350 per tonne from INR 154,600 per tonne on July 10, lesser by 1.46 per cent or INR 2,250 per tonne. The company’s aluminium billet price is now hovering at INR 148,350 per tonne, down by 1.49 per cent from INR 150,600 per tonne. Like any other major Indian aluminium producers, Hindalco links its aluminium prices to the three-month...
The research team of the University of Natural Sciences successfully implemented the project of manufacturing building materials from red mud arising in alumina production in the Central Highlands, creating economic efficiency and reducing pollution. Red mud is a waste generated from alumina production technology in the Central Highlands which is a hazardous waste that must be buried in lakes designed to be built and waterproofed. However, these red mud lakes are not completely frozen, which will cause pollution and environmental degradation in the Central Highlands. Facing this fact, the research team of the University of Natural Sciences (Hanoi National University), chaired by Associate Professor, Dr Luu Duc Hai, has implemented the project "Researching material manufacturing...
The ceremony had to be kept small due to the coronavirus. The AMAG management board joined Herbert Ortner, Chair of the AMAG Austria Metall AG supervisory board to open AMAG’s new materials research and testing center, the “Center for Material Innovation” (CMI). The strategic expansion of the AMAG site in Ranshofen has been accompanied by a significant rise in production, with a corresponding increase in the number of special products. Linked with this, there has been a sharp increase in research and materials testing activities. AMAG has spent around 30 million euros on research and development over the last few years, including the associated investments. The Group employs 155 R&D and innovation experts – about 8% of the corporation’s total workforce. The new research centre marks an...
Canada suggests the United States be patient about determining whether to reimpose aluminium tariffs. In response to the United States’ allegations that the raw aluminium exports from Canada to the US have surged ever since the tariffs were lifted in May 2019, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said there was an increase in the production of unalloyed or raw aluminium as producers were asked to shift their production from value-added products to primary aluminium amid a drop in aluminium alloy demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hillman believes the demand will rebounce as the auto industry and other manufacturing sectors will come back online. According to her, the situation will rectify itself in the coming months. “Let’s take a little time to see how this settles out and make sure...
CGA and EIGA have issued a joint statement affirming their belief that SPP-supplied brazed aluminium heat exchangers are reliable and safe for use after their members conducted an inventory and collected the operational histories of these heat exchangers in response to concerns earlier this year. Earlier this year, the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA) became aware that header assemblies for some Sumitomo Precision Products Co. Ltd. (SPP) supplied brazed aluminium heat exchangers had been fabricated using welders, weld procedures or inspectors that were not certified to relevant regional standards or directives. SPP has supplied brazed aluminium heat exchangers to cryogenic plant designers, builders, and operators for use in industrial...
Italpresse Gauss, a Norican technology, has supplied its first Chinese make die casting machine to Huicheng Foundry Ltd, an aluminium foundry based in Jinan City, Shandong province, China. The TF1850 two-platen, high-pressure die casting machine was produced at Norican Group’s facility in Changzhou, China. Procured as part of the contract signed with Norican Group at GIFA in June 2019, the June 2020 delivery is another industry first for Jinan Huicheng Casting Co., Ltd. As well as the TF 1850, the foundry has procured the first TF 4400 and the first IPr3700t die casting machines to be installed in China for a Chinese customer. The new equipment is a strategic investment for the foundry, which already owns dozens of die casting machines producing a range of castings for automotive, rail,...
Hydro’s Łódź-based aluminium manufacturing plant certified against the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative's (ASI) Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard. All three of Hydro’s aluminium manufacturing plants in Poland are now certified against Performance Standard and ASI Chain of Custody Standard. The certification covers the site’s automotive fabrication operations, including the production of aluminium roof rails and trim components. Łódź site employs about 480 people, and more than 1,400 people in total in Poland. “It is great to see our hard work lead to success also in Łódź. ASI certification is a step forward for us in our sustainability agenda, and it supports our customer demands for aluminium products that are sourced and produced responsibly,” said Łukasz Winiarek, who...
Land Rover has reportedly added new engines for its Range Rover and Range Rover Sports models, based around Jaguar Land Rover’s modular aluminium engine architecture. According to the report, a new family of 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium diesel engines and a range of desirable special editions including the Westminster, Westminster Black Edition, and an exclusive SVAutobiography Dynamic Black have been added to the recently announced Range Rover Fifty celebratory model. The new generation of 3.0-litre straight-six Ingenium diesel engines have been developed in-house for reduced fuel consumption and heightened refinement. They are smoother and more refined, featuring advanced 48V mild hybrid technology to meet any strictest global emissions regulations. The engines also include the Real...
Rio Tinto’s second quarter bauxite production stood at 14.6 million tonnes, 9% higher than the second quarter of 2019 and 5% higher than the first quarter of 2020. “Production at managed operations increased by 9% underpinned by the Amrun mine, whilst production at the non-managed CBG joint venture in Guinea increased by 7% reflecting good progress on the ramp-up of the expansion.” In the first half of 2020, bauxite production came in at 28.37 million tonnes, 8% higher than the first half of 2019. The company shipped 10.7 million tonnes of bauxite to third parties in the second quarter, 13% higher than same period of 2019. “Our Bauxite Integrated Operations Centre (BIOC) in Brisbane, Australia provides 24/7 operation and monitoring of all safety, production and quality aspects at our...
According to the global export-import data, India’s alumina imports in CY2020 are estimated to stand at 2.27 million tonnes, down by 4.22 per cent from 2.37 million tonnes (approx.) in 2019. In 2018, India had imported 2.69 million tonnes, meaning the country’s alumina imports in 2019 stood down by 11.90 per cent from the previous year. The above data indicate that India’s alumina imports this year are estimated to drop from the preceding year but at a lower rate. In tandem with the decline in India’s total alumina imports, the country’s imports from Australia are also expected to stand lower at 682,436 tonnes compared to 1.10 million tonnes in 2019. This means India’s alumina imports from Australia in 2020 are likely to decline sharply by 99 per cent year-on-year. In 2018, India’s...
Rio Tinto announced production results for the second quarter of 2020. Aluminium production stood at 0.8 million tonnes, 2% lower than the second quarter of 2019 (flat on the prior quarter), primarily due to pot relining at Kitimat, the decision to operate the ISAL smelter in Iceland at 85% of its capacity, and the curtailment of the fourth pot line at NZAS on 3 April 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts. “This has been partly offset by the non-managed Becancour smelter which has reached 93% capacity, following its ramp-up after a lock-out in 2019.” Aluminium production stood at 1.56 million tonnes in the first half of 2020, down 2% year-on-year. The company VAP sales also dropped significantly to 40% of primary metal sold in the first half of 2020 (first half 2019: 54%) in line with the market,...
Alcoa Corporation reported improved productivity in Q2 and continued operational stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. For Q3, the company expects slightly lower quarterly results in the Bauxite segment primarily due to lower volume. Alcoa expects lower quarterly results in the Alumina segment from higher energy costs in Australia. In the Aluminium segment, the Company expects improved results with lower raw material costs including energy. For 2020, shipment outlook for Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium remains unchanged from the prior full-year estimates. Total annual bauxite shipments are expected to range between 48.0 and 49.0 million dry metric tons. Total alumina shipments are projected between 13.6 and 13.7 million metric tons. Aluminium shipments are expected to be between 2.9 and...
According to the latest update, Vedanta Limited has cut its aluminium ingot and product prices with effect from today, July 17, following three consecutive hikes during July 8-10. The company’s aluminium ingot price is now ranging between INR 140,000-153,000 per tonne, down by INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.58 per cent from INR 142,250-155,250 as of July 10. After the latest price cut, Vedanta is now selling its aluminium billet at INR 148,000 per tonne, also a decrease of INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.50 per cent from INR 150,250 per tonne on July 10. With the latest cut, Vedanta’s aluminium wire rod price is hovering at INR 147,500-155,000 per tonne. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange, which from...
