Aluminum casthouses are facing a growing operational challenge of increasing the use of recycled metal without compromising melt quality, recovery rates or production efficiency. As manufacturers look to incorporate more post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminum, processing lightweight scrap, machining chips and other low-density materials has become increasingly important. Such materials are difficult to introduce into conventional melting furnaces, making efficient scrap feeding and submergence essential to improving recycling performance. The challenge extends beyond scrap preparation. Maintaining consistent temperature and chemical composition throughout the molten metal bath is critical to producing specification-compliant aluminum. Equipment used for circulation and stirring must...
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...
Grow with
AL Circle
ALUMINIUM, the world's leading trade fair for the aluminium industry, will now take place May 18 to 20 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was scheduled to be held in Düsseldorf from 6 to 8 October. The accompanying ALUMINIUM Conference will also be delayed into the next year. The aluminium industry and international supply chains have been impacted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The demand for aluminium has declined due to pandemic. “Together with exhibitors and partners, we had long hoped to be able to get the industry back on track for October. Unfortunately this hope has not been fulfilled. The vast majority of exhibitors have therefore expressed the wish that ALUMINIUM should be rescheduled to next year,” said Michael Freter, Managing Director of organiser Reed Exhibitions...
The Victorian Greens, the Victorian state member party of the Australian Greens, has reportedly come up with a green COVID-19 recovery package, which consists of funding to upgrade Portland Aluminium smelter to allow it to act as a “reverse battery” while being powered by wind and solar. The Victorian Greens has suggested the Victorian government to reprioritise its subsidies of about $200 million for the Portland aluminium smelter and apply the funding to upgrade the smelter to be used as a “reverse battery”. This upgrade, according to the Victorian Greens, will allow Portland Smelter to use energy for aluminium production when there is a dearth of wind and solar energy supply. This is also believed to allow the smelter to strategically reduce its energy use when the energy supply-demand...
The average Bauxite (4.5≤Al/Si＜5.5) price in Shanxi stands at RMB 380 per tonne on Thursday, 02 July 2020, an increase of RMB 10 per tonne, after remaining flat at RMB 370 per tonne since June 24. The average price is expected to move within a range of RMB 360-RMB 400 per tonne. The average spot alumina price in China has further increased to RMB 2287 per tonne on July 2. This marks an increase of RMB 6 per tonne. The prices of alumina in East, Central, and North China markets have risen by RMB 5 per tonne each to stand at RMB 2260 per tonne, RMB 2290 per tonne, and RMB 2290 per tonne. Alumina-South remains unchanged at RMB 2520 per tonne. A00 aluminium ingot price has extended rise by RMB 60 per tonne to stand at RMB 14420 per tonne. This marks the fourth consecutive increase in...
Tom Dobbins, President and CEO, The Aluminium Association on 1 st July’20 delivered the communication in response to the execution of US-Mexico-Canada Agreement: “USMCA’s implementation is a historic achievement, and we greatly appreciate the efforts of the U.S., Canadian and Mexican governments in ensuring this trade agreement guarantees robust, fair and rules-based trade of aluminium and aluminium products between the three countries." "Furthermore, the new Rules of Origin that incentivize regional sourcing of aluminium for auto parts and vehicles will drive demand for U.S. aluminium manufacturers in the years to come.” Dobbins also stated that the integrated North American aluminium supply chain has been a crucial element of the U.S. aluminium industry’s ability to invest and grow over...
UACJ Corporation has joined Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) as a Production & Transformation member. This brings the total number of members working towards a responsible aluminium value chain to 125. UACJ supplies and manufactures rolling products, extruded products, casting products, forged products and precision-machined products of nonferrous metals, including aluminium and alloys thereof. “For almost a century, we have dedicated ourselves to Aluminium related production. UACJ’s mission is to contribute to society by using materials to manufacture products that enhance prosperity and sustainability. To this end, by joining the ASI UACJ will positively provide operational feedback on the formulation of global standards in the aluminium industry. In addition, by supporting ASI’s...
Vedanta hiked its aluminium products price on Wednesday, July 1, marking the second consecutive rise in price. With effect from Wednesday 1 July 2020, the prices of some aluminium ingots are in the range of INR 138,500-151,500 per tonne, a rise of INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.28% from INR 136,750-149,750 per tonne on June 27. With the latest hike, Vedanta’ billet now stands at INR 146,500 per tonne on July 1, an increase of INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.21% from INR 144,750 per tonne on June 27. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on London Metal Exchange. The three-month futures of aluminium have been declining due to slower global demand following the coronavirus outbreak. Vedanta Limited cuts its aluminium Cost of...
The US dollar slipped on Wednesday, July 1, in choppy trading, with the market having a modest appetite for risk-taking amid generally upbeat US data and improving European economic numbers. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against basket of its peers, touched a one-week low of 97.025 before closing at 97.153. Three-month LME aluminium hovered in a broad range between US$ 1,615-1,626 per tonne before closing the day higher at US$1,618 per tonne, continuing the price rally. As of Wednesday, July 1, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price, however, decreased from US$ 1602 per tonne to US$ 1593.50 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price stood at US$ 1614 per tonne after declining by US$ 7.5 per tonne from the previous day. Dec 21 bid price...
En+ has called on the EU to eradicate tariffs on low-carbon imports of aluminium, the lightweight metal used in everything from cars to wind turbines. EU needs to invest almost €500bn a year to meet its climate goals, Greg Barker, the group’s executive chairman, said: “There was a huge opportunity to speed up the energy transition by embracing green aluminium”. “Why to turn off Europe’s coal-fired power plants if the finished goods we buy or manufacture are sucking in high-carbon, coal-produced aluminium from the other side of the world?” said Lord Barker, a former UK energy and climate change minister En+ controls Rusal, the largest aluminium producer outside China, and its push for a separate customs code for low-carbon aluminium comes as Germany, which has unveiled sweeping measures to...
LB Plastics has secured a £1.1m loan from Lloyds Bank’s Clean Growth Finance Initiative (CGFI). The fund will help the company to invest in the manufacturing facility for new product lines. The company is owned by Garner Holdings. The company will deliver a new thermal break product, which will form part of a 100 per cent recyclable aluminium window system, to its associated company Garner Aluminium Extrusions. Emma Arrell, finance director at Garner Holdings, commented: "The Lloyds Bank team has always championed sustainability and offered us favourable rates as part of their Clean Growth Fund Initiative. "We’re grateful for the support with purchasing the new machinery, which will be beneficial for our productivity and for the planet. "Although current conditions have added pressure to...
Canyon Resources Ltd announced that the company has completed a pre-feasibility study for the Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon, West Africa. The company confirmed project’s ability to produce high-quality, low-contaminant bauxite over a long mine life of at least 20 years via a multi-stage development. Canyon managing director Phillip Gallagher said: “The PFS outlines a fast-track to production at Minim Martap and underlines the project’s potential to supply strategic project partners with high-quality bauxite over a long mine life. “Interest in the project and demand for our product has been very encouraging and delivery of the PFS will support more detailed discussions with a range of potential partners as we look to move forward with its development.” The mine will start at 4...
Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL) has mounted a holistic CSR strategy. Its main attempt is to be substantive to the lives of the underprivileged. Through its development initiatives, it has helped in enhancing the socio-economic conditions of people in these areas. The development initiatives by UAIL are focussed on providing better health, education, livelihood and other facilities to the villagers. Launched in September’19, UAIL’s Project Sambhab, focus at building an alternative source of livelihood through orchard development. A total of 19 farmers of Ratachuan, Hatikhaman, Jogiparitunda and Narignjodi are receiving assistance for the banana, guava, papaya and drumstick plantations, along with fertiliser and pesticides. This apart, the farmers also get on-farm agro-advisory...
The Spanish aluminium industry is going through rough times at present, although the aluminium scrap export during 2017-19 has reflected significant growth, as the export volume stood at 303,944 tonnes and the revenue earnings stood at $334.20 million. The aluminium scrap export for 2020 has been analysed at 146,023 tonnes and the earnings might remain at $176.42 million. When the projected export volume and earnings get added up with the existing three years it displays 449,967 tonnes and $510.62 million. The aluminium scrap export of Spain in 2017 has been recorded at 53,032 tonnes and the revenue earnings remained at only $48.02 million, whereas in 2018 the Spanish export of aluminium scrap saw a rise by 119.42%, as the export volume grew to 116,366 tonnes and the earnings rose by...
Hydro won the Aluminium Industry Leadership Award, the Breakthrough Solution of the Year (Hydro CIRCAL) and the Metals Company of the Year in the S&P Global Platts Award 2020, the leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. “I am very proud that we managed to win these awards, especially the recognition for Hydro CIRCAL which is something that we have work so hard on for this last year. This is a true testament to the Hydro organization and the work that is being done across the company,” said Hilde Merete Aasheim, President & CEO of Hydro. The program's independent panel of judges gave the follow rational for the awards in the respective categories: Aluminium Industry Leadership Award (Hydro) “Our panel of judges was impressed...
The average spot alumina price in China is up by RMB 5 per tonne on Wednesday, 01 July 2020. Alumina price stands at RMB 2281 per tonne, after rising by RMB 15 per tonne on June 30. Alumina prices have increased across all major markets in China, except South. The prices of alumina in East, Central, and North China markets have climbed by RMB 5 per tonne each to stand at RMB 2255 per tonne, RMB 2285 per tonne, and RMB 2285 per tonne. Alumina-South remains unchanged at RMB 2520 per tonne. Alumina (Imported) price stands at RMB 2250 per tonne on Wednesday, 01 July 2020, after remaining flat at RMB 2225 per tonne since June 12. The average price is up by RMB25 per tonne. Australian alumina FOB price stands USD 2 per tonne higher. The price stands at USD 262 per tonne. A00 aluminium ingot...
The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau stated that it will hurt US and Canadian economies if the Trump administration imposes new tariffs on Canadian aluminium. On 29 th June’20, Trudeau said: “We have heard, obviously, the musings and proposals from the US that perhaps there need to be more tariffs on aluminium.” Trudeau pointed out that “what we simply highlight is: the S needs Canadian aluminium”. The Prime Minister said: “If they put tariffs on Canadian aluminium, they’re simply increasing the costs of inputs, necessary inputs, to their manufacturing base which will hurt the American economy. Again, we see that our economies are so interlinked that punitive actions by the US administration end up hurting Americans the same way they end up hurting Canadians.” He added: “We will...
The US dollar edged lower after rose on Tuesday. LME and SHFE base metals ended mixed overnight. LME aluminium grew 0.31% and aluminium gained 0.72%. Three-month LME aluminium hovered in a broad range between US$1,615-1,626 per tonne. It ended higher on the day at US$1,618 per tonne. As of Tuesday June 30, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1602 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1602 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1621.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1621.50 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1722 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1722 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1642600 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1472775 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 169825 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian...
The Government of India on 30 th June’20 commenced a probe into alleged subsidised exports of aluminium wires from Malaysia, as it is affecting the domestic industry, following a complaint by Vedanta Ltd and Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. The investigation arm of Ministry of Commerce, Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated the probe to see if the subsidy programme of Malaysia for exports of ''Aluminium Wire/Wire Rods above 7 mm diameter'' is impacting the domestic industry. The companies had filed an application before the DGTR for anti-subsidy investigation on these imports originating in or exported from Malaysia. The applicants had claimed that the subsidised imports from Malaysia are causing a material dent to Indian domestic industry, and requested for the...
Precision sampling is vital to the success of the valuable bauxite industry in the West African country of Guinea, and Multotec Process Equipment’s high-precision sampling equipment is playing its role genuinely. In recent times Multotec has delivered two tariff sampling plants to a major bauxite producer, including what is possibly one of the largest hammer samplers in the world. One of the plants is located at the bauxite mining operation itself, while the other is at the export facility where the high-grade bauxite is loaded onto ships. As per Willem Slabbert, Sampling and Magnetics Specialist at Multotec Process Equipment: “The samplers serve a vital role in representatively measuring the quality of the material mined and then exported, as well as its physical characteristics.” “At...
