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...
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Constellium has been awarded a Platinum rating from EcoVadis, placing the company in the top 1% of companies assessed worldwide. Platinum is the highest rating awarded by EcoVadis, a leading provider of business sustainability ratings. “We are proud of this Platinum rating from EcoVadis as it is validation of our steadfast commitment to sustainability,” said Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium. “Being ranked among the top 1% is a notable achievement and a tribute to all the work done by our teams. We have long placed sustainability at the core of our business, and this recognition will inspire us to go further.” Constellium, engaged in several major international programs fostering transparency and sustainability performance, follows the most rigorous and transparent standards in the...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a decline for the second consecutive day of RMB 60 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,910 per tonne, as of Friday, June 19. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,890 per tonne and RMB 13,930 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 160-200 per tonne. Hangzhou, Shenyang, and Linyi have seen the highest decline today of A00 aluminium ingot price among the major Chinese markets by RMB 70 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,920 per tonne, RMB 13,855 per tonne, and RMB 13,840 per tonne, respectively. Foshan, Wuxi, and Chongqing have seen a plunge of RMB 60 per tonne to, respectively, hover at RMB 14,000 per tonne, RMB 13,910 per tonne, and RMB 13,870 per tonne. In Gongyi, the price...
Hindalco’s Utkal Alumina International Ltd (UAIL) revitalized the frontline COVID-19 warriors by offering an ex-gratia, as recognition which will act as a self-esteem enhancer and catalyst for stimulating the good work. In acclamation towards those personalities that stood at these tough times and showed a high level of commitment, dedication whiles the entire world is suffering due to the epidemic, Utkal Alumina rolled out one-time Ex-gratia payment. The front line warrior in the categories of contractual workmen, operators & supervisory staff who have put additional effort, who has relentlessly worked during the lockdown, was rewarded. The payment ranging from INR 8000 up till INR 20000/- is done for the period of March 23rd 2020 till 4 th May’20 for those who were present on duty and...
Extruded aluminium manufacturer Capral is continuing to function without major interruptions, in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The virus has created economic insecurity and uncertainty globally; however, the company has managed to evade most of the impacts. This has been exhibited in Capral’s result for the first quarter’20, which were aligned with the firm’s budget and guidance. Some minor impacts began to reflect in March’20 when demand for the company’s aluminium products started to slow down. This conflicted with the execution of COVID-19 limitations and social distancing policies in Australia. Yet Capral was largely capable to alleviate these initial issues through several cost-saving measures. These included 20% reductions in staff salaries with reduced working hours and use...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, operating rates across China’s secondary aluminium industry increased 1.6 percentage points month-on-month to stand at 48.69 per cent in May. In April, China’s secondary aluminium industry’s operating rates were 47.08 per cent, lowering 0.22 percentage point from the previous month. However, year-on-year, China’s May secondary aluminium operating rates inched down by 5 percentage points, showed the SMM data. The month-on-month hike in Chinese secondary aluminium operating rates in May could be attributed to the ramp-up of operations with the slight improvement of auto sales amid the government’s stimulus efforts. Industry data showed China’s production and sales of automobiles recorded double-digit growth in May from a year ago. On the other hand, the...
Manaksia Aluminium Company, is a manufacturer of aluminium rolled products in coil and sheet form, has released the financial results for the year ended 3lst March, 2020. Net profit stood at INR 2.62 crore in the quarter ended March 2020 as against INR 1.96 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2019. That is up 33.67% year-on-year. Sales declined 11.62% to INR 63.53 crore in the quarter ended March 2020. The company had reported sales of INR 71.88 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2019. Net profit came in at INR 5.84 crore for the full year as against INR 7.33 crore during the previous year ended March 2019. This marks a drop of 20.33% year-on-year. Sales increased 2.06% to INR 281.30 crore, from INR 275.61 crore during the previous year ended March 2019. The company’s...
AMAG, a leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat rolled products for highly varied industries, has received JIS certification (Japanese Industrial Standards). The company becomes the first European aluminium producer to qualify for the “JIS Mark”. AMAG will now expand its product portfolio for the Japanese market. In future, the company is now able to provide aluminium sheets and plates for projects that require mandatory certification. “In Japan, more than anywhere else in the world, quality is the key to successful business relations. We are therefore especially proud to have met the high demands imposed on companies seeking JIS certification,” said Gerald Mayer, AMAG CEO. AMAG purchased a tensile testing machine to meet the particular requirements of...
Rusal, a leading global aluminium producer, has announced the beginning of a new foundry complex, having a production capacity of 120 thousand tonnes of alloys per year, at the Boguchansky aluminium smelter. The new foundry will produce high silicon aluminium alloy with increased strength, which is commonly used in the automotive industry for manufacturing wheels, engine units, and various automobile spare parts. Demand for this alloy is strong in Japan, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, Germany, and the United States. Rusal for this fully automated foundry complex has invested over 600 million rubbles. The foundry produces ingots through continuous casting technology that eliminates the formation of any slag inclusions and other defects, unlike in traditional casting methods. Evgenii...
The cast aluminium facility of Wheels India is set to go on stream in September 2020. The INR 120 crore cast aluminium plant will cater to the export demand. Wheels India expects strong demand from the windmill and railways segments. The new unit will have an annual production capacity of 7.50 lakh wheels. “We have not held up the capital expenditure plans as we see robust demand in the cast aluminium business. There is export demand and we will be able to serve this demand from this new plant", Company Managing Director Srivats Ram told reporters via video conferencing. "Despite the (COVID-19 enforced) lockdown for two months, if we maintain last year's levels in the windmill and tractor segment, I believe that is a positive development", he said. "Existing customers may look at...
Greece has a capitalist economy with a public sector accounting for about 40% of GDP and with per capita GDP about two-thirds that of the leading euro-zone economies. Greece's Industrial production fell 9.9 % YoY in Apr 2020, following an increase of 0.4 % YoY in the previous month. The aluminium foil exportation market of Greece has recorded robust growth during 2017-19, as the total export volume stood at 158,432 tonnes and the revenue income reported was $478.39 million. The projected export volume for 2020 has been analysed at 71,722 tonnes and the revenue also rose to $225.54 million. However, when the estimated import volume and income gets added to the preceding three years, it reflects 230,154 tonnes and $703.93 million respectively. In 2017 the nation aluminium foil export has...
According to the recent report, Vedanta has increased its aluminium ingots prices by INR 2000 per tonne or 1.47 per cent with effect from Thursday, June 18. The prices are thus, now ranging between INR 137,750 per tonne and INR 150,750 per tonne, as compared to INR 135,750-148,750 per tonne on Saturday, June 13. With the latest hike following two consecutive declines last week, Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has come in at INR 145,750 per tonne, also up by INR 2000 per tonne or 1.39 per cent from INR 143,750 per tonne on June 13. Like any other Indian aluminium producers, Vedanta also links its aluminium and aluminium products prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. The three-month futures of aluminium are down nearly 11% so far in 2020 due to slower...
Inventories of aluminium billets in China have declined this week ending on Thursday, June 18, as shipments from warehouses increased while arrivals decreased in contrast, found Shanghai Metals Market. SMM data shows, aluminium billets inventories today have declined by 2,500 tonnes across the five major consumption areas in China to stand at 71,500 tonnes, following a build-up of 900 tonnes last week, on June 11. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billets inventories across China in more details: As the above chart shows, the decline in aluminium billets inventories has not touched upon the major Chinese markets, except Foshan, where the inventories have plunged by 6,400 tonnes to stand at 33,300 tonnes. In Wuxi and Nanchang, the billet stocks have rather increased...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, continued to trend lower this week. Inventories came in at 754,000 tonnes in the week ended June 18, down 33,000 tonnes from Thursday June 11. The chart below shows the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Primary aluminium stocks in Wuxi and Shanghai decreased by 19,000 tonnes and 5,000 tonnes from June 11 to stand at 266,000 tonnes and 112,000 tonnes. But inventories in Nanhai increased by 3,000 tonnes to 164,000 tonnes. Inventories of aluminium in Hangzhou, Tianjin and Linyi remained unchanged at 104,000 tonnes, 59,000 tonnes, and 10,000 tonnes. In Gongyi and Chongqing, stocks of aluminium stood at...
The LIXA project has used Hydro CIRCAL recycled aluminium as facade material in the new office buildings. Hydro will deliver 120 tonnes of Hydro CIRCAL to the project. Hydro CIRCAL, made of minimum 75% recycled consumer scrap, will give building projects enhanced sustainability credentials from the start. Hydro CIRCAL demand is on the rise, with new industries looking for material and solutions that can help meet their sustainability targets. The Lixa office complex in Warsaw, Poland, will be part of the dynamic and sustainable development of the country's capital once it is completed in 2022, Hydro said. “In a fairly short time, Hydro CIRCAL has become a key part of our product portfolio, with increased demand from customers and various industries,” said Egil Hogna, Executive Vice...
Manohan Aluminium in Fiji Islands has managed to run normal operations during the COVID-19 epidemic. The 40 years old aluminium extrusion and downstream supply company has been employing about 60 people and is continuing with construction projects around the island nation. The COVID-19 breakout has forced many businesses to lay off their workers as a measure for cost-cutting. Raj Mahohan, MD, Manohan Aluminium said: “We have retained all their employees.” “At this time, we have the Coronavirus. We never lay off anybody, we never cut anyone’s wages and we continue as normal. In this industry, it is very critical and difficult to train people. The thing is that, as I said it’s not about the profit. It’s over the last 40-years we built assets and we are utilizing that to keep our staff...
The average spot alumina price in China has risen by RMB 2 per tonne or 0.09 per cent on Thursday, after remaining flat on Wednesday. Alumina price stands at RMB 2261 per tonne. Alumina prices have remained unchanged across all major markets, except North China market. The price of alumina in North market has increased by RMB 5 per tonne to stand at RMB 2265 per tonne. Alumina-Central, Alumina-East and Alumina-South remain unchanged at RMB 2260 per tonne, RMB 2225 per tonne and RMB 2520 per tonne. Australian alumina FOB price stands at USD260 per tonne, from USD258 per tonne on Thursday. This records a rise of USD2 per tonne. The price of Aluminium Alloy (A356) has decreased RMB100 per tonne to range at RMB14600-14700 per tonne as on June 18. Aluminium Alloy (A356) price stands at...
Hindalco Industries Limited has increased its aluminium products prices with effect from Thursday, June 18, after two consecutive declines last week. With the latest hike, the company’s aluminium ingot price is now standing at INR 139,500 per tonne, an increase of INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.63 per cent from INR 137,250 per tonne on Saturday, June 13. The prices of Hindalco’s wire rods and billets have also been grown by INR 1,750 per tonne or 1 per cent from INR 148,350 per tonne and INR 144,350 per tonne on June 13. As of today, June 18, Hindalco's wire rods and billets prices are hovering at INR 150,100 per tonne and INR 146,100 per tonne, respectively. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal...
The Brussels-based European Aluminium said: “The European aluminium industry needs additional instruments to address the harmful effects of Chinese subsidies.” European Aluminium is a trade group consisted of more than 80 producers of the metal. The organization lauded that it is calling upon the European Commission “to effectively address the distortive effects of foreign subsidies in the EU single market and help create a level playing field for the aluminium industry in Europe.” European Aluminium stressed a proposed white paper on the topic: “Must be urgently translated into effective measures. The European aluminium industry is buckling under the pressure of subsidized excess capacity from China.” Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium said: “The EU’s current trade toolbox...
