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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According to the United States Geological Survey data, the US aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to Mexico recorded a month-on-month hike of 55.67 per cent in February 2020 to stand at 9,200 tonnes. In January, the US’ exports to Mexico were 5,910 tonnes after plunging by 3.7 per cent from 6,140 tonnes in December 2019. In November last year, the United States had exported 6,870 tonnes of aluminium crude metals and alloys to Mexico, which represents the fact that the exports in December had also registered a month-on-month fall of 10.63 per cent. The above data also indicates the fact that the United States aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to Mexico grew in February after two consecutive months of downfall. Year-on-Year, the United States exports in February 2020 were down...
Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. The economy of Belarus is the world's 72nd largest economy by GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP), which in 2019 stood at $195 billion or $20,900 per capita. The manufacturing industry, which includes sectors such as metallurgical, light, food, chemical & petrochemical, and mechanical engineering, contributes 37% of the GDP of Belarus. The country’s export market for aluminium bar rods and profiles has been reflecting a stable growth during 2017-19, as the total export stood at 104,105 tonnes and the revenue earning was recorded at $377.03 million. The projected export for 2020 has been analysed at 47,523...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, continued to decline over the weekend. Inventories stood at 878,000 tonnes as of Monday June 1, down 15,000 tonnes from Thursday May 28. The chart below shows the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Primary aluminium stocks in Wuxi, Shanghai, and Nanhai decreased by 5,000 tonnes, 3,000 tonnes and 6,000 tonnes from May 28 to stand at 349,000 tonnes, 120,000 tonnes and 174,000 tonnes on Monday, June 1. The inventories in Henan and Tianjin remained unchanged at 51,000 tonnes and 58,000 tonnes. The inventories of primary aluminium in Hangzhou and Chongqing stood at 107,000 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes today,...
According to Reuters report, traders and analysts estimate a significant rise in China’s aluminium imports to hit the highest level in a decade, as an arbitrage opportunity created by demand recovery after coronavirus outbreak has made the aluminium import cheaper than sourcing the metal from domestic smelters. China, the world’s top aluminium producer, usually has a little need to import primary aluminium. The country’s imports in 2019 totalled just over 75,000 tonnes versus output of 35 million tonnes. But this year in May alone, China’s aluminium imports are set to top 100,000 tonnes, as demand for aluminium in the rest of the world has collapsed, while metal consumption in China has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The draw is that Shanghai aluminium prices above RMB 13,000...
Hindalco Industries Ltd has raised prices of its aluminium ingots, billets and wire rods by more than 1%. This marked the third consecutive hike in price of the same products. With effect from May 30, the price for Hindalco aluminium ingots now stands at INR 135,750 per tonne, an increase of 1.5% or INR 2,000 per tonne from INR 133,750 per tonne on May 22. The company is now selling its wire rods and billets at INR 146,850 per tonne and INR 142,850 per tonne with effect from Saturday, 30 May 2020, up 1.38% or INR 2,000 per tonne and 1.42% or INR 2,000 per tonne from May 22. 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 are down more than 17% so far in 2020 due to...
The average alumina spot price in China has grown for the second consecutive day by RMB 7 per tonne or 0.32 per cent to stand at RMB 2,220 per tonne, as of June 1, found Shanghai Metals Market. In the east, the alumina price has jumped by RMB 25 per tonne after a week-long restraint, with average prices estimated to hover between RMB 2,180 per tonne and RMB 2,250 per tonne. In the central, the alumina price has increased by RMB 15 per tonne to RMB 2,215 per tonne. The average prices there are likely to range between RMB 2,200 per tonne and RMB 2,230 per tonne. In the north and south, however, the prices have remained restrained at RMB 2,225 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The Australian alumina FOB price has gained US$ 4 per tonne to stand at US$ 250 per tonne on June 1,...
PT Vale Indonesia is dedicated to completing the divestment of the company's shares by June’20 as this has missed the original target. Bernardus Irmanto, CFO, Vale Indonesia explained: “The joint management with partners, namely Vale Canada Limited and Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. stated that they had reached an agreement with PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum (Persero) to extend the signing date of the definitive agreement until the end of June 2020. This discussion was delayed another because of the Covid-19 pandemic which impeded the discussion process between the two parties.” On 31 st May’20 Irmanto said: "All parties remain committed to signing a definitive agreement, however, the current pandemic has presented challenges that have caused delays.” This extension gives the parties more...
The US dollar extended its slide against a basket of rivals on Friday. LME aluminium climbed 0.6% and SHFE aluminium gained 0.5%. Three-month LME aluminium hit a new two month-peak of US$1,549 per tonne, before ending the day 0.59% higher at US$1,547 per tonne. Shanghai Metals Market expects the contract to hover between US$1,530-1,550 per tonne today. As of Friday May 29, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1515 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1515 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1536.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1536.50 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1647.50 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1647.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1500900 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1282050 tonnes,...
Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman has reportedly revealed a new lightweight aluminium 46-metre high-performance cruiser sloop – Nauta Reichel Pugh 151. As per the report, Nauta Design has produced the exterior and interior styling of the yacht, while Reichel/Plugh has designed the yacht’s naval architecture. Rondal did carbon Panamix rig, and Royal Huisman provided its most-qualified engineering and construction skills for the optimal result. Royal Huisman Project 405 is built of lightweight aluminium and carbon composite, and is believed to present formidable competition to existing carbon yachts. Royal Huisman promptly adopted intelligent lock-down measures implemented in the Netherlands since mid-March 2020. These measures allow the shipyard team to continue working in strict observance of...
Bel Air Mining SAS, a member of the Alufer Mining Limited group, developer and producer of bauxite in the prefecture of Boffa, endures supporting local communities and local health centres as well as employees with material and technical support in prevention against the spread of the Covid-19 epidemic in its impact area. Joining hands with its medical contractor Medequip, the bauxite company Bel Air Mining provided a series of supports, in hygiene equipment, medical equipment and training to communities and local health structures in its impact area, as well as to employees and their respective families. This support covers nearly 2,500 hand-washing stations and 13,000 bibs, distributed to local communities and employees, 500 thermo-flashes, 1,000 rapid screening tests and the training...
Following a drop of 0.4 per cent at the end of March, Aluminium stocks at three major Japanese ports rose 12,000 tonnes or 4 per cent by April end, trading house Marubeni Corp reported on Friday, May 29. In March 2020, the stocks were 297,100 tonnes, which in the next month increased to 309,000 tonnes. Marubeni collects stock related data from the ports of Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka. Aluminium stocks (in tonnes) at the three major ports in April were as follows: So, as the above chart indicates, the aluminium stocks at Yokohama port in April 2020 increased by 4,000 tonnes or 2.56 per cent month-on-month to stand at 160,500 tonnes. Year-on-year, the stocks grew by 9,600 tonnes or 6.36 per cent from 150,900 tonnes in April 2019. At Nagoya port, the aluminium stocks in April increased by...
Slovenian Aluminium producer Talum generated EUR 327 million in net revenue and almost EUR 680,000 in net profit in 2019. General Manager Marko Drobnič has told: “More than EUR 290 million came from aluminium product sales with 87% of the sales made in foreign markets.” As an ultra-modern company, Talum is one of the world's most efficient producers of electrolytic aluminium and aluminium alloys. The aluminium manufacturer also projected 2020 will be a turbulent year ahead as the industry is facing hardest hit due to the COVID-19 epidemic. With more than 60 years of hard work in Kidričevo is reflected in enviable facts. The company is among the 15 largest exporters in Slovenia and producing more than 84,000 tonnes of aluminium per year and boasting more than 10,000 employees from the...
The alumina market in China was flat over the week. The price did not show any movement in the first three days of the week. On Thursday, May 28, the average spot price of alumina stood RMB 2 per tonne lower at RMB 2204 per tonne. But the week ended higher at RMB 2213 per tonne, up RMB 9 per tonne. Other raw materials like Bauxite (6.5≤Al/Si＜7.5)Guangxi, Alumina (Imported), Australian Alumina FOB Price, Prebaked Anode East, and Al Fluoride are hovering at RMB 265 per tonne, RMB 2190 per tonne, USD 246 per tonne, RMB 2700 per tonne and RMB 8000 per tonne as of Friday, 29 May 2020. A00 aluminium ingot price witnessed an upward movement over the week, except Wednesday. The price stood higher at RMB 13260 per tonne and RMB 13360 per tonne on Monday and Tuesday. But the price declined by RMB...
On 29 th May’20, the Director-General of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan (PAA), Mr Hien Yacouba SIE witnessed the launch of the first shipment of 20,000 tonnes of Bauxite, at the bulk terminal. It is a first in Ivory Coast. The ore is now one of the products exported from the port. The cargo bound for China and it comes from mines operated by the company Lagune Exploitation Bongouanou (LEB), directed by Mr BICTOGO Moumouny. The second shipment of 50,000 tonnes will be shipped very soon. Annual production is estimated at 750,000 tonnes. For the first official of the Autonomous Port of Abidjan, the exploitation of bauxite in Côte d'Ivoire will not only contribute to increasing traffic in the port of Abidjan but will also bring added value to the Ivorian economy. The launch happened in the...
The US dollar started the week on May 25 with a hike against a basket of rivals. On Tuesday, the dollar slipped as risk sentiment returned to the market amid a reopening world economy and subdued demand for the safe-haven currency. On Wednesday and Thursday, it plunged further to a two-month trough against a basket of currencies. On Monday, May 25, the London Metal Exchange was closed for spring bank holiday. On Tuesday, the three-month LME aluminium climbed and found steady support from US$ 1,520 per tonne ending the day 1.2 per cent higher at US$ 1,521.5 per tonne. On Wednesday, it advanced to US$1,534 per tonne and hit a two-month peak of US$1,541 per tonne on Thursday, May 28. This week during May 25-29, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price edged...
On 28 th May’20, the aluminium producer, Alcoa announced that it is considering to lay-off 534 workers San Ciprian aluminium plant in the Spanish region of Galicia. However, a final decision is yet to be made. The high energy costs and low aluminium prices led to persistent losses and left the plant unable to compete internationally, the company said Workers representatives will meet with Alcoa's management for three weeks of talks to discuss what challenges the plant faces and the options available. "No decision will be taken until this consultation period has finished," Alcoa said. Union representative Jose Antonio Zan blasted the company's actions as "shameful" and attacked the government for failing to support the highly energy-intensive industry. He also said: "We have been asking...
Taranjit Singh Sandhu, India’s ambassador to the US stated that India and the US could strike a “smaller” trade deal in the coming weeks. This was conveyed by him while acknowledging that the unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic have been a "bit of a setback" in moving ahead as the governments are focused on tackling the health crisis. Addressing the virtual West Coast Summit of US-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), Sandhu said that: “India's supply of antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) to the US has given the two countries enough confidence and have played an important foundation.” Sandhu said: “The top leadership has also been talking about it and I feel that perhaps in the coming few weeks, we should be able to strike the smaller trade deal.” “I...
Hydro announced the company has donated BRL 5 million more to support the construction and maintenance of field hospitals in the Brazilian state for Covid-19 treatment. The hospitals will have 240 new beds to combat the pandemic in the region. Hydro has signed an agreement with the government of the state of Pará to make a second donation. The donation of BRL 5 million adds to BRL 5 million already donated by the company. This will help in the fight against the coronavirus in the municipalities where the company operates. "In addition to initiatives to protect our employees and contractors, we are joining the efforts to prevent and combat the virus, planning our actions through dialogue with local authorities and communities, supporting the main needs at this time," said John Thuestad,...
