Aluminium production depends on high-temperature processes where furnace efficiency, thermal management and equipment durability are essential for maintaining operational performance. However, refractory materials used in melting, holding and casting operations face continuous exposure to extreme temperatures, thermal fluctuations, chemical corrosion and mechanical wear. These conditions can lead to premature furnace-lining failure, molten-metal penetration, corundum formation and heat loss, increasing maintenance requirements and operating costs. Addressing these challenges requires materials that can withstand demanding operating conditions while keeping equipment efficient and reliable. Alkegen, a supplier of high-temperature refractory and insulation materials, serves this requirement...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has strengthened its profitability despite a challenging nine-month period marked by operational disruptions, constrained exports and reduced aluminium production. The UAE-based producer reported an improved adjusted EBITDA margin for the first nine months of 2026, supported by higher realised aluminium prices, a stronger value-added product mix and cost-control measures. Meanwhile, the company is progressing with the restoration of its Al Taweelah facilities, expanding its international recycling footprint and advancing its global smelting technology partnerships. EGA recorded adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of USD 1.572 billion (AED 5.773 billion) during January-September 2026, compared with USD 1.738 billion...
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Emirates Global Aluminium has achieved a milestone at its under-construction Guinea bauxite mining project as the first bauxite train travelled from its subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation’s mine to the coast. EGA said the 80-wagon train carried some 6,800 tonnes of bauxite. The bauxite will be used to begin building a base-layer of bauxite at GAC’s new stockyard. First bauxite exports from the project are expected in the second half of this year. Source: Emirates Global Aluminium Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “This milestone is the result of many thousands of hours of planning and teamwork in Guinea involving GAC, train operator Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée, the owner of the existing rail infrastructure ANAIM, and other rail partners. I...
Emirates Global Aluminium has achieved cost savings of AED 70 million from employee suggestions and continuous improvement projects in 2018. EGA said through its press release that approximately AED 50 million worth of savings were generated through a record 38,037 proposals submitted as a part of EGA’s Suggestion Scheme. In addition, 201 improvement projects, resulting in the remaining savings were registered through “Tamayaz”; a cross-functional, team based program. Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EGA, said: “At EGA we believe that everyone has a role to play in continuous improvement. Employees who are closest to a certain work process are often best placed to spot opportunities to improve it. Our programmes are built to enable all our people to share...
Pump House Brewery has reportedly announced the launch of its new subsidiary company Candu Packaging to supply aluminium can shrink-sleeving and printing as well bulk blank can sales to breweries in Atlantic Canada. “Currently, when a microbrewery needs cans to put their beer in, their only option is to source them from Ontario or beyond,” said Shaun Fraser, co-owner of Pump House Brewery, in a statement. He further added, “By the time they get cans printed or sleeved, then delivered all the way to Atlantic Canada, the shipping costs add up. This can be tough on smaller breweries, where every penny counts.” Per the report, Candu Packaging sources its cans from a manufacturer in China that also owns a brewery. Candu has negotiated exclusive rights to distribute cans in Canada andMexico, as...
South exported 141,000 tonnes of crude metal and alloys and aluminium semi-finished products to the US in the first ten months of 2018, from 134,000 tonnes in the same period last year. The volume registered 5.22 per cent growth year-on-yea (YoY). {newsStudioGallery} In October 2018, total aluminium exports stood at 11,400 tonnes, up 30 per cent from 8,770 tonnes in October 2017, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. Exports of crude metal and alloys stood at 92,000 tonnes during January-October 2018, up 900 tonnes from January-October 2017 volume of 91,100 tonnes. In October 2018, the volume stood at 8,010 tonnes, up 51 per cent YoY. Semi-finished products (plates, sheets, bars, etc.) exports to the USA increased to 49,300 tonnes in the first...
Responding to requests for scope rulings from Columbia Aluminum Products, LLC, Worldwide Door Components, Inc., and MJB Wood Group, Inc., U.S. Department of Commerce issued a final decision on December 19, 2018 that that door thresholds are covered by the scope of the AD/CVD orders on aluminium extrusions from China, a press release from the Aluminum Extruders Council has confirmed that. The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and Endura Products Inc. had helped in the proceedings by providing the Commerce Department with critical information demonstrating that door thresholds containing extruded aluminium are covered by the scope of the AD/CVD orders. The Commerce Department agreed and confirmed that the extrusion in the door thresholds would be covered within the scope of the AD/CVD...
The city of Alton has reportedly expanded its recycling programme with an aim to create a sense of mindfulness for the environment among residents and help them recycle more. Early this month, the city installed a dozen bins all over the Sylvia Vela Park located right next to the Alton City Hall. According to Alton’s Recycling Coordinator Martha Alaniz, the city at present has two recycling drop off points that accept paper and cardboard products along with plastic and aluminium items such as cans and bottles. Alaniz said the city has plans to add recycling bins at Josefa Garcia Memorial Park this coming spring. Alton Public Works Director Jesse Peña said Alton does not have curbside recycling bins for its residents so people typically use the drop off recycling points. This could change...
The US dollar edged down as US-China trade tension continued. The partial US government shutdown and a three-year low in US pending home sales also weighed on the greenback. Base metals fell for the most part but LME aluminium jumped 2.46%. LME aluminium closed Tuesday’s trading at US$1867.50 per tonne and fell below support at the five-, 20-, and 10-day moving averages during the Asian trading session as US-CHINA trade talk optimism waned. It rebounded to a month-high of US$1,896.5 per tonne during the European trading session and closed at US$1,893 per tonne. The contract is expected to trade at US$1,860-1,895 per tonne. As on January 22, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1867 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1867.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands...
KFC Ashfield store has reportedly got a low maintenance redesign solution from DECO’s timber finish aluminium cladding system. Besides a low maintenance product, KFC Ashfield has sought an attractive solution that would complement their new branding and at the same time provide a warm friendly atmosphere for family dinners. The new look features DecoClad V-Groove aluminium cladding in DecoWood’s natural Blackbutt timber finish. This attractive cladding is installed on the outside of the parapet tower above the entry, behind the iconoc Colonel logo. This overall renders a decorative look to the display and enhances the KFC brand with the stylish, natural, and beautiful timber finish. KFC’s chosen builder Network Refurbishment and Construction has installed this lightweight aluminium...
Ball Corporation, the leader in aluminium aerosol packaging, announced that it will launch its 360° aerosol can at the ADF&PCD exhibition, the world's biggest event for the aerosol, dispensing, perfume and cosmetic packaging community. The ADF&PCD exhibition will be held in Paris on Jan. 30 and 31, 2019. Source:Ball Corporation Ball said the newly developed technology brings another dimension to can contouring, using a process that allows custom shaping, symmetrically or asymmetrically, up to the full circumference of the can, ultimately benefiting both brand owners and end consumers, it said in its press release. The company paired its graphics expertise with innovative shaping to produce a can that is visually engaging from every angle. Global Innovations Director, Jason Galley said:...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a rise today, on January 23, to stand at RMB 13,390 per tonne. This marks a growth by RMB 50 per tonne from the previous day. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,370 per tonne and RMB 13,410 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. The aluminium ingot price is found growing over the past week with one or two intermediate drops. Right from RMB 13,200 per tonne, as on January 15, the non-ferrous metal’s price has grown to RMB 13,390 per tonne, as on January 23. But despite this growth, the price still remains sluggish month-on-month compared to RMB 13,560 per tonne on December 21, 2018, or RMB 13,620 per tonne on December 24, 2018. In the east market...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), now amongst the 1 Million-Club metric tonnes smelters in the world, has achieved US$102 million savings in Phase III of Project Titan. Alba has launched Phase IV of Project Titan to reduce cash-cost of US$100 million by the end of 2020. Phase IV, a 24-month Program, aims to achieve US$40 million in 2019 and US$60 million in 2020. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said: “As Alba is progressing to be transformed to become the world’s largest aluminium smelter with a production of 1.5 million metric tonnes, we must challenge ourselves in every aspect to stay competitive and ahead of the curve especially amidst the weak sentiment hovering around LME price.” The company achieved benefits of US$143 million in Phase I (2-year Program), US$36 million in...
Two United States senators Doug Jones (Democrat, Alabama) and Lamar Alexander (Republican Tennessee) have reportedly reintroduced the law that would delay the imposition of additional Section 232 tariffs on automobiles and automotive parts imported by the US. On January 15, the senator said in a statement that The Automotive Jobs Act would require the International Trade Commission (ITC) to conduct a comprehensive study of the well-being, health, and vitality of the US automotive industry before tariffs could be applied. “This bill would delay the administration’s proposed 25% tariff on automobiles and automotive parts imported into the United States until the president has a second opinion from the International Trade Commission about the effect those tariffs would have on the more than...
Innoval Technology has announced another training course about the application of aluminium automotive sheet after one successful course last year. The Aluminium Automotive Sheet training course offered by Innoval Technology will be 2.5 days long and will include a visit to Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing facility in Solihull. Since the use of aluminium is comparatively new to many automotive companies which have been working with steel so far, such courses are helpful in making them aware of the benefits and use of the light metal technology in automotive. The course is specifically designed for companies that are using aluminium automotive sheet for the first time in their manufacturing process. The course will help participants to understand the automotive sheet from a materials...
South Wales-based Fentrade Limited was helped by Henry Howard Finance (HHF) to buy new equipment to enable it to produce high volumes of aluminium windows. Fentrade, established in August 2018, manufactures aluminium windows, bi-fold doors and commercial entrance systems for businesses. Matt Jones, Head of Asset Finance at Henry Howard Finance, said: “With Brexit uncertainty having an impact across the board, the manufacturing industry is reportedly feeling the pinch more than most, so we so we are thrilled that we have helped Fentrade to invest in the right machinery and secure a leading edge in its marketplace. “We always try work with businesses to meet their funding requirements. We look at a company’s future earning potential, and not just past performance, especially with start-ups...
JW Aluminum, a manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminium products, has signed a lease with Daniel Island Sun, LLC to add 22,000 square feet of Class A office space at The Landing, 115 Fairchild Street on Daniel Island, South Carolina. The new office space will house up to 50 teammates to perform key corporate functions as the $250 million expansion progresses at the company’s existing Goose Creek, South Carolina manufacturing facility. Stan Brant, Chief Operating Officer at JW Aluminum, said, "Vertical construction is underway for the new 222,000 square foot building in Goose Creek, where we're installing state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment this year. We're actively recruiting for the 50 new positions this expansion brings to the region. We currently employ 350 teammates in Goose Creek...
(Continued from Part I ) LME/SME price trends An analysis of the LME and SME price trends in H1, H2 and the whole year 2018 will give us an idea about how the prices were impacted by the events in the aluminium supply scenario. As the sanctions hit the market in April and LME prices were pushed higher to about US$2602.5 per tonne, the average LME price for H1 2018 skyrocketed to US$ 2208/tonne. It was further supported by the increasing alumina prices due to sanctions on Aughinish alumina and 50% capacity cut in Alunorte refinery. Prices started correcting when the sanction deadlines were extended and came to settle in June. LME prices started its downtrend during the second half of 2018. This was mostly driven by the following factors: Extension of sanction deadlines on Rusal Drop in...
The year 2018 has seen the highest and lowest in terms of aluminium price growth and production of primary aluminium is estimated to be slightly higher (about 1.3%) in comparison to 2017. The year was marked by supply uncertainty in alumina and aluminium which pushed the prices higher in the first quarter. Tariffs and punitive sanctions created panic in the market disrupting the international trade. However, they also encouraged restarting of closed aluminium operations by Alcoa and Century Aluminum in the U.S. While prices saw some unprecedented gains, towards the end of the year they touched rock bottom as the supply uncertainties eased out but economy continued to move slower in China and the trade war waged by the U.S. reached no solution. We are analysing the various developments in...
There were more than 3.5 million passenger electric vehicles (EVs) sold globally and about 421,000 electric buses at the end of June 2018, bringing the total number of EVs sold to 3.97 million, according to a new report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The use of EV in passenger cars and public transport drove demand for aluminium rolling sheets and extrusions. The production of new energy vehicles also fuelled the demand for aluminium alloy not only in China but also all around the globe. Aluminium demand for EVs in 2018 (without taking into account charging infrastructure) is expected to be around 250,000 tonnes, assuming average aluminium content of around 250 kg per vehicle, analysts estimated. The content of rolled and extruded aluminium products in EVs is expected to remain...
