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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According to Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, stood at 1.264 million tonnes as of Thursday January 17, down 18,000 tonnes from Thursday January 10. Compared to last Thursday, stocks in Wuxi, Jiangsu and Shanghai dropped by about 16,000 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes to stand at 492,000 tonnes and 301,000 tonnes while stocks in Nanhai, Guangdong and Hangzhou, Zhejiang increased by some 6,000 tonnes and 3,000 tonnes to stand at 159,000 tonnes and 108,000 tonnes. Inventory in Gongyi, Henan decreased to 110,000 tonnes. The below chart indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China: Limited cargoes arrived at social warehouses this week and downstream consumers stockpiled...
The US dollar rose against the euro as the market grew concerned about economic growth in the eurozone. Base metals closed mixed last night. LME aluminium lost 0.54% and SHFE aluminium nudged up. Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange increased further to close at US$ 1839.5 per tonne on Wednesday, January 16. Limited upward momentum settled LME aluminium at US$1841 per tonne, around the five-day moving average. It is likely to trade at US$1,825-1,855 per tonne. As on January 16, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1839 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1839.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1866 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1867 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 2005 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$...
Despite a fall in alumina spot price on January 16, the A00 aluminium ingot price continues to record a rise today, on January 17, from RMB 13,240 per tonne to RMB 13,300 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. The ingot price is seen oscillating throughout this month so far. Since the beginning, it has registered a rise for a day or two after consecutive drops. However, today, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,280 per tonne and RMB 13,320 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. As the ingot price increase has touched almost all the major markets in China, the prices in the east market (Wuxi and Hangzhou) have seen a jump by RMB 55 per tonne and RMB 45 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,305 per tonne. In the south and north, the...
2018 marks an eventful year for the global secondary aluminium industry with a series of new investments, expansions, awareness activities, and also a bit of intermediate twist and turns in the market. China’s retaliatory tariffs on the US scrap exports, Aluminium Association of India’s proposal to levy 10 per cent duty on scrap import, announcement of the resumption of 10-years mothballed casthouse of Aludium were some of the important phenomena that marked the year. Now, let’s take a quick recap to some of the other notable events that moved the secondary aluminium market in 2018. Production The estimated recycled aluminium production for 2018 had stood at 12 million tonnes, out of forecasting global primary aluminium production of 64 million tonnes. The United States, being the only...
Deceuninck Group has partnered with So Easy Holding BVBA for “So Easy” aluminium window systems of So Easy System Sp.z.o.o., a designer and manufacturer of innovative aluminium window systems active in Eastern Europe. The company, with an annual turnover of € 12 million euro, has a state of the art production plant in Poland. Source:http:www.deceuninck.com Francis Van Eeckhout, CEO said: “I am very happy with this transaction and look forward to the cooperation with So Easy Holding BVBA. This joint-venture perfectly complements the aluminium offering we are developing in Turkey and Western Europe. During the first half of 2019, focus of So Easy will be on our customers in Eastern Europe. Headquartered in Hooglede-Gits (BE), Deceuninck is a top 3 independent manufacturer of PVC and...
(Continued from Part I ) Growing demand for automotive sector has moved the market and boosted investments and expansions in 2018. Trump’s aluminium tariffs also encouraged opening of a number of small and medium size aluminium plants in the U.S. and expansion of many plants, as tariffs boosted domestic purchasing. It is interesting to observe that decisions on most of the expansions and new projects were made keeping in mind the growing automotive demand. Below are a few key developments in 2018, which would also have an impact on the downstream industry in next few years: Mergers & Acquisitions In July 2018, Novelis, the US-based rolling and recycling arm of India’s largest aluminium producer Hindalco Industries has closed on a US$2.3-2.5 billion acquisition deal of Aleris Corp. The...
Demand for aluminium flat-rolled products in North America to grow nearly 5% annually through 2022, said Braidy Industries’ Chief Operating Officer Blaine Holt said on Tuesday, January 16 at the S&P Global Platts Aluminum Symposium in San Diego. Holt expects aluminium foil demand to grow 12.6% during rom 2017-2022 to 900,000 tonnes. He also projects auto sheet demand to grow 78.6% to 1.245 million tonnes during the same period, according to S&P Global Platts report. Domestic aluminium rolling capacity has reached its optimum level, and tariffs and duties have caused a rise in import prices. On top of that, there is supply deficits in common alloy and automotive aluminium sheets, which together will result in demand growth. The situation is also developing as Braidy is constructing the...
PANDA Greenstar, Ireland-based waste management and recycling service, is attempting to open a new recycling facility at the Atlas Aluminium site just off the Dock Road. This initiative is for seeking a change of use on an existing light industrial unit to a recycling facility. Per the report, the facility will operate only with clean, recyclable materials. No odorous, hazardous or municipal solid waste will be processed in the facility. Greenstar is seeking to move its existing recycling facility from its current site at Bunlickey to Atlas Avenue, in a move to free up space at existing land. Documents have been provided to the planning authority state for the permission. The operation will focus on the processing of clean plastic and cardboard. Green Party’s local election candidate...
Japan is home to two of the world’s leading automotive rolled aluminium producers- UACJ Corporation and Kobe Steel and Aluminium. Globally automotive aluminium rolled product market is growing driving the demand for aluminium plates, sheets and strips. Kobe Steel and Aluminium ships considerable volume of aluminium plates, sheets and strips globally which finds use in automotive BiW and closure applications. In 2016, the company had signed a deal with Toyota as per which it will produce and supply aluminium sheet for the hood and liftgate for Toyota’s 2016 Lexus RX 350 crossover in the US. Now, let us see the amount of aluminium plates sheets and strips Japan as a country exports. Our own third party data shows that Japan’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips exports have been fluctuating...
Shanghai Metals Market data showed operating rates across Chinese secondary aluminium producers averaged 57.21 per cent in December, down 9.54 percentage points year-on-year (YoY). Compared to November, it increased 0.07 percentage point as more export orders and pre-holiday stockpiling offset the impact from weaker domestic demand. Poor orders from the domestic market in H1 2018 drove secondary aluminium producers, with export businesses, to take more export orders. This resulted in output increase in December. Some secondary aluminium producers raised stocks of finished goods to prepare for CNY. This also kept production stable despite poor orders. SMM expects secondary aluminium sector in China to face challenges in 2019, in face of shrinking margins and aluminium scrap supply...
A press release from Hydro confirms that the environmental agency in the state of Pará, SEMAS has lifted the ban on Alunorte Alumina refinery’s 50% operational capacity. SEMAS, has issued a technical note to Hydro which says that Hydro Alunorte can safely resume normal operations and the production embargo has hence, been lifted. "SEMAS decision is an important recognition that Alunorte’s operations are safe. We will continue the dialogue with the authorities pursuing full resumption of production," says John Thuestad, EVP of the Bauxite and Alumina business area. Recently professors from the Federal University of Campina Grande, recognized as a specialist in the field of chemical engineering in Brazil completed a study on the bauxite residue management process of Alunorte and concluded...
The US dollar index jumped to 96.26, the highest since January 4, after data showed that economic growth in Germany slowed in 2018. The pound increased against the euro and the US dollar as the British parliament voted against Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal. Base metals closed mixed as LME aluminium rose over 1%. SHFE aluminium grew over 0.6%. LME aluminium found technical support overnight after five consecutive falls. The contract recovered some gains when it closed at US$ 1810.5 per tonne on January 15 Tuesday. It later closed some 1% higher at US$1,851 per tonne with the highest level overnight at US$1,862 per tonne. It is likely to trade at US$1,845-1,870 per tonne today. As on January 15, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1810 per tonne, LME official settlement...
Gränges, leading global supplier of rolled aluminium products for heat exchanger applications and other niche markets, announced that it has become new member of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). The company agrees to seek certification against the ASI Performance Standard for at least one facility or product line within two years of membership. <iframe width="540" height="220" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m2FmCSqZMx0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Gränges’ CEO Johan Menckel said: “In all things we do, we have a strong focus on sustainability as an integrated part of our business. We strive to minimize the environmental impacts of our operations, uphold ethical business practices and...
A vote will be reportedly held today, on January 16, on a move to block the lifting of sanctions affecting Aughinish Alumina in Limerick. Per the report, 11 Republican senators went against their own party and joined hands with Democrats to allow the vote to proceed. In December, the US Treasury had announced its intention to remove the sanctions against Rusal, the Russian parent company of Aughinish Alumina, but on a condition that Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska had to relinquish control of the company. So, as part of the deal, the three Deripaska companies - Rusal, En+ and power firm EuroSibEnergo agreed to restructure to reduce Deripaska’s stakes. Following the board restructuring agreement, Rusal’s board chairman Mattias Warnig also resigned from his post, as per the report from...
Average spot alumina price in China decreased by RMB 17 per tonne to RMB 2862 per tonne on January 16. The spot price is expected to range within RMB 2862 per tonne today. Alumina-north is down by RMB 40 per tonne to stand at RMB 2820 per tonne. The price is expected to range between RMB 2800 per tonne and RMB 2840 per tonne today. The price in the east and central is hovering at RMB 2910 per tonne and RMB 2900 per tonne, while that in the south is at RMB 2860 per tonne respectively. The Australian alumina FOB price remained unchanged at US$ 387 per tonne. In another update from SMM, after a drop in last two consecutive days, the A00 aluminium ingot price increased by RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 13240 per tonne today. Yesterday, on January 15, ingot price was at RMB 13200 per tonne. The...
Roto Aluvision has added a new “Roto Solid C” concealed door hinge to its Roto Door range. Roto has presented “Solid C” concealed door hinge at the BAU 2019, the World's leading trade fair for everyone involved in designing aluminium facades, windows and doors. “With the new “Roto Solid C” concealed door hinge, Roto is now offering manufacturers of aluminium doors a particularly attractive system for producing this kind of main door. It is already suitable for use in many conventional profiles as standard. Custom solutions for additional profile systems are also possible”, the company said. “Solid C” meets the increasingly stringent requirements for a high level of burglary protection and durability. It reliably ensures that even doors weighing 140 kg are easy to open and close. “Solid C”...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), now amongst the 1 Million-Club metric tonnes smelters, recorded the highest sales volume and production in 2018. The company closed 2018 with production volume of 1,011,101 tonnes, up by 3% Year-over-Year YoY from 981,016 tonnes in 2017.Alba reported sales volume of 1,012,548 tonnes in 2018, up by 3.5% YoY from 978,195 tonnes in 2017. Alba’s Value-Added (VA) sales were 60% of total shipments in 2018 in comparison to 57% in 2017. Murray said: “What made us successful with recording new highs in 2018 Sales volume and Production is not what will make us successful when ramping-up Line 6. We must transform our mindset as Alba rise to become the largest smelter in the world.” On this occasion, I want to thank our employees and contractors for going the extra...
Ford Motor Company reportedly unveiled the all-new Shelby GT500, the most powerful mustang ever with 700 horsepower, at the 2018 Detroit Motor Show. The company says it is the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date. The vehicle comes with a supercharged 5.2 litre aluminium alloy engine built by hand. Just like the Shelby GT350, the aluminium alloy block features weight-saving wire-arc cylinder liners and high-flow aluminium cylinder heads along with larger forged connecting rods, improved lubrication and cooling passages. Besides, its 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, designed for a number of drive modes including normal, slippery, sport, drag and track, ensures smooth shift in less than 100 milliseconds. The dual-clutch also features line-lock and...
