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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With the international aluminium price hovering at 20-month low, the earnings outlook for the domestic aluminium producers are at a risk and is banking heavily on import duty hike. Currently the three months LME aluminium prices are at US$ 1846 per tonne, much lower than what analysts had estimated. Earnings estimates were largely made with US$1,940 a tonne as the price benchmark. The downturn in price will lower the earnings estimate significantly and the industry is banking on import duty hike. Indian primary aluminium industry has proposed an increase in import duty on scrap and primary aluminium from 2.5 per cent and 7.5 per cent, respectively, to 10 per cent. Though an increase in import duties may offer some support, earnings outlook would remain weak due to the falling...
The applications of aluminium plates, sheets and strips widely range from transformers through plaster strips to silos and heavy good vehicles. Thus, the industries in need of these products include automotive, aerospace, defence and also packaging. Among many countries that ship aluminium plates, sheets and strips to the various parts of the world, Sweden is one European nation that has been logging a steady growth over a past couple of years. {newsStudioGallery} According to the international export-import data, Sweden’s estimated export volume of aluminium plates, sheets and strips were at 72,515 tonnes in 2016, which in the next year, grew to the estimated amount of 78,952 tonnes, up 9 per cent year-on-year. That’s not all, 2018 was also estimated to see a rise further in Sweden’s...
The US dollar index dipped below 97 as stocks traded higher after a week of price swings. LME base metals traded weak on Monday and aluminium dropped further. The SHFE was closed for the New Year's Day holiday. LME aluminium closed Monday’s trading at US$ 1869.50 per tonne, further down from Friday, December 28. The exchange will remain closed today for New Year’s Day holiday. As on December 31, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1868.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1869.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1845.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1846 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 1918 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at US$ 1923 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock increased slightly to 1267125 tonnes. Live...
According to a report, twenty-seven of the fifty-two young Jamaican engineers who were selected for further study and training in China last March by JISCO Alpart successfully completed the segment of the course and returned to the island on December 24. The batch of 27 was trained in the Bayer process technology and refinery operations. During the training in China, the young engineers completed three core areas of concentration. The first area of focus was in Chinese culture and language facilitated at JISCO’s head office; the second segment was in theoretical alumina process and equipment, done at North East University; and the final module was an advanced course in process control and operations done in the Henan Province. The remaining engineers out of fifty-two are in China...
Novosibirsk State Technical University scientists have reportedly tested the world’s first internal-combustion engine fully made of aluminium and weighing about 200 kg. Ilya Zverkov, Professor of the Aircraft-and Helicopter-Making Chair at the University’s Aircraft Faculty, told TASS on January 28 that the test results would help the scientists to design a smaller engine. "During the trials, flaws were detected in the engine’s design and, considering these faults, we will design a new engine smaller by its dimensions. We do not give up the basic ideas and the task is to obtain the stated characteristics by the [engine’s] capacity and firmness," Zverkov said, adding that the improved engine would be designed and tested in the summer of this year. The use of aluminium in place of steel has...
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) recently issued its final decision in the antidumping and countervailing duty investigations into the imported common alloy aluminium sheet from China. The common alloy aluminium sheet will be subjected to Trump administration’s 96.3 per cent to 176.2 per cent duties. Reacting to ITC’s decision, the National Marine Manufacturers Association urged the government to remove all duties on aluminium sheet in official comments and testimony, as the tariffs were causing harm to the industry. NMMA President Thom Dammrich alleged that the administration and the commission are not analysing the impacts of tariffs on the downstream sector. They said that ITC’s approval of the 96.3 to 176.2 per cent duties on common aluminium sheet from China will be...
Donald Trump’s new tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminium imports affected the manufacturing industries across the nation. The construction industry is not an exception either. Aluminium tariff imposed by the United States government has already led to increases in the cost of construction materials. The move is expected to contribute to even higher building construction costs in the coming days. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) said Trump’s tariffs on aluminium and steel imports will have negative impact on U.S. design and construction industries. The action will increase the prices of many building materials such as window frames, mechanical systems, and exterior cladding. "By the same token, the Administration’s proposed infrastructure funding will not achieve...
Designer Steve Kozloff reportedly revealed a six decked 90-metre ice class expedition yacht concept called Kosatka, featuring an aluminium superstructure. Besides, the design also features steel and ice class hull with the strength to endure the intensity of driving through moderate multi-year ice conditions. According to Kozloff, Kosatka is thus, one of the most formidable yachts of her size. Other key features include a 2,415 square foot aircraft hangar with an accommodation capacity of four small or two medium-sized helicopters, and a large swimming pool at the bow with a hard-retractable cover. The vessel has a stern lounging area at the waterline and also features a crow’s nest equipped with a full command and control helm station. It has enough storage space as well for two large...
Despite the damage on business, President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminium tariffs did not have a widespread negative impact on the business in Northeast Ohio The manufacturing sector feared there would be immediate fallout of the tariffs in Northeast Ohio. They also were concerned about the impact of retaliatory tariffs from Canada, China, Mexico and the European Union on metals and other consumer goods. Business owners say tariffs have not drastically affected the bottom lines of the manufacturing or supply businesses. There have been no significant layoffs and manufacturing employment has increased by 10,600 jobs in Ohio, between November 2017 and November 2018. However, reopening of closed steel and aluminium facilities have been slower than expected. Many steel and aluminium...
After 18 months since the dramatic restart of bauxite and alumina production at the JISCO (Jiquan Iron and Steel Company) Alpart faclity at Nain in St Elizabeth, operational concerns have cropped up in the refinery. Production in Alpart alumina refinery has stopped for the past seven days, and it is not expected to resume production until later this week. The halt has been caused due to a breakdown in its boiler system. There is concern that with the loss of 10 days' production and the constant threat of industrial action from workers asking for a union, the company might fail to achieve its production projections. The losses are claimed to be running into several million US dollars due to the disruptions. Production was halted on December 23, after the last of its five boilers, acquired...
The United Kingdom is a major aluminium product manufacturing hub in Europe. Automotive is the key end-user sector that generates maximum demand followed by the building and construction sector. The aerospace industry has also increased its operations in the UK, driving the requirements of aluminium extrusions and semi-finished products. {newsStudioGallery} The global trade data shows that the United Kingdom imports a significant amount of aluminium bar rods and profiles each year. However, the amount may slightly increase or decrease every year, like for instance, in 2017, the estimated import volume by the UK stood down compared to the previous year by 16 per cent. While in the year 2017, the UK’s estimated bar rods and profiles imports were at 125,948 tonnes, in 2016, they were at...
Metro Mining Ltd has achieved its production guidance for 2018 and has shipped 2,037,106 Wet Metric Tonnes (WMT) from its Bauxite Hills mine. The 33rd and final vessel for 2018, MV Sadlers Wells, completed loading on the 28 December and has departed for China. Despite suspending ship loading activities due to weather impacts from ex Tropical Cyclone Owen in the third week of December, approximately 220,000WMT of bauxite was loaded this month. Metro has also decided to transition to Owner/Operator for the mining operation, and as a result it has terminated the Mining Services Agreement with SAB Mining. Given that mining and shipping is complete for 2018, and will recommence in April 2019,Metro expects no disruptions to operational activities from this change and has already begun...
The US dollar index dipped on Friday as stocks traded higher after a week of price swings. LME base metals traded mixed on Friday and aluminium dropped 0.7%. SHFE base metals also saw mixed performance and aluminium plunged 0.9%. The SHFE was closed overnight for the New Year's Day holiday. LME aluminium closed Friday’s trading at US$ 1881 per tonne, down from Thursday, December 27. The contract might show some gain during today’s trading before the New Year’s Day holiday on 1st. As on December 28, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1880 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1881 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1856.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1857 per tonne; Dec 19 bid price stands at US$ 1930 per tonne, and Dec 19 offer price stands at...
Aluminium scraps import by India increased by 22.3 per cent during April-October period of financial year 2018-2019, according to data from the Aluminium Association of India (AAI). India imported 7, 73,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap during April-October, from 6,32, 000 tonnes during the same period of 2017-18. In October 2018, the country’s aluminium scrap import stood at 1,16,000 tonnes. The import of aluminium scrap was 6,57,000 tonne during April-September period of financial year 2018-2019. "During April-October of financial year 2018-19, the import of aluminium scrap was 22 per cent up at 7,73,000 tonne from 6,32,000 tonne in April-October of 2017-18. We had already requested the government to increase the duty on imports of aluminium scrap and apprised the government that Indian...
According an update from the environment ministry of China, the country will restrict imports of scrap steel and aluminium from July 1, 2019. The Ministry of Ecology and Environment statement said that the ministry will move scrap steel and aluminium from an unrestricted import list of solid waste products usable as raw materials to a restricted import list. China is taking a strong environmental stand to free the country from waste dumped by other countries. The statement said that relevant departments were working on formulating standards for recycled copper and aluminium. The statement also added that copper and aluminium scraps, fit to be raw materials meeting relevant national standards would not be considered as solid waste. Those will be imported as regular goods. As China...
According to a report, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) commenced operations at Casthouse 4 on December 26, 2018, the biggest furnace in the kingdom-based aluminium smelter’s history. Alba’s board of directors Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa and deputy chief executive officer Ali Al Baqali attended the opening of the first cold-charge of Furnace 3 at Casthouse 4. Representatives from the Alba executive management team, the Casthouse 4 start-up team, Bechtel, and other major contractors were also in attendance. On this occasion, Shaikh Daij said: “We are pleased with this milestone, which is another turning point in Alba’s journey towards becoming the largest smelter in the world. With this landmark, we are on track to cast final products from CH 4 -- another success in the Safe...
For the first time, the Ministry of Fisheries in the Northern Division in Fiji has acquired a new aluminium boat to handle its surveillance work at the fishing water. A senior technical officer from Ministry of Fisheries spoke about the lightweighting and fuel economy of the aluminium boat in comparison to fibreglass boats. During the hand-over of the boat in Labasa, the senior technical officer Reginald Caine said the new boat would be safer and more efficient for the officers and protect them from getting wet when they go out for policing. “This (aluminium) boat is much better than the fibreglass boat because its fuel consumption is low and travelling long distances can be covered much faster,” Mr Caine said. “There was an urgent need for an aluminium boat for monitoring,...
According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), in October 2018, China's export of aluminium alloy auto wheels grew 16.9 per cent from a year ago to 96,000 tonnes. On month on month comparison, the volume increased 7.5 per cent from the September volume of 89,300 tonnes. In the first eleven months of 2018, China exported 913,000 tonnes of aluminium alloy auto wheels, up 7.9 per cent from the same period last year. Concerns over tariffs across overseas buyers accounted for the rising exports from China. Shanghai Metals Market expects that the reading will continue to climb this month, and slow at the beginning of 2019.
