Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) has proposed an integrated bauxite mining and processing project worth VND 5.2 trillion (USD 208 million) in Lam Dong province, Vietnam. Currently under appraisal by provincial authorities, it is designed to produce around 3 million tonnes of refined bauxite ore annually, reinforcing raw material requirements at the Nhan Co Aluminium Plant and the planned expansion of its alumina operations. Located in the Nhan Co Cluster, the proposal spans over 6,666 hectares. Of this, approximately 5,269 hectares are earmarked for mining and around 50 hectares for the ore processing plant. The project also includes five post-processing sludge reservoirs covering about 1,120 hectares, alongside the 318-hectare Dak Buk So 8 water reservoir. A...
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...
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India once again is likely to postpone retaliatory tariffs on 29 imported products from the US worth US$235 million to January 31, 2019. This would be the fourth time that India is deferring the duty. A senior government official told Moneycontrol “The implementation of higher import duty is likely to be postponed again by another 45 days.” On June 21, India had first announced its decision to hike import duty on 29 products from the US with effect from August 4, as a retaliatory measure against the Trump administration’s decision to levy additional tariffs on certain aluminium and steel products imported from India. The Indian government later postponed the implementation of the tariff to September 18, in a bid for the two nations to find a mutual solution, and then again to November 2...
The dollar strengthened against most major currencies on Thursday on US President Donald Trump's upbeat comments on trade talks with China and Beijing's first major purchase of US soybeans in months. Both LME and SHFE base metals closed mixed on Thursday. LME aluminium slipped 0.3% and SHFE aluminium dipped 0.04%. LME aluminium continued its downward trend and closed Thursday’s trading at US$ 1924 per tonne. Despite a higher open at night, LME aluminium reversed earlier gains and slid to close at US$1,930 per tonne on Thursday night. We expect it to remain weak today with most transactions at US$1,925-1,945 per tonne. As on December 13, Thursday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1923 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1924 per tonne; 3-months bid price...
As reported by Shanghai Metals Market, China's social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas including SHFE warrants amounted to 1.295 million tonnes as of Thursday December 13.This is down from 1.352 million tonnes recorded on Thursday December 6. Supply cuts accounted for the 4.2% week-on-week decline that exceeded the 2.5% drop in the previous week, SMM data showed. The below chart shows the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China as of December 13: In another update from SMM, the A00 aluminium ingot price registered a drop from RMB 13550 per tonne to RMB 13540 per tonnes on Thursday, December 14.The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,520 per tonne to RMB 13,560 per tonne. In the east (Wuzi), the ingot price declined RMB 15...
In the background of excess beverage cans supply in China. American soda can maker Ball Corporation is reportedly planning to sell its manufacturing facilities in China at about US$225 million. The news came when the company announced about its plans. The company plans to sell the can-making facilities to Chinese metal packaging company ORG Technology Co Ltd. Ball Corporation makes aluminium cans for Coca-Cola Co, Anheuser Busch Inbev NV, and Molson Coors Brewing Co. Company spokeswoman Renee Robinson told Reuters, "Excess industry capacity in China has led to unsustainable business conditions and inadequate returns on capital deployed relative to Ball's expectations." He added, “The sale was unrelated to tariffs on aluminium or trade tensions between the United States and China.” On...
Trade Fair and Aluminium Congress will join forces on the Indian market for the first time from 31 January to 2 February, at Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, when ALUMINIUM INDIA 2019 and INCAL Conference will take place concurrently. A press update from Reeds Exhibition says representatives from the most important industrial regions- India, China, North America and Europe will come together during the twin events. Around 100 exhibitors will be showcasing the entire spectrum of the aluminium sector ranging from raw materials and processing to end user applications. The two events will demonstrate the potential of the Indian market. The fair will connect the international aluminium industry with producers, processors and customers from India in order to initiate investment projects and business...
Alcoa of Australia has reportedly acquired three new gas supply agreements. All three agreements, together, will supply close to 25 per cent of the company’s requirements in Western Australia from 2020. The agreements with BHP, Woodside, and Chevron, coupled with other gas supply contracts, including with Quadrant Energy and Santos, announced in 2015, complete Alcoa’s gas portfolio to fuel its Kwinana, Pinjarra, and Wagerup alumina refineries for the mid-term, the company said. President of Alcoa Alumina and Managing Director of Alcoa, Australia, Michael Parker, said: “In securing these new gas contracts we are demonstrating to our employees, suppliers, customers and the communities where we operate our commitment to the state.” He further said: “Alcoa’s three WA refineries are the...
Rising prices of coal and winter production curbs are making aluminium producers in Northern China unprofitable and they are closing down capacities to transfer the same to south China. Henan-based Zhongfu Industrial has decided to shut its subsidiary, Linfeng Aluminum & Power in Linzhou city of Henan as announced on Wednesday December 12. Operations in Linfeng plant, which has an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, was suspended from the end of October. The plant accounted for 30% of Zhongfu’s overall aluminium capacity. Henan Zhongfu Industrial and Henan Linzhou Linfeng Aluminum & Power announced in November 7 that they would construct an environmentally-friendly aluminium project in Guangyuan city of Sichuan province. The project will have an annual capacity of...
The U.S. is one of the leading consumers of aluminium cans in the world. Due to the growing recognition of the aluminium can as one of the most recycled aluminium products in the world and as one of the most sustainable packaging solution, the use of aluminium cans is growing around the world, especially in developed countries. Aluminium soda cans and beer cans have a large sales volume in Canada and the U.S. The world's beer and soda consumption uses about 200 billion aluminium cans every year. {newsStudioGallery} The U.S. imported 19,849 tonnes of aluminium cans in 2016 with an estimated import cost of US$ 151 million. The import volume jumped up to 20,288 tons in 2017 with a cost of about US$ 155 million. This records a growth of about 2.2 per cent YOY indicating a rise in can...
Constellium N.V. announced through a press release on December 11 that it signed an agreement with UACJ Corporation and its U.S. subsidiary, Tri-Arrows Aluminum Holding Inc. (TAAH), to acquire TAAH’s 49% stake in Constellium-UACJ ABS, LLC (CUA). The cost of the acquisition will be US$100 million plus the assumption of 49% of approximately $80 million of third party debt at CUA. CUA operates the Bowling Green Aluminium Auto Body Sheet Plant. “This investment will give Constellium greater control over its future development of Auto Body Sheet in North America, a growing market and a strategic focus for our company,” said Jean-Marc Germain, Chief Executive Officer of Constellium. “We are strengthening our position as a global aluminium supplier for our automotive customers and are looking...
Shanghai Metals Market expects spot aluminium discounts across Chinese markets to widen at the end of December as new capacity, pledged cargoes, and stockpiles across producers are likely to grow supplies to the markets. According to SMM assessments, the A00 aluminium prices have been flat with the SHFE December contract for four consecutive trading days as of Wednesday, December 12. Limited supplies across the markets accounted for the recent strength in spot prices. Recently, several big traders made large purchases at higher price, which in turn, depleted supplies across the spot markets and pushed up prices. In the meantime, social warehouses saw fewer arrivals. SMM data showed that primary aluminium inventories across major consumption areas in China recorded a decline by some...
The dollar index hit a month-peak against a basket of currencies on Tuesday and stands at 97.07 today. Both LME and SHFE base metals closed mixed on Wednesday. LME aluminium stayed flat and SHFE aluminium slid some 0.3%. LME aluminium closed Wednesday’s trading at US$1928 per tonne, lower than Tuesday. While LME aluminium opened higher on Wednesday, it traded lower to end at US$1,936 per tonne. As the US dollar index stays above 97, LME aluminium still faces pressure and is expected to be weak today with a trading range of US$1,925-1,945 per tonne. As on December 12, Wednesday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1927 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1928per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1936 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1937 per tonne;...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, stocks of 6063 aluminium billet across five major consumption areas in China grew some 2,600 tonnes over the weekend ended on Thursday, December 13 to stand at 120,500 tonnes. The reason behind this increase in billet inventories could be fewer purchases of building materials and lowered deliveries of stocks by 3,100 tonnes last week, found SMM. The demand from construction sites slowed as Chinese New Year neared. The current status of aluminium billet inventories across major Chinese markets is as follows: But despite the surge in billet inventories, the aluminium alloys (ADC12) showed no change in price and neither the aluminium alloy (A356) and aluminium alloy (A380). Aluminium alloys (ADC12) price was still found at RMB 15,100 per tonne while...
The American Primary Aluminum Association (APAA) in collaboration with Economic Policy Institute (EPI), the Alliance for American Manufacturing (AAM) and the Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) addressed the economic effects of Trump's steel and aluminium tariffs in a presentation at the National Press Club of Washington on December 11. During the event, EPI released a new economic study that showed that the tariffs are having positive impact on aluminium production and job creation in the U.S. The EPI study says that driven by aluminium tariffs, twenty-two new and expansion projects have been announced in the domestic downstream aluminium industries producing aluminium extruded and rolled products. The study says these expanded facilities will create 2,000 jobs, generate US$3.3...
Headquartered in Dubai, HUECK Middle East (ME) Aluminium Systems, announced that it set-up a new office in Dubai, to offer improved customer experience, enhance profitability prospects, and strengthen its brand in the UAE and the rest of the Middle East region. HUECK ME made the announcement at its gala dinner organised for regional partners, at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort, Dubai. The new office is equipped to deliver high-quality technical, engineering, and supply chain solutions for various projects in the region. HUECK ME is also committing in new resources and training centres; fresh inventory of aluminium systems, hardware, and required accessories; and best-in-class technical and after-sales support to achieve seamless customer interface. Modar Al Mekdad, the Managing...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has announced the completion of commissioning process of the calcination section of its alumina refinery at Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi. This involved a carefully-planned process of testing equipment and systems in a new plant before start-up. This makes the calcination section the first of the four major sections of Al Taweelah alumina refinery to be ready for production. Al Taweelah is equipped with two calciners, each of which will have a capacity to produce 3,500 tonnes of alumina daily. The commissioning of the other sections of the alumina refinery is taking place in time and the refinery is expected to produce its first batch of alumina by H1 2019. Al Taweelah alumina refinery contains some 9,500 instruments, 222 tanks and long stretch of piping and...
The 2019 Ram 1500 did not use much aluminium, but its fellow FCA truck the 2020 Jeep Gladiator will use the light metal extensively in its exterior parts over a steel body. The truck will use aluminium in spades, with the hood, doors, hinges fenders, windshield frame and tailgate built from the substrate. Michigan based Repairer Driven News (RDN) recommends that the repair companies must have repair facilities for both steel and aluminium. This may require considerable investment in dedicated equipment and space and in aluminium dust extraction process in order to work on modern vehicles with aluminium parts. Otherwise, it may lead to corrosion from cross-contamination of steel and aluminium. “When working with aluminium always use dedicated tools, grinding discs and sandpaper to prevent...
Shanghai Metals Market research found that lowered aluminium prices on Wednesday morning, Dec-12-18, boosted the purchasing enthusiasm among spot aluminium downstream consumers across east-China markets compared to the previous day. The SHFE December contract inched down during morning trades. Spot premiums in Shanghai remained unchanged at up to RMB 10 per tonne while transactions in Shanghai and Wuxi done at RMB 13,530 per tonne to RMB 13,540 per tonne and at RMB 13,570 per tonne to RMB 13,580 per tonne in Hangzhou. Trade prices lost some RMB 60 per tonne from the prior day. Across the eastern markets, sellers were keen to offload cargoes to lower stocks, and trades between traders remained brisk. Most spot transactions in Guangdong were heard at RMB 13,650 per tonne to RMB 13,680 per...
The latest data from US Geological Survey indicates that the total aluminium supply in the United States (Primary production, secondary recovery, and imports for consumption) stood at an estimated 7.6 million tonnes through September 2018, down 3% over the same period of 2017, where the supply stood at 8 million tonnes. {newsStudioGallery} Out of the total supply of aluminium, the US imported about 4.3 million tonnes of aluminium in the period from January to September 2018. Export during the same period stood at 1 million tonne. Apparent consumption ( total supply minus export) during the first three quarters of 2018 stood at about 7 million tonne. When we look at the export statistics year over year, we see that the export of crude and alloyed aluminium and semi-finished aluminium stood...
