Aluminium alloy powder production for additive manufacturing is set to expand through a new technical cooperation agreement between CNPC Powder China Ltd and Xi’an Bright Laser Technologies Co Ltd (BLT). The agreement covers the production and international distribution of BLT-AlAM400, an aluminium alloy powder developed for applications in humanoid robotics, new energy vehicles (NEVs), aerospace and other industrial sectors. Under the agreement, BLT has authorised Shanghai-based CNPC Powder to manufacture BLT-AlAM400 on a contract basis in China and sell the powder internationally. CNPC Powder has also secured exclusive overseas agency rights, excluding BLT’s direct sales network and existing regional agents. With an annual powder production capacity of almost 10,000 tonnes, CNPC Powder...
BorgWarner has won its first commercial order for an electric motor developed with aluminium-wire hairpin winding technology. The US automotive supplier will provide the new eMotor to a major Chinese automaker for use in hybrid vehicles, bringing the technology into its first production application. The motor uses aluminium-wire hairpin winding technology and is designed for hybrid vehicles. Its applications include generator motors and traction motors for auxiliary drive systems, with production scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Explore AL Circle’s report ALuminium Wires & Cables - Insights & Forecast to 2030 for insights into aluminium applications, industry developments and opportunities across the electrical sector . Compared with conventional copper-wire motors with...
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Aluminium is passed through hot and cold rollers to make it thinner and longer in the direction of the roller. In this rolling process, the aluminium slab is either cold rolled or may be heat-treated to increase its strength and rapidly cooled to room temperature with further processing. They are aged naturally or artificially aged in a furnace. Finally, the plate is trimmed to final size. Plates produced in this manner may be used at full thickness, but are often machined into a variety of simple to complex shapes like plates, sheets strips and foil. Sheet, the most widely used in various industrial aluminium applications like aerospace body construction, transportation for automotive body sheet, packaging for can bodies and ends and in construction for building facades. As a standard,...
As seen by Shanghai Metals Market analysts, alumina production in Guizhou province, one of China’s major alumina producing regions, will be severely affected by raw material shortages in June. This might bring down the output and put pressure on alumina price in china’s domestic markets. After recent environmental checks, most of the bauxite mines in Guizhou were shut down as they failed to clear the environmental inspections. Currently, only Chalco’s Maida bauxite mine, which meets the environmental protection requirement, is running its operations. Local mines failed to reach the required standards during the environmental rechecks at the end of May. They would not be allowed to resume production until they improve their mode of operations meet requirements. This will tighten bauxite...
Rolls-Royce has announced that the all-new eighth-generation Phantom will make its world debut on July 27, 2017. It will be revealed at the British luxury marque’s ‘The Great Eight Phantoms’ Exhibition in Mayfair, London. The BMW-owned brand will showcase all the previous seven generations of this legendary nameplate at the upcoming event. This nameplate saw the light of the day in the year 1925 when Phantom I was launched. Out of all generations of the Phantom, it was the outgoing seventh-gen model that was conceptualised under BMW’s ownership. And it rolled off from the Rolls-Royce’s new home – bought post the acquisition by BMW – in Goodwood, West Sussex. The production of the Phantom, which was introduced on January 1, 2003, was ceased on December 31, 2016. Last year, in July,...
The financial viability of Pakistan’s first aluminium beverage can manufacturing plant has been put to test within first month of its inauguration as the company expects stiff competition from duty-free imports of the same product from Sri Lanka under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). In order to cope with the anticipated flood of cheap goods from Sri Lanka, the company has now sought a three-time reduction in customs duty on the import of raw material to remain competitive in the market. Pakistan’s free trade agreements with China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have made many local industries uncompetitive. Experts have questioned the Ministry of Commerce’s ability to negotiate these deals that give undue advantage to the three countries at the expense of domestic industries. Ashmore Group of the...
According to an SMM report, alumina prices in China, that have rallied recently, fuelled by production cutbacks, could face pressure from a possible massive production restarts. It is assumed that about 2.17 million tonnes of alumina capacity, which was curtailed in order fight pollution issues in China and which accounted for 56.7% of total capacity cuts, may resume operation once environmental checks get over at the end of May. The average alumina price in domestic four major markets jumped 7.54% to about RMB 2,500/t as of May 31.
Germany is the major aluminium market in Europe and is home to the world’s largest automakers. The country contributes 25% of total aluminium consumption in Europe. German aluminium producers and processors produce about 560,000 tonnes of aluminium. It comprises of about 260,000 tonnes of primary aluminium and 300,000 tonnes of recycled aluminium. The aluminium rolling mills account for the largest share of aluminium semis production and the largest customers for rolled aluminium semis are the automotive industry along with packaging and industrial applications. We are analysing the export pattern for aluminium plates, sheets and strips by Germany in order to see the market trends. According to the recent estimate, in 2015, Germany exported 1.47 million tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets...
Hindalco Industries Ltd. has an intention to invest $773 million in the next five years in order to increase its capacity to manufacture processed products such as aluminium panels. The reason behind the intention is the country’s plan to boost investments in building infrastructure. According to Managing Director Satish Pai, the company is looking for any distressed rolling mills or extrusion presses for sale in India for expanding annual production of value-added products about 66 percent to 800,000 tons. The company will be focusing on the downstream products and the automotive sector due to overcapacity in domestic primary aluminium markets. Pai said, “If we want to take advantage of the Modi plan, we need to have downstream products.” This means “more cables, conductors, housing...
Spot alumina prices in all the major Chinese markets remain flat after continuous gain throughout the second fortnight of May. As on June 2 2017, as reported by Shanghai Metals Market; the average spot alumina price in East China market stands at RMB 2,550 /t. In the Central China Market, the average spot alumina price stands at RMB 2,540 /t. The average spot alumina price in South China stands at RMB 2,500/t today and in the North China Market, the price stands at RMB 2,530/t. Market price difference between north China and south China remains unchanged at RMB 30/t today. Chalco alumina prices stand at RMB 2,550/t and are expected to move within a range of RMB 2,500- 2,600/t. In the import market; average imported alumina price remains flat at RMB 2,800/t and it is expected to move...
The new research report published by Technavio forecasts firm growth prospects to global aluminum scrap recycling market over the next four years. The report predicts compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.59% during 2017 to 2021. The global recycling market of aluminum scrap is predicted to touch 32.12 million metric tons by 2021, the report notes. It must be noted that the recycling market was valued at 22.28 million metric tons in 2016. The report segments the global aluminum scrap recycling market into the following regions-Asia Pacific (APAC), Americas and Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA). According to Technavio research, APAC region offers significant growth opportunities for worldwide aluminum scrap recycling market in the secondary smelting segment. The major...
After plunging to US$ 1,919.50 per tonne on Wednesday, May 31, LME aluminium gained a little to close at US$ 1,930 per tonne on Thursday, June 1. According to an SMM analysis, LME aluminium will continue struggling around moving averages and move between USD 1,920-1,940/t today. According to Reuter’s analysis, LME aluminium may retest a support at $1,909 per tonne, as it may have completed a bounce triggered by this barrier. As on June 1, LME official cash buyer price of aluminium stands at US$1,929 per tonne, cash seller & settlement price is US$1,930 per tonne, 3M buyer price is US$1,930 per tonne, 3M seller price is US$1,930.50 per tonne, Dec1 buyer price is US$1,955 per tonne, and Dec1 seller price is US$1,960 per tonne. The current LME official Opening Stock of aluminium is estimated...
The Republic of Fiji, home to the Vanua Levu mine, which is one of the largest bauxite mines in Oceana, has earned revenue of $2.8 million from the first shipment of bauxite in 2017, totalling $52.2m revenue since mining started at Nawailevu in Bua in 2010. In March, William and Goslings Operations & Logistics Manager Madhulesh Lakhan confirmed that its vessel, the MV Ocean Merry, at the port of Galoa in the province of Bua, loaded the first shipment of bauxite ore for 2017. Dr Taga said the bauxite shipped to China weighed 58,709.60 tonnes which raked in revenues of $1,350,320.80 in US dollars. Recently, Fiji’s Director Mineral Development Dr Raijeli Taga said that the bauxite export has been affected from the shores of Bua due to volatile nature of the mining business. “Further exports...
Vivocom International Holdings Bhd, a supplier of telecommunication engineering, construction and aluminium design and fabrication services reported fall in net profit in the first quarter 2017 to RM5.24 million from RM19.87 million in Q1 2017, driven by a slump in construction revenue. The drop was partially offset by stronger topline from both its telecommunications and aluminium segments, the company statement said. The telecommunications sector grew 11% to RM8.54 million and the aluminium sector grew 81% to RM14.57 million. The telco division accounted for 20.8% of the group's revenue in 1QFY17, while the aluminium segment contributed 35.5% of revenue. Construction was the major contributor at 43.7%. The group is expected to stay busy for the next two to three years in completing...
Ireland is the 27th largest export economy in the world. The country witnessed an increase in alumina export over the last three years. RUSAL’s Aughinish refinery located in Ireland, is the largest alumina refinery in Europe. The refinery is one of the most technologically advanced and energy efficient facilities worldwide. The annual capacity of the refinery is in excess of 1.915 million tonnes of alumina. The company has been implementing the latest refining technologies available to ensure it remains one of the top as well as low-cost alumina producers in the world. As shown by the data, Ireland exported about 2007238 tons of alumina in 2015. In 2016, the country exported about 2131852 tons of alumina. Considering the data for the last two years, for 2017, Ireland is estimated to...
Spot alumina prices in China are on an upward track and now continue to grow firm throughout all the major markets. As on June 1 2017, as reported by Shanghai Metals Market; the average spot alumina price in East China market increased from RMB 2,510 /t on May 31 to stand at RMB 2,550 /t. In the Central China Market, the average spot alumina price stands at RMB 2,540 /t, up from RMB 2,500 /t on May 31. The average spot alumina price in South China market increased from RMB 2,475/t on May 31 to stand at RMB 2,500/t today. In the North China Market, the average spot alumina price increased from RMB 2,495/t on May 31 to stand at RMB 2,530/t. Market price difference between north China and south China increased to RMB 30/t today from RMB 20/t yesterday. Alumina prices from large scale alumina...
Major aluminium scrap commodities prices in India remained flat on the Scrap Register Price Index as on Tuesday, while aluminium futures prices at Multi Commodity Exchange ended down as China increases production in the third quarter. India's major aluminium scrap commodities like aluminium accessories scrap, aluminium cable scrap , aluminium ingots, aluminium rod company, aluminium rod local, aluminium scrap 6063, aluminium scrap taint/tabor, aluminium sheet cutting, aluminium utensil scrap and aluminium wire scrap remained stable on the Scrap Register Price Index as on Tuesday. The most active May aluminium contract on Multi Commodity Exchange settled down by 1.31% Rs. 124.30 per kilogram on Tuesday from previous close of 125.95 per kilogram. The MXC aluminium prices touched an...
After closing down at US$ 1943.50 per tonne on Tuesday, May 30, LME aluminium plunged further to close at US$ 1,919.50 per tonne on Wednesday, May 31. According to an SMM analysis, LME aluminium will move between USD 1,920-1,940/mt today, with strong resistance at the 5-day and 10-day moving averages. As on May 31, LME official cash buyer price of aluminium stands at US$1,919 per tonne, cash seller & settlement price is US$1,919.50 per tonne, 3M buyer price is US$1,918 per tonne, 3M seller price is US$1,919 per tonne, Dec1 buyer price is US$1,943 per tonne, and Dec1 seller price is US$1,948 per tonne. The current LME official Opening Stock of aluminium is estimated at 1473925 tonnes, total Live Warrants is 993075 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrant is 480850 tonnes. LME aluminium premiums, as...
Vedanta is looking at the possibility of expanding its alumina refinery capacity at Lanjigarh beyond the existing limit of four million tonne per annum (mtpa). The refinery's rated capacity is six mtpa and Vedanta expects to get all clearances to operate it at that level by 2020. Presently, the de-bottlenecked capacity at the Lanjigarh refinery is 1.7-2 mtpa. “We are hopeful of receiving all approvals for expanding the Lanjigarh refinery's production capacity to six mtpa by 2020. But to operate the refinery at that capacity, a lot will depend on availability of local bauxite sources. We are evaluating options like tying up local bauxite sourcing arrangements and participating in auctions of bauxite assets. Availability of local bauxite would be the key factor since we are incurring a huge...
National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) commenced the process of opening a new bauxite deposit in the south block of Panchpatmali in Odisha. According to a senior government official, the new deposit will allow the company to maintain its bauxite production at 6.825-million tons that reached in 2016-2017 financial year. The new bauxite deposit is crucial for company’s alumina, aluminium capacity expansion plans. Pottangi bauxite reserves had been reserved for allocation in 2015. The allotment had been delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles. However, the company has planned to install its fifth potline at its smelter in Angul, Odisha. This potline would add aluminium capacity of 0.6-million tons per annum. The project is slated to be completed in the next three years. The company expects...
