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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Arconic Inc. today announced the completion on May 4, 2017 of the exchange of its remaining 12,958,767 shares of common stock of Alcoa Corporation for $428,635,000 aggregate principal amount of Arconic debt held by Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC. The debt-for-equity exchange is intended to qualify as generally tax-free to Arconic for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The completion of the debt-for-equity exchange marks Arconic’s exit of its ownership stake in Alcoa. Arconic also today purchased with cash the remainder of the debt held by Citigroup and Credit Suisse: $1,961,000 in aggregate principal amount of Arconic’s 6.500% Senior Notes due 2018 and $79,517,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 6.750% Senior Notes due 2018. Taken together,...
Aluminium powder is a granular powder which is obtained from pure molten aluminium metal. Aluminium paste is produced from aluminium powder or milled flake powder through the wet ball milling process. Aluminium flakes comes from aluminium powder through dry ball milling process. It is irregular in shape under microscopic examination. Aluminium powders, pastes, and flakes are widely used in industrial, automotive, chemical, construction, explosives, defence and aerospace and other sectors. Photovoltaic and electronic applications are the major consumer of aluminium pastes According to the Technavio's report, the global aluminium powders, pastes, and flakes market to grow at a CAGR of 4.87% during the period 2016-2020. The article covers top five aluminium powders, pastes and flakes...
The week gone by has been marked by production updates, mergers, corporate decisions and quarterly result release by a few major companies from the aluminium downstream sector. The market is more or less in a balanced position; the quarterly results indicate a bullish trend and companies are ready to take risk with mergers and acquisitions, supply contracts, product expansions and management changes. Here are a few top headlines from the week. Eric Roegner named President of Arconic Global Rolled Products Arconic announced that the company has named Eric Roegner, Chief Operating Officer of Investment Castings, Arconic Titanium and Engineered Products and President of Arconic Defense, as the President of Arconic Global Rolled Products (GRP), effective immediately. Aleris reports 16% EBITDA...
According to a Vietnamese media report (VN Express International) a massive aluminium stockpile, believed to have arrived in Vietnam as a way of evading trade restrictions by a Chinese billionaire, would be inspected by ministry officials. The government official says that giant aluminium stockpile is found at a foreign company's factory in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. The officials are investigating based on a report by Wall Street Journal and U.S. industry officials last year which stated about the arrival of a giant aluminium stockpile in the coastal city of Vung Tau. They will inspect the stockpile to find out if it has been shipped to Vietnam as part of a tariff evasion scheme. Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has instructed the officials from the trade, finance and...
Bauxite production in the Republic of Guinea has been badly affected by the social unrest whereby the rioting residents are seeking solution to the rising pollution level and frequent power cuts allegedly caused due to excessive bauxite mining. The riot has jeopardized the outflow of the ore from the country, which sits atop an estimated bauxite ore reserve of 7.4 billion tonnes. Commenting on the situation, Guinea’s secretary general of Mines Ministry Saadou Nimaga said, “It’s a problem with electricity that aggravated the situation. We are working on finding a solution to the problem.” The problem is more environmental than power related, the residents opine. “It’s nearly the whole city that has risen up against the pollution and power cuts,” said a bauxite mining company confiding to...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the Bahrain-based aluminium smelter, is participating in the Commodity Research Unit (CRU)’s 22nd World Aluminium Conference in London. "CRU’s World Aluminium Conference is a well-known event that brings key decision makers from around the world on a single platform," Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said. "This event allows aluminium producers in the Middle East to highlight the potential for their growth all the while presenting opportunities to learn of the latest technologies and innovations. Every year, Alba looks forward to partner with CRU and boost its relations with key members of the aluminium industry as well as interact with potential trade partners." This year, the conference covers the outlook for aluminium markets, prices and...
Vedanta Aluminium, one of India’s three leading primary aluminium companies, is focused on getting its ambitious aluminium expansion plans executed successfully despite multiple bauxite mining challenges strewing its path. It is said to be banking heavily on its high smelting capacity and the “proven acumen to buy auction coal at best possible prices at all times” to scale production at its Lanjigarh alumina refinery. Industry sources have it that Vedanta is also planning bigger investments in aluminium here in India. Vedanta unlike its two peers Nalco and Hindalco lacks captive bauxite mine. It has to rely on bauxite procured from other states within the country and from Australia and Ghana. Unlike China it does not buy Vietnamese bauxite also as it contains a high percentage of reactive...
Due to its versatility and multiple uses, aluminium foil turns out to become one of the most consumed aluminium products across the world. Since, aluminium foils are mostly used in packaging applications, developed economies are the top consumers of foil. We are analysing the last three years foil import data for Australia to understand the trading trends of this most popular aluminium product. Australia imports aluminium foil mostly to feed its domestic packaging industry. {newsStudioGallery} Australia imported 28,007 tonnes of aluminium foils in 2015, which dropped 0.1 per cent to total at 26,268 tonnes in 2016. In 2017, the volume is estimated to increase to total at 26,313 tonnes. The trend shows a flat consumption pattern for aluminium foil in Australia. Cost from import of aluminium...
Inta Bina Group Bhd, a building contractor in Malaysia, has planned to use an aluminium formwork system for its housing projects. This is the company’s strategy in efficiently constructing affordable housing projects. The group thinks the usage of an aluminium formwork system is ideal for this kind of projects. Inta Bina Group is ready to list on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia and expects to raise RM26.76 million from the initial public offering (IPO). The group would invest RM5 million out of the total IPO proceeds in the Industrialised Building System (IBS). The group said the listing would help in expanding company’s business. Managing director Paul Lim Ooi Joo said at the launch of the company's prospectus, "Our strategy in efficiently constructing affordable housing projects is...
Aleris Corporation reported results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2017. The company reported net loss of $35 million compared to $6 million YoY. Adjusted EBITDA of $52 million was up 16% from $45 million in Q1 2016. Net loss was affected by unfavourable change in unrealized derivative gains and losses, increase in interest expenses, start-up costs, unfavourable metal price lag etc. Adjusted EBITDA increase was driven by improved operating performance and productivity despite weaker product mix and lower volumes. The company reported a liquidity of $394 million.The majority of the capital expenditures in the quarter were for the North America ABS project at their Lewisport, Kentucky facility and related spending to upgrade critical equipment and capabilities. That project continues...
Global market analysis and investment banking firms seem to be somewhat divided over aluminium price outlook for 2017. While Goldman Sachs in its recent study put average aluminium price at US$2,000 per tonne (for coming six months) and US$2,100 per tonne (for twelve months), CRU stated that it expected the lightmetal to trade lower over the medium term. Goldman Sachs based his price forecast on China’s current aluminium industry scenario, where the regional governments have become proactive in cracking down illegal smelting capacities. Already 2 million tonnes of aluminium capacity have been ordered to close. More such orders are awaited by the aluminium smelters operating in Shandong and other regions in China. The global investment banking firm believes these smelter closures are going...
Materion Corporation yesterday announced that the company has added Durox 98 to its Durox family of alumina ceramic materials. The new Durox 98 is an expansion of company’s alumina ceramic product portfolio. The company developed Durox 98 to meet the demand for an alumina purity grade of 97.6 per cent. Materion Corporation’s alumina products meet the demands of niche applications for high-purity ceramic material. The new product provides a cost-competitive solution for applications to industries that require dimensional stability and tighter tolerances for electrical insulation in complex high-power products or assemblies. Nick Farrah, Director of Sales and Marketing, Materion Electrofusion and Ceramics said: “We’re distinguished by our ability to work with customers that need a more...
The downtrend in LME aluminium prices seem to be continuing in the foreseeable future. The light metal traded globally retraced US$1,909 per tonne on Thursday, May 4, down 0.3 per cent from the previous day’s close of US$1,916 per tonne. Reuters’ analysis suggests LME aluminium may retest a support at US$1,900 per tonne, a break below which could cause a loss to the next support at US$1,889. According to Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) forecast, LME aluminium should test support at the 60-day moving average and move at US$1,900-1,925 per tonne on Friday, May 5, weighed upon by the weakness in other base metal markets. As on May 4, LME official cash buyer price of aluminium stands at US$1,909 per tonne, cash seller & settlement price is US$1,909.50 per tonne, 3M buyer price is US$1,916 per...
Norican Global, a leading metallic parts enhancement company (by virtue of its ownership of both DISA and Wheelabrator), announced the completion of the Light Metal Casting Solutions Group (LMCS) acquisition. On February this year, the company entered into an agreement with Auctus Fund III GmbH & Co. KG, and its fellow investors collectively referred to as "Auctus" to buy 100% of their shares in Light Metal Casting Solutions Group. Mr. Robert E. Joyce Jr., President and CEO of Norican commented, “We are very excited to welcome our new LMCS colleagues to the Norican team. Their breadth of talent, experience and passion for their business will be a great addition to the Group. This is another major milestone in the history of the Norican Group, and one that will bring tremendous value to...
Dudley's Aluminium, Cardiff-based manufacturer of aluminium curtain-walling, windows, shop-fronts, automatic and revolving doors, fire-resistant glazing, louvres and brise soleil, has secured the latest phase of the Central Square development contract in Cardiff. Aluminium fabricator has won a contract with ISG Construction to install the aluminium glazing and exterior fixtures for the facade at Two Central Square. Managing director Colin Shorney said: "We have been heavily involved at the site over the last year and a half and look forward to getting started on the latest development.” "It's incredible looking back to think how much the landscape of Cardiff's city centre has changed and we are proud to be so heavily involved in a project that will provide a real economic boost for the...
Leading metal and mineral producer Rio Tinto is aiming to generate $5 billion of free cash flow through productivity improvements over a five-year period at its multiple projects. Amrun greenfield bauxite projects are expected to deliver significantly to the targeted cash flow. The mining company who participated in an investor conference hosted by Macquarie in Sydney, on Thursday, April 27, said that there was scope to broaden its cost savings programme to improve upon the utilisation of its haul trucks, processing activities and reducing maintenance downtime. Rio highlighted the expected profitability of its investments, including the Amrun greenfield bauxite projects, which it said were progressing to plan. The company was targeting an internal rate of return in excess of 15 per cent...
Two alumina producers in Shanxi recently entered maintenance. What triggered this move? Will this have big impact on alumina output and prices? Shanxi East Hope Jinzhong Aluminum put 1 million-tpy alumina line under maintenance last week, affecting output by 14,000 tonnes. Tianyuan Chemical, in Shanxi’s Xiaoyi, which has four alumina production lines with total capacity at 300,000 tonnes, began putting three lines under care by turns from May 1. The maintenance will last 15 days at most. This will affect output by 3,000 tonnes. The rest line is scheduled to enter maintenance this autumn. Two factors were behind the maintenance, SMM learned. 1) Environmental Protection Checks The central environmental protection inspection teams began checks in seven provinces from April 24, of which...
India’s merchandise imports posted a double digit growth for the second month in a row, growing at 45.3 per cent year-on-year in March 2017. A buoyant domestic demand saw consumption of core goods increasing steadily, the primary drivers being oil and gold. Global analytics company Crisil suggests higher oil prices will keep import growth elevated in fiscal 2018 compared with fiscal 2017. Quarterly trade data shows India’s aluminium tubes or pipe fittings import kept growing at a moderate rate through FY 2016-17. {newsStudioGallery} Aluminium tubes or pipe fittings are widely used for various fabrication projects. They are preferred over other materials because of their unbeatable strength to weight ratio. India imported 100 tonnes of aluminium tubes or pipe fittings in the first quarter...
