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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Global technology, engineering and advanced manufacturing leader Arconic has announced a multi-year supply deal with Toyota North America. Arconic is supplying aluminum to Toyota for its all-new Lexus RX. The vehicle debuted last year and became Toyota’s first vehicle in North America to prominently feature aluminum exterior panels. “Automakers worldwide are turning to aluminum for the stronger, tougher, higher performing vehicles that consumers demand,” said Mark Vrablec, President of Arconic’s Aerospace & Automotive Products business. “Many bestselling vehicles in America have already converted to aluminum for improved performance, including better fuel efficiency, more towing and payload capacity, and improved vehicle safety scores. This trend will continue. We are proud to expand our...
Granco Clark, the leading single-source supplier of billet furnaces and equipment manufacturer, recently bagged two significant equipment supply contracts from the aluminium extrusion industry. The company has been selected by Oldcastle Building Envelope of Terrell, Texas, to supply a cut-on-the-fly double puller and an idle roll leadout conveyor system. This puller system utilizing two puller heads operating on a common rail with a cutting saw on the first puller head. The puller can provide reliable flying cut or fixed cut operation. The Granco Clark Double Puller is the only puller design in existence with more than 400 installations. The idle roll leadout conveyor system is a roller style, fixed height leadout conveyor with drop-away rollers with high-temp belts. The leadout rollers...
The alumina industry has observed some of the major ups and downs in the past week across the globe. Let’s revisit the prominent news stories covering the week: Altech gains mining approval for Meckering deposit Altech Chemicals Limited announces that the Department of Mines and Petroleum (WA) has approved the mining proposal and the associated mine closure plan for its Meckering kaolin deposit. The mining approval marks an important stage in the development of the Company’s proposed Meckering kaolin mine, which will provide feedstock for Altech’s proposed Malaysian high purity alumina (HPA) plant. Bosnia's Alumina to produce 290,000 tonnes of alumina in 2017 Dr. Radislav Filipovic, Alumina’s director of business marketing and production in most of Zvornik collective, has announced that...
The use of aluminium in vehicle manufacturing is growing in leaps and bounds. As the world is becoming more aware of the harm it has already done to the environment and taking thoughtful steps towards correcting them in bits and pieces, the recyclable ‘green’ metal is finding more place in the Co2 spitting machines plying all over the world. Because of its lightness aluminium is also being used in larger quantities in water vessels these days. Building and Construction is another area that is consuming aluminium more than it ever did in the past, thanks to the growing acceptance of green-building concept. The last week saw some of the noted names in the transportation sector bringing in new launches in aluminium, while in construction, some new installations using the metal were found...
Foreign trade update, merger & acquisition, divestments and anti-dumping regulations have made news headlines in this week’s downstream aluminium sector. China with its cheaper aluminium export has continued to create tension in the U.S., Europe and India. The country however has urged the U.S. to act wisely on imposing AD/CVD duties. Indian government is going through the final considerations regarding the imposition of anti-dumping duties. Novelis continues its expansion strategy into the automotive market. Here are a few trending headlines from the downstream aluminium sector from the week gone by: India considers anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil import from China Indian government is considering the possibility of imposing anti-dumping duty of up to USD 1.63 per kg on imports of...
This week’s news recap on bauxite sector is dedicated to companies releasing Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS), first shipments, and drop in investment and so on. Metro’s BFS confirms the Bauxite Hills Mine will become one of the largest independent operations within the internationally acclaimed Weipa Bauxite Region and its commencement of work in July 2017. Let’s explore more: Metro Mining merges its standalone bauxite projects Metro Mining Ltd, based in Queensland, has combined two separate geological models and creates a single expanded resource for its Bauxite Hills Mine project. In December 2016, Metro Mining has acquired Gulf Alumina Ltd in order to expand the Bauxite Hills mining resource. The combined resource integrates the recently purchased Skardon River Project with 144.8...
LME aluminium had a bumpy ride this week. The lightmetal, finding applications in a wide range of industries- from smartphones to spacecraft, felt the ripple effect that was generated ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting on interest rate decisions. LME aluminium opened the week at US$1,880 per tonne range and then came down to close at US$1,851 per tonne on Tuesday, March 14, as the US dollar index rose prior to the Fed’s meeting on Wednesday. The contract gained again after the Fed raised the interest rate and the US dollar index tumbled. Though the analysts say the dollar index is on its way to resuming its uptrend, the base metals are still drawing in strength from its lows. LME aluminium has risen to close at US$1,901 per tonne after Friday’s night trading, up 1 per cent from its...
The Aluminum Association has released a joint letter along with the Aluminium Association of Canada and European Aluminium prior to the upcoming G-20 summit requesting the formation of a Global Forum to address global aluminium overcapacity. At the upcoming G-20 Hamburg Summit in Germany, global leaders will discuss challenges to global economic growth, stability and security, and digitization. A series of discussions and arguments has taken place over the year culminating in the formation of a coalition to fight against over capacity and to facilitate fair competition among global producers. This is the first time that a global coalition of aluminium producers has taken up a step to address global Chinese overcapacity. The content of the letter makes an effort to draw attention to the...
Jamaica’s auditor general Pamela Monroe Ellis gets confirmation from the Ministry of Finance that there is no change in the taxation regime for the bauxite sector for fiscal year 2017-2018. The confirmation came after she found a change in the Fiscal Policy Paper for 2017-18. Monroe said, "Based on the ministry's confirmation that there was no change in the taxation regime, the ministry should make the necessary correction to the Fiscal Policy Paper." The Fiscal Policy Paper for 2017-18 indicated that there is no payment of the bauxite levy based on the new agreement with the owners of Alpart and Noranda. "These agreements reflect a change in taxation regime for the bauxite sector wherein the companies move towards the payment of profit tax or profit sharing and away from the payment of a...
The global high purity alumina market size was estimated at 25,315 tonnes per annum in 2016. A recent study says the demand for the commodity will grow at a CAGR of 16.7% from 2016 through 2024. An increasing trend in adoption of LED lighting and displays globally is seen as the main factor driving this growth. Other application areas that are expanding steadily include lithium-ion batteries and high-performance electronic devices; HPA is widely used in making sapphire glass for smartphones. With rapid evolution in the electronics consumer goods sector, the demand for this specialty processed mineral is expected to grow even more steadily over the next five years period. There are many advanced inorganics and mineral processing companies that are adding high purity alumina to their...
Silver Yachts, an Australian luxury yacht builder, has unveiled the world’s largest and fastest aluminium motor yacht “Silver Fast” at the Dubai International Boat Show. The Silver Fast provides eco fuel efficiency and is the most advanced vessel, as reported. The Silver Fast has been designed by Espen Oeino, the world-famous yacht designer. It boasts a sleek contour and a hull line with a striking all dark silver paint and comes with 77 metre long. The yacht runs at a top speed of 27 knots in optimal conditions. The company also claims that the Silver Fast is the long range cruising yacht with 4,500 nautical miles at 18 knots and 6,000 nautical miles at 14 knots. The yacht offers a lounge leading to a private deck and luxurious cabin with 180-degree views. The interior features luxurious...
Norsk Hydro has published its annual report for 2016 with detailed information about Hydro's businesses, operational performance, financial performance, viability performance, corporate governance and financial statements. Hydro reported revenue of NOK 81,953 million for the full year 2016, in comparison to NOK 87,694 in 2015. Underlying EBIT decreased to NOK 6,425 million compared with NOK 9,656 million in 2015 primarily due to a decrease in realized alumina prices and all-in metal prices. For the full year 2016, reported earnings before financial items and tax amounted to NOK 7,011 million including net unrealized derivative gains and positive metal effects of NOK 553 million in total. Sapa's performance continued to improve throughout the year, while Rolled Products delivered a weaker...
Global high purity alumina producer Altech Chemicals presented its operations report for the half-year ended December 31, 2016, on Thursday, March 16. During the period, the company made advancements in a number of key business areas. Commercialisation opportunity was explored for Altech's kaolin (aluminous clay) deposit located at Meckering, Western Australia. The company plans to construct a high purity alumina plant in Johor, Malaysia, that would extract alumina from kaolin, producing 99.99 per cent alumina oxide (Al2O3) - high purity alumina (HPA). As announced during the period under review, Altech Chemicals said it is attempting to finalise financing for the project debt, the majority of which is aimed to be covered by German government export credit finance (ECA cover). In August...
According to a report of India Ratings and Research, the base metal sector is likely to register a surplus market on account of new capacity ramp-up amid weak demand for the next financial year. In India, the production capacity of aluminium is expected to be more or less double in FY18. An increase in coal prices worldwide had led a positive impact on base metal prices though the consumption of metal has weakened. The report stated that the increase in demand of base metal from the US due to investment in infrastructure projects will not fully offset the shrinkage in demand from China. An instant demand boost is not possible as it takes time in executing the project. China accounts for 45%-50% of the global consumption of base metals such as aluminium, copper and zinc, while the US...
Harley Davidson, the iconic American motorcycle manufacturer, has introduced the new Street Rod to its Street range. The Street Rod’s front end features rigid 43 mm inverted forks gripped by lightweight aluminium yokes, as per company’s recent press release. The new model features the liquid cooled High Output Revolution X 750 V-twin engine. The company claims that the engine produces higher peak power and torque. The Street Rod gets a 17-inch front and rear open spoke black cast aluminium wheels that lighten the motorcycle. It features a larger volume air box and new dual 42 mm throttle bodies, new four-valve cylinder heads and high-lift camshafts, plus a higher-volume exhaust muffler. According to Harley Davidson, the new 2017 street range comes with new forged brake/gear levers plus...
Arconic Inc. announced today its receipt of a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Yadkin Hydroelectric Project (Yadkin) to Cube Hydro Carolinas by Alcoa Power Generating Inc., a subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation. Yadkin encompasses four hydroelectric power developments (reservoirs, dams and powerhouses), known as High Rock, Tuckertown, Narrows and Falls, situated along a 38-mile stretch of the Yadkin River through central North Carolina. The sale agreement was originally announced in July 2016 as part of the Company’s strategy to continue to strengthen its balance sheet and maximize cash flow through sales of non-essential assets. Upon the separation of Alcoa Corporation from Arconic Inc. on November 1, 2016, Alcoa Power Generating Inc., including Yadkin, became part of Alcoa...
Global trade statistics from 2015 onward reveal a noticeable surge in exports of aluminium extrusions from Malaysia. This is striking since the South-east Asian country has barely ever been a hub for extruded aluminium production. The trend seems to be continuing well into 2017; estimate shows that aluminium bar rods and profiles export from the country will keep growing this year as well. {newsStudioGallery} In 2015, Malaysia shipped 46592.85 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles, which soared by 199.29 per cent to reach 139452.019 tonnes in 2016. In 2017 till November, the country is estimated to export 149513.4 tonnes of the aluminium extruded products, up 17 per cent from the corresponding period previous year. Malaysia's earnings from export of aluminium bar rods and profiles...
Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, announced it has expanded its automotive supply capabilities by signing an agreement with next-generation car company, NIO, to provide innovative aluminum solutions for its fleet of smart, high-performance, premium electric vehicles. NIO will use Novelis Advanz™ aluminum alloys to create a wide range of structural components and parts for its aluminum-intensive NIO electric SUV models to be launched over the next five years. The NIO partnership marks Novelis' first major commitment in the premium electric vehicle space. As the industry leader, Novelis is uniquely positioned to meet the increasing demand for automakers designing a new generation of lighter, better performing and more fuel-efficient vehicles. Supply for NIO will...
