Trimet has reduced direct carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions at its aluminium recycling plant in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, by 25 per cent, saving approximately 4,000 tonnes annually through a transition to hydrogen-rich coke oven gas. The new energy supply system, commissioned on October 29, 2026, will power the site's melting furnaces using industrial gas containing more than 60 per cent hydrogen. The coke oven gas is sourced from ArcelorMittal's coking plant in neighbouring Bottrop and supplied to Trimet through Uniper Energy Sales via the existing gas pipeline network. A new supply line, approximately 700 metres long, was installed to connect the recycling facility at Gelsenkirchen's inland port to the network. According to Trimet, coke oven gas generates lower CO2 emissions during...
Investor sentiment towards aluminium has turned increasingly bearish, but analysts believe the market may be underestimating the metal's underlying strength. Despite growing pessimism, resilient demand and historically low inventories could support higher prices, with analysts forecasting aluminium to reach USD 3,625 per tonne in 2027. Discussions with market participants have pointed to unusually negative sentiment towards the metal. However, analysts argue that the underlying supply-demand fundamentals paint a more constructive picture, challenging the prevailing pessimism surrounding the aluminium market. Their assessment follows Norsk Hydro's third-quarter financial results, which showed stronger earnings compared with the previous year but fell short of market expectations. The...
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Through the continuous dedication of all personnel at Tianjin Zhongwang’s second hot rolling plant, the project "Reducing Power Consumption in the Rolling Workshop" has yielded remarkable outcomes. By April, electricity consumption had decreased by 15.3 per cent compared to the previous year, resulting in savings approaching nearly RMB 4 million from this single initiative. About the second hot rolling plant The second hot rolling plant, in its commitment to the company's lean management principles, has taken a unique approach. It has tailored initiatives to its specific production and operational realities, with a focus on reducing consumption, enhancing efficiency, and optimizing yield. At the heart of these strategies are various lean improvement projects that have been meticulously...
The US aluminum scrap market has kicked off 2024 with a significant momentum of 2.06 per cent rise in exports and 6.04 per cent rise in imports during the first quarter of 2024, reflecting a broader economic trend and strategic shifts in trade policies. The first quarter of the year has seen a notable increase in both imports and exports driven by rising global demand. Top destination countries of US aluminium scrap exports As of Q1 2023, US exported aluminium scrap mostly to Malaysia (100,000 tonnes) and India (96,700 tonnes), followed by South Korea, Thailand, and China. Whereas in Q1 2024, the list remained unchanged, except for South Korea and Thailand's positions as importers. In the said period, Thailand emerged as the third largest importer, sourcing 78,800 tonnes. Q-o-Q analysis...
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, Africa & Asia (ex-China), the world’s third-largest alumina-producing spot after China and Oceania, witnessed a sharp month-on-month fall of 19.25 per cent, standing below 1 million tonnes for the first time in the past three years. The last time Africa & Asia’s alumina output stood below 1 million tonnes was in April 2020, standing at 978,000 tonnes. In April 2024, the production reached 997,000 tonnes, up by 1.94 per cent from the same period in 2020 On a year-on-year basis, Africa & Asia’s alumina output in April 2024 decreased by 6.38 per cent from 1.065 million tonnes. The daily average output in April 2024 was 33,200 tonnes, down by 16.58 per cent M-o-M from 39,800 tonnes and 6.48 per cent less Y-o-Y than 35,500 tonnes. From...
Scandium Canada Ltd. has announced notable advancements in creating a fully integrated scandium supply chain, from mining to various downstream applications. Since 2021, Scandium Canada has partnered with McMaster University to innovate the 3D printing process using aluminium-scandium powders. Advancements in 3D printing These proprietary powders, developed by Scandium Canada, are specifically designed to produce parts that are difficult to manufacture using conventional methods. The company is pleased to announce the successful 3D printing of two aluminium alloys enhanced with scandium. Previous challenges related to solidification cracking have been effectively addressed. The company prioritises integrating these innovations into industries characterised by rapid adoption cycles....
In the age of digital transformation, companies are increasingly outsourcing their computing power to external data centres rather than maintaining in-house servers. These expansive facilities, filled with powerful servers, offer a more efficient and secure data processing and storage solution. One of the key challenges for these data centres is managing server heat and maintaining their buildings' architectural integrity. Many are embracing the innovative solution of ventilated aluminium wall cladding to tackle these concerns. This cutting-edge cladding not only regulates temperature, preventing servers from overheating, but also elevates these massive buildings' aesthetic and structural quality, sparking curiosity and interest. By incorporating ventilated aluminium wall cladding, data...
Kolkata Metro, India's oldest metro network, is transforming significantly to enhance its services and overall efficiency. Metro Railway has laid out comprehensive plans to upgrade its infrastructure and assets as part of an ambitious modernisation initiative. This initiative is set to substantially improve the commercial operations of Kolkata's rapid transit system, promising a more reliable and advanced commuting experience for its passengers. The changes will mark a new era for the Metro, aligning it with global standards and reinforcing its pivotal role in the city's public transportation landscape. India's first Metro system is upgrading its steel third rail to aluminium third rail, aiming to reduce energy loss by around 84 per cent. This change, occurring after 38 years, will save...
Estathé, the iconic Italian tea beverage brand from the Ferrero Group, has teamed up with Crown to roll out a refreshing summer promotion in infinitely recyclable aluminium cans. The promotion features a sleek 330ml aluminium can, Crown's lightest, with an optimised weight. The vibrant campaign showcases a variety of humorous and relatable beach characters, posing the question to consumers: "Which beach type are you?" To bring this promotion to life, Estathé collaborated with Crown's beverage team in EMEA to produce cans locally in Parma, Italy. The vibrant and creative designs result from a sophisticated manufacturing technique and flawless printing execution, showcasing the expertise of Crown's teams. Crown's Colorful Accents technology By leveraging its Colorful Accents technology,...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, has reportedly signed a mining lease deed with the State Government of Odisha. The mines are located in Pottangi Tehsil, Koraput District, and cover an area of 697.979 hectares. The bauxite mines , with their estimated reserves of 111 million tonnes and a mine life of 32 years, are a testament to NALCO's long-term vision and commitment to growth, expected to annually produce 3.5 million tonnes of bauxite. The mines will become operational once the remaining statutory clearances are obtained. The bauxite excavated at the mines will be transported to NALCO's refinery at Damanjodi through an 18.5-kilometre overland conveyor. Through this lease, NALCO secures a steady supply of bauxite for its existing...
In April, the Eurozone's industrial production experienced a slight decline, falling by 0.1 per cent compared to March. This marks a significant downturn, with production now standing 3 per cent lower than it did a year ago. Despite the persistent risks to the economic outlook, particularly from political uncertainties, there are early signs that the decline may be reaching its nadir. Analysts suggest a cautious recovery could be on the horizon for the year's second half, offering a glimmer of hope for the region's industrial sector. Since early 2023, the Eurozone industry has been experiencing a slowdown, with recent data showing no signs of an imminent recovery. Although the broader economy has shown signs of improvement since the beginning of the year, the industrial sector continues...
According to a Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate, Marubeni Corporation, aluminium stocks at Japan’s three major ports stood steady in May 2024 compared to the previous month, but recorded a sharp fall from a year ago. Stocks increased in May following M-o-M downfall of 2.3 per cent in the previous month , totalling 308,100 tonnes. It is to be noted that Japanese stocks have maintained stability, remaining above 300,000 tonnes. As per the data revealed, aluminium stocks at Japanese ports totalled 308,700 tonnes in May 2024 compared to 308,100 tonnes in April 2024. On a year-on-year calculation, aluminium stocks in May marked a plunge of 12.8 per cent from 354,000 tonnes. The major ports in Japan with highest aluminium trading include Yokohama, Nagoya, and...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,566 per tonne in the previous trading day, with the highest point at US$2,591 per tonne, the lowest point at US$2,528.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,544.5 per tonne, a drop of US$24.5 per tonne, or 0.95 per cent. On Thursday, June 13, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$20.5 per tonne or 0.82 per cent and US$22 per tonne or 0.88 per cent to settle at US$2,496 per tonne and US$2,498 per tonne. As per the LME data, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also hiked by US$28 per tonne or 1.10 per cent and US$27.5 per tonne or 1.08 per cent to settle at US$2,557 per tonne and US$2,557.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price expanded by US$28 per tonne or 1.05 per cent to clock at...
BigMint's latest assessment indicated a slight decline in spot prices for aluminium ADC12 alloy ingots in Delhi NCR, now at INR 215,000 per tonne, week-on-week. Additionally, tense scrap prices fell by INR 3,000 per tonne to INR 185,000 per tonne ex-Delhi, with the scrap-to-ADC12 spread recorded at INR 29,000-30,000 per tonne. In Chennai, tense scrap is priced at approximately INR 186,000 per tonne. Meanwhile, spot prices for ADC12 alloy ingots range between INR 216,000 and INR 217,000 per tonne ex-works, excluding GST. The price difference between tense scrap and ADC12 in Chennai stands at INR 30,000 per tonne. Additionally, 3-Month LME aluminium prices have decreased by 4 per cent week-on-week to approximately $2,522 per tonne at the time of the latest report. According to BigMint's...
In May 2024 (31 calendar days), China's domestic aluminium production was 3.637 million tonnes, an increase of 3.47 per cent M-o-M from 3.515 million tonnes and a hike of 4.61 per cent year-on-year. The rise in output during May 2024 was primarily driven by the resumption of aluminium plants in Yunnan and Inner Mongolia. However, the proportion of aluminium liquid saw a slight drop due to the reduction in aluminium billet production, down by 0.7 percentage points M-o-M and 2.3 percentage points Y-o-Y to around 73.27 per cent. According to SMM's aluminium liquid proportion data, the volume of aluminium ingot production in May rose 14.24 per cent year over year to approximately 971,000 tonnes. Production capacity According to SMM statistics, China's domestic aluminium capacity at the end of...
Strategic Marine, a leading aluminium shipbuilder, has announced a significant advancement in the maritime industry. Partnering with the renowned design firm BMT Limited, Strategic Marine is set to construct four state-of-the-art 27m Z-Bow Crew Transfer Vessels (CTVs) for Ventus Marine, serving the markets in Europe and Taiwan. This milestone project not only underscores Strategic Marine's commitment to excellence but also signifies a significant step forward in the offshore wind support vessel sector. About the delivery Scheduled for delivery by the end of 2024, two of these innovative vessels will operate in Europe under the management of Njord Offshore Ltd, while the other two will serve in Taiwan under Njord Marine Ltd. This venture builds upon Strategic Marine's successful history,...
In an effort to enhance sustainability, the RONAL GROUP has launched the RONAL-Re (RONAL Aluminium Wheel Recycling) project under the stewardship of Patric Steeg, Sustainability Manager at RONAL GmbH in Forst. Steeg has spearheaded the initiative since February 2024, and it aims to address the substantial carbon footprint associated with aluminium, the most extensively utilised raw material at RONAL. The RONAL-Re project aims to reduce our carbon footprint by emphasising the use of recycled aluminium in production. This initiative is designed to prepare the company for achieving CO 2 neutrality by 2050. The RONAL-Re project recognises the environmental impact of aluminium production and is working to streamline recycling processes for aluminium wheels, thereby reducing CO 2 emissions....
The use of aluminium in bike frames can be traced back to the late 19th century. Since then, it has been one of the most relied-on and widely used materials for bike frames. Notable companies like Brompton, Hero Lectro, Orange Bikes, etc, have incorporated aluminium in their bicycle frames. When browsing for bike frames, one will notice a variety of materials used by manufacturers in their construction. Each material has advantages and disadvantages, which can influence how you use the bike and the type of terrain on which you plan to ride. Aluminium is extensively utilised in the cycling industry for various components, primarily due to its advantageous properties. Its unique blend of characteristics makes it particularly well-suited for bicycle frames and parts. At 1/3 the density of...
It is no secret that aluminium is now a popular choice of metal in architectural, automotive, electronics, aerospace, energy, and other industries. But do you know which form of aluminium is used in these industrial sectors? Yes, aluminium extrusions, which are created by extruding aluminium through a die to create complex shapes, making the metal versatile for numerous applications. Driven by a deliberate transition towards a 100% recyclable metal to promote sustainability, the demand and use of aluminium extrusions in end-user products is on a steady rise. In 2023, the estimated usage of aluminium extrusions stood at 31.5 million tonnes, and with the growth projection, it is expected to reach 40.1 million tonnes by 2030, marking a CAGR of 3.51 per cent. World aluminium extrusions usage,...
As we reach the midpoint of the year, it's time to evaluate the performance of aluminium in the current market landscape. This analysis delves into the recent trends and factors impacting aluminium prices, offering insights into what we can expect in the year's second half. Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange soared to a two-year high by the end of May'24, spurred mainly by renewed investment in commodities following a significant rise in copper prices. Source: LME, AL Circle News Following Rio Tinto's declaration of force majeure on alumina shipments from its Queensland refineries due to gas shortages affecting their operations, supply risks temporarily drove aluminium prices higher. This force majeure impacts only third-party export supply, leaving Rio Tinto's own smelters...
