Spanish racing driverFernando Alonso has added a one-off Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse to his growing collection of rare cars. Known as chassis 8.100, the car is distinguished by bespoke aluminium bodywork that required more than 20 tonnes of aluminium to produce, along with dedicated CAD programmes developed by Bugatti. Its history is equally distinctive, being produced after an original customer pushed Bugatti to create something it had initially considered too expensive. For Alonso, the automobile fits closely with an approach to luxury he outlined in 2024 about choosing manufacturers that treat individual customers differently rather than simply producing cars in larger numbers. To know the aluminium casting demand forecast in the transportation sector, explore our report "Global...
China Rare Earth Group is in talks to acquire a controlling stake in Shenghe Resources, a move that could bring the Chinese rare earth producer under tighter state control while giving Beijing influence over Shenghe’s overseas holdings, including a stake in US rare earths company MP Materials. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that discussions between the companies have been underway since earlier this year. One source said China Rare Earth Group is seeking a controlling stake, although neither source knew when the acquisition could be announced or completed. If the deal goes through, China Rare Earth Group would take control of Shenghe’s interests in foreign companies, including its 3 per cent stake in MP Materials. The US rare earths company counts the US Department of...
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The Aluminum Association, which represents companies that produce around 70 per cent of the primary aluminum as well as downstream products shipped in North America, has released a new policy brief outlining strategic priorities for the incoming US administration and Congress. The brief, titled ‘Aluminum for America,’ calls for a national strategy to prioritise, produce, and defend critical materials like aluminium. According to a recent economic impact study, the US aluminium industry generates nearly £173 billion in direct and indirect economic impact and supports nearly 700,000 jobs, including 164,000 direct industry jobs. Despite this, the US primary aluminium production continues to decline, while the industry has invested over £7.6 billion in mid- and downstream processing and...
Base metals prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) showed negative trends, except for copper, which increased by 0.11 per cent d-o-d. Meanwhile, inventories at LME-registered warehouses witnessed outflows, with zinc stocks decreasing by 2.61 per cent d-o-d. COMEX market update Copper prices on the COMEX market remained stable at $9,180/tonne (t) compared to the previous close. Indian market overview In India's non-ferrous metals markets, BigMint assessed domestic copper armature scrap at INR 740,000/tonne ex-Delhi. Aluminium Tense scrap prices remained stable d-o-d, with ex-Delhi at INR 174,000/tonne and ex-Chennai at INR 175,000/tonne. Global updates Singapore's Nov exports grow 3.4 per cent y-o-y Singapore's non-oil exports rose 3.4 per cent y-o-y in November, driven by a boost in...
Prices of aluminium (non-OEM) ADC12 alloyed ingots remained stable w-o-w across both northern and southern regions in India, largely due to ongoing sluggish demand in the automotive sector and a weakened export market. BigMint's weekly assessments for ADC12 (non-OEM) grade stood at INR 202,000/tonne (t) in Delhi and INR 203,000/tonne in Chennai, stable w-o-w. At the time of reporting, three-month aluminium futures on the LME stood at $2,533/tonne, dropping by 3 per cent compared to the previous week's levels of around $2,601/tonne. Meanwhile, stocks at LME-registered warehouses were at 670,025 tonnes, falling by 1 per cent from 677,600 tonnes in the previous week. The scrap-to-semi-finished spread for ADC12 non-OEM remained steady at INR 28,000-29,000/tonne w-o-w. Major automaker cuts...
Hertwich Engineering GmbH, a leading global supplier of technologies for aluminium foundries, is being acquired by the management team consisting of Gerold Keune (CEO), Jürgen Doblhofer (COO), Hubert Mayringer (Director Engineering), and Ludwig Manhartseder (Director Electrical & Automation) as part of a management buy-out. This will see 100 per cent of the company transferred from the SMS group to its new owners. The transaction was formally completed on December 16, 2024. Image Source: Hertwich Engineering “We are proud of our customers’ high satisfaction with Hertwich’s leading melting, casting and homogenising plants and technology, which is currently reflected in our record order backlog. As an independent company, we plan to significantly increase our investments in capacity...
Today, on December 19, the Shanghai Metals Market has indicated a drop in alumina and aluminium prices. Traditional off-season in China causing lessened demand for primary aluminium among the downstream industry is one of the major factors for sequential aluminium price fall, while production cuts at smelters, especially in the Henan Province, due to the ongoing winter heating season is a reason for downward alumina prices. Alumina prices: According to the SMM price list, China’s domestic alumina price has climbed down the graph by RMB 8 per tonne to stand at RMB 5,757 per tonne. Compared to the previous week, the price is standing at RMB 12 per tonne lower than RMB 5,769 per tonne on December 12. In Henan, alumina price has seen a plunge of RMB 15 per tonne in the context of maximum...
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló held a joint press conference, as the Kazinform News Agency reported via Akorda. During the conference, the two leaders shared a joint statement highlighting the outcomes of their bilateral discussions. President Tokayev emphasised that President Embaló's official visit to Kazakhstan signifies both nations' shared goals and aspirations despite their considerable geographic distance. The talks yielded significant agreements to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including politics, trade, economics, culture, and humanitarian efforts. Both countries expressed a keen interest in maximising opportunities in transport and logistics. A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to...
Regions across the globe are part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and have witnessed the significant impact of defence supply, all thanks to the comprehensive list released for the defence industry, which includes everything composed of aluminium, among other materials. The consortium not only points to the relevance of such resources for the military powers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization alone but also emphasises upon the uninterrupted continuity of the supply chain. Image Source: https://ilfproducts.co.uk/ It would not be wrong to say that aluminium has become synonymous with metals that can withstand corrosion whilst also cutting weight across missile and aircraft parts and even high-end applications. Such characteristics make it possible for metals such as...
Alupro, the aluminium-packaging industry body, has issued a rallying call to Members of Parliament, urging them to throw their weight behind a deposit return scheme and bolster investment in recycling infrastructure. The organisation recently hosted an event at the House of Commons, sponsored by UK’s Labour MP Rupa Huq and featuring a keynote speech by Conservative MP Bob Blackman. Image Source: Alupro During the event, the enterprise encouraged policymakers to sign a three-point pledge outlining a roadmap for achieving a circular economy. The pledge centres on three key objectives: implementing a world-class Deposit Return Scheme by 2027, promoting sustainable packaging through an extended producer responsibility system that incentivises the use of recyclable materials, and boosting...
In November 2024, China imported 280,000 tonnes of aluminium, including unwrought aluminium and aluminium products. The import volume reflected a double-digit fall, precisely 17.6 per cent, according to China customs data. Image Source: iStock Nonetheless, from January to November, the country’s total imports witnessed a 26.2 per cent Y-o-Y rise, amounting to 3.45 million tonnes. Till October 2024, China imported 175,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, up by 27.5 per cent M-o-M but down by 19.3 per cent Y-o-Y. From January to October, the cumulative import volume of primary aluminium was 1.824 million tonnes, up by 55.5 per cent Y-o-Y. In October, Russia was the highest source of China’s primary aluminium imports, accounting for 55.4 per cent. The other two major sources were India and...
On December 17, Stellantis unveiled a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate its production operations in Italy, as reported by Reuters. The announcement was made during a meeting with Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, alongside representatives from suppliers and trade unions. This initiative marks a significant step toward mending ties with Italy's government, which had frequently clashed with former CEO Carlos Tavares. Stellantis N.V. is a multinational automotive manufacturer formed in 2021 from the merger of the Italian–American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group. As of 2023, Stellantis was the world's fourth-largest automaker by sales, behind Toyota, Volkswagen Group, and Hyundai Motor Group. Stellantis designs, manufactures, and sells automobiles under its...
Antec, a renowned manufacturer of computer chassis, has announced the launch of its latest aluminium ITX gaming case, the Performance 1 M. This sleek and compact case is designed specifically for high-performance ITX builds, boasting a durable and modern aluminium construction. The gaming case features aluminium side panels and a rear frame, providing a robust and stylish metallic finish that is available in two colours- jet black and adventurine green. With its compact dimensions, this case is well-suited for ITX motherboards, striking the ideal balance between aesthetics and functionality. One of the standout features of the aluminium case is its innovative airflow design, which optimises system cooling through strategically placed perforated panels. These panels facilitate effective...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has recognised Nemak S.A.B de C.V, a global automotive parts manufacturing company, with its Chain of Custody (Coc) Standard V2 (2022) Certification. The recognition is for aluminium component production for the automotive industry at Nemak Poland SP. Z O.O. and Nemak Slovakia s.r.o. facilities. The certification also covers Nemak’s outsourcing contractors. Both Nemak Poland SP. Z O.O. and Nemak Slovakia s.r.o. facilities produce aluminium automotive components, including engine blocks, transmission cases, e-engine housings, shock towers and battery housings. Nemak’s facilities have obtained the certification after going through a stringent, independent, third-party audit by TÜV Rheinland Cert GmbH. Earlier, in March 2024, the facilities achieved ASI...
In a significant move to bolster its commitment to sustainable aluminium production, Hydro Energi AS, a subsidiary of the Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro, has entered into a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Å Energi. The 10-year contract, which commences in 2025 and runs through 2034, guarantees the delivery of 438 GWh of electricity annually to Hydro's Norwegian aluminium plants, totaling 4.38 TWh over the contract period. Image Source: www.hydro.com This agreement not only ensures a stable and reliable supply of renewable energy for Hydro's aluminium production but also underscores the company's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint. By leveraging Å Energi's clean energy, Hydro's aluminium production in Norway will continue to boast a carbon...
ECKART, a leading international manufacturer of metallic and pearlescent pigments for the paints and coatings industry, the graphic arts, plastics, aerated concrete, and cosmetics industries, is reportedly forming a joint venture with Runaya, a notable name in the green aluminium recovery business. Image Source: Energetica India The joint venture firm will establish a facility in Odisha to produce the most sustainable spherical atomised aluminium granules , leveraging India's position as a global hub for low-cost and cutting-edge manufacturing solutions. This new project aligns with the growing demand for atomised aluminium granules in India and the world, catering to high-end applications in aerospace, solar panels, and high-value effect pigments. With sustainability as the cornerstone...
On December 17, 2023, Hyundai Mobis, the automotive parts subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, announced its readiness to commercialise an innovative battery cell cooling material. This breakthrough is poised to enhance both the charging efficiency and safety of electric vehicles. The material referred to as "Pulsating Heat Pipe" is made of aluminium alloy tubes filled with refrigerants. These tubes, positioned between the battery cells in the module assembly, effectively dissipate heat, particularly during fast charging. The above image reflects a comparison test of the heat dissipation performance of Hyundai Mobis' 'Pulsating Heat Pipe' for battery cell cooling and a standard aluminium cooling plate. It shows a temperature difference of nearly 20 degrees. With a groundbreaking innovation...
The comprehensive operating rate of China’s domestic aluminium wire and cable industry in November 2024 saw a month-on-month increase of 1.27 per cent and a year-on-year hike of 10.36 per cent, nearing 60 per cent. The operating rate increased without being impacted by temperature on power grid construction. Instead, resilient demand for distribution network order pickups supported the operating rate. Additionally, the effort behind completing the delivery tasks by year-end ramped up the operations. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the operating rate precisely stood at 59.96 per cent, demonstrating a growth driven by large enterprises with an operating rate of 70.11 per cent. The medium-sized and small enterprises illustrated 56.32 per cent and 40.68 per cent operating rates, both...
As the week progresses, the price listing of aluminium dips lower on the graph in the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). According to their Wednesday (December 18) listing, apart from alumina, majority of the commodities have either remained stagnant or lost value from their previous pricing. Image Source: https://www.sav-al.com/en/product/ingots Primary aluminium ingot pricing As per the SMM listing on December 18, 2024, the average price of A00 primary aluminium ingot has further climbed down RMB 110 per tonne and was reflected as RMB 19,790 per tonne. The average cost of A00 aluminium ingot has decreased by 3.5 per cent M-o-M (price on November 18 was pegged at RMB 20,510 per tonne). However, when compared year-on-year, the primary metal ingot's average price has risen 4.2 per cent as the...
Imported aluminium scrap prices in India remained range-bound w-o-w, with fluctuations of up to 1.5 per cent, amid moderate demand. Despite a decline in London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium prices, certain scrap grades held firm w-o-w amid reports of supply shortages. BigMint's benchmark assessment for Tense scrap originating from the UAE stood at $1,800/tonne (t), firm w-o-w, while Zorba 95/5 from the UK was at $2,110/tonne, stable w-o-w, both CFR west coast, India. This week, LME prices dropped by around 2 per cent to $2,530/tonne. Meanwhile, stocks at LME-registered warehouses stood at 672,525 t, falling by around 7,000 tonnes w-o-w from 681,600 tonnes. LME aluminium prices have fallen below $2,600/tonne, influenced by a 3.6 per cent y-o-y rise in China's production in November 2024,...
