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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According to a preliminary survey by the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s output of aluminium plate, sheet, strip and foil products, such as can stock, battery foil, double-zero foil, auto body sheet, air-conditioner foil, brazing material, and electronic foil, is expected to demonstrate a robust growth at the end of 2024, withstanding anticipated slower growth rate of battery foil production. As per the SMM data, China’s aluminium plate, sheet and strip production is likely to amount to 13.1 million tonnes, marking an annual hike of about 6 per cent, while aluminium foil production is to reach 4.8 million tonnes, recording an 8 per cent rise year-on-year. SMM survey determines that despite the increase in the number of aluminium battery foil producers, the growth rate of their output...
The Federal Government has facilitated signing a $3.5 billion agreement between BFI Group and China National Chemical Engineering Corporation (CNCEC) to revive the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State. The agreement, signed on Monday, November 11, aims to restart operations at the ALSCON plant. About the signing ceremony The signing follows a meeting between the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, top officials of CNCEC, and Dr Reuben Jaja, Chairman of BFI Group and the government-approved core investor in ALSCON, during President Bola Tinubu's state visit to Beijing earlier this year. CNCEC, China's largest petrochemical engineering company, serves as a technical partner to BFI Group, USA, on the project. "It goes...
Ali Al Baqali, the chief executive officer of Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), has reportedly expressed his strong belief in an interview with Mubaseher Info that the company is going to become one of the biggest aluminium companies in the world, targeting diverse markets beyond Asia. Image Source: Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) Ali Al Baqali clarifies that Asia is not Alba's only focus area. He asserted, "Our vision is diverse, and we try to reduce the risks through being in different markets." Alba targets to pull 18 to 22 per cent of its sales from the global markets in Asia, the United States, and Europe. Currently, the local market contributes 25 per cent to Alba's sales. However, Alba's strategy may change if further pressure is felt on shipping costs and guarantees due to the ongoing...
On October 28th, Chen Kaibin, Party Secretary and Chairman of Chinalco Zhengzhou Research Institute, along with Su Ruigang, Secretary of the Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of Zibo Economic Development Zone, officially launched the fine alumina branch of Chinalco Zhengzhou Nonferrous Metals Research Institute Co., Ltd. Image Source: Itaforte The fine alumina branch is committed to Chinalco Group's guiding principle of "innovation drives development, and technology leads the future." It aligns with the national scientific and technological innovation strategy, aiming to overhaul the enterprise's innovation system. The branch seeks to advance the high-quality development of fine alumina and strengthen its position in the core industry. The branch now operates with...
Tyre jacks and floor jacks are leverage tools that can ease our vehicle maintenance process and save us from dire scenarios while on the road. And recently, a couple of launches in this segment have caught the eyes of four-wheeler and heavy vehicle enthusiasts alike. Image Source: https://www.alibaba.com/ Trac INC. has brought forth a lighter, trendier and capable tyre lifting tool with its aluminium 'TRAC TireJack' after its original much popular tyre lifting tool. The new tool, expected to launch in January 2025, is a lightweight version of TRAC's original TireJack. The original tool is a designed product that magnanimously helps technicians when mounting and demounting heavy wheel automobiles to and from any hub. The tyre jack slides under the tyre and wheel, enabling the technician to...
The Teamsters are calling on the Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) to maintain a neutral stance as employees at five sorting facilities and 27 redemption centres initiate efforts to organise with the union. The OBRC, a non-profit cooperative, is largely funded by Oregon’s Bottle Bill, which imposes a 10-cent deposit on most plastic, aluminium, and glass beverage containers. Oregon pioneered the deposit-return system for single-use beverage containers to boost recycling rates. This model has since been adopted by nine other U.S. states and much of Canada. The OBRC, a non-profit cooperative, is largely funded by Oregon’s Bottle Bill, which imposes a 10-cent deposit on most plastic, aluminium, and glass beverage containers. “Cooperative workers are concerned over low wages and...
Alcoa declared force majeure on bauxite shipments from its Juruti mine in Brazil on November 7, 2024, due to a vessel stranded in the channel near the port obstructing transportation. This disruption poses significant challenges for global alumina supplies, which are already under pressure due to constrained production. However, the statement did not provide an estimate for when shipments might resume. According to a trader source, the vessel has been stranded near the Juruti port since late October, and bauxite shipments have been halted for nearly or more than 10 days. According to industry experts, the Alumar alumina refinery is currently grappling with significant challenges due to shortages of bauxite supply from the Juruti mine in Brazil. The bauxite source is vital to Alumar’s...
Gautam Adani led Adani Group has declared an investment of over US$5 billion in setting up aluminium and steel businesses along with ramping up copper production in India. This is the second time that the group has invested such megabucks in the metal industry, wherein, for the first time in 2022, the enterprise declared an investment of US$5.2 billion in developing an alumina refinery in the eastern Indian state of Odisha. Image Source: https://www.adani.com/ On one hand, the recently announced investment plan will likely boost the group's infra business. It may also save on energy production costs by offering more affordable energy solutions than rivals. The Adani Group has come up with the funding for the nation's metals business 2 years after its grand entry and consequent success in...
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Hindalco Industries Limited, the Aditya Birla Group metals flagship and one of India's biggest aluminium manufacturing companies has announced the second quarter results for the fiscal year 2024-25, reporting a year-on-year hike of 7.45 per cent in revenue from operations. From INR 54,169 crore (US$6.418 million) in Q2 FY2024, Hindalco's revenue increased to INR 58,203 crore (US$6.896 million) in Q2 FY2025. On a quarterly basis, the company's revenue grew by 2.09 per cent from INR 57,013 crore (US$6.755 million). Hindalco's total revenue in H1 FY2024-25 stood at INR 115,216 crore (US$13.65 million), up by per cent Y-o-Y from INR 107,160 crore (US$12.7 million). In Q2 FY2025, Hindalco's profit was INR 3,909 crore (US$463,153), reaching the highest quarterly profit after recording a...
Sparklo, a cleantech leader, has significantly boosted its production capabilities at its Ras Al Khaimah facility to keep pace with soaring demand for its innovative reverse vending machines, known as Sparklomats. Image Source: Sparklo About Sparklomats Sparklo is a UAE-based global cleantech leader transforming the recycling industry and promoting sustainable practices worldwide. The company has introduced innovative reverse vending machines (RVMs) called Sparklomats, encouraging the recycling of plastic bottles and aluminium cans by offering exciting rewards. Established in 2022 within the Al Hamra Industrial Zone of the Ras Al Khaimah Economic Zone (RAKEZ), the facility has reached its planned full production capacity of 1,500 units annually, supporting Sparklo’s ambitious regional and...
The Malaysia-based Winstar Capital Bhd, a manufacturer of aluminium products, has signed an underwriting agreement with TA Securities Holdings Bhd for its upcoming initial public offering (IPO) on the ACE Market. According to a company statement, TA Securities will underwrite 30.45 million new shares that have been allocated to the Malaysian public and eligible individuals. Winstar, which is supported by the publicly traded renewable energy firm Sunview Group Bhd, aims to complete its listing by the end of 2024. Vincent Chua, CEO of Winstar Capital Bhd, said, "The agreement not only reinforces their confidence in us but also takes us a step closer to our IPO." "We are ready to take advantage of the opportunities in Malaysia's renewable energy, construction and property development...
As of Tuesday, November 12, the Shanghai Metals Market has continued on an upward price trajectory for alumina, with some of the province's prices reaching close to RMB 6000 per tonne. The average alumina price was RMB 5,490 per tonne, an additional RMB 49 compared to the previous day's pricing. Image Source: https://www.mudeffects.com/ Regional spike The alumina prices in the Lianyungang and Bayuquan regions have gained another RMB 100 per tonne, making them the regions showcasing the highest-priced alumina region among all listed provinces. Prices in both regions ranged from RMB 5,760-5,840 per tonne (average RMB 5,800 per tonne). The M-o-M price spike in the two Chinese port regions is a whopping 45 per cent. As for the rest of the regions, Shandong, Guizhou and Guangxi's pricing...
Regarded as one of the world’s top oil producers, Nigeria, with a population of more than 200 million, has struggled with significant challenges, including inadequate job creation, limited opportunities, mismanagement, etc. Out of these, electricity is one of the major issues of concern. Image Source - IndiaMART As per the latest reports, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has stated a new incident involving vandals targeting its 330kV Lokoja-Gwagwalada transmission line. As Nigerians are already under havoc impacted by the recent vandalism of the 330kV Shiroro-Kaduna transmission lines, this news comes as another blow to the region. Grid failures are frequent in Nigeria, where the power sector struggles due to insufficient investment. This year, the national grid has collapsed 10...
Iran's state-run metals and mining company IMIDRO announced on November 10 that the cumulative aluminium ingot output in four principal smelters in the country of South Aluminum Corporation, IRALCO, Almahdi Aluminium Company, and Iran Alumina Company attained 352,423 tonnes in the first seven months plus till October 21. Whereas, in the same period in 2023, the production was slightly high, 367,091 tonnes (a difference of 14668 tonnes). Image Source: Iran Alumina Company IMIDRO has disclosed that the nation's largest aluminium smelter, the South Aluminum Corporation (SALCO), has manufactured over 144,000 tonnes, which is close to 41 per cent of the country's total turnout from April to Octoberr, 2024. SALCO entered operation in 2018 as the Iranian government strategised to facilitate...
The Emirates Environmental Group (EEG) proudly announced the successful conclusion of the 28th cycle of its national initiative, the 'Can Collection Drive,' held on November 9th, encompassing all of Emirates. Under the theme "With a 'Can do' attitude, the future is in our hands," the programme aims to raise awareness about the importance of waste segregation at the source and the value of recycling aluminium cans. Image Source: Mid east information It also seeks to engage businesses and the wider community in adopting sustainable habits. Launched in 1997 as EEG's first action programme, this campaign was designed to actively involve all segments of society. It is part of EEG's ongoing dedication to fostering sustainable practices across various sectors in the UAE. Sustainable initiative...
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world's largest producer of premium aluminium, has announced the extension of its CelestiAL-R supply agreement with the BMW Group for the coming years. CelestiAL-R is notable for being the world's first aluminium blend made using solar power and recycled metal. The BMW Group incorporates EGA's CelestiAL-R in the production of high-quality aluminium components for its vehicles. To commemorate the renewal of this significant agreement, Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management at BMW AG, visited EGA's facility in Jebel Ali and Dubai Electricity & Water Authority's Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. EGA's partnership with the BMW Group began in 2013, and the BMW Group became the first customer to source CelestiAL solar aluminium in 2021....
Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) have formalised a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to enhance opportunities in talent acquisition, professional development, scientific research focused on sustainability, and initiatives in digital transformation. Image Source: HBMSU The MoU was signed by Khalid Essa Buhumaid, Senior Vice President of EGA, and Athba Al Kamdah, Vice Chancellor of Institutional Resources & Services at HBMSU. The signing ceremony was attended by college deans, university administrators, and key representatives from EGA. About the partnership The partnership also includes sponsoring talented learners and innovators and supporting the development of...
The Odisha government approved 15 new industrial projects on Friday, amounting to a total investment of INR 3,353 crore and expected to create 4,637 jobs. The decision was made during a State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA) meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. Aluminium sector projects These projects span various sectors, including aluminium, chemicals or renewable energy, steel, manufacturing, textiles & apparel, tourism, pharmaceuticals and cement. The projects will be carried out in districts such as Koraput, Khurda, Baragarh, Puri, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda. The downstream aluminium sector will also see significant development as HM Power and Cables Pvt. Ltd. will set up a manufacturing plant for aluminium conductors, power cables, and wires in Jharsuguda....
