Two recent Tesla stories sit at opposite ends of the range. Tesla Model 3 is set to benefit from cost-focused Cybercab inverter technology, announced on November 1 2026. The flying car, Tesla Roadster, uses aluminum in its battery cells and underbody protection, reinforcing power delivery, thermal management and lightweight construction. The two models reveal how aluminum can serve very different engineering priorities, from making electric vehicles (EVs) more affordable to helping them deliver extraordinary performance. Tesla Model 3: the everyday car gets Cybercab hardware Nick Verzini, Tesla’s Head of Drive Unit Engineering, mentioned on a Munro Live factory tour that a new printed circuit board assembly and power stage from the Cybercab’s inverter will enter Model 3 production in...
Odisha Additional Chief Secretary for Housing and Urban Development and IDCO Chairperson Usha Padhee visited Angul on Saturday to review infrastructure development at the Aluminium Park near NALCO, alongside housing, sanitation and drainage projects. The visit focused on resolving infrastructure bottlenecks, improving civic services and accelerating implementation through coordination among the concerned agencies. During her visit to the Aluminium Park, Padhee held discussions with senior officials from NALCO and the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Odisha (IDCO), particularly on essential power and water supply requirements. She called for coordinated efforts and time-bound action to address the identified infrastructure issues. Join the fourth edition of webinar "...
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In the face of Nigeria's foreign exchange crisis and other economic challenges leading many multinational companies to exit the country, the Managing Director of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), Mr Dmitriy Zaviyalov, remains optimistic about the company's future. Zaviyalov has stated that ALSCON is actively working towards restarting production in the country, undeterred by the prevailing economic conditions. He expressed hope that Nigeria's economy will improve in due course. Steps needed to restart production He disclosed that ALSCON requires approximately $500 million to kickstart its production operations. He elaborated that a significant portion of this amount will be allocated towards reviving dormant equipment that has been idle for a decade. Additionally, funds...
On Friday, March 1, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced that it successfully certified Shandong Hongqiao Scholz Circular Economy Science & Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Hongqiao Group Co., Ltd., against Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification. This certification is a testimony of the facility’s sustainable production of aluminium ingot and liquid metal by re-melting scrap. The plant’s pre-treatment and crushing lines currently dismantle 40,000 scrapped vehicles and produce 200,000 tonnes of recycled aluminium annually. The ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) includes 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainable pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance – with the aim to address pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. China...
On Friday, March 1, Vedanta Aluminium announced that it is very close to its goal of having 30 per cent female employees in the workforce. The company is hopeful of achieving this milestone by the end of FY2025, much ahead of the original timeline of 2030 set by Vedanta. CEO John Slaven said Vedanta Aluminium's current headcount is over 25,000, including direct and indirect employees, of which 22 per cent are women (direct employees). This indicates the company is on track to achieve 30 per cent of women employment in its payroll by the end of the next financial year. "The company is on track to achieve a ratio of 30 per cent women employees on its rolls by the end of FY25. Notably, the milestone is set to arrive five years sooner than the company's stated target of 2030, with women...
In February 2024, Japan's factory activity experienced its most rapid decline over three years due to diminishing demand. The preliminary Japan Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) from au Jibun Bank dropped to 47.2, down from January's 48.0, signalling ongoing contraction in private sector business operations. February marked the ninth consecutive decline in business activity , representing the most significant contraction since August 2020, as reported by au Jibun Bank. The manufacturing sector in the country experienced ongoing deterioration in operating conditions throughout the month. au Jibun Bank stated, "Both output and new orders fell at sharper rates, amid reports of deteriorating demand conditions in both domestic and international markets." In response to the...
Novelis has recently achieved re-certification to the ASI (Aluminium Stewardship Initiative) Performance Standard V3 for all activities at their site in Sierre, Switzerland. This includes producing aluminium products through various processes such as casting, scalping, hot rolling, cold rolling, continuous heat treatment, finishing, and laser blanking. The company completed these re-certifications after June 1, 2023, ensuring compliance with the updated 2022 Standards. By successfully transitioning to the new certification, Novelis demonstrates its commitment to responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship in the aluminium value chain. The ASI Performance Standard V3 and the Chain of Custody Standard V2 were launched in May 2022, representing a heightened level of ambition for...
A recent study reveals that India is gradually challenging China's supremacy in electronics exports in certain crucial markets. This shift comes as manufacturers seek to diversify their supply chains away from China to other regions across Asia. The escalating geopolitical tensions between the UK, the US, and China have notably influenced trade dynamics and according to data from London-based Fathom Financial Consulting, India's electronics exports to the US surged from 2.51 per cent to 7.65 per cent in November 2023, compared to China's share. Similarly, India's electronic exports rose from 4.79 per cent to 10 per cent in the UK. The Indian government is enticing electronics manufacturers to establish their presence in the country by offering substantial incentives, including tax...
"The economic and social benefits of recycled aluminum are significant," said Li Xiehua, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and Deputy Party Secretary and General Manager of Chinalco Advanced Manufacturing Co., Ltd. The company is lauded for its significant contributions to the automotive sector, particularly in pioneering aluminium alloy materials for lightweight components in new energy vehicles. This innovation aligns with global efforts towards energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions. Importance of recycled aluminium Li emphasised the stark contrast in energy consumption between manufacturing and recycling new aluminium. Producing a tonne of new aluminium requires a substantial 13,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity, whereas a mere 600 kilowatt-hours are...
In a groundbreaking development poised to transform the mining and shipping sectors in West Africa, Cosco Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd, CTC Mining (SL) Ltd, and Baometal Minerals International Trade Ltd have unveiled their collaboration on the ambitious CTC Port Loko Port Project. This trilateral pact represents a pivotal moment in advancing mineral resources and infrastructure in Sierra Leone and the wider region. Cosco Shipping Bulk Co., Ltd, China's premier state-owned shipping enterprise, stands out with its expansive fleet dedicated to dry bulk shipping. The company is renowned for its exceptional proficiency in worldwide dry bulk cargo logistics and port operations and is a pivotal force in the industry. CTC Mining (SL) Limited, headquartered in Sierra Leone, manages a significant bauxite...
In a visionary move towards sustainable energy, Crown Holdings, Inc. has forged a pioneering 15-year Virtual Power Purchase Agreement (VPPA) with Enel Green Power España (EGPE), the renewable energy arm of Endesa. This exemplary VPPA marks a significant leap for Crown, securing renewable electricity from a cutting-edge PV project nestled in the sun-kissed lands of Badajoz, Spain. About the agreement This landmark agreement is set to envelop the Crown's current operational presence across European countries within the esteemed Alliance of Issuing Bodies (AIB). This alliance is the custodian of the European Energy Certificate System, offering Crown an unprecedented pathway to propel its ambitious Twentyby30 sustainability program to new heights. By entering into this VPPA, Crown is taking a...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has certified Kobe Steel, Ltd. against Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for its subsidiary Kobelco Group’s facility Kobelco Automotive Aluminum Rolled Products (China) Co., Ltd., in Tianjin, China. The facility manufactures and supplies Series 5000 and 6000 lightweight aluminium alloy plate and strip products for the automotive industry. It has production lines for heat treatment, surface treatment, longitudinal cutting, cross-cutting, and auxiliary facilities. The plant has an annual output capacity of 100,000 tonnes of producing aluminium alloy automotive sheet metal. ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) was launched in May 2022 after several rounds of revision over the years. It includes 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainability...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,193.5 per tonne on Thursday, with its high and low at US$2,230.5 per tonne and US$2,186 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,225 per tonne, up US$34 per tonne or 1.55 per cent. On Thursday, February 29, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by US$33 per tonne or 1.54 per cent to stand at US$2,162.50 per tonne and US$2,163 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price grew by US$26.5 per tonne or 1.21 per cent and US$26 per tonne or 1.19 per cent to US$2,206.50 per tonne and US$2,207 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price ascended by US$22 per tonne or 0.91 per cent to clock at US$2,420 per tonne and US$2,425 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the average alumina spot price has decreased by RMB 3 per tonne to begin the month of March at RMB 3,348 per tonne. In Shanxi, the price has shed off RMB 10 per tonne to come in at RMB 3,365 per tonne on March 1, 2024. The average prices are estimated to range between RMB 3,310-3,420 per tonne. A00 aluminium ingot price: Despite the drop in input cost, A00 aluminium ingot price has moved up by RMB 100 per tonne to close the week at RMB 18,960 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 18,940-18,980 per tonne, with average prices likely to be traded at a discount price of RMB 30 per tonne and a premium price of RMB 10 per tonne. On a week-on-week basis, the primary aluminium ingot price has edged an increase of RMB 90 per...
The fastest-growing company in the railway sector and transporting goods for a wide range of customers, GB Railfreight (GBRf), has confirmed the renewal of its contract with Alvance British Aluminium, one of the world's greenest metal production plants. GBRf has secured a five-year extension to its contract, ensuring the ongoing operation of two weekly trains. These trains will continue transporting alumina powder from the Port of Blyth in Northumberland to Fort William, supporting aluminium production at one of the world's most environmentally friendly metal production facilities. Annually, 70,000 tonnes of alumina powder will be conveyed by rail, reducing road congestion by removing up to 129 heavy goods vehicles from the 250-mile journey.
On February 29, 2024, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the country outside the oil and gas sector, marked a significant milestone. The company announced the groundbreaking for the region's inaugural 100 per cent renewable energy-powered industrial data centres at its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites. About the upcoming data centres The upcoming data centres will bolster the resilience of EGA's computing infrastructure and are set to achieve certification to the prestigious Uptime Institute's Tier III standard, which serves as a global benchmark for data centres. Globally, the demand for computing power currently constitutes approximately seven per cent of global electricity consumption. This figure is projected to surge to 13 per cent by 2030, as...
Aluminium producers worldwide have proposed premiums to Japanese buyers ranging from $145 to $155 per tonne for primary metal shipments from April to June, marking a substantial increase of 61 per cent to 72 per cent compared to the current quarter. This information was disclosed by three sources intimately engaged in the quarterly pricing negotiations on February 29, 2024. As a significant importer of aluminium in Asia, Japan's agreed premiums for quarterly primary metal shipments over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price serve as the standard for the region. During the January-March quarter, Japanese buyers consented to a $90 per ton premium (PREM-ALUM-JP), marking a 7 per cent decrease from the previous quarter. This significant reduction coincides with a tightening of supply in...
China is the highest alumina producer, contributing around 58 per cent of the world’s output. According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, China produced 82.27 million tonnes of alumina in 2023, up by 3.15 per cent from 79.76 million tonnes in 2022. With this annual hike, China’s 2023 alumina output exceeded the pre-COVID level and further solidified its position as the world’s largest ore producer. As a consequence of the COVID-19 impacts, China’s alumina production decreased year-on-year in the previous three years by about 2 per cent but rebounded in 2023, surpassing 81.469 million tonnes of production in 2019. Advanced technologies like the Bayer-Lurgi combined process and dry bauxite digestion helped China optimise resource utilisation and boost production. By the end...
China-based Zhongchuang Co., Ltd. achieved a significant milestone by creating a domestically leading 10-tonne-class hard aluminium alloy ultra-thick plate, boasting its most comprehensive and highest strength. This forged plate, with dimensions of 4215x3040x270mm, underwent four consecutive firings to achieve its final form. Notably, it features a large, smooth surface free from folding or cracking. This achievement is a new record in China for producing large-tonnage, wide-width forged plates. Currently, the forged plate is undergoing heat treatment and machining processes. It is slated for delivery to the customer in March, meeting the urgent supply needs for a critical new product type after passing performance tests and inspections. The company's research institute, casting plant,...
The spot prices for Aluminium ADC12 alloy ingot (equivalent to automobile grade) in Delhi remain steady at INR 204,000 per tonne week-on-week, excluding GST. This stability persists despite the rise in local Tense scrap prices, especially in regions like north and south India, where shortages have been noted. Market dynamics: Insights from participants In Chennai, current offers for Tense scrap range between INR 172,000 and INR 173,000 per tonne. However, bids are being placed in INR 170,000 to INR 171,000 per tonne. Meanwhile, the spot price for ADC12 in Chennai is reported at INR 208,000 to INR 210,000 per tonne ex-warehouse. Despite the tight availability of Tense scrap, ADC12 prices have remained relatively stable throughout the week. This shortage is affecting the northern region's...
