French renewable energy company Neoen has secured AUD 1.8 billion (USD 1.26 billion) in debt financing from 13 lenders to support a 1.2 GW portfolio of solar, wind, and battery storage projects across Australia, marking its largest financing transaction to date. The financing package covers five operating and under-construction assets across New South Wales, South Australia, and Western Australia. The portfolio includes the 440 MWp Culcairn solar PV plant and its associated 215 MW/963 MWh battery storage project, alongside wind and storage assets in the other two states. Neoen said the transaction would strengthen its balance sheet and support further investment in new projects, as the company continues to expand its renewable energy footprint in Australia. “This transaction reflects the...
North America's aluminium Zorba-Zurik scrap trade is evolving as major recyclers invest in advanced metal recovery technologies and international buyers seek consistent supplies of specification-compliant non-ferrous scrap. From established exporters such as CMR America, GP Harmon Recycling, and Sims Global Commodities to traders offering different Zorba grades and shipment volumes, the market is increasingly shaped by material quality, processing capabilities, and global demand. While India and Southeast Asia remain important destinations for North American scrap, the region’s leading processors are also expanding domestic sorting operations to produce higher-purity, furnace-ready materials. This dual approach is reshaping the competitive landscape for aluminum scrap exporters and...
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On Friday, February 2, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price dipped by RMB10 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,910 per tonne, with the average prices between RMB 18,890 per tonne and RMB 18,930 per tonne. The spot contract price may be traded at a discount price of RMB 40 to a premium price of RMB 0 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the price in Gongyi has gained RMB 50 per tonne to arrive at RMB 18,810 per tonne, followed by a growth of RMB 10 per tonne in Chongqing and Shenyang to settle at RMB 18,910 per tonne and RMB 18,950 per tonne. On the other hand, the price in Wuxi has decreased by RMB 20 per tonne to clock at RMB 18,890 per tonne. In Hangzhou and Linyi, the A00 aluminium ingot prices have lost RMB 10 per tonne, reaching RMB 18,910 per tonne and RMB 18,880 per tonne. The domestic price of...
The Middle East is transitioning significantly towards a more sustainable aluminium industry, propelled by both environmental concerns and economic imperatives. With abundant energy resources and a growing awareness of the importance of environmental stewardship, countries in the region are increasingly investing in cleaner and more efficient production methods. This shift includes adopting advanced technologies such as renewable energy-powered smelters, implementing stringent emissions controls, and optimising resource usage throughout production. Furthermore, there's a burgeoning emphasis on recycling and circular economy principles to minimise waste and reduce the reliance on primary aluminium production. As a result, the Middle East is poised not only to meet its aluminium demand...
In a strategic move fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government, IIIT Bhubaneswar inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) on January 30 2024. This pivotal partnership aims to cultivate substantial growth and mutual development through innovative research initiatives in the realms of standardisation, conformity assessment, and quality processes. The collaboration between IIIT-Bhubaneswar and BIS holds significant promise for the aluminium industry, envisioning the establishment of pioneering standards for its diverse range of products. What is the fundamental responsibility of this active collaboration? The joint efforts will focus on advancing research in standardisation, offering avenues for short-term educational programs,...
Norsk Hydro, a leading aluminium and energy company, is reportedly investing EUR 180 million in constructing a new state-of-the-art aluminium recycling plant in Torija, Spain, in a bid to increase its low-carbon aluminium offerings in Europe and pave the path to green transition. The new recycling plant will have an annual capacity of producing 120,000 tonnes of low-carbon recycled aluminium like aluminium extrusion ingots, primarily used in the transportation & automotive industry, building & construction, renewable energy installations, and consumer durable markets. The facility should be able to recycle up to 70,000 tonnes of post-consumer scrap by applying process technologies developed at the recycling plants in Clervaux, Luxembourg, and Azuqueca, Spain. The facility will produce...
In a landmark decision, the Federal Court upheld Rio Tinto's discernment in navigating the complex web of international sanctions in 2022. The esteemed court, presided over by Justice Michael O'Bryan, dismissed claims made by subsidiaries of a Leading Russian Aluminium Producer, challenging Rio's refusal to continue collaboration. In 2022, amidst the geopolitical upheaval following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Rio Tinto demonstrated sagacity by severing ties with the Russian aluminium producer's subsidiaries, holding a 20% stake in Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL). This strategic move encompassed halting the supply of bauxite and alumina to the Russian giant, ultimately invoking emergency step-in rights to prevent any economic benefit from flowing to the sanctioned entities. Legal...
In 2023, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) reported a 2.25 per cent annual increase in global primary aluminium production, reaching a total of 70.593 million tonnes by the end of December. However, this growth rate marked a slight slowdown compared to the previous year when the industry experienced a 3 per cent increase, reaching 69.038 million tonnes in 2022 from 67.092 million tonnes in 2021. By December 2023, the world's primary aluminium production had reached 6.04 million tonnes, contributing to a second-half output of 36.08 million tonnes. This H2 output reflected a notable 4.58 per cent increase from the first half, which stood at 34.5 million tonnes. The surge in production during the latter part of 2023 was attributed to alleviating the energy crisis in Europe, leading...
According to a research report, the Saudi Arabia Canned Food Market is anticipated to grow at a robust compound annual growth rate of 3.55 per cent from 2021 to 2028. This elevation is expected to bring the market value to US$1,132.689 million at the end of the forecast period compared to US$887.449 million in 2021. Saudi Arabia’s food processing industry has grown over the years, attracting noteworthy investments. By 2030, the investments are estimated to peak at $70 billion, representing a 59 per cent increase from 2016. The continued robustness of the food sector is expected to grow to about $20 billion by 2035, stimulating the canned food market extensively, particularly within the key industries like beverages, dairy, and ready-to-eat sectors. As highlighted in AL Circle’s recent...
At this moment, the prevailing buzzword around the European terrain is CBAM, and after raising quite a few eyebrows, it seems to be taking shape. Apart from that, EU nations are not immune to the consequences of shifting to green energy all at once. The current economic slowdown in Germany has affected various industries, and unfortunately, the aluminium industry is not an exception. It is facing significant hardships due to elevated energy costs and the overall economic downturn. The President of Aluminium Germany (AD), Rob van Gils, announced: "The year 2023 has shown very clearly that the energy transition strategy in its current form is not working. Over-regulation, massive bureaucracy, and a lack of understanding of the importance of industry for prosperity and participation in...
The most recent in-depth Middle East and North Africa (MENA) metal packaging market analysis indicates a strong expected growth path. Projections anticipate a substantial increase from US$ 8.16 billion in 2022 to US$ 11.29 billion by 2030. With a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1 per cent throughout the forecast period, the market's expansion underscores rising confidence in metals like aluminium and steel as the favoured packaging material across diverse sectors. A noteworthy factor contributing to this growth is the substantial market share held by the food and beverages segment. This underscores the pivotal role of aluminium and steel packaging in preserving product integrity and ensuring shelf-stability. This trend aligns with global observations recognising the distinctive...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,271.0 per tonne on Wednesday, with its low and high at US$2,261.0 per tonne and US$2,297.0 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,285.0 per tonne, up 0.59 per cent. On Wednesday, January 31, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price increased by US$ 5.5 per tonne or 0.24 per cent to settle at US$2,231.50 per tonne and US$2,232 per tonne. As per the London Metal Exchange (LME) price chart, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price added US$5.5 per tonne or 0.24 per cent to close at US$2,270 per tonne and US$2,270.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price ascended by US$5 per tonne or 0.19 per cent to halt at US$2,507 per tonne and US$2,512 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at...
On February 1, 2024, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price lost RMB50 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,920 per tonne, with the average prices ranging between RMB 18,900 per tonne and RMB 18,940 per tonne. The spot contract price may be traded at a discount price of RMB 30 to a premium price of RMB 10 per tonne. The A00 aluminium ingot prices have shown a downfall in all the provinces. To begin with, the prices in Chongqing and Tianjin have descended by RMB 50 per tonne to arrive at RMB 18,900 per tonne and RMB 18,940 per tonne. On the same day, the prices in Foshan, Wuxi, Hangzhou and Shenyang dropped by RMB 40 per tonne to arrive at RMB 18,930 per tonne, RMB 18,910 per tonne, RMB 18,920 per tonne and RMB 18,950 per tonne. As per the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) data, the prices in Gongyi and...
Introduction RPA, or robotic process automation, is the most accessible entry point to the realm of exponential technologies. Globally, the companies are driving towards RPA at an early stage of their digital transformation. The processes that are repetitive, time-consuming, and non-cerebral are the perfect candidates for RPA. The three major players in the domain of RPA are UiPath, Automation Anywhere and Blue Prism. All of them are fairly easy to learn and apply. It has also been proven through the various use cases that such technologies can significantly improve operational efficiency, increase the accuracy of work, reduce response to the market and increase employee satisfaction as they are exempted from boredom to a great extent. Because of such reasons, the global market size of...
Evolution Castings Group, which consists of the Grainger and Worrall group of companies, has recently hired Duncan Eldridge as its new CEO. Eldridge will take up the responsibility of managing the company's day-to-day operations, while Andrew Burn, the Group's current Executive Chairman, will transition to the role of Non-Executive Chairman. According to Burn, Eldridge's appointment is a crucial step in the company's growth plans. "It reinforces our desire to recruit and retain the very best people in the marketplace," he added. "Duncan's prior experience and knowledge of operating in overseas markets is going to be invaluable to the Group." Eldridge comes with a wealth of experience in international manufacturing and technology businesses. Chronology of Duncan Eldridge’s illustrative...
On Wednesday, January 31, Egypt Aluminum, popularly known as Egyptalum, the largest aluminium producer in Egypt, announced that its net profits after tax during the first half of FY2023-24 ended December 31 amounted to EGP 3.43 billion, registering a jump of 101 per cent year-on-year from EGP 1.70 billion. The revenues surged by 60 per cent to EGP 13.38 billion during the first six months of FY2023-24 from EFP 8.35 billion. Earnings per share also rose significantly during the said period from EGP 2.40 to EGP 4.83. Financial growth in Egyptalum was even observed in the first quarter of FY2023-24 ended September 30. The EGX-listed firm posted a 61 per cent hike Y-o-Y in net profits after tax from EGP 642.63 million to EGP 1.63 billion. Revenues also expanded in the September quarter by 42...
Day two at MRAI's 11th IMRC 2024 Convention & Exposition in Kolkata was even more intriguing as the first half began with the "Circular Economy ZoneTheme Park" inauguration. This interactive playground promoted the cause of recycling used objects, and it was inspirational to see MRAI indulging school kids as witness to the changing mode of circularity in India. children from a local school enjoying the show The programme schedule was packed with enlightening conversations among industry experts. The expo zone, where professionals could meet and greet for future business prospects, was also flagged on the same day. The sessions that were conducted on January 24, Day 2: Session on "Business on ELV Recycling" Session on "Vision 2030: Secondary Steel Sector Prospects & Challenges" Session on...
The Indian market for imported aluminium scrap has experienced a significant upturn in prices, driven by a surge in futures, heightened demand, increased freight rates, and limited material availability in the western part of the country. Prices for all grades of aluminium scrap have witnessed a notable week-on-week increase of $60-70 per tonne. As per reports, the tense scrap of Middle Eastern origin has risen by $60 per tonne to reach $1,720 per tonne. Meanwhile, scrap prices from the US have also increased by $35 per tonne to $1,775 per tonne week-on-week. Insiders in the market attribute the elevated freight rates to the conflict in the Red Sea, which has notably contributed to the surge in scrap prices, particularly in western India. Additionally, there are reported discrepancies in...
Where does China get its bauxite from? Ask most industry people; the answer will likely be Domestic, Guinea and Australia. Other sources, such as Malaysia, are tiny, and Indonesia has disappeared from the import data. But another country has started to appear in the industry. The China team did a survey of alumina refineries in Shanxi and Henan the other day. The survey was about something else, but in the data, Ghana has become a bauxite supplier in at least 3 refineries. Other sources mentioned by the refineries included Sierra Leone and Brazil. The survey was looking at the inventory situation and production plans. The plants reported holding anything from 15 days supply up to about 75 days. The refinery running the high inventory level was also one of the smallest. Almost all...
Wild Goose, an innovator in the realm of craft canning and bottling systems, has introduced the Spirit line of canning machines. The newly launched canning machines, namely the Gosling Spirit™ and the Evolution Series Spirit™, are optimised for improved availability across all sizes of aluminium cans. One of the notable features of the Spirit line is its compatibility with the increasingly popular single-serving 100-millilitre steel can format. These machines are designed to meet the unique needs of distilleries, providing advanced technology and precision in the canning process. "We have seen a lot of parallels between craft distilleries and craft breweries. Wild Goose was a pioneer in craft beer canning, selling our first systems to brewers in 2011. Now, with the availability of smaller...
