Vietnam’s first electrolytic aluminium project has reached another major milestone, with the second phase of the 450,000-tonne-per-year (tpa) Da Nong project producing its first batch of molten primary aluminium on October 31, 2026. The milestone, achieved by China Nonferrous Metal Industry’s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co., Ltd. (NFC), which is the project’s general contractor, came four months and three days ahead of the contractual schedule, officially moving the second phase from construction to trial production. The latest development builds on the progress made during the first phase, which produced its first batch of molten primary aluminium on July 14. By September 15, all electrolytic cells in the first phase had successfully started producing aluminium. The second...
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...
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LME aluminium opened at US$2,261.50 per tonne on Monday, with its low and high at US$2,237 per tonne and US$2,268 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,251 per tonne, down 1.03 per cent. The LME aluminium official price chart on January 29 flashed a slight increase in rates, with the LME official cash bid price stopping at US$2,213.50 per tonne with a spike of US$2 per tonne or 0.09 per cent. The LME official settlement price parked at US$2,214 per tonne, having registered a similar rise. Comparison with December 2023 If the LME aluminium price on December 29 last year is taken into account, we can calculate a Month-on-Month slump of US$121.50 per tonne or 5.2 per cent. Throughout January this year, the LME aluminium price has shown a gradual decline, with the highest price...
On Tuesday, January 30, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price dropped by RMB 80 per tonne to settle at RMB 19,010 per tonne, with the average prices between RMB 18,990 per tonne and RMB 19,030 per tonne. As per the data, the SMM aluminium ingot price decreased by RMB 570 per tonne M-o-M from RMB 19,570 recorded on December 29. As of today, the spot contract price may be traded at a discount price of RMB 10 to a premium price of RMB 30 per tonne. The prices in Gongyi and Foshan have descended by RMB 130 per tonne and RMB 120 per tonne to clock at RMB 18,850 per tonne and RMB 19,000 per tonne, followed by a fall of RMB 100 per tonne in Chongqing to settle at RMB 18,990 per tonne. On the same day, the price in Shenyang decreased by RMB 90 per tonne to reach RMB 19,030 per tonne. The A00...
On Monday, January 29, Novelis Inc., the world-leading producer of flat-rolled aluminium products and the largest aluminium recycler, announced that it signed a new contract with Ardagh Metal Packaging USA Corp., under which the former would supply aluminium beverage packaging sheet. As per the report, Novelis' aluminium beverage packaging sheet will be used by Ardagh's production facilities in North America. This is the third major contract signed by Novelis in less than seven months for the beverage packaging market in North America. It testifies that the beverage packaging market is growing strong in North America. Steve Fisher, president and CEO of Novelis, said: "Finalising another meaningful customer agreement in North America is a testament to the strength of the beverage packaging...
Maaden Rolling Company (MRC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), has recently entered into a three-year supply agreement with Lucid Motors, a prominent US electric car manufacturer. The deal, formalized during the Future Minerals Forum, involves the provision of high-quality aluminium sheets with varying specifications. This collaboration underscores Madden's commitment to actively contributing to advancing the global energy transition. MRC, a company wholly owned by Ma'aden, boasts a production capacity of 460,000 tonnes annually. Its current manufacturing portfolio includes can sheets, end and tab stock utilized in beverage can production, and auto sheets tailored for the automotive industry. Headquartered in Newark, California, Lucid Group, Inc. is...
Yunnan Yongshun Aluminium Company successfully launched the 6MW photovoltaic DC connection to power its much-awaited electrolytic aluminium project following the deactivation of vacuum contactors in prefabricated compartments for photovoltaic 1 and 2 DC power routers. This pioneering project embraces innovative approaches, incorporating low-voltage DC conversion and protection devices. By surpassing traditional power supply technology barriers, the project enables the direct power supply of photovoltaic DC and electrolysis series. Additionally, it facilitates on-site consumption of distributed photovoltaics, enhancing the company's renewable energy utilization and efficiency levels. Implementing this cutting-edge technology supports green power direct supply and is crucial in advancing...
In December 2023, China’s unwrought aluminium alloy imports stood at 112,900 tonnes, reflecting a slight rise of 1 per cent over a month, showed China customs data. On a year-on-year basis, the December imports edged a hike of 22.3 per cent, bringing the total imports through 2023 to 1.1325 million tonnes, which was, however, down by 11.4 per cent Y-o-Y. Import sources In December, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Russia, and South Korea were the five main sources for China’s unwrought aluminium alloy imports. Of them all, Malaysia was the highest exporter, accounting for 42 per cent of China’s imports in December. According to customs data, Malaysia exported 47,100 tonnes of unwrought aluminium alloy. Thailand was the second largest exporter of unwrought aluminium alloy to China, supplying...
Absolut has officially launched its new ready-to-drink (RTD) collection, featuring the perfect blend of Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice. The newly launched RTD beverage comes packed in sustainable aluminium cans and is now accessible in the United States, offering a convenient and delicious way to enjoy the classic combination. Ocean Spray is making its inaugural foray into the spirits category by licensing its authentic juice credentials for a ready-to-drink (RTD) offering in aluminium cans. This marks the first time the renowned brand is venturing into the spirits sector, bringing its real juice expertise to elevate the drinking experience in this new and exciting format. "Absolut Vodka and Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice have long been enjoyed together at bars and in homes...
The European Union is contemplating restricting Russian aluminium as part of the 13th sanctions package. In a way to ban Russian aluminium imports, sanctions will be automatically applied against the energy sector given that the latter is a crucial input for the aluminium smelting process. A diplomat told Politico that sanctioning aluminium indirectly targets Russian energy, which makes up 40 per cent of the expenses in aluminium smelting. Discussions over the new prohibitions have been underway since the European Union decided to release a new sanctions package for the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. A senior EU diplomat has stated that for the new sanctions package, the attention has shifted to less obvious areas like aluminium. In the 12th sanctions...
Alumex PLC, a luminary in the world of aluminium extrusion, celebrated the culmination of a stellar 2023 marked by triumphs and victories. The company clinched over 14 prestigious awards in the past year and solidified its role as a pioneer in sculpting the canvas of Sri Lanka's export realm. Alumex achieved significant recognition at the 25th Presidential Export Awards in 2023, securing the prestigious title of "Overall Emerging Exporter of the Year 2021/2022" and earning a merit award in the Light Engineering sector. This accomplishment stands as a testament to the company's steadfast commitment to excellence. Additionally, Alumex clinched the Silver award in the Machinery and Light Engineering Sector at the 31st NCE Exporter Awards, further solidifying its position as a notable player...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, China's average alumina spot price has gained RMB 5 per tonne over the weekend to reach RMB 3,351 per tonne on Monday, January 29. The price stands at its highest point in the past two years. December 2, 2021, was the last time the Chinese alumina spot price stood at RMB 3,351 per tonne. On a month-on-month calculation, the domestic alumina spot price is up by 7.44 per cent from RMB 3,119 per tonne. In Shandong and Henan, the alumina price has increased by RMB 10 per tonne to stand at RMB 3,260 per tonne and RMB 3,380 per tonne, respectively, with average prices estimated to range between RMB 3,220-3,300 per tonne and RMB 3,340-3,420 per tonne. However, the Australian alumina FOB price has continued to remain restrained at US$373 per tonne...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,234.0 per tonne last Friday, with its high and low at US$2,283.0 per tonne and US$2,233.5 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,258.0 per tonne, up by US$26.0 per tonne or 1.16 per cent. On Friday, January 26, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$23.5 per tonne or 1.07 per cent to settle at US$2,211.50 per tonne and US$2,212 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price ascended by US$21 per tonne or 0.94 per cent and US$20 per tonne or 0.89 per cent to peg at US$2,249 per tonne and US$2,250 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price hiked by US$23 per tonne to reside at US$2,493 per tonne and US$2,498 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 546250...
The Italian railway operator Ferrovie della Calabria (FdC) has ordered three new hydrogen trains with 950mm gauge from the Swiss manufacturer of railway rolling stock Stadler. In 2023, a framework agreement was inked, paving the way for deploying as many as 15 hydrogen-powered trains in the Italian region of Calabria starting in 2026. These trains, set to be produced at Stadler's headquarters in Bussnang, Switzerland, consist of two passenger cars and a power pack made from lightweight aluminium, enhancing their energy efficiency. The power pack serves as the housing for fuel cells, hydrogen tanks, and various technical components. Notably, Stadler had previously clinched a deal to provide hydrogen-powered trains to California the previous year. The CEO of FdC, Ernesto Ferraro, expressed...
The downstream segment of the aluminium industry holds a pivotal position in the processing and application of aluminium—a versatile and lightweight metal renowned for its diverse uses. This sector is instrumental in serving various industries including automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, and electrical. The expansion of this sector is propelled by a combination of innovation, sustainability, and the growing need for lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and environmentally friendly materials in contemporary manufacturing. This week, the global aluminium downstream segment witnessed a lot of important events. To begin with, Taural India, a leading integrated aluminium foundry on the global stage, is thrilled to unveil its strategic collaboration with Indian Railways, a pivotal...
During India's 75 th Republic Day celebrations at the police parade ground, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh, District Collector S. Nagalakshmi announced that the establishment of JSW Aluminium Limited's MSME Park in S. Kota mandal is poised to generate immediate direct and indirect employment opportunities for approximately 45,000 individuals. After hoisting the Indian national flag, she expressed optimism about the district experiencing rapid development through the introduction of new industries. The Collector announced that a substantial investment of INR 15,531 crore would be made to establish the sector across 985 acres. Emphasising the potential for brisk economic activity, she highlighted the forthcoming construction of new railway lines and highways that would benefit...
The extensive stockpiles of hazardous red mud generated during alumina refining could be repurposed to produce green steel. Globally, approximately 4 billion tonnes of red mud are currently stored, posing an environmental risk and the potential for fatal accidents. The production of one tonne of steel results in nearly 2 tonnes of CO2 emission. This is primarily due to the conventional steelmaking process, which mainly relies on burning fossil fuels to react carbon with oxygen in iron ore, yielding both iron and carbon dioxide. Dr Isnaldi Souza Filho and his team at the Max Planck Institute for Iron Research in Germany have developed an innovative solution to address the challenges associated with red mud. Their method involves extracting iron from red mud by subjecting it to hydrogen and...
The sustainability sector is seeing a massive bloom with divergent green activities around nooks and corners. These initiatives collectively contribute to a sustainable economy by reducing carbon emissions, promoting the use of renewable energy sources, and innovating in recycling and green hydrogen production, aligning with global efforts to foster environmental responsibility and sustainability. Fusina started sourcing 100% low-carbon primary aluminium for its tailor-made industrial products Niche Fusina Rolled Products (Fusina) is sourcing 100% of its primary aluminium from low-carbon suppliers through Concord Resources Limited to reduce the total carbon footprint of its tailor-made coils, sheets, and plates. Fusina's new commitment ensures that all of its primary aluminium supply is...
The aluminium end-user sector experienced notable happenings last week, with the Global shipments of aerosol cans growing by 6% in 2023, with personal care products making up most of the increase. Ball Corporation, Novelis, and Alcoa collaborated on a sustainable, 90% recycled aluminium cup. NOMOQ now offers blank aluminium cans in addition to digitally decorated ones, streamlining the packaging supply chain. 6% surge in global shipments signals thriving aerosol can industry AEROBAL recorded a 6% growth in global shipments for its members, with personal care products constituting approximately 83% of the total shipments. The competition for skilled labour is fierce, and recycling is crucial. Manufacturers are optimistic about the first half of 2024 due to the still high order backlog...
In the fourth week of the year, the global primary aluminium segment recorded many significant events. To begin with, in 2023, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) reported a 2.25 per cent annual rise in global primary aluminium production, reaching 70.593 million tonnes by the end of December. South32, a diversified mining company, has set a new record for half-year aluminium production, driven by the strong performance of its Hillside Aluminium operation in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. The world primary aluminium production has recorded an annual increase of 2.25 per cent for 2023, reaching 70.593 million tonnes at the end of December, found the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). However, compared to the previous year, the growth rate has decreased in 2023. To know more:...
