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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In Mexico City, the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship embarks on a dual race - one on the track, featuring fully electric competition, and the other off the track, symbolising Mexico's pursuit of the energy transition. Mexico’s transition to sustainable energy Mexico's dedication to advancing its shift towards sustainable energy is unmistakably evident in the high-stakes event set to unfold at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City on January 13. This marks the commencement of the tenth fully electric season of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, a showcase of zero-carbon motorsport. Mexico stands at the forefront of efforts to decarbonise transportation as a global leader in vehicle production and a focal point for the burgeoning electric vehicle and battery plant...
This week, the end-user sector of the aluminium industry witnessed a lot of important events. To begin with, Ball Corporation announced the impending closure of its aluminium can manufacturing facility in Kent (operated under Rexam Beverage Can Company). The closure is anticipated to result in the discontinuation of 121 positions in the Puget Sound area, with the termination process slated to commence on February 29. As per a London-based Price Reporting Agency regulated by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) and specializing in information for the lithium-ion battery to electric vehicle supply chain, Morocco is poised to enhance its international position as a cathode producer. Supernal, Hyundai's air mobility division, is gearing up to introduce its S-A2...
Aluminium, a versatile and lightweight metal, has seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of pop culture, making appearances in unexpected places. From blockbuster films to iconic structures, let's explore 13 instances where aluminium has left its mark in the realm of popular culture. Iron Man's suit: Tony Stark's high-tech Iron Man suit, featured prominently in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, incorporates aluminium alloys for their strength and lightness. "Star Wars" and Star Trek" series: In the vast universe of Star Wars, spacecraft, droids, and various technological components often feature metallic designs. Similarly, the Starfleet ships in the "Star Trek" franchise often have futuristic designs that may incorporate metallic elements, including aluminium. Aluminium in fashion: In...
On January 12, 2024, Norwegian aluminium giant Hydro announced that 20 employees at a Swedish plant are at risk of potential job loss due to a dispute between the IF Metall labour union and electric vehicle manufacturer Tesla. In November 2023, unionised workers at Hydro Extrusions Vetlanda halted the production of components for Tesla vehicles in solidarity with Swedish mechanics seeking a collective bargaining agreement with the American automaker. The Vetlanda plant operated by Hydro, employing approximately 600 individuals, has been actively securing alternative employment for workers engaged in the conflict since November. However, the company spokesperson revealed that continuing this practice is no longer feasible. Subsequently, negotiations will commence with labour union...
On January 12, 2024, Shandong Hongchuang Aluminium Industry announced the appointment of Yang Congsen as its new Chairman, as stated in a filing. During a meeting on January 11, 2024, Yang, formerly a director, was elected unanimously and will now lead the company's three-member strategy committee. According to the company's statement, Yang has served in leadership positions at Hongchuang and its affiliated companies. On December 27, 2023, for personal reasons, Zhao Qianfang stepped down from the position of Chairman of Shandong Hongchuang Aluminium Industry.
The primary aluminium sector has been packed with several significant advancements this week. PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Persero), or Inalum, is about to expand its aluminium smelter in Kuala Tanjung, North Sumatra and initiate the second act in the Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery (SGAR) in Mempawah, West Kalimantan. The expansion will increase the aluminium smelter's capacity to 600,000 tonnes, and the SGAR plant's alumina production capacity will reach 3 million tonnes per year, up from 1 million. Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is preparing to auction off equipment from its old power plants, PS1 and PS2, in Aska, Bahrain. The auction will be hosted by public auction specialist Mazad. There has been a significant change in the origin of aluminium stored in the London Metal Exchange (LME)...
The Eurasian Economic Commission, spearheaded by the Department of Internal Market Protection, issued Notice No. 2023/386/AD24R1 on December 27, 2023, announcing the commencement of the first anti-dumping sunset review investigation on aluminium alloy wheels originating in China, in response to requests from enterprises of the Eurasian Economic Union. This investigation is pursuant to Order No. 11 of the Department of Internal Market Protection of the Eurasian Economic Commission dated December 22, 2023. The investigation pertains to aluminium alloy wheels with a diameter between 13 (inclusive) and 20 inches (inclusive), a maximum load of 1150 kg, and a central aperture not exceeding 131 mm. The products under scrutiny are those falling under the EAEU tax codes 8708 70 500 1 and 8708 70...
The Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena announced a significant milestone in their sustainability journey, extending heartfelt gratitude to fans, concertgoers, and partners for their active participation. They managed to divert around 3 million pounds of waste from landfills, out of which around one million pounds were composed of materials like aluminium, cardboard, plastics, glass, and more. Nearly one million pounds of food and organic material were collected, underlining a commitment to eco-friendly practices. Within this remarkable accomplishment, the downtown Atlanta venue, recognized with the prestigious TRUE Platinum certification in April 2022, stands out as a trailblazer in the sports and live entertainment industry. TRUE Platinum certification is awarded to entities achieving...
In a monumental stride toward enhancing aluminium cold rolling capabilities, Primetals Technologies has secured an order from Hulamin, South Africa's foremost aluminium semi-fabricator. The project, centred in Pietermaritzburg, targets the augmentation of the current cold rolling mill. This strategic upgrade involves the incorporation of hot edge inductors, an innovative solution to combat strip issues, particularly tight edges. The hot edge inductor system, a brainchild of Primetals Technologies, functions by applying heat to the work rolls at the strip edge position. This elevated roll temperature, beyond the strip width, extends the rolls' thermal camber. The result is an improved control over the strip edge shape, mitigating the risk of strip breakage attributed to tight edges....
Volvo Cars is on a mission to reshape its sustainability strategy, unveiling ambitious targets for 2030 and 2040. The company is making strides in electrification and accentuating its commitment to biodiversity. Volvo showcases how they are steering towards a greener and more sustainable future in the recently published press release. 2030 Milestone: Fully electric and circular business vision By 2030, Volvo Cars aspires to be a fully electric car company, concurrently striving for a 75 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions per car compared to its 2018 baseline. The company envisions achieving this by combining the sale of fully electric cars with a 30 per cent reduction in emissions from its supply chain and operations. Volvo Cars plans to attain 100 per cent green debt or...
In March 2023, Mercedes-Benz laid the allegorical foundation stone for its innovative battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, a strategic move towards sustainable practices. This forward-thinking initiative, backed by an unspecified but significant investment in the double-digit million euro range, aligns with the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection's commitment to environmental research. The collaborative effort, aptly named 'LiBinfinity,' sees Mercedes partnering with industry stalwarts like Primobius, the SMS Group, and research institutes. Their shared goal is to pioneer a groundbreaking hydrometallurgical process, aiming for an impressive 96% recovery rate of crucial battery materials, including lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Overview of the lithium-ion...
For over 25 years, Rhenus Weserport Bremen has been renowned for its expertise and professionalism in the transhipment of diverse goods and materials. However, in a recent and strategic alliance with Nabaltec AG, Rhenus Weserport is embarking on significantly expanding its existing railway infrastructure. This augmentation aims to fortify the rail loading facility in Germany's southernmost seaport, facilitating the efficient shipment of imported aluminium hydroxide and aluminium oxide. Expected launch of the railroad facility The anticipated launch of the new system is set for the conclusion of 2024. With the expansions to the terminal and the implementation of the automated rail loading system, Nabaltec is poised to achieve its goal of shipping between 70,000 and 140,000 tonnes of...
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has officially declared that Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc. is now certified by the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022). The China-based company has successfully certified its facility in the Banan District, Chongqing. SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services conducted the independent third-party audit of Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc.'s facility. "We congratulate Chongqing Millison Technologies Inc. on achieving Performance Standard Certification V3 (2022). The company's ASI Certification provides them with a benchmark against industry-leading ESG criteria, and is an important step in the journey towards the implementation of more responsible production approaches," said Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of the Aluminium Stewardship...
Tesla, a commendable force in electric vehicles (EVs), faces a disruption in its car production at the Gruenheide factory near Berlin. The halt, from Jan. 29 to Feb. 11, stems from the Red Sea crisis, with Iranian-backed Houthi militants targeting vessels, causing a shift in transport routes. This crisis has impacted Europe's largest economy, affecting the supply chains of various industries, including the EV sector. The Red Sea conflict has created considerable challenges for Tesla, which is heavily reliant on lightweight aluminium components from Asia, particularly China, for its EV production. The company's dependence on China for battery components transported to Europe through the Red Sea exposes it to constant production risks. Analysts, such as Sam Fiorani from AutoForecast...
Colorado-based beverage packaging giant Ball Corporation is set to close its aluminium can manufacturing facility in Kent (Rexam Beverage Can Company), as disclosed in a filing with the state of Washington. The closure, outlined in a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification on Dec. 28, is expected to lead to the termination of 121 jobs in the Puget Sound area starting Feb. 29. The decision to close the plant, initially revealed in a Nov. 1 earnings call, follows Ball Corp's failure to meet third-quarter sales targets, citing a slowdown in demand as one of the contributing factors. CEO Daniel Fisher explained during the call that the Kent closure forms part of a broader strategy to trim raw and finished goods inventory, anticipating savings of approximately $20 million for the company...
In the crucible of the aluminium industry, where molten dreams of progress and innovation are cast, Russia's juggernaut, Rusal, stands as an imposing titan beyond the shadow of China. A recent blaze at the Krasnoyarsk smelter, a pivotal bastion in Rusal's colossal arsenal, briefly threatened the symphony of production that yielded 3.8 million metric tonnes of aluminium in the annals of 2022. The Krasnoyarsk smelter, a colossus contributing a formidable 1.0 million tonnes to Rusal's grand tapestry, faced the tempest of a fire at its core—a transformer ablaze in the crucible of industrial progress. Three months prior, a similar inferno had danced upon the same stage, drawing attention to the precarious dance with fire that the industry occasionally engages in. Yet, in the face of adversity,...
Shandong Ganquan Import and Export Co., Ltd. stands tall as a powerhouse in the realm of aluminium and steel and has recently joined AL Biz, the world's 1st B2B online marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers across the entire aluminium value chain. Established in March 2010, the company has evolved into a prominent enterprise, focusing primarily on coating products, aluminium alloy processing, and producing diverse aluminium profiles. Comprehensive aluminium offerings Specialising in aluminium profiles, coils, foils, and plates, Shandong Ganquan Import and Export Co. boasts an extensive inventory spanning 1-series to 7-series aluminium alloys. Their offerings include: Pure aluminium plates. Alumina plates. Mirror aluminium plates. Brushed aluminium plates. Alloy hard...
China's average alumina spot price has expanded by RMB 7 per tonne, officially closing at RMB 3,334 per tonne, while the alumina price in Shandong has augmented by RMB 20 per tonne to rest at RMB 3,200 per tonne. The alumina price in Guizhou has levitated by RMB 15 per tonne to stop at RMB 3,315 per tonne, and the alumina price in Guangxi has ascended by RMB 10 per tonne to halt at RMB 3,370 per tonne. The CIF Index of Import Bauxite price has deflected US$0.10 per tonne to close at US$70 per tonne. Reason for the sudden alumina price surge The explosion at an oil terminal in Conakry, the capital of Guinea, caused a 30% jump in the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) price for the product that sits between bauxite and metal in the primary aluminium production chain. Guinea is a significant...
