Constellium’s plans to expand aluminium recycling in the European Union could be put on hold if the region fails to secure enough aluminium scrap, with exports to overseas markets contributing to a shortage of raw material for European producers. The company is reviewing aluminium recycling projects across its packaging, automotive and aerospace divisions. CEO Ingrid Joerg told Reuters that the projects could be larger or smaller than the EUR 130 million (USD 148.82 million) recycling expansion at Constellium’s Neuf-Brisach plant in France. “We have several recycling projects in the pipeline that we are investigating. But if there’s no scrap, they’re not going to happen,” Joerg said. EU aluminium scrap policy under scrutiny The availability of aluminium scrap has become a key concern for...
Metlen Energy & Metals PLC is investing EUR 25 million in its recycled aluminium production facility EP.AL.ME. in Greece, targeting higher processing capacity and greater use of complex aluminium scrap streams. The investment will fund automated sorting, processing and melting equipment at EP.AL.ME., which Metlen describes as Greece’s largest independent recycled aluminium producer. The project will allow the facility to process more complex scrap, including post-consumer aluminium recovered from end-of-life products. The expansion will connect EP.AL.ME. more closely with Metlen’s Aluminium of Greece facility. EP.AL.ME. will manage the collection, sorting and pre-processing of aluminium scrap, while Aluminium of Greece will provide the production scale needed to incorporate recycled metal...
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In May 2024, the world's primary aluminium production experienced a month-on-month increase of 3.86 per cent to repossess the 6 million tonnes level. This monthly growth in May followed a decline in April by 3 per cent from 6.089 million tonnes to 5.906 million tonnes. According to the latest data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute, the global primary aluminium production in May amounted to 6.134 million tonnes, the highest in the past five months and up 3.44 per cent from 5.93 million tonnes a year ago. The daily average production in May was 197,900 tonnes, an increase of 0.51 per cent from 196,900 tonnes in April and up by 3.45 per cent from 191,300 tonnes in May 2023. From January to May 2024, the world's primary aluminium production totalled 29.901 million tonnes,...
The Bui reservoir in Ghana is now home to the continent's largest floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project. This remarkable achievement underscores Ghana's commitment to sustainable solutions and sets a precedent for the region facing escalating environmental challenges. The 5-megawatt floating solar PV system, now operational at the Bui generating station, represents a remarkable engineering achievement. Ghana has effectively utilised existing infrastructure without encroaching on land or disrupting natural habitats by harnessing the sun's energy on water. Ghana's power generation history has evolved significantly over time. Initially relying on diesel generators and independent electricity systems owned by industrial mines and factories, the country transitioned into the hydroelectric...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey on June 21, A00 aluminium ingot price in China has suffered a loss of RMB 40 per tonne after two consecutive days of rise, settling at RMB 20,410 per tonne at the end of the week. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 20390-20430 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 80-40 per tonne. The price of A00 aliminum ingot price has seen a downfall across all the regions of China. In Lin Yi region, the price has dropped mostly by RMB 90 per tonne, amounting to RMB 20360 per tonne. In Foshan, Hang Zhou, Chong Qing, Shen Yang, and Tian Jin, A00 aluminium ingot price has dropped by RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 20,230, 20,410, 20,320, 20,360, and 20,790 per tonne. China’s low carbon aluminium price has...
At the beginning of June 2024, Japanese transport ministry officials initiated an on-site investigation at Toyota Motor's headquarters after discovering irregularities in the company's certification applications for certain vehicle models. The fallout from the certification test scandal, which originated at Toyota's Daihatsu compact car unit, has broadened to impact other Japanese automakers. This follows the ministry's mandate for industry-wide reviews of certification practices. Toyota, Mazda, Honda, Suzuki, and Yamaha Motor have all admitted to submitting flawed or manipulated data in their vehicle certification applications, as reported by Reuters. According to a ministry official, Toyota, Japan's largest automaker, was the first to undergo a ministry inspection, with the other four...
On Thursday, June 20, three-month LME aluminium contract opened at US$2,493 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,525.50 per tonne and a low of US$2,491 per tonne, and closed at US$2,521 per tonne, up US$31.50 per tonne, an increase of 1.27 per cent. On the same day, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price expanded for the second consecutive day by US$15.50 per tonne and US$16 per tonne, respectively, to stand at US$2,460 per tonne and US$2,461 per tonne. However, despite the back-to-back increase, the LME aluminium benchmark price stood week-on-week down by US$37 per tonne or 1.48 per cent from US$2,498 per tonne and even lower by US$107 per tonne or 4.2 per cent from US$2,568 per tonne. On June 20, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also increased,...
RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, officially registered its first two technological climate projects in the Russian Carbon Units Registry. The projects aim to enhance energy efficiency at RUSAL's Ural alumina facilities and target a total reduction in emissions of approximately 1 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalent. The move follows the issuance of RUSAL's inaugural carbon units under Russia's first nature-based climate project aligned with the Paris Agreement. Alumina production accounts for a large share of the aluminium industry's greenhouse gas emissions. RUSAL's initiatives aim to continuously enhance energy efficiency throughout the entire technological chain of Ural's alumina factory, which is in line with the Company's updated Sustainable Development strategy...
China's progressive transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, harnessed from sunlight and water for power generation, is instilling a sense of optimism. This shift, by the world's largest polluter, is a promising step towards achieving net-zero emissions, offering a beacon of hope for the global environment. Encouragingly, the usage of thermal power, which accounts for a lion's share of China's carbon footprint, was reduced by 4.3 per cent in May from the previous year, the most significant drop since 2022. Instead, thermal power was largely replaced by hydroelectricity. In May, hydropower generation in China surged 39 per cent after heavy rains fed a recovery in Southwest China's Yunnan province, one of the world's largest hydropower-producing regions. Output from large solar...
The UK-based EV startup Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) has recently unveiled a new lightweight modular EV architecture titled PACES. WEVC presents PACES as a versatile bonded aluminium platform easily adapted to various sizes and shapes for low-volume passenger EVs. The platform accommodates FWD, RWD, and AWD powertrain configurations, employing an innovative assembly method called FlexTech. This technique interlocks and bonds flat, laser-cut pieces, avoiding the use of complex and costly corner castings typically found in large-volume aluminium skateboard platforms. About PACES This new lightweight modular EV architecture is designed to support a variety of low-to-medium-volume vehicle designs, including sports coupes, off-road buggies, and rideshare vehicles. Committed to...
South32 proudly announces the Soil Shift open innovation challenge in collaboration with Unearthed! The globally diversified mining and metals company headquartered in Perth, Western Australia, South32's mission is to discover innovative methods for delivering high-quality soils while rehabilitating its mined assets. Join South32 in shaping the future of sustainable mining. Soil and subsoil, crucial for successfully rehabilitating mined assets as they transition into closure activities, are not just a local concern. The establishment of vegetation, a vital part of this rehabilitation, is often hindered by a shortage of soil or reduced soil quality. This challenge is prevalent globally, as the rehabilitated areas typically exceed the original footprint from which topsoil was extracted...
According to the latest data revealed by the Iranian Mines and Mining Distribution Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), Iran’s aluminium ingot production during the first two months of FY2024-2025 (March 20-May 21) saw a slight drop of 0.44 per cent year-on-year. From 112,767 tonnes in April and May 2023, Iran’s primary aluminium production grew to 112,273 tonnes this year. Based on IMIDRO’s data, among the country’s four major producers, South Aluminum Corporation contributed the highest to the two-month aluminium ingot production. The company produced 47,002 tonnes of primary metal, followed by the Iranian Aluminium Company, which produced 31,122 tonnes. Almahdi Aluminum Company and Iran Alumina Company, the third and the fourth largest producer of primary aluminium in...
In the ever-evolving landscape of defence, where speed, agility, and resilience define the edge between victory and defeat, aluminium emerges as a silent but formidable ally. Renowned for its lightweight yet robust nature, aluminium is revolutionising a wide array of defence applications—from the construction of agile aircraft and resilient naval vessels to the development of cutting-edge armoured vehicles and advanced weaponry. Its unique properties—lightweight, high strength, and resistance to harsh environments—make it an essential material, transforming military capabilities and redefining the landscape of defence technology. The first military use of aluminium dates back to 1892, when the French government employed it for their torpedo boats. The U.S. Army soon followed, albeit with...
Lorin Industries Inc., a renowned global manufacturer specialising in coil anodised aluminium, celebrated the grand opening of its latest batch anodising line with a ceremony. The event, held at Lorin's expansive 400,000 sq. ft. facility in Muskegon, MI, featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony by Lorin's President, Park Kersman. Lorin Industries provides coil anodised aluminium, manufactured exclusively in the USA and used in various industries, including architecture and construction. After a construction period spanning over a year, the new batch production line is now fully operational. This development marks a significant enhancement in Lorin's capabilities, aimed at catering to diverse industries such as architecture, automotive, aerospace, military, toys, medical devices, and consumer...
During January-May 2024, China witnessed a positive trend of aluminium raw material and aluminium product imports, as demonstrated by the Shanghai Metals Market’s latest survey. Considering raw materials, China’s bauxite and alumina imports grew in May due to the growing demand for primary metal production, as many smelters, especially in Yunnan, resumed operations because of the increased generation of hydropower backed by sufficient rainfall. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s primary aluminium production in May reached 3.65 million tonnes, marking a 2-year high. China is increasingly depending on imported ore as domestic supply lines are struggling. At the end of May, out of 100 million tonnes, China’s operating capacity stood at 82.29 million tonnes, with an...
Gränges Americas is making significant strides to reduce its carbon footprint by seeking out low-carbon primary aluminium to produce its aluminium solutions. This initiative is part of the company's broader commitment to mitigate climate impact across its entire value chain, encompassing operational practices and material procurement. Gränges has set ambitious long-term climate goals for 2030 and 2040, validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), ensuring alignment with the latest climate science. Central to these goals is the strategic increase in recycling and the procurement of low-carbon primary aluminium. Through strategic alliances with major suppliers such as Rio Tinto and Alcoa, Gränges Americas has secured access to third-party verified low-carbon primary aluminium....
Italian authorities are planning to implement a comprehensive package of measures to enhance procurement and reprocessing of critical raw materials, according to a draft decree reviewed by Reuters and reported by Mining.com. This initiative, championed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's administration, underscores a strategic shift towards reducing dependency on imports, particularly from countries such as China. Key among the measures is streamlined permitting procedures designed to expedite the release of mining concessions, facilitating greater domestic extraction of essential materials. This policy shift reflects the government's commitment to bolstering local industries and securing a more self-reliant economic future. Italy estimates it can domestically source 16 out of the 34 raw...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot price has mirrored the same growth as the previous day. It has increased by RMB 50 per tonne to reach RMB 20,450 per tonne, marking the second consecutive day of rise. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 20,430-20,470 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a discount of RMB 70-30 per tonne. Even after the second day of rise, the price of A00 aluminium ingot has continued to demonstrate a downtrend compared with RMB 20,660 per tonne on June 13 and RMB 20,860 per tonne on May 20. Thus, on a week-on-week basis, the domestic price has recorded a fall of 1.02 per cent, and on a month-on-month basis, the price has registered a decline of 1.97 per cent. Among the Chinese provinces,...
On the previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,495 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,520 per tonne, a low of US$2,484 per tonne, and closed at US$2,489.5 per tonne, down US$6 per tonne, a decrease of 0.24 per cent. On Wednesday, June 19, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by US$17.5 per tonne or 0.72 per cent to clock at US$2,444.50 per tonne and US$2,445 per tonne. This rise was driven by short covering after recent declines caused by disappointing industrial output figures from China. As per the LME price graph, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price gained US$21 per tonne or 0.86 per cent and US$20 per tonne or 0.80 per cent to halt at US$2,502 per tonne and US$2,503 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price...
Have you blocked your calendar for Asia's biggest trade show for the aluminium industry and its ancillary sectors? Yes, we mean Aluminium China, and if you're yet to plan for it, here's a gentle reminder! Aluminium China, bringing industry stalwarts under one roof, is set to occur on July 3-5, 2024, at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. As a Media Partner of the event, AL Circle is thrilled to say that Aluminium China 2024 will be nothing less than a star-studded show with the graceful presence of global aluminium companies located within or outside China. About exhibitors From primary aluminium producers to semi-fabricated manufacturers, from technology providers to industry associates, Aluminium China 2024 will accommodate about 600 domestic and international exhibitors. Among...
