The global aluminium extrusion landscape is undergoing a structural transition driven by industrial decarbonisation, global electrification, and the rapid deployment of clean energy infrastructure. Historically anchored by civil engineering and residential real estate, demand for extruded aluminium profiles in China, the world’s dominant manufacturing hub, is decoupling from traditional property sectors. Persistent structural weakness in China’s domestic construction market has slowed the consumption of conventional architectural profiles such as window frames, door sections, and curtain walls. Conversely, advanced industrial applications, specifically solar photovoltaic (PV) racking, battery energy storage systems (BESS), power grid modernisation, and electric vehicles (EVs), have...
Neuman Aluminium has upgraded a melting furnace at its Marktl headquarters in Austria, improving its ability to process low-density aluminium scrap for the production of aluminium slugs used in packaging and technical applications. The furnace retrofit comes as customers increasingly seek products with higher levels of post-consumer recycled (PCR) aluminium. By adapting its existing melting and recycling setup, Neuman aims to handle a wider range of challenging scrap streams while maintaining the quality requirements of impact-extruded aluminium products. Furnace retrofit strengthens aluminium recycling The project involved the refurbishment of an existing melting furnace and the installation of a Typhoon™ chip submersion system from Zmag. Neuman also renewed the furnace door system,...
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The governments of Singapore and Qatar are collaborating to enhance carbon footprint accounting in the aluminium industry. Enterprise Singapore (ESG) and Qatar's Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC) are leading efforts to implement cutting-edge technologies and frameworks to achieve this goal. About the initiatives This initiative supports the aluminium sector and sets a precedent for other industries to follow. Singaporean companies like #dltledgers are instrumental in this effort, providing the essential technological framework to achieve these goals through joint collaboration. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Qatar, play a pivotal role in global aluminium production. Qatar meets approximately 10 per cent of the world's aluminium demand and exports...
Africa’s primary aluminium production in April 2024 reflected a bearish trend compared to the previous month as well as year, found the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). The month-on-month decline in April 2024 brought Africa’s primary aluminium output close to the production volume in February at 121,000 tonnes. As per the data revealed by IAI, primary aluminium production in Africa during April 2024 was 122,000 tonnes, which reflected a monthly fall of 4,000 tonnes or 3.17 per cent from 126,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year basis, Africa’s aluminium output in April was even lower from 129,000 tonnes, marking a downfall of 7,000 tonnes or 5.43 per cent. The cumulative output of primary aluminium in Africa from January to April 2024 also stood lower than during the corresponding period...
Today, on May 28, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) aluminium benchmark price has inched up by US$29 per tonne or 1 per cent to anchor at US$2,923 per tonne. The most-traded SHFE 2407 aluminium contract opened at RMB 20,925 per tonne, reached a high of RMB 21,215 per tonne, a low of RMB 20,925 per tonne, and closed at RMB 21,160 per tonne, up RMB 160 per tonne or 0.76 per cent. London Metal Exchange market Due to the UK Spring Bank Holiday, the London Metal Exchange (LME) was closed on Monday (May 27) and will resume trading on Tuesday.
Liquid Death, the startup known for its innovative "murder your thirst" campaign, has secured $9 million in Series A funding. This round, led by Velvet Sea Ventures, brings the total funding to $11.25 million, with participation from notable investors like Jamie Siminoff and Sophia Amoruso. Liquid Death sells mountain water in tallboy aluminium cans, with a 12-pack priced at $18.99. The brand, co-founded by CEO Mike Cessario , aims to make water consumption exciting through edgy, heavy metal-inspired marketing. Cessario, a former creative director at VaynerMedia, emphasises the importance of branding in differentiating their product in the competitive beverage market. The brand is committed to sustainability, using aluminium cans made from over 70% recycled material. Aluminium, being...
Did you know that over 100 billion-plus aluminium cans are expected to be recycled every year? This indicates that a billion tonnes of recycled aluminium are still in use today! As per Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Scrap University Kids, a whopping 1.3 million empty aluminium beverage cans were collected during the first Million Cans Recycling contest. With the world moving rapidly towards reducing emissions to save the environment from further degradation, aluminium as a metal has proven to be better than the rest when it comes to being environmentally friendly . This competition, aimed at second—and third-grade students, took place from October 15, 2023, to May 16, 2024, challenging schools to recycle the most aluminium beverage cans . "The Million Cans Recycling Contest...
The latest data revealed by Marubeni Corporation, a prominent Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate, indicates a month-on-month and a year-on-year fall in aluminium stocks across the three major Japanese ports at the end of April 2024. There have been increasingly evident supply constraints in Japan, leading to declining stocks at the ports. In addition, strong demand in the domestic market contributed to bearish aluminium stocks. As a result, Japan’s aluminium premiums for the April-June quarter saw an uptick to $145-148 per tonne , compared to $90 per tonne during the January-March quarter. Nonetheless, the port inventories remained above 300,000 tonnes at the end of April, totalling 308,100 tonnes. However, on a month-on-month basis, the stocks stood 2.3 per...
In the rapidly evolving automotive industry, securing robust and reliable supply chains has become paramount, especially amidst rising geopolitical tensions. Tesla, the pioneer in electric vehicle (EV) innovation, is proactively addressing these concerns by reshaping its supply chain strategies. As the maker of the acclaimed Model Y electric crossover, Tesla is ensuring the continuity of its supply chain even as geopolitical tensions between China, Taiwan, and the United States intensify. According to a recent report by Nikkei Asia, Tesla has urged several suppliers to commence building components outside of China and Taiwan as early as next year. These components, including displays, electronic control units, and printed circuit boards, are vital for Tesla EVs marketed outside of China....
On Monday, May 27, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a state-owned Navratna CPSE under the Ministry of Mines, announced strong fiscal results for the fourth quarter and full year of FY2023-24, driven by a robust growth trajectory in production and sales. NALCO reported that its Q4 net profit recorded a two-fold jump of 101.5 per cent year-on-year, reaching INR 996.7 crore, surpassing the CNBC-TV18 poll’s prediction of INR 605 crore. During the corresponding quarter of the last financial year, NALCO’s net profit was INR 495 crore. However, the company’s revenue from operations dipped 2.5 per cent Y-o-Y in Q4 FY2024, amounting to INR 3,579 crore versus INR 3,671 crore, attributing to the lower benchmark prices of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. The three-month aluminium...
On Tuesday, May 28, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price gained RMB 150 per tonne to settle at RMB 21,030 per tonne. The spot contract price is expected to be traded at a discount of RMB 140 to RMB 100 per tonne. The average prices may orbit between RMB 21,010 per tonne and RMB 21,050 per tonne. Region wise price change As per the SMM data, the prices in Foshan, Wuxi and Hangzhou have hiked by RMB 140 per tonne to settle at RMB 20,960 per tonne, RMB 21,010 per tonne and RMB 21,020 per tonne. On the same day, in regions like Chongqing and Shenyang the domestic aluminium ingot price added RMB 120 per tonne to clock at RMB 20,970 per tonne and RMB 20,930 per tonne. In areas like Linyi and Tianjin, the aluminium ingot prices ascended by RMB 100 per tonne and RMB 70 per tonne to dock at RMB...
Harnessing over 30 years of experience, the German multinational manufacturer of Luxury vehicles, BMW Group, is a pioneer in additive manufacturing, commonly known as 3D printing. According to reports, BMW Group Plant Landshut has launched a new generation bionic robot gripper crafted through an innovative process utilising a sand casting mould filled with liquid aluminium. About the new bionic gripper These new aluminium robotic-grippers are 25 per cent lighter than its predecessor, allowing the entire CFRP roof (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) manufacturing process for the BMW M3 to be completed with just one robot instead of three. Currently, double grippers, individually manufactured through 3D printing within the BMW Group, are used for all CFRP roofs at the BMW Group Plant...
AMAG Austria Metall AG, the biggest company in the Austrian aluminium industry, is reportedly expanding its rooftop photovoltaic plant to double with the help of Energie AG, a modern and efficient energy and service group, in a bid to make a significant shift from using natural gas to green electricity for decarbonising Ranshofen aluminium production site. The expansion of the rooftop photovoltaic plant will start in June 2024 and is expected to be finished by the end of the year. Once done, it will be the largest rooftop photovoltaic plant in Austria. For the expansion, AMAG will install photovoltaic plant modules on six halls at the Ranshofen plant site, covering about 63,000 square metres of gross roof area, in addition to the existing area of 60,000 square metres. This means more than...
Hindalco Industries has reported impressive performance metrics for the January to March 2024 quarter, showcasing strong margins and volumes across its aluminium and copper business segments. The company's aluminium upstream earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) surged 24 per cent year-on-year, reaching INR 2,709 crores. This achievement is underscored by an industry-leading EBITDA margin of 32 per cent, a notable feat considering the significant rise in aluminium prices. Managing Director Satish Pai's strategic foresight shines through amid the current market volatility. He remains optimistic about the future, anticipating that aluminium prices will stabilise around $2,400 per tonne, as reported by CNBC-TV18. As of May 24, aluminium was priced at $2,598...
Canada-based Westlake Royal Building Products has unveiled an exclusive update to its Cedar Renditions aluminium siding line. The company is introducing two unique new colours: Burntwood, with a classic appeal and distinct stained woodgrain appearance, and Blonde Oak, a high-end option showcasing intricate multi-tonal woodgrain patterns. According to Westlake, Cedar Renditions is not just another product. It's a testament to our commitment to quality. Constructed from robust and recyclable aluminium, it boasts rust resistance, water resistance, resilience to cold conditions, and immunity to insects, guaranteeing an extended lifespan. Backed by a 25-year Prorated Limited Warranty, the product is conveniently accessible through selected distributors across North America. "Westlake Royal...
According to China customs data, the country’s domestic primary aluminium imports amounted to 218,500 tonnes in April 2024, down by 12.38 per cent M-o-M but up by 119 per cent Y-o-Y. Net imports were 206,300 tonnes – 115.2 per cent more than a year ago. From January to April 2024, China imported 939,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, which was significantly 192 per cent higher than in the same period last year. Net import volume in the first four months of the year was 925,000 tonnes, up 199.5 per cent Y-o-Y. Overall, in April 2024, import losses of SHFE aluminium spot persisted. Starting from mid-April, import loss expanded significantly, reaching RMB 3,122.2 per tonne. From April-end, the loss started narrowing but still remained above RMB 1,500 per tonne. China’s primary aluminium...
Founded by Robert Clifford, Incat Tasmania is a renowned Australian manufacturer of high-speed lightweight catamarans that has revolutionised maritime engineering. Incat specialises in high-speed, lightweight aluminium passenger vehicle ferries and is synonymous with innovation and sustainability. "The real focus has been on using aluminium because that gives us the lightweight product, which allows us to operate the vessels at a high speed. Our passion now is building the vessels for the future, which are going to meet the zero emissions and reduce the carbon footprint of the maritime sector around the world," added CEO Stephen Casey of Incat. Based in Derwent Park, Hobart, Incat boasts the largest covered shipyard in the southern hemisphere. This facility, which includes five large...
From May 17 to 21, the 8 th China-Russia Expo was successfully held at the Harbin International Congress and Exhibition Centre. It is included in the list of major events organised in China in connection with the 75 th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries. Within the framework of the China-Russia Expo, issues of trade, economic and investment cooperation, as well as the expansion of ties between Russian and Chinese companies were discussed. RUSAL, a global leader in the aluminium industry, significantly impacted the 8 th China-Russia Expo. The company's booth, a hub of activity, attracted over 2,000 visitors in just four days. RUSAL's showcase featured its cutting-edge technological innovations and their practical applications across various...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s average alumina spot price has jumped by RMB 33 per tonne over the weekend to stand at RMB 3,878 per tonne as of May 27. This latest hike has marked China’s domestic alumina price above a 2-year high. In Lianyungang and Bayuquan, alumina spot price has soared by RMB 85 per tonne to reach RMB 3,955 per tonne and RMB 3,965 per tonne, respectively, followed by a rise of RMB 40 per tonne in Shandong to RMB 3,860 per tonne. In Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou, and Guangxi, alumina price has unanimously increased by RMB 30 per tonne to start the week at RMB 3,870 per tonne, RMB 3,885 per tonne, RMB 3,875 per tonne, and RMB 3,910 per tonne, found SMM. The Australian alumina FOB price has also increased over the weekend after remaining restrained...
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,608.5 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,675 per tonne and a low of US$2,603 per tonne, and closed at US$2,658 per tonne, up US$36.5 per tonne or 1.39 per cent. On Friday, May 24, the LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$48 per tonne, or 1.88 per cent, to US$2,598 per tonne and US$2,599 per tonne, respectively. As per the LME data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by US$47 per tonne or 1.80 per cent and US$47.5 per tonne or 1.82 per cent to stand at US$2,649 per tonne and US$2,650 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price gained US$48 per tonne or 1.76 per cent to halt at US$2,768 per tonne and US$2,773 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came...
