The United States discards more than USD 1 billion worth of aluminium cans into landfill each year even as it pays record prices to import the metal, according to Greyparrot, the London-based developer of AI-powered waste intelligence. The company says the lost cans represent about 11 million megawatt-hours of wasted energy annually. Data from Greyparrot’s Analyzer systems running above the sorting line at Circular Services’ Sunset Park material recovery facility (MRF) in Brooklyn, New York, shows that 89 per cent of aluminium is recoverable once it reaches the belt. The facility processes roughly 91,000 cans per day—about 514 tonnes per year—and recovers nearly nine in ten of the cans that cross its sorting lines. Greyparrot says its findings, timed for Climate Week NYC (20–27...
Oklahoma Primary Aluminum has released a new economic impact study for its proposed USD 4 billion primary aluminium facility at the Tulsa Port of Inola, projecting a cumulative USD 49 billion contribution to the state’s economy through 2060. The study, prepared by Regional Economic Models Inc, describes the project as a “generational economic anchor” for northeastern Oklahoma, with thousands of jobs, higher household income and significant annual additions to state and national GDP. It was published as the developers face a local construction moratorium, a planned referendum and ongoing environmental and legal reviews. Scale and economic impact The joint venture between Emirates Global Aluminium and Century Aluminum says the 750,000-metric-tonne-per-year smelter would: Generate...
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More than 130 hectares of land previously used for bauxite mining are set to be repurposed in Đắk Nông province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The plan includes establishing resettlement areas for households who lost their land due to bauxite mining and implementing advanced agricultural practices. The proposal was initiated following a report submitted by the Đắk Nông Aluminium Company, a subsidiary of Việt Nam National Coal - Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited, to the Evaluation Council of the Mineral Mining Closure Project under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The report concerns relinquishing a portion of the land utilized for bauxite ore extraction at the Nhân Cơ bauxite mine . This mine is situated within the administrative boundaries of several...
Rio Tinto, the world's second-largest metals and mining corporation, has donated $1.5 million to the Icelandic Red Cross to aid the Grindavík community and its people, which has endured months of volcanic activity. The ISAL aluminium smelter team has shown remarkable care and solidarity, coming forward when it matters most. Grindavík Mayor Fannar Jónasson stated, "We would like to thank Rio Tinto for this initiative and this generous donation. The ISAL team has shown us great care and solidarity, stepping up to the plate when we need it most. We do not control the course of natural forces, but this kind of support helps us deal with their consequences and the pressing issues facing our community at present." About the volcanic eruption Since December, relentless eruptions have had a...
According to a report on April 18, United States President Joe Biden has tripled the current 7.5 per cent tariff on Chinese aluminium and steel imports and is putting pressure on Mexico to prevent China from shipping metals to the United States via Mexican ports. In response to this move, the White House said in a statement, "President Biden knows that steel is the backbone of the American economy. American workers in the steel and aluminium industries face a significant challenge from Chinese exports of steel and aluminium." Last year, Chinese aluminium and steel exports to the United States were valued at US$1.7 billion. Mining giant Rio Tinto pointed out that China's domestic steel demand stood stagnant in early 2024 and so its exports rose 30 per cent year-on-year during the first two...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,570 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,620 per tonne and US$2,561.50 per tonne respectively before closing at US$2,610 per tonne, up US$23 per tonne or 0.89 per cent. The London Metal Exchange graph registered ascending prices on April 18, with the LME aluminium cash bid and the LME aluminium official price gaining US$19.50 per tonne or 0.75 per cent and US$19 per tonne or 0.74 per cent to close at US$2,599.50 per tonne and US$2,600 per tonne, respectively. Nonferrous metals prices surged on Friday, driven by concerns over Russian metal supply following sanctions. London aluminium saw its sixth consecutive weekly gain, rising 1.4 per cent to US$2,652 per tonne. The ban by the LME on Russian metal produced after April 13, in...
On Friday, April 19, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price gained RMB 120 per tonne to clock at RMB 20,340 per tonne, with the spot contract price expected to be traded at a discount price of RMB 80 per tonne to RMB 40 per tonne. The domestic aluminium ingot price shot up by RMB 1090 per tonne or 5.66 per cent M-o-M from RMB 19,250 per tonne recorded on March 19. As of today, the average prices may hover between RMB 20,320 per tonne and RMB 20,360 per tonne. On the same day, the prices in Gongyi, Wuxi, and Hangzhou expanded by RMB 120 per tonne to settle at RMB 20,290 per tonne and RMB 20,340 per tonne. In Chongqing and Shenyang, the price of A00 aluminium ingots has hiked by RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 20,320 per tonne. In Foshan, Linyi, and Tianjin, the prices have grown by RMB 90 per tonne,...
According to the latest annual data, companies in the US metal fabrication sector increased their R&D investment by 26.4 per cent compared to the previous year. This growth is 2.5 times higher than the average across US sectors*. As the industry looks to improve efficiency, cover skill gaps, and challenge market competition, companies in the sector invested a total of $4.3 billion in R&D, up from $3.6 billion the previous year. This is in the top 10 highest YoY increase of all US sectors. The analysis finds the recent surge is part of sustained investment in innovation from the sector — there’s been a 91.7 per cent rise in R&D investment over the last 5 years, and a 131.6 per cent increase over the decade. The research, collated by R&D tax credit specialists GOAT.tax, analyses up to 10...
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and evolving market landscapes, the global aluminium industry stands at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today, we are thrilled to announce the launch of " Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024 ". This e-magazine publication is a testament to the thriving landscape of the global aluminium industry, capturing the pulse of an ever-evolving sector. AL Circle's e-Magazine, "Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024" , represents a pivotal moment for industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to converge, exchange ideas, and explore the latest trends shaping the future of aluminium production, consumption, and sustainability. Industry thought leaders and visionaries have shared their insights on a variety of topics, including: Advancements in...
Ducab Metals Business (DMB), a UAE-based copper and aluminium solutions provider, has reportedly unveiled its new Green Aluminium Rod, produced using recycled aluminium in compliance with the EU's CBAM regulation. The production of DMB's Green Aluminium Rod requires significantly less energy than primary aluminium and emits only 0.5 tonnes of CO2-equivalents per tonne (approx.), reflecting DMB's commitment to turning the aluminium industry into green economy. DMB also follows a zero-waste philosophy and practices sustainable sourcing to contribute to the aluminium industry's broader environmental and sustainable goals. By using recycled aluminium for its new product, DMB has set new benchmarks for environmental responsibility within the sector. Recycled aluminium, the key raw material of...
Four prominent flat-rolled aluminium manufacturers, members of the European Aluminium Packaging Group (EAPG)—Constellium, Elval, Novelis, and Speira—have agreed to collaborate on a standardisation initiative to enhance the recycled content levels of beverage cans. This initiative is geared towards significantly reducing carbon emissions. The primary focus lies in increasing the recyclability of can ends. Currently, aluminium beverage cans contain two different aluminium alloys for the body, and the can end. While the aluminium used for the can body already boasts a high recycled content and supports exceptional recyclability, there remains untapped sustainability potential concerning the can end. About the project The project's central objective is to investigate alternative alloys that...
Aluminium is pivotal in advancing modern technologies to facilitate the transition to sustainable energy. However, its significance comes with a caveat: the substantial emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) on a global scale. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), aluminium production alone contributes approximately 3 per cent of GHG emissions, totalling around 270 tonnes. As the world shifts towards cleaner energy sources, the demand for aluminium is poised to surge dramatically by up to 40 per cent by 2030. In recent years, a global movement towards carbon neutrality has gained momentum, with countries worldwide revising their policies and strategies to achieve these goals. This movement is accompanied by a dynamic surge in electric vehicle adoption and a thriving investment...
China customs data showed that the country's bauxite imports from January to February 2024 totalled 24.4794 million tonnes, reflecting an annual increase of 4 per cent. In individual months, China imported 13.2019 million tonnes and11.2775 million tonnes of bauxite. The import in January was 11.24 per cent up month-on-month and 7.15 per cent higher year-on-year, while the import in February edged a month-on-month fall of 14.58 per cent but grew 0.53 per cent year-on-year. Sources of imports Guinea, being the highest supplier of bauxite to China, provided 9.2859 million tonnes in January, which was 12.95 per cent up M-o-M and 1.52 per cent up Y-o-Y. From Australia, China imported 3.4759 million tonnes – 9.66 per cent higher M-o-M and 50.89 per cent more than in the previous year. From...
On Thursday, April 18, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price ascended by US$60 per tonne to clock at US$20,220 per tonne, with the spot contract price expected to be traded at a discount price of RMB 100 to RMB 60 per tonne. The average prices may orbit between RMB 20,200 per tonne and RMB 20,240 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the prices in Linyi and Tianjin have hiked by RMB 90 per tonne and RMB 80 per tonne to arrive at RMB 20,300 per tonne and RMB 20,270 per tonne. The A00 aluminium ingot prices in Shenyang and Foshan have grown by RMB 70 per tonne, settling at RMB 20,170 per tonne and RMB 20,220 per tonne. In Chongqing and Gongyi, the prices have risen by RMB 60 per tonne, reaching RMB 20,220 per tonne and RMB 20,170 per tonne. The prices in Wuxi and Hangzhou have added RMB 50 per tonne...
Constellium has declared its coal-fired power station shutdown at its Singen facility in Germany, marking the culmination of the company's worldwide shift away from coal utilisation. Constellium's plant at Singen is an aluminium manufacturing plant with over 1,500 employees. With its integrated hot/cold rolling line, high-grade cold mills, and one of the largest extrusion presses in the world, the Singen plant is one of Constellium's largest sites. This facility serves the automotive market for structural components and auto body sheets and other markets for special surface applications and packaging. In 2024, the Singen facility has finalised its transition to natural gas, foreseeing a decrease in direct greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 per cent from 2021 to 2025. This move...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,550 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,597 per tonne and US$2,549 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,570 per tonne, up US$10.5 per tonne or 0.41 per cent. LME aluminium prices witnessed a notable growth yesterday, propelled by the ongoing sanctions on Russian metals. These sanctions are designed to cut off a significant revenue stream for Russia, which has been supporting its military activities in Ukraine through metal exports. As per the LME data, on Wednesday, April 17, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$69 per tonne or 2.74 per cent to peg at US$2,580 per tonne and US$2,581 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also expanded by US$29 per...
On April 17, 2024, Constellium announced that its Issoire facility in France received the ‘Accredited Supplier’ award from Airbus, the highest recognition in the Airbus Supply Chain & Quality Improvement (SQIP) program. Constellium is a global leader in developing and manufacturing high-value-added aluminium products and solutions and in aluminium recycling. Constellium has been honoured with its inaugural receipt of this award, recognising exceptional achievements in product quality, delivery efficiency, project enhancements, seamless adaptation to production scaling, and robust industrial expertise. Philippe Hoffmann, the President of the Aerospace and Transportation business unit at Constellium, said, “Being recognised by Airbus is an immense honour, as our team continuously strives to...
As the world travels toward a greener future, sustainable initiatives are on the rise. Throughout the last few months, there have been incredible sustainability-aligned advancements in the aluminium industry at large. This article charts such noble green drives spread across the entire aluminium value chain. All of these activities have been brilliantly planned so that the global call for net zero by 2050 can be realised with ease and sophistication. Norsk Hydro secures renewable energy future with Statkraft partnership Norsk Hydro has embarked on an extended power purchase agreement (PPA) with Statkraft through its clean energy division, Hydro Energi AS. The contract is valid from May 2024 to December 2027 and includes the delivery of 1.28 TWh. The partnership amplifies Norsk Hydro's...
The e-Magazine " ALuminium LeaderSpeak 2024 " by AL Circle delves into the development of technology in the aluminium sector. Aluminium, renowned for its versatility and lightweight nature, stands as a cornerstone in numerous industries, owing to its remarkable properties. As we gaze into the future, a multitude of emerging trends and technologies are poised to redefine the landscape of aluminium, ushering in revolutionary applications, and unlocking unprecedented opportunities. When considering Industry 4.0, the aluminium industry might not immediately spring to mind. Nevertheless, cutting-edge technology is swiftly demonstrating its value in assisting companies to maintain resilience amidst a demanding market landscape. In today's rapidly evolving landscape, technology plays a pivotal...
Headquartered in the US, Belvac, known for providing the global aluminium beverage can industry with sustainable solutions, announced the appointment of Eric Hodge as the new Vice President of Global Business Development. With an impressive 15-year tenure at Belvac, Eric has spearheaded the company's global sales development and service strategies. Eric's leadership has driven Belvac's growth and success to new heights throughout his tenure. In his expanded capacity, Eric will now take on direct leadership of Belvac's global and regional parts and service centres. Belvac, a pioneer in the industry, remains committed to innovation and close collaboration with key stakeholders. The company's growth initiatives are guided by the invaluable input from customers, a testament to Belvac's...
