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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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...
HAIMK, a subsidiary of LS Materials, has commenced the construction of an aluminium parts plant dedicated to electric vehicles in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. As per LS Materials, the facility is set to initiate mass production of battery cases by the first quarter of next year, boasting an annual capacity sufficient for 300,000 EVs. These battery cases are crafted from high-strength aluminium, offering robust protection against external impacts without additional steel materials. LS Materials has announced that HAIMK, a joint venture between LS Materials and Austria's Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI), will invest 75 billion won to construct a 16,305-square-meter facility within the Gumi National Industrial Complex. "Our products will be the only kind in Korea that meet automakers'...
Masdar, also known as Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, is an Emirati state-owned renewable energy firm that has reportedly agreed to work with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world's largest 'premium aluminium' producer, on aluminium decarbonisation and low-carbon aluminium growth opportunities. The news came on Wednesday, April 17, after Masdar and EGA signed an alliance in the presence of His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology and Chairman of Masdar. Masdar is a global leader in renewable energy. It develops and operates utility-scale renewable energy projects around the world. The alliance between Masdar and EGA will help the aluminium industry decarbonise the otherwise energy-intensive operations by using renewable energy. Commenting...
Japan-based YKK Corporation, a renowned global manufacturer of fastening products, has announced its plans to shift towards eco-friendly zippers by adopting alloy wires made from low-carbon aluminium. This strategic move aligns with the company's goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, as outlined in its Sustainability Vision 2050. To achieve this, the company has partnered with Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. and Sumitomo Electric Toyama Co., Ltd., signing a contract for using low-carbon aluminium. Starting in fiscal year 2024, YKK will commence purchasing the low-carbon alloy wires for their aluminium zippers. This marks the beginning of a staged transition from traditional aluminium alloy zippers to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option. The company intends...
On April 17, Rio Tinto, a British-Australian mining group, announced its 2024 first quarter production result, reporting improvements in both aluminium and bauxite businesses while remaining focused on energy-transition and sustainability. Rio Tinto posted that its aluminium output in Q1 2024 ended March 31 stood at 826,000 tonnes, up by 5 per cent year-on-year but down by 2 per cent quarter-on-quarter. The annual rise could be attributed to the recovery of Kitimat smelter to a full capacity. In early October 2023, Kitimat aluminium smelter regained its full capacity of production after a 17-month long interruption caused by a strike in 2021. The smelter attained its maximum production capacity of 432,000 tonnes of aluminium per year, marking the first instance of such achievement since...
China Hongqiao Group Limited was recently honoured with the Best Sustainability-Linked Loan for Aluminium (China - Offshore) at The Asset Triple A Awards 2024, hosted by The Asset, a premier financial magazine. Christine Wong attended the prestigious awards ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong on March 12, 2024, as Executive Director and Head of Corporate Finance, and Lucia Yu, Head of Investor Relations, representing China Hongqiao Group. A noteworthy milestone A noteworthy milestone for the group was issuing a Sustainability-Linked Loan (SLL) valued at HK$2.33 billion, with a Green Shoe Option available, in early 2024. As ESG gains prominence in the financial sector, SLLs continue gaining traction in major Asian and global markets. The SLL introduced by China Hongqiao Group...
The Aluminium Federation (ALFED) is thrilled to announce the launch of the inaugural Young Apprentice of the Year Award, set to take place at the prestigious ALFED Annual Dinner on Thursday, 28th November 2024, at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor. This exciting event aims to celebrate the outstanding achievements of young apprentices within the aluminium industry and highlight the importance of nurturing talent in our sector. As the rate of change in our world accelerates and technology continues to shape our future, young people are poised to play a crucial role in driving innovation and progress. ALFED recognises the importance of supporting and empowering the next generation of professionals in the aluminium industry. With this in mind, we are launching the prestigious Young...
The Russian aluminium giant RUSAL is at the forefront of digital innovation, harnessing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations from raw material extraction to product delivery. The newly announced Department of Industrial Artificial Intelligence underscores RUSAL's dedication to crafting state-of-the-art solutions for its manufacturing processes. With 18 ongoing projects, including those already integrated into industrial workflows, RUSAL is primed to revolutionise efficiency, quality, and innovation throughout its aluminium operations, setting new benchmarks within the industry. Among RUSAL's recent breakthroughs is the adoption of AI-powered video cameras in the sintering furnace at Pikalevo Alumina Refinery, which are replacing traditional cameras....
On Wednesday, April 17, the average alumina spot price in China has recorded an increase of RMB 3 per tonne to reach RMB 3,305 per tonne, marking the third consecutive day of rise, showed the Shanghai Metals Market data. On a week-on-week basis, the average alumina price has edged a hike of RMB 8 per tonne; while on a month-on-month calculation, the price is down by about RMB 12 per tonne or 0.36 per cent. In Shandong, Henan, and Shanxi, alumina spot price has unanimously gained RMB 5 per tonne to stand at RMB 3,265 per tonne, RMB 3,325 per tonne, and RMB 3,270 per tonne, respectively. A00 aluminium ingot price Despite the alumina price fall, A00 aluminium ingot price has shrunk by RMB 100 per tonne on the the same day to stand at RMB 20,160 per tonne. The average prices are estimated to...
Reynaers Aluminium has launched its long-awaited new generation, high-usage anti-finger trap thermal commercial door and framing system, developed specifically for the UK market. With its distinctive slim bulb-style boasting a radius of only 40mm, a profile sightline of 81mm, and the ability to achieve a U-value as low as 1.1W/m2K, Vision 7 stands out. It also features a unique post-installation adjustable bottom pivot, allowing installers to make final adjustments after the door has been installed. This thermally broken door is suitable for a range of ground-floor applications, such as schools, hospitals, retail outlets, leisure facilities, offices, and entrances to large commercial buildings. It is an ideal solution for sustainability-driven projects and provides a range of additional...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,555 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its high and low at US$2,569 per tonne and US$2,517 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,559.5 per tonne, up US$11 per tonne or 0.43 per cent. On Tuesday, April 16, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price decreased by US$9 per tonne or 0.35 per cent and US$8.5 per tonne or 0.33 per cent to settle at US$2,511 per tonne and US$2,512 per tonne. As per the LME data, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price dipped by US$12 per tonne or 0.47 per cent and US$13 per tonne or 0.51 per cent to settle at US$2,534 per tonne and US$2,535 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price went down by US$3 per tonne or 0.11 per cent to clock at US$2,677 per tonne and...
Luxury meets innovation as Leica, renowned for its prestigious cameras since 1869, ventures into the realm of cinema TVs. Embracing aluminium as a hallmark of durability and sophistication, Leica unveils its latest marvel – the Cine 1 projector. Crafted with precision, the Cine 1 boasts a sleek aluminium frame reminiscent of Leica's iconic craftsmanship. Its avant-garde design, reminiscent of a futuristic speaker, captivates with its blend of elegance and functionality. Immersive visuals and audio Equipped with a Leica Summicron lens, the Cine 1 delivers breathtaking 4K images powered by RGB-laser light technology. Complemented by Dolby Atmos-compatible speakers, offering 50W power output, it envelopes viewers in a cinematic audio-visual experience. For optimal performance, Leica offers...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a global leader in aluminium smelting, proudly announces its remarkable achievement in winning four esteemed National Safety Council (NSC) USA awards for 2024. This recognition highlights Alba's untainted commitment to safety, registering yet another significant milestone in its illustrious journey. Alba stands as one of the world's largest aluminium smelters, renowned for its dedication to excellence in production and safety. With a steadfast focus on maintaining the highest standards across its operations, Alba has consistently prioritised the well-being of its workforce. Safety milestones galore Alba's exemplary safety record is exemplified by its recent milestone of surpassing 16 million safe working hours without a Lost Time Injury. This achievement,...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) announced it would rule out stocking Russian aluminium produced on or after April 13 in its warehouses in accordance with the latest sanctions packages instigated by the US and British governments. The sanctions are designed to restrict Russian aluminium, copper, and nickel but are carefully tailored to minimise market turbulence. The LME has put restrictions on Russian metal produced on or after April 13, meaning the global exchange will allow the existing stocks to be traded, which is particularly significant for the industry since Russian metals accounted for over 90 per cent of warranted stocks at the end of March 2024. The ban on new metal deliveries to the LME and its US counterpart, the CME, will likely split the market for Russian metal, with the...
On April 15, the stock price of aluminium giant Alcoa soared by over 3 per cent, buoyed by a surge in aluminium prices. The uptick followed a joint announcement from the US and UK regarding fresh sanctions targeting Russian metals to keep Moscow under pressure for the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis. On April 12, 2024, the UK government stated in a press release, "The London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will no longer trade new aluminium, copper and nickel produced by Russia." In a Monday memo, Goldman Sachs' commodities research team highlighted distinctions from the 2018 sanctions, which focused on individual companies. Goldman emphasised a crucial aspect of the regulations, "Any Russian metal produced on or after April 13 cannot be delivered...
Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy giant Hydro has partnered with a team of esteemed designers to showcase the innovative potential of Hydro CIRCAL 100R at Milan Design Week 2024. This event marks a significant milestone in sustainable design, as Hydro CIRCAL 100R stands as the first industrial-scale aluminium material crafted entirely from post-consumer scrap. Under the artistic direction of Norwegian designer Lars Beller Fjetland, the exhibition ‘100R’ showcases a collection of exquisite creations ranging from table lamps to shelving systems. With each piece meticulously crafted from extruded aluminium, the designers – including Inga Sempé, Max Lamb, and Andreas Engesvik – have demonstrated the remarkable versatility and sustainability of this pioneering material. The designer,...
According to data revealed by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China's primary aluminium production rose 7.4 per cent Y-o-Y in March 2024 to reach 3.59 million tonnes. Output increased over the year due to boosted industry profits driven by higher metal prices because of revived demand. Escalated metal prices encouraged increased operations in some of China's major aluminium-producing provinces. Besides heavy demand, aluminium prices were also supported by concerns over supply uncertainty, exacerbated by sluggish production in the southwestern province of Yunnan, a key producing area with 6.1 million tonnes of annual production capacity. China's primary aluminium production rose in March 2024 for the first time in six months, driven by increased demand for end-user products. In...
The Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) begins the operation of a filtration system by the end of April, consisting of 3 filter presses, for drying waste from its alumina plant located in Alumínio (SP), which generates 1,500 t/day of waste. With this, the company will be able to completely do without a dam for wet tailings storage. According to Luciano Alves, CEO of the company, the project has involved investments of R$420 million so far, but the total, considering what will be invested in the future, should reach around R$500 million. The filtration system, which was imported, is a technology already approved on the market and the objective is to have a safer operation, as the disposal is now done dry and no longer wet. In fact, as Luciano Alves explains, CBA had already been drying...
