Much is said about aluminium’s expanding role in modern mobility, aerospace, construction, packaging, renewable energy and countless other applications. Far less is said about the technology and machinery that make this evolution possible - and the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) behind them. Yet, OEMs have long been among the forces shaping the global aluminium industry. There was a time when primary metal producers used to operate as Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) themselves. Owing to the high price attached to the metal, primary producers would invent downstream products, tools, and manufacturing processes instead of selling raw ingots. Much has evolved since then. Today, an extensive ecosystem of Tier-1 and Tier-2 OEMs supports every stage of aluminium production -...
Limited-edition G 63 combines an aluminium-panel roof rack with upgraded suspension and traction systems for more demanding off-road adventures Mercedes-AMG has taken the G 63 beyond its familiar luxury-performance role with the launch of the G 63 Offroad Pro, a limited-edition variant priced from INR 38 million (USD 396,050) ex-showroom in India. Instead of focusing only on styling upgrades, the new version adds dedicated expedition hardware and technology aimed at making the SUV more capable away from paved roads. One of the most practical additions is a professional roof luggage rack featuring an aluminium panel construction, along with a removable rear ladder. The setup provides greater flexibility for carrying expedition equipment and luggage, giving the G 63 a more...
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The Jamaican Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, announced a $1.2 billion investment plan to transform neglected former bauxite lands into productive agricultural areas. Green pointed out, “What we are looking to do is to take those lands that are now being underutilised or that mining has been finished and they are now restored and put them into active production.” During the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives session on March 6 th , the Minister stated that the funding would bolster collaboration among the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), and companies in the bauxite sector. The project is anticipated to influence various areas, encompassing the southern regions of the parish, including Mocho in...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot price has further increased by RMB 110 per tonne to close the week at RMB 19,160 per tonne as of March 8. That brings the aluminium ingot price to 1.05 per cent higher week-on-week than RMB 18,960 per tonne . On a month-on-month basis, the price is up by 1.32 per cent from RMB 18,910 per tonne . Today, the average price of A00 aluminium ingot is estimated to range between RMB 19,140 per tonne and RMB 19,180 per tonne, with the spot contract traded at a discount price of RMB 60-20 per tonne. A00 aluminium ingot price across provinces In Wuxi and Hangzhou, the A00 aluminium ingot price has surged by RMB 110 per tonne to come in at RMB 19,160 per tonne, while the price in Shenyang and Tianjin has reached RMB...
On March 8, 2024, China announced that it had established stricter energy intensity targets for 2024, following its failure to meet last year's goal. As the world's largest energy consumer, China is intensifying efforts to align with its climate objectives within the five-year plan concluding in 2025. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) disclosed that China aims to reduce its energy intensity, measured as the amount consumed per unit of economic growth, by 2.5 per cent in 2024. This target surpasses the previous year's goal of 2 per cent, which was not achieved, as outlined in a report unveiled at the commencement of the annual National People's Congress. Last week, China disclosed that its energy intensity decreased by a mere 0.5 per cent in 2023, failing to meet the...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,225 per tonne yesterday, with its high and low at US$2,265 per tonne and US$2,225 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,252 per tonne, up by US$17 per tonne or 0.76 per cent. On Thursday, March 7, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price hiked by US$22.5 per tonne or 1.02 per cent to settle at US$2,209.50 per tonne and US$2,210 per tonne, respectively. As per the LME data, the 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price gained US$25 per tonne or 1.12 per cent and US$24.6 per tonne or 1.09 per cent to settle at US$2,255 per tonne and US$2,255.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price expanded by US$22 per tonne to clock at US$2,462 per tonne and US$2,467 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock...
Japan has a well-established aluminium casting industry with a long history of producing high-quality aluminium products for various sectors, including automotive, electronics, construction, and aerospace. Aluminium as a metal has been a key player in Japan's manufacturing sector, contributing significantly to the country's economy. The automotive sector is one of Japan's largest consumers of aluminium castings. Aluminium parts are used extensively in vehicle manufacturing due to their lightweight properties, contributing to fuel efficiency and overall performance. Components such as engine blocks, transmission cases, cylinder heads, and suspension parts are commonly made using aluminium casting. Japan – 4th largest automotive market Japan is the world's fourth-largest automotive market ,...
On Tuesday, March 5, the US Department of Commerce announced the implementation of preliminary countervailing duties on aluminium extrusion imports from China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Turkey, claiming to protect the business of domestic extrusion manufacturers. For each country, the Department of Commerce has levied different duties depending on the category of products they offer. For instance, the duty rate for China ranges between 15.41 per cent and 169.66 per cent, for Indonesia ranges between 6.69 per cent and 43.56 per cent, for Mexico between 1.68 per cent and 77.8 per cent, and for Turkey between 1.45 per cent and 147.53 per cent. The US DOC has imposed the preliminary countervailing duties following the petition signed by the US Aluminum Extruders Coalition and the United Steel,...
From water to land, the use of aluminium is rolling out everywhere. According to the latest report, a United States-based Ocean intelligence company, Saildrone, has launched the first of a new generation of Surveyor autonomous vessels featuring aluminium. Founder and CEO Richard Jenkins said the demand for these vessels is proliferating. He added, “We expect the need for ocean observing to continue to grow in size, complexity and quality. Aerial, surface and subsurface technologies all have a role to play in ocean observations.” The 20-metre brand-new vessel SD-3000 is similar to previous versions that are currently sailing the ocean and collecting data. The only difference is that the new vessel’s hull is made of aluminium instead of a fibreglass/carbon composite. “Aluminum was chosen...
On March 6, 2024, the Canada-based GreenPower Motor Company Inc. introduced GP Truck Body, its latest venture focusing on manufacturing and distributing all-electric, emission-free medium and heavy-duty vehicles. This expansion targets the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit sectors, as well as the school bus industry. GP Truck Body provides a comprehensive range of truck bodies, encompassing dry freight, refrigerated boxes, aluminium stake beds, steel and aluminium flatbeds , and service bodies designed to optimise cargo capacity and delivery range. The statement highlights that GreenPower and its operational entities now cater to every aspect of the fleet journey. The company utilises a clean-sheet approach in designing and manufacturing all-electric vehicles specifically...
Global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto's alumina refineries and Orica's cyanide plant in Australia, both of which are significant gas consumers, are operating at limited capacity as they race to secure supplies after a fire on a crucial gas pipeline managed by retailer Jemena, which serves Gladstone. As the largest gas distributor in New South Wales, Jemena reported that its teams successfully secured a segment of the Queensland Gas Pipeline that ignited on March 5, 2024. The fire, captured vividly, occurred on a portion of the pipeline between Rolleston and Oombabeer, approximately six hours west of Gladstone. Emergency services were alerted to the substantial blaze in the area around 7:30 am local time. AEMO has directed the diversion of gas to ensure ample supply for households and...
According to the US Geological Survey, the United States’ domestic production of primary aluminium in December 2023 stood at 64,000 tonnes, reflecting an increase of 3,000 tonnes or 4.9 per cent M-o-M from 61,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, the output remained absolutely unchanged, as per the data. The United States’ total primary aluminium production in 2023, however, experienced a downfall of 12.89 per cent from 861,000 tonnes to 750,000 tonnes. The average daily production in December 2023 was 2,060 tonnes, restrained compared to the previous year and essentially unchanged from 2,040 tonnes in November 2023. The average daily output in full-year 2023 was 2,050 tonnes per day, down by 13.14 per cent from 2,360 tonnes. The total amount of aluminium recovered from scrap in...
President Nana Addo Dankwa has assured Ghanaians of brighter days ahead, foreseeing an economic breakthrough following a recent downturn. He highlighted several government initiatives to mitigate economic challenges and provide relief to businesses and the general population. Government initiatives Among these initiatives is collaborating with the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) to construct an alumina refinery and develop mines at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso. Additionally, the government is moving forward with the Ada Songhor Salt project, which has sparked controversy but is seen as a vital part of Ghana's economic growth strategy. "I have witnessed the signing of two (2) separate agreements in Accra recently, firstly, between GIADEC, a wholly-owned public entity, and...
According to an analysis conducted by Rakuten Trade, Malaysia's top aluminium extrusion and fabrication company, P.A. Resources Bhd, is poised for sustained earnings expansion over the next several years. This growth trajectory is expected to be fuelled by various factors, including a significant RM1.08 billion contract obtained from First Solar, the imminent completion of a new plant that will substantially increase the group's extrusion capacity, enabling greater customer and product variety, as well as the possibility of enhanced margins through operational streamlining. Rakuten Trade is Malaysia's first online equities broker offering innovative digital investment opportunities to investors. The company has recently successfully expanded its extrusion capacity from 2,600 to 3,200...
LME aluminum opened at US$2,226.50 per tonne on Wednesday, March 6, with high and low at US$2,243.50 per tonne and US$2,220 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,223 per tonne, down US$5.5 per tonne or 0.25 per cent. On March 6, the LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$4 per tonne to stand at US$2,187 per tonne and US$2,187.50 per tonne, respectively, following a rise of US$9 per tonne on the previous day. The 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price dipped US$3 per tonne on March 6 to reach US$2,230 per tonne and US$2,231 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price also lost the same amount to settle at US$2,440 per tonne and US$2,445 per tonne, respectively. LME aluminium opening stock amounted to 581,900...
On Thursday, March 7, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price gained RMB 110 per tonne to settle at RMB 19,050 per tonne. The spot contract price is expected to be traded at a discount of RMB 60 to RMB 20 per tonne. The average prices may stand between RMB 19,030 per tonne and RMB 19,070 per tonne. On the same day, the aluminium ingot prices grew in all the provinces except in Chongqing, where they dropped by RMB 120 per tonne to halt at RMB 18,910 per tonne. As per the data, the price in Linyi has hiked by RMB 130 per tonne to clock at RMB 19,050 per tonne, followed by a growth of RMB 120 per tonne in Wuxi to arrive at RMB 19,050 per tonne. In Gongyi, Shenyang and Hangzhou, the prices have added RMB 110 per tonne to reach RMB 18,930 per tonne, RMB 19,000 per tonne and RMB 19,050 per tonne. In...
Sunil Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Vedanta Aluminium Business, has reportedly been elected vice-chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)'s Odisha State Council for the 2024-25 term of office. The news came after the name was announced during the CII Odisha State Annual Day 2023-24 celebration in Bhubaneswar on March 5, 2024. Sunil Gupta looks after the strategic operations of Vedanta's aluminium business across its plants at Jharsuguda, Lanjigarh, and Balco as well as the mines. With over 29 years of diverse experience, Mr Gupta has contributed immensely to achieving significant financial growth and operational efficiency, establishing the company as India's largest aluminium producer. He constantly strives to expand production, enhance the availability of bauxite...
At the 2023 annual Advanced Collective and Outstanding Individual Recognition Conference held in the Shanzhou District of Sanmenxia City, Henan, Henkang Aluminum Co., LTD. (referred to as "Hengkang Aluminum") was honoured with the "Technological Transformation Award" and the "Tax Contribution Award." Hengkang Aluminum closely aligns itself with the development trajectory of the Yidian Group, aiming to enhance quality, reduce consumption, and improve efficiency. The company actively engages in technological innovation, converting scientific achievements into the driving force behind enhanced production efficiency. In 2023, Hengkang Aluminum sustained steady growth in its business performance, contributing over 22 million yuan in taxes and playing a positive role in the economic and social...
Norsk Hydro has reportedly appointed Trond Olaf Christophersen as an interim or acting CFO. He will act in the role only for a period of time until a new CFO is hired. Trond Olaf Christophersen replaces CFO Pål Kildemo, who will bid farewell to Hydro by August 31 at the latest to join one of the competitors. However, Trond Olaf Christophersen will perform in the new role with effect from March 6, 2024. Mr Christophersen is Hydro's Executive Vice President for Corporate Development. He will remain in his current role and act as CFO for an interim period. A report says the search for a new CFO has already started. On March 1, Hydro announced the resignation of Pål Kildemo, who is joining Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) as a new Chief Financial Officer. Until he takes a leave, scheduled on...
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has announced the certification of the Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) facility in Korba, Chhattisgarh, India, against the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022). This facility, under Vedanta Limited's Aluminium Business (Vedanta Aluminium), specialises in producing wire rods, ingots, primary foundry alloys, rolled products, and their Restora low-carbon aluminium range. These products find applications in various sectors, including automobiles, infrastructure, insulations, power projects, electrical, and packaging. The certified facility in Korba, Chhattisgarh, India, comprises two potlines within a smelter, three casthouses, a rolled product plant, and a power generation plant. It boasts an annual production capacity of 575,000 tonnes....
