The EU aluminium scrap market could face disruption if proposed changes to the Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) restrict access to major Asian recycling destinations, the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) has warned. The Brussels-based association issued its response after the European Commission published a draft proposal on September 18 listing non-OECD countries authorised to receive certain non-hazardous materials from the EU . Excluding countries such as India , Malaysia and Thailand from authorised destinations for ferrous and nonferrous metals could weaken recycled material markets rather than strengthen Europe’s recycling capacity. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge Dyszel. At the centre of BIR’s concern is...
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 -...
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Rusal Aughinish Alumina, located in Limerick, Ireland, is considering using hydrogen as an alternative clean energy source and deploying electric heat pumps at its refinery, aiming to decarbonise its high-heat refinement process. According to a report on March 6, Aughinish Alumina, the largest refinery in Europe, has started working with the state to explore the viable sources of hydrogen and develop decarbonising solutions for its refinery. Eamon Ryan, the environment minister, and Willie Walsh, the chief executive of the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), and Michael O’Toole, the community affairs manager with Aughinish Alumina, are at the forefront of this pioneering initiative. Shifting to green energy This initiative represents Aughinish Alumina's commitment to reducing...
Gränges has forged a strategic, enduring partnership with Scepter, Inc., to provide scrap-based aluminium ingots to its r olling and recycling centres across the United States. Securing access to recycled and low-carbon input materials is a pivotal facilitator for Gränges in delivering circular and sustainable aluminium solutions to its clientele, aligning with its 2040 net-zero objective. Under the terms of the ten-year agreement, Gränges Americas will procure scrap-based aluminium ingots from Scepter, enhancing its production of near-zero aluminium solutions. The estimated carbon emissions intensity of the ingots sourced stands at 0.3 tonnes CO2e/tonne, with Gränges intending to power its production processes through renewable electricity sources. This strategic move will bolster...
FIMIGroup has proudly unveiled its latest acquisition, FRANCI Spa, an esteemed Italian company with roots dating back to 1955. Renowned for its expertise in designing and manufacturing moulds and equipment for the automotive sector, FRANCI Spa also excels in producing mechanical components for industrial and hydroelectric power plants alongside specialized mechanical processes. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for FIMIGroup, positioning it at the forefront of innovation and expansion in multiple key sectors. Franci specialises in providing die sets and associated services for the metal sheet cold-forming market. Its primary clientele comes from the automotive sector, and necessitating bespoke die sets tailored to each new car model's specifications and...
RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, has successfully completed development and begun industrial tests of a new generation of MaxiFlow cylindrical billets, version 2.0. This innovation will enable RUSAL's customers to significantly increase extrusion speed and overall production efficiency. The predecessor of this new product—MaxiFlow 1.0—has already become one of the most in-demand products within RUSAL's product line. MaxiFlow 2.0 represents a high-quality cylindrical billet composed of the 6060 alloy within the Al-Mg-Si system. It was developed by RUSAL's proprietary research centre, the Institute of Lightweight Materials and Technologies (ILMT). MaxiFlow 2.0 billets will allow for a 10-15 per cent increase in extrusion speed when producing final products, compared to...
According to a report, on March 6, 2024, Vedanta Aluminium announced that it appointed Pankaj Surekha as its new chief human resource officer at Jharsuguda. Mr Surekha has prior work experience at Reliance Industries for 11 years, leading the rewards team, which takes care of compensation design and implementation for employees, including expats. Surekha has 15 years of total work experience in compensation design, employee engagement, and learning and development. He has also worked at Wipro Technologies and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories. He holds an M.A. degree from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences and a Bachelor of Technology from the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. He announced his new job on LinkedIn, writing, “I’m happy to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief...
Aluminium Dunkerque SAS ("AD") and its parent company, Aluminium Dunkerque Industries France SAS ("ADIF"), have achieved a substantial milestone in their journey towards sustainability and financial strength. They have recently successfully refinanced their current debts through new bank lending facilities totalling $375 million. This strategic step highlights AD's dedication to environmental responsibility and reinforces its prominent position as a frontrunner in the European aluminium industry. About the agreement The newly secured financing agreements are notable for including environmental targets directly within the loan terms. AD and ADIF will enjoy lowered interest rates as they achieve specific milestones in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing water usage efficiency. This...
The e-Magazine " ALuminium Casting Industry: Focus 2024 " by AL Circle delves into the significant impact of sustainability on the aluminium casting sector, shaping production methods, operational strategies, and overall industry standards. Firstly, there's a growing emphasis on reducing energy consumption and emissions during production. Aluminium casting companies are investing in energy-efficient technologies and processes to minimise their carbon footprint. Additionally, there's a heightened focus on recycling and reusing aluminium materials. The aluminium casting sector increasingly incorporates recycled aluminium into its production processes, reducing the need for raw materials extraction and minimising waste. Moreover, sustainability considerations are driving innovations in...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s average alumina spot price has continued to decline since the beginning of March and today marks the fourth consecutive day. As per SMM data, the alumina price has experienced a drop of RMB 3 per tonne on Wednesday, March 6, to stand at RMB 3,332 per tonne. From March 1 to March 6, the alumina spot price has shed off RMB 16 per tonne or 0.48 per cent, according to SMM. Alumina prices in Shandong, Henan, and Shanxi have unanimously witnessed a drop of RMB 5 per tonne, settling at RMB 3,245 per tonne, RMB 3,355 per tonne, and RMB 3,345 per tonne. The Australian alumina FOB price, on the other hand, has remained restrained at US$360 per tonne as of March 6, 2024. In tandem with the continued price drop of alumina, A00 aluminium ingot...
The e-Magazine " ALuminium Casting Industry: Focus 2024 " by AL Circle delves into the development of technology in the aluminium casting sector, shaping production methods, operational strategies, and overall industry standards. Digital transformation is one of the most trending words in the business community since 2020, and we generally get different explanations when asked about it by different people in different industries. Whenever there is a thought or a discussion on Industrial Automation, the work or framework of Industry 4.0 is the buzzword. Digitalisation or digital transformation is a journey with far-reaching timelines and results on the bottom line rather than being a project. Thus, the originators or the architects of the digital transformation journey must consider the...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,237 per tonne yesterday, with its high and low at US$2,241.5 per tonne and US$2,223 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,226.5 per tonne, down US$7.5 per tonne or 0.34 per cent. On Tuesday, March 5, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added US$9 per tonne or 0.41 per cent to settle at US$2,191 per tonne and US$2,191.50 per tonne. As per the London Metal Exchange (LME) data, the 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price ascended by US$8 per tonne or 0.35 per cent to clock at US$2,233 per tonne and US$2,234 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price moved up by US$10 per tonne or 0.41 per cent to peg at US$2,443 per tonne and US$2,448 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock halted at 583700...
Located in Nuremberg, Germany, with a rich heritage spanning over 150 years, Graphite COVA stands out as a leading global carbon and graphite manufacturer. Our commitment to quality is evident through our ISO 9001:2015 certification. As a premier manufacturer of carbon and graphite materials, we cater to a diverse clientele worldwide. We provide high-quality feedstock and parent materials to numerous graphite machine shops, empowering them to craft precision components according to their specifications. In addition to supplying raw materials, Graphite COVA boasts its state-of-the-art graphite machine shop. Here, we produce meticulously crafted components tailored directly to end customers' requirements, ensuring adherence to their precise designs. Our specialization in products for the...
Hycast, a technology company committed to delivering sustainable and safe casthouse solutions. We claim and endeavour to be the best at what we do. Our technology enables the production of aluminium products of superior quality through fully automated casting lines for Billet and Slab, including our unique drain-free melt treatment units. For our customers, this means a safe casthouse, sustainable solutions, increased value creation and competitive market advantages. Now, we are proud to present Hycast Insight, which will revolutionise the way operators monitor the product during a cast. The in-house developed camera solution located underneath the casting table will patrol back and forth between the rows of billets, removing the need for operators to manually check the cast on the...
Depending on the type of aluminium alloy to cast, automatic casting machines should be equipped with a precise and powerful metal-level control system. The filling phase of the mould is challenging because we are faced with harsh conditions, mainly due to the presence of flames and smoke that can disturb the metal level measurement system. The use of an inductive measuring system overcomes those problems. However, their measurement range is relatively small, usually about 40 mm. Consequently, the mould must be filled without regulation and with the plugs fixed open. If, for any reason, the filling speeds of the moulds vary too much, the cast must be aborted to ensure safety. This happens when the delay between the first and last mould reaching the desired level is too long. The solution...
Assan Alüminyum, a leading manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminium, is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and achieving sustainable growth. As part of this commitment, the company has embarked on a multi-year investment program, supported by a $90 million green loan from IFC (International Finance Corporation). A subsidiary of the Kibar Group, Assan Alüminyum plans to implement a series of sustainable technologies to enhance efficiency and environmental responsibility. About the investment program The investment program includes the installation of a state-of-the-art, energy-efficient cold rolling line alongside new continuous casting lines and upgraded filtration systems for both new and existing operations. These investments are designed to modernize production processes, increase...
Introduction The need to measure dissolved hydrogen in aluminium alloys has never been greater as the quality specifications demanded by end-users continue to increase. Methods of measuring hydrogen have been commercially available for many years, but the performance of these methods has generally not kept pace with industry requirements for fast, accurate, reliable, and cost-effective measurements in real-time. In addition, these methods do not readily lend themselves to the ever-increasing demands for automation and traceability through the integration of measured hydrogen results into existing computerised customer quality assurance systems. EMC Limited has developed a new hydrogen determination method, Hycal TM , based on an electrochemical sensor that fulfils all the current industry...
The DC casting method, a well-known casting technology for 50 years, involves feeding molten aluminium into a mould. This molten metal is subsequently subjected to cooling through the application of water strategically directed towards the inner wall of a graphite ring. Over time, the DC technology has undergone enhancements, incorporating an oil and gas/air system featuring a porous graphite mechanism for the initial cooling zone, while water serves as the secondary cooling medium. For DC casting, the primary objective is the meticulous creation of an exceptionally thin shell or segregation zone on the billet's surface. The overarching goal is to achieve this without inducing cracks and to produce a structurally uniform grain structure. This process underscores the pursuit of an optimal...
Emirates Global Aluminium has reportedly announced its competitive financial and operational results for 2023, revealing the highest-ever production across the value chain. The company posted that it produced 2.66 million tonnes of primary aluminium in 2023 at Al Taweelah and Jebel Ali versus 2.65 million tonnes in 2022. Alumina output stood at 2.48 million tonnes in 2023 compared to 2.43 million tonnes a year ago, with Al Taweelah refinery continued to grow its production beyond nameplate capacity. The refinery alone met 48 per cent of EGA’s alumina needs in 2023. The production of CelestiAL solar aluminium also edged an increase of 9,000 tonnes Y-o-Y from 57,000 tonnes to 66,000 tonnes. Sales & exports EGA also announced record sales of cast metal at 2.75 million tonnes in 2023, up by...
On Monday, March 4, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s largest aluminium smelters, signed an Associate Centre Partnership Agreement with the World Economic Forum (WEF) under the Advanced Manufacturing Industries Cluster. The signing ceremony was led by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali and WEF’s Head of Global Partner Development and Member of the Executive Committee Alexandre Raffoul at Alba premises. Other key representatives who attended the signing ceremony included Chief Supply Officer Waleed Tamimi and Operational Excellence Manager Ahmed Bahar from Alba, as well as the Regional Manager—Business engagement, Middle East and Africa, Joanna Lahham, and Community Curator, Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, Ian Cronin, from WEF. This partnership is...
