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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In the initial quarter of 2024, Huaihua initiated 65 significant projects, amounting to a total investment of RMB 15.484 billion. These projects are part of an annual planned investment totalling RMB 7.8 billion, showcasing a substantial commitment to development and growth in the region. The production project for aluminium electrolytic capacitors by Qingyuan Science and Technology at the Huaihua Land Port involves a total investment of RMB 200 million. Scope of construction and primary project components Rent the vacant warehouse in the E-3 building at Wulingshan Commercial Logistics City, covering approximately 20,000 square meters. The plan is to establish a capacitor production facility to combine solder and bolt capacitors. This facility will include 30 production and assembly lines...
Hydro Rein, Hydro's venture into renewable growth, has recently finalised an agreement with the Swedish renewable energy developer IOWN Energy (IOWN) to acquire an 80 per cent stake in a substantial 2.4 GW portfolio of wind power projects. These projects are being developed across Sweden and Norway, spanning electricity price areas SE2, SE3, SE4, and NO2. About the agreement with IOWN The portfolio comprises 23 projects in Sweden and two in Norway, with many land lease agreements already secured. As part of the agreement, Hydro Rein and IOWN will embark on a long-term partnership to co-develop these projects, with an ownership split of 80 per cent for Hydro Rein and 20 per cent for IOWN. At this stage, the projects are in the early phases of development, and both companies plan to...
RUSAL, one of the largest aluminium producers in the world, the investment company MASS GROUP and the Sial Group of Companies will build Russia's first aluminium runway. The promising solution is designed to develop airfield infrastructure for small aircraft and increase transport accessibility, including in remote and hard-to-reach areas. RUSAL and MASS GROUP signed an agreement to cooperate in carrying out research and development work and constructing an experimental aluminium runway. With the help of experiments conducted with the participation of leading specialized institutes, it is planned to eliminate regulatory restrictions on using aluminium solutions in runway construction. This will be the first such facility in Russia. The length of the experimental aluminium runway will be...
Since its inception in 1999, the Ozroll Group has emerged as the leading force in Australia for aluminium louvres, plantation shutters, outdoor blinds, and roller shutter production. Capral Aluminium, a crucial collaborator throughout OZroll's evolution, has fostered the company's growth and development. This partnership underscores OZroll's ongoing pursuit of environmentally conscious practices and dedication to a sustainable future. Capral and OZroll Embracing Capral's low-carbon aluminium, known as LocAl®, signifies a pivotal step in OZroll's dedication to sustainability. "Aluminium is incredibly versatile and recyclable. We have recently transitioned to purchasing Capral's innovative LocAl®, which significantly reduces carbon emissions. It's the ideal choice for us," said McDonald,...
The future of B2B is on online marketplaces. Now, I know what you are thinking, the world started digital long years ago, but the reality is B2B suppliers have been hesitant to get onboard on these online marketplaces. Understandably so, they think there is a need for an investment and a significant change in process, and ROI may not be as certain as we would like, but we are at a tipping point in our industry. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into AL Biz today ! The world's 1st B2B online marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers across the entire aluminium value chain. Connecting buyers and sellers through enquiries against listed products and business leads are the primary features of AL Biz. It is driven by the mission to create robust supply chains through increased...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production in February 2024 (29 calendar days) amounted to 6.262 million tonnes, experiencing a 6.8 per cent fall from 6.72 million tonnes in January (31 days). But on a year-on-year basis, the output increased by 2.4 per cent. The average daily production in February 2024 was 215,900 tonnes a day, down by 0.42 per cent from 216,800 tonnes in the previous month. As of the end of February 2024, China’s alumina production capacity was 100 million tonnes, with an operating capacity of 78.82 million tonnes. The month-on-month downfall in China’s alumina production is attributed to weaker operating rates in a few Chinese provinces such as Henan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. In Henan, the alumina operating rate was 55 per...
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the joining of Thöni Deutschland GmbH as the new Production & Transformation member. For over 50 years, the Thöni Group has been committed to growth and sustainable practices. This strategy permeates every facet of our operations: from aluminium profiles crafted with up to 80 per cent recycled material to automotive components designed for lightweight construction and e-mobility to biogas plants that harness the energy of organic waste. Thöni Deutschland GmbH is an autonomous, family-run enterprise dedicated to flexibility, reliability, and unparalleled customer focus. At the heart of their success lies a commitment to tradition alongside an unwavering drive to forge a sustainable future, all while recognizing our social, ecological, and...
On Tuesday, March 5, China's average alumina spot price declined by RMB 7 per tonne to arrive at RMB 3,335 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the prices in Bayuquan, Henan and Lianyungang have plunged by RMB 30 per tonne, RMB 15 per tonne and RMB 10 per tonne to arrive at RMB 3,260 per tonne, RMB 3,360 per tonne and RMB 3,265 per tonne. In Shandong and Shanxi, the alumina prices have dipped by RMB 5 per tonne to clock at RMB 3,250 per tonne and RMB 3,350 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the A00 aluminium ingot price has gained by RMB 90 per tonne to reside at RMB 19,030 per tonne, with the average prices standing between RMB 19,010 per tonne and RMB 19,050 per tonne. The spot contract price may be traded at a discount price of RMB 50 to RMB 10 per tonne. On the same day, the price in...
There has been a significant challenge facing EU initiatives to tax carbon-intensive imports starting in 2026, as only a minority of companies have met the early reporting deadline for their carbon-intensive imports. The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) represents a pioneering effort to impose a tax on carbon-intensive imports, aiming to prevent an influx of inexpensive goods from nations with highly polluting industries, which could undercut the bloc's heavily regulated sectors. However, recent data from Germany's emissions trading authority, shared with the one of the world's leading business news organisations, Financial Times, indicates that less than 10 per cent of the anticipated 20,000 companies in Germany complied with the reporting requirements by the early...
LME aluminum opened at US$2,235 per tonne on Monday, March 4, with high and low at US$2,242 per tonne and US$2,216.50 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,238 per tonne, down 0.31 per cent. The LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dipped by US$1 per tonne to come around the same prices as the previous month. While the former derived at US$2,182 per tonne on March 4, the latter came in at US$2,182.50 per tonne. During the same period last year, the LME aluminium benchmark price was at a similar level at US$2,183.50 per tonne. But compared to the same period in January, the benchmark price stood 2.37 per cent lower than US$2,235.50 per tonne. On a year-on-year basis, the LME aluminium benchmark price on March 4 marked about a 7.5 per cent fall....
The global aluminium industry is cautious about the potential competition between the United States and European buyers for Middle Eastern aluminium if the European Union bans Russian metal, leading to price hikes to the 2018 level when sanctions were imposed on Rusal. As an impact of the possible aluminium price hikes due to the intense race for aluminium from the Middle Eastern countries, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, product costs will inflate for Western companies from the transport, packaging, and construction industries, fuelling an additional challenge besides high energy costs. Although, as per the last report, the European Union may refrain from banning Russian aluminium, the bloc is expected to soon propose another package with new import bans, resulting in a...
The Nautical SUNRISE initiative aims to support the world's largest Offshore Floating Solar (OFS) power project. With a budget of €8.4 million, predominantly funded by the Horizon Europe programme to the tune of €6.8 million, the project commenced in December 2023. Its primary objective is to research and develop OFS systems and their components, paving the way for widespread deployment and commercialisation, either as standalone units or integrated within offshore wind farms. The project seeks to design, construct, and demonstrate a 5 MW offshore floating solar system, employing the modular solution provided by Dutch floating solar company SolarDuck. RWE, a key player, is set to finance the installation and deployment. This system will be strategically positioned within RWE's OranjeWind...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) stood at 1.212 million tonnes in January 2024, reflecting a slight month-on-month fall of 0.57 per cent from 1.219 million tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, Africa & Asia’s (ex-China) alumina output registered an increase of 15.76 per cent from 1.047 million tonnes. After an annual downfall in Africa & Asia’s alumina production in January 2023, the regions experienced a hike at the beginning of this year, signalling a positive future. Africa and Asia’s alumina production started building up in H2 2023, which seemed to have continued in January’24. The daily average alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during January was 39,100 tonnes, slightly down by 200 tonnes from the...
Russia is set to introduce its inaugural aluminium-coated runway designed for small and light aircraft at a nearby airfield. This innovative solution, a rarity in the country, promises to bolster the development of local and regional aerodrome infrastructure, enhancing transport accessibility, particularly in remote areas. As reported by RuAviation, RUSAL’s press service released an agreement on collaboration in research and development, as well as the construction of an experimental aluminium-made runway, which has been inked between RUSAL and MASS GROUP. This initiative will involve the participation of esteemed institutions in the field, with plans to conduct a series of experiments to address regulatory constraints related to utilising aluminium mats in runway construction. The...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the average aluminium spot price in China has further decreased over the weekend by RMB 6 per tonne to start the week at RMB 3,342 per tonne, as of Monday, March 4. In Shandong and Shanxi, the alumina spot price has declined by RMB 10 per tonne to stand RMB 3,255 per tonne and RMB 3,355 per tonne, with average prices to range between RMB 3,210-3,300 per tonne and RMB 3,310-3,400 per tonne, respectively. In Henan, the price has dropped by RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 3,375 per tonne, with average prices to hover around RMB 3,330-3,420 per tonne. Aluminium fluoride and bauxite prices Among other primary aluminium input costs, aluminium fluoride price, on the other hand, has hiked by RMB 200 per tonne to RMB 9,150 per tonne, after remaining...
Australia's largest aluminium smelter, Tomago Aluminum in Newcastle, will be caught up in the play going down by its part-owner. CSR (Colonial Sugar Refining), an Australian conglomerate, is bought out by French conglomerate Saint-Gobain. The deal will be completed later this year and is said to be worth just under US$3 billion. CSR has been a minority shareholder in Tomago since its start more than 40 years ago. CSR now holds about 25 per cent stake in Tomago, which it holds through its subsidiary company, GOve Aluminium Finance (GAF). Tomago operates as an "unincorporated joint venture", meaning that the standard rules of majority ownership don't apply. Tomago is operated by the three main owners - Rio Tinto, Hydro, and GAF. It's highly unlikely that anything will change with the change...
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) employees, between October 2022 and December 2023, collectively recycled 499,541 aluminium cans and plastic bottles in Dubai, thereby diverting 7,108 kilograms (7.1 tonnes) of waste from landfills. DEWA has implemented innovative measures to promote recycling, including installing smart machines in select buildings. These machines are seamlessly integrated with DEWA's Smart Office app, enabling employees to participate in recycling efforts by scanning QR codes. For each recycling activity, participants earn points that can be redeemed for entries into monthly prize drawings. By the end of 2023, DEWA recognised and rewarded 49 employees for their commitment to recycling. The recycling initiatives align with the Circular Economy Policy of the...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,224.50 per tonne last Friday, with high and low at US$2,248.50 per tonne and US$2,208 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,236 per tonne, up 0.36 per cent. LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price added US$20.50 per tonne or 0.95 per cent to close the week at US$2,183 per tonne and US$2,183.50 per tonne, respectively. As per the historical data shown on AL Circle LME chart , the LME aluminium benchmark price was month-on-month down by US$29 per tonne or 1.31 per cent from US$2,212.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price increased by US$14.50 per tonne and US$15 per tonne, respectively, to stand at US$2,221 per tonne and US$2,222 per tonne. On the same day, December 25 bid price and December 25 offer...
