The transition towards lower-carbon manufacturing is changing how companies evaluate aluminium and copper. Beyond availability and technical performance, buyers are increasingly examining the emissions embedded in the metals they purchase and whether reducing that footprint justifies a higher price. While low-carbon aluminium has developed into an established premium market, low-carbon copper remains at a developing stage, raising the loaded question: How much are buyers willing to pay for lower-carbon metal? Explore the production, demand and consumption forecasts of bauxite and alumina in our report: “ Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook ” Why aluminium is further ahead Aluminium has had more time to establish a market for...
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...
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The fastest-growing company in the railway sector and transporting goods for a wide range of customers, GB Railfreight (GBRf), has confirmed the renewal of its contract with Alvance British Aluminium, one of the world's greenest metal production plants. GBRf has secured a five-year extension to its contract, ensuring the ongoing operation of two weekly trains. These trains will continue transporting alumina powder from the Port of Blyth in Northumberland to Fort William, supporting aluminium production at one of the world's most environmentally friendly metal production facilities. Annually, 70,000 tonnes of alumina powder will be conveyed by rail, reducing road congestion by removing up to 129 heavy goods vehicles from the 250-mile journey.
On February 29, 2024, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the largest industrial company in the country outside the oil and gas sector, marked a significant milestone. The company announced the groundbreaking for the region's inaugural 100 per cent renewable energy-powered industrial data centres at its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites. About the upcoming data centres The upcoming data centres will bolster the resilience of EGA's computing infrastructure and are set to achieve certification to the prestigious Uptime Institute's Tier III standard, which serves as a global benchmark for data centres. Globally, the demand for computing power currently constitutes approximately seven per cent of global electricity consumption. This figure is projected to surge to 13 per cent by 2030, as...
Aluminium producers worldwide have proposed premiums to Japanese buyers ranging from $145 to $155 per tonne for primary metal shipments from April to June, marking a substantial increase of 61 per cent to 72 per cent compared to the current quarter. This information was disclosed by three sources intimately engaged in the quarterly pricing negotiations on February 29, 2024. As a significant importer of aluminium in Asia, Japan's agreed premiums for quarterly primary metal shipments over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price serve as the standard for the region. During the January-March quarter, Japanese buyers consented to a $90 per ton premium (PREM-ALUM-JP), marking a 7 per cent decrease from the previous quarter. This significant reduction coincides with a tightening of supply in...
China is the highest alumina producer, contributing around 58 per cent of the world’s output. According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, China produced 82.27 million tonnes of alumina in 2023, up by 3.15 per cent from 79.76 million tonnes in 2022. With this annual hike, China’s 2023 alumina output exceeded the pre-COVID level and further solidified its position as the world’s largest ore producer. As a consequence of the COVID-19 impacts, China’s alumina production decreased year-on-year in the previous three years by about 2 per cent but rebounded in 2023, surpassing 81.469 million tonnes of production in 2019. Advanced technologies like the Bayer-Lurgi combined process and dry bauxite digestion helped China optimise resource utilisation and boost production. By the end...
China-based Zhongchuang Co., Ltd. achieved a significant milestone by creating a domestically leading 10-tonne-class hard aluminium alloy ultra-thick plate, boasting its most comprehensive and highest strength. This forged plate, with dimensions of 4215x3040x270mm, underwent four consecutive firings to achieve its final form. Notably, it features a large, smooth surface free from folding or cracking. This achievement is a new record in China for producing large-tonnage, wide-width forged plates. Currently, the forged plate is undergoing heat treatment and machining processes. It is slated for delivery to the customer in March, meeting the urgent supply needs for a critical new product type after passing performance tests and inspections. The company's research institute, casting plant,...
The spot prices for Aluminium ADC12 alloy ingot (equivalent to automobile grade) in Delhi remain steady at INR 204,000 per tonne week-on-week, excluding GST. This stability persists despite the rise in local Tense scrap prices, especially in regions like north and south India, where shortages have been noted. Market dynamics: Insights from participants In Chennai, current offers for Tense scrap range between INR 172,000 and INR 173,000 per tonne. However, bids are being placed in INR 170,000 to INR 171,000 per tonne. Meanwhile, the spot price for ADC12 in Chennai is reported at INR 208,000 to INR 210,000 per tonne ex-warehouse. Despite the tight availability of Tense scrap, ADC12 prices have remained relatively stable throughout the week. This shortage is affecting the northern region's...
The nationwide strike in the bauxite kingdom Guinea , which had brought the nation and its mining sector to a standstill since February 26, 2024, has been suspended by the country's trade unions, according to a statement released on February 28. The Guinean Trade Union Movement, representing various workers' unions, announced the suspension in light of the release of Sekou Jamal Pendessa, a detained union leader and a crucial demand of the unions. The unions expressed readiness to reopen negotiations with the government concerning their outstanding concerns . These encompass reducing food costs, easing internet constraints, and implementing a wage agreement established with the government in November. The strike caused disturbances at numerous mines in the world's leading bauxite...
Aluminium prices have not shown any improvement, as expected, during the beginning of the year compared to 2023. Analysts from AL Circle have already stated the global aluminium market in H1 2024 is anticipated to mirror 2023. This is primarily due to a slowdown within the Chinese economy, notably within the troubled property and construction industries and the economic deceleration in the world's large economies. Analysts foresee a persistent surplus of the metal throughout 2024, like in 2023 at the end, which was around 800,000 tonnes. It is anticipated that sustained downward pressure on prices will be exerted, given the prevailing weakness in demand. The research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank stated, "We acknowledged that contrary to expectations, China’s reopening has not...
Greenhouse gas, a significant source of concern within the realm of environmental science and mitigating its impact on the planet, is a crucial challenge for the future well-being of Earth and all its inhabitants. As per the International Aluminium Institute's (IAI) recent data, for the first time, the collective greenhouse gas emissions stemming from the worldwide aluminium sector remained static despite an expansion in aluminium production. Reduction in GHG & CO2e emission As per the IAI data, despite a 3.9 per cent increase in global aluminium production from 104.1 million tonnes to 108.2 million tonnes, total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from the sector have remained stable. There was a slight decrease from 1.13 billion tonnes CO2e to 1.11 billion tonnes CO2e in 2022. IAI Secretary...
The German automotive sector has experienced a notable recovery following the conclusion of the pandemic, with exports exhibiting particularly robust growth for car manufacturers. The automotive industry in Germany is said to be one of the largest employers in the world. Germany's automotive industry stands as a global beacon of excellence, renowned for its unparalleled engineering prowess. From Asia to the Americas, German automobiles epitomise cherished qualities of innovation, dependability, safety, and aesthetic design. The automotive sector is heavily influenced by a select few countries where major Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) operations are based, contributing significantly to global vehicle production. These nations include China, the United States, Japan, India, South...
LME aluminum opened at US$2,203.50 per tonne on Wednesday, February 28, with its high and low at US$2,203.50 per tonne and US$2,177 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,191 per tonne, down 0.41 per cent. LME aluminium cash bid price shed off US$15.50 per tonne or 0.72 per cent to stand at US$2,129.50 per tonne, while LME aluminium official settlement price lost US$16 per tonne or 0.75 per cent to settle at US$2,130 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price shrank by US$18 per tonne and US$17.50 per tonne, respectively, to rest at US$2,180 per tonne and US$2,181 per tonne, respectively. December-25 bid price and December-25 offer price closed the day at US$2,398 per tonne and US$2,403 per tonne, respectively, down by US$15 per tonne from the previous day. LME...
On Thursday, February 29, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price hiked by RMB 70 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,860 per tonne, with the spot contract price expected to be traded at a discount price of RMB 30 to a premium price of RMB 10 per tonne. The average price for the same is expected to orbit between RMB 18,840 per tonne and RMB 18,880 per tonne. The prices have shown growth in all the provinces. The price in Wuxi has experienced a growth of RMB 80 per tonne to RMB 18,870 per tonne. In regions like Gongyi, Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Shenyang, it has grown by RMB 70 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,770 per tonne and RMB 18,860 per tonne, respectively. On the same day in Linyi, the A00 aluminium ingot price added RMB 60 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,880 per tonne, followed by a rise of RMB 50...
A leading manufacturer of jet engines, known for its dedication to enhancing manufacturing capabilities, has announced plans to integrate two state-of-the-art Vapor Phase Aluminizing (VPA) coating furnaces from G-M Enterprises, a Nitrex company, in the first half of 2024. This strategic move signifies a significant advancement in aerospace manufacturing and underscores the enduring partnership between the two entities. Over time, the customer has consistently relied on Nitrex vacuum furnaces across multiple locations. The newly acquired VPA furnaces are designed for high capacity and low maintenance, featuring automated retorts with moving bases and a fixed heat chamber to optimise operational efficiency. With each retort securely sealed to the moving bases, the furnaces can concurrently...
On February 28, 2024, Constellium SE unveiled its leadership in a fresh R&D venture named "Close the Loop," collaborating with a consortium of recycling enterprises in France. This partnership encompasses INDRA (specialising in automotive recycling), GALLOO (a prominent figure in metal recycling), and MTB RECYCLING (known for its expertise in metal shredding and sorting). Constellium is an industry-leading provider of comprehensive rolled and extruded aluminium solutions catering to the worldwide automotive sector. Through strategic collaboration spanning the value chain, the company actively champions the low-carbon transition and advocates for a circular economy. Funded in part by the French Environmental Agency ADEME under the France 2030 program, the ‘Close the Loop’ project aims to...
World alumina production welcomed 2024 with a slight month-on-month dip of 0.22 per cent but a year-on-year rise of 3.9 per cent, found the International Aluminium Institute. According to the data revealed, world alumina production in January stood at 12.052 million tonnes compared to 12.078 million tonnes in December 2023 and 11.6 million tonnes in January 2023. The daily average output across the world was 388,800 tonnes in January, reflecting a drop of 0.21 per cent M-o-M aligned with the monthly production drop. On a year-on-year basis, world daily alumina output in January was 3.9 per cent higher than 374,200 tonnes. China produced 6.85 million tonnes (approx.) of alumina in January 2024, accounting for 56.84 per cent of the world’s production. On a month-on-month basis, China’s...
To comply with the national energy-saving policy and advance Chinalco Group's "double carbon" agenda, Southwest Aluminum and Chinalco Environmental Protection and Energy Conservation Technology (Hunan) have recently achieved the energy-saving refurbishment of their smelting furnace. This move underscores their commitment to green development, focusing on energy conservation and emission reduction. As a result, the energy-saving rate for natural gas consumption per ton of aluminium smelting has surpassed 20%. Adopting dispersed regenerative combustion technology for the No.24 boiler unit in the second part of melting and casting is a strategic move towards further energy efficiency. This technology, which changes the traditional premixed combustion mode, optimizes airflow circulation, and...
The mining sector in Jamaica experienced an approximate 23.6 per cent growth during the final quarter of 2023. Crude bauxite production in the island nation experienced a notable decline of 27 per cent, leading to a decrease in the bauxite capacity utilization rate to 32.7 per cent, marking a drop of 12.1 percentage points. Dr Wayne Henry, the Director General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), stated, " Alumina production grew by 32.9 per cent due to increased capacity utilisation at the Jamalco refinery. The alumina capacity utilisation rate increased to 39 per cent, up 9.6 percentage points compared with the corresponding quarter of 2022." Dr Henry remarked that this indicated a rise in alumina production.
Hydro and NKT have forged a strategic partnership to create an exceptional, low-carbon aluminium power cable value chain to support the growth of Europe's renewable energy grid. The two companies will work closely together on research and development initiatives and product innovations over the next decade leading to 2030. What the partnership holds Together, they will pioneer new frontiers in aluminium wire rod applications, aiming to significantly reduce carbon footprints without compromising on the impeccable quality they are known for. These cutting-edge projects will traverse the realms of primary and recycled aluminium sources, ushering in a greener era for the energy landscape of tomorrow. Despite the swift expansion of renewable energy sources, the looming challenge of outdated...
