Phinergy and electrical contractor Rosendin Electric have published a second white paper examining how aluminium-air generators (AAGs) could support data centre power needs beyond conventional backup systems. The paper outlines three potential uses, including providing power for AI and cloud facilities, increasing available grid capacity and supporting renewable microgrids. Titled “From Backup Power to Grid Enabler: Use Cases for Aluminum-Air Generator (AAG) in AI-Era Data Centers,” the paper compares aluminium-air generators with diesel generators and lithium-ion battery systems. The report comes amid growing pressure on electricity infrastructure from data centre expansion. In Northern Virginia, more than 9,000 backup diesel generators serve data centres, according to Virginia Mercury....
Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) have developed an aluminium-based catalyst that could help make sodium–sulphur batteries last longer. The catalyst addresses a problem that has limited the technology: Sodium polysulphides can dissolve and move away from the cathode, reducing battery life. The research team, led by Professors Wang Hui and Zheng Fangcai at CAS's High Magnetic Field Laboratory in Hefei, changed the atomic structure of aluminium by replacing one oxygen atom with nitrogen. The team wrote in the press release, “This created an asymmetric structure with three oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom around each Al atom.” It is an Al–O3N structure (three oxygen atoms and one nitrogen atom surrounding each aluminium atom). Explore AL Circle’s report ALuminium Wires &...
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Hindalco Industries Limited, one of India’s biggest aluminium manufacturing companies and the world’s largest flat-rolled products player, has announced an alliance with Texmaco Rail & Engineering Ltd., a specialised engineering company, to develop and manufacture aluminium railway wagons and coaches. Hindalco and Texmaco have come together to support Indian Railways in its new ‘Mission 3000 MT’, through which Indian Railways strives to double its freight capacity to reach 3,000 million tonnes by 2027 and holds 45 per cent market share in freight. Indian Railways is actively inviting wagon manufactures to help them design improved wagons, enhancing overall capacity and life of railway assets. Hindalco will provide profiles, and sheets and plates of unique alloys, along with fabrication...
It has come to our attention that Crystal IS Inc, a company based in Green Island, New York, USA, has successfully developed a 4-inch (100mm) single-crystal aluminium nitride (AlN) substrate. This remarkable achievement is a testament to their ability to scale and meet production demands. It has become imperative to highlight the many beneficial properties of aluminium nitride substrates, such as low defect densities, high UV transparency, and low impurity concentrations. These properties make AlN a popular choice for UVC LEDs and power devices due to its ultra-wide bandgap and high thermal conductivity. The 4-inch substrate boasts a usable area of over 80%, which meets existing requirements for UVC LEDs. Executive fellow from Research Laboratory of Advanced Science and Technology, Asahi...
Ceylon Beverage Can Pvt Ltd, promoted by former Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, has submitted an application to the Government of Karnataka requesting permission to establish an aluminium cans and drinks filling facility on the outskirts of Dharwad. The business had requested 26 acres of land, with plans to spend INR 440 crore and employ 500 employees. The Major and Medium Industries Department assessed the project at the Land Audit Committee meeting, and the State-Level Single Window Clearance Committee accepted it after examining the LAC's recommendations. Based on government clearance, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) has granted 16.7 acres of land at plot no. 157, 2.7 acres at plot no. 156, and 6.2 acres at plot no. 158. Hescom has also been...
When globally, we are witnessing a downfall in terms of revenue and profits in the aluminium industry, Luxembourg-headquartered metal waste recycling house Befesa has released its financial outcomes for H1 2023, which denotes some positivity to the sector. The company achieved cumulative revenue of 615 million euros ($676.24 million). Moreover, the adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) for H1 2023 amounted to 95 million euros ($104.46 million). The company experienced an 8 per cent rise in revenue, reaching 615.5 million euros ($676.8 million) in H1 2023. This marked an improvement from the 572.5 million euros (around $629.5 million) recorded during the same period in 2022 . The noteworthy boost in revenue was primarily attributed to the...
The aluminium industry has witnessed a technological evolution in the past decade, with big players altering their production methods to include automation, the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). After the Paris Environmental Pact of 2015, where the world vouched to be more careful about carbon emissions, the need to conserve energy, re-utilise used materials, and kerbside recycling has increased. Wars have the ability to encourage the implementation of transformational processes that might boost productivity and quality. During the 20th century, more precisely in 1913, Henry Ford introduced the concept of automation in his car production assembly line, and from then, the active use of automated processes in heavy industries has increased. Additionally, the...
Adopting digital solutions by manufacturing industries to enhance production and operational processes is no longer an unconventional practice. From the textile industry to metallurgy, none is indifferent to digitalisation and its benefits. The aluminium industry is no exception to this trend and has embraced new-age technologies wholeheartedly. The industry deeply feels that digitalisation is not an option but an imperative solution now, given the uninterrupted growing demand for the metal and unwavering concerns about minimising carbon footprint. It is a proven fact that efficient and intelligent use of technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning, process automation and robotics, the Internet of Things, and the Industrial Internet of Things or smart manufacturing can...
Introduction Globally, around 22% of the Aluminium usage per annum undergoes Heat Treatment and Casting [i], equivalent to around 32% of the annual primary aluminium production of the world [ii] Globally, there are a few thousand companies related to aluminium heat treatment. The number of companies will significantly increase considering the support industries like technology, equipment manufacturers, consulting companies, logistics firms, legal services, training companies, etc. Globally, the aluminium casting industry employs more than 100,000 [iii] people. Hence, heat treatment is a significant part of the Global Aluminium industry. Like any other part of the aluminium value chain, digital transformation can benefit heat treatment. In this issue of AL Circle's e-magazine, let us find...
Glencore, a powerhouse among globally diversified natural resource companies, has long been dominant in the commodities market. Its operations span both industrial and marketing domains, with a responsible commitment to providing the essential commodities that form the foundation of life's essentials. With a prominent presence in the alumina and aluminium sector, Glencore plays a pivotal role in the global market. It not only markets iron ore internationally but also processes and sells products sourced from various third-party aluminium and alumina producers. These offerings encompass a spectrum of essential elements, including bauxite, alumina, primary aluminium, and aluminium alloys, thereby shaping the very building blocks of numerous industries. Amidst a landscape characterized by...
Aludium, one of the leading producers of rolled aluminium products in numerous European countries, has joined forces with the women's team of Lucentum Alicante, showcasing the company's spirit of supporting gender equality. Ignacio Alonso, vice president of Lucentum Alicante, and José Ignacio Juan, director of Aludium Plant, signed the partnership agreement at the company's facilities. "The agreement is an important step for Aludium on our way to achieve genuine gender equality in society, since sport, in the same way as the metal industry, is still mostly a male-dominated field. With this collaboration boosting women's sport, we want to be part of the solution," José Ignacio Juan, Aludium Alicante director, said after signing the agreement. Aludium, in keeping with its goal of supporting...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter outside China, has announced its Q2 results for 2023, disclosing 405,628 tonnes of production, up by 9,085 tonnes from Q2 2022. Sales volume grew by 3,816 tonnes to stand at 392,258 tonnes. Value-added products accounted for 70 per cent of total sales like last year, indicating a stable demand for these products. But this steady operational output could not result in a positive financial outcome due to the sluggish LME aluminium price trend. Alba posted that its profit stood at BD29.9 million (US$79.5 million) for the second quarter of 2023, down by 83.56 per cent from BD181.9 million a year ago. The company’s Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share amounted to fils 21 in Q2 2023 versus fils 128 in Q2 2022. Alba’s Total...
The Romanian aluminium producer Alro, a prominent vertically integrated aluminium producer in Europe, has released its combined and individual financial outcomes for H1 2023, concluding on June 30th. During this period, the collective revenue of the organization declined to 1.55 billion RON, as opposed to the previous figure of 2.1 billion RON. This reduction was attributable to diminished LME valuations and the temporary closure of the ALUM alumina refinery. Over the same span, the Group incurred a net deficit of 164 million RON, contrasting with a net gain of 15.3 million RON in the corresponding period of 2022 . Marian Năstase, the Chairman of the Board of Directors at ALRO, said, “Over the past 20 years, we invested more than USD 530 million in ALRO’s development and transformation,...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,204 per tonne on Wednesday, with its high and low at US$2,222 per tonne and US$2,193.5 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,197.5 per tonne, a decrease of US$6.5 per tonne or 0.3 per cent from the previous trading day. On Wednesday, August 9, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price grew by US$10 per tonne or 0.46 per cent to settle at US$2,152 per tonne and US$2,153 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price moved up by US$10 per tonne or 0.45 per cent to halt at US$2,204 per tonne and US$2,205 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price also scrolled up by US$2 per tonne or 0.08 per cent and US$12 per tonne to settle at US$2,365 per tonne and US$2,370 per tonne. LME...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, China’s primary aluminium imports reached 89,400 tonnes in June 2023, registering an increase of 20.7 per cent month-on-month and a surge of 213.6 per cent over a year. The primary aluminium exports in June totalled 32,900 tonnes - 187 per cent more than in May 2023 and 400 per cent higher than in June 2022. From the domestic market, China secured 56,400 tonnes of primary aluminium in June 2023, which reflected a 9.8 per cent decline month-on-month but a sharp rise of 158 per cent year-on-year. China’s total imports of primary aluminium from January to June amounted to 430,500 tonnes, soaring year-on-year by 1,747.6 per cent. However, there was no upward movement in domestic aluminium ingot imports during June 2023, primarily due to narrow...
Aparna Enterprises, India's fastest-growing construction materials company, plans to spend INR 150 crores in FY24 to expand its operations and match the industry's increasing demand. A further INR 50 crores will be invested in Aparna Enterprises' tile, ready-mix concrete (RMC), and aluminium operations. This strategic commitment demonstrates the company's constant commitment to producing high-quality goods and services that meet India's ever-changing infrastructure demands. The business intends to invest INR 100 crores in creating a cutting-edge uPVC factory in Rudraram, Hyderabad, to expand the monthly output of uPVC profiles by 70 per cent, from 700 tonnes to 1,200 tonnes, and windows by 150 per cent, from 20,000 square metres to 50,000 square metres. Aparna Enterprises is...
In the race to become the most sustainable winery in Sonoma County, Revelshine introduced 100% recyclable aluminium bottles all around its flagship production line. Jake Bilbro, who is at present associated with the brand’s regional outreach, is pretty optimistic about Revelshine’s sustainability goals. Aluminium can retain its original properties after going through vigorous recycling cycles, which makes it the perfect metal for creating a material loop along the production line. Jake Bilbro remarked: “We chose aluminium bottles because, from a recycling perspective, no other product comes close.” Aluminum is a non-ferrous metal with remarkable properties when it comes to recycling for three main reasons: It possesses the unique ability to be recycled innumerable times without losing its...
Throughout its years of operation, AKFA has consistently upheld its reputation as a dependable and accountable manufacturer, offering products that customers can confidently rely on. Its state-of-the-art production complex is now one of the largest in Central Asia, reflecting the enterprise's ongoing commitment to innovation and progress. AL CircleBiz is quite optimistic about AFKA's business growth after the firm has successfully registered under the world's first B2B platform with 1200+ certified aluminium product sellers. AKFA strives to set new standards and trends, taking responsibility for driving industrialization and redefining traditional business methods and principles of interaction. The company prioritizes enhancing efficiency to optimize outcomes for customers, employees,...
The Indian imported aluminium scrap market encountered significant challenges this week, with scrap prices experiencing a sharp decline of up to 5.8 per cent week-on-week. This reduction was primarily attributed to a scarcity of favourable offers aligning with lower futures, resulting in decreased buying inquiries and subsequently hampering transaction volumes, especially in specific regions. Presently, the aluminium scrap market is grappling with subdued demand, a direct consequence of lacklustre activity observed within the metal futures exchanges. This has triggered a prevailing bearish sentiment across the industry. The subdued state of the metal futures exchange has adversely impacted investor confidence, exerting a noticeable effect on both trading volumes and price trends. As a...
Real Betis Balompié, a Spanish professional football club, has joined hands with an open environmental platform, Forever Green, to introduce sustainable practices in sports fields associated with the game. Among the activities promoted are recycling and collection of aluminium cans, installing trash bins at each corner and replacing plastic with 100% recyclable aluminium bottles. Real Betis Balompié has successfully hoisted its Forever Green flags, which aim to raise awareness among fans about the effects of climate change. This year, for the first time, the festivities have been extended to the rest of the sporting sections of the club. The initiative included 34 activities around match day actions, specifically designed to spread the message of the fight against climate change and...
