
Jamaica is preparing for a major shift in its mining industry, with the Government looking to expand mineral exploration beyond bauxite and alumina, develop higher-value products and reduce taxpayers' exposure to financially troubled state investments. The newly established Ministry of Mining and Geology is spearheading the initiative, with a broader agenda covering mineral diversification, fiscal reform, geological assessment and environmental accountability. Minister of Mining and Geology Floyd Green has begun implementing the new direction following a directive from Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The strategy, outlined during a high-level meeting of the Ministry, aims to reposition mining as a wider driver of economic growth, investment and national development. Limestone and critical...
Venezuela's aluminum industry could be making another move into the US market as commodity traders and mining investors explore a fresh shipment of primary aluminum. The discussions signal renewed commercial engagement between the two countries and could open another supply channel for US aluminum consumers. The proposed cargo would follow the return of Venezuelan aluminum to the US after years of restricted trade. However, the negotiations remain ongoing, and the potential shipment's significance will depend on whether the renewed trade activity develops into a sustained flow of 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 " Mercuria and...
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In 1995, Xian Huan-Tai Technology and Development Co ., Ltd. was established after being approached by American customers to provide castings. AL CircleBiz has enlisted the company on the world’s first aluminium B2B platform to open a greater market for the Chinese dross press producer. Recognizing the potential of the Chinese manufacturing industry, the company worked diligently to establish process control systems and a positive mindset among employees, resulting in the production of high-quality products and increased business. Over time, the company developed a range of products for alumina and aluminium production and processing, including dross pans, slag bins, drain pans, bath pans, skim pots, sow moulds, and ingot moulds. The company also recognized the importance of durable...

L'Occitane has always prioritised environmental conservation, recognising its unique information: the hidden miracles of plants, their astonishing qualities, and the astounding effectiveness of their active ingredients. As part of its continued dedication to biodiversity protection, the company has released the Solidarity Balm featuring 100% recyclable aluminium packaging. The L'Occitane Foundation generously supports the L'Occitane Multi-Use Balm's mission of protecting and preserving biodiversity by contributing one hundred per cent of the earnings from the sale of this product to non-governmental organisation (NGO) initiatives. The balm is encased in aluminium packaging, which promotes the company's responsibility towards sustainability and the environment. The Solidarity Balm is a...

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world's largest 'premium aluminium' producer, revealed that the Engineer the Future project touched over 6,700 high school students during the 2022-2023 academic year. It is an interactive learning activity aimed to engage students in grades 9 to 12 and a chance to participate in an aluminium design contest. More than 400 students competed in the Aluminium Design & Innovation Challenge for a reward of AED15,000. Engineer the Future is a collaboration between Emirates Schools Establishment and BMW Group. The curriculum is intended to foster a lifelong interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, in keeping with the UAE Centennial 2071 vision, which recognises science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills as a critical...

Merlo Coffee is dedicated to sustainability, making it a top priority for the company. In December 2022, the company introduced aluminium coffee pods along its retail line to substantially curtail carbon emissions. Simon Brooks, the Head of Operations, emphasises the importance of considering the coffee industry's long-term economic, environmental, and social health. From June 2021 to July 2022, the company offset over 1.2 million kilograms of carbon, the equivalent of driving over 4.5 million kilometres in a modern car. Simon mentioned in a statement: "Coffee comes from the environment. If we can't look after our ecosystem, there won't be any coffee left. We're not going to leave change to farmers or overseas companies, or importers; we want to do our part at the other end of the supply...

The Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO) revealed that it requires US$600 million in cash to modernise its operations. The struggling state-owned company desperately needs more funding to upgrade its ageing gear and expand the smelter to more than 7.5 times its present installed output capacity. The modernisation and expansion will increase efficiency and position VALCO to grow profitably in the long term, as well as contribute to establishing and realising linkages between the upstream and downstream components of the country's Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI). The Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and VALCO believe that US$600 million is necessary to actualise this. Under this, the government authorised GIADEC and VALCO to find and engage a strategic partner with...

On July 18, Marubeni Corporation reported that aluminium stocks at three major Japanese ports were up by nearly 1 per cent to 357,490 tonnes by end-June, from 354,000 tonnes month-on-month. Marubeni gathers data from the ports of Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka, which are considered paramount for trading aluminium. Marubeni stands as a prominent Japanese conglomerate engaged in integrated trading and investment businesses. The company excels in managing an extensive array of products and offering diverse services to meet a wide spectrum of market needs. On March 27, 2023, Marubeni Corp. revealed that aluminium stocks at three major Japanese ports, Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka, dipped by 2.6 per cent to 382,400 tonnes at the end of February 2023 from 392,500 tonnes from January 2023. However, at...

Tetra Pak and Axjo Group are working together to explore the possibility of constructing a new recycling plant specifically for the polyAl layers found in carton packaging. This plant would have the capability of recycling up to 10,000 tonnes of material annually. PolyAl layers, made from a combination of polymer and aluminium, are commonly used in carton packaging to protect the product by acting as a barrier against oxygen and humidity. Axjo Group is already in the business of recycling these layers from Tetra Pak packaging and repurposing them for use in the wire and cable industry, as well as for 3D printing spools. The project will require a collaborative investment of up to €24 million and is part of a larger industry-wide trend towards greater investment in the EU's capacity for...

LogiDataTech provides cutting-edge gas measuring devices for determining gas concentration in a gas mixture. The explosion-proof MF420-Ex-2.1 range detects hazardous or combustible gases and vapours in an explosive air combination at temperatures ranging from 0 to 50°C. The aluminium housing is ideal for installation on the wall. The measured values are produced through a linear current output (4-20mA), and the assessment and additional processing of the measured values are transferred to a downstream device connected by the user. The instruments are authorised for use in zones 1 and 2 of the current European ATEX standard. They work by using a pellistor or a particular electrochemical sensor. Calibration is a straightforward on-site technique using an alphanumeric display and buttons, so...

Kalyani Powertrain Ltd (KPTL), the electric mobility division of Bharat Forge Ltd, has announced the establishment of a "re-powering factory" in Pune. This facility is dedicated to converting current diesel-powered commercial vehicles into electric vehicles through retrofitting. Retrofitting has become a prevalent practice in Europe for transforming diesel trucks and buses into eco-friendly vehicles by replacing their combustion powertrain with an electric driveline. This conversion method effectively converts these vehicles into zero-emission transportation, aligning with the growing emphasis on sustainable mobility solutions. Vehicle electrification has a two-fold positive impact: it reduces oil demand and greenhouse gas emissions, improving health outcomes. However, it also challenges...

On Tuesday, July 18, the Louisiana Office of State Parks and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser launched the Let Louisiana Shine Park Recycling Program to offer visitors of Bouge Chitto, Fairview-Riverside, Fontainebleau and Tickfaw state parks a new way to recycle aluminium cans and #1 PET plastic bottles. The visitors will have to dispose of the cans and bottles in designated blue bins, which representatives from the Let Louisiana Shine Park Recycling Program will collect, sort, and remove trash contamination. The cans will be collected on a bi-weekly basis. After collection and sorting, cans and bottles will head to recycling facilities. Nungesser is hopeful about the reducing amount of recyclable material entering landfills.

House of Marley, a sustainable audio brand created in collaboration with Bob Marley's family, announced two new eco-conscious products that might attract youngsters. The Positive Vibration Frequency over-ear headphones and Champion 2 Bluetooth earbuds are made with sustainable materials like REWIND fabric, REGRIND silicone and recycled aluminium, specially crafted for comfort and performance. House of Marley Positive Vibration Bluetooth headphones have 40mm dynamic drivers that provide a full sound and can last up to 34 hours on a single charge. They feature extra-soft ear cushions and a padded headband for comfortable listening. The headphones are made with sustainable materials, including FSC-sourced wood, recycled aluminium, and REWIND fabric, which is a low-impact textile made from...

On Wednesday, July 19, Rio Tinto announced its second quarter’s operational results ended June 30, highlighting a 4 per cent increase in aluminium production Q-o-Q and an 11 per cent rise Y-o-Y to 814,000 tonnes, benefitted from the continued ramp-up of the Kitimat smelter. Rio’s Boyne and Kitimat smelters are progressing to resume their full capacity by the end of 2023. The company’s total aluminium production in the first half of the year totalled 1.598 million tonnes, up by 9 per cent from last year. Rio Tinto has invested $1.1 billion, including $113 million from the Quebec government, into expanding the AP60 aluminium smelter equipped with low-carbon technology at Complexe Jonquière in Canada. On the other hand, Rio Tinto’s bauxite production in H1 2023 fell by 8 per cent...

Niche Fusina Rolled Products (Fusina), one of the world’s leading producers of industrial rolled aluminium products, has committed to procuring all of its primary aluminium from environmentally conscious suppliers with low-carbon practices starting in September 2023. However, according to our information from Italy, Concord Resources Limited will facilitate this responsible sourcing, and to ensure transparency and accuracy, detailed carbon footprints for the sourced aluminium will be supplied by CarbonChain. CarbonChain is built on the world's most trusted carbon accounting frameworks and standards. CarbonChain builds technology that enables data-driven climate action in the world's supply chains. However, to get there, the private and financial sectors need robust, comprehensive and...

On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) visited Novelis, a facility specialising in aluminium rolling and recycling in Fairmont. Her stay was full of discussions with the company's leadership regarding policies related to recycling and tax, such as the Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023 and the American Investment in Manufacturing (AIM) Act. Senator Capito is optimistic that these policies can make the industry more efficient and provide innovative alternatives to market discrepancies. Senator Capito exclaimed: "It was great to get a firsthand look at the creative ways Novelis is working to provide innovative solutions to the recycling, aerospace, automotive, and packaging markets in West Virginia and discuss different approaches to make the industry more...

Amcor, a leading global provider of innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for consumer goods in sectors as diverse as food and beverage, pharmaceutical, medical, and home/personal care, has launched its new sustainability program called TRANSPARENCE, which provides clarity and certainty to Wine and Spirits businesses about sustainability actions. The sustainability program is founded on three strategic pillars: Reduce – This commits the company to reduce its carbon footprint by 18 per cent by 2025 compared to 2020 levels through initiatives such as incorporating more recycled aluminium, its Science-based Targets initiative (SBTi) commitment to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and reducing the use of secondary packaging. Recycle - It will improve its 96 per cent...

On Tuesday, July 18, Constellium SE, a global leader in manufacturing high-value-added aluminium products and solutions, announced that it is selling three of its soft alloy extrusion facilities to Vaessen Aluminium. As per the report, Constellium has already signed a binding agreement with Vaessen for selling the facilities located at Landau, Crailsheim and Burg in Germany for €48.8 million. Three of these Constellium plants have 450 employees in total. They are specialised in manufacturing soft alloy extruded products for the Building & Construction sector, Transportation, and Industry markets in Europe. The transaction is likely to close in the second half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. Vaessen Aluminium, headquartered in Belgium, is a...

LME aluminium opened at US$2255 per tonne Tuesday, with low and high at US$2201 per tonne and US$2262 per tonne before closing down 2.28 per cent at US$2205.5 per tonne. On Tuesday, July 18, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price slumped by US$25.5 per tonne or 1.16 per cent to close at US$2,168.50 per tonne and US$2,169.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also dropped by US$29 per tonne or 1.29 per cent to settle at US$2,215 per tonne and US$2,216 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price descended by US$27 per tonne or 1.12 per cent to score at US$2,375 per tonne and US$2,380 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 517400 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants closed at 279475 tonnes and 237925...

China’s aluminium imports, including unwrought aluminium and products, increased 10.7 per cent from the previous year, reaching 1.2 million tonnes during the first half of 2023 ended June 30. According to China customs data, the country imported 211,235 tonnes of aluminium in June – 10.19 per cent higher than 191,701 tonnes a month ago and 12.8 per cent more than 187,362 tonnes a year earlier. The rise in China’s aluminium imports could be because of the limited domestic production due to the hydro-power shortage in the southwestern Yunnan province, the fourth biggest aluminium producing province in China. As per the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s primary aluminium output merely grew 3.4 per cent in H1 2023 to 20.16 million tonnes. Production resumed in Yunnan late last month....