
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has defended the feasibility of cooling artificial intelligence (AI) data centers in space, claiming that aluminum radiators facing away from the Sun can dissipate approximately 1,300 watts of heat per square meter. His comments have brought Aluminum's thermal management capabilities into focus as SpaceX explores the development of orbital computing satellites powered by its existing Starlink technology. In a post on social platform X on November 2, Musk argued that cooling high-performance computing equipment in space could be "much easier than on Earth," challenging concerns that the vacuum environment would make heat dissipation particularly difficult. Aluminum radiators form the basis of Musk's cooling argument The discussion began after Jan Broersen, a professor...
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...
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Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) accredited Sohar Aluminium against the ASI Performance Standard with Provisional status for its smelter and casthouse complex at Sohar, Oman. The firm manufactures high-purity primary aluminium with an annual capacity of over 390,000 tonnes in the form of ingots, sows, and hot metal, which supports Oman's thriving downstream aluminium sector. In 2021, Sohar Aluminium was enlisted by ASI as the Production and Transformation Member. "We have always aspired to be a world-class and a pioneer industrial company by pursuing excellence through adopting global best practices. SA acts in favour of protecting the environment, implementing high and safe working standards for its employees and contractors, maintaining excellent relations with its stakeholders,...

Last week, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) increased its membership to 300 by welcoming Wyda South Africa as an Industrial User. This achievement comes less than two years after reaching 200 members in November 2021. According to Chanel Swartz, Internal Sales, Wyda South Africa shares the same goals as ASI. The Internal Sales Head from Wyda South Africa exclaimed in a press release that his enterprise had targets similar to that of ASI: “As one of the largest foil converters in Africa, we feel the need to align ourselves to ASI in order to improve our performance and scale up our progress on key environmental, social and governance issues.” Wyda South Africa is a subsidiary of Wyda Industria de Embalagens, a Brazilian company specialising in food packaging. Wyda South Africa...

Aluminium China is a prominent event that unites value chain resources from the aluminium industry and diverse applications both locally and globally. Renowned as a leading international exhibition for the aluminium sector, it eagerly presents the newest advancements, technologies, and trends during its highly anticipated 2023 edition. Emphasizing promoting innovation and sustainability, Aluminium China 2023 guarantees to provide valuable insights and prospects for stakeholders involved in the entire aluminium value chain. The upcoming Aluminium China 2023 exhibition is scheduled to be held at the esteemed Shanghai New International Expo Center from June 5-7, 2023. Renowned for hosting top-notch industry events, this prestigious exhibition center offers a strategic location that...

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to the United States and Egypt has brought in a solution from both the economic and strategic perspectives. The bilateral meeting among the three countries has resolved six major disputes at World Trade Organisation related to aluminium, steel, renewable energy, and solar cells. Out of six, three disputes were raised by the US against India (DS456, DS541 and DS585), and the latter raised the remaining three against the former (DS436, DS510 and DS547). Following the meeting, the United States agreed to give market access to aluminium and steel products under the exclusion process of Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act 1962, which will again provide export opportunities to the Indian aluminium and steel manufacturers after a long gap...

On July 3, Monday, the LME aluminium cash bid price halted at US$2,105 per tonne and the LME aluminium official settlement price anchored at US$2,107 per tonne, witnessing a surge of US$9 per tonne and US$10.50 per tonne, respectively. The LME cash bid price spiked by 0.43 per cent, and the LME official price rose by 0.5 per cent. One year back, on July 1, the LME aluminium spot price was US$2,384 per tonne, which has slumped US$277 per tonne or 11.6 per cent Year-on-Year to settle at what it is today. Uncertainty persists in the debt ceiling negotiations and the potential increase of US Fed interest rates. Consumption recovery is weaker than expected, and there is an accumulation of aluminium ingot inventories. Declining prices weaken aluminium price support, and SHFE aluminium may drop...

Since 2006, Global Automate has been an esteemed manufacturer of a wide variety of industrial products. Their impressive product line includes T-slot aluminium profiles, die-cast corner brackets, T nuts, straight connectors, end caps, levelling bases, profile covers, hinges, and knobs. They are headquartered near the renowned Swami Sarnath Temple in Maharashtra, where they are known for their unwavering commitment to producing superior-quality aluminium products. Moreover, they offer end-to-end solutions for aluminium-profile display boards, workstations, trolleys, racks, fencing, and enclosures, making them a one-stop solutions provider for all your industrial needs. Aluminium profiles from Global Automate come with a wide area of applications, ranging from construction to usual...

The pandemic has profoundly altered the world of work, resulting in a more mixed paradigm. This transition has created a new challenge: guaranteeing equitable participation and inclusion in meetings for remote and in-office personnel. To combat this, Logitech introduced the Sight AI Camera, which aims to bridge the gap between hybrid teams. Logitech is dedicated to making the world a more climate-friendly place by actively trying to decrease the carbon footprint of its products. As a result, Logitech Sight will be manufactured in part from low-impact materials such as low-carbon aluminium and post-consumer recycled plastics and will be distributed in ethically sourced packaging. According to Logitech, the packaging is purchased ethically for sustainable initiatives. The Logitech Sight AI...

Mibet has recently unveiled its latest floating solar panel system, the G5, which represents the fifth iteration of its floating systems. The G5 boasts an impressive composition of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic floats and aluminium alloy support legs, ensuring exceptional weather resistance and safety. The system's innovative design significantly reduces the likelihood of component cracking caused by wind and wave forces. The system's modular nature also allows for expansion in various configurations, including parallel or symmetrical double rows. Moreover, using aluminium and HDPE makes the structure feather light so that it might float effortlessly. The R&D centre head notes that the G5 has experienced significant performance advancements compared to previous generations of...

Hydrovolt, one of Europe's largest car battery recycling plants, is leading the way in sustainability by recycling damaged or faulty electric vehicle batteries. The plant is pushing the shift to a decarbonised economy by turning them into a precious powder known as "black mass," made of essential minerals such as nickel, manganese, cobalt, lithium, and graphite. The 'black mass' powder will be supplied to other battery manufacturers, while the aluminium produced during the process will be sent to Hydro for recycling. Hydrovolt was established by Northvolt and Hydro to deliver sustainable battery recycling in Europe and ensure that no battery is ever wasted. "Black gold" is touted as eco-friendly as it comes from recycling rather than being mined in faraway countries. "The higher the...

This summer, EOS GmbH is gearing up to release its latest high-strength aluminium alloy, the EOS Al5X1, which was recently showcased at the RAPID + TCT event. The development of this material is the result of EOS' new material screening programme, which considers its customers' specific requirements and application designs. One of the key features of aluminium alloy EOS Al5X1 is its anodising and electropolishing capabilities, which give customers the flexibility to tailor the material's finish to their specific needs. Additionally, the material requires only one heat treatment step, simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing overall production costs. EOS claims that the aluminium alloy EOS Al5X1 boasts a high fatigue performance due to its impressive strength of 410MPa and...

Dinsheng New Materials, China's largest aluminium foil, sheet and coil manufacturer with approximately 500,000 tonnes of capacity, is reportedly acquiring Italy's Slim Aluminium by spending EUR 56.3 million (US$61.2 million). The acquisition will include Slim's production plant in Italy as well as the one in Germany, which will enable Dinsheng to expand its battery aluminium foil business. The news came on Friday, June 30, after Dinsheng officially announced that it would buy the Italian company from owners Rolling Mills International Holding and Rolling Mills International. The purchase of Slim Aluminium's two plants will add 135,000 tonnes of aluminium sheet and foil production capacity to Dinsheng. Once the acquisition is over, Dinsheng's business in Europe will cover the whole...

On Friday, June 30, Alumaze announced the opening of its new manufacturing facility for Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) in Visakhapatnam. Alumaze Managing Director Pawan Hirawat said the firm was founded with a 50 crore investment to fabricate ACP sheets in Ravada hamlet of Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram district. Construction was finished in a record-breaking eight months, although production has recently begun. He said that the panels have recently become highly popular in constructing structures and putting up signboards. The eco-friendly panels that have replaced wood are also widely employed in interior décor. He predicted that demand for aluminium panels would rise higher in the future. Mr Pawan said the firm was initially meant to be established in Hyderabad, but the Andhra Pradesh...

BOC is the primary supplier of hydrogen to six selected projects in Phase 2 of the UK government's Industrial Fuel Switching Competition. The IFS Competition aims to demonstrate the feasibility of fuel switching and related technologies and help industries switch from high-carbon fuels. BOC has already proven the potential of hydrogen as a low-carbon alternative in the previous round of the competition, and now, the company will support the demonstration of fuel switch solutions for industrial processes across additional industrial sites. The UK government is funding these projects through the £55m Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, which is part of the £1bn Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). BOC will provide gas pressure control technology to various industrial processes,...

Novelis, an independent US-based subsidiary of Hindalco Industries and a leading producer of aluminium, is expected to face pressure on margins for at least the next two to three quarters due to weaker demand in the building and construction sector, reduced aluminium can stocking, and lower aluminium prices, according to Kotak Institutional Equities. Kotak has granted an ‘add’ rating to Hindalco’s shares for a target price of INR 455 but foresees pressure for the near term. Sumangal Nevatia and Siddharth Mehrotra of the brokerage commented that although stocks are being traded at an inexpensive 5.5X EV/EBITDA FY2025E yet the obscure outlook of Novelis' earnings and sluggish aluminum prices are likely to keep the stocks under pressure. Kotak Institutional Equities expects Novelis’ earnings...

LME aluminium opened at US$2,161 per tonne last Friday, with its low and high at US$2,134 per tonne and US$2,179 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,156 per tonne, a drop of US$5 per tonne or 0.23 per cent. On Friday, June 30, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dipped by US$9 per tonne or 0.42 per cent to score at US$2,096 per tonne and US$2,096.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price fell by US$9 per tonne or 0.41 per cent and US$10.5 per tonne or 0.48 per cent to halt at US$2,141 per tonne and US$2,141.50 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price slipped by US$8 per tonne or 0.34 per cent to stop at US$2,302 per tonne and US$2,307 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock closed at 543150 tonnes. Live...

The world's second-largest economy, China dominates the global primary aluminium production, holding a staggering 57-58 per cent share of the market. However, China's aluminium industry significantly impacts its carbon footprint, contributing approximately 5 per cent to its total emissions. Consequently, aluminium producers are compelled to assist China in achieving its ambitious net-zero targets by 2060. According to the World Economic Forum, compared to regions like Europe, the high carbon intensity of aluminium production in China can be attributed to its heavy reliance on coal-fired energy, which accounts for over 80 per cent of its energy sources. However, achieving low-carbon aluminium production in China necessitates more than a mere transition to renewable energy. It requires the...

In June 2023, the global aluminium industry experienced a combination of instability and a downward price trend, affecting both the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE). Despite the challenges, the aluminium value chain worldwide remains committed to pursuing a low-carbon and sustainable future. Producers of this metal are optimistic that its price will regain momentum in the coming months. Furthermore, the industry is actively implementing new technologies on the ground to reduce emissions, with a strong emphasis on recycling and sustainable processes. These initiatives are being prioritized to drive positive changes in the aluminium sector. The key highlights from the global aluminium industry for the month follow below: Nowadays, the aviation industry...

Established in 1998, Impro Precision is an eminent company headquartered in Hong Kong. It has earned its position as one of the top 10 global manufacturers specializing in the production of high-precision, intricate, and essential casting and machined components and provides ‘One-Stop Solutions’. These components cater to various industries across the globe and are trusted by renowned leaders in their respective fields. In 2011 the company received equity investments from Baring and GE, and we repurchased all the remaining shares held by Lehman and DEG using funds from such equity investments. According to Roland Berger’s 2019 report, Impro is among the global Top 5 sand casting companies for complex high-performance sand castings. The engineering team at Impro possesses extensive...