India’s renewable energy transition is gathering pace, with installed renewable power capacity surpassing 300 gigawatts (GW) in 2026, almost quadrupling over the past decade. The country has also achieved its target of sourcing 50 per cent of installed electricity capacity from non-fossil fuel sources five years ahead of schedule, strengthening its position as one of the world’s fastest-growing clean energy markets. The expansion is beginning to deliver measurable energy security benefits by reducing dependence on imported fossil fuels, while competitive renewable power costs and expanding domestic manufacturing are opening new investment opportunities. However, sustaining this momentum will require substantial improvements in electricity transmission, storage infrastructure and...
Glencore has defended its progress on the Aurukun bauxite project in Queensland, saying it has met all commitments under its licence conditions, as calls for greater scrutiny mount over its proposed sale to Rio Tinto. Queensland MP Robbie Katter, a member of the Parliamentary Primary Industries and Resources Committee, is seeking an inquiry into the deal. The reported sale value has been put at USD 250 million, though this figure has not been confirmed. Katter questioned why a multinational company should hold a public resource without developing it and then sell its interests. He said, “That resource is owned by the people of Queensland, it’s not the government’s to play around with, or for any of these global mining companies to just trade.” Explore the production, demand and...
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After being declared bankrupt, Alu Ibérica LC S.L., located in the Galicia region of Spain, arranged for a €1.2 million loan from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF) to fund new jobs for 303 of its ex-employees. On March 16, the European Commission joined in to support the initiation. This €1.2 million investment will aid the ex-Alu Ibérica workers to find new opportunities through enhanced vocational training, specific job profiling, expert guidelines and customised career paths. Spain promptly opted for the EGF funding to completely support the Alu Ibérica workers already abandoned by the company after it declared bankruptcy. Alu Ibérica excelled in producing primary aluminium from mined bauxite ore but had to shut down its operations owing to...
Czinger Vehicles Inc., a Los Angeles-based automobile manufacturer of hybrid sports cars, launched a 3D printed automotive gearbox case which the company claimed as the world’s first. In collaboration with UK automotive engineering firm Xtrac, Czinger used topology optimization software to design the gearbox case and printed it in a proprietary aluminium alloy. Xtrac is specialized in designing gearboxes for race cars, which makes the company an obvious choice for manufacturing fuel-efficient luxury hypercars. The main advantage of 3D printing a gearbox case is that it requires no tooling, besides reducing gearbox case’s mass and complex geometry. Topology optimization software is combined with AI-driven generative design and its use is often found in additive manufacturing. The software...
Ball Corporation, on March 16, published its new Climate Transition Plan, citing the company's historical journey and development into a fully circular, decarbonised or carbon-neutral organisation. This certifies Ball to carry on better services for its stakeholders in supplying aluminium solutions that pose no threat to the planet. The plan accompanied the release of Ball's 2022 Combined Report that illustrates the company's adherence to environmental, social and economic sustainability, alongside tracking its 2030 product stewardship and socio-economic aims. Ball's Climate Transition Plan charts a strong, uncomplicated and science-based decarbonisation plan depending on the most current UN guidelines. Ball also instigates other international corporations to churn Net Zero programmes to...
The US-based aluminium giant Alcoa announced it would close down its Intalco aluminium smelter after five decades of operations. With the closure announcement, the company begins preparing the site for new economic development opportunities. Roy Harvey, the President and CEO of Alcoa, said, “The Intalco smelter site operated for nearly 55 years, and we’ve spent significant time evaluating options for the asset, including a potential sale. Our analysis, however, indicates that the facility cannot be competitive long-term." Harvey added, “The site is an important part of our history. We are encouraged by the prospects for potential economic development via another entity that will own and control land at the site. As we transition, we will continue engaging with our stakeholders, including...
Hindalco Industries Limited again cut its aluminium products prices on March 16 after an intermittent hike the previous day. According to the latest price list, the company’s aluminium wire rod price has come in at INR 225,100 per tonne as of March 16, down by INR 2,000 per tonne. On March 15, the price stood at INR 227,100 per tonne after experiencing an increase of INR 4,500 per tonne from INR 222,600 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium billets price was also revised for the third day in a row, with effect from March 16. The price saw a cut of INR 2,000 per tonne to stand at INR 228,100 per tonne as of March 16, whereas it rose by INR 4,500 per tonne from INR 225,600 per tonne to INR 230,100 per tonne on March 15. Aluminium ingot price was no exception but also underwent a cut on March 16...
On Friday, March 17, Rusal announced a higher aluminium production in 2022, mitigating several challenges like Australia’s alumina export ban to Russia, suspension of alumina production at the Mykolaiv refinery, and inflated production cost due to energy and raw materials price hike. Rusal’s aluminium output in the full year stood at 3.835 million tonnes, up by 1.9 per cent from 3.764 million tonnes in 2021 amid a 31.8 per cent rise in production cost to US$2,190 per tonne versus US$1,661 per tonne last year. Thanks to the efficient management model, Rusal could rebuild raw material supplies and supply chains and successfully diversify sales channels, redirecting finished product flows to domestic and Asian markets. Thus, the company’s aluminium sales recorded no significant downfall but...
The Minister of the Public Enterprise Sector of Egypt, Mahmoud Esmat, appreciated the intensely cordial attitude of the UAE toward Egypt, referring to them as a pillar of globalisation. These strong words of friendship were exchanged in Cairo when the Minister entertained the CEO of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), Abdul Nasser bin Kalban; the Senior Vice President for Government Relations of EGA, Khaled Buhumaid and the Deputy Ambassador of Egypt in Cairo, Saleh Al Saadi. The meeting mainly aimed at discussing probable investment areas in the mineral and chemical industries by organisations under Egypt’s Ministry of Public Enterprise Sector. Egypt Aluminium Company and EGA were eager to chalk out plans of partnership endeavours they could pick up in the area, creating a new aluminium...
Three-month LME aluminium opened at US$2,283 per tonne and settled at US$2,280 per tonne, down 0.07 per cent. On Thursday, March 16, the LME aluminium cash bid price saw a further drop of US$8 per tonne or 0.36 per cent to stand at US$2,237 per tonne, and the LME aluminium official settlement price decreased by US$8.50 per tonne or 0.38 per cent to rest at US$2,237.50 per tonne. The 3-month bid price slipped by US$9 per tonne to settle at US$2,286 per tonne, and the 3-month offer price shrank by US$8.50 per tonne to close at US$2,287 per tonne. Meanwhile, December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price inched up by US$1 per tonne on March 16 to peg at US$2,508 per tonne and US$2,513 per tonne, respectively. LME aluminium opening stock continued to suffer a loss. As of March 16, the...
On Tuesday, a top government official announced that redeem centres for aluminium cans and glass bottles will resume operations in Seychelles on March 20, a day later than usual, due to persisting difficulties. Seychelles has six primary redemption centres where collectors may drop off their aluminium cans and PET bottles. On the second and third most inhabited islands, Praslin and La Digue, respectively, there are one and four on Mahe, the major island. In the meantime, beginning on March 20, individuals can bring their glass bottles and cans for recycling. Denis Matatiken, the Department of Environment's main secretary, told reporters that owing to difficulties that were out of their control, the environmental authorities decided to terminate the exchange period in November rather than...
Eural, one of the largest European manufacturers of extruded aluminium bars and rods, has developed new lead-free, free-cutting aluminium alloys, which are expected to be compatible with stringent regulations and offer excellent machinability and productivity. As per Eural, the discovery is termed aluminium alloy 2077 and has outstanding mechanical characteristics and great machinability. It produces tiny chips equivalent to those produced in 2011, making it perfect for high-speed automated lathe machining to achieve high productivity. With Rm greater than or equal to 69.6 Ksi ultimate tensile strength (UTS), the 2077 Lead-Free aluminium alloys have outperformed 2024. Hard alloys like 2014, 2014A, 2024, 2017, 2017A, 7020, and 7075 are alternatives to it. Depending on the ultimate use, it...
Killeen City Council has allotted a US$118,300 replacement contract to Southern Bleacher Company for installing aluminium bleachers in place of wooden ones in the Killeen Rodeo Arena. The contract was forged in October 2022 and was awaiting approval. The entire reconstruction can be attributed to the 76th PRCA Rodeo in Killeen to be from May 18 to 20. Associates, workers and inmates from the Texas-based Southern Bleacher Company have already started switching wooden bleachers with aluminium bleachers at the Killeen Rodeo Arena. “The replacement is needed to ensure the safety of over 10,000 rodeo patrons that attend each year,” as was reported by sources. In January this year, the City Council logged a resolution permitting Texas Correctional Industries to be on the official vendors’ list....
According to a recent report, Cola-Cola Japan has introduced ready-mixed cocktails of Jack Daniel’s and Coke packaged in aluminium cans. Inspired by the classic bar cocktail, the beverage is made with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca‑Cola. The beverage was initially launched in Mexico in late 2022, and it is now ready to hit the Japanese market on April 10, priced at 210 yen. While launching the product, Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola boasted this beverage is not only born but born-ready, which promises “the perfect flavor, born of the meeting between these two.” “We keep consumers at the centre of everything we do as we continue to develop our portfolio as a total beverage company, and that includes new products with our iconic Coca‑Cola brand,” said James Quincey, Chairman and CEO of...
Marchesini Group, an Italy-based packaging machinery maker, will exhibit its flagship solutions at the Interpack Programme 2023. The Italian Group is mainly responsible for producing a wide array of sustainable, digitally modified, customised, sterile and aseptic packaging solutions highly demanded by the beauty or pharmaceutical sector. Marchesini’s state-of-the-art, specialised machines accept various raw materials, including paper, recyclable plastic, PET and aluminium, to forge them into a pre-designated shape. The company’s line of 50 machines would be on display during the Interpack event, placing them separately according to definitive purposes. Marchesini machines dwell under the common industrial standard to make eco-friendly packaging solutions that also follow all the safety...
Glencore Plc is prepared to back out of a $16 billion agreement to purchase aluminium from Rusal, Russia's top producer, to separate itself from one of its main competitors. As per Gary Nagle, CEO of Glencore, the firm won't extend a contract with Rusal International when it expires next year following its stance of refraining from conducting any new business with Russia. A month after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the trading business instituted such a policy while upholding previous contracts. Suppose Glencore's main competitors are comfortable dealing with Russian metal that many customers are unwilling to purchase. In that case, the contract's expiration will present a once-in-a-lifetime chance for them to increase their influence in the global aluminium market. Suppose Rusal is...
In accordance with the restructuring plan signed in November 2021 following the company's reorganisation in February 2019, Gulf Aluminium Rolling Mill "GARMCO", a portfolio company of Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, announced its first repayment to creditors of USD 23 million. GARMCO reported that it settled its first payments after the business experienced its most profitable year since it started its journey. The reorganisation plan allowed GARMCO to convert the remaining 28 per cent of its debt into company shares while repaying 72 per cent of its total value over an 11-year period. Arif Rahimi, the Chairman of GARMCO and board representative of Mumtalakat, said, "The plan has enabled us to continue operating and maintain our leading role in the Aluminium downstream industry...
On Wednesday, March 15, Constellium SE, a global producer of aluminium rolled products, extruded products and structural parts, published its 2022 Sustainability Report noting that it again achieved best-in-class safety performance, delivering 1.85 per million working hours versus a target of 1.5 per million hours in 2025. The company stated that six sites reached milestones of more than 1 million hours worked with a recordable case. Constellium boasted that its percentage of women workers increased from 13 to 14 per cent, while the percentage of new female hires rose from 24 to 31 per cent. In 2022, women held 22 per cent of professional and management roles versus 21 per cent in the previous year. The company is confident to reach its target of 25 per cent in 2025. In the sustainability...
The NZAS aluminium smelter at TIWAI Point is receiving heavy support from the Great South and Southland Business Chamber. They think it should remain in production because “the jobs and GDP it produces are significantly higher than the alternatives that have been suggested”. Suppose the smelter needs to be saved from an unprecedented closure in 2024. In that case, it is crucial to replace its usual power source with a hydrogen plant that can act as an alternative renewable energy joint for the complete optimisation of the plant. In the middle of 2021, it came into view that Meridian Energy and Contact Energy were indulging in a conglomeration to construct the globe’s largest green hydrogen plant in Southland. This was decided after a feasibility report unveiled that a green hydrogen plant...
The world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of light alloy wheels for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, Ronal Group, has set itself the aim of a 50 per cent reduction in its manufacturing CO 2 emissions by 2030 and CO 2 -neutral production of all its wheels by 2050 as part of its PLANBLUE sustainability plan. With the production of the first light-alloy wheels built entirely of secondary aluminium for the new all-electric MINI Cooper SE Convertible, the German plant in Landau is taking the lead in this area. The production of primary aluminium is an energy-intensive process that impacts the environment. The carbon balance sheet of the RONAL GROUP shows that 74 per cent of the CO 2 generation is attributable to aluminium procurement. The company sourced 100 per cent of its...
