KAP Minerals and Cymat Technologies are exploring a partnership to produce scandium-aluminium master alloy in Ontario, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The partnership would use scandium oxide from KAP’s Kapuskasing critical minerals project and Cymat’s aluminium-processing technology to produce alloys for aerospace, defence and manufacturing applications. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report " The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035 " Scandium-aluminium alloys can improve strength, performance and weldability while reducing weight. The companies aim to use the proposed venture to establish a domestic supply chain, converting Canadian critical minerals into value-added industrial materials....
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...
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According to an official, Iran has begun researching the possibility of producing 500,000 tonnes of alumina annually from low-grade bauxite with Chinese assistance. On January 23, 2023, Turaj Zar'e, the Managing Director of Iran Alumni Company (IAC), said, "The initial phase of studies was done with the Chinese, and we are conducting the second phase of the studies." He claimed that once the goal is met, Iran will be self-sufficient in alumina. "80 per cent of Iran's demand for alumina is met with imports which cost the country $1 billion a year", the MD added. According to Zar'e, the country's bauxite resources could be of better quality; hence, they are unsuitable for alumina powder production. Iran's most remarkable bauxite deposit is located in the northeastern province of North...
Cornell Dubilier Electronics, Inc. has come up with a recently developed series of Flatpack, low-profile aluminium electrolytic capacitors that have the strength to run uninterrupted for 10,000 hours at 105 °C. The MLPS clan provides extreme capacitance density in a flat construct, with voltage ranging up to 450 Vdc and a temperature hovering between -55 °C to 105 °C. The strategically crafted uneven build allows an impeccable life cycle and makes the aluminium capacitor compatible with humungous commercial or military-grade power supply channels. These MLPS capacitors can be found in four different sizes. All the aluminium cases have a thickness of 0.6 inches and a width of 1.8 inches. The external aluminium cases are customisable from 1.5 to 3.0 inches, with capacitance rate varying...
As the New Year 2023 sets in, the AlCircle team is again on the toe to release a fresh edition of its flagship e-Magazine. Yes, you guessed it right. We are prepping to launch the " Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2023 ". It is the fifth edition of the magazine this year, and so we aim to bring to you more opinions and insights from our leadership into the aluminium value chain. Like you all, we too are eager to know the anticipation of the industry leaders about the future of the aluminium market and what initiatives they are taking to resolve the issues, some passed down from the previous year and many more alike looming large in the present year. The aluminium industry in 2022 bore a plethora of challenges, like a demand drop and supply disruption caused by the geo-political conflict between...
Keychron has unveiled its latest Q1 Pro keyboard featuring a rigid aluminium body and incorporated software protocols, like QMK or VIA. After the major launch of the Q Series by Keychron, the company started exploring new ways of introducing fully programmable mechanical keyboards, and with the Q1 Pro, it has achieved complete mass production. Q1 Pro can be considered the first mass-produced aluminium keyboard globally which can be customised with QMK/VIA software systems. The software will be crucial for users to track any key and input shortcuts, commands or key combinations. The COO of Keychron, Paul Tan, exclaimed: “We’re thrilled to introduce the Keychron Q1 Pro, our latest innovation in the world of custom keyboards.” “We received rave reviews for Q1, but the one piece of feedback...
Hindalco Industries Limited elevated its aluminium products prices on Saturday, January 21, following a significant slash on the previous day. Both the actions were in line with the LME aluminium price movement. On January 21, Hindalco’s aluminium billets price was lifted by INR 3,500 per tonne to INR 254,600 per tonne, after being slashed by INR 9,250 per tonne on January 20 from INR 260,350 per tonne to INR 251,100 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price also saw an increase of INR 3,500 per tonne on Saturday, reaching INR 251,600 per tonne. On Friday, January 20, the price fell by INR 9,250 per tonne from INR 257,350 per tonne to INR 248,100 per tonne. Aluminium ingot price was no exception but also experienced a raise of INR 3,500 per tonne on Saturday, January 21, to stand at...
South32 has been facing an accumulation of inventory and working capital at the firm’s South African operations due to the prevailing shipment problems laid by the country’s port, which is controlled by the state-owned corporation Transnet. The Perth and Johannesburg enlisted mining company posted its second quarter and half-yearly production rate on January 23, wherein it declared a US$100 million build in working capital because of the augmented inventories primarily at the firm’s South African activities. South32, in a statement, tried to dissect the occurring: “This impact is most acute in our aluminium value chain in southern Africa due to ongoing shipping delays.” South32’s Hillside aluminium smelter residing in KwaZulu-Natal has announced an 8% surge in aluminium sales during the...
The Jamaican Supreme Court has prohibited Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners and New Day Aluminum (Jamaica) Limited from mining bauxite in St Ann's Cockpit Country, which some residents claim threatens their ability to survive. On January 20, 2023, the Supreme Court issued an injunction to prevent the bauxite/alumina partners from the beginning or continuing mining on the lands under Special Mining Lease (SML) 173. It will remain in effect until the residents' claim is heard and determined. However, sources in the Ministry of Transport and Mining have expressed concern about the impact of the production halt on the Government's 25-year mining agreement with Noranda Alumina and Noranda Bauxite, with the latter company focused on mining and shipping bauxite from Jamaica. Noranda Bauxite...
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), one of the eight subsidiaries of Coal India Limited and India’s major coal-producing companies, is mulling to make a debut in aluminium business and soon setting up a greenfield project. Sources say the mini ratna company is looking to secure a bauxite mine for the purpose. In late 2021, Coal India’s board approved a pre-feasibility study for establishing an integrated aluminium project in Odisha. Earlier, the Coal Ministry suggested CIL venture into the aluminium and solar sectors and special purpose vehicles. Abiding by that, MCL is also reportedly aiming to build an INR 12,000 crore worth of power plant in Odisha to mark a start in power generation. Coal India, in a regulatory filing in 2021, had already said its greenfield aluminium project would...
On January 23, 2023, the global resources company, South32 Ltd., downgraded the annual production forecast for its Brazil Aluminium operations, but the group remains optimistic in the days ahead. South32 said, "Due to a slower-than-anticipated ramp-up to nameplate capacity, its guidance for the Brazil aluminium business, which it owns in a joint venture with Alcoa Corp., has been decreased by 25 per cent.” "After obtaining renewable energy under long-term contracts, South32 declared a year ago that it would reactivate the Alumar aluminium smelter in Brazil, which had been shut down since 2015." “The smelter encountered brief issues with its alumina feeding systems during the December 2022 quarter and higher than anticipated pot failure rates. Therefore, fewer pots are operating than...
The Planetarium in Patna, more commonly known as Taramandal, is about to face the greatest technological evolution to date, with the officials working day and night to rescue the lost glory of the Indira Gandhi Science complex. It has been sourced that a specialised aluminium sheet has arrived from the USA, which is to adorn the upper dome of the gallery, functioning as a starry screen. Once the interior work was accomplished, like the heightening of the gallery floor, levelling and hooking the supporting structure of the dome into place, the officials went on to exercise their prowess in developing the dome-shaped projection screen. This is just the beginning of an extensive plan to revamp the Indira Gandhi Science complex completely. The latest screen customised for the dome's inner...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, world primary aluminium production in December 2022 amounted to 5.859 million tonnes, bringing the total output of 2022 to 68.417 million tonnes. The worldwide annual production in 2022 edged 1.97 per cent higher than 67.092 million tonnes a year ago, despite production cut at many smelters across the globe due to the energy crisis. The output in December built up by 3.55 per cent month-on-month from 5.658 million tonnes and increased by 6.12 per cent year-on-year from 5.521 million tonnes, found IAI. The world total primary aluminium production during the fourth quarter of 2022 reflected a year-on-year climb of 4.54 per cent from 16.60 million tonnes to 17.353 million tonnes. But on a quarter-on-year calculation, the output dropped by...
Trials are underway at Brisbane, Townsville, and Gold Coast stadiums that are testing alternatives to single-use drinking cups. Stirling Hinchliffe, the sports Minister, said, “At this past weekend's Brisbane Heat Big Bash games at The Gabba, the first innings of Stadiums Queensland's reusable drink container experiments were played." "We understand that enjoying a cold beer is an important part of the world-class event experience at a Queensland stadium, but we also want it to be sustainable." “The testing of reusable drink containers is a part of the Palaszczuk administration's continuous dedication to safeguarding Queensland's opulent way of life and our distinctive environment for coming generations”, the minister added. Three solutions were compared: cans of recyclable or reusable...
On January 20, Friday, the LME aluminium cash bid price spiked by US$46 per tonne or 1.81 per cent, and the LME aluminium official settlement price went upward by US$44.50 per tonne or 1.75 per cent, closing at US$2,585 per tonne and US$2,585.50 per tonne, respectively. The 3-month bid price marked a rise of US$42.50 per tonne or 1.65 per cent, officially resting at US$2,613 per tonne, and the 3-month offer price saw an increase of US$43 per tonne or 1.67 per cent to halt at US$2,614 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price stood at US$2,753 per tonne and US$2,758 per tonne on Friday, with a similar price hike of US$46 per tonne or 1.7 per cent. LME aluminium opening stock recorded a sudden outflow of 4,675 tonnes or 1.21 per cent to settle at 381,175 tonnes. Live...
Alcoa has informed its US investors that delaying approvals to elongate its bauxite mining in Western Australia (WA) will cost approximately $240 million in 2023. Nonetheless, stricter environmental standards would help maintain community support, allowing it to continue mining South West forests for another few decades. Until it is granted permission to mine portions of the jarrah forest with better-grade ore, its refineries south of Perth will produce less alumina at a higher price. Roy Harvey, the CEO of Alcoa, said, “The hold-up was due to something other than introducing new regulatory requirements. However, as environmental protection demands grew, so did the information submitted to regulators, which required planning.” “Taking a step back and giving ourselves a little extra time...
The end user sector for aluminium has been gaining pace this week with advancements in the automobile sector, wherein it was declared by Rahul Sharma, the CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, that the weight of a car is reduced by one kilogramme for every kilogramme of aluminium utilised in the vehicle. We have come across Chennai-based wheel maker Wheels India Ltd which, from now on, will incorporate the flow form technology to make their export-worthy aluminium wheels. FILTEC has launched such a flagship technological device that, with its use, the company can easily identify traces of damage on aluminium cans, glass bottles and PET bottles. This new technology has been dubbed the Remote Vision Inspection (RVI) system. One of the biggest producers of aluminium doors and windows in India, Fenesta...
This week we have witnessed various noteworthy applications of aluminium through which the non-ferrous metal is gaining global recognition as a sustainable raw material. Aluminium is considered a suitable raw material by international automobile makers, as was revealed by a study that SINTEF conducted. The automobile makers are going to use Hydro's casting technology to produce lightweight aluminium components for cars. US President Joe Biden has refused to cancel the higher tax levied on the import of Indian steel and aluminium until the "fundamental issue" of excess capacity and the gradual activities that raised the problem are solved. To cope with the emerging market prices and the upcoming recession, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (Ficci), a non-governmental...
On January 20, 2023, the southern Indian state, Telangana's capital Hyderabad, based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) announced its venture into developing Rechargeable Aluminium Batteries (RAB). These well-known sustainable energy storage systems can be an efficient alternative to Lithium-Ion batteries, which currently dominate the battery sector. In this regard, an MoU was signed and exchanged in the presence of senior officials from the research institution and Luminous Power Technologies by MD, Luminous Power Technologies, Preeti Bajaj, and Director, IICT, Dr Srinivasa Reddy. According to senior scientists, IICT already has a track record as a knowledge partner in the chemical sector. It is now working on materials for alternative battery chemistries as next-generation...
The primary aluminium sector has witnessed progressive initiatives this week, with Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) hosting a drive to commission the Forced Cooling Network (F.C.N.) Project at Potlines 4 and 5, allowing the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East to augment production capacity by approximately 17,000 tonnes per annum. Technology is inspiring each and every aluminium industry lead, as this week we have found BALCO installing various high-end digital solutions to guarantee business excellence, from smart analytics for decision-making at the strategic business unit (SBU) level to real-time equipment monitoring at shop floors. Alcoa Corporation has published its full-year 2022 growth index, where they’ve pointed out that the company has achieved a 2.5% Y-o-Y revenue...
