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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The Downstream sector had a lot to offer this week, with Hindalco Industries placing a purchase order for three state-of-the-art extrusion lines from Presezzi to be developed and optimised by 2022 and 2023. While the first line is active in Hindalco’s production space, the company is yet to supply the other two lines. Constellium, on the other hand, bagged a supply agreement to provide aluminium flat-rolled products to Daher, a French aircraft manufacturer. LS Cable & System Ltd., known among the world’s largest cable manufacturers, and LS Alsco, its subsidiary for aluminium materials, successfully yielded a new aluminium alloy that can replace copper wire. The American Aluminum Association immediately segregated this element, tagging it as AA8031 aluminium alloy. Hindalco, one of the...
Almost everyone who grew up in the 1990s heard about or owned a Walkman. Sony recently launched the NW-A306, a new Android-powered portable music player. Sony's latest Walkman is made of aluminium and has a 3.6-inch touchscreen, 32GB of internal storage, and physical buttons that control the user interface and audio. In addition to weighing just 113 grams, the NW-A306 Walkman features Sony's S-Master HX digital amplifier. The device also includes an AI-powered sound engine called DSEE Ultimate, which the company claims can upscale compressed audio, improve CD quality 16-bit lossless codec audio, and restore acoustic subtleties and dynamic range.' Sony's current release supports various audio formats, including MP3, FLAC, WMA, AAC, AIFF, DSD, and Apple Lossless. It ships with Android 12...
Large data sets can be processed more quickly by quantum computers since they perform several calculation processes in parallel. A qubit serves as the quantum computer's information carrier. Qubits include information that ranges from "0" to "1," as well as values in between. The team's advancement is based on a strategy that has already been tried and tested, dubbed fluxonium qubits. Granular aluminium was used in some components of this prior version, whereas standard aluminium was used in others. Now, aluminium granules make up the whole qubits. "The core of a superconducting qubit is a so-called Josephson junction that serves to store quantum information. Here, we made a crucial modification," said Dr Ioan M. Pop from KIT's Institute for Quantum Materials and Technologies (IQMT)....
Aluminium and its importance are no longer limited to the beverage cans or transportation sector. From eyewear to rifles to championship trophies, the spread of this sustainable metal is increasing with the passing days. Also, many prominent beverage brands are shifting to aluminium for a better and more sustainable outlook. To begin with, the Speed Demon metal sunglasses, made entirely of ANSI Z87.1-protected 7075 aluminium alloy, were unveiled by Revision Military and Fast Metal, two of the most well-known protective eyewear and sunglass brands. The Gen3 era's unstoppable force and vigour inspired Formula E's most modern race winners' trophy. On March 14 in Mexico City, the anodized aluminium trophy will be unveiled. Apart from this, under the beverage can sector, top companies like the...
This week the primary aluminium sector has marked various shortcomings, with Slovalco closing the only aluminium smelter in Slovakia after 70 years of successful operation. The rising energy crisis in Europe and the impending effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis have started showing their shades because, on January 11, Riyadh-based Ma'aden also declared that due to operational issues, the company is going to curtail production at its aluminium smelter which it jointly owns with Alcoa. On the same day, there was another important news, but fortunately, this was a good one. A certain Aluminium Dunkerque operative assured sources that the European smelter would resume aluminium production after a yearlong closure attributed to augmenting electricity prices last year. Both LME and SHFE have...
On January 12, 2023, a new World Economic Forum report stated that inflation and sluggish economic growth result from the current energy crisis. However, taking short-term risks like broad-based consumer subsidies and increasing the power produced from coal is dangerous. The paper, ‘Securing the Energy Transition', put out a thorough strategic plan to make security and resilience the core elements of a system transitioning to alternative energy sources. It advocates coordinating ongoing efforts to deal with the energy crisis with long-term objectives for the energy transition. In the world of aluminium, the European and US industries suffer the most due to soaring energy prices. To a certain extent, primary aluminium production is slashed, and even companies owning the smelters have...
Thai premium clothes brand, MANIRAT has woven an aluminium studded evening gown for Miss Universe Thailand 2022, Anna Sueangam-iam. The model wore the aluminium gown for the Miss Universe 2022 preliminary competition on Wednesday, January 11. The composition of the evening gown is unique as the designer Arif Jehwang has incorporated aluminium pull-tabs from beverage cans to unleash this heavenly creation. The dress reminds us of Marilyn Munroe's infamous evening gown at Kennedy's controversial pre-birthday procession. The gown gets its shiny texture due to the reflective abilities of aluminium. Also, the dress would have comparatively lesser weight than any other metal could have provided. The aluminium pull tabs have been merged like a mesh to form an incredible design. The aluminium...
The Saudi Arabia state-owned mining company headquartered in Riyadh, Ma'aden, announced on Wednesday that due to operational issues, the company had curtailed output at the aluminium smelter it jointly owns with Alcoa Corp., but the firm is currently scaling output back up. According to Robert Wilt, the CEO of Ma'aden, at the same time, the company worked to stabilise the operation and address quality-control concerns. He spoke of "high anode effects," which can introduce undesired contaminants into aluminium, lowering its grade. "I don't anticipate it affecting our budget," added Wilt. Wilt refused to provide details but said no clients would be impacted due to the shutdown. He omitted to mention how much the output had been affected. Ma'aden and Alcoa control 25 per cent of the enormous...
Formula E has unveiled the most currently designed race winners’ trophy inspired by the indomitable power and energy of the Gen3 age. The trophy with an anodised aluminium construct will be revealed on March 14 in Mexico City. Beta Design Office, a London-based innovator, has crafted and developed the framework of the trophy, which honours Formula E’s new Gen3, the lightweight, most agile and ultra-powerful electric race car ever conceived. The Beta Design team selected anodised aluminium as the base metal for the trophy for its extremely lightweight characteristics. Also, the element has a robust outline that supports the trophy’s structure. Moreover, anodised aluminium can enhance the outlook as a significant gold and silver colour match can be produced, making the trophy shiny and...
LS Cable & System Ltd., one of the world’s largest cable manufacturers, and LS Alsco, it's subsidiary for aluminium materials, developed a new aluminium alloy that can take the place of copper wire. This new high-strength aluminium alloy also received a unique alloy number AA8031 from the American Aluminum Association. The new aluminium materials will be provided for electric cars and wind turbines. The inflexibility and fragility of traditional aluminium were overcome by the AA8031. It is 40 per cent stronger and more flexible than current aluminium goods. Additionally, it has lessened the drawback of declining conductivity, a characteristic that happens when aluminium strength is increased. The new aluminium alloy is anticipated to progressively replace copper in businesses like...
In the midst of a potential demand-supply scenario across the primary aluminium sector, given the rising investments towards reducing the carbon footprint at production, there were some key developments in global primary aluminium projects in 2022. While some projects were for developing clean energy to power aluminium smelters, some were for expanding integrated greenfield aluminium capacity to meet the anticipated 96.6 million tonnes of world aluminium demand. Given below are the key primary aluminium projects in 2022 – In early May 2022, Sunshine Hydro and Energy Estate proposed the construction of the world’s first super-hybrid green hydrogen project in Central Queensland, valued at $5.5 billion with massive wind and pumped hydro facilities. The project is expected to feature 1.8GW of...
A non-profit organisation that promotes and inspires Texans to preserve the environment, Keep Texas Beautiful has entered a partnership with the Yuengling Company, where the latter is going to donate US$1 per Yuengling Traditional Lager case sold, packed in aluminium beverage cans. The total estimated contribution by Yuengling would amount to US$50,000 in a donation to Keep Texas Beautiful. Aluminium being a 100% recyclable material, will efficiently induce a circular economy and introduce the idea of environmental consciousness in Texas. This alliance is a result of the family-owned brewery’s noble intention of giving back to Texas in a broader sense, by which the area will be eligible to sell Yuengling’s 194-year-old signature variants of beer. Approximately by March 2023, Texans will...
Carrefour Poland and the EKO-Punkt Packaging Recovery Organization have come together to test a new bottle vending machine scheme in the Silesian area, enabling customers to recycle empty aluminium beverage cans and plastic bottles. Customers will receive 15 cents from Carrefour in the form of coupons that can be used to make purchases right away for each package that is returned. The project was started to fulfil the Ministry of Environment and Climate's intentions for implementing a deposit system in Poland. Carrefour stated that the new approach offers a chance to improve the quantity of garbage recycled in Poland and boost the average Pole's family budget during periods of high inflation. "We are convinced that this solution will allow our customers to become even more involved in...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,458 per tonne on Wednesday and closed at US$2,489 per tonne, an increase of US$26 per tonne or 1.06 per cent. On January 12, Thursday, the LME aluminium cash bid price swamped in a long time by US$4.50 per tonne or 0.18 per cent, closing at US$2,446 per tonne, and the LME aluminium official settlement price faced a US$4 per tonne or 0.16 per cent decline to rest at US$2,447 per tonne. The 3-month bid price witnessed a drop of US$10.50 per tonne or 0.42 per cent, officially anchoring at US$2,475.50 per tonne, and the 3-month offer price saw a US$ 11 per tonne or 0.44 per cent drop to halt at US$2,476 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price stood at US$2,650 per tonne and US$2,655 per tonne on Thursday, with a loss of US$15 per tonne or 0.56...
India's only backwards integrated Carbon company with a fully dedicated source of raw materials, Epsilon Carbon, is set to begin its second phase of expansion. The team got together to perform the laying of the foundation stone ceremony. It's a significant progress milestone for the company as it ushers in a new dawn of growth and development. The groundbreaking ceremony occurred at the company's Vijayanagar plant in Karnataka, India. Vikram Handa, the Managing Director of the company, led the event, with his family participating in the ceremony. There was a feeling of new beginnings in the air, and the energy was energizing for all who attended. Epsilon Carbon Pvt Ltd, founded in 2010, is a manufacturer of coal tar derivatives led by a dedicated, experienced team of industry...
Social inventories of aluminium billets in China have further built up 15,100 tonnes week-on-week to peg at 95,000 tonnes on January 12 across the five major consumption areas. Except for Changzhou, all the major markets have witnessed a growth in billet inventories this week, driven by high shipments from southwest China and rapidly cooling demand after downstream users took an early break for the Chinese New Year holiday. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: This week, Foshan has contributed the highest to the billet inventories growth, accumulating 10,900 tonnes over the week to 45,400 tonnes, found the Shanghai Metals Market. Inventories in Wuxi and Huzhou have experienced a gain of 3,000 tonnes and 2,000 tonnes,...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has escalated its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices sharply on Thursday, January 12, in response to the LME aluminium benchmark price rally for over the past three days. The company has lifted its aluminium ingot price by INR 13,500 per tonne or 6.25 per cent from INR 215,850-219,350 per tonne on January 6 to INR 229,350-232,850 per tonne on January 12. NALCO’s aluminium wire rod price has come in at INR 233,850-238,200 per tonne, significantly up by INR 13,500 per tonne from INR 220,350-224,700 per tonne last Friday. Aluminium billets price is no exception but also seen a surge by the same amount to range between INR 233,800-236,450 per tonne versus INR 220,300-222,950 per tonne in the previous week. NALCO links its aluminium ingot...
Norsk Hydro's Taicang plant in China has bagged the ASI Performance Standard certification that revolves around responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. The certification attests to the company's extrusion and fabrication activities in the Chinese territory. The Taicang plant currently flaunts almost 370 working professionals and is situated only one hour north of Shanghai. Hydro shifted its fabrication operations to Taicang in 2020, after a prolonged 20 years of continuous yield in Shanghai, to focus more on sustainable business development. The Vice President of Hydro Precision Tubing Asia, Jeff Lehman, exclaimed: "The process leading to this achievement reflects a very strong collaboration between our departments and an outstanding group of dedicated and...
