Canada and China have extended a bilateral trade arrangement that links Chinese market access for Canadian agricultural products with Canada's access for Chinese steel and aluminum. The decision provides greater certainty for exporters on both sides as Ottawa seeks to expand its trade relationships beyond the United States. The extension, announced on November 4, 2026, will keep the existing arrangement in place until the end of 2028. It comes amid renewed efforts by the two countries to strengthen economic ties and address outstanding trade issues. For the aluminum industry, the agreement offers a clearer timeline for market access, while its agricultural provisions provide Canadian producers with greater predictability in one of their key export markets. Canada-China trade agreement...
Aluminium aerosol cans are significantly less likely to be recovered during recycling operations than conventional drinks cans, according to new research by waste intelligence company Greyparrot. An AI-powered analysis of waste streams found that aluminium aerosols recorded a sorting success rate of 68 per cent, compared with 85.3 per cent for drinks cans, highlighting the challenges faced by recycling facilities in recovering non-beverage aluminium packaging. The findings were generated through Greyparrot's Deepnest platform, which analysed 1.2 billion waste items across facilities in the UK, the US and the Netherlands, including 395,424 aerosols. The results were discussed during a recent webinar involving representatives from waste management company Biffa, packaging manufacturer Ball...
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Italian truck manufacturer IVECO has re-launched their Daily Trade Made heavy-duty vehicle with an elongated 4.5m aluminium tray for a better logistical approach and an extended 5-year per 250,000 km guarantee. This makes the car suitable for construction jobs, transporting materials from one place to another. The framework has outstanding inspiration from the 45C18 Daily cab chassis. At the same time, the Tradie Made ‘Super Tray’ displays a factory-fitted, internally embedded 2218mm W x 4500mm L heavy-duty aluminium tray. This will help the construction sector with a factory-perfected vehicle that can immediately be sent to the work site without needing unique additions or fittings that usually take more time to acquire. Plus this will also curtail third-party entry into the construction...
The United States’ alumina imports in the third quarter of 2022 deteriorated to return 445,000 tonnes, following a rise of 8.76 per cent in the previous quarter, found the US Census Bureau data. The import volume in Q1 was also at the same amount, followed by a sequential rise in Q2 to 484,000 tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, the United States imports in Q3 gained 32.44 per cent compared to 336,000 tonnes. From Q1 to Q3 of 2022, the United States total imports of alumina amounted to 1.37 million tonnes, up by 21.24 per cent from 1.13 million tonnes a year ago. Brazil continued to be the top supplier in 3Q2022 despite a declining volume Q-o-Q. Compared to 367,000 tonnes in Q2, Brazil's alumina export to the US dwindled by 33.24 per cent sequentially to 245,000 tonnes. Annually,...
Colorado-based Fortius Metals has bagged a US$2 million worth financing deal to be used as seed money from a German organisation that funds 3D projects with great potential, AM Ventures. Fortius will certainly emphasise on the further development of its patented 6061 aluminium welding wire used for additive manufacturing. The invested amount would be applied to upscale the production capacity and amplify its strategies for the commercial market, ultimately leading to the growth of the additive manufacturing organisation. Fortius Metals has mastered the art of 3D printing with advanced materials such as their flagship 6061 aluminium welding wire so that consumers might obtain precisely designed solutions that were an unimaginable dream in the years gone by. The company also claims that...
The World Trade Organization (WTO) ruled on Friday that the 2018 tariffs placed on foreign aluminium and steel by then-President Donald Trump were unjustified, which was unaccepted by the Biden administration. The Biden administration took action to avoid the tariffs, but it disagreed with the WTO's judgement and said it exceeded its power by rejecting levies because of national security concerns. Reports indicate that WTO's ruling won't significantly affect the world. If the United States challenges the decision, it will be ineffective since the WTO's Appellate Body has not been operational for three years due to the United States blocking the nomination of new judges. "The United States strongly rejects the flawed interpretation and conclusions. The United States has held the clear and...
The China-based company primarily engaged in the research, development, design, production and sales of industrial aluminium extrusion products, Guangdong Hoshion Aluminium, has inked a strategic agreement with Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) to conduct extensive cooperation in the field of industrial parts and components. CATL is a global leader in new energy innovative technologies, dedicated to providing world-class solutions and services for new energy applications. On December 12, 2022, Guangdong Hoshion Aluminium stated in a filing that, as part of the partnership, the parties would develop fundamental life cycle components for the new energy industry. However, this needs to be noted that the strategic agreement is valid until December 31, 2026. The industrial aluminium...
China’s aluminium production in November 2022 (30 calendar days) amounted to 3.34 million tonnes, which reflected an increase of 8.7 per cent year-on-year, found the Shanghai Metals Market. But on a month-on-month calculation, the output stood 2.05 per cent lower than 3.41 million tonnes (31 calendar days). That indicated aluminium production in November’22 saw both increase and decrease; however, the growth was more significant based on rising production capacity due to the resumption of smelters in Guangxi and Sichuan. Despite the downfall in monthly production in November, China’s daily aluminium output rose from 110,100 tonnes to 111,200 tonnes. China’s total aluminium production from January to November stood at 36.64 million tonnes, up by 3.7 per cent from the same period last year....
LME aluminium opened at US$2,499.5 per tonne last Friday, with its high and low at US$2,517 per tonne and US$2,470 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,470 per tonne, a drop of US$30 per tonne or 1.2 per cent. On Friday, December 9, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price slipped by US$14.5 per tonne or 0.58 per cent and US$15 per tonne or 0.60 per cent to settle at US$2,453 per tonne and US$2,453.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price slumped by US$8.5 per tonne or 0.34 per cent and US$10 per tonne or 0.40 per cent to close at US$2,487.50 per tonne and US$2,488 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price dipped by US$7 per tonne or 0.27 per cent to peg at US$2,553 per tonne and US$2,558 per tonne. LME...
FYI Resources Ltd joined the United Nations Global Compact followings the acceptance of its application to join the United Nations Global Compact in Australia (UNGC). This action demonstrates FYI's dedication to putting universal sustainability principles and UN objectives into practice through developing its crucial minerals projects. The company envisages FYI's revolutionary low-carbon HPA manufacturing goals closely coinciding with the UN sustainability standards. As part of a network of more than 16,000 companies from more than 60 countries, FYI will share best practices and cutting-edge solutions for sustaining ESG advancements on a global scale. For the integrated manufacture of high-grade, high-purity alumina (HPA), primarily for electric vehicles (lithium-ion batteries), sapphire...
The global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto's chief executive Jakob Stausholm has approached the worldwide leader of the iron ore industry’s founder and chairman of Fortescue Metals Group, Dr Andrew Forrest, to identify if the two mining titans can work on the common interest of green hydrogen and its potentiality to replace fossil fuels. Rio Tinto, the owner of bauxite and Iron ore, among other mining activities, with Fortescue, the iron ore exploring giant, mines in Western Australia, are in discussion about a collective approach to lower their carbon footprint, as both the companies intend to build industrial solar and wind farms near their WA mines. In addition to driving Fortescue’s strategy to grace as a significant player in the global supply of green hydrogen, Dr Andrew Forrest is...
Sustainability in the primary aluminium industry has grabbed the limelight this year. Both producers and consumers are increasingly making efforts to achieve a sustainable future. While the former are adopting innovative technologies and developing skills to reduce carbon emissions for producing the metal, the latter are making conscious attempts to consume low-carbon primary metal to manufacture greener semi-finished products. The year 2022 has really been an eventful one in respect to sustainability drives in the primary aluminium sector. Let us pick and learn the top 10 initiatives in this article. Alba signs MoU with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to reduce its carbon footprint The year began with Alba’s collaboration with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries EMEA Ltd. (MHI EMEA), a subsidiary of...
The end-user aluminium sector has been busy with innovations this week, with USA’s Airbus launching the DisruptiveLab, a helicopter for testing flight-like simulations which flaunts aerodynamic aluminium and composite fuselage especially created to decrease drag and fuel consumption. Ball Corporation made headlines when it announced the closure of its aluminium beverage cans facility in St Paul, Minnesota, and rumours are the company would release 100 of its employees. A California-based business, Anderson Valley Brewing Company, decided to switch from glass bottles to aluminium cans for beer packaging, initiating a much more sustainable and environment-friendly effort. Skoda announced the launch of its first electric SUV (e-SUV), Enyaq iV, made of green raw materials, like 13kg of...
The New-York based American Public Benefit Corporation Kickstarter recently launched its full-size aluminium mechanical keyboard, titled AZIO Cascade 98. This keyboard is the company's first low-profile keyboard with a full-size number pad. The thin profile keyboard, which has a 98 per cent layout and an RGB backlight, can be utilised for both wirelessly and wired devices. “Cascade 98 is the perfect board for anyone who wants to make their keyboard just a little more personal. With an array of customization options, you can swap out switches or keycaps to match your style and preferences. The Cascade 98’s ergonomic compact design includes a full-size number pad and a dedicated row of Function keys. To minimize input errors, the Cascade 98 features the traditional large size “0″ key on the...
The global aluminium industry’s most vital segment is the downstream part, which converts aluminium into manufacturing feedstock. This week the segment witnessed limited but significant events. Gestamp, a Spanish producer of automotive components, had acquired one-third of Gescrap, a company that recovers and recycles scrap metal. It was indicated that eliminating carbon emissions from the whole supply chain would significantly influence the decrease of mineral extraction from iron and aluminium. Aluplast-ZTG, an Altest firm with operations in Bulgaria, purchased second Nitrex nitriding equipment to fulfil the clients' demand for its extrusion profiles used in residential and commercial construction. The extruder installed new extrusion presses, which significantly increased its...
This week the primary aluminium sector faced major market-related ups and down, with Rusal chief executive Evgenii Nikitin warning the deputy prime minister of Ireland, Leo Varadkar, on the boycott of Russian aluminium and its harrowing effects on the EU’s national economy. On December 5, the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) posted a report tracing the current contributions of the aluminium sector to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). Sohar International Bank took part in the inauguration of Sanvira Carbon FZC LLC (SCL), an important manufacturing project financed by the Omani investment group under the esteemed patronage of H.E. Salim bin Nasser bin Said Al Aufi, Minister of Oil and Gas. The LME benchmark aluminium price clocked at US$2448.50 per tonne on...
The panel in the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute resolution processes in which Switzerland contested the restrictions put in place by the US on aluminium and steel since 2018 released its final report on December 9, 2022. The tribunal favoured Switzerland after concluding that the US regulations are against the GATT. The panel listened to Switzerland's legal defence. In its findings, the board concluded that the US measures had violated multiple GATT rules and were not justified by the security exemption outlined in the agreement. Invoking national security concerns, the United States (US) imposed extra taxes of 10 per cent on certain imports of aluminium products and 25 per cent on certain imports of steel products from March 23 2018. Switzerland started WTO dispute settlement...
The market leader in manufacturing automotive components with more than three decades of operational experience, Lumax Auto Technologies received a nod from its board for INR 400 crore fundraising. The company's profit escalated by 431% Y-o-Y to INR 26 crore for the quarter that ended June FY23 on a low base, but there was a significant increase in input cost. However, revenue grew by 62% Y-o-Y to INR 421.93 crore during the same quarter. The company stated that the board of directors had approved raising funds to INR 400 crore by issuance of securities. The market participants are placing bets on some beneficiaries at a time when metal prices have started to decline. Some industry experts believe that the auto ancillaries, engineering, capital goods, and infrastructure sectors, among...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China's primary aluminium inventories have remained stagnant at 500,000 tonnes accumulating data from all the eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, on Thursday, December 8. The inventories in comparison with the month's first Monday, December 5, plummeted by 7,000 tonnes. As of now, the inventories in December dropped by 452,000 tonnes, as recorded in the same period last year and 16,000 tonnes on a month-on-month scale. To paint the whole picture, it must be mentioned that on average, the aluminium ingot social inventory has been down for the past two weeks, with spot cargoes in east China trading at a highly tagged premium. Although the downstream demand has withered away due to extreme aluminium prices, survey data says...
Dedicated to maximising the contribution of aluminium to a sustainable society, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is an international multi-stakeholder and non-profit organisation which aims to promote sustainability along the whole value chain for aluminium. They have established specific criteria to audit and verify the transparency and sustainability of aluminium across all phases of its production and transformation. And in 2022, the downstream sector of the global aluminium industry witnessed a lot of ASI certifications and membership, pointing towards the fact that sustainability is eventually becoming the need of the hour. In addition to demonstrating accountability, ASI certifications can boost stakeholder and customer trust in aluminium goods by proving our performance to a...
