Caustic soda may not be the most visible ingredient in aluminium production, but without it, the journey from bauxite to alumina would look very different. The chemical, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a crucial reagent in the Bayer process, where it helps dissolve alumina-bearing material in bauxite and separate it from impurities. The dissolved material is then processed to recover alumina, which ultimately feeds aluminium production. That makes caustic soda more than just another industrial chemical. Its availability, price and efficient use can influence the economics of alumina refining and, by extension, the wider aluminium value chain. As India expands its alumina and aluminium capacity, the requirement for this chemical is also becoming increasingly important. For companies...
The Ball Foundation and SKILLED Nation have extended their scholarship partnership for a third year, with 60 students set to receive $2,500 awards in 2026. The Ball Foundation and SKILLED Nation have extended their scholarship partnership for a third year, bringing the foundation’s cumulative investment in the program to $300,000. Through the Ball Foundation SKILLED Scholarship, another 60 students will receive $2,500 awards in 2026 to support education and training for careers in advanced manufacturing and other technical fields. More than 100 scholarships will have been supported over the three years of the partnership. “Three years and $300,000 reflect The Ball Foundation’s sustained commitment to creating real opportunities for students pursuing skilled careers,” said Alvin Townley,...
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Boss Aluminium, a reputable Australian company known for its top-quality 4x4 vehicle accessories, has recently launched the latest version of its Boss 270 Awning. Constructed in-house in Melbourne, the Boss 270 Awning is made with state-of-the-art machinery, lightweight aluminium chassis arms, and a robust Tri-axis gusseted hinge. This new iteration boasts improved features that make setting up and packing easier, ensuring a hassle-free outdoor adventure experience. The company's founder, Dave Whitehead, conceptualised the awning, primarily recognising the need for a freestanding tent suitable for off-road conditions. Dave Whitehead, the company's founder, assessed: "Boss has exceptionally high standards, and our customers demand and expect the very best products from us. Quite frankly,...
The BlueGreen Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Washington, has recently published a report presenting recommendations to address the downward trend in the primary aluminium industry in the United States. The report focuses on meeting the increasing demand for aluminium from the clean energy sector, creating well-compensated employment opportunities, enhancing national security, and reducing industrial emissions. Despite recognizing the benefits of secondary aluminium production, the organization highlights the insufficiency of scrap supplies, indicating a greater need for primary aluminium production. The BlueGreen Alliance unites labour unions and environmental organizations to solve today’s environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a...
The Slovenian aluminium producer Talum has secured a loan of EUR 15 million from SID Bank, the country's national export and development bank. This loan aims to support Talum in implementing environmentally friendly measures within its production processes. Specifically, Talum aims to enhance the sustainability of its products by augmenting the utilization of recycled aluminium. On September 29, 2022, Talum, also one of the leading energy-consuming industries in the country, declared that the company had decided to reduce its primary aluminium production w.e.f October 1, 2022, due to the energy crisis. However, in March 2023, Talum announced that it would shut down its remaining aluminium electrolytic furnaces in April 2023. Talum shut down its remaining aluminium electrolytic furnaces in...
Socorro Bebidas, a prominent Brazilian beverage producer, has recently joined forces with Crown Embalagens Metálicas da Amazônia to unveil a brand-new selection of flavoured mineral water packaged in CrownSleek aluminium cans. The zero-calorie Acquíssima Sabor mineral water can be enjoyed in convenient 350ml aluminium cans and comes in two tantalizing flavours, namely Lychee and Green Apple. This innovative product line caters to the health-conscious consumer and can be easily purchased at various restaurants, Acquíssima stores, and supermarkets throughout Brazil. The commercial director of Socorro, Maurício Cruz, commented: “We are proud to continue our work with Crown as we launch the newest addition to the Acquíssima portfolio.” “We created the Acquíssima Sabor line to give Brazilian...
The non-ferrous metals market in India is displaying mixed pricing trends. Aluminium prices are relatively stable, maintaining a consistent range. However, specific grades of aluminium are facing a decline in prices due to decreased demand. On the other hand, copper prices have rebounded, primarily due to India's increased procurement of copper scrap. The lead market has been slow-moving, with no significant transactions being reported. Meanwhile, the zinc market has remained relatively stable without experiencing significant fluctuations. Aluminium scrap prices in the domestic market saw a minor week-on-week decline, with a decrease of 1.2 per cent for aluminium tense prices and a 1.7 per cent dip for utensil prices. Trading activity remained subdued due to weak demand for the material....
Ryobi will invest about 5 billion yen or U$35.2 million to construct a building on the premises of its Kikugawa plant in Shizuoka Prefecture and introduce a moulding machine with a 6,000-tonne clamping force. It expects to receive orders for aluminium automobile components mainly from domestic automakers from March 2025 following a trial run. Japanese company Ryobi, a major supplier of aluminium auto parts, will use gigacasting technology to create sizeable electric-vehicle body parts. This technology promises to reduce the manufacturing cost of a car body by 20%. Ryobi is using the technology to die-cast one large aluminium component designed to replace dozens of steel parts. Other auto parts suppliers, including Tesla , Xpeng , Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, Volvo Cars, Volkswagen, and...
According to the US Geological Survey, the United States domestic primary aluminium production in April 2023 stood at 63,000 tonnes, down by 2,000 tonnes or 3.08 per cent from 65,000 tonnes in March 2023. On a year-on-year calculation, the output plunged by 19,000 tonnes or 23.17 per cent from 82,000 tonnes. The United States' total production of primary aluminium in the first four months of 2023 amounted to 251,000 tonnes. The average daily production in April 2023 was 2,100 tonnes, almost restrained compared to 2,110 tonnes in the previous month and down by 640 tonnes or 23.36 per cent from 2,740 tonnes a year ago. Total aluminium recovered from scrap in April 2023 was 270,000 tonnes – 5,000 tonnes or 1.82 per cent less than 275,000 tonnes in March '23 and 18,000 tonnes or 6.25 per cent...
Delfin emerged from the unwavering dedication of its founder, Antonino Siclari, towards the industrial vacuum industry. Over the years, Siclari has ceaselessly strived to provide customers with cutting-edge and practical solutions, prioritizing quality and design. Headquartered in Italy, Delfin has become a trusted name in addressing vacuuming challenges for professionals and industries across the globe. For more than three decades, Delfin has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the cleaning and maintenance experience across various industries. As an industrial vacuum company, it continuously strives to develop cutting-edge solutions that effectively address complex challenges, ultimately enhancing production efficiency, guaranteeing safety, and boosting productivity. With its bold...
Jindal Aluminium Ltd (JAL) is plotting to spend between INR 100-150 crore to expand the production capacity of its Bhiwadi plant by 60,000 tonnes per annum, according to Pragun Khaitan, the company's vice-chairman and managing director. This investment follows a previous investment of INR 250 crore in 2022 and an initial INR 100 crore in 2021. The total investment of approximately INR 500 crore will help JAL meet the growing demand for its products. Momentarily, with a capacity of 1.25 lakh tonnes per annum, Jindal Aluminium is India's largest aluminium extrusion company. They have a significant share in India's extrusion market and are the country's largest manufacturer. MD Pragun Khaitan exclaimed: "The way demand is growing, I think we need to work on all cylinders in terms of growth,...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey on Monday, July 10, A00 aluminium ingot price has begun the week with an increase of RMB 60 per tonne after four consecutive days of fall since last Tuesday, July 4. As per the data, the aluminium ingot price has pegged at RMB 18,270 per tonne versus RMB 18,210 per tonne on Friday . The average prices are estimated to range between RMB 18,250 per tonne and RMB 18,290 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 40 per tonne to a premium price of RMB 0 per tonne. The rise in A00 aluminium ingot price has touched upon almost all major Chinese provinces except Tianjin, where the price has dipped by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 18,250 per tonne. In Gongyi, the primary aluminium ingot price has ascended by RMB 120 per tonne...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,134 per tonne last Friday, with its low and high at US$2,127 per tonne and US$2,151 per tonne respectively before closing at US$2,141 per tonne, up US$11 per tonne or 0.52 per cent. On Friday, July 7, the LME aluminium cash bid price shed US$18 per tonne or 0.85 per cent to rest at US$2,085 per tonne, while the LME official settlement price clocked at US$2,086 per tonne, with a fall of US$17.50 per tonne or 0.83 per cent. The 3-month bid price and the 3-month offer price plunged by US$19 per tonne or 0.88 per cent to close at US$2,130.50 per tonne and US$2,131 per tonne, respectively. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price both dropped US$20 per tonne or 0.86 per cent to officially stop at US$2,288 per tonne and US$2,293 per tonne. LME aluminium...
European aluminium producers have expressed concerns about a potential breach in the European Union's carbon border tax (CBAM), which could enable heavily polluting exporters like China and other Asian countries to evade regulations and inundate the bloc with inexpensive heavy metal emissions. The EU's carbon border tax proposal introduces a charge on the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions generated while producing imported goods within the bloc. Under this framework, remelted waste pieces of aluminium can be classified as zero-carbon products, irrespective of whether the initial virgin material was produced using fossil fuel-fired power sources. According to statements given to British daily business print media by Norwegian aluminium giant Norsk Hydro and the German aluminium rolling and...
The end user sector has been a witness to various advancements this week, with Technal opening its brand new regional headquarters in Riyadh and Alumaze inaugurating a new manufacturing plant for aluminium composite panels (ACP) in Vishakhapatnam. It has been sourced that Chinese automakers now sell over 50% of cars in their domestic market, marking a significant milestone. Their growing influence is recognized in the world's largest car market. AlixPartners predicts they will achieve a majority share of China's automobile market, though, local brands offer competitive pricing, new models, and establish themselves as EV manufacturers. Researchers have developed the world's first non-toxic aluminium radical battery. Traditional batteries contain harmful substances that are difficult to...
EOS GmbH is preparing to deliver its next high-strength aluminium alloy, the EOS Al5X1, this summer, recently demonstrated at the RAPID + TCT exhibition. This material was created due to EOS' new material screening strategy, which considers its clients' individual needs and application designs. According to Kotak Institutional Equities, Novelis, an independent US-based subsidiary of Hindalco Industries and a leading producer of aluminium, is expected to face margin pressure 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. Calderys launched a new Foundry Service Centre in Mariestad, a key position in the Nordic area, to provide its Foundry clients with speedier solutions and...
The primary aluminium segment has been bombarded with pivotal events this week, with Aluminium China 2023 and the 27th International Conference on Non-ferrous Metals making headlines on an international scale. The European Union has updated the Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) to include aluminium in the list of minerals and metals covered by its provisions. The CRMA is a crucial part of the EU's strategy to obtain the necessary resources to compete with the United States and China in the global race for decarbonisation. While mentioning market updates, it can be cited that LME official aluminium price has grown by US$7 per tonne or 0.33 per cent over the week from US$2,096.50 per tonne on June 30, last Friday to US$2,103.50 per tonne on July 6, this Thursday. On the other hand, the SHFE...
Iberdrola, the worldwide leader in the energy industry, and LatemAluminium, a Spanish manufacturer of aluminium coils and sheets as well as recycled aluminium alloys, recently announced that the wind power producer had bought a 20 per cent share in LatemAluminium. AIA NZ, New Zealand's biggest life insurer, released its 2022 sustainability report, which described the company's significant accomplishments over the past year and emphasised its future sustainability ambitions. HVG Facades, a primary Australian provider of premium exterior wall cladding solutions for the building industry, is said to have launched Nucleo®, its newest line of high-quality engineered aluminium façade panels. The newest panel provides a sustainable cladding choice because it is constructed of an interior...
David Yurman, a renowned American jewellery company, has recently revealed its latest high jewellery collection, DY Genesis, at its international flagship store in Paris during the prestigious Haute Couture Week. The jewellery series has been crafted out of aluminium, titanium and other expensive elements, on which reside the precious gemstones, giving them an elegant yet pricey look. It is great to find the application of aluminium in such collectable items since this locates the element among the top-tier materials found on the earth's crust, eligible for high-standard fashion. This collection was designed by the talented Evan Yurman, the company's president and chief creative officer, and it truly exemplifies the brand's exceptional creativity and fine craftsmanship. Talking about his...
Fenplast, a Candiac-based manufacturer of aluminium doors and windows, has recently made a strategic move by acquiring Ramp-Art, a leading windows and doors maker headquartered in Terrebonne, Quebec. The acquisition was made through Fenplast's Altek subsidiary, ADG. While the exact financial details of the acquisition were not circulated, it is believed to be a significant investment as it will help Fenplast expand its reach and capabilities in the industry. In a Press Release dated July 5, the company officials seized the opportunity to announce: "This strategic acquisition allows Fenplast to expand its activities beyond its usual fields of fenestration activities while seizing a promising diversification opportunity. Indeed, Ramp-Art has a well-established clientele outside Quebec, thus...
