The US September consumer confidence index plunged 6.7 points to 81.9, the lowest since 2014 and deteriorating across the board. The University of Michigan survey showed consumers' assessments of their current financial situation and that one year ahead both fell about 10 per cent, with high-price concerns continuing to brew. Inflation pressure showed no signs of easing. US Fed Governor Cook said AI demand growth, rising oil prices, and supply chain disruptions from Middle East conflicts would keep inflation under pressure, but gave no clear guidance on rate hikes. CME data showed the market-implied probability of a 25 bp rate hike in October had risen to 70.9 per cent, and the probability of a cumulative 50 bp hike by December reached 58.7 per cent. Tightening expectations strengthened...
Germany is on track to generate over 600,000 tonnes of solar PV waste by 2030, creating a major recovery opportunity for aluminium and silver. A new study by the Fraunhofer Centre for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP) highlights the approximate raw-material value locked in the country’s installed solar fleet. At the same time, it identifies a key challenge of an efficient recovery of the trapped aluminium and silver. Germany had roughly 5.35 tonnes of PV modules installed by 2023, containing around 660,000 tonnes of aluminium and 3,900 tonnes of silver, with a combined value of about EUR 4.8 billion (USD 5.4 billion) at current prices. These figures have risen considerably since 2023 and would need to almost double by 2030 if Germany is to meet its solar deployment targets. However, turning...
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Satyajit Vetoskar, the awarded designer , spoke to students at IIGJ in Mumbai about the art of reusing old materials in new products and his newly unveiled jewellery line made out of gold and scrap aluminium from aeroplanes. He was invited to speak to senior jewellery design students in a session titled "Afterlife" about developing sustainable designs. Mr Vetoskar, an engineer and industrial designer, recently created a priceless jewellery collection using gold and aluminium recovered from decommissioned aircraft. He discussed the creation of his collection Shourai, (which in Japanese means future that is known), as well as how he combined pieces made of aluminium and gold, why he added diamonds to the sides of each piece, how scrap aluminium was polished, why the presentation boxes were...
On April 3, scientists from the Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT), Bhubaneswar, reported the estimated quantity of rare earth elements that can be recovered from red mud in Odisha, a toxic byproduct generated in abundance during the processing of bauxite into alumina. Rare earth elements are crucial components for electronic and electric systems, devices used to produce green hydrogen, and electric vehicles. It is a known fact that red mud contains rare earth elements, but the amount of elements present depends on the origin of bauxite and how it is processed into alumina. A recent study published in Current Science on March 25 revealed that the fine-grained content of red mud at NALCO’s Damanjodi alumina refinery contained 433 ppm of rare earth elements like cerium,...
Professor Debashis Chanda, with his team of extraordinary gentlemen at the UCF NanoScience Technology Center, has discovered a plasmonic paint that is extremely lightweight. The paint uses the nanoscale structural arrangement of colourless materials, such as aluminium and aluminium oxides and is an amazing energy-saving alternative to the conventional paints used. Chanda claims that this new lightweight paint is not composed of similar synthetic compounds found in actual pigment-based colourants; rather, it uses colourless and odourless materials such as aluminium and aluminium oxide to formulate an energy-saving option for industrial application. The plasmonic paint does not trap heat, thus elongating the product's life cycle. Chanda went on to clarify that the structural bond of...
Rusal's trade and production workers of its Jamaica facilities at Windalco, Port Esquivel, and Kirkvine have assured to report back to work when the business responds to claims granted by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT). On April 3, 2022, the workers took strike action in the morning by shutting down operations at the facilities as they held down their demands. The workers stated, "The Company is insisting that they would not be allowed on the compound if they do not sign contracts that reportedly have no provision for pension, redundancy, and overtime payments." "Rusal has also gone back on their promise that they would give five workers $30,000 a year as education assistance. If the company does not provide solutions, everyone will have to wait at the gate." Vincent Morrison, the...
According to a report on April 5, the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter (NZAS) and Meridian Energy are likely to sign a new deal agreeing on flexible power demand from the smelter during grid stress or hydro shortage. The news came after Meridian submitted an application on Wednesday with the Electricity Authority, which holds the right to approve the deal within 45 business days. The new deal will give authority to Meridian to ask the smelter cut electricity demand by up to 50 megawatts when the energy system goes through a crisis, such as during winter peak periods or when generation or transmission experiences an outage. In return for the demand cut, Meridian will pay the smelter a fee and an amount per megawatt reduction. The new agreement will be valid until December 31, 2024, like the...
The progressive trade association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminium extrusion in North America, the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), has released its updated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Aluminum Extrusions and the corresponding Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The Council has also made available a sensitivity analysis that demonstrates to product specifiers how they might impact the carbon footprint of the products they specify. These EPDs for the aluminium extrusion industry document the environmental performance of aluminium extrusions manufactured in the United States and Canada. They are based on a thorough analysis of the inputs and outputs of eight extruders that are members of the AEC and have been certified by UL Environmental. The study covered 30...
BALCO and Serentica Renewables India Private (SRIPL) signed a Power Delivery Agreement (PDA) to obtain hybrid renewable electricity for its aluminium operations in Chhattisgarh. BALCO will own 26 per cent of the stock in the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), and the project will be financed at a debt-to-equity ratio of 70:30. Construction of the hybrid energy project will follow a captive paradigm and a build-own-operate philosophy. The PDA will be in effect for 25 years starting on the project's launching date. After signing the PDA, the SPV should begin supplying electricity in 24 months. According to Vedanta, this will aid in ensuring a steady electricity supply for the aluminium industry from renewable energy sources. "BALCO has entered into a Power Delivery Agreement (PDA) to source 105...
InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort and Spa has adopted the Mission Pacific Program to decrease the level of carbon dioxide throughout its business chain by responsibly collecting PET bottles or aluminium cans for recycling. Mission Pacific was launched by Coca-Cola Amatil (Fiji) Pte Ltd (CCAF) in 1999. The resort authorities wanted to ensure the used bottles and aluminium cans from their compound were directed to a proper recycling facility rather than ending up in landfills. The rules of the Mission Pacific Program demand PET and aluminium waste to be collected separately in huge trash bags, which the organisation then takes away to their primary Bottle Buy Back Centre in Kinoya for sorting and recycling purposes. The Area General Manager – of South Pacific, Lachlan Walker, notified how...
On Tuesday, April 4, Bonnell Aluminum, a leading US-based producer and supplier of the highest quality custom fabricated and finished aluminium extrusions, announced the operation expansion of its TSLOTS line of aluminium structural framing system into the Southeastern region of the United States. Bonnell is adding a new manufacturing and distribution site at Newnan, Georgia, to its existing facilities in Clearfield, Utah and Niles, Michigan. This expansion will make the TSLOTS product line more easily accessible to customers in the Southeastern United States. The TSLOTS aluminium framing system enables the creation of light, durable, versatile, and functional structures using T-slotted aluminium extrusions and connection hardware. Randy Johnson, Senior Brand Manager for TSLOTS by Bonnell...
On Tuesday, April 4, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price contracted by US$39.5 per tonne or 1.65 per cent and US$39 per tonne or 1.63 per cent to settle at US$2,340.50 per tonne and US$2,341.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price dropped by US$36 per tonne or 1.48 per cent to peg at US$2,393 per tonne and US$2,394 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price slumped by US$37 per tonne or 1.41 per cent and 1.40 per cent to score at US$2,583 per tonne and US$2,588 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock settled at 520100 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants scored at 418750 tonnes and 101350 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price inched down by US$0.43 per tonne or 0.01 per cent to halt at...
On April 4, 2023, Alcoa announced expanding the Company’s low-carbon alumina brand EcoSource™ to include specific grades of non-metallurgical alumina now. EcoSource is the world's first and only low-carbon alumina brand, first launched in 2020 for smelter-grade applications (SGA). It is now available in non-metallurgical (NMA) grades, such as hydrates and calcined materials. Hydrates are primarily used in municipal water treatment applications, whereas calcined materials are used in the production of ceramic tiles, glass, and flame retardants. Kelly Thomas, the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Alcoa, said, “Alcoa is the world’s largest producer of non-metallurgical alumina outside of China. We’re excited to expand our EcoSource brand to more customers as an...
The Netherlands is keen on expanding its deposit return scheme to include steel and aluminium beverage cans from April 1. As per the new guidelines, the recycling drive will accept any metal beverage container with a capacity of three litres and a deposit rate of €0.15. Supermarkets with an integrated area of 200m² and staffed petrol stations would host these collection points, usually situated near the highway, for uninterrupted logistical services. Other than that, multiplexes or sports grounds can also register for this recycling and collection drive. They can log in via Statiegeld Nederland to install these collection points at specific public locations. Rene Hissink, the senior vice-president of TOMRA Collection Western and Southern Europe, explained: “The expansion of the...
Vinette is now selling wines in aluminium beverage cans alongside its range of bottled and craft beers. The Vinette Wines in a can will be available in Singapore's uMart stores. Singapore will import Vinette Wines via V-Etico Services Pte Ltd, and they'll be available in five main varieties: Rosé, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, Chardonnay and Sweet Sparkle Wine. The South African company might have opted for a sustainable packaging solution, but the canned Vinette Wines retain the actual aroma of the product. Vinette has been anointed with the Gold Medal by the globally acknowledged 'Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge'. Beverage cans are easier to carry and, therefore, perfect for backpackers and travellers. Usually, cans are made of the purest form of aluminium, which makes them 100%...
East Cocalico supervisors agreed unanimously for a land development plan waiver from the US-based Boose Aluminum Foundry, which had experienced a devastating fire nearly a year prior. As per the sources, the fire started in the finishing area, where workers ground the aluminium castings. The building destroyed in the fire on April 19, 2022, was 11,740 square feet. The business is recommending a new 1,490-square-foot structure to replace it. A 250-square-foot concrete pad will be removed and replaced with vegetation, while the remaining 10,250 square feet will be turned into gravel. Boose Aluminum is a family-owned business in operation since 1933. The company manufactures aluminium castings and sand mouldings for various sectors. "Boose would like to begin the build-back process and get...
A Spanish company, Teknia, with expertise in manufacturing metal and plastic items, has successfully taken over Swedish injection moulding specialist Svensk Tryckgjutning that excels in making magnesium and aluminium steering or chassis components. Teknia announced to sources: “The acquisition is a strategic move by the company to further strengthen its capability in manufacturing components for new mobility solutions.” “Aluminium and magnesium injection and machining technologies, due to their better characteristics compared to other materials, are increasingly relevant for the manufacture of components for electric vehicles,” the company added. The plant is located in Vimmerby in southern Sweden, which means it has smooth relations with Germany. Svensk Tryckgjutning estimated sales of...
On Tuesday, April 4, Samuel Abu Jinapor, Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, revealed his anticipation that a comprehensive development of an integrated aluminium industry, with an estimated bauxite resource base of over 900 million tonnes, would create around 2 million sustainable jobs and generate US$1 trillion of revenue for the country. He said the real benefit of the country’s mineral resources is in the value they add. He stated, for instance, that bauxite sells at around US$40 to US$60 per tonne, while alumina for over US$400 per tonne and primary aluminium for US$2,000 per tonne, on average. Mr Jinapor said all this at a Downstream Aluminium Industry Workshop hosted by the Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC)at Senchi in the Eastern Region,...
Hydro's Reynosa plant has been successfully registered against the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard. This can be considered Hydro's first ASI certification in Mexico. Hydro's Reynosa plant is situated on the southern edge of the Rio Grande River and employs over 320 heads. Since its inception in 2006, the plant has been going through a series of expansion projects, making it the most capable supplier of aluminium heat exchange solutions in the area. Hydro's Reynosa plant mainly serves the automotive or HVACR sector. Jeffrey L. Insalaco, the vice president responsible for Hydro 's aluminium tubing business in North America, exemplified: "The process leading to this achievement reflects a very strong collaboration between our local organization as well as the...
New Zealand-based Dreadnort Boats, the famous watercraft manufacturer, recently unveiled a distinctive multi-purpose portable building called the Point of Difference (POD). The current prototype, designed to serve as a mobile workplace, is built with 6-mm toughened safety glass windows and 5-mm marine-grade aluminium plating. It has a weight of 1.1 tons, dimensions of 200 x 98 x 98 in (5.1 x 2.5 x 2.5 m), a plan-view area of 101 sq ft (9.4 sq m), and maximum interior headroom of 79 in (201.5 cm). POD means Point Of Difference, which is given following its distinctive functionality and design. As part of a case study in 2011, the designers were tasked with creating a tsunami refuge that could serve as a boat or trailer. This led to the conception of the POD. The prototype's V-shaped...
