The Novas Minas project will maintain MRN’s 12.5 million metric tons/year bauxite output while strengthening supply links across Brazil’s aluminum chain. Brazilian bauxite producer Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN) is investing R$9 billion ($1.8 billion) to extend operations at its mining complex in Pará through 2041, securing long-term production from new reserves near its existing sites. MRN has operated in northern Pará since the 1970s and first applied for environmental approval to extend the mine’s operating life in 2018. Brazilian authorities granted approval for the long-term expansion in April 2026. The Novas Minas project will develop five new mining sites in western Pará and allow MRN to maintain its existing production capacity of 12.5 million metric tons of bauxite per year. The...
Germany’s aluminium industry is facing growing pressure from energy costs, international trade conflicts, industrial competitiveness and the need for skilled workers as the country works to strengthen its industrial base and accelerate the economic transformation. These challenges came into focus at an Aluminium industry conference hosted by IG Metall and IGBCE in Düsseldorf today, bringing together policymakers, aluminium producers, industry representatives, works council members and trade unionists. Held at the opening of the Aluminium trade fair in Düsseldorf, the conference focused on the future of Germany’s aluminium industry and the conditions needed to maintain a strong industrial base in Germany and Europe. The discussions centred on European industrial policy, the competitiveness...
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The aluminium industry witnessed an impact in 2022 due to augmented energy prices and the overall challenges encountered with the logistical discrepancies mainly made prominent due to the ongoing Russian-Ukraine geopolitical crisis. With the end of 2022, the entire aluminium sector is moving forward to attain more impressive opportunities in H1 2023. The worldwide demand for aluminium, driven by the quest for more sustainable products, is on an optimistic drive this year. Yet, the harrowing consequences of the prevailing recession in the US and the western countries, alongside the impending inflation rate, are quite a cause for concern. To demonstrate a compiled futuristic view, Alcircle has come up with its latest “ Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023 ” report that gives the reader a...
L’OCCITANE Travel Retail, in collaboration with Gebr. Heinemann is about to initiate an exclusive four-month campaign called the ‘Gift of Nature’ at Frankfurt Airport, Germany. To emphasise the brands’ sustainability goals, the partners have already introduced two ‘nature positive’ cloud stores at the main A and Z Terminals of the airport. L’OCCITANE en Provence’s Nature Positive collection will be available in all the high-profile areas making its special appearance in the two Frankfurt terminals. The brand will mainly focus on its patented products based on Almond, Shea Butter and Verbena. L’OCCITANE Nature Positive collection has been sealed in sustainable packaging solutions, among which the Shea hand cream comes in a 150ml aluminium tube format. The aluminium used in the making of...
The demand and use of aluminium are expanding at a moderate rate. From the automobile industry to fashion, this silvery white metal is used in almost all the prominent sectors. Like, AKILA, a Los Angeles eyewear brand, unveiled its newest collection, which includes five new frames of lightweight aluminium suitable for daily usage. The new collection has optical and sunglasses alternatives with clear, blue-light-blocking lenses and matte-finished aluminium alloy frames in a flexible, minimalist style. The independent brand's limited-edition eyewear promotes sustainability by using environmentally friendly components such as malleable acetate, optical quality lenses, and plastic-free biodegradable packaging. "As a strong, sustainable and lightweight metal, aluminum is perfect for eyewear....
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the joining of Sigma Machine as its new Industrial User member. With a focus on aluminium machining and stainless steel, Sigma Machine runs a spotless, well-lit, effective, and environmentally friendly facility that satisfies Tier 1 regulations and goes above and beyond for its customers. Founded in 1955, Sigma is dedicated to providing top-notch design, prototyping, and manufacturing services, led by their positive outlook and solid midwestern work ethic. With more than 100 staff working in three shifts and five days a week, the company provides its clients with tools to have their prototypes created, prototyped, and built from one source, with one purchase order, to give them a one-stop shopping experience. ‘Sigma Machine supports using...
Vinca Wine, most revered for manufacturing canned beverages, have partnered with the football club Ipswich Town. To carve a sustainable roadmap and to honour the upcoming Green Football weekend, Ipswich has swapped its traditional wine provider in plastic bottles to accept organic wine served in recycled aluminium cans. Compared with single-serve wine bottles, Vinca is far more nature-conscious and has incorporated 100% recyclable aluminium as the base metal to create its wine cans. These aluminium cans are much lighter in weight than a conventional wine bottles. They induce a circular economy where the aluminium can be infinitely recycled and used as a raw material multiple times. This collaboration with the football club validates Vinca’s move to become a sustainable brand with a very...
Hindalco Industries Limited has trimmed its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices, with effect from January 31, following a surge in the previous week. The company has cut its aluminium wire rod price by INR 1,500 per tonne to sell the product at INR 252,100 per tonne versus INR 251,600 per tonne on January 25. Hindalco’s aluminium billets price has also been reduced by INR 1,500 per tonne, with effect from January 31, from INR 256,600 per tonne to INR 255,100 per tonne. Aluminium ingot price is no exception but also seen a cut of the same amount to stand at INR 241,000 per tonne as of January 31. Hindalco links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange, which dropped by US$29 per tonne during January...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, world alumina production in 2022 totalled 139.02 million tonnes, reflecting a marginal growth of 0.31 per cent from 138.587 million tonnes last year. China, the world’s leading alumina producer, contributed the highest to 2022 output by producing 78.695 million tonnes versus 75.259 million tonnes in 2021. That was an increase of 4.57 per cent in China’s annual alumina production in 2022. However, IAI shows China’s alumina production in the fourth quarter of 2022 recorded a 3.31 per cent drop to 20.025 million tonnes from 20.71 million tonnes in Q3 2022; nonetheless registered a hike of 7.38 per cent on the year from 18.649 million tonnes. World alumina production in Q4 also stood lower over the quarter, from 35.621 million tonnes to...
With regard to alleged violations of the federal Lead Renovation, Repair, and Painting regulations (RRP) at the renovation projects carried out by Logan Square Aluminum and its contractors in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a settlement with the Russellville based aluminium rolling mill. According to the terms of the court settlement, Logan Square will put in place a thorough procedure to make sure that all of its contractors are licenced and taught to employ lead-safe work methods to prevent the creation of lead dust during home restoration projects. The renovation encompasses the majority of the repair, remodelling, and maintenance tasks including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and...
As the transition to vehicle electrification and renewable energy sources accelerates, Geomega Resources Inc., the proponent of the first sustainable rare earth recycling facility in the world to help meet rising global magnet demand, has announced that it has secured a $3 million grant from the Technoclimat Program, administered by the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP), towards the construction of the magnet recycling facility. The technology company added, "We are pleased to provide a technical update on the magnet recycling demonstration plant and the bauxite residues pilot plant." The construction of the magnet recycling demonstration facility, with a throughput capacity of 1.5 tonnes per day of feed material, will benefit...
One of the world’s leading marketers of physical commodities, Glencore, has reportedly delivered 40,000 tonnes of Russian aluminium to the LME-approved warehouses in the South Korean port of Gwangyang, two sources familiar with the matter reported to Reuters. The addition of Russian metal to LME warehouses is likely to trigger a fear of LME benchmark price drop, which many producers wish to avoid as their contracts refer to the LME prices. But Glencore, when contacted, declined to comment, while Rusal told Reuters it did not deliver any of its metal to the LME system. Since the Ukraine-Russia conflict, many countries and companies imposed sanctions against Russia and chose not to renew contracts with Rusal for aluminium supply. But at the same time, many firms from various industries like...
The largest state of Australia, West Australia's water authority, announced that they would curtail mining giant Alcoa's water licence by a third due to unsustainable water demands in the region. Simone McGurk, the WA Water Minister, claimed that a 23 per cent drop in rainfall had led to significant changes in licensed water in the Murray region in the state's southwest. In addition to cutting the region's access to future available water by 40 per cent, the updated allocations for the Murray groundwater area, located an hour south of Perth, are currently being reviewed to determine if further reductions are needed. However, it implies that groundwater and shallow aquifer water are only available in places like Pinjarra and Nambeelup. Jane O'Malley, the CEO of Peel-Harvey Catchment...
A00 aluminium ingot price has shrunk by RMB 40 per tonne, halting at RMB 18,730 per tonne, as the Shanghai Metals Market recorded on January 31. The aluminium prices are on a downward trajectory just after the Chinese New Year holidays are over. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 18,710 per tonne and RMB 18,750 per tonne, with spot contracts trading at discount prices of RMB 120 per tonne and RMB 80 per tonne. The eight provinces in China all have seen deescalating prices today, with aluminium prices plunging the highest in Shenyang by RMB 60 per tonne, closing at RMB 18,710 per tonne. Followed by that, the aluminium prices in Foshan and Chongqing also have lost RMB 50 per tonne, halting at RMB 18,770 per tonne and RMB 18,750 per tonne. In Linyi, the aluminium price...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,631.5 per tonne on Monday and closed at US$2,566 per tonne, a decrease of US$61.5 per tonne or 2.34 per cent. On Monday, January 30, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved down by US$20 per tonne or 0.78 per cent and 0.77 per cent to settle at US$2,576 per tonne and US$2,577 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price decreased by US$24 per tonne or 0.91 per cent and US$23 per tonne or 0.87 per cent to close at US$2,613 per tonne and US$2,615 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price slipped by US$25 per tonne or 0.89 per cent to halt at US$2,765 per tonne and US$2,770 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock stopped at 411650 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants scored at 231125...
Industrial Textiles & Plastics (ITP) Ltd, one of the leading creators of building membrane solutions, has introduced a brand new vapour control layer flaunting a Euroclass A rating called FlameOut Block. This latest addition permits façade designers to minimise fire outbreaks with the help of an external aluminium wall covering. The company’s latest FlameOut Block Class A item has been separately scrutinised under British and international flame retardant standards, like Euroclass A2-s1,d0 rating, which transverses over the lowest required protocols for vapour control and coincides with the fire safety regulations needed to be maintained for constructing façades on 18m buildings and above. It works best as a system when installed with PowerbondFR aluminium reflective tape perfectly...
Situated in Melbourne, the Innovative Manufacturing Cooperative Research Centre (IMCRC), and AML3D Limited from Edinburgh, alongside Deakin University's Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Victoria, have come together to create a novel high-strength aluminium wire feedstock. This feedstock would be compatible with Additive Manufacturing devices and suitable for welding technologies that exponentially reduce post-manufacturing heat treatment duration. The latest wire feedstock is the outcome of a research project that commenced in 2021 due to the aggravating need for high-strength aluminium wire for Additive Manufacturing by AML3D. It was crucial for the company to develop such an alloy that disregards heat treatment after manufacturing is accomplished. The Executive Director and Chief...
With the aim of setting global best practices for the aluminium industry while enhancing the sustainability of EGA's computing operations, Microsoft UAE and Emirates Global Aluminium, the world's largest 'premium aluminium' producer, announced their intention to work together on Industry 4.0 and broader digital transformation. "We are proud to partner with EGA, the largest 'premium aluminium' producer in the world, to accelerate their Industry 4.0 transformation while also pioneering further improvements in Microsoft's own cloud for manufacturing services. I look forward to further collaborations between EGA and Microsoft in the future, both locally and globally," stated Naim Yazbeck, General Manager at Microsoft UAE. The new agreement calls for the two businesses to collaborate to...
Trimet and Nexans have implemented a fundamental rule for enhancing the eco-balance of power cables. Through a joint development project, the two companies have yielded a material with recycled aluminium content for manufacturing aluminium rods instrumental in creating electrical wires. Together the companies have developed this latest product that adheres to the high technical requirements and conductivity of the alloy while eradicating the product’s carbon footprint. Until this discovery, power cables were manufactured with the help of primary aluminium, which systematically kept increasing the manufacturing value. Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, and its transformation process requires a comparatively lesser amount of energy than primary aluminium production. Moreover, a significant...
Since the launch of the Beverage Container Refund Scheme (BCRS) in Malta, more than 20 million aluminium cans and bottles have been returned, enabling the firm in charge of the programme to meet the goal it set for the first two years of operations, said BCRS Malta Ltd chairperson Pierre Fava. Around 600 tonnes of containers have been sent for recycling in Bales, each weighing about 250 to 270 per kg. As per Fava, the firm was "extremely encouraged" by the response from the general public, which helped it achieve the goal it had initially set for its first two years: the collection of 70 per cent of all containers sold. "We're told by entities responsible for cleansing that they are finding fewer bottles in the streets and the countryside... which is very positive. The fact that we've...
