Downstream aluminium is where geopolitics meets the shop floor. Tariffs, shipping disruption, regulation and shifting demand are deciding who rolls the metal, who gets it and what it becomes, whether a beer can, a battery housing or a length of wire. Fifteen recent developments across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Oceania depict how aluminium flat rolled products (FRPs), packaging and electric vehicle (EV) demand are being rerouted, and where traders, exporters and buyers may need to adjust. Aluminium FRP and wire: tariffs and policy redraw the flows The tariff debate has reached the bar counter. In Virginia, Democrat Tom Perriello is campaigning on aluminium tariffs that he says raise brewers’ packaging costs. Across the border, a Windsor, Ontario brewery reports its...
The global aluminium industry is entering a new phase of competition, with access to raw materials, affordable energy and production capacity increasingly shaping the position of major producers. China is preparing a large overseas smelting expansion, Ghana is attracting investment in its bauxite reserves, and India and Vietnam are advancing new aluminium projects. However, the expansion drive comes against a complicated market backdrop. Alumina prices have fallen sharply, energy and logistics costs remain significant, and trade policies are reshaping the economics of production and exports. Together, these developments point to a market in which securing resources is only part of the challenge; converting them into competitive aluminium will matter just as much. Africa’s bauxite...
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Hindalco Industries Limited chopped its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices on Wednesday, February 16, following a hike of INR 9,500 per tonne on the previous day. With effect from February 16, Hindalco’s aluminium ingot price was cut by INR 6,250 per tonne from INR 285,500 per tonne on February 15 to INR 279,250 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price also saw a slash of INR 6,250 per tonne, with effect from February 16, from INR 296,600 per tonne to INR 290,350 per tonne. Aluminium billets price came in at INR 293,350 per tonne as of February 16 versus INR 299,600 per tonne on the previous day. Hindalco links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three-month future of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange, which shrank by US$83 per tonne on February...
The Australian bauxite exploration and mining company Metro Mining (MMI) has accomplished loading the final vessels to settle its 2021 contractual commitments of 3.1 million wet metric tonnes (WMT). However, the Brisbane, Queensland headquartered company reported that tonnage loaded in January and February was about 300,000 WMT. Simon Wensley, the Managing Director and CEO of Metro Mining said, “The Company has learned a great deal about wet season operation in far north Queensland which it will factor into planning into the coming year.” “Metro made a deliberate decision to continue loading into the wet season to meet our customer commitments and expectations after earlier loading were impacted by weather, COVID-19 and supply chain issues,” said Wensley. “I want to pay tribute to the...
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the United States exported 9,610 tonnes of US aluminium scrap in November to Thailand. On a month-on-month scale, there was a growth of 5,130 per tonne or 114.50%. In October 2021, 4,480 tonnes of US aluminium scrap was exported to Thailand, highlighting a slip 1,440 tonnes from 5,920 tonnes in September 2021. On a year-on-year calculation, US aluminium scrap exported to Thailand in November 2021 escalated by 3,330 tonnes or 53.02% from 6,280 tonnes in November 2020. From January to November, the exported aluminium scrap to Thailand pegged at 65,600 tonnes. For the same period last, the amount closed at 65,700 tonnes. Based on the data from the USGS, the total amount of aluminium plates, sheets, bars, crude metals and alloys, and scrap,...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, alumina production in China during January 2022 came in at 6.5 million tonnes, of which metallurgical-grade alumina stood at 6.28 million tonnes. That was a month-on-month decline of 1.26 per cent from 6.36 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina. SMM also showed the average daily metallurgical-grade alumina output was 203,000 tonnes, down by 1.3 per cent M-o-M but 10.4 per cent more on the year. China’s alumina output in January was affected by the air pollution prevention and control policy, which impacted the production stability of roasting machines in Shanxi, Shandong, and Henan. Nonetheless, the total alumina output in China was offset by stable production in southwest China. Meanwhile, a strong rally of domestic alumina prices since...
LME aluminium opened at US$3,191 per tonne on Wednesday, February 16, and closed at US$3,250 per tonne, an increase of US$56 per tonne or 1.75 per cent. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME aluminium official settlement price moved up by US$59 per tonne or 1.83 per cent to US$3,280 per tonne and US$3,282 per tonne, following a decline last day, as tensions eased between Russia and US over Ukraine and focus shifted to energy crunch causing smelters shutdowns. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also grew by US$46 per tonne and US$47 per tonne to stand at US$3,240 per tonne and US$3,242 per tonne, respectively. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price stood higher at US$2,910 per tonne and US$2,915 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock decreased to 857225 tonnes. Live...
Aluminium ingot production in Iran rose 24 per cent during the first ten months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2021-January 20, 2022) to come in at 453,436 tonnes versus 364,783 tonnes during the same period last year. As was announced earlier by Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), aluminium ingot production in Iran rose 61 per cent in the previous Iranian calendar year 1399 (ended on March 20, 2021) to stand at 446,800 tonnes. IMIDRO also showed that among the country’s top producers, Iranian Aluminium Company (IRALCO) had the best performance last year producing 185,000 tonnes of aluminium ingots. During the 12th month last year (February 19-March 20, 2021), aluminium ingot production in Iran reached 41,000 tonnes,...
The world leader in heavy equipment for the aluminium, pulp and paper and rail equipment industries, EPIQ Machinery announces that Taylor Northeast (TNE), a US-based material handling equipment supplier, is now the factory-authorized distributor of EPIQ MECFOR mobile equipment, products and parts for the entire US market. As of 1 st January 2022, all EPIQ MECFOR mobile equipment sales, rentals and aftermarket support in the US will be handled through TNE and their affiliate company, H&K Equipment. EPIQ MECFOR is a brand of EPIQ Machinery offering very unique mobile equipment expertise for harsh working environments. Yannick Beaulé, the Chief Revenue Officer at EPIQ Machinery said, “As EPIQ Machinery continues to grow, we are excited to have this opportunity to expand our equipment and...
On 16 th February 2022, at the supervisory board meeting of AMAG Austria Metall AG, a resolution has been passed to implement an early extension of the contracts of Chief Executive Officer Gerald Mayer and Chief Operating Officer Dr Helmut Kaufmann. The leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat-rolled products for highly varied industries. AMAG revealed that the term of Gerald Mayer’s contract was thereby extended until 31 st December 2025, while Dr Helmut Kaufmann’s contract runs until 30 th April 2026. Since March 2019, Gerald Mayer has been active as CEO of AMAG and his scope of responsibility also comprises the financial agendas for which he has already been responsible as Chief Financial Officer since 2007. Dr Helmut Kaufmann has been COO at AMAG since...
The apex body representing the entire spectrum of the Indian Aluminium Industry, the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has solicited the mediation of the Indian state-owned coal mining and refining corporation, Coal India Limited in regards to the continuation of sustainable coal supplies and rakes for aluminium industry-owned captive power plants (CPPs) which are countering unsettlingly exhausted stockpiles of dry fuel of three to four days as compared to the stipulated level of 15 days. On 15 th February 2022, in a letter written to the Chairman of Coal India, AAI stated, “With untiring efforts of CIL and its subsidiaries, the situation of the power sector has now improved significantly with 9-10 days' stocks from as 3-4 days in August-September last year.” The dearth of coal stock...
According to the recent data released by General Administration of Customs, China imported 8.73 million tonnes of bauxite in December 2021, which reflected a month-on-month increase of 13.32 per cent and a year-on-year hike of 16.4 per cent. From Australia, China imported 2.9 million tonnes of bauxite, up 9.39 per cent M-o-M and 44.14 per cent Y-o-Y. Guinea, being the leading supplier of bauxite to China, exported 3.56 million tonnes in December 2021, 10.25 per cent more than in November 2021 but 17.13 per cent less than in December 2020. Indonesia exported 2.26 million tonnes, which was 24.53 per cent up M-o-M and 132.17 per cent Y-o-Y. In the entire year of 2021, Guinea’s bauxite exports to China totalled 54.84 million tonnes, accounting for 51.1 per cent of China’s imports throughout...
Polestar, a Swedish electric performance vehicle manufacturer, has made a technological breakthrough that might revolutionise production methods. The Polestar 5 electric performance 4dr GT will have a whole new, special bonded aluminium base, according to the company. The fact that bonded aluminium is lightweight and robust is a major selling point. However, the technology was historically labour-intensive and difficult to use in mass-market automobiles. Now, the brand's engineers claim to have overcome the problem by designing a totally new and faster production method that simultaneously produces the body and platform. The platform is predicted to weigh significantly less as a consequence of new materials and procedures, which is an important step toward improving road efficiency. The...
After a successful Day 1, AlCircle team is ready to welcome you to Day 2 of AlCircle Expo 2022. The event will go live today at 11:00 AM GMT, with a host of esteemed speakers, exhibitors, and sponsors, to make the final day even more eventful. Some of the eminent companies to be present in the final day of the expo are: Alba, NKM Noell, CHALCO, Fives, Mitsui Bussan Commodities, Precimeter, SECO/WARWICK and many others. So, delay no more and register at https://live.alcircleevents.com/event_registration/23911244/121 to grace the expo with your presence. While we create memories together, you are assured to gain insights into the current aluminium market. After all, AlCircle expo aims at bringing aluminium leaders and partners under one digital roof, where they can share business ideas and...
As per the US Geological Survey (USGS), the United States imported 14,100 tonnes of US aluminium crude metals and alloys from Argentina in November, showing a month-on-month growth of 3,800 per tonne or 36.89%. In October 2021, 10,300 tonnes of US aluminium crude metals and alloys were imported from Argentina, showing a drop down 14,100 tonnes from 24,400 tonnes in September 2021. On a year-on-year calculation, US aluminium crude metals and alloys imported from Argentina in November 2021 surged by 4,000 tonnes or by 39.60% from 10,100 tonnes in November 2020. From January to November, the imported aluminium crude metals and alloys from Argentina in November 2021 settled at 109,000 tonnes. For the same period last year, the amount pegged at 148,000 tonnes. Based on the data from the USGS,...
The present global aluminium market progress is predicted to navigate probable dividends of the Volta Aluminium Company (VALCO), as the Ghana government pursues to materialize for reviving the operations of the one-time centrepiece of the nation’s economy. Michael Ansah, the CEO of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) stated, “There has been a significant rise in demand and price of aluminium on the world market.” "The world market today is in deficit in terms of aluminium supply. China and other big markets are demanding aluminium, and that's what is accounting for the upward trend in pricing. With the deficit that is being forecast for the mid-2020s, it positions us to be in a strong place to drive this and because of this, the timing for the development of...
Gear up for Day 2 of AlCircle Expo 2022! After a successful beginning on Tuesday, February 15, Day 2 promises to be more impactful with eminent speakers sharing their thoughts on the aluminium industry, latest market trends and a lot more discussions on multiple aspects covering the metal industry. The event will be taking place between 11 AM to 7 PM (GMT). Here is the list of distinguished speakers of the Global Aluminium Industry for Day 2 at AlCircle Expo 2022. Hear them to know about the industry highlights, which will not only help you in shaping up the future of the metal industry but also enhance your knowledge about the industry. Speaker Name : Shreekant Kulkarni, CEO, Sejal Tecno Topic : Production of green aluminium by using green hydrogen GMT Time : 11:00 AM Speaker Name :...
Hindalco’s aluminium products prices rebounded on Tuesday, February 15, in line with the LME aluminium benchmark price hike on the previous day. Hindalco Industries Limited increased its aluminium wire rod price by INR 9,500 per tonne from INR 287,100 per tonne on February 12 to INR 296,600 per tonne on February 15. Hindalco’s aluminium billets price also saw a jump of INR 9,500 per tonne on February 15 to score at INR 299,600 per tonne. On February 12, the price stood at INR 290,100 per tonne, seeing a downfall of INR 7,750 per tonne. The company also hiked its aluminium ingot price by INR 9,500 per tonne, with effect from February 15. Thus, the price has come in at INR 285,500 per tonne as against INR 276,000 per tonne on February 12. Hindalco links its aluminium ingot and aluminium...
LME aluminium opened at US$3,223 per tonne on Tuesday and closed at US$3,194 per tonne, down US$34 per tonne or 1.05%. On Tuesday, February 15, LME aluminium cash (bid) price had slumped by US$84 per tonne or 2.54% to score at US$3,221 per tonne. LME aluminium official settlement price has also fallen down by US$83 per tonne or 2.51% to peg at US$3,223 per tonne, for the same day. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price registered at US$3,194 per tonne and US$3,195 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price came in at US$2,865 per tonne and US$2,870 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock recorded at 860250 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants for the same day closed at 601175 tonnes and 259075 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference Price totalled at...
At the end of December 2021, Mahendran Reddy had been relocated from Singapore to Hamburg to establish a similarly successful network of research institutes, suppliers, customers and like-minded professionals for the Hamburg based Fehrmann Tech Group on a global level in the designation of Vice President Global Ecosystem Development since January 2022 as the company has already established in Germany. Mahendran Reddy is an internationally acclaimed personality, who among other things known for his successful establishment of the NAMIC (National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Cluster) in Singapore. However, as Business Development Director, he was diligently involved in directing the adoption of additive manufacturing in the Asian industry and expanding the AM ecosystem thereby...
