
German aluminium producer Trimet has proposed a series of measures to address competition concerns over Alcoa’s proposed acquisition of South32’s alumina and bauxite assets . These include the sale of integrated bauxite-mining and alumina-refining assets in Brazil or Western Australia, changes to ownership links in Alumar and MRN, and greater transparency and independent monitoring of alumina price reporting. Trimet has also asked Brazil's competition regulator, the Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), to block the deal, saying it would reduce the number of independent smelter-grade alumina suppliers in the country from three to two. The company said the combined entity could control approximately 51.8 per cent of Brazil's merchant alumina sales, leaving Glencore with the...
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...
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On 4 th February 2022, the world’s leading aluminium associations, which comprises, The Aluminium Association (USA), European Aluminium, the Aluminium Association of Canada and the Japan Aluminium Association in conjunction released their newest policymaker briefing, ‘Towards a Fairer and Cleaner Trade-in Aluminium’ , in regards to the on the ongoing challenges in the global trade of aluminium. The paper cites data from the ‘Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’ (OECD) demonstrating by the means of massive state subsidies, particularly in China, have manipulated aluminium supply chains and tarnished the environment. The briefing was shared with lead trade ministers in all G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States). The...

The Doha based highly profitable producer of aluminium, Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company (Qamco) has booked an almost nine-fold year-on-year leap in net profit to QR835 million in 2021, rendering into earnings-per-share (EPS) of QR0.15. Qamco board has recommended a total annual dividend distribution of QR446 million for the proposed year, representing a payout ratio of 53% of the current year’s net earnings. A dividend of QR0.08 per share representing 8% of par value resulting in a dividend yield of 4.4% on the closing share price as of 31 st December 2021. Abdulrahman Ahmad al-Shaibi, the Chairman of Qamco, said: “The main highlight of 2021 was a sequential macroeconomic recovery leading to strong price trajectories for primary aluminium, operational excellence along with good...

The factories that produce aluminium metal castings are commonly known as aluminium foundries. In the casting process, aluminium is melted in a liquid form, pouring into a mould and then after the aluminium cast cools off and solidifies, it is drawn from the mould or cast. Aluminium can be cast into varying shapes and sizes, while the aluminium foundries use various types of source metal to charge the furnace, including virgin material, external scrap and internal scrap. The aluminium foundries generally use reverberatory, gas heated crucible or electric resistance furnaces. However, periodically, hydrogen or other gases get into the casting, either by physical entrapment or chemical reaction and if this situation arises, it is removed via the de-gassing process. Aluminium castings are...

The news of AlCircle’s third virtual event, “AlCircle Expo 2022,” is spreading like wildfire! With the first list of confirmed exhibitors and sponsors announced on Tuesday, January 25, AlCircle is really excited to announce that more new confirmed exhibitors and sponsors have been added to the list, bringing in the total count to 25. The event will be held virtually on February 15 and 16, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (GMT). To enrol your name in the list, reach us at events@alcircle.com . With the availability of more advanced technologies to help connect the aluminium industry executives and partners from throughout the value chain together virtually, we are aiming to create a stronger and long-lasting network. Apart from having access to exciting digital tools for flawless technological...

Ball Corporation, the world's leading provider of innovative and sustainable aluminum packaging, and Anheuser-Busch, an American brewing company, has reportedly teamed up to bring the infinitely recyclable Ball Aluminum Cup™ to guests at Big Game on February 13, 2022, at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. This partnership represents commitments to advancing sustainability in the aluminum industry. Ball designed the lightweight, infinitely recyclable aluminum cups to bring beverage packaging circularity to sports and entertainment venues in response to the growing demand for more sustainable products. The cups will be available at Big Game, Halftime Show, and the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Fest in three sizes – 9-ounce, 20-ounce, and 24-ounce. For all those fans who will cheer from home, the...

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the United States exported 26,200 tonnes of US aluminium plates, sheets and bars in November to Canada, showing a month-on-month hike of 3,100 per tonne or by 13.41%. In October 2021, 23,100 tonnes of US aluminium plates, sheets and bars were exported to Canada, showing a downfall of 800 tonnes from 23,900 tonnes in September 2021. On a year-on-year calculation, US aluminium plates, sheets and bars exported to Canada in November 2021 escalated by 1000 tonnes or by 3.96% from 25,200 tonnes in November 2020. From January to November, the exported aluminium plates, sheets and bars export to Canada stood at 277,000 tonnes. For the same period last year, the amount pegged at 274,000 tonnes. As per the data shared by the USGS, the total amount of...

On Tuesday, February 1, Hydro completed the sale of its aluminium extrusion plant in Kuppam, India, to Hindalco Industries Limited, as was expected in the first quarter of 2022. On December 17, Hydro had signed a Business Transfer Agreement to sell its extrusion operations in Kuppam to Hindalco for US$33 million or INR 247 crore. The transaction was structured as an asset sale and included Kuppam plant with approx. 245 direct employees and 224 contract employees. Hydro’s Kuppam extrusion plant in Andhra Pradesh, India, has a production capacity of 15,000-tonne of aluminium extrusions and is integrated with advanced value-added capabilities for surface finishing and fabrication. The customised aluminium extrusion products manufactured at the plant primarily cater to auto, building and...

The LME aluminium benchmark price gained US$15.50 per tonne or 0.51 per cent on Thursday, February 3, following three consecutive days of fall from US$3,110 per tonne to US$3,043 per tonne. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME aluminium official settlement price settled at US$3,058 per tonne and US$3,058.50 per tonne, respectively, on February 3. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price increased by US$7 per tonne to total at US$ US$3,033 per tonne and US$3,035 per tonne. But December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price slipped by US$26 per tonne to come in at US$2,797 per tonne US$2,802 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock stood at 781900 tonnes. Live warrants decreased to 413625 tonnes, while Cancelled warrants moved up to 368275 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-month Asian Reference...

Ball Beverage Packaging at its two operations in Sri City and Taloja, India, has acquired ASI Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard Certification for the manufacturing and supply of aluminium can bodies, as well as the procurement and delivery of can ends. The Ball facilities have been awarded the first ASI Certifications in India, a major producer of aluminium. Ball Beverage Packaging India, a subsidiary of Ball Corporation, has been successfully accredited against the ASI Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard for responsible aluminium manufacturing, procurement, and stewardship for its Sri City and Taloja, India facilities. With the new certifications, there are now 40 dual ASI Certified Ball Corporation sites across the world. The ASI Certification programme...

National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) slashed its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices, with effect from, Tuesday, February 1, following five consecutive hikes since January 7. With the latest cut, NALCO’s aluminium ingot price came in at INR 260,550-264,050 per tonne, down by INR 4,500 per tonne from INR 265,050-268,550 per tonne on January 29. NALCO’s aluminium wire rod price also underwent a cut of INR 4,500 per tonne on February 1 to range between INR 263,050-267,400 per tonne versus INR 267,550-271,900 per tonne on the previous day. Aluminium billets price is currently hovering around INR 264,000-266,650 per tonne after being reduced by INR 4,500 per tonne on February 1. NALCO links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three-month futures of...

On 2 nd February 2022, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing met the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo towards promotion and the marketing of Indonesian produced aluminium and electric motorcycles. The ambassador promoted the aluminium manufactured in Indonesia, which is one of the potential sectors of the nation. In 2021, Sri Lanka's aluminium imports have reached around $427 million. Dewi said, “Indonesian aluminium products are now starting to be noticed by the Sri Lankan market and have a strong enough potential to become a source of increasing Indonesian exports to Sri Lanka." "One of the potential economic cooperation between Indonesia and Sri Lanka today is the marketing of Indonesian electric motorcycles, considering that Sri Lanka is...

On 3 rd February 2022, the Indian agrochemical industry Safex Chemicals acquired the western India state Gujarat-based aluminium phosphide manufacturer, Shogun Lifesciences through its wholly-owned subsidiary Shogun Organics Ltd. Now, the acquisition compels Safex Chemicals the lone company in India to supply a complete Agri to home care portfolio. The Pune-based manufacturer of Home Care Active Ingredients, Shogun Organics Ltd, now diversified to produce agrochemical active ingredients. However, in 2021, Shogun Organics itself was acquired by Delhi-based Safex Chemicals. The manufactures aluminium phosphide and zinc phosphide, Shogun Lifesciences has production facilities near Ahmedabad, Gujrat. Aluminium phosphide is counted as a vital and sole molecule used for safe storage of...

Authorities have warned regional water utilities that the severance of the rail link between Western Australia and the eastern states poses a "escalating risk" of water treatment chemical shortages. The New South Wales water directorate said on Wednesday that a major supplier of aluminium sulphate, or alum, had alerted eastern clients that flooding on the east-west railway had caused deliveries of a vital element, aluminium trihydrate, to be suspended. “At the same time as this potential supply shortage, recent widespread heavy rainfall across regional NSW is likely to create water quality challenges. Water utilities must carefully operate and monitor their critical control points, especially when raw water conditions change,” said the directorate. While the chemical can be substituted,...

On Wednesday, February 2, the Aluminium Association of India demanded from the government a supply of 25-30 coal rakes per day to ensure viable operations of the aluminium industry. The association informed the government about the availability of coal stocks for only three to four days while production disruptions have been looming across the Indian aluminium sector. “With no relief in sight despite coal stocks running critically low and production disruptions looming across the Indian aluminium sector, the AAI has approached the Ministry of Coal, urging the immediate resumption of adequate coal rakes for the highly power-intensive Aluminium industry,” said the association in a statement. Earlier, AAI, in its representation to the ministry, praised the combined efforts of the coal...

Jiangsu Synprim Metal Materials Technology Co., Ltd has joined ASI as a new Industrial User member, raising the total number of ASI members to 212. Jiangsu Synprim Metal Material Technology Co.,Ltd is a manufacturer of aluminium materials for mechanical and cosmetic applications, with a concentration on the consumer electronics and home appliance industries. "Cooperative innovation, advanced quality, and sustainable development" is our main operating premise. Traditional anodizing Aluminium, recycled anodizing Aluminium, low carbon anodizing Aluminium, high strength anodizing Aluminium, and other super-light metal products are all available from Jiangsu Synprim. “We are very honoured to have the chance to join ASI to embrace the trend of Aluminum industry evolution. The ASI membership...

Hindalco Industries Limited back-to-back reduced its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices, with effect from Wednesday, February 2. The company’s aluminium ingot price saw a cut of INR 2,000 per tonne or 0.76 per cent to come in at INR 262,750 per tonne. On February 1, the price stood at INR 264,750 per tonne after being declined by INR 3,250 per tonne. Hindalco also cut its aluminium wire rod price by INR 2,000 per tonne, bringing it to INR 273,850 per tonne as of February 2 versus INR 275,850 per tonne on the previous day. Aluminium billets price witnessed a cut of INR 2,000 per tonne as well from INR 278,850 per tonne on February 1 to INR 276,850 per tonne on February 2. Hindalco links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three-month future of aluminium on...

In November 2021, India’s aluminium scrap imports from the United States dwindled by 7,500 tonnes or 13.30 per cent month-on-month to come in at 48,900 tonnes,found the latest US Census Bureau data. In October, the United States aluminium scrap exports to India stood at 56,400 tonnes, up by 22.34 per cent from 46,100 tonnes in September. On a year-on-year calculation, the imports in November edged a hike of 61.39 per cent from 30,300 tonnes. In the three-month time, India’s aluminium scrap imports from the US amounted to 151,400 tonnes. From January to November, India imported 400,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the US in total, which reflected a year-on-year surge of 44.40 per cent from 277,000 tonnes. The USGS data also showed the United States total aluminium scrap exports in...

The Turkish organization, ETi Alüminyum, which is counted as one of the few integrated facilities in the world that can produce from the mine to the final products with a wide range of uses, from window profiles to aeroplanes is expanding its solar park with two projects that are contemplated to lift the capacity to 163 MW, to produce clean and green aluminium, while progressing on its path to net-zero emissions. Eti Alüminyum, the subsidiary of Cengiz Holding is establishing solar power units next to its plant, although it operates two photovoltaic plants with a consolidated capacity of 58.8 MW. Globally, energy-intensive industries like the production of metals and cement are switching to renewables and electrification to decarbonize and curb costs as part of the global energy...