A rolling-mill drive can trip even when its encoder passes a bench test. A refinery instrument can report erratic readings with no obvious process upset. Engineers may suspect the devices first, but the installed cables, mating interfaces and routing deserve the same scrutiny. Intermittent faults sometimes disappear the moment an assembly is touched. That uncertainty has an economic cost: investigation consumes maintenance time, and a missed control signal may delay equipment availability. This article concerns sensor, instrumentation, encoder, fieldbus and appropriately rated low-power auxiliary interfaces, typically carrying signals or modest loads—not power feeders. Main motor circuits, plant distribution, rectifier outputs and potline busbars are outside its scope. No connector type...
Pioneering ideas for an industry in transition A successful debut: With the launch of the ALUMINIUM Innovation Awards, ALUMINIUM 2026 created a dedicated stage for the industry's most outstanding innovation leaders for the very first time. In partnership with the International Aluminium Journal, companies were recognised whose ideas and technologies provide answers to the key challenges facing the global aluminium industry and set new benchmarks for its future. The strong response to the new initiative underlines its relevance: More than 70 submissions and over 9,700 votes cast in the public voting process made the Innovation Awards one of the most talked-about highlights of ALUMINIUM 2026 from the outset. The awards ceremony took place on 7 October and provided a fitting finale to the...
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By dissolving iron chloride and aluminium chloride in brines, researchers at the University of Leicester have created a brand-new technique for recovering aluminium and silver from discarded photovoltaic cells (PV cells) nearing the end of their useful lives. They claim that the inexpensive solvents may recover up to 95 per cent of the metals in just 10 minutes, producing silver chloride that is 98 per cent pure. The scientists tested the technology on crystalline solar cells that measured 12 x 15 cm, weighed 2 g, and were made of a 100 m thick silicon wafer that was coated with a 100 nm thick silicon nitride anti-reflective layer on the front side and a 20 m thick aluminium layer on the back side, both of which were stripped with silver electrodes that were about 30 m high. According to...
According to a partnership announced on April 6, Elkem would retain 40 per cent of Vianode while Hydro and Altor Equity Partners would each purchase 30 per cent. As per the latest reports, the acquisition has received approval from the competition authorities, in which Vianode will have considerable support to quicken the manufacture of new battery materials with a low environmental impact in Europe. The transaction's completion marks a significant turning point in Vianode's business development. The partners will contribute to the expected NOK 2 billion total costs of funding a first phase plant and making it ready for a prospective full-size facility through the deal. Vianode is anticipating making a decision soon on an investment in a first-phase facility. This facility will employ...
On Friday, September 16, A00 aluminium ingot price in China went up by RMB 80 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,870 per tonne. The average price for the same is expected to range between RMB 18,850 per tonne and RMB 18,890 per tonne, with spot contracts to be traded at a discount price of RMB 70 to RMB 30 per tonne. On the same day in Foshan, the price increased by RMB 100 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,870 per tonne. In Huzhou and Shenyang, the price went up by RMB 80 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,890 per tonne and RMB 18,800 per tonne. Linyi also experienced the same price hike to halt at RMB 18,870 per tonne. As per the SMM data, prices in Wuxi and Chongqing climbed up by RMB 70 per tonne to peg at RMB 18,860 per tonne and RMB 18,900 per tonne. The A00 aluminium ingot price in Gongyi went...
The voice of the aluminium industry in Europe, European Aluminium, appraises the emergency measures proposed by the European Commission on the 14th of September and welcomes the first step to address the extremely high energy prices. However, the aluminium industry association signifies that these measures are insufficient and will not bail out the energy-intensive aluminium industry from further production cuts, job losses, and possibly a complete breakdown. These short-term measures aim to reduce electricity demand and redistribute financial resources to exposed consumers, such as energy-intensive industries like aluminium. European Aluminium stresses that while the proposed measures may provide some much-needed immediate relief, they do very little to reduce the excessive energy costs...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,276 per tonne on Thursday and closed at US$2,315 per tonne, up 1.83 per cent. On Thursday, September 15, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$44 per tonne or 1.97 per cent and US$44.5 per tonne or 1.99 per cent to settle at US$2,271 per tonne and US$2,272 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price grew by US$38 per tonne or 1.69 per cent to stop at US$2,281 per tonne and US$2,282 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price soared up by US$40 per tonne or 1.71 per cent to record at US$2,372 per tonne and US$2,377 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock closed at 349650 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants came in at 278825 tonnes and 70825 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-month Asian...
On 16th September 2022, the leader in sustainable aluminium solutions provider and world leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, Novelis Inc., observed the opening of its Customer Solution Centre (CSC) for automotive in Novi, Michigan, a suburb of Metro Detroit. The $35 million facility is part of Novelis' global network of CSCs, which are designed to speed the development of aluminium solutions through collaboration between the company and its customers and others in the value chain. Through the centres, Novelis partners with automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to maximize lightweight, high-strength aluminium in the next generation of vehicle design. Furthermore, Novelis operates automotive CSCs in Stuttgart, Germany, and Shanghai, China, to the facility in Novi. Philippe Meyer, Senior...
The largest aluminium producer in Egypt and one of the largest in Africa, Egyptalum expects strong business results in the coming period, taking advantage of several factors, whether on the global or local scene. Several factors are expected to contribute to Egyptalum's business results, whether global or local, over the coming period. The aluminium company of Egypt is expected to benefit directly from the rise of the US dollar price, in conjunction with the state's tendency to support the industrial sector, as well as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on increasing aluminium demand worldwide, which would be an advantage to the company. As per our report, it has been confirmed that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict positively impacted Egyptalum’s business, which continues to...
On Wednesday, September 14, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced the joining of Zhejiang Huashuo Technology Co., Ltd as its new Production and Transformation member. Zhejiang Huashuo Technology Co., Ltd. is based in the Beilun district of Ningbo City, Zhejiang province of China, and is dedicated to providing semi-solid forming solutions and lightweight aluminium alloy die-casting parts for new energy vehicle batteries, motors, and electric control systems. It is currently the world's largest motors supplier for significant new energy vehicles and inverter and battery components. In the meantime, they also provide solutions and die-casting goods for lightweight automobile structural components. Additionally, they are working together on MEGA super big die-casting with the primary new...
To meet its raw material needs, Constellium, at this moment, is plotting to continue the purchase of aluminium from Russia's industrial giant Rusal in the next year as it did in the better half of 2022. Apparently, no sanction on Rusal has made the company take this step, as was anonymously reported by an employee on September 15. Constellium, on the whole, buys 5 per cent of its materials from Rusal, and the executive confirmed that the company has not made any purchase decisions yet, but it is very unlikely that the buying rate would decrease in 2023. The Constellium employee declared: "If there is any sanction, we will respect it; today, there is no sanction, so we don't see any reason why we should not get metal from there. I guess if the economics are good, we will continue to work...
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has increased its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices, with effect from Wednesday, September 14, following a sharp cut last week, September 9. NALCO’s aluminium ingot price has gained INR 3,100 per tonne from the earlier time to stand at INR 213,250- 216,750 per tonne. On September 9, the price stood at INR 210,150- 213,650 per tonne, down by 7 per cent since the last hike. NALCO’s aluminium wire rod price has also undergone a rise of INR 3,100 per tonne, with effect from September 14, to come in at INR 216,750- 221,100 per tonne versus INR 213,650- 218,000 per tonne on September 9. The company’s aluminium billets price is currently ranging between INR 217,700- 220,350 per tonne, as against INR 214,600- 217,250 per tonne in the previous...
Hindalco Industries Limited has slashed its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices, with effect from Thursday, September 15, following a raise on September 10. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price has been reduced by INR 4,750 per tonne or 2.17 per cent to sell the product at INR 214,600 per tonne on September 15 onwards. Aluminium billets price has also experienced a cut of INR 4,750 per tonne on September 15 to INR 217,600 per tonne, following an increase of INR 2,000 per tonne on September 10 to INR 222,350 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium ingot price is no exception but seen a cut of the same amount to stand at INR 203,500 per tonne versus INR 208,250 per tonne last week. Hindalco links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on...
The Modus Brewing, owned by Grant and Jaz Wearin, has recently decided to open limited partnership brewing opportunities to firms in welcoming the Summer of 2022 and beyond. In their excellent facility at Newcastle’s suburb of Merewether, Modus is trying to amplify its production rate of 5+ million litres which mainly makes Modus Cerveza, Modus Beer, non-alcoholic beer, NORT and Perky Seltzer. Modus has a fine aluminium cans packaging line, and with its counter pressure CODI filler, upgraded from Krones, can also pack liquid into glass bottles using the filling method. One can expect advanced quality beverage packaging from the firm. Aluminium is by far the most sustainable and safe beverage packaging option available at this point, and Australia has concerns regarding the use of glass...
The unveiling of a new Critical Raw Materials Act by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the annual State of the Union Address was warmly received by European Aluminium. This trade group represents the aluminium value chain in Europe. The Association requests urgent help from decision-makers in assuring a sustainable supply of European aluminium in light of the growing significance of speeding Europe's green transformation. Aluminium is a crucial element in green technology, including wind turbines and solar panels, as well as in defence equipment and essential consumer goods. Given the significance of raw materials in implementing the EU Green Deal and providing critical applications for European residents, European Aluminium emphasises the need to increase Europe's...
The UK Aluminium Federation (ALFED) has announced a Net Zero Report, aiming to achieve the long-standing goal of decarbonisation, sustainability, and a circular economy. While its actions outlined in the early roadmap remain the same, the new report includes contributions and challenges from members, stakeholders, and industry representatives to infuse a bigger and bolder vision. ALFED considers its Net Zero goal as a pathway to enable the UK aluminium industry to achieve a vision that fits its interests. The report contains industry experts’ responses based on overwhelming theme of collaboration and systematic approach to solution development to explore greater opportunities for investment in the UK. The objectives of the report are mentioned in detail, along with emerging action plans...
The Greek leader in aluminium and copper production, Elvalhalcor, is evaluating the changeover from fossil fuel (natural gas) to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to help hinder its escalating power bill, as stated by the company on 14th September 2022. Spyros Kokkolis, the CFO, said, "Elvalhalcor has facilities in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Netherlands and exports most of its products abroad. The company uses gas to melt aluminium and copper, among other activities." "We're examining the scenario of using LPG. However, it's a lengthy process, and it's not something we can do very soon", he added. “Depending on parts availability and installation time, it may take six months for a company to switch over.” In response to the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical, Western sanctions forced Russia...
A JV agreement has been signed between Altech and Fraunhofer IKTS to commercialize the CERENERGY® sodium alumina solid-state battery technology. Altech Chemicals believes that CERENERGY® batteries are the revolutionary grid storage alternative to lithium-ion batteries. This agreement will enable the development of a 100MWh project on Altech's property in Schwarze Pumpe, Germany. The proposed factory will create 10,000 10KWh sodium alumina solid-state battery modules annually at 40 per cent to 50 per cent less expensive than lithium-ion batteries. These modules are anticipated to retail for between €7,000 and €9,000 apiece. Creating the CERENERGY® batteries by IKTS took more than eight years, as well as €35 million for research and development and €25 million for the functioning pilot...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,309.5 per tonne on Wednesday and closed at US$2,273.5 per tonne, down 1.43 per cent. LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price both plunged by US$82 per tonne or 3.55 per cent to rest at US$2,227 per tonne and US$2,227.50 per tonne on Wednesday, September 14. 3-month bid price descended by 3.53 per cent or US$82 per tonne to stand at US$2,243 per tonne, while the 3-month offer price witnessed a drop of US$82.50 per tonne or 3.55 per cent closing at US$2,244 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price lost 3.24 per cent or US$78 per tonne stopping at US$2,332 per tonne and US$2,337 per tonne, respectively. LME aluminium opening stock rose first time in a while by 3.81 per cent or 12,700 tonnes, from 332,900 tonnes...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s aluminium production in August (31 calendar days) amounted to 3.488 million tonnes, reflecting a steady trend compared to 3.5 million tonnes in the previous month and 8.16 per cent higher than in a year ago. The total output during January-September stood at 26.547 million tonnes, an increase of 2.2 per cent from the corresponding period of the last year. The daily average production of the metal was 112,500 tonnes across China in August’22 - majorly unchanged from 112,900 tonnes in July. This stable production could be accredited to steady product resumptions at companies like Gansu Liancheng, Guangxi Jili Baikuang, and Guangxi Investment Group Yinhai. According to SMM, 380,000 tonnes of capacity owned by Gansu Liancheng resumed, while new...
