The US aluminum trihydrate market strengthened in September 2026 as downstream procurement, rising overseas production costs, and shipping bottlenecks supported prices. In contrast, Bosnia’s market faced a quarterly correction as European buyers drew on accumulated inventories and lower caustic soda costs eased manufacturing pressures, highlighting diverging regional price trends. US aluminum trihydrate market gains on demand and supply constraints US aluminum trihydrate prices increased 2.38% month over month in September, supported by purchases from wire and cable manufacturers, electrical infrastructure compounders, and electric vehicle (EV) component producers. Demand remained particularly resilient for applications involving low-smoke cable compounds and flame-retardant materials....
China-based China Aluminum International Engineering Co., Ltd. (CHALIECO) has won a bid for an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract valued at approximately USD 833 million for a proposed alumina project in Vietnam, adding to investment activity in the country’s mineral processing sector. The project, being developed by Binh Phuoc Ore Mining and Beneficiation Joint Stock Company, is designed to process 2.4 million tonnes of alumina annually. The proposed contract is valued at around CNY 5.595 billion (USD 839.04 million), with completion expected within 27 months of the contract’s effective date. CHALIECO to oversee turnkey refinery development Under the proposed turnkey arrangement, CHALIECO’s responsibilities will cover the full project delivery process, from...
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China’s alumina output is expected to remain high in July after rising 13% year-on-year in June, SMM predicts. Despite delay of commissioning schedules for new alumina capacity amid falling alumina prices, most alumina refineries are maintaining high operating rates, SMM has learned. Bosai Group plans to put off 300,000-tpy upgrade project to August. Chalco (Chongqing)’s 800,000-tpy alumina project may be unable to restart this year due to high costs. China’s alumina output was 4.72 million tonnes in June, SMM statistics showed.
Finnish minerals and metals processing technology company Outotec has signed an agreement with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) for two alumina calciners.The contract is valued at over 80 million euros and involves the design and delivery of the calciners to the alumina refinery that EGA is planning to construct in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi. The order is the second in recent months for the Finnish company to be delivered in Al Taweelah following a contract signed with Emirates Aluminium Company Limited PJSC (EMAL) in April this year. The 10 million-euro agreement with EMAL involved the delivery of anode carbon plant technology for an expansion at its aluminum smelter complex. EGA has also been in the news recently, becoming the Middle East’s first manufacturer to receive ISO certification...
US aluminium giant Alcoa is globally seen as the bellwether for the silvery white metal industry. Such is its standing that every quarter it unofficially kicks off the US earnings seasons. Not surprising, therefore, Alcoa deciding two years ago to start switching off high-cost smelters to stanch profits fall from the commodity aluminium business has found converts among leading producers in the world, including our National Aluminium Company (Nalco). Although not a moment too soon, China, the world's largest producer and user of the metal, saw merit in Alcoa shaving capacity. Low-capacity high-cost smelters using outdated technology and polluting the environment fell foul of the Xi Jinping administration. Aluminium prices are staying so low that despite production discipline, Alcoa's...
The second quarter results from Rio Tinto reveal that the company has seen an improvement in productivity at its Yarwun site. Alumina production recorded a five per cent growth compared with the first half of 2014. "We have maintained our emphasis on efficiency and protecting returns, which is reflected in this solid production performance," Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said. "We have also delivered three significant achievements within our growth portfolio "Our combination of world-class assets, financial strength, and operating and commercial excellence provides a sound base to continue to generate sustainable returns for our shareholders." Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun processes alumina using the four-stage Bayer process. Highlights: • Iron ore production and shipments in the first...
The Brazilian state of Pará has published a long-term ICMS tax framework for the aluminium producer Norsk Hydro ASA and related entities, developed between the parties. A new 15-year framework will replace the existing ICMS deferral on July 17. “Our ambition is to develop robust and viable operations in Pará and to be an enabler for sustainable growth in the region. To do this, we need stable and predictable framework conditions. We are pleased to have agreed on a long-term ICMS framework for Hydro’s operations in Pará,” says Alberto Fabrini, executive vice president and head of Bauxite and Alumina in Hydro. The aluminium plant Albras, the alumina refinery Hydro Alunorte, and the bauxite mine Hydro Paragominas are covered by this framework. Hydro will publish further details on the...
The Prime Minister’s recent working visit to the Central Highlands bauxite complex confirmed the great potential of bauxite exploitation there and aluminum industry development. Analysts once looked at Tan Rai and Nhan Co alumina projects with dubious eyes. However, it is obvious that domestic demand for alumina to make aluminum has become far higher than the output Tan Rai and Nhan Co can provide. The alumina output at the Central Highlands complex will not be enough for domestic use in the next three years. A report of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) showed that Vietnam has to import 100 percent of aluminum it needs, about 500,000 tons a year, worth $1.2 billion. The demand will increase rapidly as a result of the government’s policy on speeding up the development of support...
Altech Chemicals (ASX:ATC) is currently in the process of permitting, securing off-take interest and project financing for its High Purity Alumina (HPA) project. This is targeted towards breaking ground for project construction in the first quarter of 2016. In June, the company completed three months ahead of schedule a Bankable Feasibility Study that highlighted the potential of its HPA project to deliver high margins, strong cash flows, and rapid payback period. Key metrics from the BFS included: - Capital cost estimate US$76.9 million (A$98.6million); - Payback period 3.8 years; - Estimated pre-tax NPV of US$326.1 million (A$362.4 million) (at 10% discount); - IRR of 30.3%; - Long-term sale price forecast of US$23,000/tonne (A$25,560/tonne) for 99.99% (4N) product; - Cost of goods sold...
Almatis, a leading global supplier of premium alumina for the refractory, ceramic and polishing industries, has announced that its shareholders, including majority owner Dubai International Capital (DIC), have signed an agreement to sell the Group to Oyak, Turkey's largest private pension fund. Taco Gerbranda, chief executive officer of Almatis, said: “As a long-term investor, Oyak is expected to significantly strengthen Almatis' financial position and to support the group's continued growth. This is a major milestone for Almatis and we look forward to the completion of the transaction.” Completion of the transaction is conditional upon receipt of all relevant regulatory approvals. With more than 100 years of alumina expertise, Almatis is a world leader in the development, manufacture and...
Australian company Alumina Ltd says it received $US71 million in income in the first half, while its joint venture partner Alcoa has announced a small quarterly earnings boost. Alumina is a 40 per cent partner in the global aluminium giant's Australian interests and its chief executive Peter Wasow in May said its debt was low enough to pass on most earnings to shareholders. Mr Wasow on Thursday said that while margins were strong in the latest quarter, the outlook for third quarter aluminium and alumina prices was weak.
Outotec to deliver two alumina calcination plants to Emirates Global Aluminium in the United Arab Emirates. Outotec has agreed with Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") on the design and delivery of two alumina calciners to the alumina refinery that EGA plans to construct in Al Taweelah, Abu Dhabi. The contract, valued at over EUR 80 million, has been booked in Outotec's second quarter order intake.
PT Antam Tbk and PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU) to cooperate in the construction of Smelter Grade Alumina (SGA) plant. The signing of the MoU has been conducted between the Director of ANTAM Tedy Badrujaman and Director of Inalum Winardi in Jakarta. "The cooperation of ANTAM with Inalum is an important step in our efforts to continuously increase the value of Indonesia's large bauxite reserves and support synergies between SOE," said President & Director of Antam, Tedy Badrujaman. Meanwhile, Director of Inalum, Winardi added, the partnership with Antam will further support the utilization of bauxite in Indonesia in value added downstream industries. "This cooperation will also be a positive momentum to support integration in the bauxite...
Alan Cransberg, President of Alcoa Refining and Chairman and Managing Director of Alcoa of Australia, has been named by Engineers Australia for the eighth time in Australia’s Top 100 Most Influential Engineers. Mr Cransberg manages the company’s global alumina refining assets, based in Australia, Brazil, Spain, the US and Suriname. He is also accountable for Alcoa’s Global Refining Centre of Excellence and provides oversight and management support for all Australian operations. In the past year he has overseen the transformation of Alcoa’s refining portfolio, delivering lower cost of production in Alcoa’s global upstream business. “Surround yourself with people who accept and navigate change well. Successful businesses are very aware of the global marketplace and are able to rapidly...
Altech Chemicals Limited is pleased to announce that it has submitted a project application with the Western Australian Department of Environment Regulation (DER) as part of the permitting requirements for its proposed aluminous clay (kaolin) mine and associated beneficiation plant, at Meckering, Western Australia (the Project). Highlights • Altech has commenced permitting for its proposed kaolin mining operation and beneficiation plant at Meckering, Western Australia: 1. Project application accepted by Department of Environment Regulation (DER) 2. DER confirms the next and final stage of permitting prior to construction is Works Approval • Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) approval also underway: 1. Mining lease application submitted 2. A mining proposal and a mine closure plan are...
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, announces its plans to fully switch production at its Achinsk alumina refinery (AAR) to support the consumption requirements of the Krasnoyarsk aluminium smelter (KrAZ). This decision will allow RUSAL to reduce its logistics costs and also to ensure that 45% of KrAZ’s annual consumption of alumina, which amounts to 2mn tonnes per year, will be supplied by AAR. In 2015, AAR is planning to supply 745kt of alumina to KrAZ, which amounts to 32% of the smelter’s alumina consumption. In 2016, the supplies will increase to 752kt, and further growth is expected. In order to increase KrAZ’s consumption of alumina from AAR, the refinery has started works to alter the physical properties of alumina produced. At present, alumina from AAR is only used at...
Orbite Technologies Inc. today announced that the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) will evaluate Orbite's High Purity Alumina (HPA) for use in lithium-ion battery separators. Orbite's Technology Development Center (TDC) will work with National Research Council experts to develop composite separator formulations containing Orbite's HPA. These substrates will then be applied to commercially available ceramic separators. NRC scientists will use their expertise and cutting-edge facilities to characterize various separator formulations, and benchmark the efficiency of batteries with separators containing Orbite's HPA against those with commercially available separators, containing no or competitors' alumina. "The advantage of collaborating with NRC on this benchmarking exercise, is...
Altech Chemicals is securing required equity and debt funding to advance its High Purity Alumina (HPA) project towards final design and development. This follows completion of the Bankable Feasibility Study that demonstrated that the project offers a real alternative to current Chinese and Japanese producers. Shares in the company have risen 45% since early June. Managing director Iggy Tan will present at Proactive's Sydney, Melbourne Investor Luncheons in August. Altech’s project seeks to produce alumina or aluminium oxide from kaolin. The company’s wholly-owned aluminous clay (‘kaolin’) deposit is located close to the town of Meckering, Western Australia, and is approximately 130 kilometres by road from Perth and about 153 kilometres from the port of Fremantle. Its land position covers...
Orbite Technologies Inc. today announced that the Company has received notification from IP Australia, the Australian Government agency that administers intellectual property (IP) rights, of the granting and the delivery of patent 2012308068 pertaining to Processes for preparing alumina and various other products. The new patent provides protection until September 16, 2032. The new patent covers the manufacturing of alumina from leaching an aluminum-containing material with hydrochloric acid (HCl), followed by multi-stage crystallization of the leachate obtained after filtration of the insoluble to obtain aluminum chloride hexahydrate which is subsequently converted into alumina using a two-stage calcination process. "With broadening geographic coverage of our chloride technology, we are...
China imported 340,500 mt of alumina in May, up from 315,900 mt in April and up 8.96% YoY, customs data showed. YTD imports through May amounted to 1.59 million mt, down 33.55% from a year ago. Aluminum smelters preferred domestic alumina, whose prices fell due to high production during the first five months of the year. This caused imports to tumble January-May. China’s alumina imports are expected to continue growing in June and July as the price advantage of domestic alumina began to weaken. Prices for domestic alumina are likely to stop falling as inventories at alumina refineries are approaching normal levels in June, and prices for Australian alumina took a downward turn, offering incentive for imports.
