Rio Tinto and Rondo Energy have commenced front-end engineering and design for a 30 MW/360 MWh thermal energy storage project at the Yarwun alumina refinery near Gladstone, Queensland, marking a potential milestone in the use of heat batteries to reduce emissions from alumina refining. The Rondo Heat Battery will store energy as high-temperature heat in refractory bricks and supply continuous process heat to support Rio Tinto’s alumina refining operations. If progressed, the project would be one of the first large-scale demonstrations of thermal energy storage for industrial process heat globally and a world-first for the alumina industry. Heat batteries target round-the-clock industrial demand Australia regularly experiences four to six hours of surplus solar-generated renewable...
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin are testing a new type of concrete made using red mud, a residue from alumina refining. The project, supported by Enterprise Ireland and carried out with Gannon Eco and McGrath Quarries, has progressed from laboratory research to trials using industrial batching equipment. The university reported on 22 October that the geopolymer concrete formulations reduced the carbon footprint by 67.8–79.8 per cent against a CEM II-A/L cement reference. The comparison included raw material supply, transport and manufacturing. To know the futuristic market and value proposition of red mud, explore the report " A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations " Laboratory tests also found that the...
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On 1 st July 2021, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) inks agreement with Gulf Extrusions, a subsidiary of the Al Ghurair Group for the innovative re-use of an industrial by-product during the primary metal production process, replacing the use of fresh raw material, enhancing efficiency, and benefiting the environment. The agreement is considered as another step by EGA to re-use waste streams as feedstocks by cooperating with other industries. According to the agreement, Gulf Extrusions will supply EGA with some 450 tonnes of spent caustic soda from its Abu Dhabi and Dubai extrusion facilities every month for use in alumina refining. In the aluminium extrusion production process, caustic soda is utilized to dissolve residue aluminium in the extrusion dies and to etch extruded aluminium...
South America’s alumina production stood at 1.019 million tonnes in June 2021, with a year-on-year increase of 4.19%, according to the latest data showed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI).The output was 978,000 tonnes in June 2020. On a month-on-month basis, the alumina production reduced by 8% from May’s production of 1.108 million tonnes. In the first half of 2021, alumina production in South America came in at 6.347 million tonnes as against as 6.087 million tonnes in the first half of 2020.That was up by 4.27% year-on-year. North America’s alumina production registered 225,000 tonnes in June 2021. That was slightly up from June’s 2020 output of 223,000 tonnes and 3.21% from May 2021’s output of 218,000 tonnes. In January-June 2021, alumina output totalled 1.283 million...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, the alumina price in China has registered a hike after remaining flat on Friday. The price has inched up by RMB 18 per tonne on Monday, 2 August, 2021 to stand at RMB 2571 per tonne, from 2553 per tonne. Alumina price in Shandong has risen by RMB 20 per tonne tot RMB 2580 per tonne. The prices of alumina in Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou and Guangxi China markets have climbed to stand at RMB 2590 per tonne, RMB 2590 per tonne, RMB 2455 per tonne and RMB 2465 per tonne on Monday, 2 August 2021. Prebaked anode price in East China market has edged higher by RMB 50 per tonne after remaining flat since July 1. As of Monday, 2 August 2021 2021, prebaked anode price stands at RMB 4875 per tonne and is expected to range to RMB 4340-5410 per tonne. Al Fluoride price...
This week, during July 26-30, the world alumina market has encountered some of the major updates; for instance, the International Aluminium Institute reports that the world alumina production in 2Q2021 amounted to 35.625 million tonnes, reflecting a hike of 3.93 per cent from 34.278 million tonnes in Q1 2021. However, the output in June 2021 stood 4.26 per cent lower month-on-month at 11.695 million tonnes. In H1 2021, world alumina production totalled 69.903 million tonnes, up 6.20 per cent from 65.819 million tonnes a year ago. To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/world-alumina-production-reflects-a-q-o-q-hike-of-4-to-35-625mt-in-2q2021-output-in-june-drops-4-m-o-m-68923 In Africa & Asia (ex-China), alumina production during June 2021 stood at 1.063 million tonnes, reflecting a...
During June 2021, alumina production in West Europe increased by 6,000 tonnes or 1. 28 per cent month-on-month to come in at 473,000 tonnes, found the International Aluminium Institute. In May, the output was at 467,000 tonnes, gaining 27,000 tonnes from the previous month. However, on a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in West Europe in June 2021 edged 1.05 per cent lower than 478,000 tonnes. During the second quarter of 2021, alumina production in West Europe totalled 1.380 million tonnes, down by 2.06 per cent from 1.409 million tonnes in Q1 2021 and 2.89 per cent from 1.421 million tonnes in Q2 2020. In East & Central Europe, alumina production during June 2021 stood at 375,000 tonnes – 11.76 per cent less month-on-month than 425,000 tonnes. The output in May was, however,...
The high-purity alumina provider, Altech Chemicals, who aims to become the world’s largest supplier in its segment has entered the conclusive stages of a $195 million listed green bond offering to dispense additional financing for the construction of a planned $400 million high purity alumina (HPA) plant in Malaysia. The HPA producer has been working with UK structuring agent Bedford Row Capital PLC and Perth-based Bluemount Capital since October’20 to prepare for the offering. Out of the funds raised, around $135 million will be utilized as secondary debt for construction of the 4,500 tonnes per annum plant in the state of Johor, Malaysia with the balance to be allocated for bond coupon (interest) repayments. The bond offering will be in counting to a $257 million credit facility already...
Aughinish Alumina refinery, one of the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient facilities worldwide have secured EU funding to help reduce its carbon footprint. However, the European Union funding amount to diminish carbon emission remains undisclosed as of now. The Limerick-based alumina refinery will replace the existing gas-fired boilers with a 25-megawatt high-pressure electric boiler, which is used to produce alumina, the main ingredient in aluminium The facility infrastructure includes a deep-water terminal on the Shannon estuary that facilitates efficient deliveries to European smelters. The plant is owned by Russian metals giant Rusal since 2017 and it is one of Europe’s largest alumina refineries and accounts for the bulk of Rusal’s alumina production.
The average alumina spot price in China has recorded an increase of RMB 23 per tonne on Wednesday, July 28, after remaining restrained for the past three days at RMB 2,520 per tonne. According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, the hike today has brought the average alumina spot price to RMB 2,543 per tonne. In Henan, alumina price has seen an increase of RMB 35 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,565 per tonne as of July 28, while the price in Shandong and Shanxi has grown by RMB 20 per tonne to RMB 2,530 per tonne and RMB 2,565 per tonne, respectively. Australian alumina FOB price has, however, remained restrained US$ 300 per tonne. Among the other primary aluminium input costs, aluminium powder price has inched down by RMB 0.10 per kg to peg at RMB 22.95 per kg on July 28. The average prices...
In Africa & Asia (ex-China), alumina production during June 2021 stood at 1.063 million tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month downfall of 6.26 per cent from 1.134 million tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, the output stood higher by 4.83 per cent from 1.014 million tonnes. Africa & Asia’s total alumina production during the second quarter of 2021 came in at 2.246 million tonnes, down by 28.59 per cent from 3.145 million tonnes in Q1 2021. On a year-on-year calculation, the output was down as well by 25.21 per cent from 3.003 million tonnes. In the first half of the year, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) totalled 6.454 million tonnes, up by 5.96 per cent from 6.091 million tonnes a year ago. World alumina production in June 2021 recorded a decline of 3.55 per cent from...
According to the recent data released by the International Aluminium Institute, world alumina production in June 2021 stood at 11.695 million tonnes. That was a month-on-month decline of 4.26 per cent from 12.216 million tonnes but a year-on-year increase of 6.14 per cent from 10.990 million tonnes. In the second quarter of 2021, world alumina production amounted to 35.625 million tonnes, reflecting a hike of 3.93 per cent from 34.278 million tonnes in Q1 2021. On a year-on-year calculation, the 2Q2021 output was 7.81 per cent higher than 33.045 million tonnes. In H1 2021, world alumina production totalled 69.903 million tonnes, up 6.20 per cent from 65.819 million tonnes a year ago. Alumina production in China during June 2021 was 6.348 million tonnes, down by 3.23 per cent...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the average alumina spot price in China has increased by RMB 31 per tonne after remaining restrained at RMB 2,489 per tonne for a week. Thus, the price has come in at RMB 2,520 per tonne as of Thursday, July 22. In Henan, the average alumina price has gained RMB 40 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,530 per tonne, followed by the rise of RMB 35 per tonne in Shanxi to settle at RMB 2,545 per tonne. In Shandong and Bayuquan, alumina price has climbed by RMB 20 per tonne to peg at RMB 2,510 per tonne and RMB 2,530 per tonne, respectively. Caustic soda (32% concentration) Henan price has surged by RMB 75 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,100 per tonne, while caustic soda (32% concentration) Shandong price has inched up by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 625 per tonne as of...
Mining company South32 published alumina production of 1.4 million tonnes in Q4 FY21, an increase of 17 per cent quarter-on-quarter. Alumina output was 5.36 million tonnes in FY21, compared to 5.26 million tonnes in FY20, up 2 per cent year-on-year. Worsley Alumina saleable production increased by 2% to a record of 3.963 million in FY21, with the refinery finishing the year strongly, setting a quarterly record and operating above nameplate capacity of 4.6Mtpa. “The refinery’s record performance in FY21 was enabled by improvement initiatives in the calcination circuit and record alumina hydrate production,” South32 said. The company reported Brazil Alumina saleable production stood at 1.398 million tonnes in FY21, increased by 1% as the refinery continued to benefit from strong plant...
Vedanta Aluminium Business announced that the company has invited partnerships from cement industry players for using fly ash (a by-product in thermal power generation) and bauxite residue (a by-product of producing alumina from bauxite) in cement manufacturing. The company expressed its interest for long-term collaboration in a national workshop conducted with global industry experts. Fly ash and bauxite residue are ideal in cement and concrete manufacturing and provide benefits in terms of quality output, cost and sustainability. Rahul Sharma, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium Business, said: "We firmly believe that industries must develop waste-to-wealth value-chains to truly become sustainable. At Vedanta, we have made encouraging progress in this direction and intend to pursue it further....
The past week saw Rio Tinto announcing its production results for the second quarter. Rio Tinto’s alumina production stood at 2.0 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2021, 1% higher than the corresponding period of 2020, reflecting strong operational performance at the refineries. Aluminium production came in at 0.8 million tonnes, 4% higher than the same period of 2020. Value-added product sales have improved to 50% in the first half of 2021 (first half 2020: 40%). To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/rio-tintos-q2-alumina-production-slightly-up-due-to-strong-operational-performance-at-the-refineries-aluminium-output-rises-4-68838 Concord Resources Holdings Limited has acquired the majority ownership in New Day’s principal holdings, which include its Noranda Alumina refinery...
Rio Tinto’s alumina production stood at 2.0 million tonnes in the second quarter of 2021, 1% higher than the corresponding period of 2020, reflecting strong operational performance at the refineries. On a quarter-on-quarter basis, the output was down 1%, primarily due to a planned refinery shutdown at Yarwun during the quarter. In the first half of 2021, the alumina production was 4.0 million tonnes. That was 1% year-on-year. As far as aluminium is concerned, aluminium production came in at 0.8 million tonnes, 4% higher than the same period of 2020, “underpinned by the ISAL smelter in Iceland and Becancour smelter in Quebec operating at full capacity, and the Kitimat smelter in British Columbia nearing completion of its pot relining cycle. The Saguenay smelters had a strong performance in...
The global resources company founded by a group of experienced and largely American natural resources investors, Concord Resources Holdings Limited has acquired the majority ownership in New Day’s principal holdings, which include its Noranda Alumina refinery and NICHE Chemical non-metallurgical alumina business in Gramercy, Louisiana, as well as its Noranda Bauxite mine operations in St. Ann, Jamaica owned in partnership with the Government of Jamaica. Since 2018, Concord Resources was a minority partner in New Day Holdings, while now it acquired the majority interest from other shareholders in the DADA Holdings Group. The headquarters of New Day will remain in Gramercy, Louisiana. Concord Resources was founded in 2015 and it runs one of the largest independent smelter grade alumina...
On Monday, July 12, Altech Chemicals (ATC) said that it advanced the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for its battery materials high-purity alumina (HPA) coating plant in Germany. The plant in designed to coat 10,000 tonnes of anode graphite per year in its initial stage, using Altech’s alumina coating technology. Altech Chemicals also specified on Monday that the Pre-Feasibility Study was focused on the engineering design phase for the HPA coating plant. The process designs for the plant, which is likely to be constructed on a 14-hectare site, have also been completed, it said. Under the completed process, ATC said it should only take four steps to complete the coating process. The materials stock said the project began reaching out to suppliers for equipment packages, while discussions over...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, average spot alumina price in China has increased by RMB 4 per tonne on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 after remaining flat since June 7. The price has come in at RMB 2489 per tonne today, from RMB 2485 per tonne. The price of alumina in Shanxi has risen to stand at RMB 2510 per tonne. The price in Shandong, Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou and Guangxi China markets remained unchanged at RMB 2490 per tonne, 2490 per tonne, 2430 per tonne and 2430 per tonne. SMM aluminium ingot price has hiked by RMB 100 per tonne to stand at RMB 19160 per tonne on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, from RMB 19060 per tonne on Monday. The price is expected to range at RMB 19140-19180 per tonne. Aluminium Fluoride price in China stands at RMB 7450 per tonne, down RMB 150 per tonne after remaining...
