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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As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, average spot alumina price in China has increased for the second day in a row. The price has inched up by RMB 12 per tonne on Tuesday, 11 May 2021 to come in at RMB 2388 per tonne, from 2376 per tonne on May 10. Alumina price in Shandong has risen by RMB 5 per tonne to stand at RMB 2390 per tonne. The prices of alumina in Henan, Shanxi, Guizhou and Guangxi China markets have climbed to stand at RMB 2385 per tonne, RMB 2400 per tonne, RMB 2360 per tonne and RMB 2365 per tonne on Tuesday, 11 May 2021. SMM aluminium ingot price stands lower at RMB 19820 per tonne on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, after raising it for the five days in a row. This marks a drop of RMB 210 per tonne. The price is expected to range at RMB 19800-19840 per tonne. The aluminium alloy...
The aluminium industry in Australia is operating six alumina refineries in the country, which are mostly producing smelter grade alumina for both the domestic and export markets. The nation’s alumina production in 2019 was 20.5 million tonnes and maintained its position as the second-largest producer of alumina and the world’s largest exporter. The six Australian alumina refineries are: Kwinana Alumina Refinery -Alcoa In 1963 Kwinana Alumina Refinery was commissioned and was the pioneer of Alcoa’s three Western Australian (WA) alumina refineries. It has an annual nameplate production capacity of 2.2 million tonnes and produces non-metallurgical alumina (15% of production) and smelter-grade alumina (85% of production). Kwinana refinery receives its bauxite ore from Alcoa’s Huntly Bauxite...
Alumina production in China came in at 6.11 million tonnes in April, Shanghai Metals Market reported. The output included 5.9 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina. The daily production stood at 196,800 tonnes, marking a growth of 0.45% on the month and 9.4% on the year. In the first four months of 2021, metallurgical-grade alumina output stood at 23.22 million tonnes of 2021. That was up 7.69% on a yearly basis. “The impact of environmental inspections on alumina production continued in north China, and a few plants in Henan lowered roasting capacity due to high bauxite prices,” SMM reported. As of early May, the operating capacity of metallurgical-grade alumina stood at 71.6 million tonnes per year. The production is likely to stand at 6.14 million tonnes in May (31 days), SMM...
FYI Resources Limited has signed deal with Alcoa Australia Limited for detailed negotiation for a possible high purity alumina (HPA) project joint venture. During the 90-day exclusivity period that started on 5th May 2021, both the companies will carry out further due diligence to establish the technical and commercial viability of establishing a joint venture for the future development and commercialisation of HPA project. Managing Director of FYI, Mr Roland Hill commented: “I am extremely pleased we have progressed the HPA MoU to a period of exclusive discussions with Alcoa, under which we will negotiate towards a potential JV for FYI’s HPA project. In September 2020, FYI entered into a MoU with Alcoa for possible joint development of FYI’s HPA project. “We believe there is a highly...
Altech Chemicals Limited announced an update on the progress of the pre-feasibility study (PFS) for building of a battery materials high purity alumina coating plant in Saxony, Germany. The company identified potential suppliers for utilities and raw materials and obtained input pricing for plant operating costs. The study is being conducted by Altech’s 75% owned German subsidiary, Altech Industries Germany GmbH (AIG). The company selected potential suppliers of electrical infrastructure, piping materials and construction services. “In addition, discussions have commenced with numerous potential process equipment suppliers to determine pricing and supply lead times.” AIG secured office space at the Schwarze Pumpe Industrial Park for various battery materials research and development...
Alumina Limited has become new General Supporter member of ASI, bringing the total number of ASI Members to 165. The company invests in bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting through its ownership of a 40% interest in the AWAC (Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals), managed and owned 60% by Alcoa Corporation. “Alumina Limited seeks to support Alcoa’s role in managing AWAC to achieve best practice in environment, safety, community, social, ethical and financial performance through strong, collaborative and informed governance. The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative is the globally pre-eminent multi-stakeholder standards setting and certification organisation for the aluminium value chain. The ASI seeks to maximise the contribution of aluminium to a sustainable society and...
The globally most technologically advanced and energy-efficient alumina refinery and Europe's largest operated by Rusal in Ireland, Aughinish Alumina drove into a loss in 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit demand for alumina from one of the biggest aluminium smelters of Europe. During the filling at Companies Registration Office (CRO), the Aughinish Alumina Ltd located at Limerick county revealed a drop in revenue by a quarter to €436 million. The report reflected a loss of $19.8 million from a remarkable profit of €52 million in 2019, the first year after the Rusal-owned plant was removed from the US sanctions list that had restricted its ability to trade with US entities. However, the management has pointed their fingers towards an unfavourable market for alumina last year for the loss....
Hydro Alunorte plant becomes the first alumina refinery in the world to receive ISO 55001 certification. The refinery now has seven international certifications on quality, health, safety, environment, assets, and social responsibility management systems, among others. For the certification, a plan was carried out throughout 2020 and concluded with the visit of the external auditors at the end of the year. Michel Lisboa, Alunorte's industrial director, said “This certification confirms that our processes are reliable and that we are a sustainable company. For the market and our customers, it demonstrates the seriousness and commitment of the company, confirming that we are a reliable partner. For the community and authorities, the seriousness in dealing with the processes is clear, and...
The producer of sustainable ultra-high purity aluminium products Alpha HPA has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CleanCo Queensland to supply up to 100% of the power for its HPA First Project in Gladstone. The project is earmarking the production of around 10,000 tonnes per annum equivalent of HPA and allied products using Alpha's solvent extraction and HPA-refining technology. As per the MoU, Alpha, and CleanCo, the state-owned low-emission power generator is set to negotiate a renewable energy supply agreement (REA) for the operation. Rob Williamson, COO, Alpha HPA commented on the prospective REA: "Alpha is committed to delivering a project that delivers products and materials that are vital for decarbonization and to do so with the lowest possible environmental impact.”...
Hydro has planned invest BRL 1.1 billion in the Alunorte fuel-switch project reduce the refinery’s annual CO2 emissions by 600,000 tonnes. The project will replace heavy fuel oil with natural gas at the Hydro Alunorte alumina refinery. “This project is a milestone in our sustainability strategy and an important demonstration of our commitment to support local development in Pará State. Based on this decision, we will prepare Alunorte for the fuel switch, further investing in the refinery and generating local jobs,” said John Thuestad, Executive Vice President for Hydro Bauxite & Alumina. The natural gas is likely to arrive from a liquified natural gas (LNG) regasification terminal. The terminal will be located near the Hydro Alunorte refinery in Barcarena. “The Alunorte fuel-switch...
After growing for the past two consecutive days from RMB 2,340 per tonne to RMB 2,375 per tonne, the average alumina spot price in China has shed RMB 26 per tonne on Wednesday, April 28, to settle at RMB 2,349 per tonne, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. In Shanxi, the price has plunged by RMB 65 per tonne to RMB 2,345 per tonne, while the other major Chinese cities have witnessed restraint. Also, the Australian alumina FOB price has remained muted at US$ 275 per tonne as of April 28. A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a downfall too after two consecutive days of hike from RMB 18,210 per tonne to RMB 18,530 per tonne. According to SMM data, the price has declined by RMB 130 per tonne to stand at RMB 18,400 per tonne on April 28. The average prices are expected to range between...
According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) data, alumina production in West Europe stood at 491,000 tonnes in March 2021. That recorded a month-on-month increase of 11.85 per cent from 439,000 tonnes while flat over the year compared to 489,000 tonnes. West Europe’s alumina production in February, however, reflected a drop month-on-month by 8.35 per cent from 479,000 tonnes. Total alumina output in West Europe in Q1 2021 amounted to 1.409 million tonnes, up by 2.10 per cent from 1.380 million tonnes in Q4 2020 but down by 0.77 per cent from 1.420 million tonnes in Q1 2020. Alumina production in East & Central Europe also recorded a hike of 10.86 per cent month-on-month to 398,000 tonnes in March 2021. In February 2021, alumina output in East & Central Europe was at 359,000...
South32’s alumina production was 1.218 million tonnes in Q3 FY21, a decrease of 13% from quarter-on-quarter. The output was also down by 5% from 1.276 million tonnes in Q3 FY20. Worsley Alumina saleable alumina production increased by 1% to 2.885 million tonnes in the nine months ended March 2021. Alumina hydrate output increased by 4% to a record 2.989 million tonnes, with the input circuit operating above nameplate capacity of 4.6Mtpa (100% basis). “FY21 production guidance remains unchanged at 3,965kt with the refinery expected to drawdown established hydrate stocks following the successful completion of planned calciner maintenance in the March 2021 quarter,” South32 said. Brazil Alumina production stood at record 1.049 million tonnes in the nine months ended March 2021, up 1% as ‘the...
South America’s alumina production increased by 7.27 per cent year-on-year to 1.122 million tonnes in March 2021, from 1,046 million tonnes in March 2021, according to the latest data showed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). On a month-on-month basis, the alumina production inched up by 16.27 per cent from February’s production of 965,000 tonnes. In January-March 2021, alumina production in North America climbed by 2.6 per cent year-on-year. The output was 3.156 million tonnes as against as 3.076 million tonnes in January-March 2020. North America’s alumina production rose 0.45% year-on-year and 24.72% month-on-month in March 2021. The output came in at 222,000 tonnes last month. In the first three months of 2021, alumina output totalled 631,000 tonnes, from 672,000 tonnes...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, average spot alumina price in China has registered a hike of RMB 23 per tonne from Monday’s price of RMB 2352 per tonne. The price now stands at RMB 2375 per tonne as of Tuesday, 27 April 2021. Alumina prices in Shandong and Shanxi have climbed by RMB 55 per tonne and RMB 50 per tonne to stand at RMB 2405 per tonne and RMB 2410 per tonne. But the price in Bayuquan China market has declined by RMB 15 per tonne to stand at RMB 2435 per tonne today. SMM aluminium ingot price stands higher for the fourth days in a row. The price has come in at RMB 18530 per tonne on Tuesday, 27 April 2021. This marks a growth of RMB 180 per tonne. The price is expected to range at RMB 18510-18550 per tonne. The aluminium alloy (ADC12) price stands at RMB 18150 per tonne...
According to the International Aluminium Institute, world alumina production in March 2021 stood at 11.832 million tonnes, bringing the total output to 34.199 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2021. The production in March reflected a hike of 11.41 per cent month-on-month from 10.620 million tonnes and 7.50 per cent on the year from 11.006 million tonnes. IAI data showed world alumina production in Q1 2021 stood 4.35 per cent higher than 32.774 million tonnes during the same period last year. But on a quarter-on-quarter calculation, the production stood down by 1.89 per cent from 34.857 million tonnes. China, being the largest alumina producer in the world, churned out 6.311 million tonnes in March 2021, up by 10.72 per cent month-on-month. In February, China’s production was at...
After remaining restrained for the past ten days, the average alumina spot price in China has recorded an increase of RMB 12 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,352 per tonne on Monday, April 26, found the Shanghai Metals Market. In Shanxi, alumina price has grown by RMB 15 per tonne to RMB 2,360 per tonne, while the price in Shanghai and Guangxi has gained RMB 10 per tonne to come in at RMB 2,350 per tonne. In Henan, alumina spot price has also inched up by RMB 10 per tonne to settle at RMB 2,345 per tonne. In Guizhou, however, alumina price has remained restrained at RMB 2,350 per tonne. Australian alumina FOB price has also remained unchanged at US$ 275 per tonne as of April 26, 2021. A00 aluminium ingot price has surged by RMB 140 per tonne to clock at RMB 18,350 per tonne on April 26,...
According to a report on Monday, April 19, Chinese alumina refinery Kaiman Aluminium has reduced its production by half, claiming that bauxite supplies are limited. The refinery, owned by Hangzhou Jinjiang Group, is located in Sanmenxia city in Henan province. It has a per annum capacity of 2.1 million tonnes, which will reduce for at least the next one month with effect from April 19. Going ahead, the production cut may extend depending on the availability of bauxite supply in the local region. The production curtailment at the Chinese refinery is estimated to remove nearly 87,500 tonnes of alumina from the market over the initial period, which may cause concern for the overall domestic alumina market considering China’s alumina output of 73.13 million tonnes in 2020.
