AlCircle News Edited By "Debanjali Sengupta"
Debanjali Sengupta is a passionate content writer with 10 years of experience in Business writing, Web Content writing, Blogging, Editing and Research. She is responsible for generating and editing content for AlCircle Newsletter and other online and offline content for enhancing the brand value and its visibility among global users.
Global aluminium producers offer $95-105/t premiums to Japanese buyers for 1Q2023
According to a report on Wednesday, December 14, global aluminium producers have proposed premiums of $95-$105 per tonne to Japanese buyers for the metal shipments during the first quarter of 2023. That is 4 per cent less than the current quarter, whilst at the same time, 6 per cent higher, as reported by three sources directly involved in quarterly pricing talks. Japan is Asia’s biggest importer of primary aluminium, and the premiums it agrees to pay for the metal each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region. For the current quarter ending December 31, Japanese buyers pay a premium of $99 per tonne, 33 per cent less than $148 per tonne in Q3 and 42 per cent shorter than $172 per tonne in Q2 2022. The price negotiation for Q1 2023 began...
LME aluminium price augments by US$16.5/t to settle at US$2396/t; SHFE price nosedives by US$79/t
Three-month LME aluminium opened at US$2,446 per tonne on Thursday, December 5, with high and low at US$2,450 per tonne and US$2,375.50 per tonne, respectively, before closing at US$2,386 per tonne, a drop of US$66 per tonne or 2.69 per cent. On Thursday, December 15, LME aluminium cash bid price accumulated US$16 per tonne to stand at US$2,395 per tonne and LME aluminium official settlement price gained US$16.50 per tonne to come in at US$2,396 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price totalled US$2,428 per tonne and US$2,430 per tonne, respectively. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price rose by US$7 per tonne to hover around US$2,512 per tonne and US$2,517 per tonne, respectively. LME aluminium opening stock continued to plunge by 5,450 tonnes to total 483,850...
China’s primary aluminium inventories reach nearly 5-year low at 482,000 tonnes
China’s social inventories of primary aluminium have suffered a loss of 18,000 tonnes week-on-week to reach a new low on Thursday, December 15. According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, inventories have come in at 482,000 tonnes, the lowest in nearly five years. The figure is also 34,000 tonnes lower than at the end of November and 429,000 tonnes less than a year ago. The continuous decline is attributed to output cuts at smelters and lower proportions of ingots. In addition, improved shipments from warehouses to downstream customers have contributed to the inventory fall. To know the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details, refer to the chart below: In Nanhai, primary aluminium inventories have shrunk by 9,000 tonnes week-on-week to come in at...
Hindalco slightly cuts its aluminium wire rod price by INR1250/t with effect from December 15
Hindalco Industries Limited has cut its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices for the second time in a row, although at a slower rate than earlier, with effect from Thursday, December 15. The company has trimmed its aluminium wire rod price by INR 1,250 per tonne or 0.5 per cent to sell the product at INR 237,100 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium billet price has also experienced a cut of INR 1,250 per tonne on December 15 from INR 241,350 per tonne to INR 240,100 per tonne. Aluminium ingot price has been reduced by INR 1,250 per tonne as well to INR 226,000 per tonne. On December 13, the price was slashed by INR 5,500 per tonne to INR 227,250 per tonne. Hindalco continued to reduce its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices in response to the back-to-back decline of the...
China’s primary aluminium production grows 9.4% in November’22 bringing total output in 11 months to 36.77 Mt
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s primary aluminium production in November 2022 escalated by 9.4 per cent year-on-year as power restrictions eased, allowing some regions to ramp up output and small smelters to commence operations. NBS data showed China produced 3.41 million tonnes of primary aluminium in November'22, which, however, was down by 1.16 per cent month-on-month from 3.45 million tonnes. China’s primary aluminium production had grown consistently in each month of 2022 compared to the previous year when electricity consumption restrictions caused significant declines in output. Along with the production, demand for the metal has also increased this year, especially in the construction and transportation sectors after China relaxed its COVID19 –related...
Recycled aluminium output from beverage cans reach record high in Europe with robust recycling rate of 73%
According to a report published by Metal Packaging Europe and European Aluminium, the recycling rate of aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland stood robust at 73 per cent in 2020. The total volume of aluminium recycled from cans was 510,000 tonnes in the said year, reflecting an increase of more than 20,000 tonnes since the previous year. As a result, a total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions saving was 4.2 million tonnes of CO₂eq. But the recycling rate dipped slightly by 3 percentage points compared to 2019, while the consumption grew 8 per cent over the year. Can manufacturers (members of Metal Packaging Europe) and aluminium suppliers (members of European Aluminium) exalted the result stating the recycling rate increased despite...
China’s alumina spot price accumulates RMB11/t to exceed RMB2900/t; A00 aluminium ingot price drops RMB30/t
The average alumina spot price in China has hiked by RMB 11 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,908 per tonne as of Thursday, December 15, found the Shanghai Metals Market data. In Shandong, Guizhou, and Guangxi, alumina price has escalated by RMB 15 per tonne to peg at RMB 2,865 per tonne, RMB 2,825 per tonne, and RMB 2,830 per tonne, respectively, while the price in Shanxi has increased by RMB 10 per tonne to come in at RMB 2,950 per tonne. Only in Henan has the price remained unchanged at RMB 2,960 per tonne. The Australian alumina FOB price has also registered an increase of US$11 per tonne to stand at US$335 per tonne on December 15, learned SMM. But despite the hike in alumina spot price, A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a decline of RMB 30 per tonne to knock at RMB 18,920 per tonne....
US aluminium plates, sheets and bars imports from Oman heighten 48% M-o-M
In September 2022, the United States imported 15,200 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars from Oman, 47.57 per cent up from the previous month, found the US Census Bureau data. In August, the United States’ import volume from Oman was 10,300 tonnes, showing no change from the earlier month. On a year-on-year calculation, the United States’ aluminium flat rolled products imports from Oman in September 2022 skyrocketed by 138.24 per cent from 6,380 tonnes. In the third quarter of 2022, the United States imported 35,800 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and bars in total, compared to 31,850 tonnes in the previous quarter. That reflected a sequential rise of 12.40 per cent, showed the Bureau. Oman was the third leading supplier of aluminium flat rolled products to the US after China...
Australian aluminium giants back federal’s energy price cap bill to contain surging costs
Australia’s aluminium biggies reportedly support a federal plan to cap coal and gas prices to contain high energy bills, claiming energy-intensive industries are at risk until provided immediate price relief. The proposed price cap is $12 a gigajoule, which gas producers think will deter vital future investments and jeopardise energy security. But nonetheless, Australian aluminium giants like Rio Tinto, Alcoa, and Tomago welcome Albanese government’s plan. Australian Aluminium Council chief executive Marghanita Johnson said the industry saw a four-fold increase in energy prices in the past one year, given the effect of Russia-Ukraine conflict on global energy resulting in supply crunch. “Currently, the pendulum has swung too far in favour of exports, to the detriment of domestic...
North America’s primary aluminium production in October’22 improves 4% M-o-M but drops 2% Y-o-Y
In October 2022, primary aluminium production in North America stood at 313,000 tonnes, rising by 3.99 per cent or 12,000 tonnes month-on-month. In September, the output was 301,000 tonnes, down by 4,000 tonnes or 1.31 per cent from 305,000 tonnes in August. Despite an increase in monthly production in October’22, North America’s primary aluminium output edged a drop of 1.57 per cent over the year from 318,000 tonnes. In the first ten months of 2022, primary aluminium production in North America totalled 3.114 million tonnes, down by 4.18 per cent from 3.25 million tonnes during the same period last year. In South America, primary aluminium production in October 2022 was 120,000 tonnes, 4.34 per cent higher than 115,000 tonnes in September, and 20 per cent more than 100,000 tonnes in...
US aluminium scrap imports decline 9% through 3Q2022; import from Canada falls below 100 thousand tonnes
The United States aluminium scrap imports in September 2022 stood at 50,200 tonnes, down by 9.39 per cent or 5,200 tonnes month-on-month from 55,400 tonnes, and 14.04 per cent or 8,200 tonnes less than 58,400 tonnes a year ago, found the US Census Bureau data. In the third quarter of 2022, the import volume totalled 163,700 tonnes, reflecting a decline of 8.65 per cent quarter-on-quarter from 179,200 tonnes. It is to be noted here the United States’ aluminium scrap imports declined gradually through each month of Q3. Prior to September, the import volume decreased in August by 4.65 per cent to 55,400 tonnes, while that in July dropped by 5.22 per cent from 61,300 tonnes to 58,100 tonnes. From January to September 2022, the United States imported 494,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap in total,...
Vedanta curtails its aluminium wire rod & billet prices by 2% with effect from December 13
Vedanta Industries Limited has curtailed its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices by 2.2 per cent or INR 5,500 per tonne, with effect from December 13, bringing the aluminium wire rod price to INR 235,750- 243,250 per tonne. Prior to this, the last revision of price was on December 6 when Vedanta’s aluminium wire rod price came in at INR 241,250-248,750 per tonne versus INR 236,750-244,250 per tonne on December 3. The latest price cut has brought the company’s aluminium billet price to INR 237,250 per tonne per tonne, compared to INR 242,750 per tonne last week. Vedanta’s aluminium ingot price currently stands at INR 228,250- 259,250 per tonne, also down by INR 5,500 per tonne from INR 233,750- 264,750 per tonne a week ago. Vedanta has reduced its aluminium prices on December 13...
Hindalco amends aluminium ingot price after a week, cuts it by INR5500/t in line with LME price downtrend
Hindalco Industries Limited has slashed its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices, with effect from Tuesday, December 13, following a hike a weak ago. According to the latest price chart revealed by the company, aluminium ingot price has experienced a cut of INR 5,500 per tonne or 2.36 per cent to stand at INR 227,250 per tonne as of December 13 versus INR 232,750 per tonne on December 6. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price has also seen a decline of INR 5,500 per tonne, with effect from December 13, to peg at INR 238,350 per tonne, compared to INR 243,850 per on December 6. Aluminium billets price is no exception but also undergone a fall by the same amount to come in at INR 241,350 per tonne. On December 6, the price stood at INR 246,850 per tonne after been raised by INR 4,500...
China’s bauxite imports grow 9% M-o-M to 8.98 million tonnes, with Guinea the top supplier
China’s bauxite imports in October 2022 amounted to 8.98 million tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month rise of 9.27 per cent but a year-on-year downfall of 5.87 per cent, found the General Administration of Customs. Guinea, being the top exporter, provided 4.41 million tonnes, up both M-o-M and Y-o-Y by 6.38 per cent and 1.84 per cent, respectively. From Australia, China imported 3.31 million tonnes of bauxite in October – 22.3 per cent more than the previous month and 15.25 per cent higher than a year ago. Import from Indonesia also edged a 20.88 per cent hike on a M-o-M basis to stand at 1.06 million tonnes but registered a plunge of 51.45 per cent on the year. Montenegro, Jamaica, Ghana, Malaysia and India emerged as the new bauxite suppliers to China in October’22. China’s bauxite...
ASI certifies Novelis do Brasil LTDA against Chain of Custody Standard for aluminium rolling at Pindamonhangaba
According to a recent report, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has certified Novelis do Brasil LTDA against Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V1 (2017) Certification for rolling operations at Pindamonhangaba, for fourteen aluminium cans collection centres throughout Brazil and one distribution centre. The rolling plant at Pindamonhangaba is one of the world’s largest integrated sites that recycles aluminium beverage cans and produces aluminium-rolled products. Its annual production volume is about 694,000 tonnes of aluminium sheet, primarily destined for beverage packaging. Earlier in October 2021, the same plant received Performance Standard Certification from ASI, while the fourteen aluminium recycling collection centres and one distribution centre were added to that certification...
China’s domestic metallurgical-grade alumina production in November’22 reflects 6% dip M-o-M
China’s domestic metallurgical-grade alumina production in November 2022 (30 calendar days) was 6.29 million tonnes, down by 5.84 per cent month-on-month from 6.68 million tonnes but up by 3.11 per cent year-on-year from 6.1 million tonnes, found the Shanghai Metals Market data. Average daily output edged 2.60 per cent lower M-o-M from 215,400 tonnes to 209,800 tonnes, but stood 3.35 per cent higher on the year than 203,000 tonnes, learned SMM. In November, China’s domestic production capacity of alumina was 76.6 million tonnes, with operating rates at 79 per cent versus 81.1 per cent in the previous month. From January to November 2022, China produced 71.26 million tonnes of alumina, which reflected an increase of 8.30 per cent from 65.8 million tonnes during the same period last year....
US alumina imports in 3Q2022 deteriorate sequentially to 445,000 tonnes; import from Brazil dwindles 33%
The United States’ alumina imports in the third quarter of 2022 deteriorated to return 445,000 tonnes, following a rise of 8.76 per cent in the previous quarter, found the US Census Bureau data. The import volume in Q1 was also at the same amount, followed by a sequential rise in Q2 to 484,000 tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, the United States imports in Q3 gained 32.44 per cent compared to 336,000 tonnes. From Q1 to Q3 of 2022, the United States total imports of alumina amounted to 1.37 million tonnes, up by 21.24 per cent from 1.13 million tonnes a year ago. Brazil continued to be the top supplier in 3Q2022 despite a declining volume Q-o-Q. Compared to 367,000 tonnes in Q2, Brazil's alumina export to the US dwindled by 33.24 per cent sequentially to 245,000 tonnes. Annually,...
China’s aluminium production in November 2022 grows 9% YoY on capacity boost in Sichuan and Inner Mongolia
China’s aluminium production in November 2022 (30 calendar days) amounted to 3.34 million tonnes, which reflected an increase of 8.7 per cent year-on-year, found the Shanghai Metals Market. But on a month-on-month calculation, the output stood 2.05 per cent lower than 3.41 million tonnes (31 calendar days). That indicated aluminium production in November’22 saw both increase and decrease; however, the growth was more significant based on rising production capacity due to the resumption of smelters in Guangxi and Sichuan. Despite the downfall in monthly production in November, China’s daily aluminium output rose from 110,100 tonnes to 111,200 tonnes. China’s total aluminium production from January to November stood at 36.64 million tonnes, up by 3.7 per cent from the same period last year....
