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.
Vedanta Aluminium becomes pro at water efficiency, reports 19% less ‘Specific Water Consumption’ at its Jharsuguda smelters
Vedanta Aluminium has set another national benchmark, and this time it is all about water efficiency. On Tuesday, September 6, the company declared its Aluminium Smelter-I at Jharsuguda (Odisha) substantially reduced Specific Water Consumption (water consumed per unit of metal produced) by around 11 per cent in FY2022 compared to the previous fiscal for producing more than 17,400 tonnes of aluminium over the year. Vedanta Aluminium at Jharsuguda has two state-of-the-art aluminium smelters. The Smelter-II (SEZ) reduced Specific Water Consumption by 8 per cent in FY22, while producing 2 lakh tonnes of aluminium more than the previous year. Overall, Vedanta’s Jharsuguda site recycled around 5 billion litres of water for inhouse consumption in the last fiscal, marking a significant step...
Recresso is investing in metal sorting technology to turn used aluminium caps into furnace-ready for smelting
From glass to aluminium: Recresso has decided to extend its recycling domain, investing around £5.5 million. The news came on Tuesday, September 6, after the company announced the installation of shredders, X-ray fluorescence technology and briquetting machinery at its Ellesmere Port site in Cheshire to sort, shred and compress aluminium bottle tops from commingled glass collections for smelting. As per the report, the machineries will be operational by the end of September 2022. Tim Gent, Recresco’s director, said: “We have a passion for innovation, always looking to new technologies and systems that make all our activities more energy-efficient and environmentally sound.” He added, “This investment is part of our overall journey to minimising our environmental impact while maximising...
US alumina imports in 2Q2022 edge 26% higher Y-o-Y, with Brazil as a mainstay exporter
The United States imported 484,000 tonnes of alumina in the second quarter of 2022 versus 445,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year, found the US Census Bureau. According to quarter-on-quarter calculation, that was an increase of 39,000 tonnes or 8.76 per cent. On a yearly basis, the US Q2 alumina imports reflected a surge of 26.37 per cent from 383,000 tonnes. The USGS data also showed the United States’ total import volume of alumina in the first half of 2022 amounted to 929,000 tonnes, registering a hike of 16.27 per cent from 799,000 tonnes a year ago. In Q2 2022, Brazil continued to be the main exporter of alumina to the US, providing 367,000 tonnes. That was 15.05 per cent or 48,000 tonnes more than 319,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year. In six months, the United...
Europe’s (incl. Russia) monthly production of alumina remains restrained in July’22, while daily output dips by 3%
According to the International Aluminium Institute, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) stood at 693,000 tonnes in July 2022, which was unchanged from the previous month. However, the output in June saw a monthly downfall of 29,000 tonnes or 4.02 per cent from 722,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in Europe (incl. Russia) during July 2022 edged significantly lower by 202,000 tonnes or 22.57 per cent than 895,000 tonnes, found IAI. This yearly plunge or month-on-month restraint could be attributed to production cut at refineries due to power shortage. Daily average production in July was 22,400 tonnes, down by 3.03 per cent from 23,100 tonnes a month ago and 22.49 per cent less than 28,900 tonnes a year earlier. In the first seven months of 2022, alumina...
European aluminium foil demand grows to 494,000 tonnes in H1 2022, leading to stable deliveries
European aluminium foil deliveries for containers and technical applications returned to stability in H1 2022 , though exports continued to decline at the rate of -15%, revealed the European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA). EAFA data also showed the overall demand for aluminium foil in Europe grew in the first half of 2022 by 0.7 per cent to 494,000 tonnes versus 490,300 tonnes in H1 2021. Demand for thicker gauges, used for semi-rigid containers, technical or other applications, rose in the second quarter of 2022 after fluctuating through Q1 2022. That resulted in increased deliveries in the first six months of 2022 ended June 30, finishing at just below 2 per cent from the same period last year. Thinner gauges, used for flexible packaging and household foils, saw 2.2 per cent growth...
Vedanta increases its aluminium wire rod price by INR1250/t on Sept. 3 amid continued LME price fall
Vedanta Limited has slightly stretched its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices, with effect from September 3, following a slash on the day before. As per the revised price list revealed by Vedanta, the company’s aluminium wire rod price has come in at INR 220,750-228,250 per tonne, up by INR 1,250 per tonne from INR 219,500-227,000 per tonne on September 2. Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has also been increased by INR 1,250 per tonne, with effect from September 3, from INR 221,000 per tonne to INR 222,250 per tonne. Aluminium ingot price is ranging between INR 213,250-242,750 per tonne since it has seen a rise from INR 212,000-241,500 per tonne. Vedanta, like any other Indian aluminium companies, generally links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the...
REAL Alloy’s aluminium scrap conversion facilities into wrought & foundry alloys get ASI CoC Standard certification
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has recognised REAL Alloy with the Chain of Custody Standard V1 (2017) certification for aluminium scrap recycling and wrought and foundry alloys production at Grevenbroich and Deizisau plants in Germany, and also for central strategic, administrative, and service functions at headquarter in Grevenbroich. REAL Alloy facilities produce alloys to customers’ specifications by recycling aluminium scrap. The products are delivered in solid or molten state to customers’ foundries for the use in variety of industries like the automotive and packaging sectors. The ASI Chain of Custody Standard certification sets out pre-requisite criteria for the creation of a Chain of Custody for materials produced and processed through the value chain into diverse downstream...
China’s primary aluminium inventories drop over the weekend to 681,000 tonnes: SMM
Social inventories of primary aluminium in China have dropped over the weekend ended Monday, September 5, across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, following rises last week. Shanghai Metals Market data shows inventories have totalled 681,000 tonnes, down by 2,000 tonnes over the weekend and 1,000 tonnes compared to the last Monday. On Thursday, September 1, China’s primary aluminium inventories stood at 683,000 tonnes, accumulating 4,000 tonnes week-on-week. On Monday, August 29, the inventories amounted to 682,000 tonnes, gaining 3,000 tonnes over the weekend. The decrease in inventories over the weekend is primarily backed by Tianjin, Nanhai, and Chongqing as shown in the below chart: According to SMM, primary aluminium inventories in Tianjin have decreased by...
Yunnan, China emerges as a new victim of hydropower shortage; Aluminium production cut is in mind
After Sichuan, another southwestern Chinese province that emerges as being affected by hydropower shortages is Yunnan, triggering concerns over potential output reduction in the province. According to the latest survey by Shanghai Metals Market, many smelters in Yunnan have expressed concerns over power supply, though having normal operations to date. A possible production cut in Yunnan, a major aluminium producing province leveraging hydropower, is anticipated to be adversely impactful for the entire aluminium industry. Yunnan, for having substantial hydropower resources and favourable policies for smelting, could manage to attract a sizeable amount of aluminium capacity over a few years. As per the current data, the installed aluminium capacity in Yunnan currently stands at around 5.63...
ASI acknowledges Alu-met with Chain of Custody Standard certification for aluminium billets production from recycled scrap
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has reportedly granted Alu-met GmbH, an Austria-headquartered producer and supplier of high-quality aluminium billets, with Chain of Custody Standard certification. The company has bagged the recognition for aluminium extrusion billets production from recycled scrap at casting facilities - Aluminium GmbH Nachrodt (Germany) and Speedline Aluminium-Gießerei GmbH (Austria), and also for relevant functions at the head office. Earlier, Alu-met received full ASI Performance Standard Certification for its Speedline Aluminium-Gießerei GmbH facility in 2020 and Aluminium GmbH Nachrodt in 2022. The ASI Chain of Custody Standard certification is given to those who create a Chain of Custody for material produced and processed through the value chain into diverse...
Vedanta further reduces its aluminium ingot price by INR6250/t with effect from September 2
Vedanta Limited further reduced its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices on September 2, in line with the continued downfall of the global aluminium price on LME. As per the revised price list shared by the company, Vedanta cut its aluminium ingot price by INR 6,250 per tonne to INR 212,000-241,500 per tonne. Vedanta’s aluminium wire rod price also saw an increase of INR 6,250 per tonne from INR 225,750-233,250 per tonne on September 1 to INR 219,500-227,000 per tonne on September 2. Aluminium billet price also experienced a back-to-back slash on September 2 to come in at INR 221,000 per tonne. Vedanta links its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange, which slid by US$62.50 per tonne or 2.64 per cent on...
Hulamin posts a 147% jump in half-yearly earnings; revenue grows 45% despite increased production costs
Hulamin, a South African aluminium supplier and exporter, announced robust earnings, with a hike of 147 per cent for the first half of 2022 ended June 30. Revenue rose by 45 per cent to R7.9 billion, and operating profit surged by 144 per cent to R223 million amid the challenges posed on working capital by a record high LME aluminium price during the said period. Outgoing Hulamin CEO Richard Jacob said: “… 2022 began with solid demand, firmer prices than in recent years, and a weaker rand/dollar exchange rate. Turnover increased by 45 percent, and profits increased by 144 percent, despite the constraints experienced at Durban Port; the impact on the automotive market due to the KwaZulu-Natal floods; and the challenges posed on working capital by the record-high LME Aluminium prices...
Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod & billet prices axed by over 5% in line with the 16-month low LME aluminium price
Hindalco Industries Limited has continued to significantly cut its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices for the second consecutive day, with effect from Friday, September 2. The company has reduced its aluminium wire rod price by INR 14,000 per tonne or 5.96 per cent to INR 220,850 per tonne versus a cut of INR 8,000 per tonne on August 31 to INR 234,850 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium billets price has also been axed by INR 14,000 per tonne on September 2 to INR 223,850 per tonne. On August 31, the price stood at INR 237,850 per tonne, seeing a downfall of INR 8,000 per tonne. The aluminium giant has also knocked its aluminium ingot price down by the same amount to INR 209,750 per tonne from INR 223,750 per tonne on August 31. Hindalco has chopped its aluminium prices in line...
US crude and dried bauxite imports continue to fall quarterly at a higher rate of 12.5% in 2Q2022
The United States imports of crude and dried bauxite continued to roll down through the past three quarters, starting Q4 2021. According to the data shown by the US Census Bureau, the country’s crude and dried bauxite imports has recorded a quarterly fall of 92,000 tonnes or 12.50 per cent for 2Q2022 to 644,000 tonnes. In Q1 of the year, the imports stood at 736,000 tonnes, down by 6.12 per cent from 784,000 tonnes in the previous quarter. On a year-on-year calculation, the United States’ crude and dried bauxite imports edged 9,000 tonnes or 12.26 per cent lower than 734,000 tonnes. In the first half of 2022, the United States imports totalled 1.38 million tonnes, which reflected a fall of 3.5 per cent from 1.43 million tonnes. Jamaica continued to be the primary provider of crude and...
Alba marks a historic milestone; 30 million safe working hours without LTI achieved for the first time
On September 1, 2022, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) emerged as the first smelter in the region to achieve a historic milestone of 30 Million Safe Working Hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI). This is the best milestone in Safety achieved to date, and it reflects Alba’s commitments and efforts towards strong safety culture and value. According to Ali Al Baqali, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, there is no better policy than ensuring safety of employees. The aim should be to achieve more than this milestone, hit higher benchmarks, and accomplish zero-accident work environment. Mr Baqali said: “30 Million Safe Working Hours without LTI is a legacy for future generations not just in Alba but also in the Region. Achieving such a historic Safety record alongside our best-ever financial...
US primary aluminium production in 2Q2022 reflects 1.24% rise, bringing total output in H1 to 485,000 tonnes
The United States’ domestic primary aluminium production in June 2022 stood at 78,000 tonnes, bringing the total output of the first half of the year to 485,000 tonnes, showed the US Census Bureau. The United States’ primary aluminium production in June reflected a decrease of 6,000 tonnes or 7.14 per cent from 84,000 tonnes. In the second quarter of 2022 (from April to June), the United States churned out 244,000 tonnes of primary aluminium – 1.24 per cent or 3,000 tonnes higher than 241,000 tonnes in Q1 2022. The daily averageproduction in June 2022 was 2,620 tonnes, down by 2.96 per cent from 2,700 tonnes in May but 9 per cent higher than in June 2021. Total aluminium recovered from scrap in June 2022 was 286,000 tonnes – 6,000 tonnes or 2.05 per cent less than 292,000 tonnes in May...
China’s primary aluminium inventories grow week-on-week to 683,000 tonnes on September 1
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight major Chinese consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, have gained 4,000 tonnes over the week ended Thursday, September 1, to reach 683,000 tonnes. From Monday, August 29, the inventories are up by 1,000 tonnes; and higher by 5,000 tonnes than at the beginning of August. The week-on-week increase in inventories on September 1 has primarily been contributed by Wuxi, while other provinces have either recorded downfall or remained restrained. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: In Wuxi, primary aluminium inventories have surged by 16,000 tonnes week-on-week to stand at 216,000 tonnes as of September 1, but that in Nanhai and...
Vedanta back-to-back cuts its aluminium wire rod price by INR3250/t
Vedanta Limited has continued to cut its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices, with effect from Thursday, September 1, for the second day in a row. The company has cut its aluminium wire rod price by INR 3,250 per tonne to sell the product at INR 225,750-233,250 per tonne. On September 31, Vedanta’s aluminium wire rod price stood at INR 229000-236500, significantly down by INR 8,250 per tonne from the previous day. Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has also experienced a trim of INR 3,250 per tonne to INR 227,250 per tonne on September 1, after facing a hit of INR 8,250 per tonne to INR 230,500 per tonne on August 31. Aluminium ingot price has slid to the range of INR 218,250- 247,750 per tonne on September 1 from 221500-251000 on August 31. Vedanta links its aluminium ingot and...
