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.
Qatalum achieves dual certifications from ASI for primary aluminium smelting and foundry alloys manufacturing
Qatalum, a joint venture aluminium smelter between Qatar Petroleum and Norsk Hydro, has reportedly bagged dual certifications from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative. For primary aluminium smelting and manufacturing foundry alloys & extrusion ingots at Mesaieed Industrial City, Qatar, the smelter has received both the Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard certifications. Qatalum has an annual production capacity of 660,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, foundry alloy and extrusion ingots, destined for a variety of industries like automotive, construction, engineering, and consumer goods manufacturing. The ASI Performance Standard certification acknowledges 59 environmental, social and governance principles and criteria, aiming at addressing sustainability issues in the...
Alba invites German investments in setting up new projects at Aluminium Downstream Park in Bahrain
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) chairman, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, has reportedly invited German companies to open their manufacturing units and businesses at a 472,000 square metre Aluminium Downstream Park in Bahrain. The business park in the vicinity of Alba campus, led by the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, aims to provide proper infrastructure for the establishment of downstream sector to attract local and foreign investments. While urging this at the 25th Arab-German Business Forum on June 21-23, Alba Chairman highlighted the close ties between Bahrain and Germany, of which Alba is the standing example. He said, Five decades and counting, Bahrain has forged close ties with Germany in the fields in trade and investment, and Alba is a great tangible example of...
US imports of crude & dried bauxite initiate the year 2022 with a fall of 6% in Q1
According to the data published by the US Census Bureau, the United States crude and dried bauxite imports amounted to 736,000 tonnes during the first quarter of 2022, which registered a quarter-on-quarter decrease of 48,000 tonnes or 6.12 per cent from 784,000 tonnes. However, on a year-on-year basis, the import volume rose 5.90 per cent or 41,000 tonnes from 695,000 tonnes. Jamaica continued to be the highest exporter of bauxite to the United States during 1Q2022, although it recorded a fall in the volume. Compared to 709,000 tonnes in Q4 2021, bauxite exports from Jamaica to the US in Q1 2022 stood at 622,000 tonnes. That was a sharp fall of 87,000 tonnes or 12.27 per cent on a quarterly basis. According to the Bureau’s data, Jamaica’s bauxite exports to the US also dropped over the...
Coffeeza shifts to aluminium for its coffee capsules to retain flavours and aromas for a long time
Coffeeza, a premium Italian brand of coffee capsules and machines, has reportedly launched a new range of recyclable aluminium coffee capsules used to make espresso, cappuccino and latte. The brand has switched to aluminium for coffee capsules with the intention to retain the flavours of coffee for multiple uses. Aluminium is the only metal that acts as a barrier from oxidation, which otherwise often causes the loss of coffee flavours when kept for a period of time. Aluminium capsules ensure the coffee retains rich crema, invigorating aroma and indulgent taste. In addition, aluminium capsules are recyclable, making them a great choice for protecting the environment. Coffeeza is already known for its fantastic recycling programme, wherein it recycles more than it produces. Rahul Aggarwal,...
Vedanta cuts its aluminium ingot price on an alternate day by 1.7% to INR222,000-255,000/t
Vedanta Limited reduced its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices on an alternate day after escalating the prices on Friday, June 24. With effect from Saturday, June 25, Vedanta’s aluminium ingot price saw a slash of INR 3,750 per tonne or 1.66 per cent to INR 222,000-255,000 per tonne. On the previous day, the price stood at INR 225,750- 258,750, up by INR 2,250 per tonne from INR 223,500-256,500 per tonne on June 23. Vedanta also cut its aluminium billet price by INR 3,750 per tonne on June 25 to sell the product at INR 231,000 per tonne versus INR 234,750 on June 24. Aluminium wire rod price came in at INR 229,500- 237,000 per tonne, with effect from June 25, seeing a deduction by the same amount from 233,250- 240,750 on June 24. Vedanta Limited links its aluminium ingot and...
LME aluminium benchmark price slid through the week by US$26/t to US$2436/t; SHFE price closed lower at US$2868/t
The LME aluminium prices have ended this week lower at around US$2,436 per tonne, but with some intermittent hikes. On Monday, June 20, LME aluminium cash bid price dropped by US$12.5 per tonne to US$2,461 per tonne and LME aluminium official settlement price decreased by US$12 per tonne to US$2,462 per tonne. But the next day, on June 21, both the prices augmented by US$57.50 per tonne to US$2,518.50 per tonne and US$2,519.50 per tonne, respectively. However, the prices slipped on an alternate day again by US$63.50 per tonne and US$64 per tonne to settle at US$2,455 per tonne and US$2,455.50 per tonne, and escalated sequentially to US$2,478 per tonne and US$2,480 per tonne, as of June 23. On Friday, June 24, the prices finally closed at US$2,435 per tonne and US$2,436 per tonne, down by...
RDSO shares design specifications for 100 light aluminium coaches based on the Train-18 concept
According to a recent report, the Research Designs & Standards Organisation under the Ministry of Railways of the government of India has shared design specifications with the railway board for 100 light aluminium coaches based on the Train-18 concept to enable comfortable travel in the shortest possible time between major cities of the country. Director-General of RDSO, Sanjiv Bhutani, said: “Based on the current train-18 concept which runs over a distributed traction power system (self-propelled — do not require an engine) RDSO has forwarded specifications to develop 100 trains which can operate at 200 kmph. Further, the organization is working to design push and pull trains which also can cruise at 200 kmph.” In addition, RDSO has unveiled the specification for the development of a...
China’s A00 aluminium ingot price plummets for the third day to RMB19160/t; Aluminium alloy (A356) price shrinks by RMB200/t
A00 aluminium ingot price in China has recorded a decline for the third consecutive day to stand at the edge of RMB 19,000 per tonne. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the primary aluminium ingot price has plunged by RMB 180 per tonne to close the week on Friday, June 24, at RMB 19,160 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 19,140 per tonne and RMB 19,180 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 0-40 per tonne. The Chinese province Foshan has seen the highest downfall of RMB 190 per tonne today to come in at RMB 19,130 per tonne, followed by the slump of RMB 180 per tonne in Hangzhou and Tianjin to rest at RMB 19,210 per tonne. In Linyi, A00 aluminium ingot price has also registered a fall of RMB 180 per tonne to stand at RMB...
Vedanta heightens its aluminium billet & wire rod prices by INR4000/t with effect from June 22
Vedanta Limited has finally increased its aluminium products and aluminium ingot prices after reducing them ceaselessly since June 11. With effect from Wednesday, June 22, Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has come in at INR 237,500 per tonne, up by INR 4,000 per tonne from INR 233,500 per tonne on May 18. Vedanta’s aluminium wire rod price has also been heightened by INR 4,000 per tonne to sell the product at INR 236,000-243,500 per tonne. On May 18, the company’s aluminium wire rod price stood at INR 232,000-239,500 per tonne after being slumped by INR 2,250 per tonne from 234,250- 241,750 on June 17. Vedanta’s aluminium ingot price has come in at INR 228,500-261500 as of June 22, also up by INR 4,000 per tonne from INR 224,500-257,500 per tonne on June 18. Vedanta Limited links its...
North America’s primary aluminium production recovers 10,000 tonnes in May’22 to stand back at 325,000 tonnes
According to the International Aluminium Institute, primary aluminium production in North America during May 2022 stood at 325,000 tonnes, rebounding by 10,000 tonnes from the previous month. In April 2022, primary aluminium output in North America had lost that amount and stood at 315,000 tonnes. However, on a year-on-year calculation, North America’s primary aluminium output in May 2022 edged 4.13 per cent or 14,000 tonnes lower than 339,000 tonnes. In the first five months of the year, North America’s primary aluminium production totalled 1.577 million tonnes, down by 4.54 per cent from 1.652 million tonnes during the same period last year. South America also saw an increase of 7,000 tonnes or 7.45 per cent month-on-month in primary aluminium production to 101,000 tonnes in May 2022,...
NALCO’s aluminium ingot price experiencing ceaseless cuts to currently stand at INR223,450-226,950/t w.e.f. June 21
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has again reduced its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices by almost the same amount like last time. With effect from June 21, NALCO has slashed its aluminium ingot price by INR 10,200 per tonne or 4.4 per cent to INR 223,450-226,950 per tonne versus INR 233,650-237,150 per tonne on June 16. NALCO’s wire rod price has also experienced a sharp cut of INR 10,200 per tonne, with effect from June 21, resulting in INR 225,950-230,300 per tonne. Nearly a week ago, on June 16, the price stood at INR 236,150-240,500 per tonne after being axed by INR 10,300 per tonne. With the latest cut, aluminium billets price is hovering around INR 226,900-229,550 per tonne, down by INR 10,200 per tonne too from INR 237,100-239,750 per tonne a week ago....
China’s bauxite imports in May’22 record a new high at 11.97 million tonnes
According to the data revealed by the General Administration of Customs on Wednesday, June 22, China’s bauxite imports recorded a historical high, totalling 11.97 million tonnes in May 2022. That was an increase of 7.6 per cent month-on-month and a hike of 31.4 per cent over a year. Australia stood as the leading exporter of bauxite ore to China in May, providing 3.09 million tonnes. On a month-on-month calculation, that was down by 0.95 per cent but registered a hike of 26.6 per cent over the year. As per General Customs, bauxite supply from Australia to China was relatively stable in May after seasonal fall at the beginning of the year. During the second quarter of 2022, Australia’s bauxite production increased, hence, the imports to China. Guinea, the second-largest exporter of bauxite...
Primary aluminium production in Africa rebounds to 138,000 tonnes during May 2022
In May 2022, primary aluminium production in Africa rebounded to 138,000 tonnes after a dip in the previous month. According to the International Aluminium Institute’s latest data, Africa’s primary aluminium output in May witnessed an increase of 7,000 tonnes or 5.34 per cent month-on-month. In April, the output stood at 131,000 tonnes, down by 6,000 tonnes or 4.38 per cent from 137,000 tonnes in March 2022. On a year-on-year calculation, Africa’s primary aluminium production in May’22 grew slightly by 2,000 tonnes from 136,000 tonnes, showed IAI. In the first five months of 2022, Africa’s primary aluminium production totalled 666,000 tonnes, flaunting a hike of 2.30 per cent or 15,000 tonnes from 651,000 tonnes during the corresponding period of last year. World primary aluminium...
Alba unveils a new Environment, Social and Governance campaign aligned with Bahrain’s net zero emissions target
On Monday, June 20, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) inaugurated a new Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) campaign across all its plants to reinforce Alba ESG Roadmap’s six priority areas, in line with Bahrain’s commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2060. The news came after Alba’s CEO Ali Al Baqali unveiled the campaign titled ‘A Journey, Not A Destination’ virtually to all employees, contractors’ workers, and representatives of other GCC aluminium smelters and Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC). During the programme, Al Baqali stated: “As a leading corporate citizen, we believe in producing responsibly and sustainably. Through our ESG Roadmap, we aim to establish a purpose driven culture that is focused on long-term value creation for our stakeholders and the society we...
Primary aluminium inventories in China post a continued downfall of 28000 tonnes over the weekend
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium in China further dropped across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, on Monday, June 20. As per the data revealed, inventories totalled 757,000 tonnes, seeing a downfall of 28,000 tonnes over the weekend and a plunge of 68,000 tonnes week-on-week. Compared to the end of May, inventories on Monday recorded a sharp fall of 165,000 tonnes. The decline on Monday was primarily led by Wuxi and Nanhai due to transfer of cargoes to other warehouses and increased downstream purchases after aluminium prices pulled back. The chart below indicates the current status of inventories across China in more details: Among major Chinese provinces, primary aluminium inventories declined the highest in Wuxi by...
World primary aluminium production posts a monthly growth of 4% to 5.805 million tonnes in May’22: IAI
According to the International Aluminium Institute, world primary aluminium production in May 2022 reported an increase of 3.64 per cent month-on-month to 5.805 million tonnes. In April, the output was at 5.601 million tonnes, down by 2.69 per cent from 5.756 million tonnes a month ago. On a year-on-year basis, world primary aluminium production in May 2022 registered a slight growth of 0.43 per cent from 5.780 million tonnes. In the first five months of the year, world primary aluminium production amounted to 27.972 million tonnes, down by 0.69 per cent from 28.165 million tonnes during the same period last year. China, the world’s largest producer and consumer of aluminium, churned out 3.420 million tonnes of primary aluminium in May, compared to 3.292 million tonnes in April. That was...
China’s aluminium imports drop 16% Y-o-Y to 188,469 tonnes but exports post a hike of 54%
According to the data released by the General Administration of Customs on Saturday, June 18, China’s aluminium imports in May 2022 decreased by 16.4 per cent year-on-year. That brought the total imports to 188,469 tonnes of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products – including primary metal & unwrought and alloyed aluminium. So far this year, China’s monthly aluminium imports have been below 200,000 tonnes due to arbitrage window shut for cheaper overseas metal and weak downstream demand for the fresh COVID-induced lockdown. However, on a month-on-month calculation, the imports in May grew by 7.52 per cent or 13,180 tonnes from 175,289 tonnes, showed the General Customs data. On the other hand, China’s unwrought aluminium and aluminium products exports surged by 54 per cent from a year...
Coal India diversifying into aluminium and solar to decarbonise operations as part of the Govt’s net zero carbon emission goal
Coal India Limited (CIL), an Indian government-owned coal mining and refining corporation, is reportedly striving to decarbonise its operations, following the government’s energy transition push and net zero carbon emission target by 2070. Therefore, CIL is diversifying into aluminium production, solar power generation and coal gasification. The news came on Monday, June 20, after two officials aware of the matter said, while adding that the company is waiting for certain clearances to begin an integrated greenfield aluminium project in Odisha. As per the report, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has also approved the project. Stressing on the energy transition and diversification process, Union coal secretary Anil Kumar Jain recently said: “CIL is diversifying; they are getting into...
