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.
Dabur India’s Réal Bites juice launched in 185-ml aluminium cans in partnership with Ball Corporation
In partnership with Ball Corporation, the world's leading manufacturer and supplier of innovative, sustainable aluminium packaging for beverage, personal care, and household products, Dabur India, a 135-year-old Indian multinational consumer goods company, has reportedly launched Réal Bites juice in fully recyclable aluminium cans in India. Image Source: FoodTechBiz Réal Bites juice, part of Dabur India's Réal fruit juice brand, is a new range of fruit beverages that offers a drinking experience with real fruit chunks in every sip. Available in three delightful flavours – peach, pineapple, and green apple- Réal Bites is an ideal choice for consumers looking for a healthy and flavourful on-the-go beverage option. For convenience to carry, the drink is packaged in 185-ml aluminium cans. The...
US crude and dried bauxite imports uptick in Q3 but remain insufficient to offset Y-T-D decline
The United States crude and dried bauxite imports continued to increase sequentially in the third quarter of 2024 but could not offset the overall year-to-date downfall. The Q-o-Q growth in Q3 import was primarily driven by Turkey with a significantly increased supply of crude and dried bauxite, even higher than the same period of the previous year. Image Source: LinkedIn According to the US Census Bureau Survey, the United States imported 553,000 tonnes of bauxite, extending the quarter-on-quarter growth. In Q3, the import volume was 26,000 tonnes or 5 per cent higher sequentially, echoing the growth rate seen in the second quarter. In Q2, the United States crude and dried bauxite imports stood at 527,000 tonnes versus 501,000 tonnes in the first quarter. However, annually, the United...
Indian Government may address inverted duty structure for aluminium goods in the Union Budget 2025-26
According to a report, the Indian Government may consider addressing the issue of inverted duty structure for some products in the aluminium sector in the forthcoming Union Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26. The news came on December 11 after an official said the government would revisit the inverted duty structure to protect and boost domestic manufacturing. Inverted duty structure refers to a situation where the domestic industry pays a higher cost for raw materials in terms of duty while the finished products land at lower duty and cost, leading to credit accumulation and compounding expenses. The Indian aluminium industry already knocked the government in mid-November to remind them about increasing import duties on both primary and downstream aluminium products. The demand is a 10...
SMM A00 aluminium ingot price remains range-bound with a growth of RMB40/t; Imported input costs decline
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China's A00 aluminium ingot price has gained RMB 40 per tonne to reach RMB 20,420 per tonne on Thursday, December 12. Since the beginning of the week, China's domestic aluminium ingot prices have moved within a fixed range, hovering between RMB 20,410-20,420 per tonne. Today's average prices are estimated to range between RMB 20,400-20,440 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 40 per tonne. Image Source: iStock Due to the ongoing traditional off-season, the subtle trading of aluminium ingot in the domestic market has led to range-bound prices throughout December. From December 2 to 12, China's A00 aluminium ingot price has increased by only RMB 40 per tonne. The provinces have demonstrated a mixed trend,...
Surge in export orders to avoid increased costs from December 1 leads to steady aluminium billet output in Nov’24
In November 2024, just ahead of the cancellation of the aluminium semis export tax rebate on December 1, overseas orders for Chinese extruded aluminium products surged, driving some billet enterprises to increase operations. Therefore, despite one less operating day in November than October, China’s domestic primary aluminium billet production per day remained stable at 49,000 tonnes. Image Source: Guoxin Aluminum According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the monthly output also stood firm at 1.477 million tonnes in November versus 1.507 million tonnes in October. That reflected a 2 per cent drop month-on-month, primarily due to one operation day less. The number of sample enterprises in the SMM monthly survey was 169, with a total capacity of 31.205 million tonnes, unchanged from the...
Russia-origin aluminium share in LME-approved warehouses grows in November to 67%
The proportion of Russia-origin aluminium in London Metal Exchange (LME) warehouses in November 2024 grew to 67 per cent, following a drop in the previous month from 66 per cent to 65 per cent. Although the proportion increased, the volume of stocks continued to drop, amounting to 254,500 tonnes at the end of November, as LME-registered warehouses still restrict aluminium-made-in-Russia. On the other hand, India-origin aluminium stocks remained stable in LME warehouses at 120,000 tonnes, with a proportion increased to 32 per cent from the previous 30 per cent. Amid this assorted trend, the total on-warrant aluminium stocks on LME dropped by 6 per cent to 380,400 tonnes, reflecting a shift in trade dynamics and weaker commodity inflow due to the ongoing compliance measures and geopolitical...
Rising operation costs weigh down the United States primary aluminium output and scrap recovery in Q3
According to the US Geological Survey data, the United States' primary aluminium production slightly rebounded in the third quarter, standing at 167,600 tonnes versus 167,000 tonnes in Q2. However, despite the sequential increase, the Q3 output volume was less than the Q2 production of 172,000 tonnes. Also, the output in Q3 recorded a year-on-year fall of 9.89 per cent from 186,000 tonnes. Image Source: Alcoa Corporation The above data indicates the sluggish trend in the United States' primary aluminium production prevails , primarily due to rising production costs. Companies like Alcoa cited higher raw material prices and overall economic pressures as key factors impacting their output. In September 2024, the output was down by 2.5 per cent M-o-M, amounting to 54,600 tonnes versus 56,000...
Environment protection controls requiring production cuts lead to China's reduced aluminium output in November 2024
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s domestic aluminium production destabilised in November 2024 (30 calendar days), recording a month-on-month downfall of 3.21 per cent, attributed to environment protection-related controls requiring production cuts during the dry season. In addition to production cuts, increased alumina prices were another factor that contributed to the reduced aluminium output volume in China during the period under review. Image Source: Getty Images However, the resumption of some aluminium projects, which were under maintenance in Sichuan, Xinjiang, and other regions, slightly offset the monthly fall and led to a year-on-year hike of 2.74 per cent. As per the SMM data, China’s domestic aluminium production in November was approximately 3.583...
“The aluminium can sector for beverages in Brazil is a great example of a circular economy,” Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas)
AL Circle presents a brief conversation with Cátilo Cândido, Executive President of the Brazilian Association of Aluminum Can Manufacturers (Abralatas). Mr Cândido is a Brazilian lawyer and the Executive President of Abralatas. An executive with more than 20 years of experience in public affairs, strategic business development and management, with experience in industry, commerce, and retail. He has occupied several leadership positions throughout his career. Here, Mr Cândido has explained the current situation of aluminium can industry in Brazil, the third-largest market in the world after the United States and Canada. AL Circle: Please shed some light on why aluminium cans are so widely consumed in Brazil? In an interview, you said a complex interplay of scale, temperature, and economy...
US aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in August drop 8.5% M-o-M, affected by lower supplies from Canada and UAE
According to the US Geological Survey, the United States’ aluminium crude metal and alloy imports in August 2024 experienced a decline for the second consecutive month, following an increase last seen in June. As per the data revealed, the import volume in August plunged by 25,000 tonnes or 8.5 per cent month-on-month to 268,000 tonnes. Image Source: iStock In the previous month (July), the United States aluminium crude metal and alloy imports were 293,000 tonnes, down by 13.82 per cent from 340,000 tonnes in June. In the first eight months, the United States’ cumulative imports were 2.41 million tonnes, down by 7.69 per cent from 2.6 million tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. From Canada, the top exporter of aluminium crude metal and alloys to the United States,...
EGA breaks ground for constructing 10 pilot reduction cells for its newest smelting technology, EX
Emirates Global Aluminium broke ground today to start constructing ten pilot reduction cells for EGA-EX, the next-generation smelting technology with more advanced features than EGA’s DX+ Ultra technology. The ten pilot cells will be constructed at Al Taweelah smelter to test and validate the technology, backed by advanced Internet of Things sensors and connections that will enable seamless real-time data gathering and application of Industry 4.0 to ensure increased production capacity by 22 per cent, improved current efficiency, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. EGA-EX is designed in two variants – one to maximise productivity and another to minimise greenhouse gas emissions. EGA intends to incorporate all its existing Industry 4.0 technologies in EX to develop it as a one-stop...
China is nearing the year-end with higher alumina production each month. November is no exception
China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production continued to grow in November 2024, driven by expanded capacity. As of December 6, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina capacity stood at about 103.02 million tonnes, up by 0.31 per cent from 102.7 million tonnes in the previous month. Image Source: Made-in-China Operating rate and output volume According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, the actual operating capacity of alumina refineries increased by 3.24 per cent in November, compared to a 2.93 per cent growth in October, leading to a record-high capacity. The operating rate in the specified period stood at 86.63 per cent against 84.22 per cent in the previous month. The increased capacity and operating rate drove China’s monthly alumina output in November. Month-on-month, the...
Upstream aluminium recap: China’s ingot price stabilises this week; SMM’s take on export tax rebate cancellation stands out
The final month of 2024 began this week, marking several key events in the upstream aluminium sector. A few of them are critical minerals export ban by China to the United States, projections by the Australian Securities Exchange Limited (ASX) suggesting a return of bauxite stocks to IPOs, and the stabilisation of primary aluminium ingot price in the Chinese metals market. After multiple ups and downs through November 2024, China’s domestic primary aluminium ingot price has remained range-bound this week (December 2 to 6) between RMB 20,380 and 20,400 per tonne. During the same period of the previous month, China’s aluminium ingot price experienced a sharp growth of 4.48 per cent from RMB 20,780 per tonne to RMB 21,710 per tonne. In contrast, the price in early December marked an increase...
UK’s aluminium packaging recycling further grows in Q3, leading to 81% annual target achievement
The third quarter of 2024 witnessed a continued rise in aluminium packaging recycling volume across the United Kingdom, and that too at a much higher growth rate than in the previous quarter. Compared to a 3 per cent increase in Q2 , the United Kingdom's aluminium packaging recycling volume surged by 15 per cent in Q3, which ended September 30, according to the data published on the National Packaging Waste Database by the Environment Agency. Q3 recycling volume The United Kingdom's total collection of aluminium packaging in Q3 was 43,466 tonnes, including 32,293 tonnes through kerbside and 10,910 tonnes recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA). Although the total collection decreased Q-o-Q, the recycling rate improved significantly. The 17 per cent decline in aluminium packaging...
2024 Ghana elections: Mahama appeals to Nyinahin residents highlighting bauxite mining plans
Representing National Democratic Congress (Ghana), Presidential candidate John Dramani Mahama has reportedly assured the residents in Nyinahin, a district in the Ashanti Region, that he would prioritise bauxite mining if elected in the December 7 elections. While addressing the crowd, Mahama outlined a detailed plan to enhance bauxite mining to create local jobs and drive national economic growth. He said, "We will engage with the chiefs regarding the construction of a railway from Takoradi to Nyinahin to facilitate the easy transportation of bauxite. Additionally, we will construct a factory for aluminium production to create more jobs for the youth." "We are committed to the development of our country. The days of supporting a party solely based on lineage are no longer relevant. Let's...
US aluminium cans recycling rate drops to 43%, prompting associations to revisit policies to meet 70% goal by 2030
A recent survey by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) has shown a surprising downtrend in consumer aluminium cans recycling in the United States. Once averaging at around 52 per cent in the 1990s, the rate has decreased to 43 per cent in 2023. However, a silver lining is that aluminium cans still have a higher recycling rate than glass, with a recycling rate of 39.6 per cent and plastic bottles with 20 per cent. Image Source: The Aluminum Association Learning and suggestions Outdated recycling infrastructure and less passive approach to recycling policy could be the reasons behind the drop in the United States’ aluminium cans recycling rate. Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, said: “Our current approach to recycling in America is...
ASI certifies Alle Aluminio Ltda against Performance Standard Certification for world-class recycled aluminium production
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has reportedly acknowledged Alle Aluminio Ltda with the Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for producing recycled aluminium products at its Betim, Minas Gerais, Brazil facility. Alle Aluminio, a leading recycled aluminium product manufacturer in the Brazil market, has achieved this certification conforming to all the 11 principles and 62 criteria defined by ASI under three sustainability pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance, aimed at addressing pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain, such as biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, circularity, and greenhouse gas emissions. The company has an annual aluminium recycling capacity of more than 150,000 tonnes and a production capacity of 120,000 tonnes of saleable...
China’s aluminium foil exports grow in October; Uptick to continue to avoid increased costs for export tax rebate cancellation
Based on China Customs data, the Shanghai Metals Market reported the country’s aluminium foil exports in October 2024 saw a month-on-month increase of 8 per cent and a year-on-year hike of 27 per cent, totalling 134,200 tonnes. The average cost of China’s aluminium foil export was $3,625 per tonne for the said month. Image Source: Nantong Hengjin Composite Materials Co., Ltd Among the export destinations, Thailand and India remained the top two, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Mexico, and South Korea. To the top ten destinations, China exported 76,200 tonnes of aluminium foil, which accounted for 56.78 per cent of the total exports in October. Thailand, the highest importer of Chinese aluminium foil, secured 14,200 tonnes in October at an average cost of $3,277 per tonne....
