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.
Weekly Update: LME aluminium price trended down from $1749/t to $1745/t amid incessant fall in opening stock; SHFE rose to $2160/t
Three-month LME aluminium trended down this week during September 14-18 from US$ 1802 per tonne to US$ 1,781 per tonne. Starting the week with a hike of 1.52 per cent to US$ 1,802 per tonne, three-month LME aluminium on Tuesday, September 15, fell 0.47 per cent to settle at US$1,793.5 per tonne. On Wednesday, September 16, it closed further lower at US$ 1,789.50 per tonne, and on Thursday, September 17, at US$ 1,781 per tonne. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price recorded a mere downfall over the week during September 14-18. The prices began the week with two consecutive days of rises from US$ 1746.50 per tonne to US$ 1749 per tonne on Monday and then to US$ 1767 per tonne on Tuesday, September 15. On Wednesday, September 16, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price...
Top Aluminium Industry Leaders are participating in AlCircle’s “Global Aluminium Expo 2020”: Are You?
AlCircle Team is fully geared to welcome you all to its first-ever online “ Global Aluminium Expo 2020 ”, where you can exhibit your brand, share success stories, explore new business opportunities, and meet and greet some old and some new customers. In short, welcome to an ideal platform of business development and networking, during the time when travel is a constraint and so is meeting people in person. This event also assures you to be able to gather rich and right information on the current market condition of the aluminium industry in order to help you take right business decision at the time of unprecedented crisis. In this exhibition, you will get an opportunity to rub your shoulders, but virtually, with industry leaders from every walk of the aluminium industry, right from...
United States crude and dried bauxite imports edge lower in H1 2020 despite a quarterly growth of 8% in Q2
According to the latest data shown by the US Geological Survey on crude and dried bauxite imports, the United States in Q2 2020 imported 834,000 tonnes, up by 8 per cent from 775,000 tonnes in the first quarter of the year. But when compared to Q2 2019, the United States' bauxite imports stood 24 per cent down from 1.03 million tonnes. The United States’ total crude and dried bauxite imports in the first half of 2020 came in at 1.61 million tonnes, down by 9.5 per cent from 1.78 million tonnes during the same period last year. Jamaica continued to be the leading exporter of crude and dried bauxite to the US in Q2 2020, supplying a higher amount than in Q1 2020. During the June quarter (Q2), Jamaica exported 666,000 tonnes of bauxite to the US compared to 554,000 tonnes in Q1. This shows...
ASI welcomes Crown Holdings as a new Production and Transformation Member
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has welcomed Crown Holdings, Inc. as a new Production and Transformation member. This brings the ASI’s total number of members working towards a more responsible aluminium value chain to 132. Crown Holdings is the US-based leading global manufacturer and supplier of metal beverage and food cans, metal aerosol containers, metal closures, and specialty packaging products to a broad range of end markets. The foundation of Crown Holdings, Inc. dates back to 125 years. It was formed with an innovation to extend shelf life of an average higher value and higher environmental footprint products while reducing waste. “Through joining ASI we are committed to partnership and working as an industry to ensure that we can better understand and reduce the impact of...
Timber-look aluminium decking system ‘DecoDeck’ receives an award as the best product design hardware
DecoDeck, the timber-look aluminium decking system from Deco Australia, has bagged an award at the 2020 Australian Good Design Awards in the category Product Design Hardware and Building. The Good Design Awards represents Australia’s most renowned annual international awards programme for design and innovation, acknowledging the best new products in the market. A team of jury evaluates entries based on designs, innovative features, and impact on target audience. DecoDeck is a powder-coated aluminium decking system but gives an appearance and feel of natural timber. As made up of aluminium, this decking system eliminates common issues associated with natural timber caused by exposure to salt, sun, and moisture. It requires no ongoing maintenance and retains its stunning appearance even in...
W-o-W decline in primary aluminium inventories results in sharp growth of A00 aluminium ingot price
The week-on-week decline in primary aluminium ingots inventories by 24,000 tonnes on Thursday, September 17, has led to a sharp growth in A00 aluminium ingot price on Friday, September 18, found the Shanghai Metals Market. Following a downfall from RMB 14,680 per tonne to RMB 14,590 per tonne on Thursday, the price today has recorded an increase of RMB 190 per tonne to close at RMB 14,780 per tonne, according to SMM data. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,760 per tonne and RMB 14,800 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 110-150 per tonne. Foshan has seen the highest growth in A00 aluminium ingot price today by RMB 220 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,990 per tonne. In Gongyi, the price has increased by RMB 210 per tonne to RMB 14,720 per...
China Hongqiao Group puts the first phase of Yunnan “Green Aluminium” Project into production
China Hongqiao Group Limited has initiated the first phase of production at a greener aluminium plant in the southwestern province of Yunnan, cutting its reliance on coal-fired power. The news came after a Hongqiao affiliate said this on Thursday, September 17. Hongqiao has been smelting aluminium in the city of Binzhou in Shandong using coal-fired power, but now the move to Yunnan will allow the company to swap coal for cleaner hydropower. The greener aluminium plant is located at Wenshan prefecture, having an annual capacity of 2.03 million tonnes. Hongqiao aims to move about one-third of its aluminium capacity out of Shandong province to the hydropower-rich Yunnan province. The construction of this plant, led by Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, was started in December last year with...
Canada’s aluminium scrap exports to US surge by nearly 300% Q-o-Q in Q2 2020, but both the countries drop their tariff plans
According to the latest data shown by the US Geological Survey, Canada exported 157,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap to the United States in the first half of 2020 compared to 190,000 tonnes during the same period last year. This means Canada’s aluminium scrap exports to the US dwindled by 17.37 per cent year-on-year in H1 2020. In the second quarter of the year, Canada exported 67,400 tonnes of aluminium scrap to the US in comparison to only 17,000 tonnes in the first quarter. Exports surged in the second quarter due to the hit on domestic demand by the COVID-19 pandemic, while the production across Canadian smelters remained stable. Hike in exports led to the US government’s decision to re-impose the additional 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian aluminium imports in mid-August 2020. Trump...
China’s primary aluminium inventories decline by 24,000 tonnes W-o-W after two consecutive weeks of rise
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium ingots in China have shrunk by 24,000 tonnes this week ending on Thursday, September 17. The inventories have dwindled across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, to stand at 740,000 tonnes, as of September 17. Primary aluminium inventories have declined this week after two consecutive weeks of increase. On last Thursday, September 10, primary aluminium inventories grew by 3,000 tonnes week-on-week to come in at 764,000 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Primary aluminium inventories downfall today has touched upon Nanhai, Gongyi, Tianjin, Hangzhou, and Chongqing. In Nanhai and Gongyi, the inventories...
China’s aluminium plate and strip operating rates increase to 68.6% in August on the rise in demand for domestic products
The Shanghai Metals Market survey found that operating rates at aluminium plate and strip producers stood at 68.6 per cent in August, rising by 0.46 percentage point from the month earlier. However, on a year-on-year basis, the operating rates stood down by 1.76 percentage points, according to SMM. Backlog orders at producers could help them sustain production for 20 days on average, up 3 days from July. Production schedules at large producers were 21-45 days, while at smaller manufacturers were just 14 days. Orders for construction and decorative plate and strip were largely stable but for can stock and can tab weakened following summer high season. Demand for PS printing plates and 3C electronics materials was also weak, while demand for automotive sheet recovered slightly. Exports are...
AlCircle setting new virtual trends during COVID-19 by presenting first-of-its-kind online “Global Aluminium Expo 2020”
Difference between the virtual and real world has almost waned over the years due to the increasing influence of digitalisation. The presence and impact of digitalisation have been more so felt during the COVID-19 pandemic when direct human interaction, or for that matter intervention, is limited. Besides the despondent fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on the global economy, it is the pandemic that has further catalysed digital transformation across business models of various industrial sectors, including aluminium, resulting in better digital offerings and adoption. Digitalisation in Aluminium Industry: While going digital is not new to the aluminium industry, the revolutionary transformation that industry is going through in recent times with a large number of smelters...
Three-month LME aluminium fell from an intraday high to close at $1789.50/t; SHFE price decreased to $2139/t
On Wednesday, September 16, three-month LME aluminium fell from an intraday high of US$ 1,804.50 per tonne to close at an intraday low of US$ 1,789.50 per tonne. It is likely to fluctuate between US$ 1,770-1,820 per tonne today. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price declined to US$ 1759 per tonne on Wednesday, September 16, following a hike last day from US$ 1749 per tonne to US$ 1767 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price hovered at US$ 1798 per tonne, down from US$ 1806.50 per tonne on September 15. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1873 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1510400 tonnes. Live Warrants hovered at 1251175 tonnes, while Cancelled Warrants at 259225 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian...
Chinese secondary aluminium operating rates continue to grow in August gaining 2.8 percentage points M-o-M
According to the latest data shared by the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s secondary aluminium producers operating rates gained 2.8 percentage points month-on-month in August to stand at 53.1 per cent. However, on a year-on-year basis, the operating rates fell by 3.4 percentage points. In July, Chinese secondary aluminium operating rates were 50.3 per cent, up by 2.3 percentage points month-on-month but down by 5 percentage points over the year. In June, however, the operating rates at China’s secondary aluminium makers declined month-on-month by 0.7 percentage points to come in at 48 per cent. The consecutive rise in operating rates in July could be attributed to the lower imports of aluminium alloys from early August, resulting in market shares of domestic cargoes. Besides, some...
Quebec’s political leaders and aluminium industry players are happy with US decision of cancelling tariffs
Quebec’s political leaders and aluminium industry players wholeheartedly welcomed the US decision of cancelling the 10 per cent tariff on primary aluminium ingots from Canada, according to a report on Tuesday, September 15. “Very good news for the Quebec’s aluminum producers,” tweeted Pierre Fitzgibbon, the province’s economic development minister. He thanked the efforts of the federal government behind successfully coordinating with American legislators and convincing them to scrap the tariff. He pointed out nine of Canada’s ten aluminium smelters, built largely by American investors and manufacture mostly for the American market, are located in Quebec, while the tenth is located in Kitimat, British Columbia. Catherine Loubier, Quebec’s delegate general in New York, and Kirsten Hillman,...
Emirates Global Aluminium resumes hiring young UAE Nationals for operational areas in smelters and power plants
Emirates Global Aluminium announced on Tuesday, September 15, that it resumed hiring young Emirati talent for technical roles through its National Training programmes, following a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since July, Emirates recruited some 21 young Emiratis as the first batch of new trainees since the start of the pandemic. Emirates’ National Training Programmes have been helping UAE Nationals since 1982 develop their technical skills while allowing them to work in operational areas in EGA’s smelters and power plants. In the new normal life, EGA has adopted online classroom training programmes to educate the new batch both theoretically and practically, ensuring quality learning and well-being of the trainees. Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, EGA’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We...
China’s unwrought aluminium alloy imports soared by 706% in H1 2020 with the hike in June imports by over 750% Y-o-Y
China's unwrought aluminium alloy imports in June 2020 increased by 88.3 per cent month-on-month and 754.5 per cent year-on-year to stand at 131,000 tonnes, in contrast to the downfall in exports, according to the latest China customs data. With this hike in imports, China secured total 466,500 tonnes of unwrought aluminium alloy in the first half of 2020. On a year-on-year calculation, China’s total unwrought aluminium alloy imports in H1 2020 surged by 706.1 per cent. This stupendous hike in China’s unwrought aluminium alloy imports in June 2020 could be attributed to the sharp rise in orders for imported aluminium alloy from late April in tandem with the growth in demand. Almost all the cargoes arrived in June. However, in July, the imports are likely to reduce below 100,000 tonnes...
A00 aluminium ingot price grows for the second day in a row to RMB14680/t; Aluminium alloys(ADC12) price jumps by RMB150/t
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a hike for the second consecutive day by RMB 70 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,680 per tonne on Wednesday, September 16. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,660 per tonne and RMB 14,700 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 100-140 per tonne. SMM data shows A00 aluminium ingot price has grown the highest in Foshan, Chongqing, and Linyi by RMB 70 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,810 per tonne, RMB 14,675 per tonne, and RMB 14,710 per tonne, respectively, as of September 16. In Wuxi, Shenyang, and Gongyi, the primary aluminium ingot price has surged by RMB 60 per tonne to come in at RMB 14,680 per tonne, RMB 14,665 per tonne, and RMB 14,570 per tonne. In Hangzhou and...
Chalco’s Huasheng alumina refinery begins trial production, expects to reach up to 50,000 tonnes output in Sept
Huasheng alumina refinery, located at Fangchenggang Port, Guangxi, started trial production on September 10, having come online in August, said several sources to Fastmarkets on Monday, September 14. The commencement of trial production at Huasheng refinery followed after Chalco received a license for its 100,000-square-metre bonded bauxite warehouse in Guangxi region in southern China in June 2020. The warehouse, which has a storage capacity of 1.02 million tonnes of bauxite, would also serve Chalco’s Guangxi Huasheng alumina refinery. The new refinery, part of Chalco Group, has a total production capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum across two production lines, each having 1 million tonnes per year capacity. The construction of the refinery began in late 2018. The sources also added...
