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.
GFG Alliance striving to find solution for San Ciprián aluminium smelter, expecting guaranteed sources of power and alumina
GFG Alliance is committed to aid Alcoa’s troubled San Ciprián aluminium smelter in northwest Spain and is confident to find a solution for the smelter’s long-term sustainability if sources of power and alumina are guaranteed, said Jay Hambro, GFG’s Chief Investment Officer. In early August, GFG Alliance had hinted its interest in acquiring Alcoa’s 228,000 tonnes per year capacity smelter, as per some Industry sources. Hambro said in an interview on September 14, “This single site is Spain's single largest power consumer, energy costs are of vital importance to its success or failure and with a very sizeable investment in renewable energy in that part of Spain and broadly across Spain, we can create a cost-base for the smelter that will support a long-term future." He added, “GFG is trying...
LME aluminium price climbed up by US$2.5/t to stand at US$1749/t; SHFE increased to US$2146/t
The US dollar slipped on Monday, September 14, against its major peers, dropping to a two-week low versus the yen, as positive news about a COVID-19 vaccine and a wave of merger and acquisition deals lifted the mood in global equity markets. Three-month LME aluminium ended 1.52 per cent higher at US$ 1,802 per tonne on Monday, after hitting an intraday high of US$ 1,805 per tonne earlier in the session. It is likely to move between US$ 1,780-1,820 per tonne today. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1749 per tonne on Monday, September 14, growing by US$ 2.50 per tonne from US$ 1746.50 per tonne on September 11. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price hovered at US$ 1787.50 per tonne versus US$ 1785.50 per tonne on the previous day. Dec 21 bid...
Chinese aluminium processors operating rates up 0.3 percentage point W-o-W driven by higher demand from automobile sector
Last week during September 7-11, operating rates across major aluminium processors increased by 0.3 percentage point on a weekly basis to stand at 77.7 per cent, attributing to further recovery in orders for aluminium plate/sheet, strip, foil, primary and secondary aluminium alloy from the automobile, construction, electronics, and packaging sectors. According to Shanghai Metals Market, the automobile sector emerged as the major driver of aluminium demand last week, while demand from the construction and infrastructure sectors grew less than expected. Aluminium plate/sheet and strip: Backed on the backlog orders, large producers are expected to sustain for the next 1 to 2 months with rising operating rates. Orders improved for most producers. Orders for 5-series and 6-series plain...
Canada to roll out multibillion-dollar counter-tariffs on American aluminium products on Sept 16
According to a recent report, Canada will roll out its planned multibillion-dollar counter-tariffs on American aluminium products within the next few days. The news came after officials in Ottawa and at the Canadian embassy in Washington confirmed that the previously threatened retaliatory tariffs would go into effect this Wednesday, September 16. Following the US President Donald Trump’s announcement of relaying the 10 per cent tariffs on Canada’s aluminium imports early last month, Deputy Prime Ministry Chrystia Freeland declared to hit back with “dollar for dollar” matching tariffs on American aluminium products. Finance department officials made a list of products that the government was considering hitting with counter-tariffs and asked stakeholders to weigh in. The list included...
China’s Envision aims to build a new EV battery factory in France by late 2023
Chinese renewable energy group Envision is now eyeing France to build a battery factory to cater to the growing electric vehicle market, according to the news reported by French newspaper Journal du Dimanche (JDD) on Sunday, September 13. The company, which has battery production plants in Japan, Britain, China, and the United States, has identified a dozen potential locations in France for the future factory. Quoting Sylvie Ourdiel, an international director at Envision, the French newspaper reported that Envision group planned to invest hundreds of million euros in a new factory expecting it to open in late 2023 and eventually create around a thousand jobs. Sylvie Ourdiel said Britain’s exit from the European Union changed the landscape and that an extra plant needed to supply countries...
Aluminium alloys(ADC12) price grows second day in a row by RMB100/t despite a drop of RMB30/t in A00 aluminium ingot price
On Monday, September 14, aluminium alloys (ADC12) price has extended its growth by RMB 100 per tonne from RMB 14,200 per tonne to RMB 14,300 per tonne, despite the plummet in A00 aluminium ingot price, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. The average aluminium alloys (ADC12) prices are expected to range between RMB 14,200 per tonne and RMB 14,400 per tonne. In the east and south, the price has increased by RMB 100 per tonne as well to stand at RMB 14,300 per tonne and RMB 14,100 per tonne, respectively, while that in the southwest has inched up by RMB 50 per tonne to come in at RMB 14,050 per tonne. Aluminium alloy (A380) price has also increased by RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 15,200 per tonne on September 14, with average prices expected to range between RMB 15,100 per tonne and RMB...
Tesla to source 8 Gigapress Machines from IDRA for its move to replace robots with aluminium casting machines: Sources
According to Tesmanian and Reuters report, the new Tesla car factory in Brandenburg, Germany, may source eight Gigapress Machines from IDRA, specialised in diecasting machines, for the production of a single module aluminium diecasting. The single module aluminium diecasting will replace 70 components glued and riveted into the car’s rear underbody for Tesla’s new Model Y, said the company’s CEO Elon Musk. This is just a start of the new automation, with the vehicle’s front parts and other big structure parts to follow. “Will be amazing to see it in operation! Biggest casting machine ever made. Will make the rear body in a single piece, including crash rails,” Musk communicated over social media on 13th August. However, neither Tesla nor IDRA wanted to comment on the current development....
NALCO adding new wind power capacity of 25.5 MW to its existing wind energy portfolio of 198.4 MW
According to a recent report, National Aluminium Company has initiated the process of increasing its wind portfolio to 223.9 MW by adding 25.5 MW of new wind power capacity to renewable energy portfolio. The news came after Nalco’s Chairman and Managing Director Sridhar Patra said in a report that the company is adding a new wind project in Tamil Nadu with a capital expenditure of INR 163 crore. Mr Patra said NALCO is in the “process of augmenting its wind power generation capacity to 223.90 MW by adding another wind power project of capacity 25.5 MW at Kayathar, Tamil Nadu, at a capital expenditure of Rs 163 crore through REGen Powertech Pvt Ltd.” Currently, the company has an established wind energy portfolio of 198.4 MW across the country. Patra added, “Substantial progress has been...
India keen to implement stringent regulations on imported auto parts to boost local manufacturing
Foreign automakers are reportedly seeking delays and exemptions to India’s new quality rules for imported auto parts. According to them, regulations on imported auto parts will increase the costs of finished products, hurt sales, and disrupt the overall supply chains, said the sources with direct knowledge of the matter. India’s Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi is keen to implement new planned regulations to curb imports and boost local manufacturing in line with his self-reliance programme. However, the move is primarily aimed at slashing the amount of lower-quality imports from China. "There is short term pain but there is long term gain," Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal told an auto convention last week, saying India has become a dumping ground for low-quality goods by not having...
LAlumina LLC laying off more than 300 employees and seeking new buyer for the facility
According to a recent report, LAlumina LLC is close to the process of employee retrenchment due to the continued economic challenge, as was announced months ago. The news came after former acting plant manager Peter Odgers said the process of laying off more than 300 employees is nearly completed. His last day at work was on August 28, and now only a skeleton crew remains to maintain the 2,500-crore complex’s mine waste ponds, known as red mud lakes or red mud ponds. As per the report, company officials are looking for a possible buyer for the facility, which has been in Ascension Parish since the 1950s and has one of the largest, deep water terminals on the lower Mississippi River. But local economic development and state regulators seem to have no knowledge regarding the latest affair....
LME aluminium price edged higher at $1743.5/t on continued fall in opening stock; SHFE up by $9/t
On the London Metal Exchange, nonferrous metals finished in negative territory on Thursday, September 11, with aluminium slipped by 0.31 per cent. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1743.50 per tonne on September 10, up by US$ 3.50 per tonne from US$ 1740 per tonne on September 9. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price hovered at US$ 1781 per tonne versus US$ 1777.50 per tonne on the previous day. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1858.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock extended decline to 1524075 tonnes. Live Warrants stood at 1303000 tonnes, while Cancelled Warrants at 221075 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price hovered at US$ 1774.90per tonne. SHFE Aluminium Price Trend Benchmark aluminium...
India to frame stringent policies to curb aluminium and copper imports, especially from China: Sources
According to a recent report, India is planning to raise surveillance and develop policies that would curb aluminium and copper shipments from China and other Asian nations and protect domestic producers. The news came after two government sources and an industry official familiar with the matter reported. These moves for the more stringent screening of imports are aimed at reducing dependence on overseas markets and pushing economic self-reliance, according to the federal mines ministry’s letter to the commerce ministry late last month. Government sources said the aim of tighter surveillance would be to move aluminium and copper imports onto a restricted items list, which would require importers to get a government-issued license for every shipment. However, India’s federal mines and...
Aluminium billet inventories build up 3,400 tonnes over the week due to higher stock arrivals
Shanghai Metals Market data shows aluminium billet inventories in China have gained 3,400 tonnes over the week ending on Thursday, September 10, on increased arrivals of stocks to warehouses. According to the data, inventories are standing at 63,600 tonnes versus 60,200 tonnes last Thursday, September 3. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: Aluminium billet inventories in Nanchang have seen the highest rise of 1,150 tonnes over the week to stand at 13,200 tonnes, as of Thursday, September 10. In Foshan and Huzhou, inventories have increased by 1,100 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes, respectively, to come in at 17,000 tonnes and 10,000 tonnes, while that in Changzhou and Wuxi have grown by 340 tonnes and 160 tonnes to hover at...
Alba hosts virtual ‘Market Update’ sessions to apprise customers about its latest developments during COVID-19
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China, has taken a first-of-its-kind initiative by hosting virtual ‘Market Update’ sessions with its customers worldwide. Organised in cooperation with CRU, the virtual sessions took place on September 3, 4, 9, and 10, with the agenda of updating the customers about how Alba is navigating through the impacts of COVID-19 pandemic and what are its latest developments during the critical time. Speaking about this initiative, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali said: “COVID-19 has undoubtedly brought the aluminium industry closer as we prepare ourselves to emerge from this pandemic stronger.” He also said, “Alba’s unique virtual collaboration with CRU enabled us to not only...
Australian mineral water brand Calm & Stormy initiates a shift from single-use plastic bottles to aluminium cans
Australian mineral water brand Calm & Stormy has reportedly introduced aluminium can packaging as an alternative option to single-use plastic bottles. According to the report, the company’s aluminium can packaging contains 70 per cent recycled content. Calm & Stormy believes aluminium cans are the most sustainable packaging option as the metal never degrades. “I’ve noticed a significant increase in people’s awareness of the issue,” said Murray Raeburn, co-founder of Calm & Stormy. “I’m inspired to see Australians taking action, as they seek out more sustainable alternatives.” Calm & Stormy is a member of the 1 per cent for the Planet organisation, committing 1 per cent of the company’s gross sales to the fight to reduce ocean plastic waste. The brand offers mineral water sourced from a...
Capral Limited – a new member in the Australian Aluminium Council
According to a recent report, Capral Limited, Australia’s largest extruder and distributor of aluminium products, has joined the Australian Aluminium Council. The news came after the latter announced that it welcomed Capral as a new member, highlighting the growing importance of end-to-end domestic supply chains and the ability to add value to the nation’s natural resources. Capral is the Council’s first new member in a decade and is expected to enhance the Council’s downstream manufacturing representation. Executive Director of the Council Marghanita Johnson said: “The COVID crisis has reinforced the advantages of being able to value-add within a domestic supply chain – from Australian bauxite, to Australian alumina, to Australian aluminium and on to Australian extruders like Capral.” He...
Alumina price in China declines by RMB13/t after remaining restrained for a day, A00 aluminium ingot price shows no change
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the average alumina spot price in China has recorded a plunge of RMB 13 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,333 per tonne on Thursday, September 10, following a restraint at RMB 2,346 per tonne on the earlier day. In Shanxi and Shandong, the price has declined by RMB 20 per tonne and RMB 15 per tonne, respectively, to come in at RMB 2,320 per tonne, while that in Henan has shrunk by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 2,340 per tonne, found SMM. In other cities like Guangxi and Guizhou, the average alumina spot price has remained restrained at RMB 2,355 per tonne. Imported alumina price or Australian alumina FOB price has neither shown any changes from RMB 2,375 per tonne and US$ 275 per tonne, as of September 10. A00 aluminium ingot price has also remained muted at RMB...
Nissan celebrates 'World EV Day' producing 500,000th of its 100% electric car Nissan LEAF
The world is celebrating its first-ever 'World EV Day' on September 9, and to commemorate the occasion, Nissan has announced a major milestone of producing its 500,000 th Nissan LEAF, the world’s first mass-market 100 per cent electric car. With half billion LEAF built globally, customers around the world continue to embrace the pioneering zero-emission vehicle. The 500,000th LEAF is being built at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, England, which so far has built more than 175,000 LEAF cars since it began producing the model in 2013. Continued to be crafted with the highest standards to ensure the car embodies the same innovation, the 500,000 LEAF has found its happy owner Maria Jansen from Norway. The Nissan Australia Casting Plant (NCAP) continues to produce 2.5 million metal casting per...
