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.
New, improved aluminium recycling method boosted by crystallization method
A new, innovative method for aluminium recycling, developed by researcher Dr Biao Cai from the University of Birmingham’s School of Metallurgy and Materials, shows microscopic changes that take place when molten alloys cool. Dr Biao Cai has used sophisticated high-speed X-ray imaging to record the formation of micro-crystals as aluminium alloys cool and solidify, under a magnetic field. A mathematical model was developed by Dr Cai’s collaborator Dr Andrew Kao from the University of Greenwich to predict if micro-crystals would form what shat shape would they be. The model predicted helical ‘screw-like’ crystals would form under the influence of strong magnetic stirring, while high-speed X-ray would confirm that this occurred. Biao explains: “These microscopic crystals ultimately determine...
Primary aluminium inventories increase by 6,000 tonnes W-o-W, following a decline last Thursday
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the social inventories of primary aluminium have gained 6,000 tonnes over the week ending Thursday, September 3. The stocks have increased across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, to stand at 761,000 tonnes compared to 755,000 tonnes on last Thursday, August 27. Last week, the inventories had declined by 7,000 tonnes week-on-week. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: As the above chart suggests, Gongyi has seen the highest increase of 29,000 tonnes in primary aluminium inventories to stand at 82,000 tonnes, followed by a rise of 8,000 tonnes in Shanghai to hover at 120,000 tonnes. The inventories in Chongqing have come in at 3,000 tonnes rising by...
Chalco Ruimin Co., Ltd. achieves ASI Performance Standard certification for responsible aluminium production and sourcing
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced on Wednesday, September 2, that it successfully certified Chalco Ruimin Co., Ltd. against the Performance Standard certification for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminium. As per the report, ASI has certified Chalco Ruimin’s remelting and casting, hot rolling, cold rolling, and finishing operations in Mawei and Fuqing Districts, Fuzhou, China. The facilities, with an annual capacity of 450,000 tonnes, produce computer-to-plate (CTP) plates, foil stock, and other aluminium materials for use in the construction, packaging, electronics, and transportation sectors. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said, “We congratulate Chalco Ruimin Co., Ltd. on its ASI Performance Standard certification for its re-melting,...
China’s aluminium imports surpassing exports over months on London-Shanghai price disconnect
Rise in China’s aluminium imports in July 2020 versus decrease in exports is seen as an inversion in trade flows due to the disconnect between Chinese market, which is in full recovery mode from the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rest of the world that is still struggling to get back on its feet. China, being the world’s largest producer of the light metal, normally exports a prodigious amount of semi-manufactured products – around 5.2 million tonnes in both 2018 and 2019, with no need to call on extra supply from the international market. The last time China turned net importer was in 2009. Many people are expecting this import surge to be short-lived, as it was in 2009, but the world has changed since then and it is possible to see an underlying structural shift in the aluminium market....
LME aluminium price ended lower at $1778.5/t, and so the price of SHFE at $2118/t
The US dollar bounced off two-year lows on Wednesday as US data pointed to a firm manufacturing activity. Economic data published on Tuesday showed US manufacturing activity accelerated to a nearly two-year high in August amid a surge in new orders, with the reading from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) at its highest level since November 2018. The LME complex traded mixed on Wednesday, with aluminium fell 1.54 per cent. On Wednesday, September 2, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1778.50 per tonne, declining by US$ 3 per tonne from US$ 1781.50 per tonne on Tuesday, September 1. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price hovered at US$ 1815 per tonne verses US$ 1818 per tonne on the previous day. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price...
BAGR Berliner Aluminiumwerk commences a new casting line to manufacture high-quality aluminium rolling ingots
BAGR Berliner Aluminiumwerk GmbH, Europe's leading independent secondary aluminium slab producer, has announced on Tuesday, September 1, that it has started a fully-automated continuous casting line to manufacture high-quality rolling ingots in large widths. On commissioning of the new casting line, Mustafa Güngör, Managing Director of BAGR, said: "Our customers have indicated to us that they would like to purchase high-quality rolling ingots in larger dimensions than we have previously been able to produce. Due to the spatial limitations in our foundry, the planning and construction of the new continuous casting line was extremely complex in terms of technology and organisation. We are therefore proud to have successfully implemented this investment together with our partners. This...
Shanghai bonded aluminium stocks tripled in August on brief opening of import arbitrage window between LME & SHFE
Aluminium stocks in Shanghai bonded warehouses increased three times in August from the previous month due to an increase in deliveries followed after the brief opening of arbitrage window between the London Metal Exchange and the Shanghai Futures Exchange in late July. According to Fastmarkets assessment, Shanghai bonded aluminium stocks stood at 7,500-8,000 tonnes on Monday, August 31, higher by 5,000-5,500 tonnes from 2,000-3,000 tonnes on July 31. The aluminium import arbitrage window in China opened on July 30, with profits widening to $33.48 per tonne on August 3 before flipping to a loss the next day and remaining closed since then. AlCircle brings two-day event for aluminium industry players. We look forward to meeting you virtually at “Global Aluminium Expo 2020”on October 6-7,...
Sohar Aluminium records a new level of hot metal production at 390,516 tonnes in 2019
Sohar Aluminium achieved a record hot metal production of 390,516 tonnes in 2019, underscoring its ambition to become the benchmark smelter in the Middle East. This production milestone came on the 10 th anniversary of Sohar operations, jointly owned by the Omani government (40 per cent) represented by OQ – Oman’s integrated energy group; Abu Dhabi National Energy Company PJSC (40 per cent), and leading global mining group Rio Tinto (20 per cent). Sohar Aluminium started its production in 2010 with an annual capacity of 390,000 tonnes of high quality aluminium. Hot metal output was up by about 2.8 per cent from the previous year’s high of 379,775 tonnes. In 2017, production slumped to 252,714 tonnes when smelting operations were impacted by a technical glitch. Eng Said bin Mohammed al...
COVID-19 Fight: Utkal Alumina Hospital in Rayagada district turned into Covid Care Centre
According to a recent report, the Odisha Government has designated the hospital of Utkal Alumina International Limited, located at Doraguda village of Kashipur, Rayagada district, as the Covid Care Centre. Aditya Birla Group Company’s Utkal Hospital was earlier being used for institutional quarantine and treatment of asymptomatic COVID-19 patients and those with mild symptoms. The sense of resolve is apparent as the doctors, paramedics and support staff of Utkal Hospital gear up to shoulder this additional responsibility. The hospital is well-equipped with 22 beds, 500 full body suits, N95 masks, three ventilators, respirators, defibrillators. There are also 2 ICU beds and 22 general beds, with an ambulance on standby. So far, about 50 people have been cured and discharged from the...
SHFE aluminium price rose marginally by $1/t to $2154/t, most-liquid SHFE 2010 contract ended 0.7% lower
The US dollar hit a more than two-year low and a fourth straight month of losses on Monday in the wake of the US Federal Reserve’s policy shift on inflation. It is down 1.24 per cent for the month, marking its worst August in five years and the longest run of monthly losses since the summer of 2017. Shanghai base metals, except for aluminium, opened on a positive note on Tuesday morning, holding onto overnight gains, while their counterparts on the LME increased across the board, as the dollar hit two-year low on the back of the US Federal Reserve’s policy shift on inflation. The LME market was closed on Monday, August 31, for a summer bank holiday and will resume normal trading on Tuesday, September 1. SHFE Aluminium Price Trend Benchmark aluminium price for SHFE increased marginally by...
China Zhongwang reduces European operation due to EU anti-dumping investigations and COVID-19 pandemic
Chinese aluminium products company China Zhongwang Holdings Limited has curtailed its European sales operation as a result of the European Union’s anti-dumping investigations and coronavirus-induced economic downturn, said two sources familiar with the matter. Zhongwang, a world leading manufacturer of aluminium extrusions widely used in the transport, construction, and electronics industries, has its European office in Frankfurt. An unnamed source at the company told Reuters on Monday, August 31, "We do not know if we are closing in Frankfurt yet, but we are going through a restructuring with some people leaving." The company in March had unveiled its plans to outgrow its aluminium extrusions business via a listing in Shanghai. But a few months later, it told Reuters that its Europe...
Teenage boy from Whittlesey collects thousands of aluminium cans for the charity Helipads for Hospitals
Teenage Army Cadet Frankie Newbatt from Whittlesey has collected thousands of aluminium cans with the help of local people and business for the charity Helipads for Hospitals. Helipads for hospitals are appealing for aluminium cans, which can be recycled and used in the manufacture of helipads. This will allow helicopters to carry critically ill patients to save crucial time by landing closest to the hospitals. The project is part of Frankie’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Course supported by the Army Cadet Force, challenging young people with a series of self-improvement exercises. The Army Cadet Force also emphasizes community work. Previously, they conducted fund-raising activities for helipads for hospitals. Frankie has been supported by his parents, Lisa and Matthew, who helped him to...
A00 aluminium ingot price begins the week with a rise of RMB80/t, while aluminium alloy(A356) price grows to RMB15350/t
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, A00 aluminium ingot price has grown by RMB 80 per tonne on Monday, August 31, to stand at RMB 14,760 per tonne, following two consecutive declines of RMB 40 per tonne and RMB 50 per tonne to come in at RMB 14,680 per tonne. The average prices today are expected to range between RMB 14,740 per tonne and RMB 14,780 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 10-50 per tonne. In Wuxi and Gongyi, the price has surged by RMB 80 per tonne to RMB 14,750 per tonne and RMB 14,630 per tonne, respectively, while that in Hangzhou and Chongqing has increased by RMB 70 per tonne to hover at RMB 14,750 per tonne and RMB 14,700 per tonne. In Shenyang and Foshan, A00 aluminium ingot price has climbed up by RMB 60 per tonne to come in at RMB...
UK aluminium scrap price stood at £1,200-1,250 per tonne this week, surpassing pre-COVID19 pandemic levels
According to a recent report, the United Kingdom’s secondary aluminium prices extended rise on Wednesday, August 26, as limited regional supply drove LM24 ingot prices above the levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. The UK secondary aluminium market suffered considerably due to the COVID19 outbreak and the resulting industrial lockdown to contain the spread of the virus. All related UK industry effectively ground to a halt in March when carmakers, the main consumer of secondary metal, shut their factories. Priced plunged along with the demand coming to a complete halt practically overnight. Price of UK aluminium scrap, LM24 pressure diecasting ingot, was at £1,000-1,050 ($1,312-1,378) per tonne on March 25, after the first major European car manufacturers announced partial closures,...
COVID-19 weighs on China Zhongwang’s aluminium extruded and flat rolled production & sales in H1 2020
China Zhongwang Holdings Limited, a world-leading fabricated aluminium products developer and manufacturer, has announced its unaudited interim results for the first half of 2020 ended on June 30. The company’s total sales volume during the period stood approximately at 351,637 tonnes, with revenue amounting to RMB 8.66 billion (approx.). Profit was around RMB 530 million, while earnings per share RMB 0.07. Mr. Lu Changqing, Chairman and President of China Zhongwang, said, "Major breakthroughs will be seen in the application of aluminium alloy products in areas that are significantly beneficial to the society as new infrastructure construction (the "new infrastructure") is being carried out gradually in the relevant fields, coupled with the acceleration of the industrialisation of...
LME aluminium price settled higher this week at $1762/t amidst incessant opening stock decline; SHFE trended up at $2128/t
Three-month LME aluminium started the week on Monday, August 24, with a growth of 0.11 per cent to stand at US$ 1770 per tonne. On Tuesday, the price settled 0.51 per cent higher at US$ 1779 per tonne, which however, weakened a bit by 0.17 per cent on Wednesday, August 26, to end at US$ 1776 per tonne. On Thursday, the price rebounded at US$ 1779 per tonne, following wide fluctuations. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price remained range-bound this week from Monday to Thursday between US$ 1735.50 per tonne and US$ 1738 per tonne. But on Friday, August 28, both the prices jumped to US$ 1762 per tonne, up by US$ 24 per tonne from the previous day. Starting the week on Monday, August 24 at US$ 1735.50 per tonne, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official...
Iranian vessel spotted with 14,000 tonnes of alumina cargo in Venezuela, destination unknown: Sources
An Iranian-flagged vessel loaded a cargo of 14,000 tonnes of alumina in Venezuela this month after delivering supplies for an Iranian supermarket in the South American nation, said three sources familiar with the matter. However, the customer of the cargo or the destination is still unknown. According to Refinitiv Eikon data, Golsan, a general cargo ship with a capacity to carry 22,882 tonnes, is sailing east across the Atlantic Ocean, signalling its destination as the La Guaira port in Venezuela. The vessel is owned by Mosakhar Darya Shipping Co and managed by Rahbaran Omid Darya. Both are Tehran-based companies blocked in November 2018 by the Trump administration while reimposing sanctions on hundreds of Iranian banking and shipping companies. No response on the latest cargo could be...
US aluminium scrap imports from Canada continue to grow M-o-M by 16% in May 2020
The United States aluminium scrap imports from Canada stood at 19,800 tonnes in May 2020, growing by 2,800 tonnes or 16.47 per cent from 17,000 tonnes in April 2020, according to the latest data shared by the US Geological Survey. In March 2020, the US had imported 5,490 tonnes of aluminium scrap from Canada, meaning the imports in April grew significantly by 11,510 tonnes or 210 per cent to stand at 17,000 tonnes. The imports in February stood at 5,300 tonnes, down by 24 per cent month-on-month from 6,950 tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, the US aluminium scrap imports from Canada stood down by 14,300 tonnes or 42 per cent from 34,100 tonnes in May 2019. The United States total imports of aluminium (including extrusion and semi-finished products) from Canada in May 2020 came in at...
