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.
Rusal’s bauxite production records a surge of 9% to 3.89 MT in Q2 2020, alumina output remains flat at 2 MT
Rusal in its Q2 2020 operating results, released on Monday July 27, revealed that the company’s bauxite production increased by 8.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter to stand at 3.89 million tonnes, primarily buoyed by the hike in output at Timan due to low comparison base of Q1 20, affected by seasonal factors. The output of alumina, on the other hand, remained almost flat over the quarter at 2 million tonnes. Rusal’s alumina refineries in Russia accounted for 35 per cent of the total output, producing 703,000 tonnes in Q2 2020. Aughinish alumina refinery produced 463,000 tonnes of the ore, while Nikolaev refinery churned out 409,000 tonnes. Rusal’s third party bauxite sales in Q2 2020 were 75,000 tonnes. In the entire first half of the year, the sales remained at 75,000 tonnes, down 12.4 per...
Rusal’s aluminium sales increase by 7% amidst production fall in Q2 2020, thanks to Asia’s growing contribution in sales mix
The leading global aluminium producer, Rusal, has released its operating results for the second quarter of 2020. The company reported that its aluminium production in Q2 2020 dropped by 1.4 per cent from the earlier quarter to 927,000 tonnes, Siberian smelters representing 93 per cent of the output. Rusal’s aluminium sales, on the other hand, increased by 6.8 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 976,000 tonnes in Q2 2020, amid the downfall in production. However, the sales of value-added products declined by 14 per cent Q-o-Q to 363,000 tonnes, demonstrating a decline of VAP share in total sales mix to 37 per cent versus 46 per cent in Q1 2020, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Backed on the diversified client base, Rusal successfully adjusted the regional sales geography in line with the new...
China’s prebaked anode exports up by 23.4% Y-o-Y in H1 2020, exports in June decline 13%
Prebaked anode exports by China totalled 796,500 tonnes in the first half of 2020, up 23.4 per cent from a year earlier, found the latest customs data. The exports were barely hit by the COVID-19 outbreak as producers increased shipments to overseas to minimize the buildup inventory. However, for the second half of the year, SMM expects China’s exports of prebaked anode to slow down amid a decline in orders as some of the foreign aluminium smelters have reduced their capacity in response to the bleak market due to the continued spreading of coronavirus. Customs data showed that China’s prebaked anode exports in the month of June stood down month-on-month by 30.95 per cent and year-on-year by 12.78 per cent to 114,000 tonnes. Canada, Russia, and Malaysia were the top three importers in...
Alumina spot price in China records second consecutive drop of RMB24/t, while A00 aluminium ingot price grows to RMB14670/t
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the average alumina spot price has declined for the second consecutive day by RMB 24 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,443 per tonne, as of Tuesday, July 28. The price in the east China market has dropped the highest by RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 2,425 per tonne, while that in the central and north has dwindled by RMB 25 per tonne to RMB 2,440 per tonne. In the south, however, the alumina spot price has remained restrained at RMB 2,520 per tonne. The imported alumina price has also declined by RMB 25 per tonne to clock at RMB 2,425 per tonne. The Australian alumina spot price has remained unchanged, on the other hand, at US$ 281 per tonne. The A00 aluminium ingot price in China, on the other hand, has recorded an increase of RMB 90 per tonne to come in at...
Nalco increases its aluminium ingot price by nearly INR3000/t with effect from July 24
National Aluminium Company has increased its aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices with effect from Friday, July 24, following a cut of nearly 2 per cent with effect from July 18. With the latest hike, Nalco’s aluminium ingot price has come in at INR 143,700-147150 per tonne, up INR 2,950 per tonne or 2.09 per cent from INR 140,750-144,250 per tonne. Nalco is now selling its aluminium billets at INR 147,100-149,750 per tonne, while its aluminium wire rods are being currently sold at INR 147150-151500 per tonne. Like any other major Indian aluminium producers, Nalco links its aluminium prices to the three-month futures of the metal on the London Metal Exchange, which in the last one week during July 20-23 recorded back-to-back rises from US$ 1621 per tonne to US$ 1661 per tonne. So,...
China issues 10th batch of aluminium scrap import quotas allowing additional 3970 tonnes
China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment has issued the tenth batch of metals scrap import quotas for 2020 on Monday, July 27, allowing an additional 3,970 tonnes of high-grade aluminium scrap to enter into China, according to Shanghai Metals Market report. The latest batch of aluminium scrap import quotas is sharply down by 205,690 tonnes from the previous batch that had allowed 209,660 tonnes of additional high-grade aluminium scrap imports to China, the largest since April. In the seventh and eighth batches of quotas, the authorities had allowed 1,480 tonnes and 5,840 tonnes of additional scrap to enter China. The ninth batch granted the most scrap metal import quotas since April, easing fears over a shortage of supply after the new system for bringing in high-quality scrap material...
Alba’s revenue up by 16% Y-o-Y to $1382.9 million in H1 2020, thanks to higher sales volume
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has released financial results for the second quarter of 2020 and the first half of the year. The leading aluminium producer’s (ex-China) performance was impact by lower LME price, which was partially offset by higher sales’ volume. The company reported a gross profit of BD21.6 million (US$57.6 million) in Q2 2020, up by 41 per cent from BD15.4 million (US$40.9 million) during the same period last year. With this, the company’s gross profit in the first half of the year totalled BD55.2 million (US$146.8 million), up by 241% Y-o-Y from BD16.2 million (US$43.2 million). Alba reported a total comprehensive loss of BD19.8 million (US$52.7 million) in H1 2020, up by 4 per cent, compared to a total loss of BD19.1million (US$50.9 million) in H1 2019. In Q2 2020,...
Three-month LME aluminium closed 0.61% lower at $1697/t, SHFE aluminium grew to $2063/t
The US dollar index touched a new 22-month low on Friday, July 24, while the safe-haven yen rose to its highest in more than four-months, as investors reacted to simmering US-China tensions, a continued rise in coronavirus cases as well as hopes for another US stimulus package. Three-month LME aluminium fluctuated to close 0.61 per cent lower at US$ 1,697 per tonne on Friday, posting a weekly gain of 2.04 per cent. It is likely to continue to move at US$ 1,680-1,720 per tonne today. On Friday, July 24, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price edged lower at US$ 1654.50 per tonne from US$ 1661 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price stood at US$ 1692 per tonne, down by US$ 4.5 per tonne from US$ 1697.50 per tonne on July 23. Dec 21 bid price and...
Hindalco increases its aluminium prices by INR2000/t after a cut last week
Hindalco has hiked its aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices by INR 2,000 per tonne or 1.42 per cent with effect from Friday, July 24, following a cut last week on July 17. With the latest increase in price, Hindalco is selling its aluminium ingot at INR 143,250 per tonne, compared to INR 141,250 per tonnes on July 17. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price has been increased to INR 154,350 per tonne from INR 152,350 per tonne, while the price of its aluminium billet has been raised to INR 150,350 per tonne from INR 148,350 per tonne. Like any other major Indian aluminium producers, Hindalco links its aluminium prices to the three-month futures of the metal on the London Metal Exchange. In the last one week during July 20-23, the three-month aluminium futures price of aluminium on LME...
Rusal updates its Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter to EcoSoderberg technology, the best aluminium production process
Rusal has announced today, on July 24, that it has completed the project of converting its Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter to the EcoSoderberg technology. The recently completed retrofitting project, which required an expenditure of US$ 74 million, involved modifying a total of 1954 reduction cells to use the EcoSoderberg technology. Between 2004 and 2019, Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter allocated over US$ 390 million in total towards the implementation of various modernisation projects. The EcoSoderberg technology was developed by the Engineering and Technology Centre of Rusal. It is recognised as the best available technology in the aluminium production section by Rosstandard. Experts say that the EcoSoderberg process is one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly production...
Vedanta increases aluminium ingot price by 1% w.e.f from July 24 in line with the uptrend in LME aluminium price
Vedanta Limited has increased its aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices with effect from Friday, July 24, following a cut last week on July 17. With the latest hike, the company’s aluminium ingot price is now ranging between INR 141,750 per tonne and INR 154,750 per tonne, up INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.25 per cent from INR 140,000-153,000 per tonne on July 17. Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has come in at INR 149,750 per tonne with effect from today, July 24, higher by also INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.18 per cent from INR 148,000 per tonne. The company, after the increase today, is selling its aluminium wire rod at INR 149,250-156,750 per tonne compared to INR 147,500-155,000 per tonne on July 17. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month...
Frank and Honest announces the launch of its new aluminium coffee capsules compatible with Nespresso® machines
Frank and Honest has announced that it has launched its new aluminium coffee capsules, embarking a significant step in sustainable journey. The company says that these aluminium capsules will replace the entire usage of plastic in its coffee capsules. Frank and Honest also explains that using aluminium in capsules will reduce the product's environmental footprint, given that they will be lightweight and recyclable. Besides, aluminium capsules will also notably improve the quality of the coffee as they are airtight, thereby, keep the coffee inside fresh for longer and fully protected from moisture, oxygen, light, and heat. The new coffee capsules are also compatible with all generation Nespresso® machines, excluding Nespresso® Vertuo. When it comes to recycling these capsules, there are...
China’s average alumina spot price drops by RMB4/t following back-to-back restraints; A00 aluminium ingot price down by RMB10/t
The Shanghai Metals Market data shows that the average spot price of alumina has dropped by RMB 4 per tonne after remaining restrained for the last ten days. On Friday, July 24, the alumina price has come in at RMB 2,491 per tonne compared to RMB 2,495 per tonne during July 13-23, found SMM. In the east and north, the average alumina price has declined by RMB 10 per tonne to stand respectively at RMB 2,465 per tonne and RMB 2,490 per tonne, while that in the central and south has continued to hover at RMB 2,500 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The prices of imported alumina and Australian alumina FOB have also not recorded any changes today from RMB 2,450 per tonne and US$ 281 per tonne, according to SMM. The A00 aluminium ingot price has also recorded a downfall of RMB 10...
Norsk Hydro: Higher production costs of alumina may affect company’s profit in Q3 2020
Despite the robust second-quarter earnings, Norsk Hydro analysed that it might face higher production costs going ahead in the third quarter of 2020. The overall production costs of alumina fell to a four-year low of $192 per tonne in Q2 2020, but in the third quarter, rising costs would likely add $15-20 a tonne, said Norsk Hydro executives on a call with analysts. “If we look into third-quarter we expect to see an increase in the main raw materials ... costs are expected between 20-30% for the two materials (fuel oil and caustic soda),” chief financial officer Paal Kildemo said. Hydro’s Chief Executive Hilde Merete Aasheim even signalled that higher production costs might mean lower profit in the third quarter of 2020. In the second quarter results, Hydro reported an increase in its...
Primary aluminium inventories in China continue W-o-W decline to stand at 702,000 tonnes
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the social inventories of primary aluminium ingots have extended week-on-week decline on July 23 across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants. Declining by 6,000 tonnes from the previous week, the inventories today have come in at 702,000 tonnes. On last Thursday, July 16, the primary aluminium stocks were at 708,000 tonnes after declining by 4,000 tonnes week-on-week. Meanwhile, on Monday, July 20, the primary aluminium ingot inventories recorded a hike of 4,000 tonnes over the weekend after more than three months to stand at 712,000 tonnes, found SMM. So, compared to Monday, the stocks today have stood down by 10,000 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: As...
Save the Date! AlCircle announces first-of-its-kind “Global Aluminium Expo 2020”
When the world is united with a string of digitalization, how do we not meet and greet each other even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? Yes, you guessed right, we mean virtual meeting and conference, and for that reason, AlCircle for the first time presenting an online “Global Aluminium Expo 2020” from October 6-7, 2020. This expo is aimed at bringing all the aluminium industry partners under one umbrella virtually; whereby, technology will drive your physical presence and enable you to reach out to your industry associates to build a stronger network and sustainable business. With the intention of creating an immersive real-live experience, this online exhibition will equip all its attendees, exhibitors & sponsors with a host of digital tools such as video calls, exchange of digital...
Alcoa aluminium smelter in Ferndale conducting the final round of layoffs, hundreds to lose jobs
Alcoa Intalco Works, an aluminium smelter located in Ferndale, North America, is reportedly conducting its final round of layoffs this week; whereby, 700 employees are going to lose their jobs. The plant has been one of the main industries in Ferndale for over 50 years. “We produce all the primary aluminum needed for wheels and stuff like that,” said Jason Swendt, an employee and one of the lucky few who could save his job at the plant through the rounds of layoffs. In April, Alcoa had announced a curtailment, leaving a bare minimum number of employees to keep the plant in operating shape, hoping that any company wills to purchase it. This smelter is the last one in the west of Mississippi and one of just seven left in America. Most of the aluminium industry has shifted operations from...
Aluminerie Alouette primary aluminium smelter in Quebec receives ASI Performance Standard Certification
Aluminerie Alouette's operations in Sept-Îles, Quebec, have been acknowledged by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative with its Performance Standard Certification. The news came after ASI announced today, July 23, that it successfully certified the Aluminerie Alouette plant in Sept-Îles. The plant has an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes of primary aluminium. It is the largest smelter in the Americas. The ASI certification scope covers the facility’s aluminium smelting, casthouse, and operational activities. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said, “We congratulate Aluminerie Alouette on its ASI Performance Standard certification. This certification is significant not only due to the company’s annual production capacity, but also because the consortium behind the company...
