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.
Garner Aluminium Extrusions gives acceptance certificate to SMS group for new HybrEx 35 extrusion line
Garner Aluminium Extrusions, also known as Garnalex, has reportedly acknowledged the supply of extrusion line by SMS group by giving them the final acceptance certificate. Together with OMAV SpA, SMS group had installed an integrated extrusion line with HybrEx 35 as the core machine at Garnalex. OMAV Spa had supplied a billet heating system with billet furnace and billet saw, a run out system including an intensive profile cooling station, a profile stretcher, and a finishing saw. The new HybrEx 35 will help Garner Aluminium Extrusions boost its productivity by up to 20 per cent. It will also enable the company to continue manufacturing higher-quality products for its customers in an environmentally-friendly and resource-efficient way. Thanks to the new technology’s significantly lower...
A00 aluminium ingot price drops by RMB20/t on slower consumption; Australian alumina FOB price grows by US$2/t
On the weak consumption of domestic primary aluminium in China that led to a slower decline in inventories on June 4, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a drop of RMB 20 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,480 per tonne on Friday, June 5, found Shanghai Metals Market. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,460 per tonne and RMB 13,500 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 90-130 per tonne. Among all the major Chinese markets, Wuxi has seen the highest decline in A00 aluminium ingot price of RMB 40 per tonne to stand at 13,460 per tonne on Friday, June 5. In Foshan, Chongqing, and Linyi, the A00 aluminium ingot price has plunged by RMB 30 per tonne to RMB 13,470 per tonne and RMB 13,510 per tonne, respectively. In Gongyi, the price has...
Hindalco increases its aluminium prices by over 1% with effect from June 4
After two consecutive cuts this month, Hindalco has increased the prices of its aluminium ingots, billets, and wire rods by over 1 per cent, with effect from June 4, 2020. With the latest price hike, Hindalco’s aluminium ingot price has jumped to INR 133,250 per tonne, 1.33 per cent higher from INR 131,500 per tonne on June 3. The prices of Hindalco’s aluminium wire rods and billets are now at INR 144,350 per tonne and INR 140,350, respectively, after rising by 1.23 per cent and 1.26 per cent from the previous day. On June 3, Hindalco’s aluminium wire rods and billets prices were INR 142,500 per tonne and INR 138,600 per tonne, respectively. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on London Metal Exchange. The...
Aluminium billet inventories decline slows down this week on higher stock arrivals and lower shipments
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the inventories of aluminium billets have slowed their decline this week ending Thursday, June 4, as arrivals increased versus lower shipments from warehouses. SMM data shows the 6063 aluminium billet stocks have declined by 4,000 tonnes across five major consumption areas to stand at 73,100 tonnes, as of June 4, following the decline of 15,600 tonnes to 77,100 tonnes last week dated May 28. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: In Foshan, the inventories have recorded a decline of 2,900 tonnes to hover at 40,300 tonnes. In Nanchang, the billet stocks have plunged by 1,200 tonnes to 4,100 tonnes, while that in Huzhou and Changzhou have dropped by 1,000 tonnes and 330 tonnes to come in...
Taiwanese design studio creates prototype modular ward for hospitals using recycled aluminium
Design studio Miniwiz, together with Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI), and Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, has built a prototype modular ward for hospitals using recycled aluminium panels, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Named Modular Adaptable Convertible (MAC), the prototype has been built to adapt to the high market demand, which can quickly transform buildings or under-utilised space into various types of wards. The modular units can be assembled either inside existing buildings or on land adjacent to hospitals. They are designed to be an alternative temporary ward where COVID-19 patients can be treated. "As the Covid-19 pandemic spreads globally, the demand for medical and hospital wards have also skyrocketed," said Miniwiz....
LME aluminium price rebounded to US$1526/t after two consecutive declines; SHE climbed to US$1878/t
The US dollar eased further on Wednesday, June 3, while stocks on Wall Street posted yet another robust day, as better-than-expected economic data bolstered optimism over the recovery from coronavirus-led shutdowns, which outweighed brewing US-China tensions and widespread protests in the US. The dollar index, which gauges the greenback against a basket of major currencies, fell for the seventh straight day and plumbed the lowest since March 12 at 97.1882. Three-month LME aluminium notched a new 10-week peak of US$ 1,570 per tonne in Northern American trading hours on Wednesday, before closing up 0.42 per cent at US$ 1,565.5 per tonne. Doubts over whether demand recovery overseas could justify the recent rally in aluminium prices will keep market sentiment in check, and the contract is...
Tesla submits for a new, efficient aluminium alloy quenching process patent
Tesla has reportedly submitted for a patent for a new, more effective cooling process aimed at increasing the strength, rigidity, and energy absorption of aluminium alloy components. The patent entitled “System and Method for Facilitating Pulsed Spray Quench of Extruded Objects” describes a new quenching process that would involve a multi-way spray nozzle system to cool extruded aluminium with an atomised spray of liquid. “A system includes a billet die at a proximal end configured to accept a billet and form an extrudate, a quench chamber located adjacent to the billet die for receiving the extrudate and comprising at least one pulsed width modulation (PWM) atomizing spray nozzle and a control module in communication with the at least one PWM atomizing spray nozzle and configured to...
Global aluminium producer seeks $85/t premium from Japanese buyers for Q3 primary metal shipments
According to a recent report, a global aluminium producer has asked for a premium of $85 per tonne from Japanese buyers for primary metal shipments during the September quarter of 2020. This is 3.7 per cent higher than the current quarter premium, reported three sources directly involved in quarterly pricing talks on Monday, June 1. For the April-June quarter, Japanese buyers agreed to pay a premium of $82 per tonne, down 1.2 per cent from the prior quarter and the lowest since the October-December quarter in 2016. A year ago, top aluminium producers had sought a premium of $115-120 per tonne from Japanese buyers for the September quarter, up 10 to 14 per cent from $105 per tonne of premium agreed for the June quarter. The above data represents that the premium offered for the September...
New Day Aluminum Holdings appoints John Habisreitinger as new Chief Operating Officer
New Day Aluminum Holdings LLC has announced that it has appointed John Habisreitinger as Chief Operating Officer, who would be responsible for the global operations of New Day’s business. New Day Aluminum Holdings LLC is the parent company of Noranda Bauxite, Noranda Alumina, and NICHE Industrial Chemicals. Mr Habisreitinger comes with over 30 years of industry experience in the aluminium and alumina sectors. He was earlier associated with New Day Aluminum as Executive Vice President and then with NICHE Industrial Chemicals as President. Prior to that, he was the President of Noranda Alumina LLC. He also held senior-level positions with Kaiser Aluminum, Norandal, and Noranda. Mr Habisreitinger graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University and completed an MBA from the University of New...
China’s car sales in May continue to inch up M-o-M: CAAM
The automobile market in China continued to inch up in May 2020, as found by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Sales rose 11.7 per cent year-on-year to come in at 2.14 million tonnes, according to the flash estimate by CAAM. Month-on-month, the sales in May recorded an increase of 3.2 per cent, as the total units sold in April were 2.07 million, registering a year-on-year increase of 4.4 per cent, the first rise in 22 months. Month-on-month, the growth in April was by 39.8 per cent. In March, automobiles sales in China recovered significantly from a month ago and stood at 1.43 million units, rising 361.1%. In the first five months of 2020, China’s car sales are estimated to reach 7.9 million units, down 23.1 per cent from the corresponding period last year. In the...
Alumina spot price grows by RMB16/t after remaining restrained for a day; A00 aluminium ingot price drops further
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the average alumina spot price has recorded a hike of RMB 16 per tonne or 0.72 per cent to stand at RMB 2,236 per tonne, as of Wednesday, June 3. The price in the central has registered the highest growth of RMB 25 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,240 per tonne, while that in the north has grown by RMB 15 per tonne to hover at RMB 2,240 per tonne. In the east and south, the alumina price has, however, recorded no change from RMB 2,215 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The imported alumina price and also the Australian alumina FOB price have remained restrained on June 3 at RMB 2,190 per tonne and US$ 250 per tonne, found SMM. The A00 aluminium ingot price, on the other hand, has continued to drop, according to SMM data. The price today is...
COVID-19 hit: Rusal loses 70-80% of its customers’ usual aluminium demand
Aluminium producer Rusal is seeing a 70-80 per cent cut in demand from customers, after the market slowed down in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The news came after Roman Andryushin, Rusal’s head of sales and marketing, told Reuters that its customers are returning with 20-30 per cent of their usual demand. Rusal, the world’s largest aluminium producer outside China, has been dealing with a drop in demand for the metal from some of its major consumers, primarily from car and aviation industries. But the second quarter of 2020 is likely to be the worst of the crisis. Andryushin estimates that the second quarter of 2020 to be even worse than the fourth quarter of 2008 when the purchase sentiment on the London Metal Exchange (LME) was at the lowest due to the global financial crisis....
Vedanta’s operations have had a limited impact by the COVID-19 lockdown, says Crisil
According to Crisil analysis, the COVID-19 induced lockdown has had a little impact on Vedanta’s operations. An increase in exports during the lockdown, supported by the company’s low-cost position in key businesses, has offset the sluggish domestic demand, showed Crisil. However, disruptions in supply chain and decrease in sales volume that Vedanta has faced on account of the prolonged global pandemic shall be monitored, added Crisil. According to the report, Vedanta is expected to adopt cash preservation measures by reducing capital expenditure (CAPEX) and limiting dividend payout in the financial year 2021 to address liquidity concerns. The company has also reportedly availed moratorium on its term debt obligation as per RBI guidelines after approval from respective banks to preserve...
Bearish global aluminium spot price encouraging investors to take part in metal storage trade
According to a recent survey, commodity investors are rushing to make profit from a surplus supply of aluminium. They are buying the metal to store and sell it for future delivery when millions of tonnes of lightweight metal are being produced across the world. As smelters are continuing to produce aluminium, despite the sluggish demand from carmakers and other industrial consumers, their stocks are increasing, resulting in price fall. This is allowing commodity traders, hedge funds, and banks to make so-called financing trades, whereby they buy the metal at low cost, store it in warehouses, and sell it in the futures market. “One of the best risk-free trades in the world at the moment is to get some aluminium and stick it in a warehouse,” said Eoin Dinsmore of CRU, a consultancy. “It’s...
Three-month LME aluminium stepped down from two-month highs; SHFE down to US$1869/t
The US dollar fell against a basket of rivals for a fifth straight trading day on Monday as risk sentiment improved on optimism that the worst of the economic downturn caused by the global spread of the coronavirus may be in the past. Three-month LME aluminium pulled back from two-month highs on Monday, easing 0.58 per cent to US$ 1,538 per tonne. As of Monday, June 1, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1511.50 per tonne after declining by US$ 3.5 per tonne from the previous day. But 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price increased by US$ 3.5 per tonne to hover at US$ 1540 per tonne. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price grew as well by US$ 6.5 per tonne to come in at US$ 1654 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1496050...
COVID-19 Impact: Sri Lanka’s aluminium extrusions market to drop 40% due to lower demand and sales
The aluminium extrusions market in Sri Lanka is anticipated to drop 40 per cent, owing to the hit on the property sector by the COVID-19 pandemic, said Lanka Aluminium Industries Plc in a stock exchange filing. “We expect the market size for aluminium extrusions by approximately 40 percent and remain so until a permanent solution for Coronavirus is found,” said the company. Lanka Aluminium closed its factories due to curfews on March 19, and since then the sales slowed down. The company reported that there were, in fact, no sales in April and May. However, on May 11, production recommenced at some of the factories with restricted staff. Dealers around the company also re-opened but reported lower demand and sales. In the March 2020 quarter, Lanka Aluminium generated revenues of 397...
US aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to Mexico grow above 55% in February
According to the United States Geological Survey data, the US aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to Mexico recorded a month-on-month hike of 55.67 per cent in February 2020 to stand at 9,200 tonnes. In January, the US’ exports to Mexico were 5,910 tonnes after plunging by 3.7 per cent from 6,140 tonnes in December 2019. In November last year, the United States had exported 6,870 tonnes of aluminium crude metals and alloys to Mexico, which represents the fact that the exports in December had also registered a month-on-month fall of 10.63 per cent. The above data also indicates the fact that the United States aluminium crude metal and alloys exports to Mexico grew in February after two consecutive months of downfall. Year-on-Year, the United States exports in February 2020 were down...
China’s aluminium imports may hit a decade high with increasing arbitrage opportunity post COVID-19 recovery
According to Reuters report, traders and analysts estimate a significant rise in China’s aluminium imports to hit the highest level in a decade, as an arbitrage opportunity created by demand recovery after coronavirus outbreak has made the aluminium import cheaper than sourcing the metal from domestic smelters. China, the world’s top aluminium producer, usually has a little need to import primary aluminium. The country’s imports in 2019 totalled just over 75,000 tonnes versus output of 35 million tonnes. But this year in May alone, China’s aluminium imports are set to top 100,000 tonnes, as demand for aluminium in the rest of the world has collapsed, while metal consumption in China has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The draw is that Shanghai aluminium prices above RMB 13,000...
