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.
Indian aluminium producers to overcome COVID-19 impact with rising exports and low input costs: Crisil
A new sector report by Crisil indicates that Indian aluminium producers are likely to sail through the COVID19 impacts smoothly with rising aluminium exports, lower input costs, and cost efficiency strategies curated by the industry. "The domestic sales loss has been offset by companies adroitly exporting more, thanks to high cost-competitiveness that stems from improved sourcing and lower input costs,” said the report. At the beginning of the financial year 2021, the aluminium price was hovering 4-years low at US$ 1,450 per tonne on the London Metal Exchange, while the domestic demand was bleak due to the COVID-19 pandemic-driven lockdown. Although this will squeeze bottom lines this fiscal, but efficient cost structure and adequate cash will lend support to credit profiles and help...
LME aluminium price jumped to US$1487/t, while SHFE continued to decline by US$22.89/t
The US dollar rebounded on Thursday, while stocks on Wall Street fell as growing Sino-US tensions and dismal economic data weighed on investor sentiment. The US dollar index, which measures the greenback’s strength against a basket of currencies, rose 0.26 per cent to 99.4425. Three-month LME aluminium rose for a second straight day on Thursday, May 21, advancing to a one-month high of US$ 1,524.5 per tonne before ending up 0.4 per cent at US$ 1,521 per tonne. Optimism surrounding economic recovery that will boost demand, coupled with arbitrage trades, is expected to remain supportive of LME aluminium, which is expected to move at US$ 1,490-1,530 per tonne today. As of Thursday, May 21, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price recorded a jump of US$ 33 per tonne to...
Primary aluminium inventories expand decline by 79,000t W-o-W to fall below 1 million tonnes
Social inventories of primary aluminium ingots have continued to fall to as low as 979,000 tonnes, across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, as of Thursday, May 21, according to Shanghai Metals Market. Last week on Thursday, May 14, the primary aluminium ingots inventories were at 1.058 million tonnes after declining by 114,000 tonnes. This week, the downfall is by 79,000 tonnes, slower by 35,000 tonnes than the previous week. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: As the above chart suggests that the decline in inventories this week has not touched upon all the major Chinese provinces such as in Hangzhou, Tianjin, the primary aluminium stocks have increased by 1,000 tonnes to stand at 112,000 tonnes...
Reynaers Aluminium appoints Steve Hubbard as new operations director
Reynaers Aluminium has reportedly appointed Mr Steve Hubbard as a new operations director. Hubbard comes with more than 30 years of experience in driving operations through process efficiency and best practice implementation. On being appointed by the Reynaers Aluminium, Hubbard said, “These unprecedented times make for difficult trading conditions across almost every sector. Reynaers’ has a strong history and position as a well-respected leader within the industry, being well placed to support customers and I’m excited to be embarking on a significant new chapter in my career and playing a meaningful role in the company’s future growth. He also said. “Through my position, I will be leaning on my experience to drive process efficiency and further strengthen Reynaers’ operations,...
China’s aluminium billet inventories register second consecutive week of decline; Stocks hovering at 92,800 tonnes
China’s aluminium billet inventories, across five major consumption areas, expanded decline this week ending on Thursday, May 21, by 20,000 tonnes to stand at 92.800 tonnes, according to Shanghai Metals Market. Stable shipments from warehouses in contrast to limited arrivals could be attributed to the extended decline in China’s aluminium billet stocks. Last week between May 6 and May 14, the inventories had shrunk by 19,300 tonnes to come in at 112,800 tonnes, following a rise in the previous week by 2,700 tonnes to 132,100 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: So, as the above chart suggests, Foshan has seen the highest downfall in aluminium billet inventories this week. The stocks there are standing at 53,100...
Mexico’s aluminium scrap imports from US record a drop in February 2020 after a rise month ago
According to the Geological Survey of the United States, Mexico imported 16,800 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the US in February 2020. The import was down by 2.33 per cent from 17,200 tonnes in January 2020. In December 2019, Mexico imported 13,100 tonnes of scrap from the US, meaning January saw a rise of 31.30 per cent in imports month-on-month. Mexico’s imports from the United States in December plunged by 20.12 per cent from 16,400 tonnes in November to stand at 13,100 tonnes. Year-on-year, Mexico’s aluminium scrap imports from the United States in February 2020 stood almost flat. In February 2019, the import volume was 16,200 tonnes, down by 600 tonnes from February 2020. The total aluminium scrap imports by Mexico from the United States in the first two months of the year were...
A00 aluminium ingot price in China extends decline to RMB13460/t; Aluminium fluoride price down by RMB300/t
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has extended decline from RMB 13,480 per tonne on May 20 to RMB 13,460 per tonne on Thursday, May 21. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,440 per tonne and RMB 13,480 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 180-220 per tonne. Linyi has seen the highest fall in primary aluminium ingot price today of RMB 60 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,400 per tonne, followed by the fall of RMB 30 per tonne in Wuxi and Hangzhou to hover at RMB 13,440 per tonne and RMB 13,460 per tonne, respectively. In Tianjin and Gongyi, the price has dwindled by RMB 20 per tonne to RMB 13,420 per tonne and RMB 13,435 per tonne, while that in Chongqing has dropped by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 13,520 per tonne....
LME aluminium price declined by US$10/t on opening stock hike by 30,050 tonnes; SHFE price dropped
The US dollar index rose slightly on Thursday morning, after touching its lowest since May 1 at 99.0014 overnight. Three-month LME aluminium resumed its rally on Wednesday, gaining 1.78 per cent to end at a three-week peak of US$ 1,515 per tonne. Optimism surrounding economic recovery is expected to bolster LME aluminium to US$1,490-1,530 per tonne today. As of Wednesday, May 20, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price decreased from US$ 1464 per tonne on May 19 to US$ 1454 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price declined from US$ 1498 per tonne to US$ 1486.50 per tonne. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price stood at US$ 1610.50 per tonne, compared to US$ 1623.50 per tonne on the previous day. The LME aluminium opening stock increased from...
Why buy AlCircle’s Report on “Energy Consumption in Aluminium Smelting and Changing Technologies Towards Gas Emission?
As aluminium enters markets that had earlier been dominated by traditional metals, especially steel, competition and comparisons on energy consumption have caught the eyes of end-use sectors across the world. In 2019, to produce one tonne of aluminium, the average total energy (AC) intensity across the world stood at about 14.2 MWh, while the average process energy intensity stood at 13.4 MWh. Globally, the aluminium industry emits around 450 MT per annum of CO2 equivalents, accounting for about 1% of the world’s total emission. At this juncture, it becomes an absolute imperative to address the issue of high energy-intensive process of aluminium smelting. AlCircle, being always at the forefront of the aluminium industry information circle, has therefore, presented a new Sector Focus...
After December, US aluminium crude and alloys exports to Canada drop in February by 9% MoM
The Geological Survey of the United States found that after December 2019, the US aluminium crude and alloys exports to Canada fell in February 2020. The decline, as recorded by the USGS data for February, was 8.71 per cent or 740 tonnes month-on-month to come in at 7,760 tonnes. In contrast to this, the decline in exports was higher in December, as the United States had exported 6,920 tonnes in the said month, down by 15.71 per cent or 1,290 tonnes from November. In January 2020, the United States’ crude metal and alloys exports to Canada were 8,500 tonnes, registering a hike of 22.83 per cent or 1,580 tonnes from the month ago. In November 2019, the exports were 8,210 tonnes, down by 7.95 per cent or 710 tonnes month-on-month. In October, however, the amount of export from the US to...
Richardson Devine Marine hand over a unique, all-aluminium ferry “Nairana” to Sealink Tasmania
According to a recent report, Australian shipbuilder Richardson Devine Marine (RDM) has delivered the Incat Crowther designed unique, all-aluminium ferry named Nairana to ferry owner and operator Sealink Tasmania. Nairana, equipped with state-of-the-art propulsion solutions from SCHOTTEL, is built entirely from aluminium. So, the vessel is light-weight and consumes less fuel. It can travel longer distances, ensuring excellent manoeuvrability. Being light-weight yet robust, the vessel is extremely economical to operate. Roger Janes, Sales and Marketing Manager of RDM: “The brief was to provide two unique, new vessels that are highly manoeuvrable to facilitate rapid turnaround times, have multiple engines for redundancy, and are economical. Overall, they needed to be uncomplicated and...
Four consecutive rises in A00 aluminium ingot price follows a decline today of RMB20/t; Input costs show no change
After four successive jumps ranging between RMB 12,790 per tonne on May 14 and RMB 13,500 per tonne on May 19, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a dip today, on May 20, by RMB 20 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,480 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. Since March 9, the primary aluminium ingot price was hovering below the RMB 13,000 per tonne level due to shrink in demand and consumption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak. After more than two months on May 11, the price rebounded above the benchmark price of RMB 13,000 per tonne, owing to the rise in demand and consumption but weak supply in contrast. Today, 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 210-250 per tonne....
European drinks brand Little Miracles introduce two new sparkling ice tea in aluminium cans
The European drinks brand known as Little Miracles has introduced two new low calorie, low sugar, vegan sparkling ice tea in aluminium cans, as part of its goal to become a completely plastic-free brand by summer 2023. Little Miracles started its mission to offer products that have only organic and fair trade ingredients back in 2012, and since then, its ethos remained the same. Commenting on the new product launch, Little Miracles founder Frederik Senger said: “This is a truly exciting launch for us as we move to halve our plastic production by the end of the year.” He also said, “Little Miracles was one of the first brands in Europe to repackage its drinks range with new, sustainable options. We decided to launch our organic Juice Shots in glass bottles, package our 1L ice tea in...
China issues seventh batch of aluminium scrap import quotas for 2020 allowing additional 1480 tonnes
According to Shanghai Metals Market report, China’s environmental authorities on Monday, May 18, issued the seventh batch of import quotas for metal scrap, including aluminium. The authorities confirmed that the seventh batch of import quotas for 2020 would allow additional 1,480 tonnes of high-grade aluminium scrap to enter China, compared to 1,030 tonnes of scrap permitted under the sixth batch of quotas. This means the allowance for aluminium scrap import to China expanded by 450 tonnes in the seventh batch. The cumulative quotas for this year reached 478,159 tonnes, showed Shanghai Metals Market. But while the import quotas are increasing for this year, the supply in the market is displaying a bearish trend due to disruptions amidst the worldwide spread of COVID-19. China, in the...
Laboratory testing by Lindian Resources confirms high-grade alumina at Gaoual Project
Lindian Resources Limited has reportedly confirmed that laboratory testing of extensions to the Bouba conglomerate bauxite plateau within the Gaoual Project has discovered high-grade alumina averaging more than 50 per cent. Earlier this year, resource drilling along the Bouba Plateau had confirmed the presence of very high-grade conglomerate bauxite. Further drilling was undertaken at Bouba North and Bouba South using a portable X-ray fluorescent (XRF) reader to determine alumina grade. Northern and southern extensions at the Bouba Plateau were discovered later in March. Three drill holes at Bouba North recovered average alumina grades of 50-54.4 per cent, while four holes at Bouba South found more than 54 per cent alumina with the highest average grade being 58.5 per cent. Lindian said...
Yunnan Aluminium’s 500,000 tonnes per year smelting and hydropower project comes online
Yunnan Aluminium’s 500,000 tonnes per year smelting and hydropower project in China’s new smelting hub of Wenshan has officially started its operation, said the local government on Monday, May 19. The launch ceremony of the project, held on Friday, May 15, was attended by Yunnan province vice governor Dong Hua, according to a statement on the Wenshan prefecture website. The project uses hydropower for the energy-intensive smelting process. Wenshan in southern Yunnan near the Vietnam border is set to become a major aluminium smelting hub. Key aluminium producers like China Hongqiao Group have moved their capacity in Wenshan to take advantage of cleaner hydropower available there. In early May, the Phase I electrolytic tanks of the project came online. The Phase I capacity contained 62...
LME aluminium price edged higher on Monday after a week-long decline; SHFE price climbed by US$42/t
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, dropped below the 100 mark and suffered the biggest one-day loss in six weeks on the jump in oil prices and gains in stocks. Three-month LME aluminium advanced 2.74 per cent to a one-week peak of US$ 1,500 per tonne on Monday. It is expected to move between US$ 1,480 per tonne and US$ 1,520 per tonne today. After recording downfall each day last week, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price began this week, on Monday, May 18, with a rise of US$ 9 per tonne from May 15 to stand at US$ 1441.50 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price also increased by US$ 9 per tonne from US$ 1467 per tonne on May 15 to US$ 1476 per tonne on May 18. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price...
Constellium obtains a State loan of 180 million euros to get recovered from COVID-19 hit
A decree from the Ministry of Finances, published on Saturday in the Official Journal, suggests that the State has guaranteed a loan of 180 million euros to the Constellium group, specialised in aluminium products. The state guarantee is provided to a loan granted to Constellium by the banks BNP Paribas, Société Générale, and Bpifrance, as per the measures announced by the government to support companies hit by the coronavirus crisis. Constellium manufactures aluminium products mainly for the automotive, aeronautical, and packaging markets. Last year, it passed from a company under Dutch Law to a European company status, with headquarters in Paris. In Q1 2020, the group recorded a net loss of 31 million euros and sales down by 6 per cent, owing to a drop in demand in Europe and North...
