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.
China’s aluminium billet inventories record a decline of 19,300 tonnes on May 14
According to Shanghai Metals Market, aluminium billet inventories in China have declined over the week, ending Thursday, May 14, following a marginal rise last week on Wednesday, May 6. As arrivals were limited since the past one week amidst stable shipments from warehouses, the aluminium billet inventories plunged by 19,300 tonnes to 112,800 tonnes, across five major Chinese consumption areas, as of May 14. Between April 30-May 6, the stocks increased by 2,700 tonnes to stand at 132,100 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: As the above chart suggests, among all the major Chinese provinces, Wuxi has seen the highest drop in aluminium billet inventories today. The stocks there have decreased by 8,230 tonnes to...
Twelfth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar rescheduled to May 2021
The Twelfth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar has been rescheduled on May 11 – 13, 2021, as announced by the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) and the ET Foundation. The seminar, now named ET 2021, will be conducted at the Hilton Orlando on Destination Parkway, minutes from I-Drive in the heart of Orlando’s dining and entertainment district. Previously, this seminar was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. AEC President Jeff Henderson said, “We are fortunate to have found dates and a location that meets our specific needs. It took some time since so many organizations had to reschedule events simultaneously due to the unusual circumstances surrounding the novel coronavirus pandemic,” The ET Seminar Committee and ET staff are in the process of communicating the updated...
ABx reports its biggest sale of cement grade bauxite; Company is optimistic for the future
Australian Bauxite Limited (ABx) announced that it had been a successful tenderer to deliver a shipment of cement grade bauxite. It shipped 35,000 tonnes plus or minus 10 per cent from Bell Bay, which marked the company’s biggest sale yet of seaborne cement grade bauxite. Being optimistic about the time to come, ABx said: "Delays due to the current COVID-19 restrictions have been overcome and demand is likely to grow." ABx was negotiating for mining, transport, and port services to bring forward the production to take advantage of low fuel costs and increase employment in Northern Tasmania in the current and upcoming quarters. The company, however, did not reveal the sale price, claiming it confidential. Australian Bauxite Limited also told the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) that it...
Alumina price drops by RMB5/t in China after two consecutive days of restraint; A00 aluminium ingot price rises to RMB12790/t
After remaining restrained for the two consecutive days following a rise to RMB 2,211 per tonne, the average alumina spot price in China has dipped by RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 2,206 per tonne on Thursday, May 14, found Shanghai Metals Market. In the east, the average alumina price has declined by RMB 25 per tonne to RMB 2,175 per tonne, while that in the north has plunged by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 2,215 per tonne. In the central and south, however, the price has recorded no change from RMB 2,200 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The Australia alumina FOB price has also remained restrained at US$ 241 per tonne after dwindling by US$ 1 per tonne on the last day. The imported alumina price is continuing at RMB 2,190 per tonne. The A00 aluminium ingot price, on the other hand,...
UK's aluminium packaging recycling rate records a new high to 56%
The aluminium packaging recycling rate in the United Kingdom has increased by 4 per cent year-on-year and recorded a new high to 56 per cent, the highest ever level, found the Environment Agency data, published on the National Packaging Waste Database (NPWD) earlier this month. The aluminium packaging market in 2019 grew by 8 per cent year-on-year, with 207,000 tonnes of packaging sold and 116,670 tonnes recycled, including an estimated 76% of all aluminium beverage cans sold. Data shows more than 102,944 tonnes of collected aluminium packaging (88%) were recycled into new high-quality products within Europe. The business recycling rate once again crossed the target, reaching 63 per cent compared to 60 per cent in 2018, while consumer-collected aluminium packaging recycling surged by 20...
COVID-19 Fight: Rio Tinto eyeing M&A opportunities to withstand market uncertainties
Rio Tinto is keeping a close watch on merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities to diversify its portfolio in a bid to overcome market uncertainties caused by the COVID-19. The news came after Rio Tinto chief executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques said in a statement at a virtual presentation at Bank of America that expanding portfolio is now Rio's strategy to adapt to the post COVID-19 business environment. “We are keeping a watching brief on M&A. Right now, the market is finding it difficult to value companies and the Covid-19 recovery pathway is not clear. Rio Tinto will only transact if an opportunity creates value,” said Jean-Sébastien. According to him, the market recovery pattern from COVID-19 impact appears uncertain, while the market volatilities seem to continue for the next decade....
Nespresso and Amcor win Alufoil Trophy for ASI aluminium coffee capsule
For manufacturing ASI aluminium coffee capsule, the Swiss brand Nespresso and Australian packaging company Amcor have reportedly received the Alufoil Trophy in the Resource Efficiency Category from the European Aluminium Foil Association. The award recognised the Nespresso’s and Amcor’s efforts towards the improvement of the sustainability of the product by using ASI-certified aluminium, meaning using the metal that is produced and sourced from mined or recycled source and through each step in the value chain as per ASI’s standards. On winning the award, Gerald Rebitzer, Sustainability Director for Amcor Flexibles, said: “Certification from ASI helps us to deliver more responsible packaging solutions for our customers. Amcor is proud to win this award with our valued partner Nespresso, as...
A00 aluminium ingot price records highest decline since April by falling RMB270/t; Aluminium alloy(A356) shrinks RMB300/t
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a sharp fall of RMB 270 per tonne to RMB 12,770 per tonne on Wednesday, May 13. This marks the highest decline in A00 aluminium ingot price since April 2020. On April 2 and April 21, the primary aluminium ingot price had fallen by RMB 220 per tonne to come in at RMB 11,300 per tonne and by RMB 240 per tonne to RMB 12,260 per tonne, respectively. The average prices today are expected to range between RMB 12,750 per tonne and RMB 12,790 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount of premium price of RMB 10-30 per tonne. Gongyi has seen the highest decline today among all other major provinces in China. The A00 aluminium ingot price there has declined by RMB 320 per tonne to RMB 12,820 per tonne,...
Three-month LME aluminium slipped on Tuesday by 1.14% to US$1,479.5/t; SHFE plunged to US$1802/t
The US dollar fell on Tuesday as the US Federal Reserve started its long-anticipated program to buy corporate bonds and the exchange traded funds that track them, but declines were kept in check by growing fears of a second wave of infections. Three-month LME aluminium slipped on Tuesday, erasing 1.14 per cent to close at US$ 1,479.5 per tonne. It needs tangible signs of a revival in demand to stage a rally. LME aluminium is likely to move to US$ 1,470-1,500 per tonne today. As of Tuesday, May 12, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price declined from US$ 1454.5 per tonne to US$ 1443 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price also decreased from US$ 1490.5 per tonne to US$ 1482 per tonne. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price hovered at US$ 1608...
Alba receives International Safety Award with Merit – 2020 for good health and safety management
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter outside China, has reportedly bagged International Safety Award with Merit – 2020 from British Safety Council. The award acknowledges Alba’s commitment to good health and safety management during 2019. Alba is one of the 250 global companies that has been awarded a Merit in the 2020 International Safety Awards. The International Safety Award recognises organisations from all around the world, which have demonstrated their commitments towards preventing workplace injuries and work-related ill-health. Commenting on the recognition received, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali said: “Alba Safety culture is a reflection of the individual and collective efforts of our employees as well as contractors. We are pleased...
Tesla’s Shanghai Plant at sudden halt last week on component shortages: Source says
"American electric vehicle and clean energy company Tesla Inc." had temporarily stop production at its plant on the outskirts of Shanghai, China. The company informed the factory workers who were supposed to resume work after the five-day Labour holidays on last Wednesday, May 6, that their holiday was extended and they would return as soon as May 9. The news came after some people familiar with the matter reported on the condition of anonymity. The reason for such an abrupt halt in production was not very clear at that moment until a Chinese news site reported that it was because of component shortages. Tesla’s only car factory outside the United States was expected delays in receiving parts for its Model 3, while also facing problems with a crucial piece of manufacturing equipment....
Downtrend in Saudi Arabia’s aluminium semis exports to US continues in February 2020 on crippled demand
The United States Geological Survey found no notable development in Saudi Arabia’s aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to the US in February 2020. In January, Saudi Arabia’s aluminium semis exports to the US were 7,470 tonnes, while that in February were 7,450 tonnes. The exports in January were down month-on-month by 27.47 per cent, as the aluminium plates, sheets, and bars exports from Saudi Arabia to the US were 10,300 tonnes in December. In November also, the exports were 10,300 tonnes, meaning they remained flat in December. Saudi Arabia’s total aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to the US in the first two months of 2020 stood at 14,900 tonnes, down 38.25 per cent from 20,600 tonnes in the previous two months. Year-on-year, Saudi Arabia’s aluminium semis exports to the...
COVID-19 Impact: China’s secondary aluminium operating rates shrink in April on slow resumption of demand
According to Shanghai Metals Market data, operating rates across China’s secondary aluminium industry in April stood at 47.08 per cent, down 0.22 percentage point from a month ago. In March, China’s secondary aluminium producers’ operating rates were 47.32 per cent after rebounding by 29.2 percentage points from a month earlier. Year-on-year, China’s April secondary aluminium operating rates stood down by 11.22 percentage points, whereas in March, the operating rates were down by 16.37 percentage points over the year. The persisting impact of COVID-19 kept domestic and overseas demand subdued, resulting in the downfall in operations at secondary aluminium smelters. Producers saw a limited increase in new orders after they fulfilled previous ones. This, together with an increase in...
A00 aluminium ingot price rises marginally by RMB10/t; Bauxite price in Guangxi and Guizhou falls
Following a jump of RMB 190 per tonne, the "A00 aluminium ingot price" has recorded a marginal rise today, on May 12, found the "Shanghai Metals Market". Data shows the primary aluminium ingot price has increased by RMB 10 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,040 per tonne on May 12. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,020 per tonne and RMB 13,060 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount and premium price of RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. Wuxi and Linyi provinces in China have seen a rise of RMB 20 per tonne in "A00 aluminium ingot price today" to stand at RMB 13,030 per tonne and RMB 13,180 per tonne, respectively. In Shenyang and Chongqing, the price has increased by RMB 15 per tonne and RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 13,035 per tonne and RMB 13,060 per...
China’s new energy passenger vehicle sales expand growth in April by 15% M-o-M: CPCA
According to the latest report from the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) on Monday, May 11, China’s wholesale deliveries of new energy passenger vehicles in April came in at 64,000 units, down 30 per cent from the same period last year but up month-on-month by 14.8 per cent as the business recovered from the fallout from the coronavirus crisis. In March 2020, China’s new energy passenger vehicles wholesale deliveries were 56,000 units, marking a month-on-month rise of nearly three times from February. But compared to the same period last year, it was down by 49.2 per cent, according to CPCA data. This means China’s new energy passenger vehicle sales have been registering a monthly growth over the past few months, despite being down compared to the previous year. In April, wholesale...
Phase I electrolytic tanks of Wenshan Aluminium’s 500,000 tonnes smelting project comes online on May 5
According to a recent report, the Phase I electrolytic tanks of Wenshan Aluminium’s 500,000 tonnes per year aluminium smelting and hydropower project in Yunnan province came online last Tuesday, May 5. The Phase I capacity contains 62 electrolytic tanks, which are 500KA new integrated prebaked anode aluminium electrolytic cells. The phase II electrolytic tanks are in the pipeline. The total estimated investment required for this project is more than RMB 4 billion. Wenshan Aluminium, a subsidiary of Yunnan Aluminium, also runs an alumina refinery, which in the first quarter of 2020 produced 266,000 tonnes of alumina. There are 3.43 million tonnes of aluminium smelting and hydropower capacity that is under construction or has been built in Wenshan prefecture, according to official data.
China’s alumina production in April comes in at 5.65 million tonnes; Aluminium output grows to 2.96 million tonnes
According to the data from Shanghai Metals Market, China in April 2020 produced 5.65 million tonnes of alumina, including 5.4 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade alumina. The daily output came in at 179,800 tonnes, up 2.62 per cent month-on-the month but down 7.07 per cent over the year. In the first four months of 2020, China’s total output of metallurgical-grade alumina stood at 21.56 million tonnes, 8.61 per cent lower than the corresponding period last year. Smaller production cut in Shanxi and Henan driven by the easing impact of COVID19 together with the slight recovery of alumina prices boosted China’s daily alumina production in April. The increased output of alumina offset the cutback at production lines using imported bauxite at SPIC Shanxi Aluminium, Luoyang Wanji, and...
LME aluminium price trended up last week from US$1437/t to US$1450/t; SHFE increased today to US$1820/t
The US dollar declined in late trading on Friday, May 8, after official data showed a record 20.5 million job loss in the world's largest economy in April. But the greenback was on track to post its largest weekly gain compared with the euro in more than a month, although that was more related to the European single currency concerning the European Central Bank’s asset purchases. On Monday morning, May 11, the US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of its peers, remained below the 100 mark, while oil prices reversed an earlier slip caused by concerns over a persistent glut. The LME was closed for the bank holiday on Friday. All LME base metals strengthened last week. As of Thursday, May 7, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price stood at...
