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.
LME aluminium started the week with lowered price at US$1437/t; SHFE closed for Labour Day holidays
Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange further dropped, although slower, to close at US$1437 per tonne on Monday, May 4, down 0.21 per cent from the previous day’s close at US$ 1440 per tonne. Both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price extended their decline from US$1,440 per tonne to US$ 1,437 per tonne on Monday, May 4. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price also decreased, but very marginally, from US$ 1477.5 per tonne to US$ 1477 per tonne. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price hovered at US$ 1601 per tonne compared to US$ 1600.50 per tonne on the previous day, meaning up by US$ 0.50 per tonne. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price totalled at US$ 1476.50 per tonne. SHFE Aluminium Price Trend The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) is...
Indian automotive industry urges government for operation restart
The Indian automotive industry has urged the government for permission to restart manufacturing operations, as it has recorded zero sales in the domestic market in the first month of FY2021. According to a report, the industry has been tentatively losing over INR 2,300 crore turnover a day since the nationwide lockdown started on March 24, 2020. So, in the total 55 days of lockdown period, given that it is extended till May 17, the total losses could be accumulated at INR 1,26,500 crore. As companies gear up to restart operations, apex industry bodies, Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and the Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations of India (FADA) have jointly written to the government, seeking...
NALCO’s aluminium prices further reduce with effect from May 1, 2020
National Aluminium Co Ltd has extended its aluminium price cut with effect from last Friday, May 1, 2020. The prices of aluminium ingots are now, thus, ranging between INR 135,150 per tonne and INR 138650 per tonne, in contrast to INR 142,150-145,650 per tonne, as of April 23. With the latest cut, the prices of aluminium billets are now hovering at INR 138850 per tonne to INR 141250 per tonne, down from INR 145,600 - 148,250 per tonne in the week ago. <iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/px_UCmbtoHU" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange....
HVG Facades adds new ZINTL cladding profiles to non-combustible premium interlocking aluminium cladding range
According to a recent report, HVG Facades has extended the range of their non-combustible premium interlocking aluminium cladding system by adding new profiles called ZINTL. The new ZINTL range of profiles will lend flexibility to the architects to mix and match profiles on a single elevation, allowing them to create unique interlocking aluminium cladding designs. Mixing various profile sizes will create an alternate appearance with interlocking cladding. ZINTL aluminium cladding offers high-performance and is available in a range of interlocking weatherboard profiles to suit any project. It is timelessly elegant and endures material that opens up a world of design possibilities. This new range of cladding system will also provide greater coverage of the wall, allowing quicker...
China’s alumina imports record a steep rise of 1147.1% in March 2020; Exports climb 88.18%
China, in March 2020, imported 338,600 tonnes of alumina, which was 1147.10 per cent higher than the imports in the same period last year, according to China customs data. Australia was the leading supplier in the said month, accounting for 159,770 tonnes of the total alumina imports by China. In the first three months of the year (January-March), China’s total volume of alumina imports amounted to 1.029 million tonnes, up 546.34 per cent from the corresponding period last year. As the availability of domestic alumina narrowed on the delayed resumption of production since the Lunar New Year Holidays, followed by the outbreak of COVID19, the aluminium smelters increased the consumption of imported alumina, resulting in the boost in alumina imports to China. As far as the export is...
Hammond Electronics adds new 1455F flanged extruded aluminium enclosures to its 1455 standard family
Hammond Electronics, a global force in the enclosures market with facilities in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and South East Asia, has extended the variety of popular 1455 standard family enclosures by adding new 1455F flanged extruded aluminium enclosures. The 14555F features a completely new extrusion that has a flat base with integral mounting flanges. The flanges extend beyond the body of the unit and have four notches to accept securing screws for mounting the units to a flat surface such as a wall, bulkhead or machine. The new enclosure is available in two sizes 80 x 54 x 23mm and 120 x 54 x 23mm and in clear and black anodised finish. More sizes will be released in the coming months. Both the launch sizes are designed to accept 50mm wide and 1.6mm thick PCBs with...
LME aluminium price trended down this week ranging between US$ 1472.5-1440 per tonne; SHFE aluminium grew to US$1800/t
The US dollar declined throughout the week. The dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of other currencies, stood at 99.501 on Wednesday, April 29. Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange decreased from US$ 1472.5 per tonne on Monday, April 27, to US$ 1440 per tonne on Friday, May 1. LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price showed a downtrend too this week. On Monday, April 27, they stood at US$ 1472.50 per tonne, which on April 28, declined to US$ 1465 per tonne. On Wednesday, April 29, the price stood further down at US$ 1464 per tonne, and on Thursday, April 30, at US$ 1460.5 per tonne. Extending the downfall further on Friday, May 1, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price came in at US$ 1440 per...
Century Aluminium reports a 3% loss in net sales for Q1 2020; Adjusted EBITDA up by $14.8 million
Century Aluminium Company, on Thursday, April 30, announced the first-quarter results of 2020, reporting a loss of 3 per cent in net sales from $435.5 million in Q4 2019 to $421.2 in Q1 2020. Shipments stood flat at 202,905 tonnes in Q1, compared to 202,870 tonnes in Q4 last year. Century reported a net loss of $2.7 million for the first quarter of 2020 and $1.0 million net income on an adjusted basis, compared to a net loss of $4.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2019 and $9.0 million net income on an adjusted basis. The first-quarter results were negatively impacted by $3.7 million of non-cash exceptional items, including a $12.1 million lower of cost or net realizable value inventory adjustment (net of tax), offset by $8.3 million of unrealized gains on forward derivative contracts....
LME aluminium price lowered at US$1460.5/t on April 30 while opening stock remained flat
Benchmark aluminium price on London Metal Exchange dropped by US$ 3.5 per tonne from US$ 1464 per tonne to US$ 1460.5 per tonne, as of Thursday, April 30. Both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price declined from US$ 1464 per tonne on April 29 to US$ 1460.5 per tonne on April 30. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price also decreased from US$ 1504 per tonne to US$ 1498 per tonne. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price hovered at US$ 1624.5 per tonne compared to US$ 1629.50 per tonne on the previous day. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1346200 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1186625 tonnes, while Cancelled Warrants 159575 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1507.51per tonne. SHFE Aluminium Price Trend Shanghai...
“It is now important to continuously improve productivity to keep costs of production as low as possible for combatting COVID19 impact” - Antti Koulumies, Vice President, Aluminium Business Line, Outotec
Outotec provides industry benchmark technologies and life-cycle services for their customers in metals and mining, industrial water treatment, alternative energy, and chemical sector. Here, we have with us the company’s aluminium business Vice President Antti Koulumies to share how Outotec is coping up the COVID19 pandemic. Mr Koulumies says ensuring the wellbeing of the employees and stakeholders and innovating and improving operations to serve customers better are their key strategies now to sustain the business. Here is an excerpt from the brief interview: AlCircle : What are your initial thoughts about the impact of Covid-19 on the global aluminium value chain? Antti Koulumies: From what we’ve seen, only one aluminium smelter and one alumina refinery have curtailed production during...
Brisk consumption lowers aluminium billet stocks in China to 129,400 tonnes for the eighth straight week
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the aluminium billet inventories have extended decline over the week ending Thursday, April 30, as brisk consumption has lowered stocks in Wuxi, Huzhou, and Changzhou. SMM data shows the stocks of 6063 aluminium billet have plunged by 16,3000 tonnes across five major consumption areas in China, marking the eighth consecutive week of decline. The billet inventories are thus, currently standing at 129,400 tonnes, following the decline of 19,300 tonnes last week. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: As the chart above shows, the inventories in Wuxi, Changzhou, Huzhou, and Nanchang have decreased by 15,180 tonnes, 5,080 tonnes, 2,000 tonnes, and 300 tonnes to stand respectively at 25,300...
Genelac relaunches some of its popular loudspeaker models with RAW aluminium finish look
As a small effort to expand the product line in a more sustainable and eco-friendly way, Genelac, the global leader in professional loudspeakers, has re-launched some of its popular models in Studio, AV, and Home Studio ranges with special RAW aluminium colour finish. The models are primarily produced from recycled aluminium, similar to what we find in drink cans. They contain less finishing material and no painting to allow the beauty of the enclosure’s raw aluminium to shine through and to give each speaker a distinctive look. All the models feature the timeless Minimum Diffraction Enclosure (MDE) design, developed by Genelec in close collaboration with leading industrial designer Harri Koskinen. They are all two-way designs and include the 8020, 8030 and 8040 nearfield studio monitors,...
Rusal’s alumina refinery in Ukraine to temporarily stop production on bauxite supply disruption
Rusal’s alumina refinery in Ukraine’s Mykolaiv announced on Wednesday, April 28, that it might have to temporarily stop production as Ukrainian customs authorities blocked access to bauxite supplies. The refinery, located near Ukraine’s Black Sea coastline, primarily relies on overseas bauxite and exports alumina from its production to Rusal’s aluminium smelters in Siberia. Besides, the Black Sea customs authority is hindering the import of bauxite raw materials into Ukraine, which is also adding up a cause for the critical decline in bauxite stocks at the refinery. “The Mykolaiv alumina plant operates entirely in line with Ukrainian law as it stands,” the business said in a statement. However, Ukraine’s customs declined to comment in this regard. The alumina refinery employs around 3,500...
China’s alumina price continues to grow at 1.19%; Prebaked anode price falls on Weiqiao’s purchasing price cut for May
The average alumina spot price has continued to grow, but slower than the previous day, according to Shanghai Metals Market. On Thursday, April 30, the price has increased by RMB 26 per tonne or at 1.19 per cent growth rate to stand at RMB 2,209 per tonne, compared to the growth of RMB 40 per tonne on Wednesday, April 29, as per the SMM data. In the north, the price has seen the highest growth of RMB 40 per tonne to come in at RMB 2,225 per tonne, as of April 30, followed by East and Central, where the average alumina spot price has grown by RMB 25 per tonne and RMB 20 per tonne to hover at RMB 2,200 per tonne. In the south, however, the price has remained restrained at RMB 2,520 per tonne. The imported alumina price has also registered a growth today after remaining restrained at RMB...
US aluminium scrap exports gain 3,000 tonnes over the month in February 2020
According to the latest USGS data, the United States in February 2020 extended its export volume of aluminium scrap by 3,000 tonnes to 149,000 tonnes. In January, the country’s aluminium scrap exports had come in at 146,000 tonnes after increasing by 6,000 tonnes or 4.28 per cent from 140,000 tonnes in December 2019. But the US exports in December had seen a drop of 7.28 per cent, as the export volume in November was 151,000 tonnes. During January-February, the total aluminium scrap exports by the United States were 294,000 tonnes. India was the leading destination for the United States aluminium scrap exports in February. The former bought 32,900 tonnes of scrap in February compared to 28,900 tonnes a month ago. This means India’s aluminium scrap imports from the US rose 14 per cent...
The Alkaline Water Company receives its largest order to date for new 500-ml aluminium bottles
The Alkaline Water Company Inc. has reportedly received its largest order to date for new 500-ml environmentally friendly aluminium bottles. The company has delivered 300,000 bottles to two regional customers located in the California and Texas markets until now. Since the launch in February, The Alkaline Water Company has been showing a keen interest in this innovative and truly sustainable offering. The company in its press release said, “While still early in the cycle, we see backlog building for this product that is being well received by our consumers. In addition, we are seeing retailers increase shelf space for eco-friendly merchandise as consumer demand for sustainable packaging options continues to grow. As such, our brand extension to aluminium bottles has been very timely. As a...
Lower raw material costs due to COVID19 lift Hydro’s Q1 results: Underlying EBIT improves to NOK 2,247 million
Norsk Hydro ASA has announced its first-quarter results of 2020, mentioning the growth of underlying EBIT from NOK 559 million during the same period last year to NOK 2,247 million. The successful ramp up of production at the Alunorte refinery, reduced costs, and positive currency effects are believed to have contributed positively to the first-quarter results. But these positive effects were partly offset by lower realised alumina and aluminium prices. Separately for bauxite and alumina, Hydro’s underlying EBIT in Q1 2020 came in at NOK 535 million, up from NOK 153 million, attributing to increased production following the lifting of production embargo last year and lower raw material costs. Underlying EBIT for primary aluminium improved from negative NOK 771 million in Q1 2019 to NOK...
Illycaffè introduces a new line of aluminium capsules with new espresso flavour
Illycaffè, a global leader in high-quality coffee, has extended its line of aluminium capsules compatible with Nespresso Original coffee machines. The new line of capsules is now available in Decaffeinato espresso, containing the ideal measure of the legendary and unique illy blends. The illy-branded capsules are available in total five choices representing four intensities of taste: Classico, Intenso espresso, Forte espresso, and new Decaffeinato espresso. All these varieties are available on the illy e-shop and selective retailers for a suggested retail price of $8.99 per pack of ten capsules. The illy-branded aluminium capsules are produced and distributed by JAB’s JDE platform. illycaffè and JAB had signed a trademark licensing agreement. JAB’s JDE platform is primarily responsible...
