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.
Coronavirus outbreak continues to affect Chinese primary aluminium and aluminium alloys prices; Fall by RMB 50-100/t
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has continued to record a decline today, as on March 18. Registering a fall of RMB 80 per tonne, the price today is RMB 12,520 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 12,500 per tonne and RMB 12,540 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 60 per tonne. In Foshan and Chongqing, the ingot price has recorded a decline of RMB 80 per tonne as well to stand at RMB 12,500 per tonne and RMB 12,530 per tonne, respectively. Linyi has seen the highest downfall of RMB 200 per tonne to RMB 12,650 per tonne. In Wuxi, the price has dwindled by RMB 70 per tonne, followed by Hangzhou and Chongqing, where the price has plunged by RMB 60 per tonne. In Gongyi and...
Three-month LME aluminium ended at US$1639/t; SHFE further fell to US$1801/t
The US dollar surged against a broad range of currencies on Tuesday as companies and investors sought out the most liquid currency as concerns about economic shutdowns from the coronavirus continued to dent risk appetite. Three-month LME aluminium rebounded somewhat in North American trading hours from sharp losses in European trading hours. It later eased again, returning to its lowest since October 2016 at US$ 1,639 per tonne and ended at US$ 1,643 per tonne. The unwinding of long positions primarily accounted for the plunge in LME aluminium on Tuesday. It is likely to move between US$ 1,640 per tonne and US$ 1,700 per tonne today. As of Tuesday, March 17, LME aluminium cash (bid) price extended decline to US$ 1627.50 per tonne and LME official settlement price to 1628 per tonne....
Constantia Flexibles’ Constantia Teich plant receives ASI CoC Standard Certification
Constantia Flexibles has been awarded ASI Chain of Custody Standard Certification for its rolling and packaging conversion facility Constantia Teich GmbH in Weinburg, Austria. The news came after Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced about it today, March 17, 2020. Earlier in 2018, the plant had obtained ASI Performance Standard Certification. The Constantia Flexibles Group supplies its products to numerous multinational corporations and local market leaders in the food, pet food, pharmaceuticals, and beverage industries. The ASI Certification program is the only comprehensive voluntary sustainability standard initiative for the aluminium value chain. The ASI CoC Standard sets out requirements for the creation of a Chain of Custody for material that is produced and processed through...
Fortum, BAF and Nornicket plan a recycling centre to recover metals from electric car batteries
Fortum, BAF, and Nornicket have signed a letter of intent to plan a recycling centre in Harjavalta, Finland to recover metals from electric car batteries. This would enable a successful “closed-loop” cycle to re-use the critical metals present in used batteries. “The combination of battery materials production and recycling enables the circular economy by closing the loop,” said Tim Ingle, Vice President, Precious Metals Refining, Chemicals & Battery Recycling, at BASF. He added, “To drive electrification, we are focussed on bringing solutions for high energy density cathode active materials and high-efficiency lithium extraction for battery recycling.” Using metals extracted from recycled batteries to produce battery materials would reduce a significant amount of CO2 emissions while...
China's alumina price extends drop by RMB5/t on increased demand for imported raw material; A00 aluminium ingot price falls by RMB140/t
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the average alumina spot price in China has extended drop today, March 17, for the second day in a row by RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 2,568 per tonne. In the north, the price has declined by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 2,575 per tonne, while that in the east, central, and south has continued to remain restraint at RMB 2,575 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The drop in average alumina spot price could be attributed to the recovery of availability in the domestic market with the ease of logistics disruption. Moreover, securing alumina from overseas instead of using the domestic raw material is perhaps pushing the price down. An increase in the demand for imported alumina, on the other hand, has lifted the price of Australian alumina FOB by US$ 1...
Three-month LME aluminium rebounded towards US$1700/t level; SHFE declined to US$1815/t
The US dollar fell against a broad range of currencies after Wall Street sank overnight even as the Federal Reserve embarked on a massive monetary stimulus campaign to curb slower economic growth amid the coronavirus outbreak. Three-month LME aluminium rebounded towards the US$ 1,700 per tonne mark after touching an intraday low of US$ 1,654 per tonne. It later eased to end at US$ 1,681 per tonne. LME aluminium is likely to move between US$ 1,640 per tonne and US$ 1,700 per tonne today. As of Monday, March 16, LME aluminium cash (bid) price came in at US$ 1640 per tonne and LME official settlement price stood at US$ 1640.5 per tonne after declining by US$ 36.5 per tonne from Friday, March 13. 3-months bid price slipped from US$ 1695 per tonne to US$ 1654 per tonne, while 3-months offer...
Launched! AlCircle’s Report on "Industry 4.0 in Aluminium"
Building on the success of the E-Magazine “Aluminium Industry 4.0: Drivers & Change Makers” last year, AlCircle this time has again come up with a report on “ Industry 4.0 in Aluminium ” on readers’ demand, but with more insightful information. Since the Industry 4.0 is one of the most talked about topics in the technology and industrial sector including the aluminium value chain industry and as many seasoned plant operators are still not completely aware of the full potential of such technologies, AlCircle.com perceives the importance of discussing the topic yet again and thus, the report being launched titled “ Industry 4.0 in Aluminium.” Being an exclusive aluminium industry portal, AlCircle is committed to explore and provide information on any technological innovations that are...
Inventories of primary aluminium up by 38,000 tonnes over the weekend
Shanghai Metals Market found social inventories of primary aluminium ingots increased 38,000 tonnes over the weekend ended Monday, March 16, across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants. The inventories stood at 1.631 million tonnes in contrast to 1.559 million tonnes on Monday, March 9, and 1.593 million tonnes on Thursday, March 12. SMM survey revealed the eight areas, except for Henan’s Gongyi, saw the stocks gaining over the weekend. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: In Wuxi, Shanghai, and Nanhai, the inventories, as of March 16, are standing higher by 53,000 tonnes, 8,000 tonnes, and 18,000 tonnes from last Monday at 639,000 tonnes, 152,000 tonnes, and 417,000 tonnes, respectively. In Hangzhou...
Alumina price in China dips by RMB2/t after week-long restraint; A00 aluminium ingot price rises by RMB90/t
After remaining restrained at RMB 2,575 per tonne last week, the average alumina spot price has recorded a dip today, on March 16, by RMB 2 per tonne to RMB 2,573 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. In the north, the price has decreased by RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 2,585 per tonne, while in the east, central, and south remained unchanged at RMB 2,575 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The Australian alumina FOB price has also recorded a plunge of US$ 2 per tonne to US$ 302 per tonne after a week-long restraint. But despite the drop in alumina price in the Chinese spot market, the price of A00 aluminium ingot has increased by RMB 90 per tonne to stand at RMB 12,740 per tonne, after five consecutive days of decline ranging between RMB 12,830 per tonne and RMB 12,650 per...
Aluminium billet inventories recorded fall on Thursday after three consecutive weeks of rise
According to Shanghai Metals Market report on Thursday, March 12, aluminium billet inventories fell after three consecutive weeks of increase, as the deliveries from warehouses outweighed arrivals. Data showed the stocks of 6063 aluminium billets across five major consumption areas in China shrank 19,500 tonnes from a week ago to stand at 199,300 tonnes, as of March 12. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: In Foshan, Wuxi, and Changzhou, the billet inventories declined by 2,700 tonnes, 5,000 tonnes, and 2,400 tonnes, respectively, from the last week to stand at 94,900 tonnes, 55,000 tonnes, and 19,700 tonnes, as of March 12. In Huzhou and Nanchang, the inventories came in at 22,000 tonnes and 7,700 tonnes after falling...
Rusal’s 2019 revenue declines 5.5% despite the growth in production; Total assets up by 13%
In 2019, the entire aluminium value chain industry saw a challenging environment. The average aluminium price on the London Metal Exchange declined from US$ 2,110 per tonne in 2018 to US$ 1,792 per tonne. As a result, Rusal’s revenue for the year ended December 31 recorded a decrease of 5.5 per cent from US$ 10,280 million in 2018 to US$ 9,711 million in 2019, despite the growth in metal production. Rusal’s total bauxite output in 2019 had grown by about 16 per cent from 13.847 million tonnes in 2018 to 16.047 million tonnes. Alumina production also grew, although lesser in comparison to bauxite, from 7.774 million tonnes in 2018 to 7.858 million tonnes in 2019. The production of aluminium foil and packaging products stood at 98,000 tonnes in 2019, registering a growth of 10.2 per cent...
IOC is looking to set up an aluminium-air batteries factory in India
India’s largest fuel retailer Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), after joining hands with Israel-based start-up Phinergy early last month for developing aluminium-air batteries for electric vehicles, is now looking to set up a factory in India. Both Indian Oil Corporation and Phinergy are in talks with several governments for the project. R Sravan S Rao, executive director and state head of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh at Indian Oil, said: “We are looking to set up a factory in India to manufacture aluminium-air batteries for electric vehicles and stationary applications and facilitate the development of eco-system for aluminium-air technology-based batteries.” However, the exact location for the factory has not been announced officially. Only a report in the Financial Express suggests that...
A00 aluminium ingot price continues to drop for the third consecutive day on further rise in inventories this week
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price today, March 13 has dropped for the third consecutive day. As per the data, the price has plunged by RMB 100 per tonne to stand at RMB 12,650 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 12,630 per tonne and RMB 12,670 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 0 per tonne. In two of the Chinese cities Chongqing and Linyi, the aluminium ingot price has dropped by RMB 100 per tonne as well to come in at RMB 12,660 per tonne and RMB 12,750 per tonne. In Foshan, Shenyang, and Wuxi, the price has declined by RMB 90 per tonne to RMB 12,640 per tonne, RMB 12,705 per tonne, and RMB 12,630 per tonne, respectively. The price in Hangzhou and Gongyi has plunged by RMB...
China’s automobile sales in February witnessed steep decline to 310,000 units: CAAM data shows
On Thursday, March 12, the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) showed the automobile sales in China declined 83.9 per cent month-on-month to 310,000 units in February. Over the year, the sales stood lower by 79.1 per cent, according to the data. In January, China’s automobile sales stood at 1.93 million units after declining by 27.44 per cent from 2.66 million units in December. Year-on-year, the sales dropped 18.7 per cent, showed CAAM. Of 310,000 units sold in February, passenger vehicles accounted for 224,000 units, down 86.1 per cent month-on-month and 81.7 per cent year-on-year. In the first two months, China’s automobile sales totalled at 2.24 million units, down 42 per cent from the same period last year, according to the association data. Data from CAAM also...
Lotte Aluminium bags ASI Performance Standard Certification for its rolling facility in Ansan
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced on Thursday, March 12, that it certified Lotte Aluminium Co. Ltd. with Performance Standard Certification for rolling facility in Ansan, South Korea. The facility’s operations include rolling, sepa-slitting and annealing for the production of aluminium foil, which is primarily used for the packaging of food, cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, for electronics in batteries and automotive parts, and also for construction materials. The ASI Performance Standard Certification defines environmental, social, and governance principles and criteria, aiming to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. It sets out 59 criteria that address biodiversity, Indigenous Peoples rights, and greenhouse gas emissions. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive...
Major constructional works at Altech’s HPA site in Johor are complete, says report
According to the latest update on Altech Chemicals’ construction activities at its high purity alumina (HPA) site in Johor, the onsite electrical substation is progressing and is now ahead of schedule, while all the major constructional works are complete, including the external detailing of the building. The EPC consortium and its subcontractors have recently started internal finishing and architectural detailing, in addition to the completion of sewerage and drainage works and the finalisation of vehicle access requirements. The electrical substation is expected to be completed in April 2020, approximately four weeks ahead of schedule. Altech will get the handover of the building after the latter is being inspected. For the inspection, the substation will be turned over the local...
Three-month aluminium closed 1.76% lower from the previous day; SHFE dropped for fifth consecutive day
The US dollar declined before recovered some losses on Wednesday, as fears over the coronavirus pushed investors into safe havens, while sterling rebounded after the Bank of England unexpectedly cut interest rates. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index plunged again on Wednesday, narrowly avoiding its first bear market since the financial crisis after the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic as the coronavirus rapidly spreads across the world. Three-month LME aluminium relinquished gains from the previous session as it closed 1.76 per cent lower on the day at US$ 1,672 per tonne. The stock market panic is likely to keep base metals under pressure, with LME aluminium trading between US$ 1,640 per tonne and US$ 1,700 per tonne. As of Wednesday, March 11, LME aluminium cash (bid)...
Alley Kat Brewing Company announces to switch to aluminium cans from bottles
On Tuesday, March 10, Alley Kat Brewing Company announced that it decided to switch to aluminium cans after packaging exclusively in bottles since 1995. According to the report, the company will switch to cans this spring, based on the market demand. Neil Herbst said, “We’ve been watching the market closely for years and the trend from bottles to cans shows no sign of slowing down.” Herbst said the brewery had been looking into cans since 2018. The company cited data from Statistics Canada that indicates the declining trend of the sale of packaged domestic bottled beer in Alberta over the past few years. Data shows 24.5 per cent of beer was sold in bottles, while 75.5 per cent in cans. In 2018, the former figure came down to 15 per cent and further down to 12.6 per cent in 2019. “Cans are...
