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.
SA startup Uncanny Wines looks up to aluminium cans as a convenient alternative to bottles
A South African startup Uncanny Wines is reportedly planning to cash in on a growing global taste for canned wines as a lighter and more convenient alternative to bottles. The company says it is targeting the domestic market first before eyeing the export market. Canned wines are already on sale in the United States, parts of Europe and elsewhere, but new in South Africa, which is one of the world’s top 10 wine producers. The global wine industry is estimated to be worth nearly US$400 billion. South Africa’s Wine and Spirit Board will certify the company’s cans of premium red and white wines. According to the report, Uncanny sells its Chenin Blanc wine and Merlot grape varieties in 250ml aluminium can at approximately R40 each, while Pinotage Rosé in cans is expected to be launched soon....
Rio Tinto posts strong financial results for 2019; Revenues stand 7% above 2018
Rio Tinto has announced its full-year financial results of 2019, where it reveals strong safety performance with no fatalities and a slightly improved all injury frequency rates, coming from a strong base. The company’s net cash generated from operating activities stood at US$ 14.91 billion, up 26 per cent from US$ 11.82 billion in 2018. Free cash flow, as a result, rose by 31 per cent from US$ 6.97 billion to US$ 9.15 billion. Both are presented after $0.9 billion tax paid in 2019 relating to the 2018 coking coal disposals. Rio’s 2019 capital expenditure remained consistent at US$ 5.48 billion, compared to US$ 5.43 billion in the previous year. Underlying EBITDA and underlying earnings came in at US$ 21.19 billion and US$ 10.37 billion, respectively, recording a growth of 17 per cent and...
Average alumina spot price expands by RMB3/t; A00 aluminium ingot price grows after its restraint last day
The average alumina spot price has extended growth by RMB 3 per tonne to RMB 2,525 per tonne, according to Shanghai Metals Market. Limited supply of the ore in the market due to lower production at refineries is primarily responsible for the continued growth in the alumina spot price. In the east, the price has also come in at RMB 2,525 per tonne, but after the growth of RMB 5 per tonne. In the central, north, and south, the price has recorded no change. The Australian alumina FOB price has remained restrained as well at US$ 299 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. The A00 aluminium ingot price has also recorded a growth today, followed after a restraint at RMB 13,410 per tonne on the previous day. The SMM data shows the aluminium ingot price has expanded by RMB 20 per tonne to RMB...
AlCircle Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2020
The economic downturn in many regions of the world, particularly in China, combined with trade issues raised by the US, resulted in significant slow-down in aluminium demand in 2019. Contrary to our expectations at the beginning of the year, the demand growth was barely 0.5% in 2019, owing to weak demand from the automobile, building & construction sectors around the globe. The total aluminium usage across the world, comprising primary and recycled metal, was near stagnant at 88.1 million tonnes throughout the year. Towards the year-end, however, the Chinese and the US Governments were moving towards a preliminary agreement. But lack of clarity on resolving the trade issues will leave the aluminium industry in some uncertainty, for at least, during the first half of 2020. While the...
Launched! “Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2020”
AlCircle takes pleasure in announcing that it has launched the second edition of its flagship e-magazine “Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2020” . It is an exclusive e-magazine, whereby top industry leaders from the complete aluminium value chain have shared their views on how the year may transpire for them as an organisation as well as for the industry. They have also shared their business strategies and outlook for the Aluminium Industry to wind up in 2020. The year 2019 was an aftermath of trade wars, restrictive tariffs, sanctions, capacity cuts, and price volatility that impacted the entire aluminium value chain. Incessant drops in aluminium prices and input costs amidst low demand for the metal, both globally and China, were the recurrent scenario throughout the year. <iframe width="500"...
China’s bauxite imports for the first time crossed 100 million tonnes in 2019
According to China customs data, the country in the entire year of 2019 imported 100.66 million tonnes of bauxite, compared to 82.57 million tonnes in 2018. This means the year saw an increase of 21.91 per cent in the import volume, exceeding the 100 million tonnes level for the first time. The Republic of Guinea, Australia, and Indonesia remained the top three bauxite exporters to China, accounting for over 94 per cent of China’s bauxite imports in total. From Guinea, China imported 44.45 million tonnes, up 16.49 per cent year-on-year. Imports from Australia expanded 21.08 per cent to 36.04 million tonnes, as demand from refineries in coastal regions in Shandong and Inner Mongolia held stable and that from northwest China such as Chongqing grew. In the future also, the demand for...
Primary aluminium inventories extend growth over the weekend, but slower than the previous week
On Monday, February 24, the social inventories of primary aluminium extended its growth over the weekend, as demand recovered slowly than expected due to Coronavirus, learned Shanghai Metals Market. The data shows the inventories across eight major Chinese consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, increased 84,000 tonnes from Thursday, February 20, to stand at 1.314 million tonnes, as of Monday. On February 20, the inventories stood at 1.23 million tonnes after building up by 137,000 tonnes over the week. The below chart shows the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: In Wuxi, Shanghai, and Nanhai, the primary aluminium stocks on Monday increased by 35,000 tonnes, 7,000 tonnes, and 42,000 tonnes to stand at 482,000 tonnes, 118,000 tonnes, and...
“2020 will be a year of transition during which producers are likely to behave prudently, looking for productivity gains and decisions based on long term investment strategies” - Louis Bouchard, P. Eng. Executive President, STAS Inc
STAS Inc. is a Canadian company specialised in the development, fabrication and commercialisation of process equipment for the global aluminium industry. Aluminium producers that can benefit from STAS technologies range from primary smelters to secondary foundries to aluminium mills and extruders. In the past 30 years, STAS has achieved the world leadership in supplying equipment and improving aluminium productivity and quality. Let us now hear out from the company’s P.Eng. Executive President, Louis Bouchard, who has shared his projection for the aluminium industry of 2020. He believes this year will be an important year for aluminium equipment supplier. He also thinks leadership and innovation-driven production in the Gulf (GCC) is likely to continue this year as energy resources are...
“The certification from ASI Performance Standard is confirming our efforts and goes hand in hand with Hydro’s ambitions of lifting profitability and driving sustainability” - Hilde Merete Aasheim, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hydro
Norsk Hydro ASA is a Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, headquartered in Oslo. It is one of the largest aluminium companies worldwide, with operations across 50 countries. Starting from bauxite and alumina, Hydro produces low-carbon aluminium, extruded profiles, building systems, precision tubes, rolled products, and casthouse products. Besides, the company has reckoned a name in the industry by offering a variety of services with unmatched capability and knowledge. It currently has 16 ASI certified extrusion and fabrication facilities. We are grateful to have Hydro with us in our flagship e-magazine LeaderSpeak 2020, where the company’s President and CEO Hilde Merete Aasheim has shared about the new plans and strategies for 2020 and also the futuristic view for the time to...
“2020 will definitely be a key milestone in the deployment of the Fives digital solutions in various sectors,” - Mr Sébastien GAUGUIER, Head of Fives, Aluminium Division
Fives is an industrial engineering group specialised in designing, supplying machines, and processing equipment and production lines for the world’s largest industrial groups, including the aluminium, steel, glass, automotive, aerospace, logistics, cement, and energy sectors. Located in nearly 30 countries and with nearly 8,700 employees, it is known for its technological expertise and competence in executing international projects. It is our pleasure to have with us the company’s aluminium business head Mr Sébastien GAUGUIER, who has shared the company’s performance projection and a few thumb rules for sustainable and carbon-free aluminium smelting process in 2020. He has also spoken about the expected impact of digitization in the time to come and the new digital solutions to be...
LME aluminium price recorded a fall of US$10/t; SHFE continued to decline to RMB13,580/t
The US dollar declined last Friday as downbeat US economic data grew concerns that the coronavirus outbreak has taken a toll on the US economy. Three-month LME aluminium pared some losses after it broke down US$ 1,710 per tonne, ending 0.06% lower on the day at US$ 1,711 per tonne. A softened US dollar is expected to keep LME aluminium between US$ 1690 per tonne and US$ 1730 per tonne. As of Friday, February 21, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1676 per tonne after declining significantly by US$ 10 per tonne from the previous day, while LME official settlement price dropped to US$ 1677 per tonne from US$ 1687 per tonne. 3-months bid price came in at US$ 1702 per tonne and 3-months offer price at US$ 1703 per tonne. Dec 21 bid price stood at US$ 1833 per tonne and Dec 21 offer...
Century Aluminium posts a 2% quarterly growth in shipments in Q4 2019; Net sales decreased by 1%
Century Aluminium, on Friday, February 21, announced a 2 per cent quarterly rise in primary aluminium shipments in Q4 2019 and 8 per cent year-on-year growth in the whole of 2019. In Q4, the shipments totalled at 202,870 tonnes compared with 198,543 tonnes in Q3, while that in the entire 2019 came in at 811,244 tonnes in comparison with 749,850 tonnes. The company also mentioned that its net sales in Q4 decreased by 1 per cent from $438 million in Q3 to $435.5 million, primarily attributing to lower LME prices partially offset by higher volume and product premiums. In the whole year also, net sales decreased by 3 per cent from $ 1,893.2 million in 2018 to $1,836.6 million. Century’s net loss in Q4 2019 was $4.8 million or $0.05 per share, while that in the whole year $80.8 million or...
US aluminium scrap imports from Canada grew 7.73% M-o-M, but dropped Y-o-Y by 5.69%
According to the USGS data, the United States aluminium scrap imports from Canada continued to rise in October, totalling at 34,800 tonnes. Month-on-month, the import amount rose by 7.73 per cent or 2,500 tonnes by volume, as the US in September had imported 32,300 tonnes of aluminium scrap from Canada. The import in August was 31,000 tonnes, meaning the month-on-month rise in September was 4.19 per cent or 1,300 tonnes by volume. In August, however, the country had recorded a monthly drop in scrap imports from Canada by about 8 per cent or 2,700 tonnes from 33,700 tonnes in July. Year-on-year, the United States aluminium scrap imports from Canada, however, dropped in October by 5.69 per cent or 2,100 tonnes from 33,700 tonnes during the same period last year. During January-October 2019,...
Aluminium billet inventories further expanded by 22,500t on lower consumptions by end-users
Shanghai Metals Market found a further rise in 6063 aluminium billet inventories across five major consumption areas on Thursday, February 20. According to the data, the stocks rose by 22,500 tonnes over the week to come in at 193,100. On last Thursday, February 13, the billet stocks increased by 23,800 tonnes from February 6 to stand at 170,600 tonnes. The steady arrivals of stocks amidst low consumptions by aluminium end-users due to production curtail or suspension for the epidemic coronavirus outbreak boosted the billet stocks. The below chart indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across the major Chinese cities in more details: In Foshan and Wuxi, the inventories this week rose by 6,100 tonnes and 12,300 tonnes to stand at 72,500 tonnes and 41,300 tonnes,...
Average alumina spot price rallies by RMB7/t, while A00 aluminium ingot price extends drop by RMB50/t
The average alumina spot price in China has further rallied by RMB 7 per tonne to RMB 2,510 per tonne, on Friday, February 21, according to Shanghai Metals Market. This marks the fourth consecutive rise in the alumina spot price. With the continued growth, the price stands higher by RMB 56 per tonne month-on-month. In the north and central China, the price has gained by RMB 10 per tonne and RMB 5 per tonne to RMB 2,530 per tonne and RMB 2,515 per tonne, but in the east and south the price has remained restrained at RMB 2,510 per tonne and RMB 2,520 per tonne, respectively. The Australian alumina FOB price shows no change on February 21, after a rise yesterday straight from US$ 285 per tonne to US$ 299 per tonne. The incessant growth in Chinese alumina price could be attributed to the...
Chinese Aluminium FRPs operating rates declined 9.22 percentage points in January; February to see the lowest drop in 3 years
Shanghai Metals Market estimates a drop of 10 percentage points in operating rates of aluminium sheet, plate and strip manufacturers in February, to the lowest when compared to the same month in the past three years. The average FRPs operating rates in January declined by 9.22 percentage points month-on-month and 2.6 percentage points year-on-year to 62.3 per cent in January. Large-scale producers saw a decrease of 9.84 percentage points, while medium and small-scale manufacturers witnessed a plunge of 9.25 and 11.72 percentage points, respectively. Most of the producers remained shut a week more than previously expected due to the coronavirus outbreak, as they could not resume operation unless the local authorities approved. But still the producers saw their capacity utilisation rates...
Ten Alcoa facilities receive ASI Certification under Performance & Chain of Custody Standard
Alcoa, on Wednesday, February 19, announced that it received certification from Aluminium Stewardship Initiative under ASI Performance Standard and also Chain of Custody Standard. The company said Mosjøen smelting facility received certification against ASI Performance Standard, while the 10 other facilities in Australia, Canada, Spain, and Norway, including bauxite mining operations, alumina refining facilities, and smelting facilities received ASI CoC Standard certification. ASI has the industry’s most comprehensive system for third-party certification of sustainable manufacturing processes. The ASI Performance Standard defines the environmental, social, and governance principles and criteria, aiming to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. The CoC Standard...
Three-month LME rallied to US$1,725/t amidst US dollar hike to three-year high; SHFE decreased by US$8/t
The US dollar rose on Wednesday to near a three-year high against a basket of other currencies, as a decline in the number of new coronavirus cases in China and expectations for more stimulus measures boosted investors’ appetite for risk. Three-month LME aluminium rallied after fell to a session low of US$ 1,710 per tonne, ending up 0.2 per cent on the day at US$ 1,725 per tonne. Both open interest and transaction volumes shrank. A strong US dollar is likely to keep LME aluminium between US$ 1,710 per tonne to US$ 1,750 per tonne today, February 20. As of Wednesday, February 19, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1684 per tonne after rising by US$ 3.5 per tonne from US$ 1680.5 per tonne on the previous day, while LME official settlement price rose from US$ 1681 per tonne to US$...
