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.
A 14% drop is estimated in the Netherlands’ 2020 alumina imports; but the import cost likely to rise
The global trade data suggests a year-on-year drop of 14 per cent in the Netherlands’ total alumina imports in 2020. From 1.45 million tonnes in 2019, the imports at the end of 2020 are likely to come in at 1.24 million tonnes, showed the data. Jamaica is expected to continue as the main exporter to the Netherlands, but the volume to dip from the year last. In contrast to 731,796 tonnes in 2019, Jamaica’s exports to the Netherlands this year are estimated to stand at 571,081 tonnes. This represents a year-on-year decrease of 22 per cent; in tandem with the drop in the Netherlands’ total alumina imports. The country’s imports in 2018 were 1.19 million tonnes after a growth of 2.58 per cent from 1.16 million tonnes in 2017. 2019 also saw an increase in the Netherlands’ alumina imports by...
JW Aluminium to close its St. Louis aluminium foil facility by this mid-year
JW Aluminium, the US-based leading producer of flat-rolled aluminium products, announced on its website early last week that it plans to close its foil plant in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 30, 2020. China’s aluminium semis exports in large and increasing volumes have been held responsible for the closure of the plant, which is likely to affect about 190 employees. JW Aluminium claims that Chinese exports have not only disrupted the markets in the United States but also the world. "This outcome is one we all worked diligently to prevent. However, even with multiple tariffs and duties now in place, it hasn't been enough to overcome the devastating effects of China's market-distorting behaviour," said Lee McCarter, JW Aluminium's chief executive, in a statement. JW Aluminium had acquired the...
Why buy AlCircle’s “Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2020” report?
After recapitulating the aluminium industry market in the year gone by, now it is the time to speculate how the earlier investments, policy changes, and price trend is going to transpire the market this year. This is the reason why AlCircle has recently launched a report “Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2020” , whereby it has shared its forecast and estimation for the entire value chain of the metal. Given the slowdown in aluminium demand and prices due to economic downturn and trade issues raised by the US, industry players and market participants have downwardly revised its forecast. According to them, the industry may face some uncertainty in the first half of 2020 because of the lack of clarity on resolving the trade issues between the United States and China. However, the long-term...
Aluminium stocks at Japan ports dropped 2.2% M-o-M and 1% Y-o-Y in December
After a rise of 0.9 per cent to 321,000 tonnes in November, aluminium stocks at three major Japanese ports at the end of December recorded a drop of 2.2 per cent to 314,000 tonnes, according to Reuters report. In October also the stocks had registered a fall of 2.6 per cent from 326,473 tonnes in September to 318,200 tonnes. Marubeni Corporation data showed the aluminium stocks at Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka in December stood at 160,000 tonnes, 139,000 tonnes, and 15,000 tonnes, respectively. The stocks at Yokohama increased 3.2 per cent month-on-month from 155,000 tonnes and 6.17 per cent year-on-year from 150,700 tonnes. But at Nagoya, the stocks decreased 8 per cent month-on-month as well as year-on-year from 151,200 tonnes and 151,100 tonnes, respectively. At Osaka, however, the...
Arconic’s revenue in Q4 2019 dropped by 2%, while in the whole year rose by about 1%
Arconic, in its quarterly and full-year performance report, has updated that the company’s revenue in the fourth quarter of 2019 came in at $3.4 billion, registering a drop of 2 per cent year on year. However, the organic revenue was up by 1 per cent over the year, noted the company in its report. The operating income and net income were also high at $416 million and $309 million, or $0.70 per share, respectively, compared to $323 million and $218 million, or $0.44 per share, in Q4 2018. Net income excluding special items in Q4 2019 was $234 million, or $0.53 per share, which during the same period in 2018 was $162 million, or $0.33 per share. Also, operating income excluding special items in Q4 2019 recorded a growth of 37 per cent over the year to $444 million, showed Arconic’s report....
Alupro seeks recycle aluminium market development details after PRN price hikes
Alupro, aluminium recycling trade body, has reportedly asked for 2019 recycle aluminium market development assessments in lights of high PRN prices from the Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) system, even though the targets of the year were being met. According to the data, which is, however, to be finalised in March, around 33,000 tonnes of aluminium were recycled in the fourth quarter of FY20, exceeding the yearly target by 3,000 tonnes to 116,000 tonnes. But Alupro explained that even though the target is met, the quarterly data from the Environment Agency in 2019 suggests a significant volume of PRNs being raised out but not issued. “This resulted in inflated PRN prices, peaking at over £500 per tonne and undermining the credibility of aluminium as a material with enviable recycling...
France’s aluminium scrap exports to record a YoY drop of 1.76% in 2020, but revenue to rise by 2.56%
After three years of back-to-back rise, the aluminium scrap exports from France are estimated to see a slight downfall in 2020, found the international trade data. From 533,972 tonnes in 2019, the export amount is likely to dip by 1.76 per cent to 524,574 tonnes. In 2018, France’s aluminium scrap exports were 497,771 tonnes after growing by 7 per cent from 465,461 tonnes in 2017. The data indicate that France’s aluminium scrap exports in 2019 saw a rise of 7.27 per cent. But despite the estimated de-growth in the export amount in 2020, France is expected to yield more revenue than the previous year. Compared to US$429 million in 2019, France is likely to generate US$440 million this year from its aluminium scrap exports, up 2.56 per cent. 2019 had seen a growth of 4.37 per cent in...
Altech: Construction activities of HPA plant in Johor progressing ahead of schedule
Altech Chemicals Limited in its recent media release has updated the current status of the construction activities of its high purity alumina plant site in Johor, Malaysia. The company says the construction of the site’s electrical substation, which started in September 2019, is progressing ahead of schedule. Designed in accordance with the requirements of the local electricity service provider TNB (Tenaga Nasional Berhad), the largest electricity utility in Malaysia, the substation has already obtained required approvals for the structural, mechanical, and electrical elements of the facility. Substation construction is expected to be completed by May 2020. Post-construction, the substation will be turned over to TNB for inspection by its project team ahead of switchgear installation to...
Russia changing vehicle utilisation scheme to stimulate domestic car industry
The Russian Government is reportedly altering the rules of its utilisation scheme, through which it allocates state aid for the reimbursement of fees paid by carmakers. These fees are intended to cover eventual vehicle recycling charges as well. The utilisation programme was introduced in 2014 and that would offer incentives for the exchange of older models, in a bid to increase demand for new cars and stimulate Russia’s car industry. Customers would receive a discount on the purchase of new vehicles if they submitted their old car through the scheme. For the past six years, carmakers have had to pay the utilisation fee for cars built in Russia as well as those assembled from imported semi-knockdown (SKD) kits. Now, the government in Russia has doubled the fee. Carmakers need to pay...
Aluminium wires exports from Bahrain to see a de-growth of 15% in 2020 after back-to-back YoY rises
Aluminium wires, for having characteristics like electrical-conductivity, corrosion-resistance, lightweight, high-strength, and low cost to produce, are nowadays becoming increasingly popular for electrical wiring and in utility grid transmission and distribution networks. Through 2021, the global aluminium wire market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 2 per cent. To support the demand, Bahrain has emerged as one of the world’s largest aluminium wire producers and exporters over the recent decades. Let us here see the country's trend of aluminium wire exports over the last few years and how it is likely to be in this ongoing year. According to the international export-import data, Bahrain in 2020 is likely to export 154,467 tonnes of aluminium wire, of which 34,226 tonnes to Egypt....
Nalco continues to increase its aluminium ingots prices by nearly 1%
National Aluminium Company (NALCO) reportedly continued to increase its aluminium ingots prices by nearly 1 per cent for the second time in the week gone by. After the hike, the prices of ingots came in at INR153,950 per tonne to INR 157,450 per tonne, with effect from Tuesday, January 21. In the previous hike, with effect from January 17, NALCO’s aluminium ingots prices stood at INR 152,650 per tonne to INR 156,150 per tonne . <iframe width="550" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8jkh7f7-bTI" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Like most aluminium producers, Nalco links its prices of aluminium products to the three-month futures of aluminium on London Metal Exchange, which are down over 1%...
Metro holds 70% increase in shipping costs responsible for its declined profit margins
Australian exploration and mining company Metro Mining Limited said that its profit margin per wet metric tonne (wmt) decreased by 36 per cent in the fourth quarter ended on December 31, 2019. According to the company, increased shipping costs over the year by almost 70 per cent are responsible for its profit margin fall. Metro said the shipping costs were higher due to a strengthening ocean freight market. It explained, “There was increased demand and vessels started transitioning towards the use of higher cost, low sulphur fuel as part of new regulations.” The company’s quarterly performance report said the final shipment of the year experienced some issues relating to crane operation, which in turn led to a smaller monthly shipping average for December. In the entire 2019, the company...
UGL bags contract to provide maintenance services to mining clients in W. Australia
CIMIC Group subsidiary UGL has reportedly bagged contracts worth A$180 million to provide services for maintenance, shutdowns, and sustaining capital projects to its mining clients in Western Australia. The services to be provided by UGL will include mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, other access services. The company is set to deliver these services to Alcoa at the Wagerup and Pinjarra sites in West Australia’s Peel region. Besides, it will deliver maintenance, shutdown, and project services for multiple clients within the Bowen Basin of Queensland. CIMIC Group CEO Michael Wright said: “These contract awards demonstrate UGL’s position as a market leader in the Australian mining industry for the delivery of maintenance and mechanical, electrical and instrumentation access...
Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc layoff more than 100 employees
Russian-owned Bauxite Company of Guyana Inc (BCGI) has reportedly layoff more than 100 employees, with effect from January 23, for downsizing its operations as a result of fuel shortage. The news came after the workers of the company’s mining site in Maple Town Aroaima, Region 10, said that they received the notification in the afternoon of the previous day. The notice stated, “We wish to advise that we are forced to reduce operations and lay-off employees due to shortage of fuel.” According to the report, those been sacked will be recalled as soon as the situation stabilises. However, the exact number job loss has not been confirmed by the company’s head office in Georgetown. Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally, when contacted told that she also came to know about the layoffs on...
A00 aluminium ingot price extends decline to RMB14090/t on high inventories and low consumption
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has extended its decline today, on January 22, by RMB 30 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,090 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,070 per tonne and RMB 14,110 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 110 per tonne to RMB 70 per tonne. Over the last three days, the A00 aluminium ingot price in China has seen ceaseless declines right from RMB 14,550 per tonne to RMB 14,090 per tonne, due to which the price of the metal is down by 350 per tonne or 2.42 per cent month-on-month. During the same period last month, the A00 aluminium ingot price was RMB 14,440 per tonne. Rise in primary aluminium inventories over the last two weeks and weak consumption before the Chinese...
Indonesian and Chinese companies sign US$ 695 million contract to build an alumina refinery
According to a recent report, Indonesian state-owned construction firm Pembangunan Perumahan (PP) and China Aluminium International Engineering Corporation Limited (CHALIECO) have signed a contract worth US$ 695 million to build an alumina refinery. As per the report, the refinery is to be constructed at Mempawah in West Kalimantan, as Indonesia moves to add value to its mineral products and create a domestic mining industry value chain. On January 11 in Beijing, the contract was signed with the smelter’s owner, Borneo Alumina Indonesia (BAI). The construction of the refinery, which began in December 2019, is expected to be completed by 2022. Initially, the construction work was expected to start in late 2018 and end in 2021. Borneo Alumina Indonesia (BAI) is a joint venture between the...
Ancher launches aluminium alloy-built earphones ‘Soundbuds Verve’
Anker Innovations, a global leader in technology, has reportedly announced the launch of its newest product - ‘Soundbuds Verve’ earphones that have enhanced sound production with powerful 10mm Composite drivers that delivers impressive audio with clear highs and powerful bass. Made of aluminium alloy, the wires of the microphones are tough but strain relief. Soundbuds Verve ensures perfect fit as well, as it comes with soft silicone EarTips for a customised fit. Also, the product is designed in such a manner that it reduces external distractions and offers improved sound isolation. Durability of the product is high as it is ergonomically designed and is also resilient to wear and tear of everyday use. The entire length of the cable integrates a thermoplastic reinforcement on top, giving...
Vedanta and Nalco hike aluminium ingots prices by 2% and 1% with effect from Friday
Both Vedanta and Nalco have increased their aluminium ingots prices with effect from Friday, January 17. While the former has hiked the price by 2 per cent, the latter has increased it by 1 per cent. So, with the latest price hike, the aluminium ingot price of Vedanta has come in at INR 143,000-156,000 per tonne and that of Nalco INR 152,650- 156,150 per tonne. As considered most of the aluminium producers link their products prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on London Metal Exchange, which has remained flat so far in this quarter, both Vedanta and Nalco have hiked the prices. The aluminium business accounted for a third of Vedanta's consolidated sales in the September quarter. However, operating loss of the segment widened sequentially. In case of Nalco, aluminium products...
