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.
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...
LME aluminium continued to increase on low opening stocks and dollar price; SHFE aluminium edged down
The US dollar edged lower against a basket its rivals on Monday, holding near a one-month high after last Friday’s jump on data that confirmed the US economy is holding up well. Moves were slight and volumes thin as Lunar New Year approaches in Asia and with US markets closed for Martin Luther King day on Monday. Three-month LME aluminium advanced 0.64 per cent on Monday to end at US$ 1,817 per tonne, its highest close in two weeks. It is expected to trade between US$1,790-1,825 per tonne today. LME aluminium cash (bid) price, on January 20, inched up to US$ 1806.00 per tonne from US$ 1795.5 per tonne on January 17, while LME official settlement price increased to US$ 1807.00 per tonne from US$ 1796 per tonne. 3-months bid price rose to US$ 1813.00 per tonne and 3-months offer price US$...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) receives Certification against ASI Performance Standard
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has reportedly secured ASI Performance Certification for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of aluminium while remaining committed towards environmental, social, and governance performance. The ASI certification covers the production and marketing of primary aluminium, alumina, calcination of petroleum coke, water desalination, anode manufacturing, smelting, casting, and captive power generation. Alba’s audit for ASI Certification covered the Alba Calciner and Alba Smelter and was carried out by DNV GL. The aluminium company in 2019 became the world’s largest smelter outside of China for its Line 6 expansion project. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said “Sincere congratulations to Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) on achieving ASI...
Why buy "Aluminium Industry Recap 2019: A Look Back at the Global Aluminium Value Chain" report?
AlCircle’s “Aluminium Industry Recap 2019” brings to you an opportunity to look back at the key developments in the year gone by. Although the year 2019 was an aftermath of trade wars, restrictive tariffs, sanctions, capacity cuts and price volatility that impacted the entire aluminium value chain, a few key expansions and developments of new projects marked the year eventful. To start with, EGA’s first bauxite project in Guinea, Rio Tinto’s commissioning of Amrun bauxite mine and, the beginning of mining and screening operations at Australian Bauxite Limited’s Bald Hill mine was some of the notable developments in the upstream sector, resulting in an increase in bauxite production all over the globe. But due to the surplus production, the global price of the ore remained sluggish, which...
JNARDDC develops a low-cost process for the production of high-purity alumina
According to a recent report, Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC), Nagpur has invented a low-cost process of producing 3N purity alumina (99.9%) at lab scale. The focus is on preparing the alpha phase of 3N pure nano-alumina at lowermost possible temperature. High purity nano-alumina finds extensive applications in translucent tubes for high-pressure sodium lamps, single crystal materials, high-strength ceramic tools and abrasives for magnetic tape, among others. <iframe width="550" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZBYZ6BQmf0M" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Sponsored by Department of Science and Technology (DST) New Delhi, the project found...
Primary aluminium inventories record speedy growth on Monday, resulting in sharp A00 aluminium ingot price decline
Aluminium inventories in China grew over the weekend by 21,000 tonnes, in contrast to 20,000 tonnes in the whole last week ended on January 16. Concentrated arrivals of stocks in some regions and weakening consumption as the world gears up for the Lunar New Year holidays were the two important factors for the faster growth as of today, found Shanghai Metals Market. SMM data showed the inventories increased to 651,000 tonnes across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants as of Monday, January 20. In Wuxi, Nanhai, Hangzhou, and Tianjin, the inventories have increased by 12,000 tonnes, 7,000 tonnes, 6,000 tonnes, 1,000 tonnes over the weekend to stand at 213,000 tonnes, 139,000 tonnes, 72,000, and 58,000 tonnes respectively. In Shanghai, Chongqing, and Gongyi,...
Alcoa to continue operating its aluminium smelter in Victoria, at least till mid-2021
Alcoa will reportedly continue operating its aluminium smelter in Victoria, despite a significant net global loss last year. According to the report, while Alcoa reported a $1.12 billion net global loss in 2019, the smelter received $200 million in Australian government subsidies as part of a four-year packaging ending in 2021. President Roy Harvey reasoned the loss saying “Australia has one of the highest energy price markets on the planet.” Alcoa is its Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Results said that it expects some benefits from the lower costs of raw materials in 2020, but at the same time presumes the benefits to be offset by “higher energy costs, lower rolled products shipments, and unfavourable price and mix.” Alcoa recently sold its waste treatment facility in Gum Springs,...
LME aluminium recorded relentless hikes this week on incessant stock decline; SHFE aluminium showed a steady trend
After a little ease last week, on Friday, January 10, on the news of the Trump administration imposing fresh sanctions on Iran and weaker-than-expected US jobs data, the US dollar on Monday, January 13, began the week steadily and continued to remain so the next day. However, on Wednesday and Thursday, January 15 and 16, it fell to a one-week low, as the US and China signed a deal to roll back some tariffs. Three-month LME aluminium began the week retreating to its lowest in more than a week at US$ 1,788.5 per tonne. LME aluminium gave back all the gains from the previous two days, as was expected to trade between US$ 1,780 per tonne and US$ 1,810/ per tonne on January 14. On January 15, LME aluminium closed higher at US$1,778.5 per tonne, while three-month LME aluminium ended at US$1,800...
