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 inched up by US$1 per tonne amidst steady US dollar; SHFE aluminium narrowed by 0.32%
The US dollar held steady against a basket its rivals on Tuesday, while sterling was the weakest performer after tepid growth increased the likelihood that the Bank of England will cut interest rates this month. Three-month LME aluminium retreated to its lowest in more than a week at US$ 1,788.5 per tonne in European trading hours, before it recovered some ground to close the trading day 0.77 per cent weaker at US$ 1,798 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. LME aluminium cash (bid) price, on January 14, came in at US$ 1767 per tonne, while LME official settlement price at US$ 1767.5 per tonne. 3-months bid price rose to US$ 1796 per tonne and 3-months offer...
Audubon selects Corsicana in Texas for its second aluminium scrap sorting facility
Audubon Metals LLC, located in Henderson, Kentucky, has reportedly selected the city of Corsicana in Texas for building its second aluminium scrap sorting and aluminium alloys production facility. This project is Audubon’s old plan. In 2016, the company had negotiated with Bexar County in Texas to set up the plant there. However, according to the recent report, Audubon has now reached an agreement with officials in Corsicana and Navarro County, Texas, to build the facility there by investing $50 million. Audubon President Brian Hawkes said that as per the agreement, the 95-acre facility is to be located at Highway 31 Industrial Park in Corsicana, employing approximately 100 personnel. Although sever permits are yet to be obtained for building the facility but if construction proceeds as...
China’s new-vehicle market contracted in 2019 for the second consecutive year; Sales declined 8.2%
China’s new-vehicle market contracted in 2019 for the second consecutive year as weak economy and prolonged trade war with the United States continued to supress demand. According to China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), new-vehicle sales declined 8.2 per cent to just below 25.8 million units. Sales of new car and light truck as well as of commercial vehicles, including buses and trucks, also fell by 9.6 per cent and 11 per cent respectively to below 21.5 million units and 4.3 million tonnes in the whole year of 2019, CAAM showed. Shi Jianhua, a senior official at CAAM, commented, "We have moved away from the high-speed development stage. We have to accept the reality of low-speed development." He added, "We had high-speed growth for a consecutive 28 years, which was...
Guinea’s bauxite exports to continue to grow by 3% in 2020 driven by new investments and expansions
Guinea’s bauxite-aluminum industry is undergoing a significant expansion of investment, concession agreements, and in-country mining and refining operations. Emirates Global Aluminium's Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) project is likely to boost the industry further, being one of the largest Greenfield investments in Guinea in the last 40 years, involving US$1.4 billion for the development. In August 2019, the first bauxite ore exports from GAC had taken place, marking the completion of EGA’s strategic upstream expansion in the aluminium value chain. So, with all these new investments and expansions in Guinea, the country is more likely to record a growth in bauxite exports. According to the international trade data, Guinea in 2020 is expected to export 66.15 million tonnes, up 3 per cent...
Vedanta Ltd SEZ Unit in Jharsugda gets ISO 50001:2011 certification for energy-efficient aluminium production
According to a recent report, Vedanta Limited, Jharsugda’s Special Economic Zone unit (Plant 2) has received the coveted certification of ISO 50001:2011 (Energy Management System), with effect from December 19, for energy-efficient production and supply of primary aluminium, aluminium ingots, and wire rods and billets. ISO 50001 encourages and supports organizations in all sectors to use energy more efficiently through the development of an energy management system (EnMS). On receiving the certification, Mr. CN Singh, CEO – Vedanta Ltd., Jharsuguda said, “As India’s largest producer of primary aluminium, we work diligently to ensure that our operations strive for global benchmarks in sustainability indices. The ISO 50001 certification is a testimony to the company’s vision to create and...
A00 aluminium ingot price extends decline by RMB100/t on rising inventory trend; Aluminium alloy (A356) price drops too
After a rise of 14,000 tonnes in primary aluminium inventories on Monday, January 13, the A00 aluminium ingot price has further recorded a decline of RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 14,300 per tonne, as of January 14, according to Shanghai Metals Market. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,280 per tonne and RMB 14,320 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a discount price of RMB 20-160 per tonne. Foshan, Gongyi, and Chongqing have witnessed the highest plunge of RMB 120 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,280 per tonne, RMB 14,340 per tonne, and RMB 14,100 per tonne respectively. Wuxi, Shenyang, and Linyi have seen a drop of RMB 110 per tonne and RMB 100 per tonne to RMB 14,240 per tonne, RMB 14,290 per tonne, and RMB 14,310 per tonne. In Hangzhou and Tianjin, the price has...
Alba’s ACEO Ali Al Baqali conducts his first Annual Majlis 2020 to set whole year project plan
Alba’s Acting Chief Executive Officer (ACEO) Ali Al Baqali held his first Annual Majlis today, Monday, January 13. Today’s was the first session of the many to be held over the week for Alba’s Executive Management, Directors, Management and employees from various departments at the Alba Oasis Hall. The Annual Majlis is a platform wherein the company’s ACEO communicates with the employees and engages with the workforce whose primary interests revolve around the aluminium industry and its contribution to Bahrain. Speaking to the audience at the Annual Majlis 2020, the ACEO Ali Al Baqali said: “At a time when the only constant in life is change, we as a Company must have the right preparedness to adapt to the changes amidst market uncertainty. As we set Alba’s 2020 Expectations – Safety...
New and restarted smelting projects to boost China’s primary aluminium production by 3.4% in 2020
Shanghai Metals Market expects China’s primary aluminium production to be rebounded banking on new or recommenced smelting projects, while consumption to gather some pace with anticipated recovery in the automobile industry and building and construction sector. In 2020, China’s primary aluminium production is anticipated to come in at 36.64 million tonnes growing by 3.4 per cent year-on-year, while consumption at 36.19 million tonnes rising 0.3 per cent. In terms of social inventories, the level of 1 million tonnes is unlikely to be broken around the Chinese New Year holiday during January-February. Between March and May also, the stocks are less likely to record a substantial growth or decline given a traditional high consumption season and supply expansion. June onwards, the inventories...
Primary aluminium inventories increase by 14,000 tonnes after a week of restraint
After remaining restrained at 610,000 tonnes last week, the social inventories of primary aluminium on Monday, January 13, increased by 14,000 tonnes across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, to stand at 624,000 tonnes, according to Shanghai Metals Market. Rise in primary aluminium inventories was last on January 2 by 18,000 tonnes to 610,000 tonnes, followed by the previous growth of 2,000 tonnes to 594,000 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: In Wuxi, Gongyi, Hangzhou, Tianjin, and Chongqing, the inventories have increased by 5,000 tonnes, 7,000 tonnes, and 1,000 tonnes from last Thursday, January 9, to stand at 197,000 tonnes, 56,000 tonnes, 60,000 tonnes, and 14,000 tonnes...
Apple to use Daisy robot for recycling minerals used in iPhone
For reducing the dependence on the mining industry for recycling, Apple Inc. will reportedly use a new technology called Daisy robot that will disassemble iPhone parts to recover and reuse the minerals used in making products. Apple says the robot is part of the plan to make the manufacturing process closed-loop which would stop the company from relying on the mining industry. Lisa Jackson, Apple’s head of environment, policy and social, however, clarifies that the company has no competition with the miners and the latter should not fear in this development. Inside a nondescript warehouse on the outskirts of Austin, Texas, Daisy robot breaks apart iPhones so that 14 minerals, including lithium, can be extracted and recycled. Less than 20 yards in length, the robot follows four-step...
LME aluminium price records a drop of US$0.50/t, while SHFE grows by US$10/t
The US dollar eased against a basket its rivals on Friday, as investors digested the news of the US imposing fresh sanctions on Iran and weaker-than-expected US jobs data. As on Friday January 10, LME aluminium cash (bid) price continued to drop to stand at US$1770 per tonne, while LME official settlement price to US$1770.50 per tonne after inching down from US$1771 per tonne on January 9. 3-months bid price also decreased to US$ 1797.50 per tonne and 3-months offer price US$ 1798 per tonne. Dec 20 bid price clocked at US$ 1935 per tonne and Dec 20 offer price at US$ 1940 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock further declined to 1410675 tonnes, compared with 1425575 tonnes on January 9. Live Warrants totalled at 797175 tonnes and Cancelled Warrants 613500 tonnes. LME aluminium...
EGA and INALUM sign MoU for licensing UAE-developed EGA technology and developing Greenfield aluminium smelter
Emirates Global Aluminium and PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (INALUM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for licensing the UAE-developed EGA technology to INALUM, upgrading an existing INALUM smelter, and developing a new aluminium smelter in Indonesia. The MoU was signed by Abdulla Kalban, Managing Director of EGA, and Orias Petrus Moedak, President Director of INALUM and exchanged in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, and His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia. Under the MoU, EGA and INALUM will also evaluate the potential to form a joint venture to develop a Greenfield aluminium smelter in Indonesia, contributing services related to...
Rahul Sharma, Vedanta Alumina Business CEO, receives recognition as Business Icon of the Year
Rahul Sharma, CEO of Vedanta’s Alumina Business, has received an award for ‘Business Icon of the Year’ from one of the leading newspapers in Odisha called Samaya. The award is in recognition of Mr Sharma’s enormous contribution towards India’s metals and mining industry and for his crucial role in the development of the sector through business excellence. He is also a key proponent of sustainable mining and exploration and has been instrumental in driving India’s metals and mineral policy and leading development of policy frameworks through the adoption of global best practices. Rahul Sharma leads the alumina business for Vedanta, providing strategic guidance to the aluminium business and introducing best-in-class operational practices to scale-up Vedanta’s world-class alumina refinery in...
Aluworks urges Ghana government to stop low-quality aluminium imports
Aluworks Limited, an aluminium continuous casting and cold rolling mill located at Ghana, has reportedly urged the government to stop aluminium imports of inferior country, in a bid to protect the local aluminium industry. The Managing Director of the company Kwasi Okoh said the government must implement stricter laws to prevent aluminium companies from importing cheap and low-quality aluminium. He pointed out Chinese companies in Ghana often charge lower prices for goods, which gives an ample opportunity to China to dump goods into Ghana at cheaper costs than in their own country. Mr. Okoh explained prices in China include freight costs, paying landing cost to clear, and also the cost of transportation to the sellers. All these costs together increase the prices of the goods, resulting...
Dajcor Aluminium to recruit 200 employees for its first U.S. operation
Dajcor Aluminium Limited, the leading Canadian supplier of extruded, fabricated/machined and anodized aluminium components and assemblies, is reportedly looking for qualified candidates for die correctors and polishers for its first U.S. operation near Hazard, Gov. Matt Bevin. The company is in need of mechanically sound candidates who will be able to meet all the job requirements, as per the report. Trish Adams, Industry Liason for Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) said, "They really want the core team to have had some type of manufacturing experience or some type of manufacturing knowledge. Of course, they'll be able to do some on the job training with them as needed." The factory plans to recruit over 200 new positions over the period of time. It says, "As...
China's new energy vehicle sales growth rate sharply dropped to 5.1% in 2019, shows CPCA
China in 2019 saw a sharp fall in the growth of new energy vehicle sales, revealed the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA). The reason for this has been attributed to Beijing’s subsidy cut to wean the sector off government support. On Thursday, January 9, CPCA data showed new energy passenger vehicle sales totalled at 1.06 million in China in 2019 in terms of wholesale volume, up 5.1 per cent from 2018. In contrast to this, new energy passenger vehicle sales in 2018 had recorded a year-on-year increase of 88.5 per cent to 1.01 million units. In December 2019, wholesale sales of new energy passenger vehicles in China soared 73.5 per cent month-on-month to 135,700 units, revealed CPCA. But year-on-year, the sales declined by 15.1 per cent. China’s retail sales of passenger vehicles also...
LME aluminium continued to drop as US dollar increased for the third day in a row; SHFE extended growth
The US dollar increased for a third straight day to two-week highs against a basket its rivals on Thursday; investor sentiment improved on the back of easing US-Iran tensions and ahead of the signing of the phase one US-China trade deal. Three-month LME aluminium rallied to an intraday high of US$1,817 per tonne on Thursday, before it gave back much of those gains to close just 0.19 per cent higher at US$ 1,804 per tonne. It was likely to move at US$1,790-1,820 per tonne. As on Thursday, January 9, LME aluminium cash (bid) price dropped marginally from US$ 1771.50 per tonne to US$1770.50 per tonne, while LME official settlement price to US$1771 after inching down from US$1771.50 per tonne on January 8. 3-months bid price stood at US$ 1799 per tonne and 3-months offer price US$ 1799.50 per...
Alumina price in China grows by RMB9/t after week-long restraint; A00 aluminium price marks third rise in a row
After remaining restrained for a week at RMB 2,437 per tonne, the average alumina spot price has recorded an increase today, on January 10, of RMB 9 per tonne to RMB 2,446 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. The alumina price in the east, central, and north has climbed up by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 2,440 per tonne and RMB 2,460 per tonne respectively, while that in the south has remained unchanged at RMB 2,520 per tonne. The Australian alumina FOB price has dropped, on the other hand, by RMB 2 per tonne to RMB 278 per tonne. On the rise of alumina spot price, the A00 aluminium ingot price has registered a growth as well of RMB 60 per tonne to RMB 14,530 per tonne, marking the third rise in a row, according to SMM. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,510 per tonne...
