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.
China’s aluminium processing industry PMI rebounds above 50% due to momentous gain in demand & production
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s comprehensive Purchasing Manager Index (PMI) for the aluminium processing industry rebounded in September above the 50 mark since May. It recorded a month-on-month surge of 18.1 per cent, driven by the PMIs of aluminium plate/sheet and strip, aluminium foil, industrial aluminium extrusion, primary aluminium alloy, and secondary aluminium alloy. All the sectors mentioned above registered PMIs above 60 per cent, signalling positive growth in the manufacturing and service sectors. As per SMM’s data, China’s average PMI for the aluminium processing industry stood at 61.7 per cent, withstanding a weak PMI level in the construction aluminium extrusion sector. Demand improvement for industrial extrusion products, especially in photovoltaic and...
Iran’ primary aluminium output demonstrates a 1% drop during March-August period
According to Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development & Renovation (IMIDRO), aluminium production in Iran through the first five months of Iranian calendar year (from March 20 to August 21) totalled 264,617 tonnes, compared to 267,983 tonnes during the corresponding period of the previous year. Until the fourth month, the output was 221,409 tonnes, meaning the production in the fifth month amounted to 43,208 tonnes. The year-to-date output of FY2025 has primarily been contributed by four major producers, namely South Aluminium Corporation (SALCO), Iranian Aluminium Company (IRALCO), Almahdi Aluminium Company, and Iran Aluminium Company. Among those producers, SALCO produced 111,521 tonnes of ingots in the first five months, followed by IRALCO churning out 73,182 tonnes. Almahdi...
Hydro appoints two new unit presidents for aluminium extrusion units in Europe and North America
Norsk Hydro has announced the appointment of Erik Fossum and Jeff Lehman as unit president of aluminium extrusion units in Europe and North America. Extrusion Europe is the largest business unit in Hydro Extrusions, with 8,300 employees. Extrusion North America is the second largest unit, with 5,600 employees and revenues of EUR 5.4 billion last year. Erik Fossum is succeeding Bruno D’hondt in his new position after serving several management roles in Hydro since 1995, including seven years as head of the company’s primary aluminium commercial team. He also led Hydro Extrusions’ Precision Tubing unit, which focuses on heat transfer applications for the automotive and HVAC industries. Before being appointed as a unit president of Hydro Extrusions North America, Jeff Lehman has served Hydro...
China market resumes with a bullish trend, marking an alumina price surge of RMB16/t
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China’s domestic alumina market has resumed after a week-long National Day holiday with a price surge of RMB 16 per tonne to stand at RMB 4,108 per tonne as of Tuesday, October 8. With the latest rise, China’s domestic alumina price has recorded a month-on-month hike of 4.32 per cent from RMB 3,938 per tonne, and year-on-year, the price has skyrocketed by 38.55 per cent from RMB 2,965 per tonne. The price hike has unanimously touched upon all the major alumina consumption areas in China, resulting in prices above RMB 4,000 per tonne. In Shandong and Henan, the domestic alumina prices have amounted to RMB 4,070 per tonne and RMB 4,100 per tonne, experiencing an increase of RMB 20 per tonne. In Shanxi and Guizhou, the prices have heightened by RMB 15...
H1 2024: US aluminium crude metal and alloy imports decline due to less contribution by UAE and Australia
In the first half of 2024, the United States aluminium crude metal and alloy imports recorded a year-on-year decline of 7.04 per cent. Although the import volume increased Q-o-Q in the June quarter, it was not enough to offset the total deterioration of H1. From 911,000 tonnes in Q1, the United States aluminium crude metal and alloy imports rose to 940,000 tonnes in Q2, marking a gain of 3.18 per cent. Year-on-year, the import volume in the second quarter edged a decline of 16.59 per cent from 1.127 million tonnes, which primarily resulted in a downward trajectory through H1 2024. The year-on-year growth in the United States Q1 imports of about 5.8 per cent (from 861,000 tonnes to 911,000 tonnes) was too little to mitigate the overall downturn. According to the US Geological Survey, the...
Africa & Asia’s alumina production rebounds by 1.32% in August 2024
Alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) rebounded in August 2024 after a drop the previous month. The output, as per the International Aluminium Institute survey, recovered by 1.32 per cent M-o-M, a testament to the industry's stability, even though it did not reach the production level achieved in June. The same is true with the daily average output, as it rose in August by 500 tonnes after a fall in July but still lagged behind June production. However, despite the drop in Africa & Asia's alumina production during July 2024, the output by a whisker reached above 1.2 million tonnes. In the said month, the production decreased by 1.95 per cent M-o-M to 1.209 million tonnes. According to IAI data, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during August 2024 amounted to 1.225...
Metro Mining’s bauxite shipment breaks earlier month’s record by 8% and sets a new high in September 2024
In September 2024, Metro Mining’s bauxite shipment from Bauxite Hills Mine in Queensland recorded a new monthly high of 780,000 tonnes, up 8 per cent from 720,000 tonnes in August 2024 . Year-on-year, the shipment in September marked an increase of 35 per cent. The surge in monthly shipment could be attributed to the operations beyond the nameplate capacity of the wobbler screening circuit and offshore floating terminal (OFT) Ikamba. OFT Ikamba offloading rates have increased to an average of 1,800 tonnes per hour, with a peak of 2,500 tonnes per hour. Metro Mining reported that its total shipments in the third quarter amounted to 2.13 million tonnes, bringing the year-to-date volume to 3.65 million tonnes. These volumes are in line with the company’s annual shipping target of 6 to 6.4...
Alro launches a new facility to advance precision cutting for complex aluminium products
Alro Slatina, one of the biggest aluminium companies in Romania and Europe, has commissioned a new cutting-edge aluminium processing facility, Cutsmart Systems, which has fed on an investment of RON 13.7 million (EUR 2.7 million). The new facility, equipped with advanced, cutting-edge technologies, will boost the efficiency of Alro's unique precision cutting technique to meet more complex design specifications of aluminium products from end-user sectors like aerospace, automotive, and electronics. Cutsmart Systems is capable of handling high-volume production with precise and flawless output, allowing Alro to maintain its dedication to providing value-added services to clients. Marin Cilianu, Alro's Chief Executive Officer, said: "This facility will not only expand our capabilities but...
Vedanta reports the highest-ever quarterly and half-yearly aluminium production for FY2025
On Friday, October 4, Vedanta Limited announced its second quarter and H1 results for FY2024-25 ended September 30, revealing the highest-ever quarterly and half-yearly aluminium production. In H1 FY2025, Vedanta's aluminium production totalled 1.205 million tonnes, following an output of 609,000 tonnes in Q2, up by 2.18 per cent from 596,000 tonnes in Q1 FY2025. Year-on-year, Vedanta's aluminium production in Q2 FY2025 experienced an increase of 2.53 per cent from 594,000 tonnes. In the full-year FY2023-24, Vedanta's aluminium production amounted to 2.37 million tonnes, up by 3 per cent Y-o-Y. Upon continuing the ongoing trend of aluminium production for the rest of the fiscal year FY2025, the company's metal output will exceed the prior year's level at the end of the year. Vedanta...
Top five destinations of the United States aluminium exports during H1 2024
The United States of America, with an impressive economic size of US$26.95 trillion (as of 2023), ranks among the world’s leading aluminium producers, consumers, and exporters. Based on AL Circle’s research, the United States is the second-largest producer of aluminium extrusion and scrap and the fifth-largest manufacturer of cast aluminium products. According to Statista, the United States aluminium consumption reached 4 million tonnes in 2023, while the US Geological Survey reported exports of 3.29 million tonnes (including scrap). Now that the United States’ H1 2024 export data is revealed, it is evident that the country is seeing a consistent growth trajectory in its aluminium export volume over the years. In the first half of 2024 ended June 30, the United States exported 1.77...
Climate Week NYC hosts key aluminium industry leaders over discussions on decarbonisation and sustainability
Decarbonisation across the global aluminium value chain was a keynote at Climate Week NYC. To discuss the topic, industry leaders convened and highlighted the importance of technological innovation, responsible stewardship, and cross-sector collaboration. Amid these discussions, they also addressed regional disparities in recycling, energy access, and regulatory frameworks. In a panel hosted by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), the executives pointed out that the leadership needs to encourage the peers to discover an economically viable transformation pathway for decarbonisation. Key points raised were opportunities for collaboration, shared challenges, and policy improvements to meet the sustainability goal. The panel underscored that aluminium as a metal has immense potential...
Rio Tinto completes the acquisition of 11.65% stake in Boyne Smelters Limited
On Monday, September 30, Rio Tinto announced the completion of acquiring another 11.65 per cent interest in Mitsubishi Corporation-owned Boyne Smelters Limited (BSL). The latter owns and operates Boyne Island aluminium smelter in Gladstone, Australia. Following the latest acquisition, Rio Tinto owns 71.04 per cent of interest in Boyne Smelters Limited. Rio Tinto is keen to continue working with its BSL joint venture partners and other stakeholders to attain a low-carbon future within the aluminium supply chain in Gladstone. Rio Tinto’s other acquisitions, such as Sumitomo Chemical Company’s 2.46 per cent stake in Boyne Smelters Limited and Sumitomo’s 20.64 per cent interest in New Zealand Aluminium Smelters (NZAS), are in progress. Rio’s acquisition of Mitsubishi’s stake in BSL is for an...
ANTAM and INALUM’s Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery Mempawah Project witnesses the first bauxite injection phase
PT Aneka Tambang, an Indonesian mining company, has begun the first bauxite injection phase at its Smelter Grade Alumina Refinery Mempawah Project. The company says this phase initiates the commissioning of the project, which is a joint effort between PT Aneka Tambang, popularly known as ANTAM, and PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium, recognised as INALUM. The inauguration of the first bauxite injection was on September 29, 2024, in presence of several officials, including Minister Erick Thohir, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia, and directors and commissioners. As per the understanding between the two firms, ANTAM will supply bauxite to the project from its mines in West Kalimantan. The project with alumina production target of 1 million tonnes will require 3.3 million...
US includes aluminium solar racking rails into final anti-dumping duty determinations
In the final determinations concerning the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations for aluminium extrusion imports, the U.S. Department of Commerce has named fourteen countries that have sold, dumped, and subsidised aluminium extrusions into the United States, violating international trade rules. Those countries include China, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. For violating trade rules, all the countries above have faced anti-dumping duties at rates ranging from 2.02 per cent to 376.85 per cent and countervailing duties at rates ranging from 1.44 per cent to 168.81 per cent. The duties are imposed on aluminium extruded products , including solar panel racking rails,...
Europe’s primary aluminium production sees a 5% growth in August on risen profitability due to LME price rally
In August 2024, primary aluminium production in Europe continued to grow , reaching a new high. Month-on-month, the output increased by 2,000 tonnes or 0.34 per cent, while year-on-year surged by 29,000 tonnes or 5.1 per cent, supported equally by Russia & Eastern Europe and Western & Central Europe. According to the data revealed by the International Aluminium Institute, primary aluminium production across Europe amounted to 597,000 tonnes during August 2024, compared to 595,000 tonnes in July 2024 and 568,000 tonnes in August 2023. Of the total European output in August, Russia & Eastern Europe contributed 354,000 tonnes, accounting for 59.3 per cent, and Western & Central Europe contributed 243,000 tonnes, accounting for 40.7 per cent. Production trend in Russia & Eastern Europe On a...
Assan Alüminyum sets 2050 net zero roadmap, targets 7 tonnes CO2e/t reduction by 2030
Assan Alüminyum, a leading manufacturer in the flat-rolled aluminium sector, in its recently published "Decarbonization Roadmap 2050", has highlighted its commitment and action plans towards the 2050 net zero carbon emissions goal. Assan Alüminyum has mentioned its sequential strategy towards achieving the net zero goals. To begin with, it aims to curb its present carbon footprint to 7 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne by 2030, then to 3 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne by 2035, and eventually to reach net zero by 2050. Action plans towards the goal As one of Europe's largest aluminium foil producers, the company is steadfast about its sustainability efforts and thus has started making significant investments to drive green projects worth $100 million. The projects include energy and...
Rusal expects supply-demand gap to narrow following the market resurgence on Chinese stimulus
On Monday, September 30, at LME week 2024, Rusal expressed its confidence that the ongoing supply-demand gap in the global aluminium market would narrow shortly and reach balance by the end of 2025. This optimism follows a market upturn buoyed by the Chinese stimulus programme, leading to a demand boost. On Monday, September 30, Chinese stocks jumped to the highest in a single day in the past sixteen years, with domestic A-shares registering their highest-ever turnover. The CSI300 blue-chip index is up by nearly 30 per cent from the February trough, heading to a bullish market. The stimulus package declared last week included relaxation on property market rules in major cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzen to encourage investments in the real estate sector, reduction in mortgage...
China’s aluminium extrusion exports gain M-o-M in August, with India replacing Vietnam as the highest export destination
According to China customs data, the country's aluminium extrusion exports (HS code: 76041010, 76041090, 76042100, 76042910, 76042990) gained month-on-month in August 2024 after facing a significant decline in the previous month. Growing by 9.85 per cent over a month, China's exports stood at 99,100 tonnes in August versus 90,300 tonnes in July, dramatically down M-o-M by 74.8 per cent . Year-on-year, China's export volume in August 2024 increased by 7.69 per cent, attributed to new orders for extruded construction materials like balcony railings. In the previous month, China's customs department found a drastic fall in export orders due to anti-dumping measures imposed by the United States. Among the export provinces, Guangdong, Shandong, and Jiangsu remained the top three, with Shandong...
