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.
Vedanta’s alumina cost falls to a two-year low on increased coal and bauxite supplies
Improved availability of coal from linked mines and robust output of around 1 million tonnes per annum from Vedanta’s captive Chotia block has helped the company achieve cost competitiveness in the manufacture of alumina. According to a report, Vedanta’s alumina cost at Odisha’s Lanjigarh refinery fell to a two-year low of $284 per tonne by the end of June 2019, down 17 per cent year-on-year. Increased production of alumina was one of the primary reasons, which was at the highest point ever, showing a spike of 37 per cent Y-o-Y. Materialisation of linked coal improved from 66 per cent in FY2019 to 72 per cent by the end of Q1 FY20. Higher local bauxite sourcing also aided Vedanta’s efforts to trim the production cost of alumina. Under a long-term linkage arrangement with the Odisha Mining...
Rusal’s bauxite production records a QoQ decline of 6.9% in Q3 2019
United Company Rusal in its third-quarter result of 2019 reports a decline of 6.9 per cent in bauxite production from 4,242 thousand tonnes in Q2 2019 to 3,948 thousand tonnes. In the first nine months of the year, the company, as per the report, produced 12,021 thousand tonnes of bauxite, compared with 10,128 thousand tonnes during the same period last year. This means the bauxite output grew 18.7 per cent year-on-year in the nine months of 2019. The production of alumina also grew in the third quarter of the year from 1,918 thousand tonnes in Q2 2019 to 1,957 thousand tonnes in Q3 2019, up 2.1 per cent quarter-on-quarter. With this, the total production in the nine months of 2019 amounted to 5,808 thousand tonnes, up 0.1 per cent from 5,816 thousand tonnes in the same period last year....
Rusal’s aluminium sales increased by 0.8% QoQ in Q3 2019 and production rose by 0.4%
United Company Rusal has reportedly announced its third-quarter result, which reveals only a small quarterly rise in aluminium sales, pressured by a weak metal market. Compared to the second quarter 2019, Rusal’s aluminium sales in the third quarter ended on September 30 increased by 0.8 per cent to amount to 1,091 thousand tonnes, while the production totalled at 942 thousand tonnes, up 0.4 per cent quarter-on-quarter. In Q2 2019, the sales were at 1,082 thousand tonnes and the production at 938 thousand tonnes. Rusal’s total sales of aluminium in the first nine months of the year clocked at 3,069 thousand tonnes, up 9.8 per cent from 2,794 thousand tonnes in the same period last year. But the production in the nine months remained flat at 2,809 thousand tonnes, compared with 2,810...
A00 aluminium ingot price in China remains restrained and so the input costs
Followed by the rise in the last two days, the A00 aluminium ingot price today, on October 25, has decided to end the week with restraint, as found by Shanghai Metals Market. The price has continued to remain at RMB 13,990 per tonne, with average expected prices to range between RMB 13,970 per tonne and RMB 14,010 per tonne. The spot contract is likely to be traded at a premium price of RMB 80-120 per tonne, according to SMM data. However, in many cities in China, the ingot price has recorded a drop. For instance, in Wuxi, Shenyang, Foshan, and Tianjin, the ingot price has inched down by RMB 15 per tonne and RMB 10 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,985 per tonne, RMB 13,945 per tonne, RMB 13,930 per tonne, and RMB 13,960 per tonne, respectively. In Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Gongyi, the price...
Rimowa adds two bright hues of suitcases to its Original aluminium collection
The German luggage manufacturer Rimowa never fails to mesmerise its patrons with its quirky innovation, and this time a bunch of colourful suitcases added to its Original aluminium collection. Inspired by the bright feathers of the scarlet ibis bird of Colombia’s and Venezuela’s tropical grasslands, and the vivid blue of the Mediterranean Sea, Rimowa’s new Original aluminium collection is now available in two fresh hues – scarlet and marine. The new line is made in the same way as Rimowa’s silver version, using a combination of anodising processes to inject directly into the suitcase’s skin to yield a result that is rich and metallic. The new shades are available in cabin, check-in and trunk plus sizes starting at all Rimowa stores. The price tag they carry is HK$8,350 (US$1,064). The...
Proposed strike by engineering workers at Aughinish Alumina refinery suspended
A proposed strike by engineering workers at Aughinish Alumina refinery, which was due to take place this week, has been temporarily stopped, as the dispute is referred to the Labour Court. The suspension notice came after High Court proceedings, initiated by Murphy International Ltd (MIL) against the trade union Unite, got settled following out of court talks between the parties. MIL had filed a lawsuit in the Republic of Ireland’s High Court late last week to prevent the strike, which the company claimed could result in the cessation of the refinery. MIL secured permission to serve short notice of proceedings against Unite. The injunction application was due to be heard by the High Court today. Meanwhile, out of court talks between the legal teams from both sides resulted in the...
Further decline in primary aluminium inventories by 34,000t lifts A00 aluminium ingot price in China
Social inventories of primary aluminium have further extended decline this week, marking the second consecutive week-on-week fall, found Shanghai Metals Market. Data shows the stocks across eight major consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, decreased by 34,000 tonnes from a week ago to stand at 882,000 tonnes, as of Thursday, October 24. The below chart indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: October 10 was the last day when the social inventories of primary aluminium had increased in China by 8,000 tonnes on greater cargo arrival. Post that, the inventories started recording incessant drops. On last Thursday, October 17, they declined by 61,000 tonnes to come in at 916,000 tonnes. This shows the decline was higher last...
China issues second set of aluminium scrap import quotas for Q4
Beijing, in the late last week, reportedly issued the second set of metal scrap import quotas for the fourth quarter of 2019, sharply reducing the permissible quantity. As per the report, China’s Solid Waste and Chemical Management Centre will allow 44,935 tonnes more of 7602000090 aluminium scrap into its ports during the fourth quarter, bringing the total allowable imports to 77,875 tonnes. This amount is significantly below the 274,955 tonnes of imported aluminium scrap allowed into the Middle Kingdom in the previous quarter. These quotas are for delivery to the ports of Ningbo, Nanhai and Nansha. The decline in import quotas is estimated to continue to affect the country’s aluminium scrap market, especially thanks to weak inventories and stable orders by secondary aluminium producers....
Malaysia’s export of aluminium bar rods and profiles to continue to rise in 2019; Vietnam to be the top importer after 2016
According to the global export-import data, the export of aluminium bar rods and profiles by Malaysia is expected to grow this year by 58 per cent to stand at 84,069 tonnes. In 2018 as well, the export volume had grown by about 44 per cent to come in at 53,253 tonnes. Only in 2017, the volume was year-on-year down to 37,001 tonnes, compared with 69,236 tonnes in 2016, showed the international data. After 2016, Vietnam is expected to be the top importer of aluminium bar rods and profiles from Malaysia this year by securing 22,616 tonnes. In 2017 and 2018, Australia was the leading export destination for Malaysia. In 2017, Australia had imported 10,116 tonnes, while that in 2018 13,428 tonnes, up 33 per cent year-on-year. In 2016, Vietnam had sourced 48,757 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and...
“Aluminium Industry 4.0: Drivers & Change Makers”: Know how it performed within a month
We are glad to share the performance metrics of our second quarterly e-magazine “Aluminium Industry 4.0: Drivers & Change Makers” . Not even a month yet since the magazine launched, but we are already overwhelmed with stupendous responses arriving from every nook and corner of the world. And thanks to the power of digital media where every outcome is measurable and transparent, we are delighted to find how our magazine has created a buzz over the internet. We are extremely glad to inform you that the magazine has already reached 19,592 viewers across 92 countries and achieved 105,472 hits in total. The average time spent by a user on the magazine is 9 minutes and 16 seconds, with a direct reach of 1498. Besides, it has earmarked a notable performance on social media. While on Facebook, it...
Rio to conduct strategic review of New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter to determine future profitability
According to a report on October 23, the global miner Rio Tinto Limited has flagged a possibility to close production at its New Zealand’s Aluminium Smelter (NZAS), citing weakness in the aluminium market and high energy costs. NZAS is a joint venture between Rio Tinto (79.36%) and Sumitomo Chemical Company Limited (20.64%), with almost 1000 employees at the present. The company said it would conduct a strategic review of the smelter to determine the operation’s ongoing viability and competitive position. It will even explore options and try to identify economically viable solutions to find a pathway to profitability and for that, it said it would hold discussions with the Government of New Zealand and energy providers. By 2020, the review is expected to be concluded. “We expect the short...
Aditya Aluminium installs new solar power plant in Sambalpur for smelting process
According to a recent report, the metal unit of Aditya Birla Group, Aditya Aluminium, has built a 24-MW solar power plant worth INR 151 crore at Lapanga in Sambalpur district. Spread across 144 acres of ash-filled land, the plant is expected to contribute to the State Government’s goal of generating 2,750 MW of renewable energy, including 2,200 MW solar power by 2022. The power to be produced from the installed plant will be utilised in aluminium smelting process. Smelters require a consistent load network and uninterrupted power supply. The load requirement of Aditya Aluminium is also as high as 658 MW. The green energy to be generated at the new plant will act as an incentive for the firm, said Aditya Aluminium head Kailash Pandey. But power fluctuations are very common in solar plants...
Log 9 Materials receives a $3.5 million funding for aluminium fuel batteries development
The trial conducted by 25-year-old Akshay Singhal on his electric car Mahindra e2o Plus to run on water and aluminium had done several round ups on the internet last year, and now its receipt of a $3.5 million funding is drawing attention. The news came on Monday, October 21, when the company Log 9 Materials announced that it received the funding in Series A round led by Exfinity Venture Partners and Sequoia Capital India’s accelerator programme Surge. According to the report, this funding will be used for product development, and commercial and industrial deployment of aluminium fuel cell, which the company has been working on since last year. Aluminium fuel cells are aluminium-air batteries that produce electricity from oxygen and aluminium reaction, and the technology used is similar...
Alumex introduces new aluminium product range comprising of wall systems, windows and doors
Alumex PLC, the aluminium extrusions subsidiary of Sri Lanka’s Hayleys group, has reportedly unveiled a new aluminium product range for the Sri Lankan market. The news came last week after the company announced the introduction of the new product range, which includes unitized curtail wall systems, windows, doors, and sliding systems. Launched under the umbrella of Alumex Building Systems (ABS) and accredited by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the products are designed for high-rise buildings and engineered in a way to be able to resist challenging weather conditions. Thanks to a glazing thickness of up to 24 mm. Alumex PLC Managing Director Pramuk Dediwela said, “The introduction of Alumex Building Systems represents a major milestone for the Sri Lankan...
Chinese alumina price declines by RMB19/t after a week-long restraint, A00 aluminium ingot price plunges too
After remaining restrained for the past one week at RMB 2,643 per tonne, the average spot price of alumina has decided to record a movement today, October 22, by falling to RMB 2,624 per tonne, meaning a decline of RMB 19 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. This marks the first drop this month since the Chinese market resumed after its National Day Holiday from October 1st to 7th. As the alumina price rose through the month before remaining restrained for a week, its decline today has not brought it lower than the month ago. Compared with the price in the same period last month, the average spot price of alumina is standing higher by RMB 32 per tonne. In the major Chinese markets, east, central and south, the alumina price has decreased by RMB 10 per tonne to stand at 2,650 per...
GHI sets new aluminium recycling furnace for Latem Aluminium
Latem Aluminium has reportedly received a tilting rotary furnace of 30-tonnes from GHI Smart Furnaces that will recycle aluminium for its new facility in Villadangos, Spain. This new furnace will replace the existing one of 12 tonnes to produce 30,000 of secondary aluminium in a year. It will recover aluminium from low quality scrap and produce a waste of contaminants significantly lower than the traditional models. By 2022, Latem Aluminium is expected to reach an annual production of 45,000 tonnes. Initially, the facility will produce ingots for automotive and other industrial processes but later on, will likely source the raw material used in the lamination process, once the aluminium lamination plant built by Latem in Zamora, Spain enters into service.
Russia’s aluminium wire export to grow 18% in 2019; Belarus to be the highest importer
High cost saving is one of the factors that has been increasingly bolstering the shift from using copper wire to aluminium wire and therefore, the demand for the latter. Considering a transformation cost of US$1,5 per kg for copper and US$ 5 per kg for aluminium, the final cost for the user will be almost similar, but the weight of aluminium is 1/3 of copper. And even considering 10% more consumption of aluminium, saving is approximately 60% of the cost of the coil. {newsStudioGallery} Aluminium wires are widely used in various home electrical appliances, switches, circuit breakers and motors. Beside cost saving and light-weight properties, aluminium wires are corrosion resistant. So, backed on the increasing demand, the exports and imports of aluminium wire have also been found growing...
PNP backing lawsuit against WINDALCO for effluent emission; Wants residents to receive compensation
According to a report on Monday, October 21, The People’s National Party (PNP) is backing legal action against West Indies Alumina Company (WINDALCO) for releasing effluent into the Rio Cobre and contaminating the river, which is a major water source for many residents living on its banks. Dr Fenton Ferguson, the opposition spokesman on Water, Environment and Climate Change, said the opposition is in support of St Catherine North Central’s Member of Parliament Natalie Neita’s attempt for possible legal action against WINDALCO. He also wants the residents around the Rio Cobre river to receive proper and adequate compensation for the damages and inconvenience caused to them due to contamination of water caused by WINDALCO. Ferguson is calling for Darul Vaz as well, who is responsible for...
