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.
Maan Aluminium is the only Indian aluminium extrusion exporter with a 0% dumping rate
On Friday, September 27, the United States Department of Commerce announced its final verdict in relation to the anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations for aluminium extrusion dumping from several countries, including India. In the verdict, the department named Maan Aluminium as the only Indian exporter with a zero rate of anti-dumping duty. Maan Aluminium Limited, a leader in the aluminium extrusion industry in India, has successfully escaped the United States’ anti-dumping duty, receiving a 0 per cent dumping rate recognition, unlike other Indian companies. Global Aluminium, Aluka Extrusions, and Jindal Aluminium have been assigned a dumping rate of 39.05 per cent. The zero anti-dumping duty means Maan Aluminium will not have to pay additional tariffs to the United States...
_0_0.PNG)
World alumina production hits this year’s new high driven by gains in South America, Europe and Africa & Asia (ex-China)
The world's alumina production in August 2024 maintained a robust monthly record, increasing slightly from 12.511 million tonnes in July. Thanks to the growing alumina output in Africa & Asia (ex-China), South America, and Europe (including Russia) that drove the world's production, offsetting a drop in Oceania and North America. For the fourth consecutive month in 2024, the world's alumina output consistently stood above 12 million tonnes. However, according to a year-on-year calculation, the output dropped from 12.517 million tonnes. Nonetheless, the world's total alumina production during January-August stood 2.08 per cent higher annually, from 94.9 million tonnes to 96.878 million tonnes, buoyed by consistent Y-o-Y growth in output through July 2024. According to the International...
Alcoa’s Portland aluminium smelter signs new deal with AGL Energy for additional 287 MW of power
Alcoa of Australia Limited has entered into a long-term power agreement with AGL Energy for additional electricity supply for its Portland aluminium smelter in Portland, Victoria. As per the contract signed, AGL Energy Limited, Australia’s leading energy company with electricity, gas, solar, and renewable power services, will supply an additional 287 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Portland smelter until June 30, 2035. AGL also agreed to supply 300 megawatts of electricity to Alcoa’s Portland smelter under the renewed agreement in August 2023. Both the agreements are slated to come into effect on July 1, 2026, providing total 587 megawatts of power to the smelter, which is also owned by CITIC and Marubeni Aluminium Australia. Established in 1986, Portland aluminium smelter is a joint...
Open arbitrage window and risen domestic demand propel China’s primary aluminium imports to a monthly high
China’s primary aluminium imports recorded month-on-month and year-on-year increases in August 2024, while exports showed a downtrend, suggesting an impressive domestic demand for the primary metal over the rest of the world. China’s domestic aluminium processing enterprises have received new orders that require primary aluminium for production prior to the implementation of tariffs by many countries on Chinese aluminium. Lower aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange than on the Shanghai Futures Exchange could also be linked to China’s higher imports as the wide price gap led domestic downstream manufacturers to source raw materials from abroad, whilst overseas manufacturers refrained from sourcing Chinese metal. According to the General Administration of Customs, China’s primary...
World primary aluminium production declines from record high but is offset by major producing regions
In August 2024, the Oceania region played a critical role in driving the world’s primary aluminium production. In tandem with a month-on-month drop in the region’s primary aluminium production, the world’s output decreased from the record high level but was largely offset by stable production volume in other parts of the world. With the decrease in primary aluminium production across the Oceania region, its contribution to the global output dipped from 2.62 per cent in July to 2.49 per cent in August 2024. According to the International Aluminium Institute, the world’s primary aluminium production in August 2024 slipped from its record high, standing at 6.179 million tonnes versus 6.185 million tonnes in July. However, on a year-on-year basis, the output stood impressively high at 1.2 per...
Vedanta Aluminium to fastrack coal transportation with the new Sardega-Bhalumuda rail project
On Friday, September 20, Vedanta Aluminium officially confirmed that the new 37-km long Sardega-Bhalumuda rail project connecting Odisha and Chhattisgarh, once operational, would establish a smooth and faster transportation of coal from the company’s mines. Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved three railway projects, including Sardega-Bhalumuda New Double Line. The transition from road transportation to railways for coal shipment from Vedanta’s Jamkhani and Ghogharpalli captive mines in Odisha will significantly reduce carbon footprint and also expenditure associated with logistics. Coal is an integral raw material for primary aluminium production. It is used in two ways: coal tar pitch, which is used to...
China's bauxite imports in August surpass previous record despite drop in Australian arrivals
China's bauxite imports have set a new monthly high for August 2024, exceeding the previous month's record by marking M-o-M increase of 3.64 per cent and year-on-year surge of 34.23 per cent. China incessantly ramped up its bauxite import by volume, taking advantage of lower imported prices compared to domestic rates. In August, while the domestic average price was US$89.24 per tonne, the imported price was US$75.77 per tonne, marking a difference of US$13.47 per tonne. According to the General Administration of Customs, China imported 15.546 million tonnes of bauxite in August 2024 versus 15.0007 million tonnes in July. From January to August, China's total bauxite imports amounted to 107.8974 million tonnes, up by 11.8 per cent Y-o-Y. Leading import sources Guinea, Australia, Turkey,...
Saudi Arabia aims to establish a strong presence in the aluminium industry through Alba
Saudi Arabia has reiterated its strong interest in enhancing its presence in the metals and mining sector, aiming to turn it into a third pillar of the kingdom’s economy. A key part of this strategy includes acquiring control over Bahrain’s aluminium smelter and accumulating assets in global companies. Previously, Saudi Arabia expressed a similar interest asserting its aim to become a key global hub for metal production . In line with this future goal, the state-owned Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Ma’aden, has recently signed a series of deals this week, including buying a 20.62 per cent stake in Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) from Saudi Basic Industries Corp. (SABIC) for over $1 billion. Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has put the aluminium industry as the...
South America’s alumina production dips below 1 MT in July 2024 as an impact of bearish output at Alunorte refinery in Q2
According to the International Aluminium Institute (IAI), alumina production in the Americas totalled 1.179 million tonnes in July 2024, with 83.88 per cent contribution from South America and 16.12 per cent from North America. Unlike the primary aluminium sector, South America dominates the alumina industry over North America. South America’s production and analysis However, South America’s alumina production in July saw a dip from this year’s highest output in the previous month. Recording a fall of 5.36 per cent, South America’s alumina production in July stood at 989,000 tonnes versus 1.045 million tonnes in June. July was the second month this year when South America’s alumina output volume stood below the 1 million tonnes level. In February, the production volume was 975,000 tonnes,...
Aerosol can deliveries show positive growth in H1 2024 fueled by sustainability goals and higher GDP per capita
The International Organisation of Aluminium Aerosol Container Manufacturers, popularly known as AEROBAL, reveals its latest survey showing a significant increase in global deliveries from its members in the first half of 2024. According to the survey, the deliveries grew across all the major packaging industries, driven by strong demand, particularly from the cosmetic industry. Products like deodorants and hairsprays reported a growth of 7 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively, in aluminium container deliveries. The food sector also recorded a strong market, securing 12 per cent more aluminium containers in H1 2024 than in the corresponding period of the previous year. Deliveries to the pharmaceutical sector grew by around 3 per cent. AEROBAL suggests deodorants and perfumes are the...
China demonstrates an uptrend in aluminium exports and imports for August 2024, suggesting a demand recovery
In August 2024, China’s imports and exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products increased, suggesting an increase in domestic production and a gradual recovery in demand aligned with a ramp-up in overseas orders for Chinese aluminium semis. Overview of August imports According to the General Customs data, China’s unwrought aluminium and aluminium product imports in August saw a significant month-on-month hike of 7.69 per cent, while that on a year-on-year basis witnessed a growth of 1.9 per cent. As per the Customs data, China imported 280,000 tonnes of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products in August 2024, compared to 260,000 tonnes imported in July. Thus, the total imports in the first eight months of 2024 amounted to 2.58 million tonnes, up by 51 per cent from the...
Versalux adopts Capral’s low-carbon aluminium LocAl®, setting a unique sustainability goal in the lighting industry
Versalux, a pioneer in bringing state-of-the-art lighting systems to the Australian market, is scaling up its sustainability drive by adopting locally sourced low-carbon aluminium from Capral Aluminium, Australia's largest extruder and distributor of industry-leading aluminium products. Embracing Capral's low-carbon aluminium LocAl® represents Versalux's commitment to environmental stewardship and decarbonising commercial buildings to combat climate change. In addition, this move also sets a positive example for the lighting industry in terms of working towards producing sustainable products. Versalux has adopted Capral aluminium for two popular lighting products – INFINITI and VERSATUBE. INFINITI is a modern luminaire solution designed for mounting in long lengths. It is exclusively...
Aston Martin receives £6 million in funding for revolutionising sustainable aluminium castings
Aston Martin, a British manufacturer of luxury sports cars and grand tourers, is set to advance its sustainability efforts with £6 million in funding from the UK Government for an innovative project focused on developing lightweight, sustainable aluminium castings for future vehicles. The luxury sports car brand has obtained funding for its Project PIVOT through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) following a competitive process. Project PIVOT is a collaborative five-partner research and development project led by an England-based aluminium supplier, Sarginsons, and supported by Aston Martin. This project seeks to achieve a new milestone in the global casting industry by modernising designs, reducing weight, and significantly curbing carbon emissions while producing cast aluminium....
Century Aluminum resumes alumina shipment operations at its Jamalco Rocky Point port
On Tuesday, September 17, Century Aluminum, a global primary aluminium producer with operations in the United States, announced the resumption of normal shipping operations of alumina at Jamalco’s Rocky Point port after the completion of the repair work of damages caused by devastative cyclone Hurricane Beryl. The news came after Century’s President and CEO Jesse Gary said, “I want to thank our entire Jamalco team who rose to the occasion following Hurricane Beryl and successfully completed these repairs safely and with a disciplined focus on execution.” Century’s Jamalco alumina refinery was back to full operation within less than two weeks after recovering from the impact of Hurricane Beryl, which took place on July 3, bringing intense winds and heavy rains. In Iceland, Century Aluminum...
Aluminium stocks at Japanese ports drop 9% Y-o-Y in August, highlighting ongoing supply issues in Asia
Aluminium stocks at Japan’s three major ports – Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka decreased year-on-year, indicating persistent supply constraints in Asia. Compared to 360,700 tonnes at the end of August 2023, stocks in August 2024 recorded a sharp fall of 9.26 per cent, showed Marubeni Corporation, a major Japanese integrated trading and investment business conglomerate. Nonetheless, the stocks hovered above 300,000 tonnes, marking a month-on-month increase of 9.25 per cent from 299,600 tonnes. According to the data shared by Marubeni, Japanese aluminium stocks at the end of August 2024 stood at 327,300 tonnes. Stocks at three ports At Yokohama, aluminium stocks at the end of August 2024 stood at 152,000 tonnes, down by 8,000 tonnes or 5 per cent from 160,000 tonnes in August 2023. In...
Italy backs European Commission’s proposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports
Italy has extended its support to the European Commission's proposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicle imports, said Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani in an interview on Monday, September 16, before meeting China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. Tajani asserted, "We support the duties that the EU Commission proposes to protect the competitiveness of our companies." Minister Wang Wentao has visited Rome for discussions over the European Commission's proposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. He held talks with Tajani, but no statement from the Italian foreign ministry made direct reference to EV tariffs. Tajani said they discussed protecting intellectual property, trade in the agri-food sector, and investments. Wang will have another round of discussions with the European...
Akfa Aluminium’s 'B+/B' credit rating reflects strong future leveraging Uzbekistan’s global industrial position
Akfa Aluminium, Uzbekistan's leading manufacturer of aluminium and PVC profiles, has reportedly received 'B+/B' long and short-term issuer credit ratings from S&P Global for demonstrating a stable outlook in the Central Asian market. In 2023, Akfa emerged as the largest producer of aluminium and PVC profiles in Uzbekistan and Central Asia, with a sales figure of UZS 4.3 trillion (approx. $347 million). The company, with its revenue and business size, controls 62 per cent of aluminium profiles market and 55 per cent of PVC profiles market in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan, a Central Asian country, is gradually taking a key position in the world with its industrial developments. According to the survey revealed by the Institute of Macroeconomic and Regional Research (IMRI), industrial production in...
LME aluminium price leaps by US$100/t overnight on lower inventories, weaker dollar and Fed rate cut hopes
On Monday, September 16, the LME aluminium benchmark price witnessed a leap of US$100 per tonne, reaching above US$2,500 per tonne after precisely three weeks. Only over a night, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price shot up by US$100.50 per tonne and US$100 per tonne to stand at US$2,504.50 per tonne and US$2,505 per tonne, respectively. According to various analyses, the prices rose through key resistance levels – 1) lower inventories, 2) a weaker dollar, and 3) expectations that the US Federal Reserve will announce a bigger rate cut. With the latest cut, the LME aluminium benchmark price demonstrated a month-on-month increase of US$211.50 per tonne from US$2,293.50 per tonne. On the same day, the 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price arrived at...
