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.
Aluminium plates, sheets and strips import by Saudi Arabia to decline in 2019 after three years of growth
The global export-import data shows that after a year-on-year rise in Saudi Arabia’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import last year, the country this year is likely to see a drop of 16 per cent to 89,966 tonnes. In 2018, Saudi Arabia's import was approximately at 106,936 tonnes, up 29 per cent from 83,053 tonnes in 2017. In 2016, the import amount was at around 59,353 tonnes, which indicates that the import volume had recorded a rise in 2017 as well, by about 40 per cent. As far as the import cost is concerned, Saudi Arabia’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips import is estimated to be valued lower than the previous year, in tandem with the drop in import volume. Compared with US$491 million in 2018, the country’s import cost this year is likely to come in at US$ 317 million, down...
Automobile industry should focus on electric vehicles manufacture, says Nitin Gadkari
Urging the Indian automobile industry to focus on manufacturing electric vehicles, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, said on Wednesday: “We have to make India the global hub of electric automobile manufacturing. This is difficult but not impossible.” The automotive industry should focus on the indigenous development of technology as well, opined the union minister at the launch of Bajaj Auto’s first electric scooter. But while encouraging for the development of electric vehicles, Gadkari did not miss to assure the automobile industry that there is no ban on petrol and diesel vehicles. He only pointed out that India’s fuel import bill touched INR 7 lakh crore, which is a big amount for India’s economy. According to him, the consumer in the future would...
Aluminium or steel water cans may replace plastic bottles in Indian trains if Modi cabinet approves
According to a recent report, aluminium or steel water cans may replace plastic water bottles in Indian railways if the cabinet ministry approves a consumer affairs ministry proposal. As per the report, the cans would be initially offered to railway passengers, especially on premium trains such as Tejas Express and Vande Bharat Express. Government officials familiar with the matter said that the consumer affairs ministry is in talks with the Steel Authority of India (SAIL) to produce steel cans in two of the most common grades of food-grade stainless steel - 18/8 and 18/10, also known as Type 304. “We are in talks with SAIL for making water bottles/cans for the railways’ Rail Neer brand. These will be initially offered to passengers aboard premium trains such as Tejas Express and Vande...
A00 aluminium ingot price increases for the third day in a row on decline in output and stock
On the news of China’s primary aluminium output dip by 1.6 per cent from a year ago to 2.9 million tonnes in September, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the price of A00 aluminium ingot has recorded a further rise of RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 14,000 tonnes, as on Friday, October 18, found Shanghai Metals Market. This marks the third consecutive rise ranging between RMB 13,770 per tonne and RMB 14,000 per tonne. Significant decline in primary aluminium inventories by 61,000 tonnes to 916,000 tonnes over the week ended on Thursday, October 17, could also be attributed to the growth in A00 aluminium ingot price. The average prices of aluminium ingot today are expected to range between RMB 13,980 per tonne and RMB 14,020 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a...
Jack Aluminium partners with Geze UK to create an automatic sliding door system
According to a recent report, commercial aluminium systems specialist Jack Aluminium has partnered with Geze UK to create the first PAS24 approved automatic sliding door system. Designed to fill a gap in the healthcare and care home sectors where residents and care teams need the convenience of sliding doors and also where safety and security are of utmost importance, this new system would use Jack Aluminium’s JD47 Non-thermal Door & Shopfront system and Geze’s bespoke hardware. Jeff Pearson, Sales & Marketing Director at Jack Aluminium Systems, explained: “We knew from talking to customers that there was a real market for an automatic sliding door system that could meet the high levels of security that these healthcare facilities need.” He also said, “This new product resolves this issue...
Belgium’s aluminium cans import from Germany likely to drop 27% in 2019, while from Netherlands to rise 47%
According to the global export-import data, aluminium cans import into Belgium from Germany is estimated to come in at 7,494 tonnes in 2019, compared with 10,327 tonnes in 2018. This means this year is likely to see a downfall of 27 per cent in Belgium’s aluminium cans import from the previous year. In 2018 as well, Belgium’s aluminium cans import from Germany was lesser than that of 2017, as the import volume in the latter year was at about 11,338 tonnes. This indicates a year-on-year drop of 9 per cent in 2018. From the Netherlands, on the other hand, Belgium’s aluminium cans import is likely to record year-on-year growth. From 9064 tonnes in 2018, the volume is expected to increase to 13,337 tonnes, up 47 per cent. But in the last year, the import volume was down by about 23 per cent...
Rebound in downstream aluminium consumption lowers aluminium billet inventories by 7,600t
Shanghai Metals Market found that 6063 aluminium billet stocks, across five major consumption areas in China, have recorded a decline by 7,600 tonnes to 129,200 tonnes on Thursday, October 17, followed by two consecutive rises after the Chinese National Day holiday. Recovering consumption is one of the reasons for this decline, according to SMM. Since the Chinese market resumed after the National Day holiday, aluminium billet inventories were found increased by 35,400 tonnes and then 1,600 tonnes to come in at 136,800 tonnes, as of last Thursday, October 10. The chart below indicates the current status of aluminium billet inventories across China in more details: The inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu have dropped by 3,300 tonnes to stand at 19,200 tonnes, while that in Huzhou, Zhejiang; and...
Ball Corporation plans to build $200 million aluminium cups manufacturing facility in Georgia
Ball Corporation is planning to build its first dedicated aluminium cups manufacturing facility in Georgia, according to a recent report. The facility will be adjacent to the company’s existing aluminium beverage can manufacturing plant and is expected to ramp up production in the fourth quarter of 2020. The report states the facility will be worth around $200 million and create jobs for 145 new employees (approx.). “We’re increasingly hearing from customers and consumers that they want to do the right thing for the environment, and they need more options,” said John Hayes, Ball chief executive officer. “This product launch is aligned with our ‘Drive for 10’ strategy and is another step in innovating to serve unmet needs. Using our years of experience and specialised expertise, we are...
Chinese secondary aluminium operating rates continued to grow in September 2019
Shanghai Metals Market found that Chinese secondary aluminium producers, primarily in northern Chinese provinces, such as Hebei, Shandong and Henan, continued to ramp up operation in September for fulfilling orders in advance as they were required to close for up to 10 days around the National Day in early October. SMM survey data shows the operating rates rose to 60.69 per cent in September, up 2.44 percentage points from August 2019 and 4.23 percentage points from the September 2018. A rebound in downstream demand also helped drive the operating rates amidst overall low inventories of raw materials and finished products at secondary aluminium producers. Also increasing orders at secondary aluminium producers in Chongqing in September triggered the rise in operation. Orders increased as...
France’s bauxite import from Guinea to rise 9% YoY in 2019
According to the global export-import data, France’s bauxite import from Guinea is likely to rise this year after a drop in 2018. The data shows the estimated volume of import in 2019 may come in at 1.09 million tonnes, compared with 1 million tonnes in 2018. This means France’s bauxite import from Guinea is expected grow by 9 per cent year-on-year. Last year, the country’s import volume from Guinea stood lower by about 7.4 per cent YoY, as France had imported 1.08 million tonnes of bauxite from Guinea in 2017. In 2016, France’s import from Guinea was approximately at 503,900 tonnes, which represents a year-on-year jump of about 114 per cent in 2017. Along with the growth in import volume, France’s bauxite import cost from Guinea is also likely to increase in 2019 from US$28 million in...
LME aluminium extends decline on Monday for the second day in a row; SHFE recovered from earlier losses
The US dollar rebounded slightly against a basket of other currencies on Monday, after touching a three-week low on Friday, as details of the partial trade deal between the US and China remained hazy and investors fretted about the ongoing twists and turns on Britain’s exit from the European Union. LME base metals, except for copper, closed lower on Monday. SHFE aluminium gained 0.2%. Three-month LME aluminium dropped to a one-week low of US$1,710 per tonne on Monday, before it recovered some ground to finish the trading day 0.17% lower at US$1,719 per tonne. A rally in the US dollar weighed on base metals on Monday. LME aluminium is expected to trade between US$1,700-1,740 per tonne today. As on October 14, Monday, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stood at US$ 1704 per tonne, LME official...
Texarkana Aluminum receives a $94,987.74 check from SWEPCO for upgrading lighting at its mill
Texarkana Aluminum, a fully-integrated aluminium rolling mill in North America, has reportedly received an incentive check of $94,987.74 from Southwestern Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) for an energy efficient lighting initiative. The mill has installed more than 200 LED fixtures, which involved more planning and work than simply replacing bulbs. The project team concentrated on areas of the mill that were dark at the floor level with high bay lighting. Calum Donnachie, Texarkana Aluminum's COO, said: We're always looking for ways to improve upon how we operate, even down to the light bulb. This is just one example that will not only positively impact our bottom line, but also positively impact our work environment." According to the mill, the SWEPCO incentive will help cover some of the...
Weak demand for primary aluminium in China continues to result in A00 aluminium ingot price fall
The A00 aluminium ingot price has further shrunk by RMB 30 per tonne to come as low as RMB 13,770 per tonne, as of October 15, found Shanghai Metals Market. This marks the fourth consecutive fall since October 10, representing the lowest price in the last two months. During the same period in August, the price was at RMB 14,190 per tonne and in September RMB 14,400 per tonne. So, the price today stands lower by RMB 420 per tonne from the corresponding period in August and by RMB 630 per tonne from that in September. According to SMM, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,750 per tonne and RMB 13,790 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 10-50 per tonne. Weak demand for primary aluminium in the downstream sector and high stock arrivals in...
Primary aluminium inventories in China resume a downward trend; Stocks are at 945,000 tonnes
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the social inventories of primary aluminium have resumed a downward trend over the weekend ended on Monday, October 14, followed by an increase in the first week after the National Day holiday. As per the data, the inventories across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, have declined by about 32,000 tonnes from 977,000 tonnes on last Thursday, October 10, to come in at 945,000 tonnes, as of October 14. Lower arrival of stocks or increasing purchase among downstream manufacturers could be a reason for the decline of the inventories. The chart below shows the current status of primary aluminium inventories in more details: The primary aluminium inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu; Nanhai, Guangdong; and Gongyi, Henan have decreased by 14,000...
Germany’s aluminium powder and flakes import from Austria to grow 14% in 2019 and from Russia to drop 37%
Germany’s aluminium powder and flakes import from Austria has been found incessantly rising since 2016, according to the global export-import data. But from Russia, the import has been found declining over the past two years. In 2016, Germany’s import from Austria was approximately at 2,811 tonnes, which in the next year jumped by about 170 per cent to 7,596 tonnes. The trend continued in 2018 as well when Germany imported around 11,333 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes from Austria, up 49 per cent year on year. This year the global export-import data estimates Germany’s import volume from Austria to rise by 14.49 per cent to come in at 12,976 tonnes. From Russia, Germany’s aluminium powder and flakes import is likely to continue to decline this year from 11,059 tonnes in 2018 to...
IOC developing metal-air batteries from indigenous metals; In talks with Hindalco to source aluminium
Indian state government-owned oil and gas company, Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOC), is reportedly developing metal-air batteries that will produce energy by oxidising metals such as iron, zinc and aluminium. This is to forestall dependence on lithium imports once electric vehicles and renewable energy projects take off in a big way, said IOC chairman Sanjiv Singh. These batteries cannot be recharged, but motorists can replace plates to power them almost instantly, eliminating the need for charging infrastructure. Besides, the metal-air batteries have high energy density. If a normal lithium-ion battery can travel the vehicle up to 300 km, these batteries can take it to 500 km. The cost-effectiveness of these batteries will, however, depend on the scale of operation. Also, the...
Alba’s aluminium production and sales volume in Q3 2019 rose 53% and 51% YoY
The production and sales report of Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) for the third quarter of 2019 reveals that the company’s aluminium production topped 385,396 tonnes, up 53 per cent from 251,472 tonnes in the same period last year. Sales volume grew 51 per cent year-on-year to stand at 376,025 tonnes, compared with 248,970 tonnes in Q3 2018. For the nine months of 2019, Alba’s report reveals that the production rose 26 per cent from 762,952 tonnes in the same period of 2018 to 963,830 tonnes, while sales volume increased to 945,067 tonnes after rising by 26 per cent as well from 750,202 tonnes in the nine months of 2018. CEO of Alba, Ali Al Baqali, said: “With the double-digit growth in our Production and Sales’ Volume, we are set for a strong finish to 2019. This year is proving to be...
Gill Schmid unveils its latest 80 metre superyacht concept featuring steel hull and aluminium superstructure
According to a recent report, New York-based studio Gill Schmid has released the initial details of its latest superyacht concept, an 80 meter hybrid explorer. It is a hybrid between functional explorer and luxurious superyacht, said the studio. The superyacht is designed with a steel Ice Class hull and aluminium superstructure in collaboration with Tim Dempers Studio. Key features of the yacht include a spacious helideck with a gym, beauty salon, lounging areas fore and aft flanked by an outdoor Jacuzzi. The exterior would be mirror glazed reflecting the outdoor environment. The yacht is also equipped with an A-frame crane capable of launching a plethora of tenders and toys, including a 12-metre limousine tender, Jet Skis, and two Triton-built submarines. The accommodation capacity of...
