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.
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...
Shell Pakistan introduces aluminium tank Lorries for fuel distribution
In a bid to bringing in some innovation to Pakistan’s energy industry, Shell Pakistan Limited (SPL) has recently introduced aluminium tank Lorries, which will distribute fuel across Pakistan’s improved road network to Shell’s customers. According to the parameters set by National Highway Authority on axle to weight ratio, these aluminium Lorries will enhance efficiency by allowing higher volumes of product to be transported as compared to steel tank Lorries. Besides, they are light-weight and therefore, better for Pakistan’s roads. Also, since aluminium is non-corrosive and negates static charge, the new Lorries will increase safety and security. The aluminium tank Lorries also reduce maintenance cost and improve fuel economy while reducing environmental impact. SPL inaugurated the new...
Vitasoy launches a pilot scheme to recycle paper, polythene and aluminium of Tetra Pak cartons
Hong Kong-based drinks giant Vitasoy has reportedly launched a pilot scheme on Tuesday, October 8, to recycle Tetra Pak cartons that need specialist recycling for having aluminium, polythene and paper layers. The pilot scheme includes recycling bins, workshops, and a mobile education centre, in partnership with Secure Information Disposal Services (SSID), which operates a waste management plant in the city’s Yuen Long district. Recycling bins along with education centre will be placed in more than 75 schools, while learning resources to be circulated in schools as well as housing estates. As part of the programme, the 79 year old company will collaborate with Hong Kong Polytechnic University to organise environmental workshops and work with students in its School of Design to make...
A00 aluminium ingot price extends decline in China due to poor purchase and increasing stocks
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has further declined in China by RMB 30 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,970 per tonne, as of October 11. This marks the second consecutive drop this week, bringing the A00 aluminium ingot price lower by RMB 500 per tonne from a month before. Muted purchase amidst increasing stocks is one of the primary reasons for the decline in aluminium ingot price. After the increase in inventories by 75,000 tonnes on Tuesday, October 8, the stocks further rose on October 10 by 8,000 tonnes to come in at 977,000 tonnes. The average prices of aluminium ingot today are expected to range between RMB 13,950 per tonne and RMB 13,990 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 40 per tonne. Shenyang, Tianjin, Linyi and...
Primary aluminium inventories continue to rise by 8,000 tonnes in China on greater cargo arrival
Shanghai Metals Market found the social inventories of primary aluminium extended its rise across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, by 8,000 tonnes from Tuesday, October 8, to come in at 977,000 tonnes on Thursday, October 10. According to SMM, increase in cargo arrivals is the primary reason behind the continued growth in primary aluminium stocks. On October 8, the stocks increased by 75,000 tonnes over the National Day Holiday to stand at 969,000 tonnes. Just before the week-long holiday, the inventories on September 30 were at 894,000 tonnes after declining by about 45,000 tonnes from 939,000 tonnes on Thursday, September 26. The chart below shows the current status of inventories across China in more details: The inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu; and Nanhai,...
Chalco postpones its Boffa bauxite project launch to Q1 2020
According to a recent report, Aluminium Corporation of China, also known as Chalco, has postponed the launch of its Boffa bauxite project in Guinea until at least the first quarter of 2020. The news came after Chalco’s official declared it on Thursday, October 10. The construction of the project is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2020 before production begins, said Chalco’s director general of mineral resources Wang Dongbo at the China mining conference in Tianjin. The project holds around 1.75 billion tonnes of bauxite, with an estimated annual production of 12 million tonnes a year in the first phase. In June last year, Chalco had signed an agreement with Guinea government to develop the Boffa bauxite project in the west of the country, while in October, the...
Austria’s total aluminium structures import to record growth this year, and so the import from Germany
Factors like limited availability of natural resources, urbanisation, and need for faster execution and changing infrastructure landscape have been continuously influencing the evolution of the construction industry, where aluminium was the key component of the journey. The trend towards light weight construction has been incessantly increasing the use of aluminium structures and therefore, its export and import across various countries. {newsStudioGallery} Austria is one such country which has been seeing a rise in the import of aluminium structures, according to the global export-import data. Started with a jump from 25,332 tonnes in 2016 to 58,950 tonnes in 2017, Austria’s aluminium structures imports in 2018 saw a further growth to 64,348 tonnes. This year, Austria is expected to...
FYI Resources completes trial production of HPA at its Welshpool pilot plant
FYI Resources Limited, an Australian Listed resources company, reportedly announced this week that it completed the trial production of high-purity alumina (HPA) at its pilot plant in Welshpool, Western Australia. This marks significant progress in FYI’s high-purity alumina development strategy. As per the report, the plant operated continuously from October 2 to October 9, meeting or exceeding the firm’s modelled operational performances. “We are really happy with the outcomes of our trial production run from our purpose-built HPA pilot plant,” said FYI managing director Roland Hill in a statement. He also said, “We continue to systematically progress the development of our HPA strategy towards the goal of commercial production of this ultra-pure, in demand product. To do that we needed...
