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.
Darnet Design unveils the concept of 86 metre Starlight made from aluminium superstructure
Darnet Design has recently unveiled its latest superyacht concept – the 86 metre Starlight. Both exterior and interior design of the yacht, which features a steel hull and aluminium superstructure, has been done by Darnet. Some of the key features of the yacht’s interior include a touch and go helicopter landing pad, 17 square metre swimming pool on the aft main deck, and beach club exceeding 100 square metres. The beach club is also equipped with two underwater observatories on the port and starboard side. The total accommodation capacity is for 14 guests in seven cabins. Six of them are guest cabins on the main deck and one is the owner’s stateroom on the dedicated owner’s deck. Gym, spa, sauna sit are some of the other features present on the main deck. The main deck can be reached via...
A joint research to turn bauxite residue into fertile soil receives a special recognition
Rio Tinto, Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) and The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Sustainable Minerals Institute have received a recognition for their joint research into technologies that could turn bauxite residue, also known as red mud, into fertile soil. They are trying a new process that uses eco-engineering technology to alter the minerals in the red mud into a soil-like material suitable for plant growth. If successful, the research could help transform the way alumina refineries rehabilitate red mud dams. Led by the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Professor Longbin Huang, the research team works closely with employees at the Yarwun and QAL refineries in Gladstone and Gove in the Northern Territory. Earlier this year, the trio won the Achieving Resilient Environments and...
Black & Veatch to supervise the development of an alumina refinery for PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia
According to a recent report, Black & Veatch-led project management consortium (PMC) has been appointed by PT Borneo Alumina Indonesia to manage the development of an alumina refinery in West Kalimantan. The facility, according to Black & Veatch, will feature a 1 Mt/year smelter-grade alumina refinery, a 2 x 40,000 cu.m/h coal gasification plant and a 3 x 25 MW coal-fired power plant. As the consortium leader, Black & Veatch is responsible for design review, equipment inspections, and provide power and coal gasification subject matter expertise. Progesys, as consortium partner, will manage the alumina refinery process design scope and Jaya CM, another consortium partner, will support the project with site construction engineers and inspectors. “As the project consultant, the consortium is...
Pyrotek new aluminium products plant to complete construction in November
According to a recent report, Pyrotek Inc. is likely to complete construction in November of a new manufacturing facility in Dubai, which will serve and supply the rapidly growing aluminium smelting operations in the region. By January 2020, Pyrotek is scheduled to occupy the facility. The first phase of construction will reportedly provide 66,000 square feet of floor space. The construction contractor is Pax-Kent International LLC based in Dubai. Nigel Clear, Pyrotek’s General Manager in the region, said: “This plant will grow our footprint in the heart of one of the major global aluminium smelting regions. It’s also very close to EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium). Combined, EGA is the biggest aluminium producer in the Persian Gulf.” The new Pyrotek plant will concentrate on manufacturing...
France’s aluminium scrap export to Italy likely to continue its year-on-year growth in 2019
The international export-import data shows the aluminium scrap export from France to Italy is on a steady rise since a sweeping growth of around 139 per cent from 43,822 tonnes in 2016 to 104,718 tonnes in 2017. In 2018, the country’s export amount to Italy was at 111,456 tonnes after growing by around 6.43 per cent from 2017. This year, the export volume is expected to increase further to 127,101 tonnes, up 14 per cent year on year. {newsStudioGallery} Backed on the increasing export volume, the value has also been rising over the years and this year is expected to be no exception. In 2017, along with the sweeping growth in France’s aluminium scrap export volume to Italy, the export value recorded a growth of 155 per cent from US$42 million in 2016 to US$107 million. In 2018, the value...
Metro steps closer to its 2019 production guidance with 5% MoM growth in bauxite production in September
On Thursday, October 3, Metro Mining Limited reported September quarter results, with which it assured that it is well-positioned to meet 2019 production guidance of 3.3 million tonnes to 3.5 million tonnes of bauxite. As per the report, the company mined 1.42 million tonnes in the quarter from Bauxite Hills Mine taking year-to-date production to 2.3 million tonnes. Greater consistency and improved productivity played a key role in the steady growth of mining. In September, Metro’s bauxite mining was at 501,000 tonnes, up 13.09 per cent from 443,000 tonnes in July and 5.25 per cent from 476,000 tonnes in August. Metro also reported that its mining and haulage is benefitting from excellent machine availabilities. The barge loading facility and ship-loading rates are at sustainable position...
Vietnam imposes highest rate of anti-dumping duties on Chinese aluminium products
According to a recent report, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has decided to officially impose the highest rate of anti-dumping duties on aluminium products from 16 Chinese producers. While six Chinese exporters will face the duty of 35.58 per cent, eight between 18.16 per cent and 35.39 per cent, the final two will face a rate of less than 10 per cent. The anti-dumping duties will be imposed on those aluminium products which are used for making industrial machines and structures, aluminium doors, wattle walls, storage cabinets and interior and exterior decorations and in construction as well. In January, the MoIT had investigated into aluminium imports from China and its impact on domestic manufacturers following the regulations from the World Trade Organisation and Foreign...
Japan Q4 aluminium premiums down 10% for October-December quarter
Amid ample aluminium supplies in Asia and weak demand from the electronic and auto industries, premiums for aluminium shipments to Japan for October to December have been set at $97 per tonne, down 10 per cent quarter-on-quarter. The news came after three sources directly involved in the price talks said. The figure is lower than the $108 per tonne paid in the July-September quarter, marking the first quarterly drop. It is also lower than the initial offers of $105-$115 made by producers. Japan is Asia’s biggest importer of the light metal and the premiums PREM-ALUM-JP for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region.
Turquois Yachts begins construction of a 75 metre superyacht with steel hull and aluminium superstructure
According to a recent report, Turquois Yachts has reportedly started construction on a Vallicelli-designed 75 metre superyacht. The expected delivery time is late 2021. The vessel is built from a steel hull and aluminium superstructure with an exterior designed by A Vallicelli Yacht Design featuring “simple sleek lines” and a “powerful dynamic look”. A statement from the yard said: “With a profile more reminiscent of sporty sailing, the low angle of the transom slope and the very long forward overhang, make this 75m yacht appear long, slender, and elegant despite her interior volume.” The interior, on the other hand, has been designed by H2 Yacht Design, with key features including a full 14.2 metre beam beach club, which opens aft to the swimming pool and has platforms to the sea on both...
Vietnam’s alumina exports to India likely to record a steady growth of 26% in 2019
Vietnam started producing alumina in the year 2011 in the Central Highlands. Tan Rai alumina refinery worth $460 million, invested by state mining group Vinacomin started operation in February 2011 and export in March. Now, Vietnam has become one of the emerging alumina producing hubs on the shores of the South China Sea, with an increase in its offshore alumina sales over the last three years. Since, Vietnam’s lion share of total exports go to India, let us here analyse how it has been performing over the years. According to the international export-import data, Vietnam in 2019 is expected to ship 865,433 tonnes of aluminium raw material to India, up 26.15 per cent from 685,995 tonnes in 2018. In fact, as per the available data, Vietnam’s alumina exports to India had been recording a...
Webasto begins battery production at its Schierling site for electric vehicles
Headquartered in Stockdorf, Germany, the automotive supplier Webasto has reportedly begun the production of battery packs at its Schierling site, Regensburg district, for electric vehicles of a European bus manufacturer. As per the report, the company will also start manufacturing a self-developed standard-battery system for commercial vehicles in the Regensburg district from the beginning of 2020. Webasto said it already invested eleven million euros in the development of this multi-product line. “We have successfully entered this market with our innovative future mobility products and the first buses with Webasto batteries will shortly take to the streets of major European cities,” says CEO Holger Engelmann. Three years ago, Webasto decided to diversify its business into the field of...
A00 aluminium ingot price declines by RMB50/t for the fourth day in a row; Alloy (A356) price also continues to fall
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded the fourth drop in a row by RMB 50 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,980 per tonne, as of September 30. With this continued plunge, the A00 aluminium ingot price stands lower by RMB 310 per tonne from the same period last month. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,960 per tonne and RMB 14,000 per tonne, with a spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 0 per tonne to RMB 40 per tonne. The price in Foshan has seen the highest decline of RMB 60 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,990 per tonne, while that in Shenyang by RMB 55 per tonne to RMB 14,005 per tonne and Hangzhou, Chongqing, and Tianjin by RMB 40 per tonne to RMB 14,030 per tonne, RMB 13,990 per tonne, and RMB 14,010 per tonne. In...
Bollinger Motors reveals beta prototype of two electric vehicles made from aluminium
According to a recent report, American start-up Bollinger Motors has revealed its electric off-road SUV and pick-up truck in beta prototype form. The B1 and B2, both based on Bollinger’s in-house developed Class 3 electric vehicle ‘skateboard’ platform, are engineered to be road-legal across the globe. The chassis and body of both the vehicles are made of aluminium, which make them light in weight and easy to manufacture with simple-to-replace body panels. The rugged, boxy models produce a combination of 614bhp and 668lb feet of torque for a claimed 0-60mph time of 4.5 sec and a top speed of 100mph. Batter pack has an enormous capacity as well of 120 kWh. However, the range has not been confirmed yet. Previously, the company had proposed a range of 200 miles from a 100kWh battery. Since...
China saw M-o-M dip in unwrought aluminium and aluminium products exports in August
According to Shanghai Metals Market calculations based on Customs data, China’s exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products in August dropped by 4.31 per cent month-on-month to come in at 466,000 tonnes. August saw a high ratio of SHFE aluminium price to its LME counterpart, which squeezed margins on exports. This, along with trade barriers such as anti-dumping duties in some countries, discouraged Chinese aluminium producers from pouring their cargoes to markets overseas. Previous strong exports, meanwhile, affected near-by demand, with three months earlier this year seeing a monthly export volume of above 510,000 tonnes. In the first eight months, China’s exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products thus stood at 3.94 million tonnes, up 5 per cent from the same period...
Aluminium foil export from China dropped 13.32% M-o-M in August
The latest customs data shows China’s exports of aluminium foil extended declines in August by about 13.32 per cent month-on-month and 9.85 per cent year-on-year to come in at 98,100 tonnes. Poor overseas orders could be primarily attributed to the lower exports last month. In July, China’s aluminium foil export had dropped by about 2.39 per cent from its previous month. This indicates that the percentage of monthly decrease in export volume grew in August. The export volume of aluminium foils under four out of the total five HS codes saw a month-on-month decline of 13-16 per cent, while exports of product under HS code 76071120 climbed 9.06 per cent. On a yearly basis, the total export between January and August remained 5.04 per cent higher.
Guyana’s bauxite export to Ukraine likely to record a steady growth in 2019
According to the global export-import data, a lion share of bauxite from Guyana goes to Ukraine every year, with steady growth in volume. In 2019, Guyana is expected to export 1.42 million tonnes of bauxite, out of its total estimated export volume of 2 million tonnes. Last year, the country’s bauxite export to Ukraine was at 1.17 million tonnes, indicating a growth of 21 per cent year-on-year in 2019. In 2017, while the export from Guyana to Ukraine had come in at 947,830 tonnes, the export volume in 2018 saw an increase of about 23 per cent. With the steady expansion in Guyana’s bauxite export volume to Ukraine, the value has also been rising alongside. The global export-import data shows that Guyana is estimated to yield around US$91 million in 2019 from its bauxite export to Ukraine,...
Nalco expands its downstream product range with Aluminium Alloy 1200
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) has reportedly launched Aluminium Alloy 1200 (AA 1200), adding one more downstream product to its existing product range. This alloy is similar to alloy AA 1100 and has a wide application in the manufacture of LED lamp cap. Tapan Kumar Chand, chairman and managing director of Nalco said, ‘’At Nalco, we continue to diversify and focus on expanding our markets with new product launches. In a competitive environment, this new product AA 1200 will help develop new markets and increase the Company’s profitability. The Smelter Team at Angul has worked hard to introduce a quality product that will add to the Company’s growing stature in the national and global market.’’ This commercial aluminium alloy grade 1200 has high corrosion resistance and boasts...
Alcoa introduces VR training for its alumina refinery workers
According to a recent report, Alcoa Corporation is conducting VR training for its employees to train them for high-risk tasks at its alumina refineries in Western Australia. The guided training module replicates an environment of Alcoa’s refinery sub-station where the trainees are surrounded by equipment, sound, and personal protective equipment (PPE) that are found in real in the workplace. The module demonstrates how to safely and correctly isolate electrical switches to avoid arc flash incidents. Besides, Alcoa has incorporated free-play environments which include events and risks to mitigate, replicating what could occur in real life. According to Alcoa’s Pinjarra refinery manager Mark Hodgson, this step is taken for bringing in a change in the way training is usually delivered at...
