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.
US bauxite imports up by 38% Q-o-Q in Q2 2019, but alumina imports down by 42%
As shown by the latest US Geological Survey data on bauxite and alumina imports in the second quarter of 2019, the United States imported 1.03 million tonnes of crude and dried bauxite, up 38 per cent from Q1 2019 and 13 per cent from the same period last year. With this, the US' total bauxite imports in the first half of 2019 came in at 1.77 million tonnes. {newsStudioGallery} According to the data, Jamaica accounted for 69 per cent of the imports by providing 713,000 tonnes, while Brazil accounted for 21 per cent by supplying 220,000 tonnes in Q2 2019. The imports of alumina, on the other hand, decreased quarter-on-quarter in Q2 2019 by 42 per cent to 364,000 tonnes, but up by 3 per cent from the second quarter of 2018. This brought the total alumina imports by the US to 987,000 tonnes...
China’s primary aluminium production in August declines by 3.48% Y-o-Y and 1.96% M-o-M
According to Shanghai Metals Market, China’s primary aluminium production in August came in at 3.01 million tonnes after declining 3.48 per cent year-on-year and 1.96 per cent month-on-month. This year-on-year and month-on-drop in domestic production could be attributed to the accidents in some smelters in Shandong and Xinjiang, resulting in production disruption. China’s total primary aluminium production from January-August also stood lower by 1.89 per cent year-on-year to 23.57 million tonnes, found SMM survey. Commissioning of new or recovered capacity remained slow. As of the end of August, primary aluminium capacity in operation declined to 34.9 million tonnes. Suspended and idling capacity stood at 5.8 million tonnes. Average operating rates across smelters also dropped by 4.7...
China’s daily average alumina production in August drops by 4,000 tonnes M-o-M
Shanghai Metals Market found the alumina output in China stood at 5.82 million tonnes in August, with metallurgical-grade alumina accounting for 5.57 million tonnes. Daily average production of metallurgical-grade alumina came in at 180,000 tonnes in August, down 4,000 tonnes or 2.2 per cent month-on-month. Lower output at Xing’an Chemicals, Henan Huiyuan, Henan Zhongmei, Bosai Group’s Shuijiang project, Shanxi Zhaofeng, East Hope’s Lingshi refinery, and SPIC Shanxi New Energy could be the reason for the drop in daily average alumina production. Because of sluggish alumina prices and bauxite supply tightness, these alumina producers had to cut their productions. In September, the total production is expected to reach 5.8 million tonnes, including 5.56 million tonnes of metallurgical-grade...
Hydro announces to sell its Romanian extrusion plant to Hammerer Aluminium Industries
According to a report, Hydro, on Tuesday, September 10, announced that it signed an agreement with Austria-based Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) for the sale of its extrusion plant located in Romania. The decision to sell Hydro Extrusion is part of the overall review in Extruded Solutions aiming to optimise and streamline the portfolio. As per the report, the transaction is expected to be completed in the last quarter of 2019. Hydro Extrusion, part of the Extruded Solutions business area, has around 200 employees and produces around 20,000 tonnes of extruded profiles per year, mainly for the construction industry. Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) supplies aluminium and aluminium-related products. It owns an aluminium extrusion factory in Santana, western Romania.
UK fabricator Abcell expands its product range with AluK aluminium windows and doors
UK-based fabricator Abcell has reportedly added AluK aluminium windows and doors to its impressive range of products. Already renowned for manufacturing specialised products like The Guardian™ Warm Roofs, The Global Conservatory Roofs, and the Warmcore Aluminium Bi-Fold Doors, Patio Doors and Windows, Abcell, partnering with AluK, will now be able to offer an even greater range of top-quality windows and doors. AluK is a global leader in the design and engineering of aluminium windows, doors, and curtain walling systems. Paul Ford, Abcell Managing Director, said, “The continued success that we have achieved over the years has been due to our ability to expand and diversify, providing the industry with the kind of quality products that they demand.” He added, “Adding AluK aluminium to the...
Casting and processing operation of aluminium semis affected in China due to tightened environmental curbs
According to Shanghai Metals Market, casting and processing operation of aluminium rod, coil, and plate producers in Gongyi, Jiaozuo, and Zhengzhou cities of Henan province are affected to varying degrees since September 4. The reason is the tightened environmental curbs by the local government to prepare for the 11th Chinese Ethnic Games taking place in Zhengzhou during September 8-16. The latest SMM survey indicates the actual impact of the output controls could be temporary, for about 10 days. SMM learned large logistics vehicles are not allowed to enter Zhengzhou. Also, checks against vehicles overloading are tightened since August 25, ahead of the Chinese Ethnic Games. In Huiguo county of Gongyi, the production that involves volatile organic compound (VOCs) emissions, such as...
A00 aluminium ingot price grows by RMB30/t on limited stocks in the market; Input costs remain unchanged
Followed by the decline in social inventories of primary aluminium by 14,000 tonnes, the average price of A00 aluminium ingot has recorded a growth of RMB 30 per tonne to RMB 14,420 per tonne on September 10, found Shanghai Metals Market. Primary aluminium stocks in Gongyi, Henan arrived limited last day which led to the decline in inventories and rise in ingot prices. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,400 per tonne and RMB 14,440 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 40 per tonne. Until the mid-August, the A00 aluminium ingot price remained sluggish, hovering below RMB 14,000 per tonne. On August 13, the ingot price recorded a sweeping growth of RMB 300 per tonne and since then had been ranging between RMB 14,250 per tonne and RMB...
Alcoa announces to implement new operating model to reduce overhead cost
Alcoa Corporation, a global leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products, has reportedly announced today, on September 9, that it will implement a new operating model with effect from November 1, 2019. The company said the new model would result in a leaner, more integrated, operator-centric organisation that accelerates the company’s strategic priorities. As per the report, the restructuring of the operating model will help Alcoa reduce its overhead cost, promote operational and commercial excellence, increase connectivity between the company’s plants and leadership, ensure safety, and generate sustainable profitability. The Alcoa executive team will be narrowed down to seven direct reports to the CEO from twelve and business unit structure will be eliminated. Sales, procurement,...
Netherlands’ alumina imports from Jamaica and Ireland to grow in 2019 after a fall last year
The Netherlands is home to one of the notable aluminium smelting operations in the world - Delfzijl aluminium smelter in Farmsum, and is the ninth largest export economy in the world, of which aluminium accounts for US$ 1.74 billion on average. This indicates the requirement of a considerable amount of alumina in the Netherlands. {newsStudioGallery} Source: https://www.statista.com As the graph above shows the Netherlands' alumina imports have been rising consistently over the years, let us here analyse the country's imports trends from two of the most significant suppliers - Jamaica and Ireland. Jamaica has always been the top exporter of alumina to the Netherlands, irrespective of the fluctuation in volume. In 2016, the Netherlands had imported 276,788 tonnes of alumina from Jamaica,...
Primary aluminium inventories in China continue to fall over the weekend by 14,000 tonnes
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the social inventories of primary aluminium have extended decline over the weekend ended on September 9, as stocks in Gongyi, Henan have recorded a drop due to fewer arrivals. SMM data showed that the inventories across eight major Chinese consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, stood at 992,000 tonnes after declining by 14,000 tonnes from 1.006 million tonnes on Thursday, September 5. On last Monday, September 2, the inventories were at 1.016 million tonnes, which indicates that today the stocks have decreased by 24,000 tonnes week-on-week. The chart below represents the current status of primary aluminium inventories in China in more details: The above chart shows the primary aluminium inventories in Wuxi, Jiangsu have dropped by 8,000 tonnes to...
Federation of aluminium vessel manufacturers to appeal to the Government for GST reduction
According to a recent report, the federation of aluminium vessel manufacturers said on Sunday, September 8, that it should appeal to the Union Government for the reduction of the GST on aluminium vessels. Deputy Speaker Pollachi V. Jayaraman told the media that in the recent years, this industry has seen a dent due to levy of GST, shortage of workers, and hike in raw materials prices. So, the federation members have decided to appeal to the Union Government to reduce the GST on aluminium vessels. Deputy Speaker further said this demand would be recommended to the Union Government. He also told media that aluminium vessels are used widely in houses and hotels for cooking and various other purposes. They are mainly manufactured in Coimbatore, Chennai, Salem, and Madurai. About 150 people...
“Digitalization can save billions of dollars per year for the aluminium industry if adopted at its maximum efficiency,” Avijit Deb, Vice President & Chief Digital Officer, Aluminium & Power, Vedanta Limited
While the advent of Industry 4.0 is creating a buzz across the metal industry and the implementation of digitalization and automation is making the industrialists intrigued about its long-run effect, we have Mr. Avijit Deb with us sharing his views and knowledge on how the Industry 4.0 is revolutionizing the aluminium industry. Avijit Deb is the Vice President and Chief Digital Officer, Aluminium & Power, Vedanta Limited, with over 20 years of experience in Industry solutions, Transformations, P&L Ownership. He thinks the adoption of Industry 4.0 is proving to be the game-changer in the aluminium industry and Vedanta’s Aluminium Business has already occupied the front-runner status in this technological space. Let us here find out what else he thinks about the implication of Industry 4.0...
“Industry 4.0 and the solutions developed by Fives could help smelters save millions of dollars per year,” Serge Despinasse, Aluminium Technology and IT Director at Fives’ Aluminium Division & Benjamin Ulmann, Sales Manager at Fives Solios
Fives has been developing Industry 4.0 solutions for the metal industry since a decade now. It believes the implementation of digital solutions is mandatory as it helps people improve the performance of existing facilities. Besides, the company also believes that Industry 4.0 and its solutions help smelters save millions of dollars per year. To know how read the interview of Serge Despinasse and Benjamin Ulmann. Mr Despinasse had joined Fives in the year 2009 and by mid-2017 took the position of Technology and IT Director of the Fives’ Aluminium Division. Engineer from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Saint-Etienne, Mr Despinasse started his career in the aluminium industry in 1989 in an R&D laboratory of Aluminium Pechiney. He then occupied various engineering positions in...
“Industry 4.0 in the Aluminium Industry means the entire ecosystem aims for zero emission production – fully automated – zero waste,” Éloïse Harvey, B. Eng. & Mgmt, President of Mecfor
Éloïse Harvey has been working for the heavy industry (with a strong focus on the aluminium sector) since 1999 holding various positions related to sales, marketing and business development for MECFOR and also CEGERTEC WORLEY PARSONS (with the Mining and Metals division). Today she is President of Mecfor - an equipment manufacturer delivering custom and specialised equipment and vehicles to the heavy industry and aluminium sector worldwide. In this interview, Ms. Harvey has shared with us an in-depth insight into the Industry 4.0 and its importance in the aluminium industry. She has also shared how Mecfor has revolutionized the equipment technology for aluminium smelters and what are its latest projects that promote Industry 4.0 framework in the aluminium sector. To know more, continue...
ENOC Group introduces new aluminium tankers for fuel distribution
ENOC Group, a wholly-owned company of the Government of Dubai, has reportedly launched a new fleet of tankers in compliance with the latest international EHS standards. This move is in line with the group’s commitment towards including best EHS practices for all its stakeholders. Besides being ADR certified (a European Agreement concerning the ‘International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road), the new tankers feature cutting edge technologies to ensure safe driving, reduce driver fatigue, increase fuel efficiency, stabilise the vehicle, and prevent accidents. For instance, the vehicles have Alcolock feature which automatically locks the truck to disallow the driver to enter the cabin if he has consumed alcohol. The fleet can monitor driver behaviour as well, such as distractions,...
Delta Motorsport launches customisable aluminium chassis to aid electric vehicle development
Delta Motorsport, the Silverstone-based electric vehicle developer, has reportedly launched a customisable aluminium skateboard-style chassis Delta S2 at Cenex – the UK’s premier low carbon vehicle and connected automated mobility event. The company says Delta S2 has Delta’s highly flexible platform master controller (PMC) that enables automotive OEMs develop different vehicle types at high speed and low-risk. Also, Delta S2 is fully scalable in terms of the size of the vehicle and production volume. Adriaan Gerber, director of consultancy Gerber Engineering and a contributor to the project, said Delta’s new chassis is designed in a such a way that it can be customised and produced with an appropriate wheelbase for any kind of vehicle - be it a small delivery van, a street sweeping...
Lenovo unveils aluminium-framed, light-weight new Yoga laptops
Lenovo has reportedly launched new Yoga laptops with improved features including AI-intelligence and Amazon Alexa built-in. Lenovo Yoga C940, Lenovo Yoga S740, Lenovo Yoga C740, and Lenovo Yoga C640 are the four new launches, crafted in partnership with Intel under the Project Athena banner. The company says these new devices are all engineered to not only be the thinnest and lightest but also smart enough to adapt to your needs. Yoga C940 has twice-polished aluminium frame, while Yoga S740 has an all-aluminium frame that besides lending light-weight to the laptops evoke a stylish appeal. Also, their Dolby Vision screens backed by powerful Dolby Atomos speakers are sure to impress both your eyes and ears. The C940 comes in 14-inch and 15-inch variants and includes smart features like...
Alumina price rise and low primary aluminium inventories bolster A00 aluminium ingot price growth today
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the average spot price of alumina has extended its rise today, on September 6, by RMB 5 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,547 per tonne. In the central and south, the price has grown by RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 2,550 per tonne and RMB 2,505 per tonne, while that in the east and north has remained restrained at RMB 2,550 per tonne and RMB 2,560 per tonne, respectively. The Australian alumina FOB price has also remained unchanged at US$296 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. Backed on the incessant rise in alumina spot price and on the decline in primary aluminium inventories on Thursday, September 5, the A00 aluminium ingot price has also grown today, on September 6, by RMB 20 per tonne to RMB 14,420 per tonne, according to SMM. The average prices are...
