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.
Metro Mining Ltd. restarts bauxite mining with strong anticipation of an increase in demand
As the wet season in Australia from November 2018 to April 2019 comes to an end, Metro Mining Limited has reportedly geared up and resumed bauxite mining at the Bauxite Hills Project in Far North Queensland. The company this year expects to be able to build on the success of its first operation year in 2018. The primary target of Metro Mining in 2019 is to meet the increasing demand of bauxite from China, particularly from refineries in inland Chinese provinces where supply was hindered by recent mine closures and environmental audits. This year China is expected to import 90 million tonnes of bauxite, compared with 82 million tonnes last year. Even in the subsequent years, the bauxite demand from China is likely to remain strong and grow to as high as 180 million tonnes by 2030,...
6063 aluminium billet inventories continue to decline for the fifth consecutive week
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the inventories of 6063 aluminium billet continue to drop for the fifth consecutive week across five major Chinese consumption areas, as consumption recovered at a slower pace. The SMM data shows the aluminium billet inventories as on today, April 11, are standing at 108,400 tonnes, after falling some 3,600 tonnes week-on-week. On April 4, the billet inventories had fallen by some 8,700 tonnes W-o-W and pegged at 112,000 tonnes. This indicates that today’s decline of inventories was slower than the previous week. The chart below indicates the current status of the billet inventories across China: In the above chart we can see that 6063 aluminium billet inventories in Foshan, Guangdong have recorded a plunge today by 5,000 tonnes to clock at 75,600...
Lindian Resources inks agreement with KB Bauxite to acquire Gauoal Bauxite Project
Lindian Resources announced that it signed an exclusive option agreement with KB Bauxite Guinea Sarlu and its sole shareholder Guinea Bauxite Pty Ltd, in a bid to acquire the Gauoal Bauxite Project. The project spanning over 332 square kilometres is strategically located close to essential infrastructure, 64 kilometres away from Sangaredi Railway and 155 kilometres from deep water Kamsar Port. According to the agreement, Lindian can initially acquire up to 51 per cent interest in the project. But for that, the company needs to invest around US$1 million towards the project development in the next 24 months, with rights to move to 75 per cent equity interest in KB Bauxite. The agreement also prompts that Lindian will reimburse any funds spent by KB Bauxite on the development of the...
Hydro to upgrade its casting operations at Husnes with NOK 150 million investments
Norway-based fully integrated aluminium company Hydro will reportedly upgrade its casting operations at Husnes with a newly developed in-house technology Low Pressure Casting (LPC). The technology is believed to enable Hydro to produce more advanced materials for various extrusion segments, including automotive aluminium forging. Ola Sæter, head of Hydro’s fully owned primary aluminium plants, said: “Forge stock for products like suspension arms and knuckles is an attractive market for aluminium within the automotive industry, which needs ever more aluminium to fill its need to lightweight cars and reduce emissions.” Hydro is ready to contribute its share to the growing automotive aluminium forging market, he concluded. The Low Pressure Casting technology, which was jointly developed by...
A00 aluminium price drops by RMB40/t; Aluminium fluoride among other input costs records a change
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a dip today, on April 11, by RMB 20 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,810 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,790 per tonne and RMB 13,830 per tonne, with spot discount to settle at RMB 20 per tonne. Through this ongoing week, the A00 aluminium ingot price has shown an oscillating trend starting with a rise on Monday, April 8 from RMB 13,810 per tonne to RMB 13,820 per tonne and then a drop on Tuesday, April 9, to RMB 13780 per tonne followed by a rise again on April 10 to RMB 13,830 per tonne. After today’s drop the ingot price is again back to where it started the week. In Wuxi and Hangzhou of the east market, the ingot price has registered a drop by RMB 10 per tonne each to stand...
Aluminium extrusion producers post weaker orders in March across North China: SMM
According to Shanghai Metals Market report on April 10, aluminium extrusion orders in north China declined in March, as the two political sessions and the slowdown in real estate discouraged downstream purchases. Production controls during China’s annual political sessions in Beijing suspended many constructions and also affected local manufacturers in March, resulting in lower demands of aluminium semi-finished products and thus, the orders across aluminium extrusion plants in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and nearby areas, such as Shandong and Shanxi provinces. The floor space of completed building stood at some 125 million m² in the first two months of 2019, down 11.88 per cent from the same period in 2018, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). A higher...
Heesen unveils its eighth superyacht Masa in 5000 Aluminium Class range
Heesen’s latest 50-metre superyacht named Masa has reportedly made a debut at a private ceremony in Oss. This is the eighth superyacht in the Dutch-based shipyard’s 5000 Aluminium Class range. The interior of the yacht designed by Cristiano Gatto has light colours and silver detail that evoke a tranquil atmosphere inside. The vessel has a total accommodation capacity for 12 guests with five lower deck suites and a master stateroom on the main deck forward. The exterior is designed by Frank Laupman of Omega Architects. It has distinctive features such a pelican-beak bow with reverse sheer and a sporty mast. “Masa’s beauty does not lie exclusively in her aesthetics – her 50-metre all-aluminium semi-displacement hull has been designed, engineered and welded by Heesen’s in-house team to the...
India’s 2019 aluminium wire import estimated to decline 37% after a sharp growth last year
Wires form a large portion of the total aluminium product import by India as 48% of aluminium consumption in the country is in the electrical sector. In 2018, India had seen a sharp growth in aluminium wire import straight from 15,315 tonnes in 2017 to 70,396 tonnes, up 360 per cent according to global export-import data. Increasing demand towards diverse, innovative product grades for electrical and automotive applications particularly led to this notable growth in India’s 2018 aluminium wire import. {newsStudioGallery} But in 2017, India’s aluminium wire import volume stood down by 30 per cent year-on-year, as the country’s import amount in 2016 was at 21,953 tonnes. Even this year, India’s aluminium wire import is likely to be lower than the previous year at 44,529 tonnes, down 37 per...
Sierra Minerals to build a value-adding alumina trihydrate plant in Sierra Leone
Sierra Mineral Holdings 1 Limited, subsidiary of Vimetco N.V., reportedly discussed its expansion plans with the country’s Ministries of Finance and Mines last week. The plans involve the construction of a value-adding alumina trihydrate plant within its concession, in support with the Pan-African Bank of Development and Afrexim Bank. Afrexim Bank, in particular, will act as the financial advisor and lead mandated arranger to help the company raise capital for the project. Since alumina trihydrate has a wide range of uses starting from aluminium and ceramics production to water purification, flame retardant filler and many more, the development of this plant is expected to create thousands of new jobs and businesses in various industries. Also, this proposed plant if developed...
China’s daily average alumina output drops in March on tight bauxite supplies and higher costs
Shanghai Metals Market survey found a drop of 7,000 tonnes in China’s daily average output of alumina for the month of March. Thus, from 201,000 tonnes, China daily average alumina output in March came in at 194,000 tonnes. Tight bauxite supplies, high costs, maintenance, and equipment upgrading were some of the factors that lowered the average alumina output for March. About 70.86 million tonnes of capacity on an annualised basis was in operation last month, after declining 3.6 per cent from 73.46 million tonnes in February. The production of metallurgical-grade alumina, however, expanded 5.07 per cent year-on-year in March to register at 6.02 million tonnes, showed Shanghai Metals Market data. Chalco Huaxing, Chalco Shanxi, East Hope’s Sanmenxia and Jinzhong branches of alumina...
Kestrel Aluminium unveils new sliding patio door system
Kestrel Aluminium Systems has launched a new sliding patio door system that represents the perfect blend of modern design and high-quality metal. It is easy to maintain and suitable for any domestic project. John Treagust, Sales Manager, Kestrel Aluminium says: “We are pleased to launch these new sliding patio systems which complete our residential range of Bifold doors, Residential Doors, Roof lights and Roof lanterns and of course our comprehensive Window range. The sight lines and bead options are copied throughout the range giving a true suite of products.” The new door system features narrow profile faces that create a dramatic removal wall providing uninterrupted views to the outdoors and brightening up the interiors. It thus makes the perfect alternative to a set of French or...
Radaflex installs Mark Andy Performance Series P3 to print on aluminium foil
Radaflex, Slovakia-based self-adhesive labels producer has reportedly replaced the Mark Andy 2200 press with Mark Andy Performance Series P3 at its facility in Tmava for printing on aluminium foil. The new 8-colour flexo press comes with an ability to cut waste by about 50 per cent and provides unmatched print quality. It is also configured with reverse side printing, two die cutting stations, and cold foil capability. It is fast to make ready between jobs, which is a bonus considering the range of work at Radaflex. Radaflex co-owner Daniel Lukac believes the mechanical drive of the P3 press and its manual registration and control is well suited for the company. He said, “The new P3 fits well with our existing production capability which sees 50% of our work supplied on aluminium foil to...
A00 aluminium ingot price declines by RMB40/t and aluminium alloys (ADC12) by RMB100/t
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has dropped today, on April 9, by RMB 40 per tonne to come in at RMB 13,780 per tonne. After a sharp decline on April 1 from RMB 13,920 per tonne to RMB 13,740 per tonne, the ingot price showed a constant growth over the week ranging from RMB 13,760 per tonne, as on April 2, to RMB 13,820 per tonne, as on April 8, 2019. So, today’s drop in ingot price is after more than a week. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,760 per tonne and RMB 13,780 per tonne, with spot discount to settle at RMB 10 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. This indicates a slight growth in spot discount by RMB 10 per tonne. As the plunge in aluminium ingot price today has touched upon all major markets in China, the price in the east...
Roberto Curtó reveals design of his latest 63-metre all-aluminium superyacht
Italian designer Roberto Curtó has reportedly revealed the design of an all-aluminium 63.2-metre superyacht named Hypnosquid, the design of which is primarily inspired by the physical characteristics of the cuttlefish. Curto said, “The all-aluminium Hypnosquid design has been inspired by the elegant, fast and agile nature of the sea creature.” The exterior of the superyacht has detail design popped with colourful LED windows, representing the Hypnosquid’s eyes. The vessel has an accommodation capacity for 10 guests and 12 crews. The owner’s duplex is set across two decks, while the lounge and library located downstairs and the bedroom upstairs. Located forward, the suit has a full beam lobby and a garden. The guest cabins meanwhile sit on the lower deck and on the upper deck is...
SIG to introduce world-first aseptic carton packs with ASI-certified aluminium foil
SIG, the world-leading systems and solutions provider for aseptic packaging, will now reportedly launch world-first aseptic carton packs made with ASI-certified aluminium foil, as part of its sustainability drive. SIG is the first company in the industry to enable customers to exihit their commitment to responsible sourcing of aluminium throughout the value chain – right from suppliers through to consumers. SIG was even the first to achieve certification to the ASI Performance Standard Material Stewardship Principle at the corporate level, together with the ASI Chain of Custody certification for its production site in Austria. The ASI certification enables companies to audit the aluminium supply chain against strict standards in respect to social, ethical, and environmental. Ian Wood,...
Rolled aluminium firm Gränges enters into new credit facility agreements
Swedish rolled aluminium firm Gränges reportedly announced two days ago about refinancing the credit agreement that originally happened to finance its acquisition of American subsidiary - Gränges Americas Inc. This new credit facility is a revolving one available in several currencies of SEK2000 million with a 3-year term and an option to extend for another 2 years, a 5-year term loan of US$100 million, and a revolving credit facility for Gränges Americas Inc of US$50 million with a 3-year term. The mandated lead arrangers of these credit agreements were Danske Bank A/S, Danmark, Sverige filial, Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Sverige, and Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ). Danske Bank A/S served as the facility agent. In addition, Gränges has entered into a 4-year term loan amounting US$25...
India planning to host meeting of trade ministers from WTO member nations, says Prabhu
Commerce and Industry Minister Suresh Prabhu said India is planning to host an informal gathering of trade ministers from about 20 member nations of the World Trade Organization next month. The agenda is to discuss the interests of least developed countries amid growing challenges for global trade. "We are planning this (meeting) in May. We will be inviting about 20 WTO member countries this time,” he told PTI. He also said this meeting is important as many countries are questioning over the relevance of the global trade body. Many countries are also taking protectionist measures, impacting global trade. The Trump administration’s duties on imported aluminium and steel products last year prompted this major trade tariff tussle. However, India time and again stressed the importance and...
Chinese prebaked anode operating rates in March dropped 3.07 percentage points MoM
Shanghai Metals Market updated on April 4 that average operating rates across Chinese prebaked anode manufacturers for commercial use declined 3.07 percentage points in March from the previous month to come in at 54.9 per cent. Output cuts for cost control lowered operations across prebaked anode producers and therefore, their operating rates. Operating rates across medium-sized producers having an annual capacity of 100,000-250,000 tonnes and above recorded a dip by 6.44 percentage points, while small producers with 100,000 tonnes of annual capacity saw the rates fall by 5.3 percentage points. Operating rates across large producers with an annual capacity of 250,000 tonnes and above, on the other hand, dropped 0.4 percentage point. Many prebaked anode producers in Zhengzhou resumed...
