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.
Sanctions relief on Rusal expected to ease US-Armenia aluminium trade: ANCA says
The US Senate’s failure to block the easing of Rusal sanctions is expected to reduce the pressure on an Armenian aluminium mill, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). This brings relief to 700 employees of the Armenal mill in Yerevan and thousands of local families supported by the mill. Yesterday, on January 17, the vote held but fell short of the 60 votes needed under Senate rules. ANCA Executive Director Aram Suren Hamparian said, “While we did not take a position on the broader policy debate over the lifting of specific sanctions, we do welcome the net effect of today’s vote, which is to ease pressure on a successful, export-driven Armenian enterprise that employs over 700, supports many times that number of Armenian families, and exports products to U.S....
Incat launches aluminium-hulled high-speed catamaran
Australian shipbuilder Incat Tasmania reportedly launched a new aluminium-hulled catamaran in December, named Saint John Paul II, for Malta-based ship owner Virtu Ferries. The vessel, which is going to be the largest high-speed catamaran in the Mediterranean, is due to begin sea trials in January 2019. The catamaran is powered by four 9,100-kW 20-cylinder Series 8000 MTU 58000M71L engines and also features supplied four 8V 2000 M51A gensets supplied by MTU. It is fitted with four ZF60000 gearboxes, with reduction ratio suited for optimum jet shaft speed. The catamaran has a total accommodation capacity of 900 passengers and 167 vehicles on 490 lane metres. The RoPax will further increase the capacity of the vessel for trucks by 43%, passengers by 15 per cent, and for cars by 7 per cent...
Spain’s aluminium scrap import from France to drop 5.3% and Portugal 11% in 2018
Spain is home to Europe's largest machinery scrapyard. Some of the industry's biggest aluminium scrap dealers and recyclers also have their facilities located here in the Iberian Peninsula country. Thus, the country is known for importing a good amount of aluminium scrap from various parts of the world. The two most important countries that supply the maximum amount of scrap to Spain are France and Portugal. But according to our third party data, Spain’s aluminium scrap import from both France and Portugal is estimated to stand lower in 2018 compared to the previous two years. As the graph below shows, in 2016, Spain had imported 99,152 tonnes of aluminium scrap from France and 35,069 tonnes from Portugal. In the year next, the country’s import from France dropped a bit to 98,978 tonnes...
Heesen provides technical update on its all-aluminium superyacht Cosmos
Dutch superyacht builder Heesen has reportedly shared information regarding its technical developments and testing of 80.7 metre Cosmos, the shipyard’s largest project till date. Per the report, Cosmos will support a series of phenomenal technological feats that require a rigorous testing process by utilising the Fast Displacement Hull Form (FDHF). The yacht’s keel laying ceremony is scheduled for May 2019. <iframe width="540" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zIFbk-HvDX8" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> Ahead of the keel laying ceremony, the shipyard intends to complete the proof-of-concept and testing process, comprised of several stages starting with the yacht’s base naval...
6063 aluminium billet stocks record a dip in China by 8,800 tonnes over the week
According to Shanghai Metals Market, stocks of 6063 aluminium billet shrank over the week ended on January 17, across five major consumption areas in China. Since the stocks dipped 8,800 tonnes they now stood at 80,700 tonnes, SMM data showed. The reason for this plunge in aluminium billet stocks could be limited arrivals to the warehouses. In Foshan and Guangdong, the billets stocks are now hovering at 46,900 tonnes while that in Wuxi and Jiangsu at 11,200 tonnes. In Huzhou and Zhejian, and in Nanchang and Jiangxi, the inventories are pegged at 4,400 tonne and 7,200 tonnes, respectively. However, the price of aluminium alloys (ADC12) as of today has remained unchanged at RMB 14,800 per tonne. This price has been continuing since January 14 after a drop from RMB 14,850 per tonne. The...
Alumina production by South32 grows 19% in Q2, while aluminium output records stagnant
Diversified miner South32 has reportedly achieved a solid production performance in the December quarter, with production guidance for the full year to June 2019 remaining unchanged for all operations except Illawara Metallurgical Coal. South32 CEO Graham Kerr said today, on January 17, “We achieved a strong quarter of production, maintaining full-year guidance for all operations with the exception of Illawara metallurgical coal, where improved longwall performance has underpinned a 7% increase to our prior estimate.” Per the company’s report, alumina production in the second quarter of FY2018-2019 increased 19 per cent to 1.3 million tonnes, compared to 1.1 million tonnes in the first quarter. In Q2 of FY2017-2018, the company’s alumina production was at 1.2 million tonnes. Now,...
Baglietto begins construction on its 40M Hull all-aluminium superyacht
Italian custom superyacht builder Baglietto has reportedly begun construction on its 40M Hull all-aluminium fully custom yacht. Featuring exterior design by Horacio Bozzo and interior design by Salvagni Architetti, Baglietto is a 39.75 metre luxury yacht. As per the report, it is scheduled for the delivery on 2020 to an American owner. Baglietto has revealed the first rendering of the yacht, which it says shows the sporty, elegant character. Chief Executive Michele Gavino says that the yard is very proud of the project while adding further that “it represents another step towards the constructive excellence, which is the main goal of all our efforts and again a demonstration of the shipyard’s intention to keep pursuing technical innovation and developing our naval engineering...
Relief for workers as US Senate fails to block lifting Aughinish Alumina sanctions
The US Senate reportedly failed in its attempt on Wednesday evening, January 16, to block the agreement to lift sanctions against Rusal, the parent company of Aughinish Alumina. With this arrived an immense relief among nearly 400 Aughinish workers in Limerick. The news came when a junior minister reported this and said: “Workers at Aughinish Alumina in Limerick can breathe a huge sigh of relief." In late December, the Trump administration had announced its intention to remove sanctions against Rusal, following which the company agreed to significantly reduce Deripaska’s stakes and sever his control. The decision was welcomed by Irish officials as well who lobbied intensively for the sanctions to be lifted. However, fresh concerns arose when the US Democrats expressed their opposition to...
Chinese A00 aluminium ingot price extends hike despite sluggish alumina spot price
Despite a fall in alumina spot price on January 16, the A00 aluminium ingot price continues to record a rise today, on January 17, from RMB 13,240 per tonne to RMB 13,300 per tonne, found Shanghai Metals Market. The ingot price is seen oscillating throughout this month so far. Since the beginning, it has registered a rise for a day or two after consecutive drops. However, today, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,280 per tonne and RMB 13,320 per tonne, with spot discounts to settle at RMB 70 per tonne to RMB 30 per tonne. As the ingot price increase has touched almost all the major markets in China, the prices in the east market (Wuxi and Hangzhou) have seen a jump by RMB 55 per tonne and RMB 45 per tonne to stand at RMB 13,305 per tonne. In the south and north, the...
Recycling Recap 2018: New projects, awareness activities, and imported tariffs marked the year
2018 marks an eventful year for the global secondary aluminium industry with a series of new investments, expansions, awareness activities, and also a bit of intermediate twist and turns in the market. China’s retaliatory tariffs on the US scrap exports, Aluminium Association of India’s proposal to levy 10 per cent duty on scrap import, announcement of the resumption of 10-years mothballed casthouse of Aludium were some of the important phenomena that marked the year. Now, let’s take a quick recap to some of the other notable events that moved the secondary aluminium market in 2018. Production The estimated recycled aluminium production for 2018 had stood at 12 million tonnes, out of forecasting global primary aluminium production of 64 million tonnes. The United States, being the only...
PANDA Greenstar seeks to open a new recycling facility at Atlas Aluminium site
PANDA Greenstar, Ireland-based waste management and recycling service, is attempting to open a new recycling facility at the Atlas Aluminium site just off the Dock Road. This initiative is for seeking a change of use on an existing light industrial unit to a recycling facility. Per the report, the facility will operate only with clean, recyclable materials. No odorous, hazardous or municipal solid waste will be processed in the facility. Greenstar is seeking to move its existing recycling facility from its current site at Bunlickey to Atlas Avenue, in a move to free up space at existing land. Documents have been provided to the planning authority state for the permission. The operation will focus on the processing of clean plastic and cardboard. Green Party’s local election candidate...
Japan’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips exports to drop in 2019 after a rise last year
Japan is home to two of the world’s leading automotive rolled aluminium producers- UACJ Corporation and Kobe Steel and Aluminium. Globally automotive aluminium rolled product market is growing driving the demand for aluminium plates, sheets and strips. Kobe Steel and Aluminium ships considerable volume of aluminium plates, sheets and strips globally which finds use in automotive BiW and closure applications. In 2016, the company had signed a deal with Toyota as per which it will produce and supply aluminium sheet for the hood and liftgate for Toyota’s 2016 Lexus RX 350 crossover in the US. Now, let us see the amount of aluminium plates sheets and strips Japan as a country exports. Our own third party data shows that Japan’s aluminium plates, sheets and strips exports have been fluctuating...
US Senate moves against sanctions removal plan from Aughinish Alumina in Limerick
A vote will be reportedly held today, on January 16, on a move to block the lifting of sanctions affecting Aughinish Alumina in Limerick. Per the report, 11 Republican senators went against their own party and joined hands with Democrats to allow the vote to proceed. In December, the US Treasury had announced its intention to remove the sanctions against Rusal, the Russian parent company of Aughinish Alumina, but on a condition that Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska had to relinquish control of the company. So, as part of the deal, the three Deripaska companies - Rusal, En+ and power firm EuroSibEnergo agreed to restructure to reduce Deripaska’s stakes. Following the board restructuring agreement, Rusal’s board chairman Mattias Warnig also resigned from his post, as per the report from...
Ford unveils Shelby GT500 featuring aluminium alloy engine at 2018 Detroit Motor Show
Ford Motor Company reportedly unveiled the all-new Shelby GT500, the most powerful mustang ever with 700 horsepower, at the 2018 Detroit Motor Show. The company says it is the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date. The vehicle comes with a supercharged 5.2 litre aluminium alloy engine built by hand. Just like the Shelby GT350, the aluminium alloy block features weight-saving wire-arc cylinder liners and high-flow aluminium cylinder heads along with larger forged connecting rods, improved lubrication and cooling passages. Besides, its 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, designed for a number of drive modes including normal, slippery, sport, drag and track, ensures smooth shift in less than 100 milliseconds. The dual-clutch also features line-lock and...
Germany’s bauxite imports from Guinea increase 15% Y-o-Y in 2018
The German association of the aluminium industry (GDA) had pointed out in August 2018 that the development of business activity in the German aluminium sector until then remained positive. The production reportedly increased in the first half of the year – up 0.9 per cent by aluminium producers and 0.4 per cent by semis-producers. So, the overall expectations for 2018 were hopeful. GDA’s executive director Christian Wellner particularly explained: “Despite political uncertainties, the German economy has developed well so far this year. On top of these favourable general conditions, there are the positive economic forecasts for aluminium, which are pointing upwards for nearly all product sectors in Germany and the rest of Europe.” This indicates that the country imports a significant...
Chinese A00 aluminium ingot price continues to drop; Input costs record no change
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price today, on January 15, has extended its plunge further from RMB 13,240 per tonne to RMB 13,200 per tonne. This marks the second consecutive fall of aluminium ingot prices since the week began. Yesterday, on January 14, the ingot price dropped from RMB 13,310 per tonne to RMB 13,240 per tonne. Today, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 13,180 per tonne and RMB 13,220 per tonne, with spot discount to settle at RMB 20 per tonne. The aluminium ingot price in the east has fallen by RMB 40 per tonne from RMB 13,235 per tonne to RMB 13,195 per tonne while in the south and north, the prices have dropped by RMB 50 per tonne and RMB 60 per tonne from RMB 13,235 per tonne to RMB 13,210 per tonne and from RMB 13,270...
Nexstgo unveils flagship commercial laptop Primus NX301 with aluminium alloy at CES 2019
The world’s largest consumer tradeshow CES 2019 at Las Vegas reportedly witnessed a launch of a flagship commercial laptop the Primus NX301 by Nexstgo. The event also reportedly observed Nexstgo’s partnership with Foxit, a leading US-based software company, to have its PhantomPDF preinstalled as a Universal Windows Platform in all Nexstgo commercial PC products. Alex Chung, CEO of Nexstgo, expects 2019 to bring in a great demand for quality ultra-thin laptops at competitive prices across Asia-Pacific markets. And in that aspect, Nexstgo, according to him, will continue to deliver breakthrough commercial and business-grade laptops that are innovative and will suit changing tastes of consumers. He particularly said at the event, “An example of this is our partnership with Foxit to provide...
Royal Huisman to build 59.7 metre cruising sloop with Alustar aluminium hull
A Dutch shipyard Royal Huisman reportedly announced its plan to build a 59.7 metre world performance cruising sloop: Project 404. Following the footsteps of the shipyard’s previous vessels such as 58m Ngoni and 56m Aquarius, the new and highly advanced vessel would expectedly harness exceptional sail power and system technologies. The shipyard’s aim with this new build is to raise the bar for power and efficiency, especially in terms of operating system and integrated rig technologies. Besides, the impressive performance capabilities will come with luxurious interior and extensive amenities, per the report. Alongside, it will display its true modern beauty, featuring Alustar aluminium hull and low profile carbon composite superstructure. The team behind this project is consisted of...
