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.
China’s aluminium products export estimated to grow through 2019 on rising export tax rebate
According to the China Customs data, the country in 2017 had exported 5.08 million tonnes of aluminium semi-finished products all around the globe, out of which aluminium extrusion export was at 826,000 tonnes, aluminium plates, sheets, and strips at 2.08 million tonnes, aluminium foil at 1.16 million tonnes, aluminium tubes and pipe at 136,000 tonnes, and aluminium structures at 879,000 tonnes. In 2016, China's total aluminium semi-finished products (aluminium bar, rod, and profile, aluminium wire, aluminium plate, sheet, and strip, aluminium foil, and aluminium tube) exports had stood at 4.07 million tonnes (approx.). This indicates that the aluminium semi-finished products export volume from China increased by around 25 per cent year-on-year in 2017. Industry consultancy CRU observes...
Rio Tinto soon to restart sale process of its aluminium plant in Iceland: Sources say
Rio Tinto, an Anglo-Australian multinational and one of the world's largest metals and mining corporations, is reportedly close to recommencing a sale process of its aluminium plant in Iceland, along with some aluminium assets. The aluminium plant in Iceland has been valued at around US$350 million, two sources familiar with the matter reported. The assets, on the other hand, include a 53 per cent stake in a Dutch anode facility and 50 per cent of the shares in a Swedish aluminium fluoride plant, which are ingredients in aluminium production, the sources added. The two sources even intimidated that French investment bank Natixis is helping Rio with the sale. However, Rio Tinto declined to comment on the news and Natixis was not immediately available to make any statement. Norwegian...
Spot aluminium discounts widen in China even amid firm offers and buying enthusiasm
Shanghai Metals Market found that spot aluminium discounts widened across all major Chinese markets on Tuesday, October 9, compared to the previous day. Though sellers continued to hold offers firm and traders became more willing to purchase for long-term contracts yet spot aluminium discounts did not lay behind from recording a widened range. The SHFE contract for October delivery traded range-bound in the morning. Most spot transactions in Shanghai were done at RMB 14460 per tonne to RMB 14470 per tonne, with discounts at RMB 40 to RMB 30 per tonne against the October contract. In the previous day, i.e. on Monday, October 8, the discounts were found at RMB 30 per tonne to RMB 20 per tonne. In Wuxi and Hangzhou, on the other hand, transactions were seen at RMB 14460 per tonne to RMB...
Emirates Global Aluminium expects first bauxite export from its mine in Guinea in H2 2019
Emirates Global Aluminium, an aluminium conglomerate equally owned by Mubadala Development Company of Abu Dhabi and Investment Corporation of Dubai, has announced that it expects first export from its bauxite mine in Guinea to take place in the second half of 2019. The announcement came following the arrival of stacker reclaimer for the project, which would be used to stack bauxite ore and reclaim and place ore on a conveyor system for transport along GAC’s pier to waiting barges. EGA’s subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) for the last four decades is developing a bauxite mine and associated export facilities in Boké province in the largest greenfield investment in Guinea. Currently, more than 3,000 people i.e. over 80 per cent Guineans are involved in building the project worth...
China’s aluminium alloy wheel export rises 5.9% to 641,700 tonnes from Jan-Aug 2018
Aluminium alloy wheels, made by aluminium alloy, are mostly used in both passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles. But the use in passenger vehicles is more than in commercial vehicles, with the sales proportion at about 94 per cent in 2017. {newsStudioGallery} China and Europe are the two main consumption places with market shares nearly 28.66 per cent and 24.65 per cent respectively, as of 2017. Other regions also enjoy a major market share in the global region. Thanks to light-weight, better heat conductivity, and anti-corrosive properties for which the demand for aluminium alloy wheels has been growing uninterruptedly. According to a report, the global automotive aluminium alloy wheels market size is expected to reach US$ 15, 400 million by 2025 from US$ 12,700 million in 2017, at a...
Japan’s aluminium import from India reportedly boosts amid US sanctions against Rusal
Indian aluminium makers including Hindalco Industries and Vedanta Ltd. are reportedly boosting sales to Japan amid the United States’ lofty import tariffs and sanctions against Rusal. Usually, Japan, being a quality concerned consumer, never regarded the products from India a high enough quality. They rather preferred top-tiers producers like Rio Tinto, Alcoa, and South32 as well as United Company Rusal. But in the background of US sanctions and tariffs, Japan reportedly secured 59,545 tonnes of aluminium ingot in the eight months of 2018, double a year ago, while material from Russia fell 21 per cent to 175,694 tonnes, Japanese trade data showed. "Because of the sanctions, consumers would like to ensure some security of supply, so they'd like to prefer multiple suppliers instead of one...
Sellers’ enthusiasm to offload cargoes in South China bolsters primary aluminium inventory surge
Shanghai Metals Market research found stocks across local warehouses in south China grew yesterday, October 8, after a week-long National Day holiday, as spot aluminium sellers showed keen interest to offload cargoes. SMM data as of Monday showed the primary aluminium stocks in Nanhai, Guangdong increased by 36,000 tonnes or by 17.7 per cent from Thursday, September 27, marking the largest gain among the eight major consumption areas. In Guangdong, most of the spot transactions were heard at RMB 14,340 per tonne to RMB 14360 per tonne, with Guangdong-Shanghai spread at RMB 70 per tonne. Sellers in eastern markets, however, held their offers firm as limited cargoes arrived at the local warehouses during the break. Post-holiday restocking enthusiasm among downstream consumers was found mild...
France’s bauxite import grows 10.47% in Q1 2018
France’s bauxite import is found growing quarter-on-quarter this year for feeding its domestic alumina refineries. Alteo is one of the leading producers of non-metallurgical alumina in France. The company has three alumina refineries in France: the alumina refinery in Gardanne, a white fused alumina facility in La Bâthie and a brown fused alumina plant in Beyrède. Being one of the world leaders in specialty alumina production, Alteo is known for offering a wide range of products. It is formed after divestment of the specialty alumina group by Rio Tinto, with the production capacity of 635kT per year. According to the global export-import data, France in the first quarter of 2018 imported 425,903 tonnes while that in Q1 2017, the country had secured 385,537 tonnes. This shows that France’s...
Chinese primary aluminium inventories record a surge during week-long National Day Holiday
After a week-long National Day holiday in China, Shanghai Metals Market research team presents an update on the primary aluminium inventory. According to the data shown, the inventories across eight major Chinese consumption areas have grown due to fewer-than-expected cargoes arrival at warehouses. Stocks, including SHFE warrants, have increased by some 14,000 tonnes from Thursday, September 27, to stand at 1.604 million tonnes, as of today, October 8, 2018. In Wuxi and Jiangsu, the inventory stood at 685,000 tonnes while that in Shanghai and Nanhai, Guangdong at 358,000 tonnes and 239,000 tonnes, respectively. For more details about the current status of primary aluminium inventories, refer to the chart below: According to SMM research, the A00 aluminium ingot price also came back with a...
Alternative route established between Azerbaijan & Tajikistan to supply alumina to TALCO
An alternative route has been established from Azerbaijan to Tajikistan for the supply of alumina and other raw materials. This has been done specifically to meet the needs of the Tajik Aluminium Company (TALCO), the Tajik embassy in Azerbaijan reported to Trend on Friday, October 5. The new route opened is through Russia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan for reaching Tajikistan from Azerbaijan and thus bypasses Turkmenistan. The reason behind establishing this alternative route is the temporarily closed transit through Turkmenistan. Trucks with Azerbaijani raw materials have been standing idle on the Iranian-Turkmen border for past 50 days, reported a source at TALKO, adding that the parties are looking for alternative ways to supply raw materials from Baku through the ports of Aktau and Kuryk...
Constellium announces new AlplanTM Beyond Precision product line to meet higher demand for aluminium plates
Amsterdam-based global producer of aluminium semi-finished products Constellium N.V. has proudly announced its new Alplan TM Beyond Precision product line, to support increased demand for high-performance aluminium plates. The Alplan TM product line consists of specialty rolled plates with up to 15 times better flatness compared to industry standards, up to 40 per cent less material needs and up to 90 per cent reduction in part rework compared to a mill finish plate. The key benefits of Alplan TM product line include: It assures to provide excellent mechanical properties with outstanding shape stability and tight dimensional tolerances that support weight reduction, scrap, and cost savings. It would enable Constellium’s customers to accelerate their production, by saving manufacturing...
Australia’s alumina export in 2017 records at 17188 thousand tonnes; 2018 may see a plunge
With the faster growth in aluminium production, the world seems to see a continuous hike in demand for alumina, particularly in China and the Middle East. This in the future is expected to open up new trading opportunities for the alumina producing countries such as Australia, which is already the world’s largest producer of bauxite and alumina and also ranks as the world’s largest alumina exporter. So to say, Australia aluminium market is an export-oriented one and mostly limited to upstream sector. According to Australian Aluminium Council, Australia exported a total amount of 17188 thousand tonnes of alumina in 2017. In 2016, this volume had stood a little down at 17183 thousand tonnes, as per the data revealed by the Council. Consequently, Australia’s revenue from alumina export also...
Oyak Renault to invest 100 million euro for aluminium plant in Turkey for new generation hybrid cars
Turkey Industry Minister Mustafa Varank announced on Thursday, October 4, that Turkish automaker Oyak Renault would invest more than 100 million euro (US$115 million) for setting up an aluminium injection plant in north-western Turkey for new generation hybrid cars. The plant will be constructed in Bursa starting from October 19, and the majority of products produced in it will be exported, said the minister, adding that the investment would contribute US$2.3 billion to narrowing Turkey’s current account deficit. In the mid-July, the news came that French automotive giant Renault was preparing Turkey to turn it into a hybrid vehicle base. According to the news, the hybrid engine produced in Turkey would be used in the fifth generation of Clio produced in Bursa. Oyak Renault received a TL...
Alumina producers’ shares climb world-wide as a result of Hydro’s production shut
Alumina producers, including South 32 and Alumina Limited, on Thursday, October 4, reportedly experienced a sharp rise in shares post Norsk Hydro’s announcement of production shut at the world’s biggest alumina refinery Alunorte. Shares in Alumina Ltd rose as much as 11 percent on Thursday, October 4, while South 32 gained as much as 7.3 percent to hit a record high of $A4.25. Australian bauxite miner Metro Mining rallied 5 percent. Aluminium producer Chalco in China is expected to be the main beneficiary of the Alunorte shutdown, said Citi in a note, as it maintained a “Buy” recommendation on the state-owned firm. Shares of Nalco in India also reported a jump by 11 per cent on Wednesday, October 3, while Vedanta’s shares gained 3.2 per cent. In the US trading on the same day, Alcoa...
FYI Resources begins bankable feasibility study (BFS) for its Cadoux Kaolin Project
After completing the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) late last month, FYI Resources has now reportedly commenced a bankable feasibility study (BFS) for its 100 per cent-owned Cadoux Kaolin Project in Western Australia. The company recently detailed a US$ 178 million capital cost for the project as well. The company says it is now fully funded to complete the BFS. Earlier, the preliminary feasibility study (PFS) was modelled on a 25-year old project life, which revealed construction forecast to commence in the fourth quarter of 2019. Managing Director Roland Hill said: “The PFS demonstrates FYI Resources is in the attractive position with the potential of becoming a long-life, low-cost and high margin High-Quality Alumina producer.” In regards to the commencement of bankable...
Orbea launches new aluminium all-rounder bike Terra Hydro
Following hot on the heels of the carbon fibre Terra gravel and adventure bike, Orbea reportedly launches an aluminium version Terra Hydro. It is a versatile aluminium all-rounder bike which they say will “make any terrain rideable.” Orbea has designed the new bike in such a manner so that it can fit in all purposes and a variety of uses - gravel, road, cyclocross courses, and the like. The bike will be available in three different models and colours. This aluminium-framed bike features all-road geometry and generous tyre clearances and comes with the options to mount mudguards and racks, and a dynamic structure and internal wiring. It also features a carbon fork and will be available in a range of six sizes. "Terra is designed to be at home on dirt, gravel or just about anything else you...
India’s alumina import expected to rise 26% in CY 2018
According to a report by CARE Ratings, India’s aluminium production, which was at 3.39 million tonnes in 2017-18, is forecast to remain stable or grow a little to 3.42 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2018-19. The giants like National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Bharat Aluminium (Balco), a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources, and Hindalco are some of the key players in the Indian aluminium sectors. {newsStudioGallery} Having said that, a good number of aluminium producers and cement and ceramic producers in India import a substantial amount of alumina for consumption. One of them is Vedanta Aluminium that has been importing a large amount of alumina to feed its smelters, as being unable to source bauxite from Odisha for its Lanjigarh refinery as promised. In fact, it is noteworthy that...
Rio Tinto’s Gove Operations recognised as a world-class bauxite producer
Rio Tinto’s Gove Operations has reportedly bagged a prestigious recognition for being a world-class bauxite producer in the global aluminium industry at the 2018 Chief Minister’s Northern Territory Export and Industry Awards. Rio’s Gove Operations, located on the Gove Peninsula in North East Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, had begun bauxite mining in 1970 with supply exported both domestically and overseas. It is situated on extensive deposits of high-grade bauxite, a burnished red ore with high aluminium oxide content. Reportedly in the recent time, Gove has increased its production shifting its business focus to disciplined capital spend and low-cost delivery. In May this year, Rio Tinto had also become a primary customer and exporter of the first bauxite from the nearby Gulkula...
