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.
Kobe Steel decides to supply aluminium extrusion products containing greener materials to Nissan Motor
Kobe Steel, Ltd. has disclosed its decision to incorporate green aluminium materials into aluminium extrusion and suspension products supplied to Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. Initially, commencing in fiscal 2024, the green metal will be used for Nissan's mass-produced vehicles meant for the Japanese and North American markets, and then the move will gradually extend to cars for the European market. Nissan's automobile components that will contain green aluminium materials include aluminium bumper reinforcements, door guard bars, and suspension parts. Increasing the incorporation of green aluminium materials into car components will play a crucial role in reducing CO2 emissions throughout the vehicles' lifecycle and lessening their weight. Notably, approximately 10 per cent of the weight of...
Jan-Apr 2024: World primary aluminium production grows 4% Y-o-Y due to demand recovery and reduced production costs
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, the world’s primary aluminium production in April 2024 witnessed a month-on-month drop of 3.12 per cent but a year-on-year rise of 3.33 per cent. As per the data revealed, world’s primary aluminum output was 5.9 million tonnes in April 2024, compared to 6.09 million tonnes in March 2024 and 5.71 million tonnes in April 2023. The year-on-year increase in production during April 2024 was primarily driven by demand recovery in manufacturing sectors, like automobile, packaging, and solar power, reduced production costs, and higher profit margin due to bullish aluminium benchmark price on the London Metal Exchange. World’s daily average output of primary aluminium also grew 3.3 per cent year-on-year in April 2024 to stand at 196,600...
US begins investigation of ArcelorMittal complaint over high-strength aluminium coated steel patents violation
On Monday, May 20, the United States International Trade Commission notified that it started investigating a complaint filed by ArcelorMittal related to the violation of patents by Vietnamese automaker VinFast. According to ArcelorMittal, a Luxembourg-based multinational steel manufacturing corporation, VinFast has breached the former’s high-strength aluminium and aluminium alloy-coated steel patents in its vehicle VF 8. Reportedly, ArcelorMittal also lodged a complaint with the ITC in April and filed a lawsuit in US District Court in California, accusing VinFast of violating patents. Prior to that, ArcelorMittal sent a letter to VinFast asserting it was violating its patents. ArcelorMittal said it believes that VinFast also contravened the patents for its VF3, VF 6, VF 7, and VF 9...
China’s unwrought aluminium and products imports surge 86.6% Y-o-Y from Jan-Apr 2024, resulting in 127.7% domestic stock hike
According to China customs data, China’s unwrought aluminium and products imports (including primary metal and unwrought, alloyed aluminium) in April 2024 surged by 72.1 per cent year-on-year to reach 380,000 tonnes. China’s total imports of unwrought aluminium and products amounted to 1.49 million tonnes during the first four months of 2024, up by 86.6 per cent from the same period last year. China’s aluminium imports increased significantly over a year due to demand growth and robust consumption of the green metal. Besides solar and wind power sectors, construction, transportation, and packaging also contributed immensely to the rise in demand. Russia was the leading exporting country to China, supplying 392,775 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024. That was year-on-year higher by 127.7...
IAI appoints Vedanta Aluminium’s CEO John Slaven as one of the new vice-chairs
International Aluminium Institute has reportedly appointed John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, vice-chairman. In the new position, Slaven will lead global initiatives to promote aluminium's critical role in transforming the manufacturing industry into a zero-carbon modern world. Since inception in 1972, the International Aluminium Institute is single-handedly representing the global primary aluminium industry, advocating for industry's responsible productions and operations and promoting the benefits of using aluminium in different industrial sectors. Besides, IAI maintains comprehensive global data with 40 years of analysis on production, consumption, energy use, and environmental impact. Upon his appointment as vice-chairman of IAI, John Slaven said: "Aluminium has already proven...
Strong demand and depleted production costs to boost Indian primary aluminium operating margin by over 25% in FY2025
Indian primary aluminium manufacturers’ operating margin is likely to grow by over 25 per cent in this ongoing financial year due to robust demand and potentially lesser production costs driven by cheaper energy and alumina. The primary aluminium industry is capital-intensive and marked by volatile prices. An increase in operating margin/profit will enable manufacturers to reduce reliance on debt to fund ongoing capital expenditure often required for capacity expansion. The estimation of increased operating margin for FY2025 is established by a CRISIL Ratings study conducted on three domestic primary aluminium producers, who account for 90 percent of the 4.1 million tonnes of domestic capacity. In the previous fiscal year, 2024, the operating margin of Indian manufacturers grew by 20 per...
China’s alumina price further gains RMB2/t due to continued demand growth; A00 aluminium ingot price stands 2.56% higher M-o-M
China’s domestic alumina spot price has been rallying uninterruptedly since April 22 due to increased demand but limited supply because of production cuts at some refineries, especially in Henan, for insufficient availability of bauxite. Over the past weekend, the ore price has gained RMB 2 per tonne to reach RMB 3,721 per tonne as of May 20, up by 12.18 per cent from RMB 3,317 per tonne a month ago. In Shandong and Guangxi, alumina prices have increased by RMB 10 per tonne and RMB 5 per tonne, respectively to come in at RMB 3,680 per tonne and RMB 3,750 per tonne, according to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM). Australian alumina FOB price has continued to remain restrained at US$425 per tonne since May 16. Backed on the increase in alumina spot price, China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot...
Hindalco’s latest price hike brings its aluminium ingot price to INR248500/t
This week, dated May 15 and 16, Hindalco’s aluminium prices saw two consecutive days of alteration. On Wednesday, May 15, Hindalco’s aluminium prices were cut from the previous week in line with the LME aluminium price fall, while Hindalco’s prices on May 16 saw an elevation in concurrence with the LME aluminium price hike. On May 15, Hindalco trimmed its aluminium ingot price by INR 3,250 per tonne, or 1.31 per cent, to INR 244000 per tonne. As far as aluminium wire rod and billet prices were concerned, they too experienced a cut of INR 3,250 per tonne, reaching INR 261,000 per tonne and INR 258,100 per tonne, respectively. On the subsequent day, Hindalco increased its aluminium ingot price by INR 4,500 per tonne or 1.84 per cent to INR 248,500 per tonne as of May 16. Hindalco’s...
China’s primary aluminium production grows 7.2% Y-o-Y in April’24 as investors bet on potential profit margin
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s primary aluminium production rose 7.2 per cent from a year earlier, standing at 3.58 million tonnes. Aluminium price rally in China and across the globe drove the output hike during the said period. China’s average daily aluminium output in April was 119,333 tonnes, up by 3.05 per cent from 115,806 tonnes in March, according to Reuters calculation based on NBS data. In Yunnan, China’s fourth-biggest aluminium producing province, resumed some operations in April amid uncertain time ahead due to drought and reduced rainfall. If China’s primary aluminium production in April is calculated M-o-M, the output stood slightly less than 3.59 million tonnes Aluminium prices grew in April on potential demand growth from domestic clean...
ASI acknowledges INNOVATION New Material Technology Co., Ltd. with Performance Standard Certification
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has reportedly recognised INNOVATION New Material Technology Co., Ltd. for its sustainable production process across its value chain by presenting the Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification. The company has received certification for its Suzhou Chuangtai Alloy Material Co., Ltd. facility in Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, where un-forged aluminium alloy billets and profiles are produced through melting, casting, cutting, homogenising, profile extruding , and computer numerical control machining. The facility has an annual production capacity of 250,000 tonnes for casting and 60,000 tonnes for extrusion. Innovation New Material Technology Co., Ltd., formerly Beijing Hualian Hypermarket Co., Ltd., is a China-based company principally engaged in...
Alba posts a 48% decline in Q1 2024 profit amid higher sales volume, owing to sluggish LME prices
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has posted an uptick in its operational performance but a downfall in financial results for the first quarter (Q1) of 2024 ended March 31. The company’s profits and comprehensive income decreased year-on-year despite increased production and sales. Financial output As Alba announced, its Q1 2024 profit stood at BD24.5 million (US$65 million), reflecting a 48 per cent year-on-year decrease from BD47.5 million (US$126.2 million). The company’s basic and diluted earnings per share were fils 17 during Q1 2024 versus fils 34 a year ago. Total comprehensive income for Q1 2024 amounted to BD27.7 million (US$73.6 million), down by 25.34 per cent from BD37.1 million (US$98.7 million) during Q1 2023. Gross Profit came in at BD57.3 million (US$152.3 million) during Q1...
Joe Biden boosts import tariffs on Chinese goods including aluminium to restore fair domestic market; Century Aluminum applauds decision
United States President Joe Biden has reportedly increased tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, batteries, steel, solar cells, and aluminium, aiming to protect American manufacturers from unfair trade practices and prices and paving the way for a more competitive domestic market. As per the report, the Biden-led US government has imposed a 100 per cent tariff on electric vehicles, a 50 per cent tariff on semiconductors, and a 25 per cent tariff on electric vehicle batteries from China. Addressing the nation from the White House, Biden said China should not be allowed to control the United States automobile market. He rather seeks fair competition with China. The President alleged that over the years, the Chinese government poured money into a wide range of industries, including aluminium...
LME aluminium price slumps by US$32.5/t due to unprecedented surge in stocks; SHFE dips by US$7/t
LME aluminum opened at US$2,548 per tonne in the previous trading day, with its low and high at US$2,519 per tonne and US$2,559 per tonnes, respectively, before closing at $2,549 per tonne, up 0.28 per cent. On Tuesday, May 14, LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price decreased for the second day in a row by US$32 per tonne and US$32.50 per tonne to reach US$2,477 per tonne and US$2,477.50 per tonne, respectively. The fall in aluminium prices on LME could be attributed to the unprecedented surge in opening stocks as Trafigura, a Swiss-based commodity trader, delivered more than 400,000 tonnes of aluminum last week. The LME aluminium stocks total accumulated 425,575 tonnes of aluminium overnight, reaching more than a two-year high. 3-month bid price and...
China’s primary aluminium production in April 2024 improves Y-o-Y, accompanied by 1.24% increase in capacity
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s primary aluminium production in April 2024 (30 calendar days) recorded a month-on-month decline of 1.13 per cent but a year-on-year increase of 4.93 per cent. As per the data revealed by SMM, China’s primary aluminium output in April was 3.515 million tonnes, compared to 3.555 million tonnes in March 2024 and 3.35 million tonnes in April 2023. The domestic daily production in April 2024 was 117,200 tonnes, up by 2 per cent from 114,900 tonnes in March, despite the fall in monthly production. The share of aluminium liquid output rose 1.4 per cent M-o-M and 2 per cent Y-o-Y to about 75.36 per cent. In the first four months of 2024, China’s primary aluminium production totalled 13.965 million tonnes. Changes in production capacity At...
Bathco and Metsol partner with Alucam to integrate advanced technology, aiming to save 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually
Abiding by the commitment to lead and empower the metal production industry’s shift towards full sustainability, Bathco, in collaboration with its technology arm Metsol, has entered into a multi-year partnership with Alucam to help it with the integration of the APC+, a next-generation, smart Pot Control System at its smelter, and Bathco will now market a significant share of the metal produced. . This cutting-edge technology will enable Cameroon’s sole aluminium smelter to enhance production efficiency, optimise power utilisation, and increase operational stability, targeting to save as much as 1 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This collaboration will not only steer operational efficiency and environmental sustainability but will also cater to the increasing worldwide demand...
US Department of Commerce initiates anti-dumping probe into Indian aluminium extrusions used in solar panels
The US Department of Commerce has reportedly announced a preliminary determination on aluminium extrusions imported from India that are being sold at unfairly low prices in the US domestic market. The Department has conducted a preliminary determination on those aluminium extrusions used in racking, trackers, and mounting frames for solar panels, allowing them to subject to additional tariffs. The initial findings suggest a dumping margin of 3.44 per cent and 39.05 per cent on Indian extrusion manufacturers. Extrusion imports from other countries, such as China, Colombia, Ecuador, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Taiwan, Thailan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam, are also under close monitoring. The preliminary determination followed the proceedings of anti-dumping...
Swiss-based commodity trader Trafigura delivers 400,000 tonnes of aluminium to LME
Commodity trader Trafigura delivered more than 400,000 tonnes of aluminium to the London Metal Exchange-approved warehouses last week for lucrative financial deals, said three sources familiar with the matter to Reuters. This monumental delivery of stocks brought the LME inventories to more than a two-year high since January 2022. These stocks are subject to so-called rent share deals that allow LME-approved warehouses to share fees with companies that deliver metal to them. Delivery companies do not retain ownership of the metal but get a portion of the rent from LME as long as the stocks remain in the warehouses. According to a report on May 9, aluminium stocks on LME rose to 903,850 tonnes as 425,575 tonnes of metal had arrived in Port Klang in Malaysia, of which Swiss-based Trafigura...
Innovated Aluminium Technology reports a 60% boost in efficiency with an installation of two cutting-edge machines
Northern Ireland aluminium frames supplier Innovated Aluminium Technology (IAT) has experienced a 60 per cent increase in efficiency, following the installation of two cutting-edge machines in early 2024. The machines have also reportedly reduced the Eglington-based company’s overall material wastage by 15 per cent. They work from a fully automated digital system and deliver the most accurate and precise result because of the digitised process. Due to a high level efficiency, these machines handle mass production effortlessly, enabling IAT to tender for larger projects. These machines were installed via a finance deal secured by Johnston Financial Solutions. Managing director, Leslie McClements, said: “In the manufacturing sector there is a need to constantly innovate, and work...
