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.
Vedanta Aluminium’s masterclass on extrusion development drew worldwide participants
Vedanta Aluminium, a business of Vedanta Limited and one of the world’s leading producers of aluminium, conducted the third technical masterclass on innovation and efficiency within the extrusion sector last week. The session, titled ‘The Metallurgy of Extrusion’, led by a globally acclaimed extrusion expert and technical advisor Mr Jonathan Pangbom, attracted almost 200 participants from all over the world, including registrations from the US, UK, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Qatar, UAE, Portugal, and so on. The masterclass provided in-depth knowledge on new product development, applications, current market trends, and technical advancements in the aluminium extrusion industry. Vedanta Aluminium is India’s largest producer and exporter of high-quality aluminium...
Yunnan Aluminium and Volvo Cars (Asia-Pacific) come together to curb carbon footprint in automobile industry
Yunnan Aluminium Co., Ltd. and Volvo Cars (Asia-Pacific) Investment Holding Co., Ltd. have reportedly inked a memorandum of cooperation on the sustainable aluminium value chain. On November 28, the companies signed the contract at the first China International Supply Chain Promotion Expo in the presence of Chen Debin, deputy general manager of Yunan Aluminum Co., Ltd., and Hans Linn, vice president of R&D of Volvo Car Asia Pacific. As per the signed cooperation contract, Yunnan Aluminium and Volvo Cars (Asia-Pacific) will support each other’s efforts towards carbon neutrality in peak carbon dioxide emissions. The high-end aluminium alloy ingot producer will supply green aluminium to Volvo Cars (Asia-Pacific), advocating the application of sustainable aluminium in automobile production and...
BNP Paribas lets go of 26.4% shareholding in Kaiser Aluminum amid a “Hold” sentiment
BNP Paribas Arbitrage S.N.C., a global leader in financial services, has reportedly reduced its share position in Kaiser Aluminum Co. by 26.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2023. The investor has sold 2,681 shares of Kaiser Aluminum and owns 7,475 shares. BNP Paribas’ holdings in Kaiser Aluminum were worth $536,000 as of the most recent filing with the SEC. On the other hand, several other large investors acquired new shares in Kaiser Aluminum. For instance, State Street Corp raised its holdings by 30.6 per cent in the first quarter, owning 1,132,280 shares worth $106,615,000. Barrow Hanley Mewhinney & Strauss LLC also lifted its shares in Kaiser by 20.6 per cent by acquiring an additional 139,145 shares in Q1. The company now owns 815,300 shares valued at $60,846,000. Norges Bank...
CCL Container introduces 100% recyclable aluminium wine bottles
CCL Container, a recyclable aluminium packaging manufacturer based in North America, has launched new aluminium bottles that look like conventional wine bottles. The new aluminium bottle range is designed with CCL Container’s BodyShapes shaping technology. The bottles are 750 ml in size and are resealable with threaded caps meant to keep wine fresh. Since the bottles are made of aluminium, they have higher thermal conductivity and greater chill retention than glass or plastic. Therefore, the bottles can cool quickly and stay cooler for a more extended period of time. Also, owing to aluminium, the bottles weigh less than glass bottles, and thus, they are less expensive to ship. The threading in the cap also does not contain plastic. The entire bottle is made from virgin aluminium and is...
Chinese high-strength aluminium alloys producer Binzhou Regal joins ASI
On December 3, 2023, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced the joining of Binzhou Beihai Regal Advanced Material Co.,Ltd. as a new Production and Transformation member. Established in 2017, Binzhou Beihai Regal Advanced Material Co.,Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanxi Regal Metal New Materials Co., Ltd. The company producer high-strength aluminium alloys, rare earth aluminium alloys, high thermal conductivity aluminium alloys, and high-temperature-resistant aluminium alloys. Binzhou Beihai Regal Advanced Material is located strategically close to the Bohai Bay, Beihai New District, 20 kilometre away from Binzhou Port and 6 kilometre from Dongfeng Port. Thus, it has convenient transportation and good connectivity with East China, South China and Northeast China. Binzhou Regal...
US aluminium rolled products exports to Canada continue to grow alternate months by 9% in August'23
The United States aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to Canada improved by 9.22 per cent month-on-month to 30,800 tonnes in August 2023 but could not touch the output volume in June. In June 2023, the US aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to Canada stood at 33,600 tonnes, which, in the subsequent month, fell by 16.07 per cent to 28,200 tonnes. According to the US Geological Survey, the United States aluminium rolled products exports to Canada in June 2023 saw a rise of 8.74 per cent from 30,900 tonnes in May, which, compared to April, stood 4.33 per cent lower than 32,300 tonnes. As indicated in the above graph, the US aluminium plates, sheets and bars exports to Canada have been oscillating since the beginning of the year, recording growth in alternate months. The...
Crown Holdings takes part in World Climate Action Summit COP28 to bring global attention to waste can recycling
Crown Holdings Inc., a leading supplier of beverage, food, and aerosol packaging, is reportedly participating in COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (Dubai, November 30-December 12), to extend its cooperation in the worldwide efforts of decarbonisation and sustainability. Crown Holdings realises that collective efforts are imperative to achieve this goal worldwide across both the upstream and downstream aluminium industry. With Climate Action and Optimum Circularity as two core pillars of focus with the ongoing Twentyby30™ programme, Crown Holdings incessantly strives to reduce carbon footprints and transform its entire supply chain to sustainability. The company is participating in two sessions on site at COP28, speaking along the thought leaders on various...
IBAAS 2023 Day 2: Be a part of more enriching sessions on upstream aluminium's technology and sustainability developments
Welcome to Day 2 of the 11th International IBAAS Conference & Exhibition (IBAAS-JNARDDC 2023) – Nagpur, India, a much-awaited event to experience the upstream aluminium industry. The event, studded with aluminium industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts, marks the end of 2023 with great learnings about the latest innovations and advancements in the upstream aluminium sector. From the first day itself, the event has offered some incredibly engaging and enlightening sessions led by industry stalwarts. The opening session of Day 1 was conducted by Dr Anupam Agnihotri, Director of JNARDDC, who elaborated on the topic: Decarbonisation of Indian Aluminium Sector-Way Forward. In his presentation, he highlighted the need for decarbonisation, underpinning that a 40 percent increase in primary...
Gulf Cooperation Council’s primary aluminium production recovers by 3.6% M-o-M in Oct’23
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, primary aluminium production in the Gulf Cooperation Council during October 2023 stood at 518,000 tonnes, reflecting a hike of 18,000 tonnes or 3.6 per cent month-on-month. The output in October recorded a recovery from a month-on-month decline in September from 517,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes. That indicated a 3.3 per cent M-o-M fall to the second least output this year after 474,000 tonnes in February. On a year-on-year calculation, primary aluminium production in the Gulf during October 2023 edged a rise of 7,000 tonnes or 1.37 per cent from 511,000 tonnes, learned IAI. In the first ten months of 2023, Gulf countries primary aluminium production totalled 5.09 million tonnes, much ahead of the previous year’s 5.05 million...
Hydro and Volvo Group form a joint force to mutually achieve net-zero emissions
On Saturday, December 2, Norsk Hydro and Volvo Group announced from the COP28 platform that they entered a strategic partnership to support each other’s journey towards zero emission value chains. They signed the partnership agreement under the World Economic Forum’s First Movers Coalition. Hydro said it would be all out to enable Volvo Group to achieve its ambitious net zero vehicles target by 2040 by supplying primary aluminium with an 80 per cent reduced carbon footprint than today’s global industry average. In addition, Hydro and Volvo’s partnership will work on defining a roadmap towards supplying near zero aluminium ahead of 2030, validating new recycling standards for alloys to optimise material reuse, and developing Hydro’s mining operations in Brazil by emulating Volvo’s...
Rio Tinto grants new solar farm and battery storage construction contract to Aggreko for Amrun bauxite
As part of the long-term global decarbonisation strategy, Rio Tinto has approved the construction of a new 12.4 MW solar farm and 8.8MVa/2.1MWh of battery storage for renewable energy supply to Amrun bauxite mine near Weipa in Queensland. This initiative also represents Rio Tinto's ongoing efforts to reduce emissions at its Pacific bauxite, alumina, and aluminium operations. The solar farm and battery storage are jointly expected to substitute about 37 per cent of Amrun's diesel electricity consumption and cut annual CO2-equivalent emissions by 14,000 tonnes while adding to the existing 5.6MW of solar and 4MWh of battery power built for Rio Tinto's Weipa operations. Combined with the existing Weipa renewable power generation network, the solar farms will reduce Weipa Operations' diesel...
Glencore successfully closes US$1.11 billion transaction with Hydro to own 30% share in Alunorte
According to the latest update, Norsk Hydro has completed the transaction of US$1.11 billion with Glencore for the sale of 30 per cent interest in Alunorte alumina refinery and 5 per cent interest in Brazilian bauxite producer and exporter Mineracão Rio do Norte (MRN). The transaction also includes the sale of an additional 40 per cent stake in MRN, which Hydro had to purchase first and then sell to Glencore on the condition that it would no longer have an ownership position in MRN. Around mid-November, the companies received unconditional approval from relevant competition authorities , including Brazil, China, Germany, and Austria, for the partnership over Alunorte and MRN acquisition. “We are looking forward to work with Glencore to further develop Alunorte. Glencore has broad...
Africa & Asia’s alumina production rebounds in Oct’23 to 1.17 Mt but still stands 1% lower Y-o-Y
According to the International Aluminium Institute data, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during October 2023 stood at 1.17 million tonnes, reflecting a rise of 2.63 per cent month-on-month. The output rebounded in the said month to return to the production volume in August. In September, Africa & Asia’s alumina production stood at 1.14 million tonnes versus 1.17 million tonnes in the previous month. The production decline in September was a continuation as alumina output in August also decreased by 0.85 per cent from 1.18 million tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during October 2023 was also 0.85 per cent down from 1.18 million tonnes. In the first ten months of 2023, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) amounted...
24-metre long, sleek, luxurious, aluminium yacht ‘VisionF 82’ is set afloat
Turkish shipyard VisionF Yachts has reportedly launched its flagship yacht, the VisionF 82, and set new standards in the maritime world with an ultra-sleek construction made of aluminium. VisionF Yachts shipyard, known for progressive designs and uncompromising choice of materials, has launched two vessels in October and November 2023, while two more are under construction and scheduled for delivery in March and May 2024. The VisionF 82, which represents a modern appearance with extensive glazing and aggressive profiling, is entirely designed by VisionF Yacht's design studio. The vessel is 24 metres long and is ideal for cruising shallow waters with a modest draft of 0.8 metres. The main deck has an expansive space with a maximum beam of 9.7 metres. The yacht's interior evokes luxury with...
Aluminium shipment premium for Q1 2024 is offered at $95/t to Japanese buyers
According to a recent report, a global aluminium producer has offered Japanese buyers a shipment premium of $95 per tonne over the global benchmark price for the first quarter of 2024 (January 1-March 31). The news came on December 1 after three sources directly involved in quarterly pricing talks reported. Compared with the ongoing quarter, the premium proposed for Q1 2024 is $2 per tonne or 2.06 per cent lower. Currently, Japanese buyers are paying a premium of $97 per tonne for Q4 2023 . Japanese premiums have been reducing constantly over the past few quarters. The premium in Q4 2023 is abysmally down by 24 per cent from the previous quarter’s premium of $127.5 per tonne. The premium agreed upon for Q4 is also lower than in Q2 2023, between $125-130 per tonne. Japan is Asia’s biggest...
Volvo Cars to invest in near-zero emissions aluminium tech to step up its sustainability goals
Leading the automobile industry towards sustainability and net-zero carbon emission, Volvo Cars announced on November 30 its plan to cut per-car emissions by 75 per cent by 2030. Volvo makes this announcement after a few years of its previous plan to cut per-car emissions by 40 per cent by 2025. So far this year, the Swedish multinational automobile manufacturing company has cut emissions by 19 per cent compared to 2018. Volvo Cars also announced yesterday about joining the World Economic Forum’s First Movers Coalition and that it would start investing in advanced near-zero emissions aluminium tech. The automaker also said it secured access to near-zero emission primary and recycled sheet steel from Sweden’s SSAB for vehicles. Volvo will be merging the applications of near-zero emissions...
Elval to install SMS group’s Viridis Energy & Sustainability Suite for energy-efficient aluminium flat-rolled production
Elval, the aluminium rolling division of ElvalHalcor S.A. has reportedly purchased SMS group’s Viridis Energy & Sustainability Suite to install in its flat-rolled aluminium manufacturing plant in Oinofyta, Greece. Viridis Energy & Sustainability Suite is an integrated solution for energy, resources, and sustainability management, which effectively enhances the operational efficiency of an aluminium plant. Similarly, this will benefit Elval, optimising the plant’s overall production process while reducing carbon emissions. Elval and SMS share a common vision of sustainable and responsible industrial practices that bring them together. With the installation of two modules of Viridis Energy & Sustainability Suite – Virdis Performance and Virdis Grids, Elval will be able to practice...
JETP funds can financially aid heavy industries in decarbonisation and avoid CBAM, says Egypt’s climate champion
UN Climate Change High-level Champion for Egypt, Mahmoud Mohieldin, has reportedly advised heavy industries and hard-to-abate sectors to acquire a financing scheme that would pull funds from Western donors to help them shift to cleaner power generation. He said a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) structure would be ideal for sectors like aluminium, steel, cement and fertilisers. Just Energy Transition Partnership is among the most high-profile financing mechanisms designed to draw on money from wealthy economies to aid industries to wean off fossil fuels. This kind of funding scheme will aid exporters in investing in technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of their products, which otherwise will have to face CBAM tariffs introduced by the European Union. The progress of JETP...
