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 Chairman seeks investments for Kalahandi alumina refinery expansion
Anil Agarwal, the chairman of the Vedanta Group, seeks Indian investors’ attention for collaboration and investment in the continued development and expansion of Kalahandi alumina refinery in Odisha. Vedanta’s Kalahandi alumina refinery expansion would mark a turning point in the industrial development of the area. Mr Agarwal generously asked for investments while recollecting the journey of the Kalahandi refinery. He recounted the dreadful circumstances of the area when he first visited in 1985. Since then, he has been committed to introducing change and establishing an industry in Kalahandi. Kalahandi alumina refinery began its operations in 2007 with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per year, withstanding resistance from neighbourhood organisations and non-governmental groups. The dire...
Dry season ahead in China is likely to result in aluminium production cut by up to 40% of capacity
According to the Shanghai Metals Market report on Tuesday, October 31, Chinese aluminium smelters in Yunnan province are mulling over cutting production in the coming months during the dry season due to reduced hydropower availability. In recent times, many Chinese aluminium smelters have shifted their operations to Yunnan to leverage the abundant availability of hydropower resources, which are cheaper and cleaner than traditional power sources of coal. But the only drawback is hydropower is dependent on weather. Lack of rainfall reduces hydropower generation, resulting in aluminium production cuts. SMM has reported that four aluminium smelters will reduce production by 9 to 40 per cent of capacity without disclosing their names. However, according to a trader, four smelters would include...
China’s aluminium billet inventories fell by 5,900 tonnes on Monday due to heavy shipments
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s social inventories of aluminium billets have marked a decline of 5,900 tonnes over the weekend, standing at 107,700 tonnes as of Monday, October 30. On a week-on-week basis, the inventories have recorded a fall of 7,200 tonnes from 114,900 tonnes on October 23. The decline in inventories could be attributed to the increase in shipments compared to the arrivals of stocks to warehouses. During October 24-30, aluminium billet shipments in major Chinese consumption areas totalled 47,300 tonnes, up by 16.79 per cent from 40,500 tonnes a week ago. The fall in billet inventories on Monday was primarily contributed by Foshan, in tandem with the highest shipment in that particular province at about 25,400 tonnes, up by 4,100 tonnes W-o-W. To...
Prysmian Group to make sustainable cables for power grids with low-carbon aluminium from Rio Tinto
Rio Tinto Group has reportedly entered into a five-year low-carbon aluminium supply contract with Prysmian Group to help the latter manufacture cables for power grids in North America with more sustainable materials. The news came after Rio Tinto and Prysmian jointly announced the collaboration on Monday, October 30. Rio Tinto’s Canadian operations will support Prysmian efforts in decarbonisation with its low-carbon aluminium using renewable hydropower. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, power generation from renewable energy will increase from 21 per cent in 2021 to 44 per cent in 2050, requiring substantial investments in building new power grids and making innovative materials required in electrification projects. Rio Tinto and Prysmian have also agreed to utilise...
What’s brewing? Budweiser launches a ‘Can-to-Can’ recycling programme to promote recycled aluminium usage
Budweiser Brewing Co APAC Ltd, the largest beer company in the Asia-Pacific in respect to sales revenue, has reportedly launched a 'Can-to-Can' recycling programme in China to boost the activity of aluminium cans recycling. The objective is to increase the use of recycled aluminium in cans to reach the goal of reducing carbon emissions by 35 per cent by 2025. Budweiser APAC initiated the recycling programme last week at its brewery in Putian, East China's Fujian Province. Jan Clysner, vice president for sustainability and procurement at Budweiser, said the company would augment its recycling efforts and support China to attain dual carbon goals and net-zero targets by 2040. "By focusing on aluminum cans recycling and a closed-loop system, we are setting the stage for more sustainable...
World alumina production in 3Q2023 marks sequential growth of 3.04% amid lower output in September
The world alumina production during Q3 2023 ended September 30, registered a sequential rise of 3.04 per cent to stand at 36.567 million tonnes versus 35.487 million tonnes, found the International Aluminium Institute. But on a year-on-year calculation, the output in Q3 was almost the same as 36.422 million tonnes of production. In September 2023, world alumina production descended by 3.19 per cent month-on-month from 12.399 million tonnes to 12.004 million tonnes. However, the output in August stood at 1.93 per cent higher month-on-month than 12.164 million tonnes. The July output was also up by 3.06 per cent from 11.803 million tonnes in June. In the first nine months of 2023, the world alumina production totalled 106 million tonnes, registering a drop of 0.56 per cent from 106.596...
Increasing alumina prices drive aluminum smelters' operation costs up, lowering operating incomes
China’s leading aluminium companies have unanimously reported a downfall in operating income for the first three quarters of 2023. Risen operation costs of aluminium smelters driven by domestic alumina price hikes could be attributed to the drop in operating income. After over a year, in late October 2023, Chinese domestic alumina price exceeded RMB 3,000 per tonne level, standing at RMB 3,009 per tonne as of October 27. On October 25, Yunnan Aluminium Co., Ltd. announced that operating income decreased by 5.27 per cent year-on-year to stand at RMB 12.091 billion during Q3 2023. The company’s net profit also shrank by 9.85 per cent during the same period to RMB 990 million. Zhongfu Industrial Co., Ltd disclosed its operating income decreased by 2.06 per cent year-on-year in the first...
Benfleet’s new recycling plant generates 99% pure aluminium scrap using TOMRA's latest sorting technology
Benfleet Scrap Co. Ltd, a scrap metal recycling specialist based in Essex, southeast England, has reportedly secured the latest and most advanced metal sorting equipment from TOMRA, called the X-TRACT™ unit, for its new metal recycling plant in Benfleet. The new plant in Benfleet is one of the three sites owned by the ferrous and non-ferrous metal merchant. The plant, worth £2 million, began its operations in early 2023. It currently processes aluminium profile and taint tabor scrap at high throughputs without affecting product quality. Tomra’s latest advanced technology, X-TRACT™ unit, is able to sort aluminium from heavy metals. Designed with a high-powered top-mounted x-ray source and DUOLINE™ sensor, the technology can detect and separate objects based on atomic density, delivering...
Despite a September fall of 3%, Gulf aluminium production increases sequentially in 3Q2023
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, primary aluminium production in the Gulf Cooperation Council has continued to record a fall at a higher level during September 2023. In contrast to a drop of 2,000 tonnes in August, the output in September decreased by 17,000 tonnes or 3.29 per cent from 517,000 tonnes to 500,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year basis, the production volume during the said month stood 1,000 tonnes less than 501,000 tonnes. However, despite the fall in monthly production, the daily average output during September 2023 stood restrained at 16,700 tonnes, same for the past three months. Even in September 2022, the daily average primary aluminium output in the Gulf was 16,700 tonnes. The Gulf’s total production of primary aluminium in the third quarter of...
Vedanta’s excellence in energy management & supply chain operations lately brings two prestigious awards
Vedanta Aluminium has yet again earned a prestigious recognition in the form of two gold awards at the Confederation of Indian Industry's IQ National and Regional Excellence Practice Competition and National Energy Awards for Excellence in Energy Management. One of the awards represents Vedanta's excellence in energy management, and the other testifies to its supply chain operations & safety digitalisation. It is to be noted that Vedanta has emerged as a winner in two categories from among a diverse pool of industries, including metal, cement, engineering, paper, automation, and others. The secret behind achieving these awards is Vedanta's smart, strategic initiatives like the implementation of 100 per cent Graphitized Cathodes to enhance energy efficiency, which resulted in saving 7.93...
South32 installs P3XLE technology to curb emissions from Hillside aluminium smelter
South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, is reportedly installing P3XLE energy efficiency technology at its Hillside Aluminium smelter in South Africa to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially. This move is part of the company's deliberate effort to move away from carbon-intensive energy. Commenting on this, South32 CEO Graham Kerr said at the annual general meeting (AGM), "As part of our transition away from carbon-intensive energy, we remain mindful of the need to support a fair and just transition for the smelter's workforce, local communities, and the broader South African economy." Kerr also said that switching to a lower-carbon energy source would be an ideal solution for decarbonisation at Hillside smelter. However, the phenomenon involves challenges,...
AMAG generates revenue above EUR 1 billion during Jan-Sep’23 leveraging strong demand from the aerospace sector
AMAG Austria Metall AG has reported its latest financial results till September 30, 2023, highlighting stable earnings with revenue above EUR 1 billion, even amid global inflation and decelerating aluminium prices. Although the revenue during the first nine months of 2023 saw a drop of 15.6 per cent year-on-year, it managed to come in at EUR 1,142 million. The revenue in the third quarter was recorded at EUR 346.4 million compared to EUR 449.6 million in the previous year. AMAG noted that aluminium demand from the aircraft sector was strong and that from the automotive industry was stable. But demand from the sports and architectural sector was muted, resulting in a fall in AMAG's shipments volume. From January to September 2023, AMAG shipped 327,700 tonnes of aluminium products – 4 per...
Amcor’s STELVIN ® aluminium screw cap range is now with 35% lower carbon footprint
Amcor Capsules, a global leader in developing and producing responsible packaging for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical, has reported to have lessened the carbon footprint of its STELVIN ® aluminium screw cap range by up to 35 per cent. The updated range of products is made of low-carbon aluminium and from 46 per cent post-consumer recyclate. Amcor’s STELVIN ® screw cap and all 30H60 caps emit less carbon than the standard screw cap produced with European aluminium sheets. This milestone has been achieved using certified, independently verified low-carbon and recycled aluminium. This advancement is part of the company’s TRANSPARENCE sustainability programme, a one-of-a-kind programme designed with more focus on environmental impact to enable the wine and spirits industry to deliver...
ASI certifies Hindalco Alupram Works for sustainable extruded aluminium alloy production
After Hindalco’s Renukoot Downstream facility comes the turn of Hindalco Alupram Works to have received the ASI certification. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced on Thursday, October 25, that it successfully recognised Hindalco Alupram Works manufacturing operation against the Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification. The plant, located in the Kochi district of Kerala, India, produces aluminium alloy extruded products for the construction, aerospace, automotive, marine, and defence industries. Currently, Hindalco Alupram Works has a capacity of 8,000 tonnes per annum. The ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) certification defines environmental, social, and governance principles and criteria, aiming to address sustainability issues in the aluminium value chain. Alupram Works...
Canada relies on imported aluminium as its manufacturing PMI drops; scrap imports surge by 57% in Aug’23
Canada recorded a substantial rise in aluminium imports during August 2023, indicating a notable shift in the metal market. The total volume of aluminium imports during the said month stood at 894,952 tonnes, flaunting a growth of 21.58 per cent from 736,089 tonnes in July. On a year-on-year calculation, the imports registered a rise of 19 per cent compared to 753,554 tonnes. Brazil, Australia, Guinea, and the United States were the top four suppliers of aluminium to Canada. Brazil led the way by exporting 659,527 tonnes of aluminium products, followed by Australia 88,255 tonnes, Guinea 58,996 tonnes, and the United States 55,539 tonnes. It is to be noted here that Canada’s manufacturing PMI dropped to 48, marking the fourth consecutive month of contraction in Canadian operations. Thus,...
Constellium posts an 11% hike in value-added revenue for Jan-Sep 2023, buoyed by aerospace rolled products shipments
Constellium SE has announced the third quarter results ended September 30, 2023, revealing a fall in revenue attributed to demand headwinds in several end-user sectors. Heavy inflation also threw a challenge to the company, pulling down its Q3 revenue by 15 per cent year-on-year to €1.7 billion. However, according to Constellium’s report, its value-added revenue (VAR) saw a rise of 5 per cent Y-o-Y to €704 million during Q3 2023, driven by improved price and product mix. From January to September 2023, it stood at €2,243 million, up by 11 per cent from €2,029 million. Adjusted EBITDA also registered a growth of 5 per cent in Q3 from €160 million in Q3 2022 to €168 million. Constellium posted that its net income during Q3 2023 was €64 million, witnessing a sharp fall of 51.15 per cent from...
China’s domestic A00 aluminium ingot price declines but remains above RMB19000/t
On Thursday, October 26, A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a drop of RMB 70 per tonne after a hike last day. Nevertheless, the price is still standing above RMB 19,000 per tonne, found the Shanghai Metals Market. According to the data, A00 aluminium ingot price has come in at RMB 19,020 per tonne as of October 26, with average prices likely to range between RMB 19,000 per tonne and RMB 19,040 per tonne. The spot contract is estimated to trade at a discount price of RMB 30 per tonne and a premium price of RMB 10 per tonne. In Foshan, Shenyang, and Tianjin, A00 aluminium ingot price has dwindled by RMB 90 per tonne to peg at RMB 19,040 per tonne, RMB 19,050 per tonne and RMB 19,000 per tonne, respectively. In Gongyi and Chongqing, the primary aluminium price has decreased by RMB 70 per...
Hydro’s Q3 2023 revenue declines 15% Y-o-Y due to bearish aluminium prices; measures to mitigate crisis are underway
Lower extrusions and recycling volumes, coupled with bearish alumina and aluminium prices, led to a bigger-than-expected drop in Norsk Hydro’s financial output in the third quarter of 2023 ended September 30. On Monday, October 23, Hydro released its Q3 CY2023 fiscal report, announcing a 15 per cent revenue fall year-on-year from NOK 52,445 million to NOK 44,702 million. On a quarter-on-quarter calculation, the decline was 17 per cent from NOK 53,630 million. In the first nine months of the year, Hydro’s revenue was recorded at NOK 146,865 million, down by 10.37 per cent from NOK 163,854 million during the corresponding period of the last year. The company’s adjusted EBITDA plunged by 60 per cent Y-o-Y from NOK 9,721 million to NOK 3,899 million. Thus, the EBITDA from January to September...
