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.
Louisiana Office of State Parks introduce a new aluminium can recycling initiative
On Tuesday, July 18, the Louisiana Office of State Parks and Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser launched the Let Louisiana Shine Park Recycling Program to offer visitors of Bouge Chitto, Fairview-Riverside, Fontainebleau and Tickfaw state parks a new way to recycle aluminium cans and #1 PET plastic bottles. The visitors will have to dispose of the cans and bottles in designated blue bins, which representatives from the Let Louisiana Shine Park Recycling Program will collect, sort, and remove trash contamination. The cans will be collected on a bi-weekly basis. After collection and sorting, cans and bottles will head to recycling facilities. Nungesser is hopeful about the reducing amount of recyclable material entering landfills.
Rio Tinto’s H1 2023 aluminium output grows 9% to 1.5 MT, supported by capacity boost at Kitimat smelter
On Wednesday, July 19, Rio Tinto announced its second quarter’s operational results ended June 30, highlighting a 4 per cent increase in aluminium production Q-o-Q and an 11 per cent rise Y-o-Y to 814,000 tonnes, benefitted from the continued ramp-up of the Kitimat smelter. Rio’s Boyne and Kitimat smelters are progressing to resume their full capacity by the end of 2023. The company’s total aluminium production in the first half of the year totalled 1.598 million tonnes, up by 9 per cent from last year. Rio Tinto has invested $1.1 billion, including $113 million from the Quebec government, into expanding the AP60 aluminium smelter equipped with low-carbon technology at Complexe Jonquière in Canada. On the other hand, Rio Tinto’s bauxite production in H1 2023 fell by 8 per cent...
Constellium agrees to sell 3 of its German extrusion facilities to Vaessen Aluminium for €48.8 million
On Tuesday, July 18, Constellium SE, a global leader in manufacturing high-value-added aluminium products and solutions, announced that it is selling three of its soft alloy extrusion facilities to Vaessen Aluminium. As per the report, Constellium has already signed a binding agreement with Vaessen for selling the facilities located at Landau, Crailsheim and Burg in Germany for €48.8 million. Three of these Constellium plants have 450 employees in total. They are specialised in manufacturing soft alloy extruded products for the Building & Construction sector, Transportation, and Industry markets in Europe. The transaction is likely to close in the second half of 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval. Vaessen Aluminium, headquartered in Belgium, is a...
China’s aluminium imports grow 11% Y-o-Y to reach 1.2 million tonnes in H1 2023
China’s aluminium imports, including unwrought aluminium and products, increased 10.7 per cent from the previous year, reaching 1.2 million tonnes during the first half of 2023 ended June 30. According to China customs data, the country imported 211,235 tonnes of aluminium in June – 10.19 per cent higher than 191,701 tonnes a month ago and 12.8 per cent more than 187,362 tonnes a year earlier. The rise in China’s aluminium imports could be because of the limited domestic production due to the hydro-power shortage in the southwestern Yunnan province, the fourth biggest aluminium producing province in China. As per the National Bureau of Statistics, China’s primary aluminium output merely grew 3.4 per cent in H1 2023 to 20.16 million tonnes. Production resumed in Yunnan late last month....
SuperAlloy Industrial achieves ASI Performance Standard V3 Certification for forged aluminium wheels production
Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has certified SuperAlloy Industrial Co., Ltd. (SAI) with Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification for manufacturing lightweight metal products for the automotive industry. The certification has been granted for producing high-end forged aluminium wheels and suspension parts for luxury and sports cars at Yunlin Plant I in Taiwan. SAI has an annual production capacity of 900,000 pieces. The independent, third-party audit of the SAI facility was done by DNV Business Assurance Services UK Ltd. The ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) Certification was launched in May 2022, which defines 11 principles and 62 criteria under three sustainability pillars – Environment, Social, and Governance. The aim is to address pressing sustainability issues in the aluminium...
Alstom to utilize new aluminium technology for Vande Bharat trains
Alstom has reportedly announced deploying new aluminium technology for Vande Bharat trains. The news came after the company’s CEO Henri Poupart-Lafarge officially said that new tech would be deployed for Vande Bharat for the first ever. Alstom’s engineering team in Bengaluru will design the Vande Bharat trains, while the parts of the trains will be made in Gujarat, said Henri Poupart-Lafarge. In an interview with CNBC TV-18, Alstom CEO highlighted the importance of Vande Bharat project for the Indian railways. He also said that Alstom is on the right track to meet the 1 billion EURO turnover target from India. "Our turnover in India has grown by over 40 percent this year... Over 25 percent of Alstom's engineering work is being done in India, and we want to take this figure to 33 percent...
LME aluminium price shrinks over the weekend by US$30/t but still stands higher W-o-W; SHFE price settles lower at US$2542/t
The LME aluminium benchmark price movement slowed down since last Friday, registering a total fall of US$41 per tonne in two days. On Monday, July 17, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price declined drastically over the weekend by US$30.50 per tonne and US$30 per tonne, respectively, to open the week at US$2,194 per tonne and US$2,195 per tonne. But despite the two consecutive days of fall , the LME aluminium benchmark price stood 4.72 per cent higher week-on-week than US$2,096 per tonne. The 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also shrunk over the weekend by US$24 per tonne to rest at US$2,244 per tonne and US$2,245 per tonne. December 24 bid price and December 24 offer price decreased by US$16 per tonne to score at US$2,402 per tonne and...
China’s primary aluminium production stands 2.9% higher Y-o-Y as Yunnan resumes curtailed capacity
According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China’s primary aluminium production grew year-on-year in June 2023 as smelters resumed operations in southwestern Yunnan province after the ease of local power usage restrictions. As per the data released by NBS, China produced 3.46 million tonnes of primary aluminium in June, which reflected an increase of 2.9 per cent from a year ago. The daily average output amounted to 115,333 tonnes, up by 4.54 per cent from 110,323 tonnes in May. Yunnan began lifting power usage restrictions late last month following more rains in the region as that could generate a higher amount of hydropower. Around 500,000 tonnes of annual capacity returned to operations in the second quarter, according to Chen Xinlin, a senior consultant at Metals & Mining...
JP Morgan revises Kaiser Aluminium’s target price to $70.00 for exceeding earning expectations in Q2
According to a recent report, JP Morgan Chase & Co. has increased the target price for Kaiser Aluminum from $69.00 to $70.00 for the semi-fabricated aluminium producer’s robust performance in Q3 earnings. As per the report, Kaiser Aluminium reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.42 for Q2 2023, much ahead of the market estimation of $0.16. That showcased the company’s ability to outshine its competitors. Kaiser Aluminium also reported its revenue at $808 million for Q2 2023, close to the consensus estimate of $810.25 million. Although the revenue stood 14.9 per cent down than in the last year, it still demonstrated the company’s resilience amid challenging economic conditions. Kaiser battled with a negative return on equity at -3.35 per cent and a negative net margin at -0.65 per cent....
China’s alumina price stands RMB11/t higher W-o-W on capacity resumption; A00 aluminium ingot price shrinks by RMB160/t
The average alumina spot price has grown by RMB 2 per tonne over the weekend after an intermittent restraint at RMB 2,831 per tonne on Friday, July 14, according to the Shanghai Metals Market data. On Monday, July 17, the price has stopped at RMB 2,833 per tonne, up by RMB 11 per tonne from RMB 2,822 per tonne a week ago. Last week from July 10 to 14, the alumina spot price gained RMB 9 per tonne. In Shandong, Guizhou, and Guangxi, the alumina spot price has climbed RMB 5 per tonne to stand at RMB 2,795 per tonne, RMB 2,820 per tonne, and RMB 2,830 per tonne, respectively. Other provinces like Henan, Shanxi, and Bayuquan have witnessed no changes in alumina prices. On the other hand, the Australian alumina FOB price has dipped by US$ 1 per tonne to clock at US$326 per tonne, found SMM....
US aluminium scrap exports fall 9000 tonnes M-o-M, but exports to India grow 9.34%
The United States’ aluminium scrap exports in April 2023 stood at 167,000 tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month fall of 9,000 tonnes or 5.11 per cent from 176,000 tonnes, found the US Geological Survey. The downfall in April followed a hike in the previous month by 17,000 tonnes or 10.69 per cent from 159,000 tonnes. On a year-on-year calculation, the US aluminium scrap exports in April 2023 stood 3.73 per cent higher than 161,000 tonnes. From January to April 2023, the United States exported 662,000 tonnes – 0.60 per cent less than 666,000 tonnes. India, the highest importer of aluminium scrap from the US, sourced 39,800 tonnes of aluminium scrap in April 2023 versus 36,400 tonnes in March. That reflected a month-on-month increase of 9.34 per cent. On a year-on-year basis, India’s...
Gränges survives slow economy and weak aluminium demand with a profit of SEK 570 million in H1 2023
Gränges, a leading supplier of rolled aluminium materials, announced its second quarter and first half results of 2023, which reflected a survival amidst an overall economic slowdown and narrow demand for the metal. As per the results published, Gränges’ sales volume in Q2 dropped by 1.7 per cent Q-o-Q to 1.205 million tonnes from 1.225 million tonnes, and net sales amount diminished by 12.6 per cent from SEK 6.875 million to SEK 6.008 million. Sales volume in the first six months of 2023 also recorded a fall of 3.5 per cent Y-o-Y from 2.492 million tonnes to 2.406 million tonnes, and net sales plunged by 7.6 per cent from SEK 12.955 million to SEK 11.976 million. But adjusted operating profit grew in Q2 as well as in H1 of 2023 from SEK 348 million to SEK 450 million and from SEK 678...
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Alumina output in Africa & Asia (ex-China) continued to grow M-o-M by 8% during May’23
According to the International Aluminium Institute data, alumina production in Africa & Asia (ex-China) during May 2023 amounted to 1.167 million tonnes, reflecting a month-on-month hike of 8.05 per cent from 1.080 million tonnes. The growth continued after an increase of 1.41 per cent in April from 1.065 million tonnes in March 2023. However, on a year-on-year calculation, Africa & Asia’s (ex-China) alumina output in May edged a fall of 3.55 per cent from 1.21 million tonnes, found IAI. The daily average output in May 2023 stood at 37,600 tonnes, up by 4.4 per cent M-o-M from 36,000 tonnes and down by 3.6 per cent Y-o-Y from 39,000 tonnes. Africa & Asia’s total alumina production during the first five months of 2023 amounted to 5.464 million tonnes – 4.16 per cent less than 5.701 million...
Hydro is now more competent in aluminium recycling market with the ownership of Alumetal
Hydro completed the acquisition of Polish aluminium recycler Alumetal S.A. on June 30 by bagging more than 97 per cent of its shares through tender subscription. The purchase of Alumetal will strengthen Hydro's recycling position in Europe and widen low-carbon product offerings in the market. This transaction is also a significant move towards Hydro's recycling ambition and its goal to enhance the use of post-consumer aluminium scrap by 2025 in a bid to reduce carbon footprint in metal industry. Eivind Kallevik, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal, explained, "With this acquisition, Hydro and Alumetal will together become the leading integrated aluminium recyclers in Europe. This will enable us to offer more low-carbon and recycled aluminium products based on post-consumer...
China’s daily average aluminium output in June 2023 records steady M-o-M at 112,200 tonnes: SMM
China’s aluminium production in June 2023 (30 calendar days) stood at 3.37 million tonnes, reflecting a drop of 2.94 per cent M-o-M from 3.472 million tonnes, found the Shanghai Metals Market survey. However, on a year-on-year calculation, the output in June 2023 edged a marginal rise of 0.14 per cent, showed SMM. The share of liquid aluminium output dropped 3.5 percentage points M-o-M to 72 per cent in June as aluminium smelters cut the share of liquid aluminium output in response to poor demand. The domestic daily average aluminium production in June stood steady M-o-M at 112,200 tonnes despite a fall in monthly production. SMM data also showed the total domestic production in the first six months of the year (H1) amounted to 20.11 million tonnes, up by 2.81 per cent year-on-year....
Hydro’s 23 North American extrusion sites achieve ASI Performance Standard V2 certification
Hydro announced on Wednesday, July 12, that its extrusion business unit in North America achieved Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard V2 certification. Twenty-three of Hydro's hundred sites in the US and Canada obtained the certification after being audited by the independent, third-party firm DNV. On receiving the certification, Charlie Straface, President of Hydro Extrusion North America, said: "We are pleased to reach this ASI certification milestone in North America. The speed and breadth of this effort is an excellent reflection of Hydro's dedication to sustainability and responsible business practices." To acquire ASI certification, a production site should conform to the stringent governance standards, policy, management, transparency and reporting, environment...
China’s June'23 alumina production dips M-o-M to 6.46 million tonnes due to tight supply of raw material
According to the Shanghai Metals Market survey, China’s metallurgical-grade alumina production in June 2023 (30 calendar days) totalled 6.46 million tonnes, down by 1.22 per cent from 6.54 million tonnes in May (31 calendar days). The daily average production in the said month was recorded at 215,000 tonnes, reflecting steady output compared to the earlier month owing to operation resumption in Henan, Guizhou, and Chongqing, along with newly added capacity. On a year-on-year calculation, China’s alumina output in June stood 4.2 per cent lower due to the closure of alumina capacities in high-cost areas like Shanxi, Henan, and Inner Mongolia. At the end of the month, China’s installed alumina capacity was 100.25 million tonnes, with an operating capacity of 78.58 million tonnes. The...
Japanese primary aluminium shipment premium is agreed at $127.5/t for Q3 2023
Japanese primary aluminium premium in the September quarter is less likely to change much from the previous quarter, given a buyer has recently agreed to pay a premium of $127.5 per tonne to a global producer over the benchmark price for shipments, said a source on Tuesday, July 11, involved in the pricing talks. The offer has been made after several rounds of negotiations whereby producers sought to raise premiums from the earlier quarter, but buyers pushed to cut levels, said a source at a Japanese trading house. The amount is close to the premium of $125-130 per tonne paid in the June quarter but lower than the initial offers of $165-180 per tonne made by producers. However, compared to the premium of $95-105 per tonne offered in Q1, the recommended premium for Q3 is higher by over 20...
