AlCircle News Edited By "Ishita Ganguly"
With a content marketing journey spanning over a decade, Ishita Ganguly currently works at AL Circle as a Content Strategist. When she's not crafting strategies, you'll find her lost in the musical world of post-rock and black metal.
NALCO reports fiscal year 2022-23 performance amidst profit margin challenges
NALCO's profit margins have faced challenges attributable to increased input costs, the volatility of the business environment, and fluctuations in global demand and supply, as indicated by a company official. National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) reported sales amounting to 14,171 crore INR and a net profit of 1,544 crore INR for the fiscal year 2022-23. During the same period, the prominent aluminium company accomplished an export turnover of 4,217 crore INR. However, it's worth noting that in the preceding financial year, 2021-22, NALCO achieved its highest-ever sales of 14,181 crore INR and recorded a net profit of 2,952 crore INR, according to the official's statements. The approval of the annual accounts for 2022-23 occurred during the company's 42nd annual general meeting, which...
Guangdong Fenglu Aluminium's project advances toward high-quality development
In Guangdong's Xinxing County, the construction of the aluminium products and metal processing project by Guangdong Fenglu Aluminium Co., Ltd. has made significant progress, according to recent reports. The project commenced at the end of 2022 and has been advancing smoothly since then. All seven bidding sections of the first phase have reached their construction milestones, and the second phase is scheduled to begin construction in October. The first phase is slated for operational launch in August 2024, with full completion and operation expected by December 2025. These developments are expected to substantially boost the city's industrial economy. A reporter visited the construction site of the Guangdong Xinxing Fenglu Aluminium project and observed numerous completed high-rise...
Workers at NICHE Fused Alumina halt strike
After enduring 10 months of stringent cost-cutting measures, the recent announcement of NICHE Fused Alumina's new restructuring plan has pushed the workers to the brink. Following a relentless 6-day strike, they have temporarily suspended their movement, pending a pivotal consultation with the company's management. “The year 2023 was complicated for the company, which saw the number of its orders drop following production difficulties,” explained Jean-François Vicini, David Bourquenoud, Carine Francina, and Anthony Buttarello, elected officials from CGT. “The situation became financially delicate and a first reorganisation was announced on July 28 in order to limit costs. The temporary contracts were stopped and the fixed-term contracts expiring (i.e. around 20 positions), were not...
Alcoa appoints former Lundin Mining legal chief Andrew Hastings as Chief Legal Officer
Alcoa Corp., the largest producer of aluminium in the United States, has announced the appointment of Andrew Hastings, the former general counsel of Canada's Lundin Mining Corp., as its new Chief Legal Officer. Andrew Hastings decided to join Alcoa after stepping down from his position as the legal head of Lundin Mining Corp. in August. This decision coincided with Lundin's relocation of its headquarters from Toronto to Vancouver. Hastings had held the role of legal chief at Lundin since 2019. Hastings assumes the role previously held by Jeffrey Heeter, who had been set to retire on September 1, as reported in a securities filing made by Alcoa earlier this year. Heeter had been leading Alcoa's law department since November 2016, a period that marked Alcoa's separation into two publicly...
"Given the evolving technological landscape and the growing demand for innovative solutions across industries, the prospects for future generations of the aluminium industry are truly exciting", Dr. Amit Chatterjee, Chief Research and Development Officer at Vedanta Ltd - Aluminium Business
Dr. Chatterjee, with 33 years of Industrial R&D experience and expertise, is a visionary leader in innovative Research and Development, driving new product development, process improvement, beneficiation of minerals, wealth from waste and decarbonisation efforts in the aluminium industry. His leadership sparks open innovation and effective collaborations that translate research into real-world applications and sustainable business solutions. Dr. Chatterjee is an eminent force in the field with a rich background encompassing upstream and downstream aluminium processes, process intensification by modelling and simulation, and valorisation of waste by chemical processing. AL Circle: Among the various industries extensively utilising aluminium, which sectors demand greater emphasis on...
Inner Mongolia witnessed the production of 4.792 million tonnes of non-ferrous metals
During the Inner Mongolia non-ferrous metal energy saving and carbon reduction technology exchange meeting on September 16, Zhang Guangsheng, the deputy director of the Industry and Information Department of the autonomous region, shared that the region's non-ferrous metal output had increased by 4.7 per cent year on year in the first seven months of this year, reaching 4.792 million tonnes and securing a second-place ranking in the country. On May 4 of the same year, the Department of Industry and Information Technology of the Autonomous Region released the “Implementation Plan for Peaking Carbon in the Industrial Sector of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.” This plan outlined the ambitious goal of achieving significant progress in the adjustment of industrial structure and energy use by...
Novelis releases its fiscal year 2023 sustainability report, Scaling Circularity
In a remarkable display of commitment to sustainability, Novelis Inc., a global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, has unveiled its fiscal year 2023 sustainability report, showcasing substantial progress towards its ambitious sustainability objectives. The report, which encompasses a wide range of environmental, social, and community engagement metrics, underscores the company's unwavering dedication to shaping a more sustainable world. One of the standout achievements highlighted in the report is Novelis' significant reduction in absolute carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. With a target to slash emissions by 30 per cent from its FY2016 baseline by 2026, the company managed to achieve a remarkable 14 per cent reduction in FY23, encompassing scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions. (Scope 1...
Huada Technology commits RMB 1.05 billion to new energy and material casting project
On September 15, 2023, Huada Technology made an announcement regarding its plans to invest RMB 1.05 billion in a new energy and new material casting processing project. Under this project, the company will establish a wholly-owned subsidiary, Huaqi New Energy Technology (Jiangsu) Co., LTD., which will oversee the project's construction and implementation. This ambitious project will unfold in two phases, with a total expected investment of RMB1.05 billion. Upon completing all construction activities and attaining a production capacity of 60,000 tonnes, the project anticipates generating annual production and sales revenues exceeding RMB 2 billion. Huada Technology's project centres on the core activities of aluminium alloy casting, machining, and assembly preassembly. It aligns with the...
Russia increases alumina imports from India
In recent months, Russia has increased its imports of alumina, the primary aluminium feedstock, from India to supply its extensive Siberian plants. This strategic move has allowed Russia to diversify its supply sources, reduce its reliance on China, and lower production costs. Following its invasion of Ukraine, a significant aluminium producer, Russia faced a shortfall in alumina supply due to a suspended production facility in Ukraine and Australia's ban on alumina exports to Russia. While Russia maintains amicable relations with China, the surge in aluminium production in China has constrained price flexibility for Russia's alumina purchases. Rusal 0486.HK, the world's largest aluminium producer outside of China, needed to bridge this supply gap to sustain domestic production and...
China achieves record high in August aluminium production
In August, China witnessed a 3.1 per cent increase in its primary aluminium production compared to the previous year, reaching a record monthly high. This surge in production was primarily attributed to the recovery of hydropower generation in the southwestern province of Yunnan. According to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China, the world's largest aluminium producer, achieved an output of 3.6 million tonnes of primary aluminium in the same period. Compared to the previous month, the output saw a 3.4 per cent increase, with daily production averaging 116,129 tonnes in August, as calculated by Reuters. During this reporting month, a survey conducted by consultancy firm Mysteel revealed that approximately 390,000 tonnes of annual capacity, equivalent to 32,500...
Alumina and electricity costs drive up August prices for electrolytic aluminium
The combined effects of alumina and self-supplied electricity prices caused an uptick in the cost of electrolytic aluminium in August. The Mysteel aluminium research team extensively analysed electrolytic aluminium enterprises in China. In August 2023, the weighted average full cost of the Chinese electrolytic aluminium industry stood at 15,764 yuan per tonne, reflecting a 137 yuan per tonne increase compared to the previous month. When compared to the average spot price of aluminium ingots at Shanghai Steel Union, which was 18,654 yuan per tonne in August, the industry's overall profit amounted to 2,890 yuan per tonne. The rise in aluminium prices slightly outpaced the increase in costs, resulting in an average profit surge of 163 yuan per tonne in the electrolytic aluminium industry for...
Zhaofeng Tiancheng Aluminium Company achieves over 10,000 tonnes in production and sales
Zhaofeng Tiancheng Aluminium Company, a part of the Huayang Group, has recently achieved a significant milestone as its production and sales both surpassed 10,000 tonnes. In the month of August, Zhaofeng Tiancheng Aluminium Company experienced a surge in production and sales, with a remarkable output of over 10,600 tonnes of cast-rolled strip and sales nearing 11,000 tonnes. These figures mark an all-time high for both production and sales. Throughout the year, Zhaofeng Tiancheng Aluminium Co., Ltd. remained steadfast in its commitment to achieving a profitable year. The company embraced benchmarking management practices, unlocked its internal potential, and diligently pursued refined operational strategies while closely monitoring the execution of various tasks. Every department within...
Chinalco announces leadership transition in Guizhou enterprises
In a recent development, Chinalco, a leading aluminium producer, has announced a significant change in the leadership structure of its Guizhou enterprises. The decision was made during a cadre meeting held on September 8 at the ChalCO Guizhou Enterprise. The meeting saw the presence of high-ranking officials and key personnel, including Chinalco Assets Party secretary and Chairman Zhou Lihong, Li Wenjun (General Manager of Human Resources Department of Chinalco Assets), Comrade He Fei (formerly the General Manager of Guizhou Aluminum Works Co., LTD.), and various members and representatives from Guizhou Aluminum Factory, Guizhou Hualin, Guizhou Huajin, and Guizhou Branch. During the meeting, Li Wenjun read out relevant documents from both the Chalco Assets Party Committee and the Chalco...
Zhengzhou Research Institute's aluminium industry big data centre joins Henan province's innovation hub
The "Aluminium Industry Big Data Integration and Innovation Centre" initiated by Zhengzhou Research Institute has achieved a significant milestone by securing inclusion in Henan Province's "Big Data Industry Integration and Innovation Centre." The Henan Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology recently granted approval to the "Aluminium Industry Big Data Industry Integration and Innovation Centre," paving the way for its integration into Henan Province's "Big Data Industry Integration and Innovation Centre" in the year 2023. This endorsement comes with substantial support from the Henan Province for the centre's development. In 2022, the Henan Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology embarked on the establishment of Henan Province's comprehensive...
ABx Group signed a 5-year bauxite supply agreement with Adelaide Brighton Cement Limited
ABx Group has recently inked a significant five-year agreement with Adelaide Brighton Cement Limited (ABCL), a subsidiary of Adbri Limited, for the supply of cement-grade bauxite. The bauxite will be sourced from ABx's DL130 Bauxite Project located in northern Tasmania, with the initial shipment slated for Q1 2024. The agreement outlines a forecasted supply of 90,000 to 120,000 tonnes of bauxite over the five-year term, with a confidential but profitable sale price already established for the first shipment. Subsequent shipments will undergo price negotiations. ABCL also holds the option to extend the contract for an additional five years. The DL130 Bauxite Project is currently in the process of securing mining lease approval, with the commencement of mining operations expected in Q1...
Winning Group orders new VLOCs as Guinea bauxite trades rise
Winning International Group, a company based in Singapore specialising in capesize vessels, has recently ordered at the CSSC yard Qingdao Beihai Shipbuilding in China to construct two huge ore carriers (VLOCs). These VLOCs are intended to support the company's seaborne trade route from West Africa to China. These newly commissioned vessels, known as WinningMax, will have a capacity of 325,000 deadweight tonnes. They will be certified by the China Classification Society and DNV, measure approximately 330 meters in length, be equipped for methanol storage with 12,000 cubic meters of fuel storage tanks, boast a speed of 13.9 knots, and meet the requirements of EEDI Phase 3. Compared to traditional capesize vessels, the WinningMax is anticipated to reduce energy consumption per tonne by...
ElementUS Minerals advances in DOE Clean Energy Financing Programme
ElementUS Minerals, a pioneering company specialising in the extraction and refinement of strategic minerals from bauxite residue waste, has received an invitation to submit a Part II Application for a loan guarantee under the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Title 17 Clean Energy Financing Programme. This development marks a significant step forward in their mission to provide a sustainable source of critical materials for the green transition. The Part I application, which sought approximately $400 million in funding, included a detailed analysis of ElementUS Minerals' innovative process, business plan, and its commitment to maintaining a low carbon footprint. The Loan Programmes Office (LPO) at the DOE has extended this invitation to proceed with a Part II application, indicating...
MBS Architectural adopts Capral's LocAl® Green Lower Carbon Aluminium for sustainable building solutions
In a significant step towards sustainability, MBS Architectural, known for its commitment to excellence in the construction industry, has transitioned to Capral's LocAl® Green Lower Carbon Aluminium for its Apollo Concealed Clip Aluminium Batten System. This strategic shift empowers architects, designers, builders, and developers with a cleaner and greener alternative for their projects, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly building materials. Moreover, this action will cut down the carbon emissions linked to their range by over 500 tonnes annually. The Apollo Concealed Clip Aluminium Batten System is a modular and highly customizable solution adaptable to various project-specific needs. Designed for both wall and ceiling applications, it offers architects and designers...
