AlCircle News Edited By "Rupankar Majumder"
A professional with a technical background, specialising in producing insightful content centred around metals, particularly aluminium, passionately engaged in the intricacies of the recycling sector.
Soaring energy price stirs Hydro to curb 60% production at Slovalco aluminium smelter
On 7 th February 2022, Slovakia’s only primary aluminium producer Slovalco aluminium smelter has announced that it has further slashed its production to around 60% in regards to soaring energy prices, emissions allowances and absence of government compensation. Slovalco mentioned that the axe in production completes as declared on 30 th December, and it might drive through 2022 as it criticized the Slovak government for low compensation for energy-intense industries compared to other EU nations. Norsk Hydro majority-owned stated aluminium producer, Slovalco stated, “Central Europe’s only smelter with an annual capacity of 175,000 tonnes of aluminium products, Slovalco shut 44 pots at the weekend after shutting 47 in late 2021 and now has 135 out of 226 pots in operation.” Milan Vesely,...
Nalco’s Q3 profit excels over three times to INR 831 crore
The Indian state-owned National Aluminium Company (NALCO) has reported that its consolidated net profit excelled from 246.53% to INR 830.67 crore on an up-rise of 58.62% in net sales to INR 3773.26 crore in Q3 December 2021 in comparison to Q3 December 2020. The Profit before tax elevated 271.47% to INR 1,108.94 crore in Q3 December 2021 as against INR 298.53 crore in Q3 December 2020. Nalco’s outstanding results were streamed by sustained supply of raw material, optimized production, strategic power sourcing especially during the phase of coal crisis, better realization and effective capacity utilization of its operational units. The report revealed that total expenses leapt 29.29% to INR 2,736.12 crore with the cost of materials consumed surging 60.48% to INR 513.85 crore during the...
Ghana: Official survey for commercial bauxite mining at Nyinahin-Mpasaaso range commences
The official survey towards the activities for confirmation of commercial deposit of bauxite in the Nyinahin-Mpasaaso range in the Ashanti region commences. Rock shore Mining International with its partner company, Sahara Mining Consultants have processed to the site and started drilling the hills for ore of the mineral resource for laboratory analysis. Felix Aziz Thompson, the supervising geologist of Sahara Mining Consultants, who is in charge of the testing of the samples stated, “From my initial technical assessment, the range is endowed with commercial quantities of bauxite deposits and is thus upbeat about the fortunes for Ghana.” This has emerged following the CEO of the Ghana Integrated Aluminum Development Corporation and some officials paid for an official tour of the site....
Ecuador’s export of aluminium scrap during 2019-21 illustrates gradual downfall; 26% further dip estimated for 2022
The economic recovery of Ecuador has been analysed by several economists to remain relatively weak in 2021 but forecast growth exceeding 4% in 2022, while Ecuador has managed to plug its large fiscal deficit projected to reach $4.8 billion (4.6% of GDP) in 2021— with credits and deferrals. The country’s economic freedom score is 52.4, making its economy the 149th freest in the 2021 Index. Its overall score has increased by 1.1 points, primarily due to improvement in fiscal health. Economic freedom has enhanced in Ecuador for two years in a row, as the economy has climbed a little higher in the mostly unfree category, although there is a long road ahead. The nation straddling the equator on South America’s west coast, Ecuador exported 10,322 tonnes of aluminium scrap during 2019-21,...
Bahrain’s industrial giants Alba, Bapco join forces to foster green and sustainable industrial development
On 6 th February 2022, the Gulf state Bahrain’s duo industrial giants Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) and Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) in the first-of-its-kind initiative, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) towards joining of forces to share knowledge and collaborate on implementing Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives of common interest. The MoU was inked by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer - Ali Al Baqali and Bapco’s Chief Executive Officer - Dr Abdulrahman Jawahery at Awali Township and was attended by Alba’s Chief Power Officer - Amin Sultan, and Bapco’s Acting Deputy Chief Executive and BMP Project Director – Hafedh Al Qassab, as well as other officials from both companies. Furthermore, to due diligence for projects of common interest that are in line...
Primary aluminium weekly recap: AlCircle shares the updated list of confirmed exhibitors & sponsors for its Expo 2022; Alro S.A aims to find solutions to resume electrolytic aluminium production
The global aluminium industry is gradually breaking its barriers to come out of the pandemic, though still countering production curbs, lay-offs, anti-dumping incidents, etc. but also delivering high profits and dividends. As the travelling mode is still facing challenges from certain new variants of the Covid, but to keep the wheels of the business rolling, AlCircle exhibits the updated list of confirmed exhibitors & sponsors for its Expo 2022. The Romanian aluminium house Alro S.A aims to find solutions to resume electrolytic aluminium production. The aluminium smelters entail a raw material that enables the perfect chemical balance through the complicated procedure of converting alumina to aluminium metal. The booming aluminium sector of Australia primarily relies on China to keep the...
Norsk Hydro secures position in the list of “Fortune – The World’s Most Admired Companies 2022”
The Norwegian aluminium and renewable energy company, headquartered in Oslo Norsk Hydro holds a position among the list of “Fortune – The World’s Most Admired Companies 2022” as one of only three companies from Scandinavia. Hilde Merete Aasheim, the President & CEO of Hydro stated, “This is a great recognition of the work that is being done by our people around the globe. I am also impressed that we are one of only three Scandinavian companies on the list.” Fortune, The World’s Most Admired Companies is based on a survey that engulfs a wide range of criteria, comprising investment value, quality of management and products, social responsibility and ability towards talent retention. Norsk Hydro stands as the only Norwegian company incorporated in the list and ranks number 5 among industry...
Downstream products weekly recap: Almin Metal Industries in Zimbabwe all set for further expansion; Matalco Inc. acquires aluminium billet manufacturer Ohio Valley Aluminum Co. LLC
The downstream segment of the global aluminium sector is still witnessing acquisitions and expansions, which started eventfully from the later part of the previous year. This happening ensures that the global manufacturing industry is countering and gradually recovering the dent created by the Covid pandemic. The financially distressed nation Zimbabwe was in the news due to the announcement of aluminium profiles producer and distributor Almin Metal Industries further expansion. While in the United States, Matalco Inc. acquired high-quality 6000-series aluminium billet manufacturer Ohio Valley Aluminum Co. LLC. The leading aluminium smelting and rolling mill in the world, Aluminium Norf GmbH (Alunorf) will purchase electricity from five wind parks in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia to...
World aluminium associations call on G7 trade ministers to address the issue of state subsidies
On 4 th February 2022, the world’s leading aluminium associations, which comprises, The Aluminium Association (USA), European Aluminium, the Aluminium Association of Canada and the Japan Aluminium Association in conjunction released their newest policymaker briefing, ‘Towards a Fairer and Cleaner Trade-in Aluminium’ , in regards to the on the ongoing challenges in the global trade of aluminium. The paper cites data from the ‘Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’ (OECD) demonstrating by the means of massive state subsidies, particularly in China, have manipulated aluminium supply chains and tarnished the environment. The briefing was shared with lead trade ministers in all G7 nations (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States). The...
Qamco reports a nine-fold leap in net profit for 2021
The Doha based highly profitable producer of aluminium, Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company (Qamco) has booked an almost nine-fold year-on-year leap in net profit to QR835 million in 2021, rendering into earnings-per-share (EPS) of QR0.15. Qamco board has recommended a total annual dividend distribution of QR446 million for the proposed year, representing a payout ratio of 53% of the current year’s net earnings. A dividend of QR0.08 per share representing 8% of par value resulting in a dividend yield of 4.4% on the closing share price as of 31 st December 2021. Abdulrahman Ahmad al-Shaibi, the Chairman of Qamco, said: “The main highlight of 2021 was a sequential macroeconomic recovery leading to strong price trajectories for primary aluminium, operational excellence along with good...
Aluminium: The future of foundries
The factories that produce aluminium metal castings are commonly known as aluminium foundries. In the casting process, aluminium is melted in a liquid form, pouring into a mould and then after the aluminium cast cools off and solidifies, it is drawn from the mould or cast. Aluminium can be cast into varying shapes and sizes, while the aluminium foundries use various types of source metal to charge the furnace, including virgin material, external scrap and internal scrap. The aluminium foundries generally use reverberatory, gas heated crucible or electric resistance furnaces. However, periodically, hydrogen or other gases get into the casting, either by physical entrapment or chemical reaction and if this situation arises, it is removed via the de-gassing process. Aluminium castings are...
Indonesian ambassador to Sri Lanka meets Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa to promote aluminium, electric motorcycles
On 2 nd February 2022, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Dewi Gustina Tobing met the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa in Colombo towards promotion and the marketing of Indonesian produced aluminium and electric motorcycles. The ambassador promoted the aluminium manufactured in Indonesia, which is one of the potential sectors of the nation. In 2021, Sri Lanka's aluminium imports have reached around $427 million. Dewi said, “Indonesian aluminium products are now starting to be noticed by the Sri Lankan market and have a strong enough potential to become a source of increasing Indonesian exports to Sri Lanka." "One of the potential economic cooperation between Indonesia and Sri Lanka today is the marketing of Indonesian electric motorcycles, considering that Sri Lanka is...
Safex Chemicals take possession of aluminium phosphide manufacturing firm Shogun Lifesciences
On 3 rd February 2022, the Indian agrochemical industry Safex Chemicals acquired the western India state Gujarat-based aluminium phosphide manufacturer, Shogun Lifesciences through its wholly-owned subsidiary Shogun Organics Ltd. Now, the acquisition compels Safex Chemicals the lone company in India to supply a complete Agri to home care portfolio. The Pune-based manufacturer of Home Care Active Ingredients, Shogun Organics Ltd, now diversified to produce agrochemical active ingredients. However, in 2021, Shogun Organics itself was acquired by Delhi-based Safex Chemicals. The manufactures aluminium phosphide and zinc phosphide, Shogun Lifesciences has production facilities near Ahmedabad, Gujrat. Aluminium phosphide is counted as a vital and sole molecule used for safe storage of...
ETi Alüminyum expands its solar park intending to produce green aluminium, reaching the net-zero target
The Turkish organization, ETi Alüminyum, which is counted as one of the few integrated facilities in the world that can produce from the mine to the final products with a wide range of uses, from window profiles to aeroplanes is expanding its solar park with two projects that are contemplated to lift the capacity to 163 MW, to produce clean and green aluminium, while progressing on its path to net-zero emissions. Eti Alüminyum, the subsidiary of Cengiz Holding is establishing solar power units next to its plant, although it operates two photovoltaic plants with a consolidated capacity of 58.8 MW. Globally, energy-intensive industries like the production of metals and cement are switching to renewables and electrification to decarbonize and curb costs as part of the global energy...
Jamalco reconstruction process to commence from June 2022: Finance Minister
On 1 st February 2022, the Minister of Finance and the Public Service of Jamaica, Dr Nigel Clarke asserted to the ‘House of Representatives’ that the proceeding of reconstruction at the Government's part-owned bauxite/alumina company Jamalco is on course. Dr Clarke, while countering to questions from Phillip Paulwell, the opposition spokesman on mining and energy said, “The recovery process will take place over three phases, starting in June this year.” He said, “In terms of phase one, JAMALCO expects the recommencement of operations at up to 50% of capacity, using steam from a set of boilers now being installed.” “It is expected that mining operations and associated jobs will begin to be restored in the weeks before the resumption of production.” He also informed the House that by the...
Alunorf efforts to reduce carbon footprint signs wind PPA with French energy company Engie SA
The leading aluminium smelting and rolling mill in the world, Aluminium Norf GmbH (Alunorf) will purchase electricity from five wind parks in the state of North-Rhine Westphalia to diminish its carbon footprint. The German aluminium producer, Alunorf’s inked power purchase agreement (PPA) with French energy company Engie SA undertakes that Alunorf will off-take about 28 million kWh of green electricity in 2022 which is enough to power four induction furnaces. On 1 st February 2022, Engie Deutschland said, “The PPA with Alunorf will the continued operation of the five wind parks located in Krefeld, Viersen, Dueren and Baesweiler as they no longer receive tariffs under the EEG scheme.” Oliver Hommel, the manager of Alunorf said, “The deal with Engie will help Alunorf gain experience in the...
Almin Metal Industries in Zimbabwe all set for further expansion
The Harare, headquartered Zimbabwean manufacturing company, Almin Metal Industries Limited is all set to open three new branches in March 2022 as part of its drive for business expansion. In 1969, Almin Metal Industries was founded, while the company is in the business of manufacturing and supply of aluminium profiles for architecture, irrigation and general engineering purposes. However, the new branches will be in Gweru, Kwekwe and Mutare. The metal product producer owns and operates an aluminium extrusion facility in Harare and it is the only one in Zimbabwe that has vertically integrated aluminium processing capabilities comprising of an extrusion plant and metal finishing operations such as anodising and powder coating. The company also has a branch in Bulawayo. Ntombizodwa Mhlophe,...
AAI addresses ‘Ministry of Coal’ on distressed coal stocks
The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has addressed the Ministry of Coal urging for the immediate resumption of adequate coal rakes for the highly power-intensive aluminium industry with no assurance of adequate coal supply notwithstanding the stockpiles of coal gushing captiously low, resulting in production derangement emerging across the Indian aluminium sector. AAI in its representation to the ministry has praised the combined efforts by the Ministry of Coal and Coal India Limited in reviving domestic coal production, which has succoured to soothe the coal supply crisis for the domestic power sector. The stride undertaken by the ministry has increased the overall daily rakes dispatched from 242 rakes per day in September 2021 to 289 rakes per day in December 2021. Now, this has...
