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.
India Govt. may slash import duties on aluminium and other commodities: Sources
The government of India may ponder slashing import duties on products like aluminium, steel, copper, etc. in the budget to dispense some relief to SMEs that have been heavily impacted by the escalation of input costs, as reported by two industry experts aware of this development. The experts also commented that an announcement on this is anticipated in the upcoming budget. However, no one from the ministry has commented on this as of yet. The import duty of aluminium levies 10% on aluminium, on steel it is 7.5%, copper 5% and polymers 10%. Furthermore, all the mentioned products also attract 18% integrated goods and services tax to offset local levies on the products. The sources also revealed that the taxes may now be dropped further in the budget, with a precise section of metals and...
A joint venture with Japan to a wholly-owned company, Inalum’s journey to witness 46 years
On 6 th January 2022, the Indonesian state-owned company specialized in aluminium smelting, PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum, commonly known as Inalum will be 46 years old. All it started with a joint venture between the Indonesian and Nippon Asahan Aluminium Co. Ltd., a consortium of Japanese companies with the status of Foreign Investment (PMA) in 1976, Inalum has blossomed rapidly to become the only aluminium smelter in Indonesia. However, on 19 th December 2013 witnessed an important moment, as Inalum was wholly owned by Indonesia with the status of a State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) after the termination of the contract with a consortium of companies from Japan. Mahyaruddin Ende, Deputy Corporate Secretary, Inalum said: "We have several strategic projects from upstream to downstream and we...
Downstream products weekly recap: Lewisport aluminium rolling mill to receive $167 million investment from Commonwealth Inc.; Exco Technologies to acquire extrusion dies business of Halex Holdings GmbH
The most vital segment of the global aluminium industry, the downstream division remained highlighted even during the last week and ending days of 2021. The world suffered heavily due to the deadly Covid-19 virus both in 2020 and as well as in 2021. In every corner of the world, the manufacturing industry was hugely impacted by close-downs, lay-offs, etc. The Covid pandemic is still not over, as many variants are emerging and keeping the fear alive. But, our hope remains positive for 2022 for a better world, for a better living. However, coming to the business, the downstream witnessed some major funding and also acquisitions this week. According to the Shanghai Metals Market, aluminium billet inventories in China dropped by 900 tonnes week-on-week across five major consumption areas. As...
Noranda Bauxite initiates ‘Operation Discovery Tree’, a project to raise the forested areas in the parish of St. Ann.
Noranda Bauxite, Atlantic Alumina and Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited made public the launch of Operation Discovery Tree, a project with a purpose to proliferate the forested areas in the parish of St. Ann. Operation Discovery Tree will incorporate the development of a tree nursery on selected lands retrieved from bauxite mining near its Water Valley operations, as well as the strategic replanting of trees grown at the nursery to develop forestry areas in the present unforested parts of the region. However, Operation Discovery Tree was commenced to supplement Jamaica’s tree nursery capabilities and to enlarge the positive environmental impacts from Noranda’s ongoing tree planting, greenhouses, aquaponics, and other reclamation initiatives. Noranda Bauxite aspires to break ground on this...
India’s leading non-ferrous metal scrap company ‘Nupur Recyclers’ IPO listed on NSE Emerge platform
The leading name in India’s importation ground of non-ferrous metal scrap such as aluminium Zorba grades among other scrap metals, Nupur Recyclers has settled the share allotment for its initial public offering (IPO). On 23 rd December 2021, Nupur Recyclers has listed on a premium of 23.33% at the NSE Emerge platform, emerging as the most prominent SME IPO of India in 2021. However, the premiums scaled up to approximately 30% in just a few hours in the later period. The IPO of Nupur Recyclers was opened for subscription during 13 th -15 th December 2021, while it was subscribed for 41.37 times, with bids coming in for 23 crore shares against an offer size of 57 lakh equity shares at a fixed price of INR 60 per equity share. The minimum lot size for investment was 2000 shares and the...
Estonia’s import of aluminium cans during 2018-20 manifests express growth; 22% dip estimated for 2021
Estonia is considered to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, as the country’s Q3 GDP growth of 8.6% Y-o-Y surpassed Europe’s and the world’s average GDP growth of 3.9% and 4.5% respectively. The Northern European nation, Estonia imported 12,768 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-20 incurring revenue expenditure of $57.97 million for the import. In 2018, Estonia’s import of aluminium cans was registered at 1156 tonnes, counting expenditure of $6.15 million, whereas, in 2019, the import saw an express growth of 340.74%, as the import volume surged to 5095 tonnes and the expenditure also climbed to $19.16 million. Estonia’s import of aluminium cans in 2020 got documented at 6517 tonnes, which signifies a further growth of 27.90%, while the expenditure jumps to $32.66...
Brazil Govt. approves duty-free import of 350,000 tonnes aluminium for 2022
On 22 nd December 2021, the official gazette of the government of the largest country in South America and Latin America, Brazil notified that it has sanctioned a duty-free import quota for non-alloyed aluminium of 350,000 tonnes for 2022. However, on 21 st December a conclusive decision was drawn by the executive management committee (Gecex) of Brazil’s foreign trade chamber (Camex), a part of the Ministry of Economy, Govt. of Brazil. Following the inflow of 350,000 tonnes of P1020 aluminium into the nation exhausting the duty-free import quota, the remaining import will be levied with a 5.4% import duty. In recent past, the Brazilian aluminium industry associates market participants overhear that the import quota could be as around 230,000-260,000 tonnes, as the overall anticipation was...
European Union to impose additional tariffs on Chinese aluminium foil import
The industry body representing 80 plus member bodies of the European aluminium industry, European Aluminium stated that it will impose additional tariffs on aluminium foil importing from China following the European Commission discovered that producers in the region gained from excessive and unfair subsidies. The tariffs on aluminium foil converters of certain thin classes, which will come into effect from 23 rd December 2021, range from 8.6% to 18.2% and exceed the anti-dumping duties that there are between 6.0% and 28.5%. The European Commission initiated an investigation after receiving complaints from EU manufacturers. China had identified aluminium foil as a key industry and intervened with the free play of market forces to promote the sector. The Chinese state subsidies are in the...
Vietnam’s import of aluminium stranded wire during 2019-21 unveils rise in import demand followed by de-growth
The Delta variant of COVID-19 impacted the stride of Vietnam’s economic growth, as it is envisioned to remain moderate at 2.3% in 2021 when compared to the 2.9% growth rate record in 2020. However, a strong recovery in GDP growth momentum is forecasted for 2022, at a rate of 6.3% Y-o-Y, due to an increase in vaccine rollout supported gradually restricts the pandemic and permits a gradual reopening of international tourism. The Southeast Asian country, Vietnam imported 22,595 tonnes of aluminium stranded wire during 2019-20 incurring revenue expenditure of $66.98 million for the import. In 2019, Vietnam’s import of aluminium stranded wire was registered at 10,382 tonnes and the expenditure occurred was $27.14 million, whereas, in 2020, the import witnessed growth by 17.63%, as the import...
Romania’s Alro slash production at the aluminium smelter, intent for total close down
The President of the trade union within Alro Slatina, Constantin Popescu stated that integrated aluminium producer, Alro has initiated a program of a complete shutdown of the production activity due to the surge in electricity prices. Alro remains one of the biggest aluminium companies of Romania and also the largest producers in continental Europe excluding Russia and the Scandinavian Peninsula. Alro Slatina is also a substantial energy consumer of Romania. However, it has been reported that the aluminium smelter has already commenced the closedown procedure, as it has planned to slash down 60% of the production during the first phase. Constantin Popescu commented: "We are facing exorbitant prices in the energy market and a lack of energy in the market. We have already started the...
Montenegro power transmission operator to disconnect the supply of KAP aluminium smelter
On 21 st December 2021, the state-owned power transmission system operator of Montenegro, Crnogorski Elektroprenosni Sistem (CGES) said that it will disconnect aluminium smelter KAP from the grid on 31 st December 2021. CGES stated in a notice that they have sent to the owner of the smelter, Uniprom: “Following the applicable regulations, if the contract for the supply of power to KAP in 2022 is not signed by December 25, we will be obliged to issue an order to completely suspend the delivery of electricity via the transmission system on December 31.” “Uniprom is not entitled to any compensation by CGES based on possible damage to the technological process at KAP caused by the suspension of power supply to the electrolytic cells at the aluminium smelter” highlighted by the power...
Vedanta aluminium smelter expansion plan obstructed by ‘Odisha High Court’ on environmental ground
The leading aluminium producer of India, Vedanta’s aluminium smelter expansion plan in Jharsuguda has been obstructed by Odisha High Court on the environment clearance grounds. The mining and metal company based in India is projected to augment its annual production capacity from 16 lakh MT to 18 lakh MT and captive power plant (CPP) capacity to 1,215 megawatts and for this reason, the land required to be acquired in Brundamal, Katikela, Purna and Kurebaga. However, the land acquisition procedure has been intertwined in a legal dispute over the public hearing for the project. Although, the Odisha State Pollution Control Board has held a public hearing to hear the grievances of the people to be impacted in regards to the expansion of the aluminium smelter, as the disputes were raised over...
UK’s import of aluminium household articles during 2019-21 displays marginal drop followed by enterprising growth
Aluminium is a non-toxic commodity that is utilised in the manufacture of woks, pressure cookers and many other household articles without dismay. The products are easy to clean and do not contaminate the food at any stage. Another most important reason for the usage of aluminium in household articles, other than its lightweight is aluminium’s generation of naturally protective thin oxide coating which keeps the metal from making further contact with the environment. The United Kingdom made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland imported aluminium household articles of 51,731 tonnes during 2019-20, counting expenditure of $243.23 million for the import. In 2019, the UK’s import of aluminium household articles imported 26,236 tonnes of aluminium household articles incurring...
Exco Technologies to acquire extrusion dies business of Halex Holdings GmbH
On 20 th December 2021, the Canadian global supplier of innovative technologies servicing the die-cast, extrusion and automotive industries, Exco Technologies Limited, publicized that it has inked a definitive agreement to acquire the extrusion dies business of Halex Holdings GmbH (“Halex ® Extrusion Dies”). However, the transaction is expected to conclude in the spring of 2022. Nick Gnatyuk, Vice President and General Manager of Exco’s Extrusion Group, said: “This acquisition will provide us with well-established and high-quality operations, manufacturing complex extrusion dies in Europe and will also allow us to better support our global customers.” “We have been looking to expand into Europe for some time and we see Halex as the perfect fit." In 1990, Halex Extrusion Dies initiated its...
Vedanta Aluminium rolls out high-speed billets for global extrusion industry
The largest aluminium producer of India, Vedanta’s Aluminium Business has rolled out high-speed billets for the global extrusion industry through a virtual event with associates from the downstream and extrusion industry. The commodity tycoon Anil Agarwal chaired company’s global experts on billet extrusion also shared a heap of initiatives as part of its Customer Technical Service cell for unparalleled customer experience. Vedanta Aluminium’s high-speed billets launch was a part of its portfolio of billet offerings, produced with distinguished engineering precision. It applied the best-in-class global technologies like Wagstaff Hot-Top Air Slip Casting System (USA) and Hertwich Continuous Homogenising Furnace (Austria) have been used to manufacture these billets. Rahul Sharma, the CEO of...
Hydro invests in Deeside aluminium remelting plant to increase recycling production
The global aluminium giant Norsk Hydro’s investment scales up Hydro Aluminium Deeside’s situation in the UK extrusion ingot domestic market delivering consumers with higher recycled aluminium from Q1 2023. Trond Olaf Christophersen, the head of Recycling in Hydro Aluminium Metal: "With this investment Hydro Deeside will be able to process and recycle more complex types of post-consumer aluminium.” The Deeside aluminium facility will recycle additional 7,000 tonnes of aluminium per year which will be mainly sourced from the local scrap market in the region. However, once processed, the recycled aluminium will be delivered to customers as Hydro CIRCAL, a Hydro brand of recycled aluminium made with a minimum of 75% recycled, post-consumer aluminium scrap. The post-consumer aluminium scrap...
Saudi Arabia’s import aluminium foil during 2019-21 signifies volatile movement
According to the primary evaluation report from the government, the economy of Saudi Arabia grew at a rapid pace in nearly a decade in Q3 fostered by higher oil prices. As per the statistics of the General Authority, it reveals that GDP in the kingdom was augmented by 6.8% compared same quarter of 2020. The largest country in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia imported 131,836 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2019-20 incurring a revenue expenditure of $307.27 million from the import. The oil-rich nation in 2018 imported 68,596 tonnes of aluminium foil, counting expenditure of around $181 million, whereas, in 2019, Saudi Arabia imported 63,240 tonnes of aluminium foil, which signifies a drop in import by 7.80% and the expenditure also, fell sharply to $126.27 million. Saudi Arabia’s import of...
Indian scientists make headway for an eco-friendly process to enhance the anti-corrosiveness of high-strength aerospace aluminium alloys
Indian scientists have succeeded in developing an environment-friendly process for enhancing the anti-corrosive feature of high-strength aerospace aluminium alloys. The aerospace, automobile and marine sector globally utilizes aluminium alloys as applications precisely for its strength-to-weight ratio (low density and high specific strength), while among varied aluminium alloys, heat treatable wrought alloy compositions possess high mechanical strength and are customarily preferred by the aerospace industry. The aerospace parts made from these aluminium alloys, comprising landing gear, wing spar, fuselage, skins, pressure cabins and so on, are anticipated to influence high fatigue life and corrosion resistance. The state-owned Autonomous Research and Development Centre of Department of...
