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.
Adani Group to invade aluminium sector, all set to establish aluminium smelter and alumina refinery
The Indian multinational conglomerate, headquartered in Ahmedabad, Gujrat, Adani Group, led by billionaire businessman Gautam Adani is all set to invade into the business of establishing up an aluminium smelter and alumina refinery. On 18 th December 2021, the flagship company of Adani Group, Adani Enterprises declared that it has engulfed a wholly-owned subsidiary Mundra Aluminium Limited on 17 th December 2021. However, the company notified during an exchange filing that Mundra Aluminium, which is yet to begin its business operations, has authorised and paid-up share capital of INR 100,000. The filing further revealed: "Mundra Aluminium Limited is incorporated with the object to venture into the business of setting up alumina refinery and an aluminium smelter.” “Mundra Aluminium is...
Downstream products weekly recap: Rusal invests US$12 million in repairing and modernizing SKAD plant for aluminium alloy car wheels production; AMAG accomplishes acquisition of German firm Aircraft Philipp
The downstream segment of the aluminium industry derives its major raw material from the primary sector and is considered the most vital part of the industry. The week witnessed some notable events of acquisition and investment for developments in the downstream segment. The Russian aluminium giant Rusal stated that it has already completed a comprehensive programme of overhauls and modernisation of production at the SKAD plant. Austria’s AMAG accomplishes the acquisition of German firm Aircraft Philipp. However, with this acquisition, it will be the sole owner from the turn of the year. Following the accomplishment of the takeover, the name of the company will also change to AMAG components. On 10th December 2021, the board of auto components maker Minda Industries at its meeting has...
Hindalco Industries acquires global aluminium giant Hydro’s aluminium extrusions business in India
On 17 th December 2021, the leading player in the extrusions industry in India, Hindalco Industries Limited inked a definitive agreement to acquire global aluminium giant Hydro’s aluminium extrusions business in India for INR 247 crore. The world’s largest aluminium rolling and recycling company said in a statement to the stock exchanges on 17 th December: “This acquisition from Hydro brings into the Hindalco fold, an integrated facility located in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh.” Norway headquartered Hydro’s Kuppam plant in Andhra Pradesh, India has a production capacity of 15,000-tonne of aluminium extrusions and is integrated with advanced value-added capabilities for surface finishing and fabrication. The Kuppam facility offers custom aluminium extrusion products and solutions for auto,...
Romania’s import of aluminium structures during 2019-21 exhibits steady growth
The metal aluminium has a density of around one third that of steel or copper, which denotes it as one of the lightest commercially available metals. The resultant of high strength to weight ratio drives it to an important structural material permitting enormous payloads or fuel savings for especially in the transport sector. The construction sector utilizes aluminium for window frames, panels, domed roofs and other wide-span constructions and ornaments. Presently, it is used for roofs, siding, translucent panes, doorframes, staircases, air conditioning systems, solar protection, heating systems, furniture and many other things. The European Commission in November 2021 stated that Romania’s economy is anticipated to expand by a real 7% in 2021, as compared to the 7.4% growth rate...
Flawed Chinese aluminium import delays the float of Royal Australian Navy boats for another nine months
The principal naval force of Australia, the Royal Australian Navy anticipates that its new Evolved Cape Class patrol boats might now be delayed for around nine months, which is expected to incur an additional expenditure of $44 million to keep its ageing fleet in the water, following the importation of flawed aluminium from China. It was unveiled in March 2021 that Austal, the Australian shipbuilder had discovered inadequacy in the quality of the material, which has been sourced from Wuhan. At that time the office of Defence said: “We expected the scheduled launch dates of all six boats to be delayed by between four and 16 weeks.” Currently, the report from Auditor-General has disclosed “the delays have been significantly upgraded to between six and nine months, partly because Austal is...
Evtec Aluminium secures £11.4 million funding package from Praetura Commercial Finance for the acquisition of Liberty Aluminium Technologies
The Manchester-based asset-based lender, Praetura Commercial Finance has sanctioned an £11.4 million funding package to Evtec Aluminium for the acquisition of Liberty Aluminium Technologies. Praetura Commercial Finance arranged and provided the £11.4 million asset-based lending (ABL) facility entitled the chairman of Evtec Aluminium, David Roberts to acquire plants in Coventry and Kidderminster that produce aluminium castings. The buying of the recently founded Evtec Aluminium will fasten the future of around 200 highly skilled jobs in the West Midlands and it will imperatively keep the production of these aluminium castings within the UK. The facility will produce a wide range of lightweight aluminium castings components used for car powertrains that convert engine power into a movement...
Ghana Revenue Authority to impose 35.77% duty on cheap aluminium products from China
The chairman of Aluworks PLC, Prof Lade Wosornu stated that the Ghana Revenue Authority’s custom division has stirred to impose an additional duty of 35.77% on cheap aluminium products imported from China, that will empower Aluworks, the aluminium continuous casting and cold rolling mill of Ghana to compete favourably in terms of the pricing of its products. Prof Wosornu, while speaking at the 34 th annual general meeting, which was held virtually, said: “The Ghana International Trade Commission (GITC) wrote to the company to confirm that the customs division had commenced the processes for the implementation of the ruling on Aluworks' petition.” In 2020, Aluworks petitioned GITC to put measures in place to deal with the dumping of cheap aluminium products imported from China that was...
Diversified mining and metals group South32 signs $1.4 billion credit facility with environmental intent
The globally diversified mining and metals company producing bauxite, alumina, aluminium among other commodities, South32 with its headquartered in Perth, Western Australia secured $1.4 billion (R22.5bn) in commitments from financiers until 2026, manifesting its new credit facility as a sustainability-linked loan. The credit facility, which has a course of action for a two-year extension, recapitalizes the group’s enduring undrawn revolving credit facility that is due for a lapse in 2023. The miner stated that the facility has been entrenched as a sustainability-linked loan with proceedings linked to allegiance for scaling down emissions and advancement in energy and water use efficiency. Katie Tovich, the CFO of South32 said: “Sustainable development is at the heart of our purpose and...
EGA’s architect of the marketing strategy ‘Walid Al Attar’ steps down after 37 years of service
On 15 th December 2021, Mubadala Investment Company backed Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) publicized that Chief Commercial Officer and architect of the marketing strategy that made EGA the biggest ‘premium aluminium’ producer in the world, Walid Al Attar is to step down after 37 years of service to the company. However, Walid Al Attar will pursue to deliver his expertise as a senior advisor to EGA’s Chief Executive Officer Abdulnasser Bin Kalban. The Chief Marketing Officer since February 2021, Adel Abubakar will now directly report to the CEO of EGA. Adel Abubakar has been associated with EGA since 2006, which comprised working for almost a decade in the United States, developing the aluminium company’s North American business. The CMO will also shoulder the responsibility for EGA’s...
Austria’s AMAG accomplishes acquisition of German firm Aircraft Philipp
The leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality cast and rolled aluminium products used in a wide range of industries, AMAG Austria Metall AG is now grabbing the remaining 30% of the German firm Aircraft Philipp (ACP), based in Übersee am Chiemsee following the initial stakeholding in October 2021. However, with this acquisition, it will be the sole owner from the turn of the year. Following the accomplishment of the takeover, the name of the company will also change to AMAG components. This name change represents the expansion of AMAG’s product portfolio into components and ready-to-install aluminium and titanium components for the international aerospace industry. The combination of the foundry and rolling mill in Ranshofen with mechanical production at the two AMAG components...
Montenegro's majority state-owned energy supplier EPCG transfers the decision of KAP smelter to govt.
The integrated electricity company located in Niksić, Montenegro Elektroprivreda Crne Gore (EPCG) stated that the government has the power to decide whether the company should take charge of the production at KAP aluminium smelter owned by Montenegro's Uniprom. The majority state-owned power supplier EPCG on 13 th December 2021 said it is not registered for aluminium production, so the decision of regardless to accept the proposal of Uniprom should be formulated by the majority shareholder. On 11 th December, Uniprom proposed to EPCG to take charge of the production at KAP smelter gratis for a year commencing from 1 st January 2022 to evade the facility’s shut down due to a hostile energy price, which EPCG has tendered to be effective in early 2022. EPCG said: "The board of directors...
Poland’s export of aluminium foil during 2018-21 unveils rapid rise followed by continuous demand plunge
Aluminium foil is generated by rolling sheet ingots cast from molten billet aluminium, then re-rolling on sheet and foil rolling mills to the required thickness or by consistently casting and cold rolling. However, to maintain a constant thickness in aluminium foil production, beta radiation is passed through the foil to a sensor on the other side. The organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development stated that Poland's economy is anticipated to up-rise by around 5% both in 2021 and 2022 while pointing to the need to diminish fiscal support given the good economic situation. The Polish export of aluminium foil during 2018-20 stands at 116,846 tonnes, incurring revenue development to the country’s forex of $343.87 million from the export. In 2018, Poland’s export of aluminium foil...
Hydro to invest $230 million in Alunorte alumina refinery for transition to natural gas
The leading industrial conglomerate committed to a sustainable future, Norsk Hydro stated that the company will invest R$ 1.3 billion ($230 million) at its Alunorte alumina refinery in Brazil to supersede heavy fuel oil with natural gas. On 13 th December 2021, the company said in a statement: “Work on the project at the plant in northern Pará state will start in the first quarter of 2022 and is expected to be in operation in 2023.” Hydro further added: “The fuel switch will reduce the refinery’s annual CO2 emissions by 700,000t.” John Thuestad, the Executive Vice President of Hydro Bauxite & Alumina said: “We are committed to invest in developing the world’s largest alumina refinery and to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. The fuel switch is a milestone in our sustainability...
Inalum initiates to develop secondary aluminium smelting plant with production capacity of 50,000 tonnes
The Indonesian state-owned company specialized in aluminium smelting, Inalum Operating as part of the BUMN Holding Mining Industry MIND ID is dedicated towards the development of the national aluminium industry cluster. However, Inalum through its subsidiary PT Indonesia Aluminum Alloy (IAA) will gradually produce secondary aluminium billets with a production capacity of 50,000 tonnes per year. In the future, various extruded aluminium products as derivative products will also be produced. On 8 th December 2021, the initiative was witnessed by the groundbreaking revamping or Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) of the secondary billet aluminium smelting plant in Kuala Tanjung, Batu Bara Regency, North Sumatra. The revamp work is carried out by IAA in collaboration with PT Rekayasa...
Poland’s import of aluminium powder and flakes during 2019-21 reveals a sharp downfall with the further rise
Aluminium flake is a granular powder that is reaped from pure molten aluminium metal and is generally consumed and utilized in the pigments and coatings industries. According to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations, the GDP of Poland is expected to reach $625.00 billion by the end of 2021. The Central European nation imported 3672 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes during 2019-20, incurring a revenue outflow of $9.64 million for the import. Poland’s import of aluminium powder and flakes in 2019 was registered at 2602 tonnes, marking revenue expenditure of $6.43 million, whereas, in 2020, the import revealed a sharp downfall by 58.87%, as the import volume plunges to 1070 tonnes and the expenditure also pulls down to $3.21 million. The import of aluminium...
Aluminij Industries d.o.o, Glencore International AG inks two year supply agreement for primary remelt aluminium and offtake contract for extrusion billets
Aluminij Industries d.o.o., a part of the M.T. Abraham Group and Anglo-Swiss multinational commodity trading company, Glencore International AG has inked a contract for the supply of 300,000 tonnes of primary remelt aluminium, covering the anticipated consumption for 2022 and 2023. Concurrently, the commodity trader Glencore with headquarters in Baar, Switzerland has committed to selling more than 230,000 tonnes of primary aluminium alloy billets over the same period. With more than twenty years of shared experience with Aluminij’s products, Glencore possesses the necessary network and expertise to market the PLM13™ series billets. Produced by semi-continuous vertical casting, using Wagstaff AirSlip advanced technology, the PLM13 series ensures the delivery of high-performance products to...
Downstream products weekly recap: GM plans to spend $51 million for equipment installation at Indiana aluminium die casting foundry; EU imposes definitive anti-dumping duties on China’s aluminium converter foil
The downstream segment of the global aluminium industry has always been the most vital part of the sector, as the downstream segment also refers to engineered products and solutions. The American multinational automotive manufacturing company, General Motors plans to upgrade Indiana aluminium die casting foundry to support electric pickup. The renovation work is all set to commence immediately at the foundry. This investment is another example of the company bringing along our workforce in our journey to an all-electric future while we strengthen our current products. An investigation found that China’s aluminium converter foil dumping had caused significant impacts on the EU industry; firstly, by forcing the Union industry to a loss-making price level and secondly, by losing market...
Recycled aluminium weekly recap: Aluminium packaging recycling rate surges 15% Y-o-Y in 2021; EFW collection increases by 8%; Alcore begins construction of pilot plant to recover fluorine from aluminium smelter waste
The recycling of aluminium is emerging as the most vital segment for the future, as aluminium recycling conserves around 90% of the energy it takes to produce new aluminium. This is considered great, as mining bauxite and turning it into aluminium is highly environmentally destructive and energy-intensive. However, it is known that it takes around twice the energy to produce new aluminium. The aluminium packaging recycling organization, Alupro reported that the recycling rate for aluminium packaging is on course to excel at the 2021 target. Tom Giddings, Alupro’s General Manager said: “It is incredible to see that we have nearly hit targets for 2021, with three months of the year left to go.” The Sydney, Australia based company presumes Alcore’s exclusive technology for recycling excess...
