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.
Minda Industries approves capex of INR 74 crore for Minda Kosei Aluminum Wheel plant in Gujarat
On 10 th December 2021, the board of auto components maker Minda Industries at its meeting has approved Capex of INR 74 crore for the Minda Kosei Aluminum Wheel plant in Gujarat. The auto wheel manufacturer Minda Kosei has proposed expansion of its Gujarat plant production capacity from 90,000 to 120,000 wheels per month. The board of directors reviewed the Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Minda Kosei. The cost of the project approved is INR 74 crore. The mushrooming of production is anticipated to commence in Q1 FY2023-24. The JV Company Minda Kosei Aluminum Wheel Pvt. Ltd. (MKA) is established with its head office in Bawal, Haryana and is the largest alloy wheel manufacturer in India. MKA is engaged in the development, manufacturing and sales of aluminium alloy wheels for major OE car...
Aldel aluminium smelter rescued from bankruptcy, new journey begins with 120 lay-off
The Dutch Aluminum producer, Delfzijl Aluminum commonly known as Aldel has been safeguarded from a third-time bankruptcy but it pursues to axe several jobs. The present director of the company, Chris McNamee and his company Aloft are taking over the facility in Delfzijl from the American private equity fund York Capital. However, the reorganization will be encountering 120 lay-offs from 325 permanent employees and it is anticipated that it will drive Aldel to get rid of almost all its debts. In 1966, Damco Aluminum Delfzijl (Aldel) was established in Delfzijl and considered as one of the biggest employers in Northeast Groningen. The plant melts and casts high-quality aluminium that is consumed in the automobile sector among others. Due to the high prices for electricity and gas, Aldel had...
Hydro invests NOK 750 million to revamp Sunndal aluminium smelter
Norsk Hydro’s aluminium smelter in Sunndal in western Norway holds the place as the largest smelter in Europe and also the producer of low-carbon aluminium. The investment of NOK 750 million by the global aluminium giant is towards the replacement and upgrade of the existing high voltage and rectifier system, new service cranes and electrification of selected operating vehicles will secure that this position stands strong also in the coming decades. Eivind Kallevik, Executive Vice President, Hydro Aluminium Metal said: “This is an investment in the future of Hydro Sunndal and it shows our commitment to low-carbon, hydropower-based aluminium as an enabler for the green transition. Hydro Sunndal will continue to be a leading producer of Hydro REDUXA low-carbon aluminium to the automotive...
EGA inks three-year agreement with China’s Bosai Minerals Group for bauxite supply from Guinea
The leader in global aluminium production and also one of the largest companies in the UAE, Emirates Global Aluminium has inked a three-year agreement with China’s Bosai Minerals Group for the supply of bauxite from the West African nation, Guinea. The agreement states that EGA will supply Bosai Minerals Group with several million tonnes of bauxite each year, with the first shipment anticipated in January 2022. However, EGA has supplied Bosai Minerals Group with over one million tonnes of bauxite in 2021 under short-term agreements. Emirates Global Aluminium’s bauxite mining subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation made the company the world’s second-biggest supplier of bauxite to third-party customers, while in 2019, GAC commenced its production. On 9 th December 2021, Mr Yuan Zhilun,...
World’s top 4 aluminium associations welcome renewal of the US-Japan-EU trilateral partnership to address non-market policies and practices
The world’s top four aluminium associations, the United States, Europe, Canada and Japan have welcomed the commitment of Ministers to “Renew their trilateral partnership to address the global challenges posed by non-market policies and practices of third countries that undermine and negatively affect our workers and businesses.” On 30 th November 2021, in a joint statement, Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative, Mr Hagiuda Koichi, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan and Mr Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission, agreed to focus their efforts on identifying problems due to non-market practices, gaps in existing enforcement tools, and areas where further work is needed to develop rules to address non-market practices....
High energy price hurls Montenegro’s Uniprom to shut down KAP aluminium smelter, says chief executive
Veselin Pejovic, the CEO and owner of Uniprom stated that Montenegro's KAP aluminium smelter is projected to gradually shut down due to the hostile energy prices that will come into effect as of 1 st January 2022. On 8 th December 2021, the CEO said: "Just at the moment when the price of aluminium is very favourable on the market, unfortunately, I must say that some people did everything for me to announce today that KAP is closing." “The planned shutdown of the smelter will begin on 15 th December”, Pejovic further added. "We are concerned, in the first place, about the dismissal of over 500 workers and the termination of cooperation with more than 200 domestic companies.” It was earlier reported that KAP is planning to cease production operations due to the inflated power costs and also...
Alcore begins construction of pilot plant to recover fluorine from aluminium smelter waste
The developer of high technology businesses, ABx Group’s 87% owned chemical refining subsidiary, Alcore starts off the construction of a pilot plant, which will focus to produce precursor chemicals used to recover fluorine from aluminium smelter waste termed as “excess bath”. The Sydney, Australia based company presumes Alcore’s exclusive technology for recycling excess bath into high-value products like aluminium fluoride that might deliver economic and environmental benefits to the country’s aluminium smelters depending on imports. The inorganic compound Aluminium fluoride is generally used in the production of aluminium in welding applications and ceramic glazes and enamels, while its demand has been enormously enticed by the building and construction industry, as there is also a surge...
General Motors plans to spend $51 million for equipment installation at Indiana aluminium die casting foundry
On 8 th December 2021, the American multinational automotive manufacturing company, General Motors announced its plan to spend $51million to install new state-of-the-art equipment at Bedford, Indiana aluminium die casting foundry to manufacture drive unit castings for the upcoming Chevrolet Silverado EV and other current casting applications. The renovation work is all set to commence immediately at the foundry, whereas, earlier this year the 1m square foot site began producing electric drive unit castings for the 2022 GMC Hummer EV pickup and 2024 SUV. The production of the truck initiates this month at GM’s Factory Zero assembly plant, located in Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. Phil Kienle, GM Vice President of North America Manufacturing and Labour Relations said: “Our Bedford...
RUSAL secures silver level sustainability recognition from global ESG rating provider EcoVadis
On 7 th December 2021, the leading global aluminium producer announced that it has secured the silver sustainability recognition level from EcoVadis, the world’s largest and most trusted business sustainability rating provider. EcoVadis also supplies intelligence and collaborative performance improvement tools for global supply chains. The Russian aluminium giant is constantly working to enhance its environmental, social and management indicators, introducing sustainable development principles into the activities of all structural divisions and enterprises. However, this year, the company was awarded the EcoVadis Silver medal following an independent assessment, which confirms RUSAL's significant progress in improving sustainable development practices compared to the 2020 assessment, when...
Gränges bags EcoVadis Platinum award for ranking in global sustainability ratings
The global leader in aluminium engineering, manufacturing and innovation, Gränges has secured the Platinum rating award from EcoVadis, the world’s largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings. Platinum is the highest rating awarded by EcoVadis and it positions Gränges among the leading 1% of companies assessed globally in its industry. The sustainability rating from EcoVadis illustrates that Gränges has efficiently integrated sustainability principles into its business and that successful results have been achieved across the four categories assessed: environment, labour and human rights, sustainable procurement, and ethics. Sofia Hedevåg, SVP Sustainability at Gränges said: “We are very proud that Gränges has been awarded a Platinum medal by EcoVadis. It...
South Korea’s export of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-21 reveals excellent growth
South Korea stands with an economic freedom score of 74.0, making the economy the 24th freest in the 2021 Index. However, its overall score remains unaltered, with an improvement in the government spending score offset by declines in investment and financial freedom. The economy pursues to maintain its ranking among the freest countries. A well-educated labour force and a high capacity for innovation have supported companies to capitalize on the country’s participation in the global trading system. The East Asian nation on the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea exported 49,862 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-20 incurring revenue development of $191.05 million from the export. In 2019, the export of aluminium bar rods and profiles from South Korea was...
Canyon Resources negotiates vital terms with Cameroon govt. for mining convention of Minim Martap bauxite project
The Australian securities exchange registered firm Canyon Resources Limited announced that, through its wholly-owned Cameroon subsidiary Camalco Cameroon SA, it has attended four formal sessions with the Government of Cameroon to negotiate terms of the Mining Convention for the Minim Martap Bauxite Project, located in the Adamoua Region of Cameroon. The sessions were attended in person by senior representatives of the Cameroon Government, senior executives from Camalco and Canyon and Camalco’s advisors. On 5 th November 2021, the negotiations commenced when Camalco presented the Project to an audience of approximately 80 representatives of the Ministry of Mines and other Government administrators. The meeting incorporated an illustrated presentation of the Project by Camalco management...
Aluminium sector remains the worst hit due to plunge in coal supplies to CPP: ICPPA
On 6 th December 2021, the industry body Indian Captive Power Producers Association (ICPPA) said that coal supplies to captive power plants (CPP) have nosedived to 40%-50% of the requirement, while the aluminium sector is among the worst hit due to the hardship and if permitted to nettle it propels INR 1.4 lakh crores of investment towards risk. ICPPA further added: “The continued shortage of raw materials to key industries would lead to an increase in aluminium import and loss of export earnings to the tune of INR 70,000 crores.” "Keeping the above in mind, the Indian Captive Power Producers Association has requested the ministry's (Ministry of Power) immediate intervention for normalising 100 pc coal rakes supplies to CPP (captive power plants) industry and help them to partner the...
Rusal’s low carbon aluminium brand ALLOW ranked in the ‘League of Green Brands’
The Russian aluminium giant, Rusal announced that the Company's trademark, low carbon aluminium brand, ALLOW has been ranked in the League of Green Brands, the first national ranking of sustainable brands. In 2019, the League of Green Brands is a reputable non-governmental development institute established in Russia. The League's task is to create conditions for the systematic implementation of ESG principles and approaches in the practice of domestic companies and to promote sustainable business developments in Russia. The purpose of the organization is to create criteria for "green" goods as a basis for national eco-certification, as well as the promotion of the idea of sustainable development in Russia. The ranking methodology of the league was developed by Deloitte, its intellectual...
GPC Group secures significant mining contract from EGA's GAC
On 6 th December 2021, Guinea Alumina Corporation, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) publicized that it has awarded a crucial mining contract to a Guinean firm GPC, as the metallurgical-grade bauxite export company aspires to expand its contribution to the economy of the Republic of Guinea. The contract accorded to Guinéenne de Prestation et de Construction (GPC Group) is presumed to be one of the largest ever to a fully-local mining contractor, which has a value of worth over $34 million over the next 16 months. Following the bagging of the contract, Guinéenne de Prestation et de Construction anticipates expanding its workforce by 57 people to over 300. EGA targets twofold contribution to the economy in the nations where it functionalizes – the United Arab...
Fight against COVID, India’s KAISHA Packaging supplies flip-top aluminium seals for two billion doses of vaccines globally
The Mumbai, India based pharma-packaging house, KAISHA Packaging has successfully delivered over 2 billion doses worth of flip-top aluminium seals used for packaging COVID vaccines. The aluminium seal is used as a closure for injection vials during the vaccination drive and is one of the vital parts of the vaccine package that ensures tamper-proof delivery. The premium manufacturer of pharmaceutical closure systems for vials, KAISHA Packaging has been a persistent and largest supplier for these seals to all the vaccines available in the Indian domestic market and overseas. To ensure an unfailing supply of vaccines and corks any shortages or gaps, the company accomplished to line up and stock an enormous volume of raw material. KAISHA Packaging not only effectively manage this challenge,...
Malaysia: First electric bus service trial run to begin soon in Sabah’s capital, GML to supply aluminium coaches
The Malaysian state Sabah occupying the northern part of the island of Borneo has been anticipated to begin its first electric bus (e-Bus) trial run soon in Kota Kinabalu, the state capital. Muhammad Khairulnizam Hasnan, the chief communications officer of Qhazanah Sabah Bhd (QSB), the Sabah government's strategic investment arm stated that: “The final preparations were being carried out and the routes for the e-bus service were being finalised.” However, the e-Bus service is initiated by QSB in association with Gemilang Coachwork Sdn Bhd, one of Asia's leading e-Bus and aluminium bus body manufacturers. "A few other matters are being ironed out as well with the various authorities before we can get this trial service rolled out next year," he added. "We are eager to get it going and the...
Alba’s ESG transformation drive strengthened with the appointment of new acting manager Sayed Salah
The first aluminium smelter in the Gulf region, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba) has appointed Sayed Salah Sayed Aqeel as the new Acting Manager for Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) with immediate effect. To strengthen Alba’s ESG transformation drive, Sayed Salah will report directly to the CEO and spearhead Alba’s soon-to-be-announced Sustainability Fully-Fledged Roadmap. Ali Al Baqali, the Chief Executive Officer of Alba commented on establishing a standalone ESG department: “Sayed Salah’s appointment comes at an exciting time in our journey as we accelerate our focus to Alba’s ESG transformation and embrace our nation’s objectives under the leadership of HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain to reach net-zero by 2060.” Sayed Salah Sayed Aqeel, a Bahraini national...
