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.
Emirates Global Aluminium joins UAE’s ICV program with a vision to double economic impact by 2040
Emirates Global Aluminium has joined the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology’s (MoIAT) in-country value (ICV) programme as the leader in global aluminium production moves towards its goal of doubling economic impact by 2040. The event was organised in the presence of Dr Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sarah bint Yousif Al Amiri, Minister of State for Advanced Technology and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Board of Emirates Global Aluminium. Furthermore, the CEO of EGA, Abdulnasser bin Kalban and the Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry & Advanced Technology, Omar Suwaina Al Suwaidi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding the implementation of the In-Country Value Programme. Bin Kalban stated: “Together at EGA we...
Armenia’s export of aluminium foil during 2019-20 reveals remarkable growth; 4% downturn estimated for 2021
Armenia is an industrial-agrarian country, as metal products remain as one of the major exports. The economy of Armenia counts on manufacturing, services, remittances, and agriculture, while Russia is Armenia's principal export market. The Joe Biden administration has introduced new tariffs on Armenia’s aluminium foil import to the US, which is considered as the largest export of Armenia to the United States. The former Soviet republic, Armenia exported 83,219 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2019-20, incurring revenue generation of $206.81 million from the export. In 2019, the export of aluminium foil by Armenia was documented at 37,421 tonnes, generating earnings of around $96.30 million, whereas, in 2020, the export revealed remarkable growth of 22.38%, as the export volume escalates to...
26 miners of Olmedo bauxite mine secure hope for the future
The ray of hope has glimpsed through the gloomy cloud in the region, as it found the agreement to secure the future of the 26 miners of the Olmedo bauxite mine, where the mining operation has been ceased post-2015. The terms of the new contractual platform were approved by the parties via teleconference. The trade union representatives, the corporate RSUs, Alberto Urpi, the cabinet head of the regional councillor for industry and Michele Caria, sole director of IGEA, the regional in-house company that deals with the management of mining activities participated. The agreement succeeds for the extension of the current contract, which is expiring on 30 th November and now it will remain active until 20 th May 2022. A technical gap for 20 days will follow, after which new contracts with IGEA...
Demand for low-carbon aluminium excels supply, says EGA chief executive
The CEO of Emirates Global Aluminum (EGA), Abdulnasser Bin Kalban stated that the demand for aluminium products have started to upsurge by the end of 2020, whereas, low-carbon aluminium is encountering a shortfall in supply. During Global Manufacturing and Industrialisation Summit (GMIS) in Dubai, Abdulnasser Bin Kalban: “We work hard to meet their requirements and we try to expand more in different products.” The leader in global aluminium production, as well as one of the largest companies in the UAE, EGA is developing a technology to boost their green power generation and to reduce CO2 by 10% in their products. He also claimed: “Our technology is the best in the world in terms of efficiency and environmental emissions.” EGA and DEWA have raised the UAE to become the first country in...
Indonesia’s Inalum to cooperate with electricity generator PLN for strengthening the national aluminium industry
The Indonesian state-owned company specialized in aluminium smelting, PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminum (Persero) or Inalum will cooperate with PT PLN (Persero) to perceive its obligation to progress the national aluminium industry to a more advanced stage, innovative and competitive level. On 18 th November 2021, Danny Praditya, Inalum's Director of Operations and Portfolio during a specific working visit of Commission VII DPR RI to the Inalum Power Plant (PLTA) area in Paritohan, Toba Regency, North Sumatra, said the metal aluminium has enormous potential both in terms of resources and market in Indonesia and globally. "This potential must be utilized as much as possible by Inalum with innovation and collaboration with various parties, one of which is PT PLN (Persero) to increase the supply...
Jordan’s aluminium scrap exportation during 2019-21 unveils marginal downfall followed by a sharp growth
Jordan is comprised of a mixed economic system that provides a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. The industrial sector is a high contributor to Jordan's GDP and it is the 2 nd largest sector of the economy. The manufacturing sector is considered as the most vital and the light manufacturing sector of the country produces some good amount of aluminium scrap. During 2019-20, the Arab country of Southwest Asia, Jordan exported 22,697 tonnes of aluminium scrap, creating revenue earning of around $30.27 million. In 2019, the aluminium scrap export of Jordan was registered at 11,488 tonnes, incurring earnings of $15.40 million, whereas, in 2020, the export unveiled downfall by 2.42%, as the export volume dropped marginally to...
Hong Kong stock market regulators probing Rusal demerger plan
The stock market regulators in Hong Kong are examining the plans made by Russian aluminium giant, Rusal to spin off its high-carbon aluminium smelters and alumina refineries into a separate company that will be listed in Moscow. The decision to scrutinize the proposed demerger was activated following a complaint from Odey Asset Management. As reported by a renowned news agency, the London-based hedge fund suspects a recent agreement comprising the two largest shareholders of Rusal meant, they should not be permitted to vote. The global leader in low carbon aluminium production, Rusal announced the spin-off plan in May 2021 in a drive that would allow it to focus on the rapidly-growing green aluminium market. Rusal’s 57% stake is held by EN+, the group once controlled by Russian oligarch...
Global industrial expert Carmelo Maria Brocato joins AlCircle as Strategic Advisor for Europe and North America
AlCircle is pleased to announce the joining of Carmelo Maria Brocato as Strategic Advisor for Europe and North America region. Mr Brocato is presently associated with GMS/Engitec Group as Head of the Aluminium Division from April 2019. He has more than 30 years of experience in international business and has successfully spent more than 23 years of his professional career in the metal industry. Mr Brocato began his career with Continuus Properzi Spa and during his 19 years span, he attained the position of Commercial Director and Vice-President of the Board. An Engineer by qualification, Carmelo Maria Brocato has also worked as Vice-President – Aluminium & Copper WRM at Danieli & C. Officine Meccaniche S.p.a. before joining GMS/Engitec Group. Mr Brocato is a popular name among Italy’s...
Switzerland’s export of aluminium scrap during 2019-21 exemplifies steady growth
The economy of Switzerland is a highly developed manufacturing industry pursuing high-tech and knowledge-based production. It has been revealed that around 74% of Swiss GDP is generated by the service sector and 25% by industry. Furthermore, it is noted that 78% of Swiss imports are from the EU, while 43% of Swiss exports are destined for EU countries, which also includes aluminium scrap. The central European nation, Switzerland exported 285,586 tonnes of aluminium scrap during 2019-20 incurring revenue earnings of around $237.93 million from the export. In 2019, the Swiss export of aluminium scrap was registered at 140,129 tonnes, which accounted for earnings of $124.33 million, whereas, in 2020 the export rose by 3.80%, as the export volume soared to 145,457 tonnes, while the earnings...
Vietnam holds 1.8 million tonnes of aluminium worth $5 billion amid the global crisis
The top aluminium producer of the world, China which has created the popularity of the metal is now countering environmental issues, driving the nation’s metal supply through a drastic crisis and this has fuelled the escalation of prices globally. However, to append to the hardship, there are 1.8 million tonnes of aluminium worth a mighty $5 billion that is presently being under the control of security guards in Vietnam. The metal aluminium is a widely consumed product from car manufacturers to beverage can producers and all are stretching their hands to every extent to get on the material that is experiencing the worst shortfall in history ever. The aluminium supply in Vietnam was seized as part of the investigation led by the United States comprising a Chinese billionaire and alleged...
Downstream products weekly recap: Hindalco proposes to repay INR 6,000 crore debt; Evtec acquires Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Aluminium Technologies
The downstream segment of the global aluminium industry remained insightful this week, with the world’s largest aluminium rolling company, Hindalco plans to repay INR 6000 crore debt and it also projects to marginally reduce the capital expenditure to INR 2,400 crore. The same Hindalco Industries has also regained the place of the world’s most sustainable aluminium firm in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices 202. While on the other side, Evtec acquires Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Aluminium Technologies. Gupta’s GFG Alliance, since the fall down of its primary lender Greensill Capital in March 2021 has gone through months of restructuring. The UK’s largest automotive manufacturing employer, JLR mediated to solicit Evtec to take over the sites due to the concern over whether Liberty’s distress...
Aluminium smelter explosion in China’s Yunnan province fuels surge in price of the metal
On 19 th November 2021, the prices of aluminium surged as the cloud of supply distress is anticipated following an aluminium smelter in China that ceased its production due to an explosion. The Shanghai Metal Market reported that in China’s Yunnan province, an aluminium smelter with an annual production capacity of 300,000 tonnes stopped production after a blast incident happened in the plant on the evening of 18 th November 2021. The Shanghai Futures Exchange’s most-traded January aluminium contract inclined as much as 3.7% to RMB 19,260 a tonne, while three-month aluminium on the LME advanced as much as 3.1% to $2,696 a tonne. The aluminium sector has been deeply impacted by the recent China power crisis, as the smelting of metal is highly power-intensive. The global energy, chemicals,...
Nalco’s production and sales in FY22 will reach record levels: CMD Sridhar Patra
On 18 th November 2021, Sridhar Patra, the Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian state-owned National Aluminium Company (NALCO), mentioned that the production and sales figure in FY22 will reach record levels. The integrated aluminium company declared earnings for the September-ended quarter with a powerful performance by the aluminium business and upheld by the alumina business. The CMD said: “The profitability that we saw after the H1, we are confident that in the second half we will be beating all the records of this decade on the production front, financial performance and on all aspects.” “Aluminium prices in H2FY22 will sustain at around $2,200-$2,300. I am confident that aluminium price, in the second half, will prevail at around $2,200-2,300 per tonne.” “However, alumina...
Evtec acquires Sanjeev Gupta’s Liberty Aluminium Technologies, Essex plant to close down
The founder of Liberty House Group and the Executive Chairman of GFG Alliance, Sanjeev Gupta has sold out two aluminium parts factories after Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) set its foot to acquire a vital part of its supply chain. The single source, a tier-one supplier of assembled products, working with OEMs around the world to support the automotive industry's shift to electrification, the Coventry based Evtec will buy out Liberty Aluminium Technologies casting plants in Coventry and Kidderminster in the West Midlands, safeguarding 170 jobs. Even so, GFG is shutting down a site in Witham, Essex, which will lay-off 64 jobs. Gupta’s GFG Alliance, since the fall down of its primary lender Greensill Capital in March 2021 has gone through months of restructuring. The collapse of the lender evoked...
Vedanta envisions Indian aluminium production to reach 5 million tonnes in the next 5-6 years
On 18 th November 2021, Deeptaman Mukherjee, the Director of Commodities for Vedanta’s Aluminium Business stated that annual aluminium production in India could attain five million tonnes in the next five to six years, which is an increase of around 25% from current levels. Mukherjee said based on the ongoing projects that companies are working on in India: “The 4 million tonnes of metal production today potentially could increase to five million tonnes in about five to six years.” During a panel discussion at the A-Z China virtual aluminium conference, he added: “If there is a new market participant that comes in, possibly that five million tonnes could increase to about 5.5-6 million tonnes of aluminium production.” However, according to an International data analytics and research...
Scottish Govt. compelled to unveil the guarantee provided to Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance
The Govt. of Scotland has been compelled to reveal that the value of the taxpayer guarantee it delivered to distressed metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance was £586 million. This huge amount was the total gross guarantee provided when GFG Alliance in 2016 acquired the Lochaber aluminium smelter near Fort William and two nearby hydropower plants from Rio Tinto. The agreement incorporated the Scottish government guaranteeing 25 years of power purchases by Gupta’s GFG Alliance from another business owned by his father. Greensill Capital, the collapsed into insolvency finance company was then competent to convert this contract into £295 million of debt that shouldered the same credit rating as UK sovereign bonds, funding Sanjeev Gupta’s acquisition of the last remaining aluminium smelter...
EOS rolls-out new high-strength, lightweight Al2139 aluminium alloy
The pioneers and innovators for integrated solutions in additive manufacturing EOS GmbH, has announced the addition of EOS Aluminium Al2139 AM, a new material distinctively developed for Additive Manufacturing. The alloy is set forth to offer high performance in elevated temperatures up to 200°C, superior corrosion resistance and is the highest-strength AM aluminium alloy obtainable from EOS. Al2139 AM performs a yield and tensile strength of around 500 MPa in its heat treatment state. However, due to a single-step heat treatment procedure, companies can save up to 88% in active heat treatment time, this implicates parts that can be manufactured faster. The components manufactured using EOS Aluminium Al2139 AM can also be electropolished and anodised. The conjunction of lightweight and...
Jamalco reports progress in rebuilding efforts after fire destroyed alumina refinery powerhouse
The joint venture between Noble Group and Clarendon Alumina Production (CAP) with a focus on bauxite mining and alumina production, Jamalco reported uniform progress in the plant's rebuilding efforts after the August 22 nd enormous fire that devastated its powerhouse. As informed by the world-class alumina producer, the fire affected approximately 50% of the powerhouse which delivers power, steam and compressed air to the alumina refinery operations. On a further note, it is also reported that the refinery is making losses which are estimated at around $500,000 per day. The company stated on 17 th November 2021: “The work to implement the first phase of the project to restart its operation is moving steadily and Jamalco's partners, Clarendon Alumina Production (CAP) and Noble Group are...
