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.
Lack of barley, shortage of aluminium accelerate beer prices
The third most popular drink overall after water and tea is beer and it is becoming more expensive in Europe. The largest brewery group in Germany, the Radeberger Group made public that it will raise prices for both the hospitality and retail trade from spring due to the surge in the price of energy, transport and raw materials. Globally, the situation remains the same, the shortage of barley to prepare the malt and the dearth in supply of aluminium to make the cans are accelerating the beer prices. The brewing industry is experiencing similar problems as other industries like the lack of labour, more expensive transport and supply of raw materials. As a result, AB InBev, the world's biggest brewer, lately increased the prices in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Nigeria and China. In Poland, the...
Mexico’s import of aluminium household articles during 2018-21 unfolds sharp rise followed by the continuous downfall
Aluminium is considered to be a perfect blend of form and function that is vital for consumer products. It has been observed that aluminium is gradually replacing plastic and steel components, as it is stronger and tougher than plastic and lighter than steel. The metal also allows heat to dissipate quickly, keeping products from overheating. As per the preliminary data from national statistics agency INEGI, the economy of Mexico declines by 0.2% in Q3 from the previous three-month period, the first quarterly decline since recovery from the pandemic commenced. The nation ranked 11th largest by purchasing power parity, Mexico imported 16,639 tonnes of aluminium household articles during 2018-20, which incurred expenditure of around $130.39 million towards the import. In 2018, Mexico...
Heneken reckons to establish aluminium alloy facility in Serbia
The Foreign Minister of Serbia, Nikola Selakovic stated that Slovak aluminium alloys producer, Heneken has manifested interest in building of a plant in the landlocked country of Central and Southeast Europe, Serbia. Selakovic said: "The Company submitted a letter of intent. Initially, they intend to employ about a hundred workers.” Heneken was founded in 2007 as a trading company. However, through all these years they moved on a stimulating track of growth and turned out as a supplier of non-ferrous metals and overhead conductors. The Slovakian company, Heneken, other than trading of aluminium and aluminium alloys, while with further continuous development and synergy effects within industry created opportunities to trade commodities like silicon, magnesium, Mg alloys, lead, Pb alloys,...
Top Newsmakers for October 2021: Global power crisis spins aluminium prices to cross $3,000 per tonne; The Netherlands only primary aluminium maker halting production from October 11 due to electricity prices
The global aluminium industry observed several enticing events in the month of October 2021. The interim President of Guinea with the authorities has set up an Audit Committee that will be responsible for scrutinizing the financial misconduct of the Alpha Condé regime majorly of the bauxite mining contracts. The London Metal Exchange witnessed the surge of aluminium price as it crossed the $3000 per tonne mark, the highest since July 2008. The metal aluminium consumes around 14-megawatt hours of power for one-tonne output. According to the Dutch aluminium producer, Aldel, the cost of electricity is currently about 4,500 euros per tonne of aluminium, while the aluminium selling price is around 2,500 euros per tonne. The Guinea coup leader turned interim President of the West African...
“The current power crisis inside China is about policy deployment gone wrong,” Paul Adkins, Founder and Managing Director, AZ China
Paul Adkins, Founder and Managing Director of specialist consulting firm AZ China Ltd, has had over 30 years of experience in the aluminium industry, including 13 years at Alcoa, 4 years at Tomago Aluminium and 3 years at Alcan Australia. AZ China is a specialist consulting company, with a focus on the global and Chinese aluminium industry. We at AlCircle are really glad to get an interview from Mr Paul Adkins , which is entirely based upon the upcoming AZ China Virtual Conference happening on 16 -18 November 2021and hereby goes the details: AlCircle: What does the theme of AZ China Virtual Conference “Beyond The Horizon” signify? Mr Paul Adkins: May I start by thanking Alcircle for being a media partner for our conference. We greatly appreciate your support. Conferences are a time to...
Sweden’s aluminium cans export during 2019-21 illustrates significant growth
The most environmentally friendly and utmost recyclable type of container in the world is aluminium cans. It permits the beverages inside them to preserve their taste while securing them from the harmful influence of the elements. Furthermore, the can does not get rusty or lose its properties in any way. Aluminium cans are also used packing foods, oils, chemicals and other liquids as it is more malleable and lighter than steel cans. The economy of Sweden has been relatively steady over the last few decades, as the economy is highly driven by exports. The Scandinavian nation, Sweden with a size around 1.3 times bigger than Germany exported 31,067 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2019-20, incurring revenue generation of $86.13 million from the export. A relatively wealthy state, Sweden...
HPA producing firm FYI Resources licensed to trade on US-based OTCQX market
The Australian listed resources company focused on developing an innovative and vertically integrated high quality, high-purity alumina for use in various high growth tech applications, FYI Resources Ltd has been licensed trade on the US-based OTCQX market. On 29 th October 2021, the HPA producing firm started-off trading on the OTCQX under the symbol FYIRF. The OTCQX is the highest quality tier of OTC markets and offers trading in companies that are not listed on traditional exchanges. Following the satisfaction with criteria of its balance sheet requirements, having high financial standards, patronising best practice corporate governance and demonstrating compliance with applicable securities laws, FYI was permitted to trade on OTCQX FYI Resources is spotting itself to be a crucial...
Bauxite Weekly Recap: Rusal’s bauxite production in 9M2021 grows 1.1% to 3.792 million tonnes; Hydro reports strong operations in bauxite, alumina for 3Q2021
The quarterly results and the first nine months performance are gradually getting released for the bauxite segment, which has kept the industry highlighted, following the Guinea political unrest. However, in Guinea, Rusal produced 1.694 million tonnes of bauxite in 3Q2021, which was down by 6.77 per cent from 1.817 million tonnes a quarter earlier. Under the upstream sector, Hydro has announced a robust operation both in bauxite and alumina. Adjusted EBITDA earned from bauxite and alumina stood at NOK 1,055 million, reflecting a year-on-year rise of 83 per cent from NOK 578 million. For a new bauxite mine and bauxite export facility at the Port of Kamsar in Guinea, WEC Projects designed and constructed a desalination and wastewater treatment plant. The two projects will generate potable,...
G20 Summit: US, EU settles to soften tariffs on aluminium and steel
The United States and the European Union have settled to soften tariffs on the multi-billion dollars of aluminium and steel products in an attempt to undertake a trade discourse that has lingered over transatlantic relations since the era of Donald Trump administration. Valdis Dombrovskis, EU trade commissioner said: “We have agreed with the US to pause our steel and aluminium [section 232] trade dispute and launch co-operation on a Global Arrangement on Sustainable Steel and Aluminium.” He added: “Joe Biden, US President and Ursula von der Leyen, EU Commission President, would give more details on 31 st October 2021.” It has been for months that the Biden administration and the EU were negotiating a settlement on aluminium and steel. In 2018, former US President Donald Trump imposed...
Improved commodity prices, higher aluminium volumes braced Vedanta’s Q2 profit to upswing fivefold
The Indian commodities magnate Anil Agarwal chaired Vedanta Ltd. publicized a consolidated net profit of INR 4,615 crore in the July-September quarter, which reveals an upswing by more than five times from the corresponding period previous year at INR 838 crore on a low-base effect. Consecutively, net profit was up 9.2% from INR 4,224 crore. The top line of the company during the phase under review, stood at INR 30,048 crore, surging by 44% from the same period existing year on the shoulder of towering commodity prices. However, the quarterly revenue is considered a record for the company. On a call to discuss the earnings, Sunil Duggal, CEO of Vedanta commented: “High commodity prices have placed Vedanta in a strong position and we are benefitting from this increase in prices.” He also...
Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group declines EIA mining permit document
The Members of the Cockpit Country Stakeholders Group (CCSG) have emphatically declined the Final Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) organised by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to permit mining in the historic section of Jamaica. Cockpit country’s mining has been a primary cause of disagreement for the residents of the area, while the government agency responsible for issuing mining rights, NEPA and environmentalists who are dynamically against bauxite mining within the boundaries of the heritage site. The CCS Group stated in a release, which says: “We are at a loss to understand how this substandard document could have been accepted by the state agency with responsibility for public health and the environment.” “We understand that deliberations on the granting of...
Charles Johnson appointed as new President and CEO of ‘The Aluminum Association’
On 28 th October 2021, The Aluminum Association made public that Charles “Chuck” Johnson will join as the group’s new President & CEO effective 3 rd January 2022. In his previous assignment, Johnson spent more than four years as President & CEO of the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), a trade organization representing the personal protective equipment and technologies industry. However, prior to that, he served for 19 years at the Aluminum Association in roles of increasing responsibility. Johnson on being appointed for the role said: “I am thrilled to be part of the Aluminum Association’s next chapter during this exciting time for the U.S. aluminium industry. Aluminium has enormous opportunities and challenges in areas like global trade, recycling, climate and supply...
China plans to peak carbon emissions by 2030, more shortfalls anticipated: Industry analysts
The Chinese power intense metals manufacturing sector straps under the oppression of a national power catastrophe, while the govt. sustains a restriction on smelting to achieve emissions targets. Besides the retrench of magnesium production, the other most power-intensive metal aluminium manufacturing sector in China has encountered a 2.3 million tonne downfall since the outset of the energy crisis in September 2021, when extensive power restriction dashed the nation during a rally to slash carbon emissions and diminish power generation. The price of aluminium touched and crossed $3,000 per tonne to a 13-year high in October 2021, the highest mark since 2008. However, before attaining the milestone, aluminium was usually priced in between $1,500 to $2,000 per tonne, though it has cooled...
European Aluminium appeals for a strong industrial strategy, welcomes 6 new members
On 28 th October 2021, Ingrid Jörg chaired European Aluminium during the annual general assembly appealed for a stronger EU industrial policy, specifying the vital challenges of unfair trade practices and a lack of access to affordable green energy. The chairperson also welcomed six new members at this year’s Autumn Meetings. The aluminium industry association is celebrating its 40 th anniversary this year, now cast up over 95 members, representing more than 600 facilities across 30 European countries. The 2021 General Assembly of the voice of the aluminium value chain in Europe, European Aluminum observed its 40 years of industry collaboration, a vital event for the European aluminium industry, executives and experts manifested on the development of the European aluminium industry and...
Germany’s export demand of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-21 manifests multi-billion dollar transaction
The economy of Germany constitutes a mixed economic system that comprises a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. The economy of Germany stands strong, powerful and largest in Europe due to its exports of high-quality manufactured goods. The top economic power in Europe, Germany exported 610,434 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-20, which generated revenue earnings of $2.56 billion from the export. In 2019, Germany’s export of aluminium bar rods and profiles recorded at 303,994 tonnes and earnings counted to $1.31 billion, whereas, in 2020, the export manifested marginal growth by 0.80%, as the export volume rose to 306,440 tonnes, while earnings accounted dip to $1.25 billion. The Western European nation’s...
Low water, lack of gas and wind supply steer energy prices to surge, Tiwai Aluminium not at fault
The body advocating for enterprise and promoting the voice of thousands of businesses across New Zealand, BusinessNZ said: “We should be grateful Tiwai Aluminium smelter is still here, rather than blaming it for higher power prices.” However, the New Zealand Electricity Authority, the independent Crown entity responsible for the regulation of the electricity market stated that each household pays around NZ$200 per year more, because of the Meridian Energy deal supplying Tiwai aluminium smelter cheap electricity. Tina Schirr, Executive Director Energy and Innovation, BusinessNZ Energy Council said: “Higher costs have been mainly because of low water, and a lack of gas and wind supply.” She further added: “A lot of people were keen for Tiwai aluminium (NZAS) to stay on to secure jobs and...
India: Aluminium producers send ‘Mayday’ to Prime Minister’s Office over coal stock
On 28 th October 2021, the Indian aluminium producers sent an emergency call to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for resumption of coal supply with immediate effect, stating dearth has shoved the domestic aluminium industry to the verge that might negatively impact some 5,000 MSMEs in the downstream segment at a situation they are erupting of the pandemic spasm, now which can turn out to take away more than a million jobs. Following the Govt. of India’s decision in August 2021 to reduce coal supply by 50% from Coal India and further cut it to just 10% as rakes were rerouted to sustain inventories at power plants created drastic coal-stock circumstances at the aluminium facilities. The fossil fuel supply was retrenched despite manufacturing of aluminium being proclaimed as a public...
GMG assigns BOSCH to establish Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery manufacturing plant
The clean-technology company that has developed and proved its own proprietary production process to manufacture Graphene powder from readily available low-cost feedstock, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) has made public that BOSCH (Robert Bosch Australia) will design and deliver a Graphene Aluminium Ion Battery manufacturing plant, succouring GMG to commercialise their battery technology in Australia. BOSCH being a worldwide provider of integrated production line solutions, automation, robotics and testing equipment, will champion GMG in learning and developing the automation of the battery assembly process. The outcome from the new GMG manufacturing plant will reinforce the scaling of these into fully automated plants. The objective behind BOSCH is to become Graphene Manufacturing...
