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.
Primary Aluminium Weekly: World Primary Aluminium production drops 0.60% M-o-M to 5.699 million tonnes in August 2021; Alcoa to invest more on stability in 2022
The global primary aluminium segment remained highlighted this week definitely due to the price factor but also for multiple reasons. The Pennsylvania-USA based Alcoa is gearing up to resume its idled aluminium smelter in Brazil, as it smelled the prices of aluminium sky-rocketing and production curb in China. However, another development has come from the American aluminium producer Alcoa that its senior executives are planning to invest more in 2022 to sustain their existing facilities, while they will be observing for acquisitions and anticipate the projected returns of growth projects to develop. On the other side, the aluminium producers in India raised their hands in regards to the supply shortage of thermal coal, which has already dented their production. In New Zealand, the Rio...
George Osborne bags Russian aluminium giant Rusal’s deal as investment banker for advisory firm Robey Warshaw
The former British Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has cracked his first deal as an investment banker with the metal company that was once chaired by Russian oligarch and industrialist Oleg Deripaska. In April, George Osborne joined boutique advisory firm Robey Warshaw and with gratitude, to his contacts the firm is now advising the world’s leading low carbon producer, Rusal. The Russian aluminium giant Rusal is a subsidiary of London listed EN+ Group, a company founded by magnate Oleg Deripaska in 2002. Deripaska was already familiarised with the former Chancellor, having hosted him on his yacht off Corfu in 2008. However, as per our report, it was recognition of his relationship with Greg Barker, EN+ chairman, that he was able to bag the deal. Lord Barker served as a minister...
Hungary’s export of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2018-20 manifests upsurge; 52% growth predicted for 2021
According to the Economic Complexity Index, the economy of Hungary is a high-income mixed economy and it ranked as the 9th most complex economy. The country executed multiple reforms such as the privatization of businesses that were once state-owned and initiated to slash funding to social programs as well. Although living conditions were downgrading, Hungary was able to enhance these conditions with its policy implementations and growing exports. One of the most prosperous and best-developed nations in Central and Eastern Europe, Hungary recorded exportation of 8645 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2018-20 and the earnings that occurred from the export counted to $35.01 million. Aluminium tubes are majorly used for their lightweight, electrical and thermal conductivity and...
Constellium secures the supply contract of aluminium structural components for the all-new electric Ford F-150 Lightning
On 23rd September 2021, Constellium SE, the global manufacturer of aluminium rolled products, extruded products and structural parts based on a large variety of advanced alloys announced that it will supply aluminium structural components for the recently introduced all-electric Ford F-150 Lightning that is expected to be available Spring 2022. Ford’s F-150 Lightning, and all F-Series pickup trucks, extensively use high-strength aluminium alloys. However, Constellium-supplied structural components for the F-150 Lightning comprise the windshield header, rocker, radiator support and others. The metal aluminium is a natural choice for electric vehicles to govern crash energy in certain front, side and rear impacts, and provide intrusion resistance. Presently, plug-in hybrid and full battery...
Egyptalum shifts to profit in FY 2020-21
The largest aluminium producer in Egypt and one of the largest in Africa, Egyptalum shifted to make net profits of EGP 28.27 million during the fiscal year 2020-21, against net losses of EGP 1.67 billion in FY 2019-20, as disclosed by the adjusted unaudited financial results. On 23rd September 2021, during the filling at the stock exchange, the aluminium producer disclosed that its revenues surged to EGP 11.36 billion in the year ended 30th June from EGP 7.25 billion a year earlier. The positive trend of the company's financial results is attributed to the escalated average basic price of aluminium on the international market and a rise in sales volume by 98,000 tonnes. However, in the first nine months of FY2020-21, the metal company suffered net losses of EGP 347.72 million, down from...
Pittsburgh based Alcoa to invest more on stability in 2022, says Bill Oplinger
The American industrial corporation and the world's eighth-largest producer of aluminium, with corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa’s senior executives are planning to invest more in 2022 to sustain their existing facilities. However, they will be observing for acquisitions and anticipate the projected returns of growth projects to develop. On 21st September 2021, at the Jefferies Virtual Base Metals & Battery Materials Summit, Bill Oplinger, CFO of Alcoa said: “Me, Roy Harvey CEO of Alcoa and our team view sustaining the company’s bauxite, alumina and aluminium operations as their top capital allocation program.” He further added: “The Pittsburgh-based company is on pace to spend $375 million this year on sustaining capital work as well as $50 million on growth...
Poland’s import of aluminium household articles during 2019-20 exemplifies de-growth; 16% upturn estimated for 2021
According to the preliminary data from Statistics Poland (GUS), a government executive agency charged with collecting and publishing statistics related to the country's economy, population, and society, at the national and local levels stated that Poland recorded GDP growth of 10.90% Y-o-Y in Q2 2021 and this depicts the largest single increase since such records began in 1995. GUS also confirmed a previous estimate that inflation hit 5% year-on-year in July, which equals the highest level since August 2001. The economy of a nation that has been dominated for decades by three leading industries: agriculture, manufacturing and mining, Poland imported 31,399 tonnes of aluminium household articles during 2019-20 and the revenue expended for the import accounted for $144.34 million. Poland’s...
A00 aluminium ingot price increases by RMB500/t; Aluminium alloy (A356) price escalates by RMB1250/t to exceed RMB27000/t
A00 aluminium ingot price observed a record rise for the second day following the 4-day holiday. According to SMM, the primary aluminium ingot price has escalated by RMB 500 per tonne to come in at RMB 23,320 per tonne. However, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 23,300 per tonne and RMB 23,340 per tonne, with spot contracts to be traded at a premium price of RMB 20-20 per tonne. In Hang Zhou and Wu Xi, the prices have jacked up the highest among other Chinese cities by RMB 510 per tonne to 23,330 per tonne and to RMB 23,325 per tonne. A00 aluminium ingot price in Chong Qing also soared by RMB 470 per tonne to 23,290 per tonne followed by Tian Jin with a rise by RMB 460 per tonne to RMB 23,290 tonne. In Shen Yang and Lin Yi, the price surged by RMB 450 per tonne to RMB...
Odisha state Govt. puts on hold the auction of Karlapat bauxite block
The Odisha state government has put the auction of Karlapat bauxite and iron ore block on hold until further notice following a court order. The block that was called for auction is located near the Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, an allotted elephant corridor in Kalahandi district contemplated ecologically very sensitive and environmentalists opposed to the mining operation in the notified area. On 21st September 2021, the Directorate of Mines under the Steel and Mines Department, Govt. of Odisha, in a notice stated: "In compliance to the interim order of the Hon’ble High Court of Odisha dated 9th September 2021, auction process of Karlapat Bauxite Block has been put on hold till further notice." The directorate further said: “The invitation of bids for grant of mining lease for iron ore,...
Alvance Aluminium’s recycling plant next to the Lochaber smelter gets approval from Highland councillors
The Highland Council have approved the proposal of GFG Alliance aluminium arm Alvance’s recycling plant next to the Lochaber smelter near Fort William. Sanjeev Gupta chaired Alvance Aluminium will use the recycled materials, along with metal from the smelter, in a new casting facility. The approved recycling plant eyes to produce up to 100,000 tonnes each year of long round shapes aluminium billets that are extensively used in the construction sector. However, the recycling and casting plants are proposed on a site that was previously allocated for an alloy wheel plant. But those plans were side-lined last year after GFG Alliance, owners of the Lochaber Aluminium Smelter, said: “There had been a significant decline in car manufacturing.”
Finland’s export of aluminium cans during 2018-21 unveils a sharp growth trailed by constant downfall
The economic freedom score of Finland is 76.1, making its economy the 17th freest in the 2021 Index. Finland’s overall score has increased by 0.4 points, majorly due to improvement in the government spending score. The Finnish economy continues to reap its results from high levels of economic freedom. The third most prosperous country in the world, Finland exported 23,886 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-20 and the revenue generated from the export counted to $89.02 million. Finland exported 4295 tonnes of aluminium cans in 2018 and the earnings generated from the export was $16.18 million, whereas, in 2019 the export unveiled a sharp growth of 144.61%, as the export volume escalated to 10,506 tonnes and the earnings also leapt to $36.98 million. In 2020, Finland recorded 9085 tonnes...
Severe dearth of thermal coal disrupts aluminium production, AAI urge Coal India for immediate resumption of supplies
The Indian aluminium producers have urged Coal India Ltd for immediate resumption of coal supplies to the metal industry as they are countering an extreme dearth of thermal coal that has initiated to impede their operations for the production of aluminium. On 21st September 2021, the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) in a communication to the Chairman of Coal India said: “The state-run coal miner’s ad-hoc decision for stopping/drastically curtailing coal supplies and rakes for the non-power sector (NRS) is pushing the aluminium sector into a coal crunch situation for their captive power plants (CPPs).” The production of aluminium is a constant process-deployed highly power-intensive industry, where coal reckons for around 40% cost of aluminium production. AAI further added: “Aluminium...
Global aluminium price hike triggers Alcoa to restart Alumar smelter in Brazil
The leading aluminium producer Alcoa Corporation has tooled up on a project to restart an idled aluminium smelter in Brazil following the hike in aluminium prices to a 13-year high and Chinese output reduction. On 20th September 2021, the Pittsburgh headquartered aluminium producer and its partner South32 Ltd. will expend around $75 million, including approx. $10 million in capital expenditures to restart Alumar in north-eastern Brazil said in a statement. The fully retrenched aluminium smelter since 2015 is set to deliver its first molten metal in Q2 2022. In May, the decision was pronounced as a possibility due to the constant price rally of aluminium and also the gradual rise in demand for aluminium from cars to cans stirred the metal price nearly double over the last 18 months. The...
Rio Tinto rewards contract to EDL for expansion of an existing solar installation at Weipa bauxite mines
The global mining giant Rio Tinto has contracted EDL, the developer of world-class wind and solar projects across Australia, to expand an existing solar installation at its Weipa bauxite mines in Queensland by adding 4 MW solar power generating capacity and 4 MW/4 MWh of battery storage. The renewable energy project developer EDL will build, own and operate the new facilities, with plans to accomplish them by late 2022. It also owns and operates the existing 1.6-MW solar farm at Weipa that was concluded in 2015. Michelle Elvy, General Manager for Rio Tinto Aluminium Pacific Bauxite Operations, said: “The new solar farm and battery storage at Weipa will help us lower our carbon footprint and diesel use in a reliable way.” “The original Weipa solar farm was the largest solar facility at an...
Cyprus import of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2018-20 exhibits enterprising growth followed by a marginal drop; 12% surge expected for 2021
The Finance Minister of Cyprus, Constantinos Petrides in August 2021 stated that the economy is anticipated to grow by more than 5.5% in 2021, as preliminary estimates showed a 12.90% year-on-year growth in the second quarter of the year. The minister further added that the Q2 rate was markedly better than expected, signalling higher full-year growth than forecast. The island nation in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus imported 7034 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2018-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import accounted for $23.48 million. In 2018, Cyprus imported 1226 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles and the expenditure counted was $4.31 million, whereas, in 2019, the import saw an enterprising growth of 143.14% and the expenditure also climbed to $9.83...
Tiwai Point aluminium smelter appoints Chris Blenkiron as new CEO, nearly three years ahead due for shut down
Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in New Zealand has appointed Chris Blenkiron, as the new chief executive officer and general manager nearly three years before the smelter is due for shut down. On 21st September 2021, the company announced that the newly appointed CEO will begin his role in early 2022. The former CEO Stew Hamilton declared his resignation in May 2021 and left the organisation in July to grab a new opportunity at electricity company Mercury. Dan van der Westhuizen, Acting Managing Director, Rio Tinto Pacific Operations said: “Chris has demonstrated a strong people-focused approach to delivering business outcomes and I believe he is the right fit to lead the excellent team at Tiwai.” Presently, Chris working as the President of the prefabricated steel shed company...
Rusal operated bauxite train collides in Guinea, killing one injuring several
On 20th September 2021, Rusal operated two trains collided in Guinea's capital Conakry, resulting in killing at least one person while injuring eight others, as witnessed by local citizens. The leading producer of low carbon aluminium Rusal operates three bauxite mines and an alumina refinery in the West African nation, Guinea. Its mines account for 42% of Rusal's total bauxite capacity. Jean Tamba Kantabadouno, a delegate from Rusal’s labour union said: “The accident occurred because of a misunderstanding when a train carrying bauxite broke down in a Conakry suburb at 5 am on Monday.” "The technicians were struggling to fix it and get it back on track when another train loaded with bauxite collided with the train," he added. Kantabadouno said: “Communication had been faulty all along the...
Italy’s high-valued export of aluminium plates, sheets and strips during 2018-21 illustrates a variable movement
According to the latest PMI data, it signalled rapid growth of the Italian private sector economy during July, as the Covid-19 restrictions were untightened and sustained boost to client demand across manufacturing, services and construction, while the latter also received added benefit from government eco- and super-bonus tax relief schemes. The second-largest industrial manufacturer in the European Union, Italy exported 784, 537 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and strips during 2018-20 and the revenue sourced from the export accounted for $2.06 billion. Italy exported 123,377 tonnes of aluminium plates, sheets and strips in 2018 and the earnings occurred from the export was $367.46 million, whereas, in 2019, the export saw an enterprising growth by 186%, as the export volume sparked...
