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.
Glass and Glazing Federation forms new GGF Aluminium Group
The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), representing companies that manufacture, supply or install glass and glazing products in the UK and internationally, declared that it has formed the new GGF Aluminium Group for companies operating in the aluminium sector. GGF’s technical team brought the idea of the new group, as it pinpointed a gap in the present GGF technical group infrastructure and generally in the industry. David Borland, Senior Technical Officer, GGF, said: “Part of the responsibilities of the Technical Department is to continually review the service we provide to Members and most importantly recognise gaps in that service. It is during these reviews and discussions it became clear that the one part of the Industry which needed additional GGF Technical support was the...
Zimbabwe’s import of aluminium bar rods and profile during 2019-20 displays robust growth; 4% dip predicated for 2021
Zimbabwe is going to utilize more than half of the $961 million allocated by the International Monetary Fund in the form of special drawing rights to support its distressed currency. Mthuli Ncube, Zimbabwe’s finance minister, said: “For the support of the currency we want to hold back about $500 million.” The landlocked country in southern Africa, Zimbabwe imported 1975 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-20 and the expenditure for the import was accounted for $2.96 million. Zimbabwe’s import of aluminium bar rods and profiles in 2019 was registered at 567 tonnes and the expenditure occurred for the import counted to $1.26 million, whereas, in 2020 the import displayed growth by 148.32%, as the import volume surged to 1408 tonnes and the expenditure also grew to $1.70...
Coup in Guinea: Moscow hopes Russian business interests won't suffer; China may turn to Australia for bauxite fearing global supply disruptions
On 7th September 2021, the Russian Govt. said it is strictly following the political situation in Guinea following a military coup there and hopes that the Russian business interests in the West African nation would go through hardship. The comments came a day after Russian aluminium giant Rusal said it pursues to keep its three major bauxite mines and one alumina refinery in Guinea operating after the military coup there but could evacuate all Russian personnel if the crisis worsened. Dmitry Peskov, the govt. spokesperson, said: “Moscow so far did not plan to offer Rusal any financial support.” Russia has long historic relations with Guinea that goes back to trade and economic cooperation during the Soviet era, and presently, focused mainly on the metals business. Rusal, one of the...
IAI data unveils aluminium industry’s constant improvement in energy efficiency
The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) has revealed new data on the aluminium industry’s achievements in diminishing energy efficiency in the industry’s constant sustainability mission. The data release accords with a series of announcements in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow. The aluminium industry’s energy usage accounts for over two-thirds of global greenhouse gas emissions. The results from the 2020 Global Energy Survey conducted by the IAI deliver evidence of an industry customising pathways to manage the problem. The annual survey, which had a 90% response rate across the global industry, demonstrates the use of sustainable production processes and competently managed to reduce its impact on the environment. Linlin Wu, IAI’s Manager – Statistical Analysis said: “Our industry...
“The bauxite mining and export have not impacted in Guinea due to this coup, however, it is too early to predict future developments”, Dr Ashok Nandi, Convenor of International Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium Society (IBAAS).
On 5th September 2021, the world’s second-largest producer of bauxite, Guinea’s military seized power and suspended the constitution, destabilizing the West African nation. AlCircle team reached to Dr Ashok Nandi in regards to the political instability in Guinea and received a prompt reply on it. AlCircle: Did the global aluminium sector had any prior indication of Guinea’s political instability? Dr Ashok Nandi: As such there was no indication of any likely military coup in Guinea. However, after the third term of the present President during October 2020 by amending the constitution of a maximum of 2 terms had created some kind of unrest in the country. Despite exporting more than 80 million tonnes of bauxite per annum, the majority of the Guinean population remained poor and there was...
Costa Rica’s import of aluminium cans during 2019-20 reveals excellent growth; marginal up-rise estimated for 2021
According to OECD report, the GDP growth of Costa Rica will recover gradually to 2.5% in 2021 and 3.4% in 2022, reinforced by strong external demand from the country’s main trade partners. However, domestic demand will strengthen in H2 2021, as economic restrictions are gradually lifted and the vaccine campaign progresses. The Central American nation, Costa Rica imported 11,281 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2019-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import was accounted for $31.38 million. Costa Rica imported 3661 tonnes of aluminium cans in 2019 and the revenue expended for the import was $17.09 million, whereas, in 2019 the import saw excellent growth by 108.13%, as the import volume shot up to 7620 tonnes, while the expenditure dropped to $14.29 million. The import of aluminium...
Canyon Resources’ Minim Martap bauxite project draws attention following political unrest in Guinea
The share prices of the world-class bauxite developer Canyon Resources have escalated after Guinea, the world-leading supplier of bauxite experienced its third coup in less than 40 years. The political unrest propelled prices for aluminium rise towering to 10-year highs on concerns that it will interrupt the global aluminium supply chain given that Guinea accounts for about 22% of the world’s production. Vivek Dhar, analyst of CommBank (CommonWealth Bank) said: “If the political instability in Guinea disrupts its bauxite exports, we expect bauxite prices to lift.” The political disruption in Guinea is positive news for Canyon, as it advancing the Minim Martap bauxite project in central Cameroon, with its shares up 8.25% to 10.5c on 7th September. Minim Martap bauxite project in Cameroon...
Nalco performs vital role in empowering micro and small enterprises through NAMASYA platform: Govt. of India
On 6th September 2021, the Govt. of India stated that state-owned Navratna CPSE Company Nalco has been performing a vital role in empowering micro and small enterprises by providing a modern and innovative platform NAMASYA, an application (App) developed exclusively for the convenience of the PSU's MSE vendors. NALCO Micro and Small enterprise communication application NAMASYA provides a platform to feature the efforts of National Aluminium Company Ltd towards the development of the MSEs. <iframe width="500" height="380" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l6NT-yE4Xlo" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> The Mines Ministry said: “The bilingual app enables MSEs...
Coup in Guinea shifts bauxite price to 18-month high
On 6th September 2021, the bauxite price from Guinea has reached the highest almost in 18 months at top metals consumer market China, as buyers distressed about supply followed a coup in the country. The West African nation Guinea is the world's second-largest producer of bauxite, keeping China behind. Asian Metal assessed Guinean bauxite for delivery to China at $50.50 a tonne, up by1% from 3rd September and the highest since 16th March 2020. The prices soared by around 16% so far in 2021. On 5th September, Guinea's President, Alpha Conde was overthrown by a unit of the army, which augmented a rally in aluminium prices to decade highs, spawning shares of global aluminium giant Norsk Hydro and Rusal to leap. It is still not understandable whether the unrest had impacted any bauxite...
Vietnam’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2019-20 illustrates nosedive; 19% growth estimated for 2021
Metal pipes are generally used in carrying fluids and gases in various pneumatic and hydraulic applications. Aluminum Pipe is an extruded product that is extensively utilized for all types of fabrication projects where lightweight and corrosion resistance is a primary concern. The GDP of Vietnam is predicted to stretch by about 4.8% in 2021. However, the country posted a robust economic performance in H1 2021. Rahul Kitchlu, World Bank Acting Country Director for Vietnam said: “Whether Vietnam’s economy will rebound in the second half of 2021 will depend on the control of the current COVID-19 outbreak, the effective vaccine rollout, and the efficiency of the fiscal measures to support affected business and households, and to stimulate the recovery.” The Southeast Asian nation, Vietnam...
World largest bauxite exporter Guinea’s mutinous military unit seizes power, suspends constitution; Aluminium industry predicts a further surge in price
The world’s second-largest producer of bauxite, Guinea’s unit of military seized power and suspended the constitution, destabilizing the West African nation, which is the global largest exporter of aluminium ore. On 5 th September 2021, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, the head of Guinea’s Special Forces announced the takeover on a state broadcasting platform and influenced the armed forces to back him. The colonel said: “The action was taken to address financial mismanagement and corruption in Guinea under President Alpha Conde.” “If you see the condition of our roads, of our hospitals, you realize that it is time for us to wake up. We are going to initiate a national consultation to open an inclusive and peaceful transition, Doumbouya added. Guinea contests with Australia as China’s largest...
2020: UK’s aluminium foil importation exhibits 52% from five-nation out of the total volume of 97,928 tonnes
The United Kingdom is one of the leading consumers and importers of aluminium foil in Europe. Aluminium foil creates an absolute obstacle to light, oxygen, moisture and bacteria and this is the reason, foil is heavily used in the food and pharmaceutical packing industry. Aluminium foil is also used to prepare aseptic packaging, a specialized manufacturing process in which food, pharmaceutical, or other contents are sterilized separately from packaging and contents are then inserted into the container in a sterile environment. This type of packaging permits the storage of perishable goods without refrigeration. The United Kingdom made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland imported 97,928 tonnes of aluminium foil in 2020 and the import accounted for the expenditure of $282.44...
Noranda Alumina refinery resumes production after surviving Hurricane Ida
On 2 nd September 2021, Concord Resources, the major shareholder of New Day Aluminium stated that the only left alumina refinery in the USA has resumed its production facility in Gramercy, Louisiana, as the operations were ceased due to Hurricane Ida. Mark Hansen, CEO of Concord Resources, said: “Alumina production at Gramercy went into a planned curtailment on Sunday morning as part of preparations to safely manage our site through the storm.” “After extensive safety checks, there was no serious damage to the alumina refinery or its infrastructure”, Hansen added. “We will resume bauxite refining operations and alumina production this week, thanks to the hard work of the refinery management and staff.” The CEO further added: “The rate of production will depend on several factors,...
Primary Aluminium Weekly Recap: Global aluminium price rally to 10-year high lifts aluminium product cost; EGA’s adjusted EBITDA climbs by 111% in H1 2021 in strongest-ever half-year financial performance
The week remained heavily prosperous for the primary segment of the global aluminium industry. The global rise of the aluminium price has climbed to a 10 year’s high, due to the limited production in China. The Indian primary aluminium producers have delivered a notable performance in the Q1 of 2021-22 and furthermore, all three of the industries are going for the expansion process. In the Gulf region, EGA reported strong half-year financial performance ever and the company’s profit stood at AED 1.74 billion ($473 million) in the first half of 2021. Hindalco Industries Limited has decreased its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices with effect from Thursday, September 2, after increasing them for three consecutive times from August 24-28. From today, Hindalco is selling its...
Ghana: GIADEC’s new Governing Board inaugurated
On 2 nd September 2021, Samuel Abu Jinapor, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana, inaugurated the new Governing Board of GIADEC with a charge for members to give meaning to Akufo-Addo’s vision of a “Ghana Beyond Aid” by delivering on GIADEC’s mandate of developing an Integrated Aluminium Industry (IAI) in Ghana. The Minister said: “As much as I recognize that a lot of work is being done in respect of the President’s vision of developing an Integrated Aluminium Industry in Ghana, we have to begin to move from plans, strategies, proposals or what we intend to do to what we have done in respect to the vision of an IAI.” “What the Ghanaian people are looking for ultimately is that we have this industry planted here in Ghana”, he further added. However, Minister Abu Jinapor...
China Hongqiao Group targets end-2021 to start 2nd phase of Indonesia’s alumina refinery
On 2 nd September 2021, as the prices for the raw material of the metal aluminium towered at two years high, an advisor to China Hongqiao Group stated that the Group’s alumina refinery in Indonesia to commence its 2 nd phase up by the end of 2021. In 2016, the first 1 million tonnes per year phase of the Well Harvest Winning alumina refinery on the island of Borneo initiated production. The aluminium giant then targeted to execute the 2 nd phase by 2020 but fresh disclosures only said it was "progressing smoothly." Ron Knapp, International Adviser of Hongqiao, said: "A second phase of the Indonesian project - another 1 million tonnes - should come online later this year.” The former secretary-general of the International Aluminium Institute, Ron Knapp added: “Hongqiao currently has around...
Sweden’s export of aluminium powder and flakes during 2018-21 showcases a sharp rise with the downward trend
As per the OECD report, the Swedish economy is regaining its strength, with projected GDP growth close to 4% in 2021 and 3½% in 2022, on the shoulder of rising exports, which boost the manufacturing production and investment, and strong fiscal and monetary support. However, during the first half of 2021, pandemic-related restrictions and voluntary distancing have pulled back the recovery in services requiring face-to-face interaction, but growth will broaden during H2 2021. The Scandinavian nation, Sweden exported 3886 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes during 2018-20 and the earnings generated from the export was accounted for $15.02 million. Sweden, the largest country in Northern Europe exported only 705 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes in 2018 and revenue generation counted to...
Mubadala Investment eyeing top three US banks to arrange IPO of EGA
The Emirati state-owned holding company, Mubadala Investment that can be characterized as a sovereign wealth fund is expected to select three top US banks as lead underwriters for a prospective IPO of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), as reported by the industry professionals. Mubadala Investment, the sovereign wealth fund, an organization that is strongly connected to Mohamed bin Zayed, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi is composing to bring on board Citigroup Inc., Goldman Sachs Group Inc. and JPMorgan Chase & Co. to arrange the planned IPO, as per our information collected from the experts. They further stated the share sale could value Middle East’s largest aluminium producer, EGA at more than $15 billion. Emirates NBD Bank PJSC and First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC are also anticipated to get...
