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.
Realme Pad featuring aluminium unibody will launch in India soon, says CEO Madhav Sheth
The India-based Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Realme headquartered in New Delhi, India and Shenzhen, China is going to launch Realme Pad in India soon. The tablet has been sneak-peaked multiple times in the past, but this time, the company’s India and Europe CEO Madhav Sheth has confirmed its forthcoming arrival. Sheth shared a teaser poster of Realme Pad, showing a portion of its side profile. The tablet is teased to feature a lightweight design and it is expected to come in a dual-tone finish. Realme Pad is tipped to sport 8-megapixel front and back cameras. However, both cameras are expected to capture images in 3,264x2448 pixels resolution. The upcoming tablet is teased with a sporty look, a slim profile, an edged metal frame, and has a slight camera bump. The CEO suggests that the...
Limited supply of aluminium cans propels scarcity of Diet Coke in UK
The latest drinks brand that has fall prey to shortages in the United Kingdom is Diet Coke amid the ongoing driver crisis and limited supply of aluminium cans. In recent days, complaints across social media have been posted about the scarcity of Diet Coke products. Furthermore, one consumer affirms, for weeks he was unable to discover any of its cans in Morrisons supermarket. However, a spokeswoman for Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (CCEP) confirmed it had been experiencing shortages. “The whole industry is facing a challenge in regards to a shortage of haulier drivers and the beverage sector is also managing through a tight supply situation of aluminium cans”, she said. “CCEP had been working closely with its customers to help navigate this complex situation, she added. Citing Nielsen...
Netherlands import of aluminium containers during 2018-21 illustrates a volatile movement
The analysis report generated by ING in August 2021, unfolded that the GDP of the Netherlands is inflated by 3.1% in Q2 2021 compared to the preceding quarter, following a quarter of mild decline (-0.8%). The significant dip in the number of new Covid-19 cases per day and falling hospitalisation numbers have driven the persuasion of the step-by-step withdrawal of social distancing measures in the second quarter. However, most activities were permitted again at the start of the summer, although some restrictions remain. Offline retail, bars & restaurants, and events benefitted noticeably, coinciding with a growth of household consumption of 5.7% quarter-on-quarter in 2Q21. Aluminium is highly accepted in the food industry in the form of aluminium containers and others. It provides a total...
Vedanta releases 6th edition of its ‘Tax Transparency Report’ for FY 20-21
Vedanta Limited, the mining and metal giant has released the sixth edition of its ‘Tax Transparency Report’ for fiscal 2020-2021. The company is also well recognised as India's biggest producer of aluminium and one of the largest power generators in India. The report highlights the commodity conglomerate’s focus on transparency, greater accountability towards stakeholders, compliance and details of economic contribution to the society by way of taxes paid. Vedanta’s contribution to the exchequer during FY 2020-21 was INR 34,562 crore which accounts for 40% of the consolidated turnover. However, amid the challenges caused by the Covid-19 pandemic during the fiscal, Vedanta’s tax contribution in FY21 was nearly INR 550cr higher than the existing financial year. The tax contribution of...
EU’s carbon border tax introduction will strike Russia hardest, China remains fairly unscratched
A joint research study by two European climate think tanks clearly stated that the European Union’s proposal of the world’s first carbon tax is likely to strike Russia hefty while China to remain fairly unscratched. In July, the EU proposed a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), or we can commonly say CO2 tariff, on highly emitting products from 2026, pushing some businesses importing into the EU, will be forced to pay carbon costs at the border on carbon-intensive products such as aluminium and steel. However, according to the European Commission proposals, the CBAM will be introduced in 2023 in advance before becoming fully functional in 2026. The sectors which will be incorporated in the CBAM imply only around 3.2% of the total imports incoming to the EU per year, whereas, their...
Protest resumes in Odisha against NALCO’s construction of second red mud pond
On 31 st August 2021, the affected inhabitants restarted their protest against the construction of the second red mud pond by the state-owned aluminium producer NALCO near Denga Jani Guda under the Dasmantpur block. The protesters staged a dissent in front of the Koraput Collector’s office demanding complete displacement and immediate compensation as per the latest Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy. Several distressed villagers including the women of Denga Jani Guda said: “We will not allow construction of the second red mud pond and related works in the area if proper rehabilitation package is not provided to them soon.” The demands of the protestors comprised shifting of affected families to a safe place and requisite compensation. However, they also demanded jobs for family...
Top Newsmakers for August 2021: Jamalco refinery fire break out hurls price of alumina at 6 months high; Guangxi Power Grid Corp imposes power consumption restrictions on aluminium producers
The world aluminium sector in August 2021 demonstrated a sharp rise in demand for the metal from every corner of the earth. The month observed the surge in the price of aluminium, which escalated by over 30% from $ 2013.50 per tonne to US$ 2673.50 per tonne, while it has been recorded as a 10 year high. However, the major reason behind this is due to limited production in China, the world’s largest aluminium producer, for restricted-energy usage is reportedly rippling through the cost of end-user products. During a conversation with Dr Tapan Kumar Chand, Resident Director - Vedanta & Former Chairman cum Managing Director of National Aluminium Company (NALCO), said AlCircle on the issue of the spike in the price of aluminium: “The surge in prices of Aluminium is a part of the general surge...
2020: Italian export of aluminium bar rods and profiles demonstrates 57% volume imported by five countries
Italy stands as one of the leading producers and exporters of aluminium bar rods in the European Union region. The Covid-19 pandemic has thoroughly affected the global manufacturing sector, and it has also hit hard at the Italian export of aluminium bar rods and profiles in 2020. The nation's export of the above said aluminium product has been recorded with a de-growth of 35.45% on Y-o-Y, as the export dropped from 303,991 tonnes to 196,221 tonnes, whereas, the revenue earnings also plunged by 52.61%. In 2019, Italy generated $1.31 billion from the export, while in 2020 it fell to $623.88 million. Italy remained one of the first nations who were heavy infected with the deadly Covid-19 virus and the death rate was equally high. However, after all the consequences of the pandemic and with a...
Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio finalizes acquisition of 49% stake in 171.6-MW wind portfolio
The largest aluminium producer in Brazil, Companhia Brasileira de Alumínio (CBA) has accomplished the acquisition of a 49% stake in a 171.6-MW wind portfolio from VTRM Energia, the collaboration formed by Votorantim Energia and Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB). The $11.40 million deal was executed directly by CBA and indirectly via CBA's subsidiary CBA Itapissuma Ltda that produces aluminium sheets and foils. On 30 th August 2021, CBA stated: “All parties involved entered into the shareholders’ agreements for the targeted wind energy companies holding the capacity.” “CBA and CBA Itapissuma will exclusively hold 100% of the class B common shares in targets -- Ventos de Santo Anselmo Energias Renovaveis SA and Ventos de Santo Isidoro Energias Renovaveis SA -- which is equivalent...
Companies relying on aluminium for products to start expect consumers demand of metal’s ethical source: Chairman, En+ Group
The aluminium products depended on companies such as beverage cans and deodorant bottles should start anticipating consumers to entail that the metal is ethically sourced, as said by the Chairman of En+ Group. Lord Barker, the Chairman of Aluminium and Green energy producer, En+ Group further advised this could hurl to stream in new job opportunities and as the industry looks to onshore production with plants powered by renewable electricity. The Chairman stated: “As the energy transition rolls forward, the demand for low carbon materials and particularly aluminium will soar.” “Roll forward 10 years, I can see the heavy industry coming home after four decades of decline in UK manufacturing, as manufacturers strive to decarbonise and move their operations to jurisdictions where there is a...
Australian delegation visits NALCO, discusses business initiatives on the entire aluminium value chain
On 31 st August 2021, a group of high-level Australian delegates spearheaded by the High Commissioner of Australia to India, Barry O’Farrell visited NALCO’s corporate office in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The Australian delegates during the visit conversed with NALCO’s CMD, Sridhar Patra and the members of the Navratna CPSE Company’s management team. The state-owned integrated aluminium company, NALCO updated the group of Australian delegates about the various business pursuits of the organisation, comprising the entire value chain of Aluminium manufacturing, get going from mining of bauxite to production of world-class aluminium end products. The business operations of Nalco was highly admired by the Australian delegation and they manifested The delegation from Australia highly appreciated the...
Canyon Resources receives strong community support for the Minim Martap Bauxite Project
Canyon Resources, the world-class bauxite explorer in Cameroon, announced the receipt of seven letters of support from the key Government and traditional rulers in the region around the Minim Martap Bauxite Project. The letters were addressed to Canyon’s wholly-owned Cameroon subsidiary company, Camalco SA and have been formally presented to the Ministry of Mines and other Government representatives. The Governor of the Adamaoua Region wrote to the Director-General of Camalco: “I have the honour to let you know that three years after the official launch of the bauxite exploration phase at MINIM-MARTAP, MAKAN and NGAOUNDAL with you in charge, the local administrative authorities and I have noted with satisfaction the progress of the work in the field. Also, the professionalism and conduct...
Saudi Arabia’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2019-20 demonstrates downfall; 11% growth estimated for 2021
According to the Government estimates, Saudi Arabia's economy grew for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic in the second quarter propelled by a 10.1% growth in the non-oil sector. However, the International Monetary Fund expects the Saudi economy to grow by 2.4% this year. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia imported 3492 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2019-20 and the expenditure occurred for the import was accounted for $12.19 million. In 2019, the oil-rich nation imported 2419 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes and the amount expended for the import was $8.53 million, whereas, in 2020 the import demonstrated a downfall by 55.64%, as the import volume plunged to 1073 tonnes and the expenditure also fell to $3.66 million. Saudi Arabia’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes in...
Aluminium Association of India seeks CIL’s intervention to normalize coal supply
On 30 th August, the apex body representing the entire spectrum of the Indian Aluminium Industry, Aluminium Association of India (AAI) seeks intervention of the government-owned coal mining and refining corporation, CIL to normalise the uncertain situation that has emerged due to the interruption of coal supplies and rakes for captive power plants, resulting in a dearth of dry-fuel for the aluminium sector. The AAI signified in a letter to Coal India Ltd. (CIL)'s CMD: “This ‘ad-hoc decision’ without advance notice has brought the industry to a standstill with no time to devise mitigation plans to continue sustainable operations.” “This has reference to the crisis that has developed for the entire aluminium sector due to the recent ad hoc decision for stopping/drastically curtailing the...
Ghana Bauxite Company won't fall down, govt. assures
The West African nation's govt. has assured the workers of Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) at Awaso in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai Municipality in the Western North Region towards its commitment to keep the mining organization running. George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources said: “No worker will be thrown under the bus. With the plan we have for the company, we may even end up employing more.” The minister stated this when he led a government delegation on a fact-finding mission to the bauxite mining company at Awaso. The visit was entailed due to the recent agitation by the workers over the panic of losing their jobs following a tough decision by the Bosai Minerals Group from China, the strategic investor of the GBC to sell its stakeholding and pack out. The...
Europe’s largest alumina refinery Eurallumina on last few stages to resume production
Eurallumina, one of Europe’s largest alumina refineries located in the industrial area of Portovesme, South West coast of Sardinia, Italy with access to the Mediterranean Sea and two dedicated berths has its operation frozen. However, the refinery needs to overcome two hurdles in ninety days to safeguard the € 300 million investment. The alumina refinery’s first hurdle, to get overcome by September, concerning the signing (expected for the first days of August) on the Sardinia Dpcm that is the provision relating to the arrival of methane on the island and in particular in Portovesme, while the second, to be overcome by November, concerning the conclusion of the authorization procedure that signals the green light towards the restructuring and modernization of the refinery. These are the...
2020: Japan’s export of aluminium scrap displays five nations absorbed 57% volume of total trade
Japan ranks as the world's third-largest automobile manufacturing nation and is also recognized as the largest electronics goods industry. However, the major Japanese export industries comprise automobiles, consumer electronics, computers, semiconductors, and iron and steel. Furthermore, the additional key industries which contribute to the country’s economy are mining, nonferrous metals, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, bio-industry, shipbuilding, aerospace, textiles, and processed foods. The island country in East Asia, located in the northwest Pacific Ocean, Japan exported 254,739 tonnes of aluminium scrap in 2020 to 24 nations globally and generated revenue of $271.72 million. Out of the total export of aluminium scrap by Japan in 2020, the five countries with high volume of import...
Brandon Hall Group Excellence Awards 2021: Alba bags bronze in Learning for its 'Al Jisr' Programme
The leading aluminium smelter that is known for its technological strength and innovative policies, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), was recognised amongst the winners of the 2021 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Learning Awards. Alba’s ‘Al Jisr’ Programme – the first initiative of its kind to boost Bahranisation and build the supervisory skills of high-potential national employees - was announced as a bronze medal winner in Best Unique or Innovative Learning and Development Programme category. However, Alba was the only Company from Bahrain to be featured amongst the winners of this year's awards. Ali Al Baqali, CEO of Alba, while commenting on this occasion said: “Being the only recipient from Bahrain for this award speaks volumes about going above and beyond in developing Alba’s...
