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.
AMAG Austria Metall AG reports remarkable earnings in H1 2021
AMAG Austria Metall AG, the biggest company in the Austrian Aluminium industry sector pursued to benefit from the positive market environment after an enterprising start to the first quarter of 2021. The Meta Division is flying remarkably high especially due to attractive aluminium prices and premiums. The demand for aluminium rolled products and recycled cast alloys developed positively, as expected, demand from the aircraft industry remained dull in the reporting period. Gerald Mayer, CEO of AMAG Austria Metall AG, said: “We were well equipped for the rapid market recovery, which enabled us to take advantage of the positive economic environment. Due to the attractive price situation in the Metal Division and a gratifying trend in shipments at the Ranshofen site, we not only exceeded the...
Indian researchers develop Nano-structured self-cleaning sustainable aluminium surface
A team of Indian researchers have lately developed a Nano-structured self-cleaning sustainable aluminium surface by using a simple and environment-friendly fabrication process. It could have several applications ranging from biomedical to aerospace and automobiles to household appliances, while the process is simply adaptable to industrial-level production. As aluminium is a light-weight metal and it has multiple industrial applications for which it can be easily cast, machined and shaped. However, atmospheric degradation due to the accumulation of contaminants and humidity crucially restricts its performance and sustainability. Moreover, the leaching of aluminium also gives rise to environmental and health-related issues. To vanquish these complications, researchers from Shiv Nadar...
Czech Republic’s export of aluminium cans during 2018-20 signifies strong growth followed a by sharp downfall; 6% rise estimated for 2021
As per the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OCED) snapshot, Czech Republic’s GDP following the sharp plunge in 2020 is projected to regain by 3.3% and 4.9% in 2021 and 2022, respectively. The country has countered one of the highest infection and death rates in the OECD region and progress in vaccinations has been relatively slow, delaying the relaxation of containment measures. The recovery will nevertheless gather pace in the second half of 2021, once the population is more extensively vaccinated, triggering a rebound in services and boosting private consumption and investment. Inflation has picked up due to rising food and fuel prices. The landlocked country in Central Europe, Czech Republic exported 203,930 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-20 and the revenue...
Altech Chemicals settles $195 million green bond offering to finance HPA plant in Malaysia
The high-purity alumina provider, Altech Chemicals, who aims to become the world’s largest supplier in its segment has entered the conclusive stages of a $195 million listed green bond offering to dispense additional financing for the construction of a planned $400 million high purity alumina (HPA) plant in Malaysia. The HPA producer has been working with UK structuring agent Bedford Row Capital PLC and Perth-based Bluemount Capital since October’20 to prepare for the offering. Out of the funds raised, around $135 million will be utilized as secondary debt for construction of the 4,500 tonnes per annum plant in the state of Johor, Malaysia with the balance to be allocated for bond coupon (interest) repayments. The bond offering will be in counting to a $257 million credit facility already...
Rusal’s Aughinish Alumina refinery secured EU funding to reduce carbon footprint
Aughinish Alumina refinery, one of the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient facilities worldwide have secured EU funding to help reduce its carbon footprint. However, the European Union funding amount to diminish carbon emission remains undisclosed as of now. The Limerick-based alumina refinery will replace the existing gas-fired boilers with a 25-megawatt high-pressure electric boiler, which is used to produce alumina, the main ingredient in aluminium The facility infrastructure includes a deep-water terminal on the Shannon estuary that facilitates efficient deliveries to European smelters. The plant is owned by Russian metals giant Rusal since 2017 and it is one of Europe’s largest alumina refineries and accounts for the bulk of Rusal’s alumina production.
EGA observes 40th anniversary of employee suggestion scheme
On 27th July 2021, Emirates Global Aluminium observed the 40th anniversary of its Suggestion Scheme, which motivates employees to share their ideas for operational and technological improvements. As of yesterday, EGA employees have made over half a million suggestions for improvements, delivering cost-savings of some AED 416 million. The Suggestion Scheme of EGA is integral to the organisation’s culture of innovation and continuous improvement that has for decades been a foundation of its growth and success. In the summer of 1981, it was founded by then-Head of Industrial Engineering, Glyn Ashley, and a team of industrial engineers. However, the Suggestion Scheme today remains of the longest-running employee-engagement programmes of its kind in the world. The Suggestion Scheme accumulated...
Spain’s import of aluminium stranded wires during 2018-20 manifests marginal to steady growth; 11% growth estimated for 2021
Spain's advancement with the vaccination process and uplifting restrictions progressively will speed up the economic activity strongly. According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) report, the Spanish GDP is projected to rise by 5.9% in 2021 and 6.3% in 2022, supported by pent-up demand, the national recovery plan and a gradual pick-up of tourism, while the reduced uncertainty will lead to a sharp decline in precautionary saving and support private consumption. Investment is expected to pick up significantly from the second half of 2021 as expectations improve and the Next Generation EU funds provide additional support. The nation on Europe’s Iberian Peninsula, Spain imported 8062 tonnes of aluminium stranded wire during 2018-20 and the expenditure occurred...
Novelis invests $7 million for expansion, restarts idle equipment at its facility in Terre Haute
On 27th July 2021, the global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, Novelis is investing more than $7 million to recruit 37 new employees and resumes the several pieces of idled equipment at its manufacturing facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. The plant with this expansion will produce aluminium for household foil applications later this year after recently securing several multi-year agreements with key customers. The applications include products such as aluminium foil sheets and rolls used in commercial and residential kitchens. Ryan Smith, Plant Manager, said: "Novelis has been a strong community partner here in the Wabash Valley for more than 60 years and this investment solidifies not only our leadership position in the aluminium foil market but also our commitment to bringing...
Sanjeev Gupta’s loyal lieutenant Jay Hambro to quit GFG Alliance
The metal baron Sanjeev Gupta owned GFG Alliance’s Chief Investment Officer and also one of the most loyal lieutenants is quitting the group following falling out with his boss over the sale of its aluminium assets. A scion of a Danish merchant banking family, Jay Hambro, whose connections supported untroubled growth and rapid acquisition of Gupta’s splurge over the past five years, is on “gardening leave” and no longer taking an active role at the group, as confirmed by an industry professional very much familiar with the matter. The informing person forewarned that Hambro had not yet backed out himself from GFG, but it is implausible that he would remain there in the long term. Hambro, the former banker is recognized to have fallen out with Sanjeev Gupta over the sale of, GFG’s French...
Mytilineos SA owned Aluminium of Greece commits to switch green by 2030
The Greek industrial conglomerate Mytilineos SA owned Aluminium of Greece has committed to switching to green for all of its power requirements from renewable energy by 2030. In a bourse filing, the aluminium metal producer has inked a power supply agreement with Greek utility Public Power Corporation SA, or PPC said and pointed out that this will be the final such contract between the two companies. However, the deal will run from the beginning of July 2021 through the end of 2023. Evangelos G Mytilineos, Chairman and CEO of Mytilineos, said: “For us, after 2023, a new era begins for the historic factory of ‘Aluminum of Greece’, a green and sustainable era, spearheading with national climate goals and the European Green Deal. Mytilineos eyes to reduce outright carbon dioxide emissions of...
Egypt’s import-export of aluminium household articles during 2018-20 demonstrates mercurial movement
As per Reuters latest survey, Egypt's economy will grow 5.0% in the fiscal year that ends in June next year, which remains unchanged from analysts' expectations in a similar poll three months ago and slightly below the government's target of 5.4%. The northeast African nation, Egypt imported 8244 tonnes of aluminium household articles during 2018-19 and the expenditure occurred for the import was $50.16 million. The import for 2020 remained at 10,692 tonnes and the expenditure counted for the import was $37.07 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets assorted with the existing two years, it signifies 18,936 tonnes and $87.23 million respectively. Egypt’s export of aluminium household articles during 2018-19 recorded 5049 tonnes and the revenue generated from...
UK’s leading salvage and vehicle recycling company SYNETIQ extracts more than 5200 tonnes of aluminium from recycled vehicles annually
The leading car salvage, dismantling and recycling company of Britain, SYNETIQ, has manifested it is an astute operator when it comes to recycling aluminium from its vehicles. Generally, SYNETIQ extracts more than 5200 tonnes of aluminium during the vehicle recycling process each year, which can produce around 346 million aluminium beverage cans. However, rather than fortifying the beverage business, SYNETIQ redistributes the aluminium back into the supply chain as part of its integrated, circular recycling model. This whole system is a part of SYNETIQ’s initiative called ‘Our Road to Tomorrow’, of which the key aim is to be the most trusted and sustainable business in its sector. It is all part of SYNETIQ’s initiative called ‘Our Road to Tomorrow’, of which the key aim is to be the most...
Vedanta reports excellent performance in June quarter with a four-fold rise in net profit, aluminium remains the major contributor
Metal and mining magnate Anil Agarwal chaired Vedanta Limited reported consolidated net profit attributable to owners of the company at INR 4,224 crore in the June quarter, a growth of 309% from the same period of the previous year on the back of increased revenue. The Covid-19 first wave was the worst hit during the same phase last year, which rooted for the Y-o-Y jump in the bottom-line, in the March quarter, the Vedanta’s consolidated bottom-line was at INR 6,432 crore. Vedanta’s top line remained strong at INR 28,105 crore in the June quarter, a surge of 79% from the same period of the previous year. Consecutively, revenues were just a marginal up from INR 27,874 crore in the March quarter. Vedanta aluminium business contributed the largest at INR 10,263 crore to the total revenue...
Netherlands export of aluminium cans during 2018-20 displays an enterprising growth
As per the report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Dutch economy is projected to grow by 2.7% in 2021 and 3.7% in 2022, reaching pre-crisis levels at the beginning of 2022. Consumption will steer the recovery as households normalise their saving after the rapid rise in 2020. Private investment will improve, but continue to be held back by lingering uncertainty. Bankruptcies are expected to increase and unemployment is set to peak in the second half of 2021 following the phasing out of support measures. The North-western European nation, Netherlands exported 63,749 tonnes of aluminium cans during 2018-19 and the revenue earned from the export accounted for $244.16 million. The export for 2020 remained at 68,390 tonnes and the earnings stood at...
EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ legislation might cost India to lose $1-1.7 billion in exports of energy-intensive products, including aluminium
The European Union’s new legislation, Fit for 55 which was introduced on 14th July to reduce its GHG emissions by 55% by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050. This has been highly appreciated as the EU’s climate change action transformed into law, safeguarding it from the winds of political change. It will open fresh markets for Indian industry such as for electric vehicles; however, it also instigates a definitively unfavourable policy known as the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). Since 2005, the European Union has had a carbon emission trading system, with a current market price of 50 euros per tonne of carbon. Now, with Fit for 55, the EU will drive more sectors into this trading scheme and hardens its granting of permits. The European Union’s carbon price will strive its domestic...
Canada’s largest union Unifor initiates strike at Rio Tinto’s Kitimat aluminium smelter
On 25th July 2021, Canada’s largest union in the private sector Unifor stated that about 900 workers had initiated strike action at metal giant Rio Tinto’s operations in the western Canadian province of British Columbia. On 21st July 2021, Unifor issued a 72-hour strike notice almost after seven weeks of pointless discussions over proposed changes to workers’ retirement benefits and unresolved grievances. Jerry Dias, Unifor National President, said: "This strike comes down to Rio Tinto's greed and lack of respect for our hard-working members at the Kitimat smelting facilities. Our union is fully prepared to defend our members' rights and protect good jobs in Kitimat now and in the future." Martin Mcllwrath, Unifor Local 2301 President, said; "Rio Tinto was given every opportunity to reach...
Ex-Nalco Chief Tapan Kumar Chand joins Vedanta as Resident Director of Odisha & Chhattisgarh
India’s largest aluminium producer, Vedanta has appointed the former CMD NALCO & currently Independent Director of BALCO, Dr Tapan Kumar Chand as Resident Director of Odisha & Chhattisgarh. Dr Chand, an alumnus of the University of Calcutta is renowned as a top mining & metal professional, who is carrying a successful track record of performance in the coal, steel & aluminium sectors. On 23rd July 2021, he has taken over the charge. The high-level appointment of Dr Chand comes at the heels, when Vedanta advancing to emerge as the second-largest producer of aluminium in the world with 3 million tonnes metal aluminium output & 6 million tonnes of alumina capacity. Currently, Vedanta is the largest producer of aluminium in India and with the demand for green metal likely to be twice in the...
Aluminium Downstream Weekly Recap: Auto companies are using more aluminium for transit to EVs, Bharat Forge too gears up; AIP, Sanjeev Gupta board spat for Alvance Aluminium Duffel worsens
This week the global aluminium industry’s downstream segment delivered some great news and definitely, it throws positive response to the market, while the week also had controversial news as American Industrial Partners (AIP) came up with a board spat with British industrialist Sanjeev Gupta on Duffel aluminium rolling plant and now it has gone to worst. On the other hand, auto companies are getting attracted to aluminium more due to their gradual shift to EVs and auto components maker Bharat Forge also gears up itself with the move. The global automotive industry is countering a lot of disarrays, counting stricter regulations on emissions steering automakers to switch to the electric vehicle segment. India’s leading manufacturer and exporter of auto components, stated in its annual...
