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.
Britain strikes critical minerals agreement with Indonesia to ensure resource security
On September 19, 2024, the UK embassy in Jakarta announced that Britain signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia to collaborate on critical minerals. Indonesia, the largest country in Southeast Asia and known for its vast mineral resources, will work with the UK to enhance policy dialogue, exchange technical knowledge, and foster expertise in key areas such as supply chain resilience, sustainable processing (both upstream and downstream), and the assessment of mineral criticality. The statement did not provide specific details regarding the agreement. With its abundant deposits of bauxite, tin, and copper, Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of nickel ore. The country strives to maximise the value of its mineral resources. The country is actively seeking to attract...
Brijendra Pratap Singh selected as next Chairman-cum-MD of NALCO
The Public Enterprise Selection Board (PESB), a high-powered body constituted by the Government of India, has selected Brijendra Pratap Singh as the next Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Schedule 'A' Central Public Sector Undertaking (PSU). Singh, currently the Director in charge of Burnpur and Durgapur Steel Plants at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), was chosen from a pool of six candidates. His appointment is now pending requisite clearances and final approval from the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC). He is set to succeed Sridhar Patra, the current CMD, who will retire on October 31, 2024. Once the post becomes vacant, Singh will formally take over on expected from November 1, 2024.
Clean energy push: Rio Tinto pilots biofuels with Pongamia seed oil in Australia
The global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto has announced plans to develop Pongamia seed farms in Australia as part of a new biofuels pilot project to produce renewable diesel. The project will explore the potential of Pongamia seed oil as a feedstock for renewable diesel. This promising and innovative approach could position it as a cleaner alternative to conventional fossil fuels. The initiative seeks to assess whether Pongamia seed oil can meet Rio Tinto's future renewable diesel needs while fostering the growth of the biofuel industry in Australia. The company is in the final stages of acquiring around 3,000 hectares of cleared land near Townsville, Queensland, where it will establish farms to monitor seed growth and measure oil yields under local conditions. Rio Tinto has partnered...
BYD takes full control of Denza EV venture, ending 13-year partnership with Mercedes-Benz
Chinese automaker BYD Co. has taken full control of its joint venture with Mercedes-Benz Group AG, marking the end of a 13-year partnership in China's electric vehicle (EV) market. BYD acquired the remaining 10 per cent of shares in the company that were previously owned by Mercedes-Benz, bringing the Denza premium EV brand entirely under BYD's ownership. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, and Mercedes-Benz representatives in China declined to comment. BYD sells around 3 million vehicles a year, making it the world's leading EV company. The dissolution of this joint venture comes at a time of escalating trade tensions between China and Europe. The European Commission is preparing to impose additional tariffs on Chinese EVs, with potential rates reaching up to 36.3 per cent. A vote...
Coffee cups and aluminium pods join Ontario’s EPR recycling efforts
Canada is intensifying efforts to combat plastic waste by expanding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs to address the nation's pressing environmental concerns. A 2018 World Bank report highlighted a stark reality: Canadians generate over 4 pounds of waste per person daily, more than double the global average. By 2050, this rate is projected to climb further. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) reveals that Canadians discard over 3 million metric tons of plastic waste annually, with plastic packaging constituting half of this total. Alarmingly, only 9 per cent of this plastic is recycled. In response to these statistics and under the pressure of climate change, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment advocates for significant reforms. The council strongly...
Constellium celebrates grand opening of advanced aluminium recycling hub in France
Constellium has officially inaugurated its new advanced recycling centre at its Neuf-Brisach facility in France. The €130 million investment, bolstered by the France Relance investment program, is a significant milestone for the company. It reinforces its presence in the automotive and packaging sectors while advancing its commitment to a circular and sustainable economy. The new centre will boost the plant's capacity to recycle automotive and packaging materials by up to 75 per cent, adding an impressive 130,000 tonnes to its operations. This expansion will also enable Constellium to increase the recycled content of its products, aligning with the growing demand for environmentally responsible materials in both the automotive and packaging industries. With this latest development,...
Canyon Resources secures 'Mining Licence' for Minim-Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon
Canyon Resources Limited has reached a major milestone by signing the Mining Licence for its Minim-Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon. This development comes shortly after the July 2024 Mining Convention's approval, highlighting Cameroonian authorities' strong backing. Canyon Resources' Chief Executive Officer, Jean-Sebastien Boutet, and the Interim Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development, Professor Fuh Calistus Gentry, attended the official signing ceremony. With the Mining Convention and Licence secured, Canyon Resources and its subsidiary, Camalco SA, are now authorised to mine and export bauxite and alumina from Minim Martap. The company is fully prepared to embark on a comprehensive pipeline of activities over the next 12 months, including developing port and rail...
Alba eyes strategic partnership with Ma’aden’s aluminium business in new agreement
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has taken a major step towards reshaping the global aluminium landscape. In its meeting on September 16, 2024, the company’s Board of Directors approved entering into a non-binding agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) to begin due diligence on a potential business combination. This strategic partnership will position the merged entity as one of the world’s largest aluminium producers. The combination is set to deliver significant synergies, including expanded production capacity, a strengthened global presence, enhanced ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance, and improved energy security. By creating a vertically integrated aluminium giant, the collaboration promises to unlock substantial shareholder value, cementing its...
Europe's second-largest carmaker takes stand against EU's vehicle emissions target delay for automakers
Europe's second-largest carmaker, Stellantis NV, is standing firm against potential efforts by the European Union to delay the implementation of stricter emissions regulations scheduled for next year. The company's stance signals a brewing conflict with other manufacturers who may favour postponing the environmental targets. As the EU mulls adjustments in the face of ongoing industry pressures, Stellantis' position underscores the carmaker's commitment to meeting the climate goals on time, setting up a potential divide within the automotive sector over the future of emissions policy in the region. Stellantis's Chief Executive Officer Carlos Tavares said, "It would be surreal to change the rules now." Moreover, Tavares added, “Stellantis has prepared EVs and has established the ability to...
American aluminium giant Alcoa to exit Ma’aden joint venture, selling 25.1% stake to Saudi partner
On September 15, 2024, Alcoa Corporation announced that it had entered into a binding share purchase and subscription agreement with Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden). Under this agreement, Alcoa will sell its entire 25.1 per cent ownership stake in their joint venture to Ma’aden for approximately $1.1 billion. The transaction includes roughly 86 million Ma’aden shares, valued at $950 million based on the 30-day volume-weighted average share price as of September 12, 2024, along with an additional $150 million in cash. The joint venture, established in 2009 as a fully integrated mining complex in Saudi Arabia, now consists of two entities: the Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC), which operates the bauxite mine and alumina refinery, and the Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC),...
John Slaven steps down as Vedanta Aluminium CEO; successor yet to be named
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, has submitted his resignation from the post, effective September 30, 2024, according to an exchange filing on September 14. Slaven, who took on the role in October 2023, is stepping down citing personal reasons. However, the company has not yet named his successor. John Slaven brings over three decades of expertise in the metals, mining, and modern manufacturing industries. Before joining Vedanta Aluminium, he held the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Alcoa, where he was responsible for the company's Bauxite, Alumina, and Aluminium operations. He has also held prominent executive roles at BHP Billiton, The Boston Consulting Group, and The De Beers Group of Companies. Earlier in his career, he served as a...
Logan Aluminum Inc. announces Steven Clarke as New President/CEO
The single largest rolling mill producing aluminium sheet for beverage cans in North America, Logan Aluminum Inc., has announced significant changes in its executive team. Steven Clarke has been appointed as the new President/CEO, while Jason Goodman will take on the role of Plant Manager, effective October 1, 2024. Clarke and Goodman will succeed Mike Buckentin and Paul Banks, respectively, who are retiring after a distinguished tenure. Clarke, previously with Logan Aluminum, will now oversee all facets of the company’s operations. Logan Aluminum employs over 1,400 team members and is renowned for its commitment to safety, quality, productivity, cost-efficiency, and corporate culture. Under Clarke’s leadership, the company aims to continue its industry-leading performance and build on...
Aluminium coffee capsules get a honeycomb packaging solution
In response to evolving coffee roaster needs, secondary-packaging machine manufacturer Cama Group unveiled its latest innovation. As more roasters transition to aluminium capsules, ensuring the integrity of these pods has become a top priority. Cama Group's new honeycomb solution addresses this challenge by providing enhanced protection for aluminium coffee capsules. Historically, coffee packaging—such as bags, jars, and tins—served a primarily functional role with minimal emphasis on aesthetics. The label was often the sole distinguishing feature, and the process of opening a fresh batch of roasted coffee was straightforward, usually involving nothing more than peeling back a foil lid with a spoon. However, the landscape of coffee packaging is undergoing a transformation. Today's coffee...
Cost-effective solar cells: Yangzhou University in China reduces silver use with aluminium paste
China's Yangzhou University researchers have developed a solar cell using tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) technology. This innovation significantly cuts costs by replacing the traditionally expensive silver paste with a screen-printed aluminium (Al) paste. A spokesperson from the research team mentioned that they are still refining the innovation. However, they are currently undertaking tests with JA Solar, a leading Chinese solar module manufacturer, and Ruxing Technology Development Co. Ltd., a specialist in paste manufacturing, to test and enhance the technology. The group constructed an 182 mm x 182 mm cell on a 140 μm n-type Czochralski wafer. The rear-side passivation contact structure was designed with a 1.6 nm silicon monoxide (SiOx) layer and a 250 nm phosphorus-doped...
Alumina price upswing complicates aluminium market dynamics, warns Trafigura
The Trafigura Group, a key player in the commodity market, asserts that the surge in alumina prices significantly reshapes the outlook for aluminium prices. The price of alumina—derived from mined bauxite and used in aluminium smelting—skyrocketed by 50 per cent in 2024, reaching its highest level since March 2022. This sharp increase has been fuelled by production disruptions at alumina refineries and rising demand from aluminium smelters. Despite this, aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange have remained relatively stagnant year-to-date. However, the escalating cost of alumina is placing significant financial pressure on smelters that don't have their own supply, potentially straining the broader industry. This growing commercial burden raises concerns about the long-term...
High-purity alumina and aluminium take centre stage in Sumitomo's ICT & Mobility Solutions
The Japan-headquartered chemical company Sumitomo Chemical has announced a significant reorganisation of its business structure, which will take effect on October 1, 2024. The company plans to streamline its current five business sectors into four, aiming to better address societal challenges related to food, information and communication technology (ICT), healthcare, and the environment. The restructured organisation will feature four key sectors: Agro & Life Solutions, ICT & Mobility Solutions, Advanced Medical Solutions, and Essential & Green Materials. The ICT & Mobility Solutions sector will integrate IT-related chemicals with high-purity aluminium and alumina, speciality chemicals, high-performance engineering plastics, and battery materials from the Energy & Functional Materials...
Russian aluminium stocks rise to 67% in LME warehouses, Indian share declines
According to data from the London Metal Exchange (LME) released on September 10, 2024, the proportion of aluminium stocks of Russian origin in LME-approved warehouses increased to 67 per cent in August, up from 65 per cent in July. The share of aluminium originating from India dropped to 31 per cent from its previous 33 per cent, according to the data. In August, China held the largest share of copper inventories at 56 per cent, with Russian material making up 16 per cent of the total. The share of Russian aluminium stocks on the London Metal Exchange-approved warehouses continued to increase in July 2024, accounting for 65 per cent of the total stocks reported in August, 2024. In June, the share of stocks of Russian origin on the London Metal Exchange was 50 per cent after rising from 42...
AL Circle launches its 26th e-Magazine, "Aluminium Industry: Focus Asia"
We are thrilled to announce the launch of the 26 th edition of AL Circle's e-Magazine, titled " Aluminium Industry: Focus Asia ." In this edition, we dive deep into one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic regions in the global aluminium sector: Asia. This issue brings together expert insights, market trends, and exclusive interviews with industry leaders, offering an in-depth analysis of the trends, innovations, and outlook of the aluminium industry in Asia. The Asian aluminium industry: A powerhouse of growth As a critical pillar of the global aluminium market, Asia has cemented its position as a leader in aluminium production and consumption. From primary aluminium smelting to downstream processing, the region plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the global aluminium...
