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.
India’s iconic aluminium producer ‘BALCO’ reducing carbon footprint through next-generation technology
The iconic aluminium producer of India, Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) is a strong promoter of leveraging next-generation technology to model its manufacturing process sustainable and reducing carbon footprint. BALCO has reduced its power consumption in its ‘potline 1’ at its aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh to 12,862 KWH/MT which is at par with global standards. This potline ranks as the best performing amongst potlines in India and the Gulf countries in terms of specific power consumption and has thus lowered its carbon footprint significantly. A smelter is a plant where aluminium is produced through the process of smelting, which involves extracting it from its oxide, alumina. A potline is a long building, or collection of buildings, which contain a series of “pots”, or large...
Austria’s export of aluminium powder and flakes during 2018-20 unveils instability; Forecast for 2021 remains dull
The global banking and financial services group, ING quoted 'Austria’s growth rate is a sweet surprise', as the country’s Q1 GDP growth cropped in stronger than expected at 0.2%. This is attributed to the industrial and construction sectors, which are compensating for ongoing declines in services. The nation at the southern part of central Europe, Austria booked export of 42,989 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes during 2018-20 and the revenue earnings accounted for the export was $111.98 million. Aluminium powder is used in paints and also in explosive and firecrackers. In 2018, the export of aluminium powder and flakes accounted for 10,851 tonnes and the earnings notified to $15.96 million, whereas, in 2019, the export saw growth by 50.54%, as the export volume surged to 16,336...
La France Insoumise Chief and Presidential candidate for 2022 election Jean-Luc Mélenchon visits distressed MBF Aluminium Foundry
On 10th June 2021, the Chief of La France Insoumise and Presidential candidate for the 2022 French election visited the distressed MBF Aluminium Foundry in Saint-Claude, Jura, where 280 jobs are at stake towards the liquidation of the organisation. The leader of the political party toured the foundry campus and looked at the machines of this foundry which manufactures aluminium components for the automotive industry; however, the plant is threatened with closure. The auto giants Stellantis and Renault are the primary customers, but order books have declined over the months, with part of the manufacturers' production now taking place in Spain. Jean- Luc Mélenchon stated: “We have a factory, an aluminium foundry, there are only four in France. They know how to make parts which are essential...
Rising price of aluminium and other commodities steering renewable energy projects costlier: Industry experts, India
The striking rise in prices of the commodities such as aluminium and copper among others, which are heavily used in the renewable energy industry as raw materials are steering the projects to get costlier, as said by the Industry experts in India. The aluminium has surged 22%, while the copper rates have gone far higher by 25%, as reported by the London Metal Exchange (LME) since the beginning of 2021. Aluminium and copper are used in the manufacturing of solar power components like solar cells, modules, and wafers. Girishkumar Kadam, Vice-President and Co-Group Head, ICRA said: “The increase in prices of commodities such as polysilicon, aluminium, and copper would lead to an increase in the capital cost for solar PV projects to some extent, given that modules comprise about 55% of the...
Salzburg Aluminium expands in Canada and US, opens new sales office
The Salzburger Aluminium Group (SAG), the Europe based market leader with its subsidiaries is an internationally successful manufacturer of high-quality aluminium components for the automotive, commercial vehicle and railway sector is expanding. The company is opening a sales office in Charlotte, US and Toronto, Canada. Presently the organisation is operative in 12 European locations, Canada and North America. For the last ten years, SAG is already running its operations in the entire American market from two production facilities in Mexico. General Motors, Chrysler and Ford, the major American automakers has remained its precious customer, as it supplies them tanks and aluminium components. The North American market will be now more functional with the expansion at the new locations in...
Indonesia’s import of aluminium tubes or pipes fitting during 2019-20 displays dip; 10% upswing estimated in 2021
Indonesia is classified as a newly industrialized country, as the economy remains the largest in Southeast Asia. As per the report released on 28th April 2021 by Asian Development Bank (ADB), Indonesia’s growth rate is expected to reach 4.5% in 2021 and 5.0% in 2022 amid improving global conditions and a gradual reopening of the economy. The world’s largest Island country, Indonesia recorded 4097 tonnes of aluminium tubes or pipes fittings importation during 2019-20 and the revenue expended for the import accounted for $55.45 million. Indonesia’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes fitting in 2018 was registered at 2341 tonnes and the expenditure occurred for the import was $32.73 million, whereas, in 2020 the import displayed drop by 24.98%, as the import volume shrunk to 1756 tonnes and...
Transatlantic metals, other trade dispute needs to end: European Union
On 9th June 2021, the European Union voiced days ahead Joe Biden’s visit to Brussels that it is time for the United States to compose definitive commitments concerning to conclude transatlantic trade tensions. The EU and the US are set to commit at a summit in Brussels next week to end their transatlantic metals trade like aluminium, steel and other trade disputes and call for progress on a new study into the origins of COVID-19, according to a draft communication. Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Executive Vice President told a session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg: "As a trust and confidence-building measure, we have to deescalate and solve EU–US trade disputes." Dombrovskis is also the bloc's trade commissioner, commented ahead of the EU-US summit to be held on 15th June 2021 that...
UK: TVS Group acquires maker of aluminium bodies for rigid and tipping trailers ‘Wilcox Commercial Vehicles’
The Total Vehicle Solutions (TVS) Group, a creation of Elaghmore Partners LLP, the UK-focused private equity firm has acquired the maker of aluminium bodies for rigid and tipping trailers Wilcox Commercial Vehicles. The acquired business is operated from a 43000 sq ft factory in Market Deeping and will pursue to be led by Vito Ronzano and Chris Bartlett who have owned and developed Wilcox since 2000. Vito Ronzano applauded the transaction as a "significant milestone for Wilcox". "We look forward to offering our clients even more services and products and pooling expertise and resources with other TVS Group companies," he added. "Chris Bartlett and I would like to thank the whole team at Wilcox for their continued hard work and dedication, especially over the last year, which has seen us...
Canyon Resources submit Environmental and Social Impact Assessment for the Minim Martap Bauxite Project
Canyon Resources Limited moves ahead with another milestone development for their Minim Martap Bauxite Project in Cameroon by submitting the ‘Environmental and Social Impact Assessment’ (ESIA) on 1st June 2021 to the Ministry of Mines, Industry and Technological Development (MINMIDT). An Africa-based advisory services firm, ESS (Environmental and Social Sustainability) focused on Health, Safety, Environment and Communities (HSEC) management, managed the development of the ESIA on behalf of, and in collaboration with, Canyon Resources. The ESIA is a crucial section of the mining permit application process and has been undertaken in line with national legislation, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards and other key international standards, frameworks and...
Brazil’s import of aluminium stranded wire during 2019-20 exhibits downswing; Forecast for 2021 stands with 14% growth
Brazil was severely hit by the Covid-19 pandemic and despite a high number of infections and fatalities, the economy recovered strongly at the end of 2020. GDP growth is expected to reach 3.7% in 2021 and 2.5% in 2022, driven by a progressive increase in household consumption and investment. The largest country in South America recorded 50,136 tonnes of aluminium stranded wires during 2019-20. Aluminium provides a better conductivity to weight ratio than copper and therefore is also used for wiring power grids, including overhead power transmission lines and local power distribution lines. Brazil’s import of aluminium stranded wire in 2019 stood at 26,160 tonnes and the expenditure for the import remained at $67.24 million; whereas, in 2020 the import exhibited a downswing by 8.34%, as...
IIT Delhi dept. of Management Studies bags first edition of ‘Ball Beverage Packaging India’s Sustainable Circular Challenge’
On 8th June 2021, the world's leading provider of innovative, sustainable aluminium packaging for beverage, personal care and household products, Ball Beverage Packaging announced the winner of the first edition of its Sustainable Circular Challenge. In association with Green Dream Foundation, Ball Beverage Packaging launched this peerless challenge program. The aim is to encourage the youth to develop an out-of-box solution to ensure that used aluminium beverage packaging material is collected and recycled infinitely. The program was in line with Ball’s sustainability goals of increasing the recycling rate and the recycling content of Beverage Cans. However, these innovative solutions, in turn, will shrink the overall carbon footprint when producing beverage cans. Department of...
Hind Aluminium Industries reappoints Shailesh Daga as Managing Director
On 8th June 2021, the manufacturer of aluminium and alloy conductors and aluminium wire rods, Hind Aluminium Industries, has made public the reappointment of Shailesh Daga as the Managing Director of the company. Hind aluminium caters for a wide range of power transmission and distribution applications. The Board of Directors of the company has approved the reappointment of Daga in a board meeting held on 7th June 2021, as Hind Aluminium Industries Ltd stated in a filing to BSE. The Company said: "Based on the recommendations of the nomination & remuneration committee, the board of directors at their meeting held on 7th June 2021 has re-appointed Shailesh Daga as Managing Director of the company for a further period of three years with effect from 1st June 2021.” The reappointment is...
Audi adopts green aluminium wheels for new e-tron GT electric sedan
The leading manufacturer in the international market for light alloy wheels for passenger cars and commercial vehicles, Ronal Group is supplying wheels for Audi’s new e-tron GT electric sports sedan, which are manufactured using Alcoa’s disruptive technology for the aluminium smelting, Elysis low-carbon smelting process that slashes carbon dioxide emissions from their production by 75%. According to Ronal, the outcome is 40 kg (88 lbs.) of CO2 emission per wheel, in comparison to the average of 163 kg per wheel, which remains the average for European production. However, the company said it buys carbon offsets for the remaining 25%, leading them to claim carbon neutrality for the wheels, even if not purchased offsets should count, the 75% reduction is still a great accomplishment. In...
Germany’s bauxite importation reflects a gradual rise during 2018-20
The Covid-19 third wave has slow down the economic recovery of Germany at the beginning of 2021. The economy shrank 1.7% in the first quarter compared to the previous three months, according to official data. On the other way, the bauxite importation of the country has revealed better growth from the previous years. The Western European nation booked 4.63 million tonnes of bauxite during 2018-19 and the revenue expended for the import was $172.75 million. The import for 2020 stood at 3.41 million tonnes and the expenditure stood at $117.33. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets added with the existing two years, it denotes 8.04 million tonnes and $290.08 million. Dadco Alumina refinery is the major importer of bauxite in Germany for alumina production. The company...
Alba holds Q2 2021 board meeting virtually
The world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), pursues to perform its operations at a full course as the Company countered the COVID-19 crisis with its resilience and strength, stated the Chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa during the second quarterly Board of Directors’ meeting held virtually on 7th June 2021 through MS virtual platform. The board approved the minutes of the previous meeting, during the Q2 2021 board meeting as well as reviewed reports of the Executive Committee, Board Audit Committee and the Nomination, Remuneration and Corporate Governance Committee. Updates were also given to include the Training Program for the Directors (Section 4: Principle 4: Third of the Corporate Governance Code of...
Indian scientists develop environment-friendly process amplifies exhaust life of aluminium alloy utilized in aerospace parts
The scientists of India have developed an environment-friendly procedure that can deliver excellent corrosion resistance to high-strength aluminium alloys exhaustively used in aerospace, textile, and automotive applications. The process, labelled micro-arc oxidation (MAO), implies an electrochemical method for the production of an oxide film on the metallic substrate. The electrolyte of the film is alkaline and competent in delivering better wear and corrosion resistance emulating to the existing process. High-strength aluminium alloys are rigorously used in aerospace, textile, and automotive applications due to their low density and high specific strength. Aerospace parts manufactured from aluminium alloys comprise landing gear, the main structural part of the wing, fuselage, aircraft...
Bericap enters aluminium closures market, acquires Mala Verschluss-Systeme
The global manufacturer and seller of plastic closures for food, beverage and industrial markets, Bericap acquires German aluminium closures producer Mala Verschluss-Systeme. The deal amount is yet to be disclosed. The deal propelled Mala to join Bericap’s plastic range and represents its expansion into the aluminium material sector. The German-based aluminium closures expert Mala produces aluminium screw cap closures for spirits, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and edible oil. The company posted annual revenues of €40 million in 2020 and has over 200 employees. Bericap said: “Mala will gain access to new markets and will see an increase in the manufacture of aluminium closures due to Bericap’s bigger production network.” In the meantime, the acquisition will uncover new market segments for...
FYI Resources recognize ESG framework for high-purity alumina refining
The Australian listed resources company that is focused on developing an innovative and vertically integrated high quality, high-purity alumina for use in various high growth tech applications, FYI Resources Ltd. recognises the significance of the ESG platform. The emerging high-purity alumina producer has revealed its adaptation of an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework, positioning with the 21 core metrics and disclosure requirements developed by the World Economic Forum. The eco-friendly alumina purification process holder will now implement both ESG and economic overlay to the organization to assure both shareholder and long-term sustainable benefits are obtained from the development of its innovative, high-quality, ultra-pure HPA project. However, considering the...
