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.
Wheels India plans INR 100 crore Capex for wind energy development; large investment in consideration for the cast aluminium plant phase II
On 22nd May 2021, a higher management staff of India’s largest auto component manufacturer, TVS Group promoted Wheels India Ltd. revealed that the company has planned for a capital expenditure of INR 100 crore in 2021 towards the wind energy segment and all set to develop a plant near Chennai. Srivats Ram, Managing Director of Wheels India said that the Chennai-based organisation would consider investing a 'large chunk' for the cast aluminium plant phase II development. He added: ''Wheels India is planning a capital expenditure of INR 100 crore that will go into the wind segment where we will be setting up a new plant in Thervoy Kandigai near Chennai.” “We currently have built up capacity for 350,000 wheels and we will be taking this upto 750,000wheels'', he said. “The order book was very...
Weekly end-user update: Letenda bags $1 million grant for developing 100% zero-emission bus; Ball Corp. launches Ball Aluminium Cup at major retailers in all 50 US states
The Longueuil-based bus manufacturing company Letenda has secured a $1 million grant from the Quebec government’s Minister of the Economy and Innovation, on 18 th May 2021, towards developing 100% zero-emission bus made from 50%-70% aluminium. While the leader in aluminium beverage packaging, Ball Corporation has launched recyclable Ball Aluminium Cup at major retailers in all 50 US states. Let us summarise some of the aluminium end-user news which kept the week eventful: On 18th May 2021, Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economic and Innovation, Quebec announced a $ 1 million grant to Letenda. The bus manufacturing company is developing a new generation 100% zero-emission bus adapted to winter conditions, named the Electrip®. To know more:...
Metro Mining: Stephen Everett to step down, Douglas Ritchie to be appointed as new Chairman
The Australian exploration and mining company based in Brisbane, Queensland, Metro Mining Limited with its flagship project, the Bauxite Hills Mine is restructuring its boards, which includes the appointment of Douglas Ritchie and Simon Wensley as non-executive directors. Following the accomplishment of Metro Mining’s annual general meeting (AGM) on 25 th May 2021, these decisions will come into effect. In further addition, Stephen Everett will step down as the Chairman after the AGM and Douglas Ritchie will be appointed as the new Chairman. However, Everett will sit on the board as a non-executive director. The restructuring and the appointments will notably enhance the experience and skill set available to the organisation towards successfully managing and growing its bauxite business....
Hindalco Q4 profit escalates 189%, powered by Novelis and India aluminium business
The Indian aluminium and copper manufacturing company, Hindalco industries registered a whopping 189% Y-o-Y growth in consolidated profit at INR 1,928 crore in the March 2021 quarter, powered by Novelis and India aluminium business. In Q4FY21, the consolidated revenue was at INR 40,507 crore, raised by 38.20%, when matched to the corresponding quarter of last fiscal. Satish Pai, Managing Director, Hindalco Industries, said: "Our record Q4 results have strengthened our balance sheet even further, absorbing the Aleris acquisition and restoring consolidated net debt to EBITDA ratio to pre-acquisition levels. The Aleris business continues to positively impact the overall topline and EBITDA.” "Through Q4, our India business continued to rise with demand higher than pre-COVID levels," he added....
Nigeria’s import of aluminium wire during 2018-20 remains unsteady, expenditure rises
The highest GDP maker of Africa, Nigeria has shown that its recovery is expected to be weak and gradual under the current policies. The real GDP growth in 2021 is expected to turn positive at 1.5% and is expected to recover to its pre-pandemic level only in 2022. The West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea imported 1188 tonnes of aluminium wire during 2018-19 and the revenue expended for the import was $3.12 tonnes. The import for 2020 remained at 529 tonnes and the expenditure stood at $1.78 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 get footed with the preceding two years, it denotes 1717 tonnes and $4.90 million respectively. In 2018, Nigeria’s importation of aluminium wire was recorded at 524 tonnes and the expenditure accounted for $1.36 million, whereas, in...
France: Alvance wheels future remains gloomy, CGT metallurgy unions in Indre to demonstrate on May 22
The last manufacturer of aluminium rims in France, Alvance wheels is placed in receivership and needs to find a buyer urgently. The CGT metallurgy unions in Indre are calling for a demonstration towards support on May 22 in Saint-Maur. The rally is organized very symbolically in front of the Renault PSA dealer in Saint-Maur. Since the car manufacturer is a major customer of the only aluminium rim manufacturer in France and an order giver who has greatly reduced his orders due to the Covid crisis. The Union said: “In Indre, Renault is withdrawing from its subcontractors, which lacked in given volume to produce has pushed companies like Alvance Wheels at risk.” The state has released a loan of €3.1 million to allow the continuation of activities and salary payment for the staffs. Presently,...
Copper might face serious competition from aluminium, over price rise issue: Wood Mackenzie
The trusted source of commercial intelligence for the world's natural resources sector, Wood Mackenzie’s analysis has indicated that a long-term rise in price for copper is likely to counter serious contention from aluminium. The American multinational investment bank and financial services, Bank of America has asserted, if inventories dry up, copper could surpass $US20,000 ($25,856) per tonne by 2024. Julian Kettle, Senior Vice President and Vice-Chair for Metals and Mining, Wood Mackenzie, said: “If copper prices reach this level, demand for high volume applications that require electricity could see a surge in demand for aluminium, which is cheaper than the red metal.” Kettle added: “Too many forecasts ignore the fact that aluminium is a serious competitor to copper in a number of high...
Rusal, Granges sign cooperation agreement on development of aluminium alloys for automotive applications
Rusal, the global leading aluminium producer have signed a cooperation agreement with Gränges AB, the leading global producer of rolled aluminium products for thermal management systems, speciality packaging and selected niche applications towards the development of aluminium alloys for automotive applications. The agreement states that RUSAL will develop new aluminium alloys, slab casting and heat treatment processes, alongside Gränges which will develop a process for the rolling and fabrication of Flat Rolled Products for automotive customers. Viktor Mann, Technical Director, Rusal, said: “This partnership with Gränges offers new prospects for the development of original alloys and strengthens our leading position in the aluminium solutions market for automotive applications.” Kent...
HAI commissions new filter system at Ranshofen casting plant
The highly innovative aluminium casting and extrusion expert, Hammerer Aluminium Industries has commissioned a new filter system at its Ranshofen casting plant. HAI’s investment of €2 million in environmental protection was made to enhance air quality at the foundry. The new filter system will restrict the emissions and control the legal limits or will be significantly undercut. HAI in Ranshofen is securing for the future by installing the new filter plant. The extraction capacity has been more than doubled from 76,600 Bm3/h to 160,000 Bm3/h and continuous electronic monitoring of dust levels in the exhaust air, including an automatic alarm, which ensures safety in the foundry. However, to establish that production can pursue even during maintenance or possible repairs, the extraction...
Bosnia Herzegovina’s alumina export during 2018-20 indicates saturated growth with a steep downturn
Presently, Bosnia Herzegovina is considered an upper-middle-income country, achieving great results since 1995. The economy still deficient competitiveness and the government introduced a structural reforms program for 2019-2021 to encourage private investments and exports. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 hit hard the economy, reporting a negative growth balance of 5.5%, compared to 2.8% in 2019. As per the IMF's April 2021 forecast, growth is expected to resume in 2021, estimated at 3.5% of GDP, and stabilise in 2022 at 3.3%. The South-eastern European nation has recorded 356,962 tonnes export of alumina during 2018-19 and the revenue generated from the export was $123.45 million. The export for 2020 stood at 132,024 tonnes and the earnings remained at $39 million. However, when the export...
Australian Bauxite halts two-day trading, gets ready for capital raise
On 20 th May 2021, the bauxite explorer, producer and mining company, Australian Bauxite (ABX) has called for a two-day trading halt, as it all set to tap investors for some new funding through a capital raising plan. However, ABX is yet to detail the amount it is going to raise or the way to raise the funds, neither the company commented on how it plans to use the cash boost. On 24 th May 2021, the complete details of the capital raise will be announced, although, there a possibility ABX can announce the details earlier. Hence, once the raising details are unveiled, then the trading halt will be lifted. Australian Bauxite has unearthed several bauxite deposits in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, and has been mining and processing the material. ABX has been developing modern...
Letenda bags $1 million grant for developing 100% zero-emission bus made from aluminium
On 18 th May 2021, Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of the Economy and Innovation, Quebec announced the award of a $ 1 million grant to Letenda. The bus manufacturing company is developing a new generation 100% zero-emission bus adapted to winter conditions, named the Electrip®. The Longueuil-based company, which works with partners in the region like Proco and Rio Tinto, has also received support from the Société de la Vallée de l'aluminium (SVA) towards the development of this bus, made from 50% to 70% aluminium and which is 20% lighter than competitors in its class. According to Nicolas Letendre, Founder and President of Letenda, said: “The project builds on strengths unique to Quebec industry, including aluminium, electric power and entrepreneurial initiative.” Moreover, Nicolas Letendre...
Rusal to transform in two companies: Leading producer of low-carbon aluminium, development of the domestic market
RUSAL is moving ahead for a demerger of its higher carbon assets to unlock value through the creation of two businesses with separate strategies. The Board of Directors has granted approval to a proposal from management, which is in line with the Company’s ambitious environmental goals and strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. The proposed transformation would consequence in two companies focusing on the execution of their own independent strategies to drive value for stakeholders: RUSAL would focus to strengthen its position as a leading producer of low-carbon aluminium, while the new company would concentrate on the development of the domestic market and its growth potential. RUSAL has taken another vital step towards reaffirming its intent on remaining the largest producer of...
Montupet, GMD Eurocast secures France Relance plan towards investment for modernization
On 18 th May 2021, the French government released the names of the new winner of the France Relance plan, in the automotive and aeronautics sectors. Montupet and Eurocast are two new companies that will be able to benefit from this fund intended to encourage investment and modernization in these industrial sectors. Since the launch, 588 projects have already been supported under the automotive and aeronautical modernization funds, which represent € 510 million in aid promised by the State for a total investment of € 1.3 billion. Montupet, the global leader in the design and manufacturer of complex aluminium castings for the global automotive industry with sales and production facilities diversified across several European countries, North America and Asia. It was selected as part of a...
Denmark’s import of aluminium container during 2018-20 reflects up-trending
The Danish government in mid-April 2021 stated that it would reopen the economy sooner than expected as COVID-19 infections declines. The nation has avoided a third wave of the virus pandemic after imposing wide lockdown measures in December’20, which slowed the epidemic considerably to between 500-700 daily infections from several thousand in December’20. The Scandinavian country recorded importation of aluminium containers of 219 tonnes during 2018-19 and the revenue expended for the import remained at $2.26 million. The import for 2020 remained at 171 tonnes and the expenditure stood at $1.96 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 get added with the previous two years, it denotes 390 tonnes and $4.22 million. In 2018, the aluminium containers import of Denmark...
Scottish Government not discards to take over GFG assets into public ownership
The Government of Scotland has not discarded to take over an aluminium smelter and a steelworks into public ownership if the situation demands to safeguard the jobs. Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture, said: “The current plans were not to take over the Lochaber aluminium smelter and the Dalzell steelworks – both of which are owned by the GFG Alliance.” As GFG Alliance is looking to refinance, she pledged: “Ministers would look at all options as required.” The Cabinet Secretary’s comments came following Labour MSP Monica Lennon said: “The outlook for the sites was increasingly worrying, as at least 340 jobs at risk.” Monica Lennon pressurized Hyslop on the situation for contingency plans the Scottish Government had, should GFG fail to refinance. Sanjeev...
Vedanta Aluminium to invest $300 million in current fiscal; Lanjigarh alumina refinery expansion remains the primary focus
The Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Aluminium, Ajay Kapur stated: “Vedanta Aluminium has set a capital expenditure target of $300 million for the current fiscal.” Kapur added: “Our most significant expansion will be at our Lanjigarh alumina refinery, subject to government approvals, the majority of our projects should be completed over the next 2-3 years.” India’s largest aluminium producer, Vedanta delivered 1.96 million tonnes in 2020-21, while the organisation targets to boost its annual aluminium production capacity to 3 million tonnes, as commented by Ajay Kapur. The production of aluminium demands double the amount of alumina as its raw materials. On the ground to increase the production of aluminium, Vedanta is raising the annual capacity of the Lanjigarh refinery to 5 million...
Europlasma’s prototype furnace for aluminium waste treatment ready for test in China
The expert in pollution control solutions, Europlasma set forth the progress of its Chinese subsidiary's project aimed at recovering aluminium waste by using plasma technology. The Chinese subsidiary of pollution control expert Europlasma Environmental Technologies (EET) in collaboration with Hangzhou Dianzi University (HDU) built the prototype furnace for the treatment and recovery of aluminium waste. Furthermore, the University has received approval from the official services particularly the Ministry of the Environment to carry out the test campaigns which should begin in June, including the two processes developed for EET i.e. aluminium waste and fly ash. These test campaigns on the pilot installation with a capacity of one to two tonnes per day aims to validate, on a pre-industrial...
