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 rolls-out Austria’s largest rooftop photovoltaic system project at Ranshofen rolling mill
On 21 st April 2021, the Austrian premium supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat-rolled products, AMAG commenced the construction project of Austria’s largest rooftop photovoltaic system on the roofs of the new AMAG rolling mill in Ranshofen. The power system covers an area of around 55,000 m², which is equal in size to roughly around eight soccer fields and will generate around 6.7 GWh of electricity per year. This equates to the electricity consumption of around 1,700 households and will be used exclusively for AMAG’s own needs. AMAG has a clear policy direction on innovative products and sustainable production methods. This integrated approach to sustainability is confirmed by external certifications such as that of the ASI (Aluminum Stewardship Initiative) performance...
Georgia’s import of aluminium cans during 2018-20 exhibits steady to marginal growth
The economy of Georgia has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The country’s economy is forecasted to expand to 4% in 2021 and then to firm to 5% in 2022. Despite this improvement, the output is unlikely to recover to pre-COVID levels until late 2022, in part owing to a subdued outlook for international tourism over the forecast horizon. Sebastian Molineus, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus, said: “The pace of Georgia’s recovery beyond 2021 will be contingent on vaccine rollout and the restoration of international trade and investment.” The former Soviet republic, Georgia booked 3280 tonnes of aluminium cans importation during 2018-19 and the expenditure accounted for the import was $23.87 million. The import for 2020 stood at 1794 tonnes and the expenditure remained...
Alupro appoints Tom Giddings as interim General Manager
The aluminium packaging recycling organisation, Alupro has made public the appointment of Tom Giddings as interim General Manager. Formerly Sustainability and Public Affairs Manager, Tom replaces industry stalwart Rick Hindley, who moves on to another senior role within the recycling sector. In June 2020, Tom Giddings joined Alupro and placed himself firmly as a driving force within the team. However, prior joining to Alupro, he held the role of Sustainability Data and Reporting Manager at international packaging provider DS Smith, where he was responsible for the continuous improvement of sustainability initiatives, alongside group-wide data governance. Tom’s appointed as the interim General Manager is with immediate effect, as Rick leaves the business in May 2021, and will be...
Aluminium industry set to witness demand surge with the growth of domestic EV sector, says top executives of Indian Aluminium Industry
The aluminium industry is set to witness a demand surge with the growth prospects supplied by the domestic-grown electric vehicle sector, as this has been widespread news around the EV, which has shifted the spotlight on the conventional aluminium industry. Aluminium as a metal is not just the cheapest but also one of the lightest is much endeavoured after by the EV and the aerospace industry as it helps minimise the overall weight of the structure while maintaining the strength. Elon Musk’s Tesla car models, for example, uses nearly 200 kg of aluminium to restrict their overall weight to around 2,000 kg. In reality, the automobile industry has been one of the largest consumers of aluminium. The silvery-white metal is not just used for manufacturing the frame and body of vehicles, but...
Ireland’s import of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2018-20 unveils fluctuating move
The Central Bank of Ireland at the beginning of April 2021 raised its current year economic growth forecast by half to 5.9% on improved multinational performance and export prospects but alerted the domestic economy would grow at less than half that rate. The island nation in the northern Atlantic recorded the import of 23,667 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2018-19 and the expenditure that occurred for the import was $76.88 million. The import for 2020 stood at 9835 tonnes and the expenditure remained at $34.40 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 get footed with the existing two years, it reveals 33,502 tonnes and $111.28 million respectively. In 2018, Ireland’s import of aluminium bar rods and profiles was documented at 7714 tonnes and the...
Youngstown Tool & Die selects NITREX to support expansion strategy
The Ohio-based aluminium extrusion die manufacturer Youngstown Tool & Die (YTD) selected NITREX Canada to support their expansion strategy, scaling up value-added nitriding services that the company contributes to its customers. In the last quarter of 2020, YTD added Nitreg® controlled nitriding with the installation of a Nitrex turnkey gas nitriding system to complement their range of heat-treating services. The expansion roll-out was initiated in the previous summer when YTD relocated to a larger manufacturing facility and made investments in new production and finishing equipment to expand its manufacturing capabilities and meet the growing demand in the USA. As part of the new production, YTD installed a Nitrex pit-type NX-1015 nitriding system that boasts a 4,400 lbs. (2,000 kg)...
Guinea’s economy grows 7% in 2020 amid dual pandemic; bauxite mining plays a vital role
On 30 th April’2021, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported on a virtual mission that in 2020, the economy of the West African nation, Guinea has grown 7% on Y-o-Y amid the dual pandemic of Covid-19 and Ebola. The growth figure reported is even well above the 5.2% previously forecasted by IMF. Clara Mira led IMF virtual mission said “the good performance was mainly driven by the mining sector.” Guinea’s mining sector recorded a rise by 18.4% in mining activity in 2020, against only 8% in 2019, as data supplied by African Development Bank (AfDB). Bauxite, the raw material of aluminium is accredited for its high demand, of which the nation has become the main supplier since 2017. Even though 2020 revealed better results than expected, 2021 shows signs to take the opposite path. This...
Tirupati Graphite’s graphene-aluminium composite can replace copper
The fully integrated specialist graphite and graphene producer, Tirupati Graphite PLC stated that its research center has invented a ground-breaking graphene-aluminium (Al-Gr) composite, which indicates remarkably higher conductivity and strength properties over aluminium and could replace the usage of copper. The specialist graphite producer said it was engrossed with potential end-users including an FTSE100 company for the composite’s potential use replacing copper in thermal, power, and propulsion systems, providing significant environmental advantages owing to reduced weight. Shishir Poddar, CEO, Tirupati Graphite, said: “We are delighted that this achievement has caught the attention of several major companies globally, including a world-leading FTSE 100 engineering group, with whom...
Jamaica Bauxite Mining to initiate up-gradation work of Ocho Rios Port
The limited liability company which was incorporated on February 13, 1975, Jamaica Bauxite Mining Limited (JBM), where the company holds 51% equity, on behalf of the Government, in the operations of Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners in St. Ann, is eyeing to initiate the up-gradation work of Ocho Rios Port during the current fiscal year. However, the ownership of the 49% shareholding, previously held by Noranda, was passed to New Day Aluminium in 2016. The commencement of the up-gradation has been notified by the 2021/22 Public Bodies Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure, which clearly states that the exercise will serve to develop the facility’s business activities while maximizing revenue. The engagement floats part of JBM’s efforts to pursue stakeholder collaborations this year to foster...
Chile’s export of aluminium foil during 2018-20 marks a sharp rise with a minimal drop
As per the HDI ranking, Chile ranks 42 nd out of 189 countries and is considered as a FIRST WORLD nation by their metrics. The country’s GDP, quality of life, infant mortality rate, life expectancy, and HDI are enough for most economists to classify the country as developed. Chile's economic freedom score is 75.2, making its economy the 19th freest in the 2021 Index and is also ranked 2nd among 32 countries in the Americas region, while, its overall score is above the regional and world averages. The nation at south America’s western edge has scored 3698 tonnes of export of aluminium foil during 2018-19 and the earnings cropped up from the export was $20.78 million. The export for 2020 stood at 2822 tonnes, however, when the export volume of 2020 gets added with the existing two years, it...
Cameroon: Eneo recover Alucam’s power bill debt of FCFA 34 billion from the State, around FCFA 20 billion remains unpaid
On 16 th April 2021, according to the general management of Eneo, a document confirming the takeover by the Public Treasury of the debt of the Cameroonian Aluminum Company (Alucam), the exclusive distributor of electricity in Cameroon. Louis Paul Motazé, the Minister of Finance said that the State shouldered the debt of FCFA 34 billion of the aluminium producer as of December 31, 2019, while the total debt would now exceed FCFA 50 billion. Eneo said: “Through this debt recovery, the State has somewhat cleaned up Alucam's balance sheet. This is a very positive sign. We rejoice at Eneo.” The problem is that since December 31, 2019, the Cameroonian Aluminum Company (Alucam) no longer officially has an electricity supply contract with Eneo, the vendor of the public electricity service in the...
Hammerer Aluminum Industries transit to green energy
The high-quality aluminium products supplier, Hammerer Aluminum Industries (HAI), tracked towards a consistent green electricity strategy, as reported by the company. Accredited for the massive commitment, the aluminium expert has already been able to significantly refine its CO2 balance. HAI is fully dedicated to the green energy transition, as it is purchasing 100% CO2-neutral electricity from renewable energy sources. At the two largest locations of the HAI Group, in Ranshofen, Austria, and Soest, Germany, only "green" electricity has been used for two years. With this change in 2020, around 21,000 tonnes of CO2 have been saved at these two locations alone, according to the company. However, at the two Romanian HAI locations, since January 2021, electricity has been supplied from...
Portugal’s import of aluminium stranded wire during 2018-20 reflects marginal movements
On 15 th April 2021, the finance minister of Portugal said that the government of Portugal has slashed its 2021 economic growth forecast to 4% from 5.4% after a severe worsening of the coronavirus pandemic at the beginning of 2021 forced a nationwide lockdown lasting over two months. The southern European nation on the Iberian Peninsula has recorded importation of 1487 tonnes of aluminium stranded wires during 2018-19 and the expenditure that occurred for the import accounted for $4.74 million. The import for 2020 stood at 740 tonnes and the expenditure remained at $2.30 million. However, when the import volume of 2020 gets assorted with the preceding two years, it signifies 2227 tonnes and $7.04 million respectively. Portugal’s import of aluminium stranded wire in 2018 was registered at...
COVID pandemic drove Rusal’s Aughinish Alumina to loss in 2020
The globally most technologically advanced and energy-efficient alumina refinery and Europe's largest operated by Rusal in Ireland, Aughinish Alumina drove into a loss in 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic hit demand for alumina from one of the biggest aluminium smelters of Europe. During the filling at Companies Registration Office (CRO), the Aughinish Alumina Ltd located at Limerick county revealed a drop in revenue by a quarter to €436 million. The report reflected a loss of $19.8 million from a remarkable profit of €52 million in 2019, the first year after the Rusal-owned plant was removed from the US sanctions list that had restricted its ability to trade with US entities. However, the management has pointed their fingers towards an unfavourable market for alumina last year for the loss....
TAKRAF installs India’s longest overland conveyor system for Utkal Alumina refinery to transport bauxite
The technological solution provider to the global mining and minerals industries TAKRAF has designed and installed India’s longest overland conveyor system, for the Greenfield project of Hindalco-owned Utkal Alumina refinery. The project worked by the TAKRAF’s India office included the longest single flight conveyor system to be installed within Indian territory as of today. The project is located at Tikri in the Rayagada district of Odisha and includes a 1.5 Mt/y alumina refinery, the Baphlimali bauxite mines with reserves lasting for over 25 years, and a 90 MW captive co-generation power plant. TAKRAF India secured the contract from Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL) for an overland conveyor system to transport 4.5 Mt/y of bauxite through challenging, wobbling terrain from the...
France: PCF proposes State intervention for Renault and Peugeot to manufacture rims at Alvance wheels plant
Following the meeting between the employees of Alvance Wheels plant and local elected officials, the Communist Party of France demanded the French government’s intervention to notify Renault and Peugeot to procure rims that are manufactured at the Alvance wheels plant in Diors. The countdown has started for the last manufacturer of aluminium wheels in France, as the company is in receivership. The 287 employees of the Diors site in Indre are anticipating a possible buyer. A new hearing will be held on 8 th June before the Paris Commercial Court. The Communist Party asks the state to act on this issue. "We will pass on the crocodile tears of the politicians of the local right who do not miss an opportunity to support the liberal policies of devastating our industry", commented a distressed...
Alpha HPA inks MoU with CleanCo Queensland for renewable energy supply
The producer of sustainable ultra-high purity aluminium products Alpha HPA has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with CleanCo Queensland to supply up to 100% of the power for its HPA First Project in Gladstone. The project is earmarking the production of around 10,000 tonnes per annum equivalent of HPA and allied products using Alpha's solvent extraction and HPA-refining technology. As per the MoU, Alpha, and CleanCo, the state-owned low-emission power generator is set to negotiate a renewable energy supply agreement (REA) for the operation. Rob Williamson, COO, Alpha HPA commented on the prospective REA: "Alpha is committed to delivering a project that delivers products and materials that are vital for decarbonization and to do so with the lowest possible environmental impact.”...
Guinea Alumina Corporation appoints Malick N'Diaye as CEO
On 28 th April 2021, Guinea Alumina Corporation, a subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), which explores bauxite in the Boké region located at the northwest of Guinea, has announced the appointment of Malick N'Diaye as the CEO of the organization. Malick N'Diaye joined GAC in 2014 as Chief Financial Officer and from August 2019 onwards, he occupied the post of Deputy CEO and Director of Government Relations. He is carrying a successful career experience of over 19 years in finance, accounting, auditing, consulting, treasury, and financial management in the Republic of Guinea, the UK, and the Republic of Congo. He has held several management positions within the audit firm Ernst & Young and has also worked for two major mining companies, Rio Tinto and Xstrata Glencore. According to...
