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.
Spanish trade unions withdraw strike at Alcoa’s San Ciprián Aluminium smelter
The two largest and popular trade unions of Spain, the Podemos-affiliated Workers’ Commissions (CCOO) and Socialist Party (PSOE)-affiliated General Union of Workers (UGT) have withdrawn the four-month strike at Alcoa’s San Cibrao aluminium plant in Spain’s North-eastern region of Galicia. The unions moved to call-off as it coincided with an international upsurge of struggles against wage cuts, job losses and the ruling class’ “herd immunity” policy. The unions called the strike as it opposed the decision of Alcoa, the world’s third-largest aluminium producer, headquartered in Pittsburgh, USA, to shut down it’s this smelting plant in Spain and lay-off all 530 workers, while another 1,500 indirect jobs were affected. Alcoa has pulled down or sold 18 aluminium factories worldwide since 2008,...
Kosei prefers RUSAL for supply of high-quality Primary Foundry Aluminium Alloys
Kosei, the global wheel and auto components manufacturer has preferred Rusal for the supply of high-quality Primary Foundry Aluminium Alloys, as announced by the leader of the global aluminium industry. Established in 1950, Kosei designs and manufactures wheels, auto parts and components. It has 14 facilities operating in seven countries with a truly international reach. For the past thirty years, RUSAL has worked closely with the Company, delivered primary foundry aluminium alloys to Kosei factories in India, Japan, Thailand and the USA. RUSAL is among the world’s leading producers of low-carbon aluminium. Its ALLOW brand of low-carbon aluminium comes with an average carbon footprint of 2.4 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per tonne of aluminium produced (Scope 1&2, at smelter) which is several...
Mozambique’s import of Alumina during 2018-19 remains flat, 2020 records drop
According to the IMF, the economy of Mozambique is forecasted to rise 4.7% in 2021, supported by the post-pandemic global economic recovery, reconstruction efforts, the recovery of the agricultural sector, the gradual easing of monetary conditions, and the clearance of supplier payment arrears. The Southern African nation’s import of alumina during 2018-19 recorded at 2.17 million tonnes and the import for 2020 remained at 0.91 million. However, when the import volume of 2020 gets added with the existing two years, it signifies 3.08 million tonnes. Mozal is the largest primary aluminium producer of the country and with 580,000 tonnes production capacity, it is considered the second-largest aluminium producer in the continent. Mozambique’s import of alumina in 2018 stood at 1.08 million...
Rick Smith appointed as new Director-General of Camalco Cameroon SA
Camalco, the subsidiary company of Canyon Resources with headquarters in Perth Western Australia, has appointed Rick Smith as Director-General of Camalco. Since March 2020, Smith has been working with Canyon Resources as Chief Development Officer and has agreed to accept the role of DG at Camalco and base himself in Cameroon for the crucial periods of the end of the feasibility studies and the commencement of construction of the Project. Rick Smith an Ex-Senior Executive, within Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC), who successfully commissioned the $1.4 billion CAPEX, GAC Project. The bauxite mine is located in Tinguilinta, Guinea and is West Africa’s newest bauxite mine that will export 12 million tonnes per annum through its Kamsar bauxite port facilities which were commissioned in Q3...
Indian state Odisha has prospects to emerge as a global aluminium hub, other mining industries: Chief Minister
On 18 th February 2021, Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of India’s eastern state Odisha, stated that his state has the prospect to emerge as a global hub in aluminium and other mining industries. During the inauguration ceremony of the two iron ore mines at Guali and Jilling in Keonjhar district, Naveen Patnaik delivered his words along with Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Coal and Mines in virtual mode. Patnaik said: “He is hopeful that the quick operationalization of OMCs mines will meet the requirement of the metal market and bring positive changes in the supply situation.” Patnaik said: “Odisha has always taken early initiatives especially in the mining sector and supported reforms. Odisha government has rolled out helpdesk and feedback system under 5T initiative for ease of doing...
American artist Frank Stella’s Aluminum sphere will be located in Harlingen
Harlingen is a city in Cameron County of the US state Texas will receive an additional work of art, an aluminium 'sphere' of 14 meters high and weighing no less than 45 tonnes by the American artist Frank Stella will be given a place at the parking lot for island tourists and the Tsjerk Hiddesluizen. The municipality will receive the artwork, called Broken Jug, on loan from Stella. It is now stored in a closed industrial estate and is therefore not accessible to the public. Initially, Harlingen was also supposed to be just a stopover in the journey of the work of art, but it is now definitively given a place in Harlingen. The sphere resembles an openwork baseball helmet. The artwork was built in Cherbourg, it was originally for a seaside stadium in Miami, but Stella was dissatisfied with...
“The demand for aluminium will skyrocket as the manufacturing and sale of electric vehicles increase”, says Vice-Chairman of Jindal Aluminium
Automobile Industry, a manufacturing sector paddling through multiple challenges which include the economic slowdown, delays in regards to BS-VI-related and now the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite all the depression, the Industry could cast upon the opportunity of electric vehicles as a positive trend to gear up. Aluminium usage is traditional across multiple sectors as the silver metal is universally versatile. It is aluminium which made jets to fly due to its sustainability, light and energy-efficient features. Aluminium has been part of the auto industry for over a century. At the Berlin International Motor Show in 1899, the first sports car was premiered, featuring an aluminium body. Presently, aluminium is the second most used material in the automotive sector next to steel. In the...
Namibia’s import of Aluminium Foil during 2018-20 reflects rapid growth with a steady fall
Rowland Brown of Cirrus Capital, a local economist forecasts a 3.8% growth for the Namibian economy in 2021 after it experienced a contraction of 8.4% in 2020. “The contraction in 2020 will be the largest Namibia has recorded in her history, reflective not only of adverse external conditions but also the result of domestic restraints to economic activity in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.” The southwest African nation’s import of aluminium foil during 2018-19 recorded at 369 tonnes and the expenditure occurred remained at $17.28. The import for 2020 stood at 195 tonnes and expenditure accounted for the import stood at $8.73 million. However, when the import and expenditure of 2020 get assorted with the existing two years, it resembles 564 tonnes and $26.01 million respectively....
ALVANCE initiates consultation on newly announced £94 million Lochaber smelter expansion to make GREEN ALUMINIUM
ALVANCE, the globally integrated aluminium business and also part of the sustainable industry leader GFG Alliance, will commence consulting on plans for a new $94 million recycling and aluminium billet plant at its Lochaber smelter upcoming week as it develops Fort William’s position as a leading international producer of low-carbon aluminium. Onwards 22 nd February 2021, a public consultation will be held for 21 days, which includes a live consultation event on 25 th February from 3.30 pm – 7 pm, where the project team members will be available to respond to the queries. In November’20, ALVANCE declared plans for a new recycling and casting facility that will double GREEN ALUMINIUM production from over 40,000 tonnes per annum (ktpa) to over 80ktpa. The plant will produce long, round bars...
Novelis unveils new Aluminum solution category for automakers, an alternative to most advanced high-strength steel products
On 17 th February 2021, the global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, Novelis Inc. has unveiled its strongest automotive aluminium product to date, Novelis AdvanzTM 7UHS-s701. The technologically advanced, ultra-high-strength material is now available commercially to the global automotive industry. The new product offers lightweighting capabilities of up to 40% over existing ultra-high-strength, hot-formed steel solutions. It is designed for safety-critical structural applications in passenger vehicles that demand high in-service strengths such as A and B pillar reinforcements and side-impact door beams. Commercial vehicles and electric vehicles will also benefit from using this material, as it offers mass reduction to enable increased payload and longer battery range, while still...
FY21: NALCO CMD forecasts Aluminium production to cross 4.1 lakh tonne
The National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navratna CPSE under Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India has posted higher EBITDA in Q3FY21 driven by a strong performance by the aluminium business piloted by higher LME aluminium prices and favourable costs. Sridhar Patra, CMD, NALCO explained: “COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the production during April’20 to August’20. The plant was operating at around 65% of capacity utilisation. Despite that, we are sure that we are achieving 95% of last year production and we are quite confident of achieving the same.” However, regarding aluminium production, he said, “Last year we achieved 21.6 lakh tonne of alumina and 4.1 lakh tonne of aluminium production. We are making all the efforts to cross aluminium production of 4.1 lakh tonne in FY21.” “As...
Finland’s import of Aluminium Tubes and Pipes during 2018-20 unveils steady fall
On 26 th January 2021, OP Financial Group, one of the largest financial companies in Finland stated that it expects the Finnish economy to grow by 3% in 2021 and by 2.6% in 2022. Reijo Heiskanen, OP Financial Group's Chief Economist said: "The economic outlook is very clear. There will be stronger recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes as a result of large vaccination coverage. Of course, there is still uncertainty related to the development of the pandemic itself. However, uncertainty concerning the economy will grow only after the boost following the recovery from the COVID-19 crisis is nearly over.” The Northern European nation’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2018-19 recorded at 2321 tonnes and the expenditure amounted towards the import was $9.61 million. The import for...
McLaren rolls-out 330kph plug-in hybrid Artura supercar, powertrain by all Aluminium engine
McLaren, the motor company that exists to create breath-taking performance road cars and delivers the most thrilling driving experiences has unveiled its first ‘clean sheet’ supercar since the game-changing 12C a decade ago, replacing almost every facet of its V8-engined Sports and Super Series models with an all-new design now rolls-out Artura in the age of electrification. Artura, the plug-in hybrid with a governed 205mph (330kph) top speed and 3.0sec 0-60mph/100kph acceleration is now available to order with a base price of £185,500. Apart from its explosive performance, it can cruise for up to 19 miles on battery power alone and its combined fuel economy exceeds 50mpg. The Artura weighs just 27kg more than a 720S even though its 671bhp powertrain consists of a newly designed...
Leonardo DiCaprio urges Ghana to save the Atewa forest; Govt. plans to mine bauxite
Leonardo DiCaprio, the eminent Hollywood celebrity who acted in movies like Titanic, Blood Diamond and many other movies, has called on the Govt. of Ghana to ensure the 'Atewa Forest' remains safe. On his Twitter handle, the world-renowned actor indicated that the Forest in Ghana is one of the Earth's irreplaceable places keeping the planet alive. The Atewa Range Forest Reserve, located in the south-eastern region of Ghana, is the home to more than 1,000 species of plants, 230 species of birds, 570 species of butterflies, and more than 50 species of mammals, most of whom are endangered. The forest is chronicled as a crucial biodiversity zone critical to the persistence of global biodiversity and the overall health of the entire planet Earth. In 2016, the Govt. of Ghana declared that it...
Aluchemie owners initiate to shut down the anode plant, 220 employees to lose jobs
The owners of Aluchemie, Rio Tinto and Hydro’s strategic review governed that it is not feasible to make the ongoing investments required to pursue the operations of the stand-alone anode production plant in Rotterdam, Netherlands, due to its weak competitive position and challenging market conditions Consequently, anode production at Aluchemie is expected to conclude towards the end of 2021. However, a consultation process with the relevant European works councils and union representatives will now commence on the planned closure. Alf Barrios, CEO, Rio Tinto Aluminium, said: “We have carefully considered options to make Aluchemie competitive, however, the investments required to continue operations are not viable. We recognise this will impact employees and the community, and our focus...
South Africa: Renergen displays Covid-19 vaccine transport solution Cryo-Vacc, made from Aluminium
On 15 th February 2021, Renergen, South Africa’s emerging domestic natural gas and helium producer displayed Cryo-Vacc, its Covid-19 transportation solution. The Cryo-Vacc, made from aluminium has been designed to keep Covid-19 vaccines ultra-cold during transportation for up to 30 days, permitting the vaccines to be transported over longer distances and to reach remote areas. Renergen admitted: “The Cryo-Vacc has a temperature range of -150 ºC to 8 ºC, making it highly versatile for a range of vaccines.” “The solution is intended to simplify the logistics of moving vaccines at extremely cold temperatures of between -70 °C and 8 °C for more than four weeks, and without the need for any power supply.” Combined with best-in-class cold chain monitoring and asset tracking technology from...
Slovenia’s export of Aluminium Powder and Flakes during 2018-20 shows marginal fall with nominal rise
Aluminium powder has a range of uses at both the commercial and individual levels, which includes making explosives and fireworks, metallic paints, fingerprint powder at crime scenes, rocket fuels, etc. Slovenia’s macro-economic outlook projected recovery in 2021 and the economy is expected to return to its end-2019 level in 2022. Priorities for Prime Minster Janez Jansa’s government are to win the fight against the coronavirus epidemic and revive the economy after the deep contraction in 2020. The central European nation known for its mountains has been reported with the export of 6019 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes during 2018-19 and the export for 2020 stood at 2853 tonnes. Slovenia’s export of aluminium powder and flakes in 2018 was recorded at 3195 tonnes and the revenue...
Helena Nonka joins Hydro as EVP Corporate Development from SGS
The Norwegian Aluminium company and one of the largest in the world, Hydro has appointed Helena Nonka as Executive Vice President for Corporate Development. Nonka will report to President and CEO Hilde Merete Aasheim and will join the Corporate Management Board. She will sit on the new position from 1 st April 2021, replacing Arvid Moss, who has been acting in this newly established role since mid-2019. Helena Nonka is an experienced executive with a global career spanning more than 20 years in the natural resources industry, professional services, consulting, and academia. Helena Nonka comes from a role as the global head of new business for natural resources at Switzerland-based SGS. From 2007 to 2019, Nonka worked for Rio Tinto, where she held several senior commercial and leadership...
