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.
Iceland’s export of Aluminium scrap during 2018-20 reveals upswing, earnings remain unstable
Iceland is considered as a stable democracy with an active consumer economy. The pillars of the Icelandic economy are aluminium smelting, fishing, and tourism and the major material exports are aluminium products and fish products, and main service exports are tourism-related services. The Nordic island nation’s export of aluminium scrap during 2018-19 was accounted at 11,006 tonnes and the revenue earnings stood at $7.85 million. The export for 2020 is marked at 5910 tonnes and the earnings to stand at $3.93 million. However, when the export volume and earnings of 2020 get added with the existing two years, it denotes 16,916 tonnes and $11.78 million respectively. Iceland’s export of aluminium scrap in 2018 was recorded at 5273 tonnes and the earnings remained at $3.60 million, whereas...
Dutch start-up Pyke rolls-out its hard seltzer in Aluminium cans
The Tilburg based start-up of Pyke is the next company to bring a freshly brewed hard seltzer to the market, which introduces a new flavour experience in this fast-growing category. Anne Koren, Chief Communications Officer at Pyke, said: “Our product is the right choice for young people between the ages of 18 and 35 with a 'work hard, play hard' mindset looking for authentic products and brands.” Pyke has a unique flavour profile compared to other hard seltzers because it is not mixed with a distillate. It originated from a traditional brewing process of several weeks using real champagne yeast, which gives it its own brewed character. Hard seltzers have the fewest calories of all alcoholic drinks and this makes it especially appealing to health-conscious millennial and the so-called...
Guinea’s mining production leaps, tax revenues dip: IMF wonders about income from mining
On 9 th December ‘20, the Board of Directors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a disbursement of $ 49.47 million for Guinea as part of the aid to the nation facing the difficulties of stabilizing their balance of payments. The government of Guinea has praised the continuation of the program so vital for the economic survival of Guinea, especially in these difficult times of pandemic. However, the IMF wonders about the disconnect between mining production and tax revenues in Guinea, as the country receives most of its income in foreign currency due to the export of bauxite, whose figures have risen in recent years making it the second-largest exporter of bauxite in the world just behind Australia. As per the IMF report: “While the overall growth has been supported by a...
India's eastern state Odisha attracted over INR 100,000 crore investments during Corona crisis: Chief Minister
On 12 th December, Naveen Patnaik, Chief Minister of India’s eastern state Odisha announced that the state government is dedicated creating a favourable environment for the promotion of industries in the state and eyeing on the implementation of new projects. Odisha has developed an online system for over 30 government-to-business (G2B) services to reduce the regulatory burden on industries, Patnaik said. “Odisha is concentrating on technological reforms to reduce physical interface in extending government services.” “The state has been creating a conducive business environment by inculcating professionalism and behavioural change in the agencies,” he said. The Chief Minister, while addressing the FICCI’s 93rd Annual General Meeting, said: “The state is fast emerging as the manufacturing...
Netherlands export of Aluminium wires during 2018-20 demonstrates enterprising market
The COVID-19 outbreak disruption is weighing on the Netherlands' economy and the sovereign's fiscal position. GDP contracted 8.5% QoQ in Q2’20, after a 1.5% contraction in Q1’20. Although the economic fallout is historically very large, it is less severe than the euro zone-wide quarterly contraction of 12.1% and 3.6% in Q2’20 and Q1’20, respectively given the economy's flexibility and swift policy action. The northwestern European nation’s export of aluminium wires during 2018-19 was recorded at 106,430 tonnes and the revenue generated by the export accounted was $218.36 million. The export for 2020 is set to stand at 60,252 tonnes and the earning to remain at $116.20 million. However, when the 2020 export volume and earnings get assorted with the previous two years, it denotes 166,682...
Australia Govt. step in to support Alcoa's struggling Portland aluminium smelter
The Government of Australia will step in as shield for Alcoa’s struggling Portland Aluminium smelter in Victoria to relieve pressure on the power grid, as reported by two ministers on December 14. The government has decided to underwrite up to A$76.8 million ($57.94 million) in revenue earned by the Alcoa Corp-owned aluminium smelter, which feeds 10% of Victoria's electricity needs, to 2025. Angus Taylor, Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction said: "The Portland aluminium smelter provides unique and valuable energy services and emergency reserves to the grid, particularly over summer." The Victorian aluminium smelter has been accredited as a lifeline for hundreds of workers, but as a lost opportunity to move towards renewable energies. The Australian Workers' Union Victorian branch...
Metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta demands for new emissions rules in post Brexit era
The Indian born British industrialist Sanjeev Gupta, whose business empire includes the Lochaber aluminium smelter in Scotland, the UK’s only aluminium smelter, said: “The post-Brexit UK should abandon the European Union’s ‘outdated’ emissions rules.” The call comes from the billionaire businessman as the British Government examines to adopt national emissions trading (ETS), which is analogous to the European Union’s ETS. However, it also accords with this weekend’s UK and France-hosted climate action summit, a forbearer to UN talks in Glasgow next year. Sanjeev Gupta, the Executive Chairman and CEO of GFG Alliance, whose Paris-based subsidiary Alvance Aluminium Group, a globally integrated aluminium business that brings together assets across the aluminium supply chain from raw materials...
Aluminium bodied Black flirty hybrid train moves to Norway from Siedlce plant
The Stadler Polska plant initiated the production of very interesting multiple aluminium units for the Norwegian carrier Norske Tog. The train coaches are built jointly by plants in Minsk and Siedlce. Marta Jarosińska, the spokeswoman for Stadler Polska, said: “Black Flirty, a hybrid train for the Norwegian Railways Norske Tog. The trains are manufactured at our plant in Minsk, Belarus, and at the Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce, they are assembled and commissioned static and partially dynamic.” She adds: “The vehicles then go to the port in Świnoujście, from where they are transported by ferry to Sweden and then on rails to Norway. Test drives take place on-site before the final handover of the vehicles to the customer.” “Currently two trains are being tested. As part of the order...
“The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece 2020”: ElvalHalcor Hellenic Copper and Aluminium Industry S A joins the group
ΕlvalHalcor joins 'The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece' straightway for the 4 th year in a row. The leading global industrial producer of aluminium and copper, ElvalHalcor, together with 24 other companies were evaluated, based on its performance in the 'Sustainability Performance Directory' and ranked in 'The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece' group of companies for the year 2020. On 7 th December’20, with a total of 25 companies groups up 'The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece' for 2020, had received their distinction at the annual event that is part of the 'Sustainable Greece 2020' initiative, hosted by the QualityNet Foundation. These 25 companies group have adopted a comprehensive approach towards Sustainability issues, operate as leading examples of good business practice...
Japanese firm Alhytec collaborates with Toyota to test the use of aluminium and alloys for hydrogen generation in EV
An energy and resource recycling firm in Japan is cooperating with the multinational Japanese carmaker Toyota to trial the use of aluminium and alloys recaptured in car manufacturing as a source of hydrogen generation for fuel cell electric vehicles. Alhytec, A Toyama-based firm has bespoken a testing hydrogen generation plant in Toyama administrative region of Takaoka to use aluminium alloy chips collected from Toyota's engine and fuel cell tank manufacturing plants in Aichi area. The company focus to commercially develop a hydrogen generation unit with the usage of aluminium and alloys for marketing to industrial facilities. The reaction of aluminium and water can produce hydrogen. Aluminium hydroxide, the by-product generated from the process can also be utilised in the production of...
Finland’s export of Aluminium structures during 2018-20 reflects steady growth
The economy of Finland is highly industrialized, largely free-market economy with per capita GDP almost as high as that of Austria and the Netherlands, while marginally above that of Germany and Belgium. Trade is important, with exports accounting for over one-third of GDP in recent years. However, according to a forecast, Finland's total output is expected to shrink by 4.5% in 2020. The Finnish economy was already in weak mode towards the end of 2019, and the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to result in a sharp fall of the GDP in 2020. The Northern European nation’s export of aluminium structures in 2018-19 has been accounted for 14,131 tonnes and the revenue earnings for the export stood at $67.23 million. The export for 2020 would be standing at 8746 tonnes...
Hydro to focus on low-carbon aluminium production, aims to expand recycling
The Norwegian aluminium company Hydro stated that it would emphasis on the production of low-carbon aluminium, as well as broaden its portfolio into recycling, renewables and batteries by 2025. Hilde Merete Aasheim, President and CEO of Hydro, said: “We have generated cash, cut costs and delivered extensive operational improvements across the company, providing a solid foundation for our growth agenda.” “Now, we’re raising the bar, setting a new ambitious improvement target for 2025, combined with a clear strategy to make Hydro a profitable and sustainable industry leader.” In the previous year, the company said it has focused on “keeping the wheels turning, maintaining a healthy and safe work environment,” while also working to position the company for the future. Hydro’s development...
India’s largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki to hike vehicle prices from Jan’21; Aluminium and other raw materials gets costlier
Maruti Suzuki Ltd., India’s largest carmaker withholding more than 50% of market share in the passenger vehicle segment, announced that from January’21 it would increase prices of its vehicles. It is forecasted that the price rise could be more this time, as the cost of raw materials has increased unusually. The Company said: "Over the past year, the cost of the company's vehicles has been impacted adversely due to increase in various input costs. Hence, it has become imperative for the company to pass on some impact of the above additional cost to customers through a price increase in January 2021." The hike in price will stretch across models, starting from Maruti’s fleet of entry-level small car Alto and goes up to premium multi-purpose vehicle XL6. The prices of raw materials prices...
Ecuador’s import of Aluminium Foil during 2018-20 remains unsteady
The economy of Ecuador has been one of the most stable in Latin America. Ecuador has enjoyed a healthy economy supported by the dollarization regime, as the country uses the US dollar for its currency and high oil prices. Ecuador was the first country in Latin America to experience a significant outbreak during the global Covid-19 pandemic. After growing by only 0.1% in 2019, Ecuador's GDP is expected to contract by 8.7% in 2020. The South American nation’s import of Aluminium foil in 2018-19 was recorded at 4554 tonnes and the expenditure occurred for the import was accounted at $24.76 million. The import for 2020 is set to remain at 1740 tonnes and the expenditures to stand at $18.30 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets added with the existing two years,...
Canyon Resources: Cliff Lawrenson joins the board as Chairman, David Netherway steps down
Canyon Resources Limited has announced the re-organization of its Board, which intends to drive the next stage of growth and welcomes mining professional Mr Cliff Lawrenson as Non-Executive Chairman. Mr Cliff Lawrenson said: “I am very pleased to be joining the Canyon Resources Board at this stage of the Minim Martap Project development. The very high quality, low contaminant bauxite at Minim Martap will stand the test of time as aluminium becomes a critical material in the evolution to electric vehicles and lighter, more energy-efficient construction materials. I am impressed with the recent addition of Peter Su and his interests and having experienced mining professional David Netherway remain on the board. I am looking forward to working with the team as we take this exciting project...
Alteo Alumina refinery’s fate will be fixed on January 7, 2021
The Marseille commercial court was due on 8 th December’20 to examine the two takeover bids submitted for the speciality alumina unit at Gardanne in Southern France. But one of the two bidders withdrew. The inter-union hopes to reduce the social impact of the remaining offer carried by United Mining Supply, an integrated logistics group specializing in industrial and mining activities. There were two offers for the takeover of the Alteo Alumina in Gardanne. One, initiated by Xavier Perrier and Alain de Krassny (Kem One), aimed to preserve the integrity of the speciality alumina production plant, with bauxite extraction using the Bayer process. The other, defended by the United Mining Supply (UMS) group, favoured the abandonment of this extraction to perpetuate downstream. However, the...
The Corona crisis: Indian Railways Aluminium body coaches roll-out gets delayed
The plan for rolling out the first batch of aluminium coaches of Indian Railways suffers delay due to the Covid-19 outbreak causing obstruct in production. The lightweight aluminium coaches will position Indian Railways with the benefit of running trains to speed up to 160 kmph, reduce energy consumption and give a more pleasant ride. The nation’s Modern Coach Factory (MCF) in Rae Bareli, Uttar Pradesh has awarded the contract for aluminium body coaches to Dawonsys, a South Korean firm, leading a new paradigm in the railway sector. The INR 128 crore contract includes Transfer of Technology (ToT) for aluminium body coaches, an elemental for Indian Railways which currently makes coaches with stainless steel. In terms of exterior, interior, safety and comfort, the upcoming aluminium coaches...
Japan’s export of Aluminium wires during 2018-20 displays consistent development
The economy of Japan has plunged at its rapid rate on record as it battles the COVID-19 pandemic. The world’s third-largest economy saw gross domestic product fall 7.8% in April-June from the previous quarter or 27.8% on an annualised basis. However, Japan was already struggling with low economic growth before the crisis and the vital factors behind the slump was a severe decrease in domestic consumption, which accounts for more than half of Japan's economy. Exports have also fallen sharply as global trade is hit by the pandemic. The Island nation of East Asia has recorded its export of aluminium wires during 2018-19 at 6240 tonnes and the revenue generation stood at $14.20 million. The export for 2020 is expected to reach at 5410 and the earnings to stand at $12.42 million. When the...
