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.
Luxembourg’s export of Aluminium Foil during 2018-20 remains strong with marginal fall in 2019
Luxembourg, the wealthiest country in the European Union with high per capita and its citizens enjoy a high standard of living. According to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts’ expectations, Luxembourg’s GDP is expected to reach $67 billion by the end of 2020. However, in the long-term, the Luxembourg GDP is projected to trend around $68.50 billion in 2021 and $71.50 billion in 2022, according to econometric models. The small European nation’s export of aluminium foil during 2018-19 was recorded at 60,505 tonnes and the earnings generated accounted to $165.38 million. The aluminium foil export for 2020 has been expected to reach 43,144 tonnes and the earnings to stand at $143.65 million. When the export and earnings for 2020 gets counted with the previous two years, it...
Ultromex signs major deal with Rio Tinto to remediate a salt slag landfill site in Europe
Ultromex, supplier of vital technologies to the aluminium smelting industry in dealing with its production wastes has signed a major deal with Rio Tinto to remediate a salt slag landfill site in Europe. Ultromex introduces SALTROMEX, a patented plant & technology enabling aluminium smelters to treat and recycle their salt slag wastes. The UK based technology firm Ultromex, together with its partner EJM Hydrovac, will excavate process and re-instate the site in France during the next three years. This multi-million Euro contract will treat 65,000 tonnes of salt slag waste. Salt slag, also referred to as salt cake or black dross is a waste material generated by secondary aluminium processing (the recycling and smelting of new aluminium from aluminium scrap, dross and other industry wastes)....
EGA signs agreement with NEO Aluminio Colombia for the export of UAE-developed state-of-the-art technology for Aluminium production
The largest industrial company in the United Arab Emirates outside oil and gas, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) has signed an agreement with NEO Aluminio Colombia that could lead to the export of EGA’s UAE-developed state-of-the-art technology for the development of the first aluminium production facility in Colombia. Presently NEO Aluminio Colombia is evaluating the viability of building a low carbon aluminium production plant, the Green Aluminium Transformation Complex for Colombia (GALTCO), in the northwest of the country. The project, powered with hydroelectricity and intended to reach a capacity of 540,000 tonnes of aluminium per year, would be the heart of a new industrial cluster creating jobs and economic opportunity. The agreement anticipates EGA licensing its UAE-developed...
NALCO’s smelter plant in Angul charged by residents for ash breach
The aluminium smelter plant of National Aluminium Company (NALCO) in Angul has been charged for polluting the local Nandira watercourse in the area. The residents alleged that the leaked residue from the PSU Navaratna Company’s ash pond has been polluting the watercourse and eventually adjoining up to the pollution of Brahmani River. A resident, said: “This is a recurring problem here and a result of NALCO’s shoddy decisions. We are facing a grave health hazard here. Even our cattle are getting diseases after drinking water from this watercourse.” “The NALCO authorities never seem to buzz to our repeated requests for the successful completion of the slurry project that aims to reduce the ash leakage problem forever,” he added. While another local alleged: “Fishermen dependent on the...
Sri Lanka bans export of scrap metals, including Aluminium
The cabinet of ministers’ of the island nation in South Asia, Sri Lanka has decided to ban the export of metals scrap, which includes aluminium in a proposal to save them for domestic production. However, some scrap metal could be exported under a recommendation of the Industrial Development Board and ‘other related agencies’ the state information office said. The critics have commented: “Increasing regulations and licensing generally paves the way for corruption in the licensing authorities.” The export ban is being made to encourage domestic production of industries that use the scrap as raw material, the cabinet said. The export ban is executed to weaken the prices of scrap metal to below world market levels and deny the real price to collectors and give an effective subsidy to...
Angola’s import of Aluminium cans during 2018-20 demonstrates oscillating movement; South Africa remains the major supplier
The economy Angola is built on oil, with large reserves of natural gas and oil, making up over one-third of its GDP. The country has experienced one of the fastest-growing economies in the world and becomes one of the richest African countries. However, according to the latest forecast of the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the Angolan economy is expected to contract by 4.1% in 2020, which compares with a previous projection of -2.6%, as a result of the fall in oil prices and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Southern African nation’s import of aluminium can during 2018-19 was recorded at 2923 tonnes and the foreign revenue expended for the import during the phase stood at $217.14 million. The aluminium cans import for 2020 is marked to reach at 804 tonnes, which will come up...
ICSOBA 2020 conference commences on November 16, UTC 5:00
The virtual ICSOBA 2020 conference commences on Monday, 16 th November’20, UTC 5:00. There is then not much time left to register at https://www.conftool.net/ icsoba2020 , if you don’t want to miss out the latest technology development in the field of aluminium production, from mine to metal! The conference program has been designed to maximize time zone coverage allowing delegates access from New Zealand to America to maximize the exchange of ideas and expertise in line with our vision: “the technology conference of the aluminium industry, for the aluminium industry”. The conference virtual platform has already opened. More than 250 registered delegates already received their login password allowing them to test navigation within the conference centre, visit our exhibitor’s booths and...
Q3 will remain good for aluminium business; the company will also have profit: Chairman and MD, NALCO
The Indian state-owned National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), posted its Q2 earnings which thumped evaluation on all parameters and the Navratna group ‘A’ CPSE company’s aluminium EBIT has well performed this quarter. Sridhar Patra, Chairman and MD of NALCO, while commenting on the company’s Q2 results said: “Q3 will continue to be good for aluminium business. The company will also have a profit.” “Till H1 results the company is EBITDA positive. Manpower deployment due to COVID-19 has forced the company to scale down the production. However, company management is confident that the situation is normalising. We are hopeful, we are operating above 100% of our capacity,” he added. “The company has received all the statutory clearances for Utkal D coal mine. We are quite hopeful that the...
Nissan Qashqai 2021 peeps out; body components made from Aluminium, weight drops by 60kg
The Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer, Nissan is coming up with its third generation crossover Nissan Qashqai in spring 2021, superseding the extremely popular second generation which has sold more than a million units since it commenced in 2014. The model is still undergoing testing; however, Nissan has released some premature details. Nissan Qashqai 2021 is garrisoned on the new CMF-C platform and will only be 35 mm longer than the outgoing version and boot space will additionally benefit from the earlier. The doors, front wings and bonnet will now be built from aluminium too, so the body will be 60 kg lighter and 41% stiffer than before. There will be two powertrain options, with the first a relatively simple 1.3-litre petrol engine paired with a mild-hybrid system and it...
Aluworks, Ghana: Aluminium casting and cold rolling mill seeks $40 million working capital to revamp operations
Aluworks Limited, an aluminium continuous casting and cold rolling mill located at the port city of Tema, Ghana is seeking $40 million to revamp its operations to stand strongly against the dumping of cheap Chinese aluminium products on the Ghanaian market. The aluminium plant with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes has struggled over the years particularly due to cheap import and low patronage. Kwasi Okoh, Managing Director, Aluworks Ltd., said: “The dumping of aluminium coils and others had resulted in a progressive loss of their market share over a long period.” “A specific example is that we produced and sold over 15,800 tonnes of aluminium flat-rolled products in 2006 but only about 3,800 tonnes were produced and sold in 2018, showing a market share loss of 75%.” He added: “Aluworks was...
Alvance Aluminium Duffel factory to supply for Tesla
The aluminium factory in Duffel is under the drive of the new owner Alvance for a major investment program, perhaps even 300 million euros. Alvance Aluminium Duffel said: "Tesla is building a car factory in Germany, and it wants our aluminium." Geert Vannuffelen, Vice President Operations, Alvance Aluminium Duffel, said: “Large blocks of aluminium are waiting at the factory in Duffel to be rolled into plates and coils. Half of that aluminium ends up in cars. Think of the bonnet, trunk lids and doors.” “Duffel's aluminium is also used in heating pipes, truck fuel tanks, travel cases and buildings. The Ferrari World indoor amusement park in Abu Dhabi is an example. That has a red roof of about 80 football fields with our aluminium and the Ferrari logo, which in itself is a big football...
Iran’s Alumina production rises 4% Y-o-Y for the first seven months
The alumina production in Iran has recorded with a 4% rise during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20-October 21), compared to the same phase of time in the previous year. Iran Alumina Company in the north-eastern province of North Khosaran is the only alumina refinery of the country. During the first seven months, the refinery produced 139,307 tonnes of alumina. Concurrently, the monthly alumina production in the seventh month of this year reached 17,616 tonnes, which illustrates a rise of 6% from the figure for the same month in the previous year. The geological exploration studies performed in Jajarm bauxite mines, located 10 kilometres to the northeast of Jajarm, in North Khorasan Province, indicate that the quantity and quality of Jajarm bauxite are...
Rimowa unfolds watch case made from aircraft-grade Aluminium
The high-quality luggage maker Rimowa, with 122 years of legacy behind has a decorated history of perfecting every detail on their suitcases. This ranges from the brand’s signature grooved aluminium exteriors, a homage to the world’s first all-metal aircraft — to the 360-degree spinner wheels that have made many a marathon to their boarding gate an impeccably smooth affair. Now that travel has come to a standstill, the German brand wants to keep a vastly different type of valuables safe: The most prized wristwatches. The Rimowa Watch Case was manufactured as a travel accessory, but the brand’s distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic makes this one just as worthy of a spot on a mantle, dresser, or bedside table as it is within its famous Classic Cabin. Float the sleek aluminium cylindrical...
Malta’s import of Aluminium Bar Rods and Profiles during 2018-19 remains flat; projected with 20.05% growth in 2020, while expenditure tends dip
Malta's economy is dependent on foreign trade, manufacturing, and tourism. The economy is severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic this year. GDP is expected to contract by around 5¾% but should rebound by 6.0% in 2021. A fall in domestic demand is expected to drag imports down at a slower pace than exports in 2020 before imports growth outpaces exports' in 2021. The former British colony in the Central Mediterranean region nation’s import of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2018-19 remained at 3118 tonnes and the expenditure accounted for the import stood at $8.90 million. The import for 2020 is framed to be at around 1862 tonnes with expenditures to stand at $4.42 million. However, when the import and expenditure for 2020 get assorted with the existing two years, it stands at...
Indian downstream Aluminium industry aligns to support Govt. campaign of Self-reliant India: Managing Director, Jindal Aluminium
The downstream segment of the Indian Aluminium industry positions itself to support the Govt. of Indian’s campaign for Self-reliant India, said by Pragun Jindal Khaitan, Managing Director and Vice-Chairman of Jindal Aluminium. Jindal also stated that it comes from the vision of being a country that is independent and self-reliant when it comes to manufacturing aluminium products to meet its aluminium material requirements. “The right focus on reducing our heavy dependency on imports, well-thought government vision and industry strength, can together write the story of ‘self-reliance’ in aluminium for India”, commented by Pragun Jindal. India’s per capita consumption of Aluminium remains at only 2.5 kg, which is crucially lower than the global average consumption of 11 kg. Now with a...
Rio Tinto shows distress about COVID-19 second wave in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean
Rio Tinto shows distress about the extent of the second wave of the pandemic in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and its impacts on its factories, while the “sudden” upturn in demand since this summer is forcing it currently refusing orders. Fredéric Campagna, General Manager of global commercial operations of Rio Tinto's Aluminium division, did not hide the company's concern on 11 th November’20 at the situation in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, during a sectorial talk on aluminium organized by the Relançons Montréal movement. The region, which recorded a fresh new 198 cases of COVID-19 on 11 th November, has the highest rate of active cases per 100,000 inhabitants among the regions of Quebec, at more than 370. He said: “We are currently seeing many more cases in Saguenay in our factories in Quebec...
King River Resources successfully trials its HPA process route using alternative feedstocks
King River Resources Ltd, an Australian mining company has successfully trialled its new high purity alumina (HPA) process route using alternative aluminium chemical feedstocks. Metallurgical test work is currently underway on both this new precursor and the Speewah precursor to delivering a 4N HPA product at 99.99% pure alumina. 4N HPA is used in a wide range of emerging technologies from mobile phones and LED lighting to lithium-ion batteries. The major outcome from King River’s state-of-art test work is that the “KRR processing route” can be used on a variety of feedstocks which will permit a processing facility to establish and operate as a stand-alone facility apart from the proposed mining operation at Speewah. King River is presently examining at the feasibility of constructing a...
Paraguay’s import of Aluminium Foil exhibits down-turn during 2018-20
The economy of Paraguay is a market-based economy that is heavily dependent on agriculture products. The COVID-19 pandemic hit Paraguay just as the country was embarking on a strong recovery path after growth had stalled in 2019. The global recession is likely to lead to a GDP decline of 1.2% in 2020. Thereafter, growth is expected to return to 4%, as the world economy recovers. The Latin American nation’s import of aluminium foil during 2018-19 was recorded at 5182 tonnes and the expenditure accounted for the import during the phase remained at $25.28 million. The import for 2020 is expected to be at 2078 tonnes and the expenditure to stand at $13.08 million. However, when the import volume and expenditure for 2020 gets summed with the existing two years, it denotes 7260 tonnes and...
