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.
Vedanta chief Anil Agarwal seeks $5 billion for turnaround fund
The founder and Chairman of Vedanta Resources Limited, Anil Agarwal is seeking leastwise $5 billion for a fund earmarking companies being sold off by Government of India, as per industry professionals. This is a practised strategy, marking a return that made him wealthy. Mr Agarwal is intending an initial close of $1 billion or more for the proposed India Direct Investment fund, as per our sources; however, the plans are kept very private. He is already exploring for targets and could spend nearly $10 billion on the first few acquisitions. The commodity tycoon is engaged with London-based Centricus Asset Management Ltd. on the fund, which will have a 10-year life span and use a private equity-type strategy. As per the source, he plans to buy companies for over five years and then boost...
EPI broadens its manufacturing capabilities to support Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s aluminium components in UAE
EPI, a key contributor to UAE’s Defence, Aerospace, and Oil & Gas industries is broadening its manufacturing capabilities to support the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. On 28 th September’20, the announcement was made on the sidelines of the two-day Global Aerospace Summit, which takes place virtually from Abu Dhabi. EPI will manufacture aluminium trailing edge ribs for use in the 787-commercial aircraft. The serial assembly lines will be an extension to the Abu Dhabi facility, with the processed parts additionally going through EPI's surface treatment plant launched previous year. The plant is part of an industrial collaboration agreement between Tawazun Economic Council, Boeing Defence, Space & Security (Boeing) and EPI, to build a chemical processing plant that would ramp up its existing...
Brazil’s import of Aluminium Tubes and Pipes during 2017-18 exhibits downfall, 2019-20 inclines toward up-market
Brazil has the third-best advanced industrial sector in The Americas. The Latin American nation’s one-third of GDP has been contributed by its diverse industries range from automobiles, steel and petrochemicals to computers, aircraft, and consumer durables. Brazil’s import of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2017-19 was recorded at 5014 tonnes and the expenditure occurred stood at $24.72 million. The import for 2020 has been analysed to remain at 3077 tonnes and expenditure to stand at $14.56 million. However, when the 2020 import volume and expenditures get added with the existing three years it depicts 8091 tonnes and $39.28 million respectively. In 2017, the import of aluminium tubes and pipes remained at 2600 tonnes and foreign revenue expenditure recorded was $12.48 million, whereas,...
Azelio, Stena Aluminium to enter in long-term collaboration around Energy Storage
Azelio, the Swedish game-changing firm towards the future of solar energy and Stena Aluminum, the leading producer of aluminium alloys from recycled material in the Nordic region are planning to enter into a long-term global collaboration that aims to accomplish Azelio’s energy storage units by filling them with recycled molten aluminium directly at a dedicated production line at Stena Aluminium. The outlook is a breakthrough in the industrialization of the product that will result in large energy savings, giving Azelio’s energy storage system an even stronger climate profile. Jonas Eklind, CEO, Azelio said: “Circular economy is central to Azelio’s offering. We store renewable energy in a recycled raw material which also has the beneficial properties of not losing storage capacity over...
Chevron secures contract from Alcoa Australia to supply more gas at Alumina refineries
Chevron, the American multinational energy corporation has signed an agreement to supply a supplementary 37PJ (962mn m³) of gas sourced from the three LNG projects located offshore Western Australia (WA) to Alcoa's alumina refineries in the southwest part of the state, adding to an existing contract with Alcoa for 64PJ of gas. The Chevron gas supply contract is one of three sales and purchase agreements that Alcoa has signed with gas producers. Alcoa has signed three new gas SPAs, which together will supply 198PJ of gas to its WA alumina refineries, starting from 2024. Alcoa said: “The agreements with Chevron, ExxonMobil and Australian independent Warrego Energy, coupled with existing gas contracts, will supply Alcoa's three refining operations in Western Australia over 10 years. The gas...
Montenegro’s Bauxite imports during 2017-20 demonstrate “see-saw” movement
Industrial Production in Montenegro decreased 12.40% in the second quarter of 2020 over the same period in the previous year. As reported on 19 th August’20, the Montenegrin government said: “Montenegrin company Uniprom has launched a 15 million euro ($17.9 million) aluminium billets production unit at aluminium smelter KAP's factory in Podgorica. The unit has an annual production capacity of 70,000 tonnes of aluminium billets and a workforce of 80 employees. The Balkan nation’s bauxite import during 2017-19 was recorded at 1.91 million tonnes. The bauxite import for 2020 has been analysed with 707,923 tonnes. However, when the 2020 import figure gets assorted with the previous three years, it resembles 2.61 million tonnes. In 2017, Montenegro’s import of bauxite stood at 766,750 tonnes,...
Rio Tinto ready to talk with New Zealand Government on extending operations at Tiwai aluminium smelter
The world’s second-largest metal and mining corporation, Rio Tinto communicated that it was willing to continue talks with the Government of New Zealand on extending operations at its Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, as offered by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on 28 th September’20. Jacinda Ardern and energy spokesperson Megan Woods announced the plan, with negotiations focused on establishing a fair price for the transmission costs paid to Transpower by the smelter. Kellie Parker, Managing Director, Rio Tinto’s Pacific Operations communicated: “We are always open to continuing conversations that would see fairer costs established for the smelter.” “The on-going uncertainty for our team at Tiwai and the Southland community is very hard but it is encouraging both major parties have now...
Aluminium Sector capable to play vital role in the growth of India: Abhijit Pati, CEO & Director, BALCO
The Aluminum industry is predominant in the development of the country, as India is driving pivotal projects like Make in India, 100 Smart Cities, 100 AMRUT Cities, 24-hour uninterrupted power supply, 100% rural electrification, domestic space program, achieving 100 GW solar power generation capacity which is considered as the backbone of an economy and making the nation self-reliant. In the presence of many other industry leaders, Mr Abhijit Pati, CEO & Director, Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) expressed his thoughts that “Aluminum sector has capabilities to play a major role in the growth of India”. He said while addressing a webinar as a key speaker at the 24th International Conference on Non- Ferrous Metals- 2020 on the ‘Prospects of Aluminium Industry in India & the challenges faced...
Govt. of Sri Lanka: Accounts Aluminium imports as raw material to foster job market
The Sri Lankan Government is to account whether aluminium could be imported as raw material and foster the job market of the country, while saving much foreign currency, stated by Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Money and Capital Market and State Enterprise Reforms State Minister, on 25 th September’20. This observation was made by the state minister in response to a suggestion made by a Sri Lankan MP Mohamed Muzamil. Ajith Nivard Cabraal, said: “I would discuss with President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on the matter and additionally to see if the export of aluminium scrap to be prevented allowing the same be used by local manufacturers.” It has been also revealed that a sum of Rs (LKR) 95,723 million is spent on aluminium imports annually. MP Muzzamil said: “Mostly...
Schneider Electric launches new APC Easy Rack PDU, designed in aluminium housing
Schneider Electric, the European multinational company providing energy and automation digital solutions for efficiency and sustainability has recently launched the APC Easy Rack Power Distribution Units (PDU) range which features easy-to-install, easy-to-use and customisable PDUs for connected loads. Jean-Baptiste Plagne, Global VP of edge computing solutions at Schneider Electric, said: "Schneider Electric is extremely proud to announce our new APC Easy Rack PDU family.” The new APC Easy Rack PDU delivers power distribution that is both reliable and cost-effective. From network closets and edge computing environments to small and medium data centres, APC Easy Rack PDUs offers a resilient power continuity solution for end-users. Furthermore, it features a user-friendly LCD screen, a...
Six Indian industry majors commit towards “Near Zero Emissions by 2050”, Aluminium also part of Charter
The Aluminium industry considered one of the toughest to reduce emission sector, need to shift to new technologies using 100% renewable energy and feedstock. A coalition of six Indian industry majors which includes Hindalco Industries signed up an ‘Industry Charter for Near-Zero Emissions by 2050’ in a virtual event at the ongoing Climate Week NYC. As founding Signatories of the Charter, the six industry majors Hindalco Industries, Siemens Energy India, Thermax, Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd, Shell Group of Companies India and Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd have committed towards development of energy efficiency, renewable energy, circular economy across member companies and supply chains; support the transition of India’s COP 21 commitment of carbon intensity reduction to absolute carbon...
South Korea’s import of Bauxite during 2017-19 exhibits growth; estimated 11.24% drop in 2020
The economy of South Korea is a highly developed mixed economy dominated by family-owned conglomerates called chaebols. It is the 4th largest GDP in Asia and the 12th largest in the world. South Korea is known for its spectacular rise from one of the poorest countries in the world to a developed, high-income country in just a few generations. The major industries that contribute to the economy of South Korea are Electronics telecommunications automobile production chemicals shipbuilding steel, etc. The East Asian nation’s import of bauxite during 2017-19, remained quite impressive as per the requirement of the industry. The import volume during this phase recorded was 1.007 million tonnes. The projected bauxite import for 2020 is marked at 370,636 tonnes, however, when it gets added to...
Sweden’s Heart Aerospace to electrify regional aircraft; airframe and wing to be made from lightweight aluminium
Heart Aerospace, the Swedish aviation start-up communicated that it plans to build a 19-seat all-electric commercial aircraft that will fly by mid-2026. On 23 rd September’20, Gothenburg based firm presented its regional aircraft design dubbed “ES-19”, which will have a range of about 222nm (400km). Initially, the company will be focusing on the Nordic countries; however, it has received inquiries from operators in North America and Asia as well. Heart Aerospace aims to change the world by reducing carbon output with its fossil-fuel-free concept. Anders Forslund, CEO and Founder of Heart Aerospace said: “We have the potential to reinvent air travel.” The aviation industry accounts for about 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions, according to ICAO, with about 40% of that coming from...
Vedanta appoints MK Razdan, the former CEO of PTI as Senior Advisor - Corporate Communication
Vedanta, the globally diversified metal and mining company appointed MK Razdan, the former CEO and editor-in-chief of PTI as a Senior Advisor for the Corporate Communications team. He will be based out of Delhi. Razdan is a well-known name in the industry and has spent over three decades in the industry. Razdan, who has been one of the longest-serving editors with the agency, has also been its Chief Operating Officer. Razdan became PTI’s General Manager in 1995, after serving the organization as its Bureau Chief in its one-member bureaus first in London, then New York. He superannuated subsequently to become PTI’s contractual CEO-cum- Editor-in-Chief. Roma Balwani, Director, Communications & Brand, Vedanta, has welcomed Razdan to 'Team Vedanta' in a tweet on 24 th September’20. Note to...
The “Corona” crisis: Aluminium Rheinfelden seeks for protective shield proceedings
On 22 nd September’20, Aluminium Rheinfelden has applied for protective shield proceedings; these are preliminary insolvency proceedings with high requirements. This enables viable companies to improve their chances of restructuring. Rheinfelden Alu currently employs 256 staffs. Aluminium Rheinfelden, as a supplier to the automotive industry, has a history of over 100years, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the firm has to suffer as the vehicle production has been on halt. Initially, an attempt was made to compensate for the drop in sales with weeks of short-time work, and then the first bad news came in mid-June’20, the axing of 30 jobs. At the same time, company management and the works council said that there should be no redundancies. At that time they were convinced that they could...
Vestdavit secures contract from Royal Australian Navy to deliver patrol boats, aluminium structured for lightweight and anti-corrosion
Vestdavit, the leading davit supplier has secured an agreement with Austal Australia to supply twelve boat launch-and-recovery systems for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The marine davits will be installed on six new Cape-class patrol boats (CCPBs), under construction for the Navy at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australia. Combined RAN and Australian Border Force fleet of 10 CCPBs, the radical vessels will develop Australia’s border protection capabilities, supporting a wide range of security missions at a critical time for the country. They will feature Vestdavit’s PLAR-6501 single-point telescopic davit, an upgrade on the PLAR-6500 deployed on the existing patrol boats and a higher-capacity cousin of the PLAR-4501 delivered to the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard earlier this...
Philippines import of Aluminium Foil during 2017-20 reveals a steady market with minimal downfall
The Philippines' economy is considered as one of the most dynamic economies in East Asia and the Pacific. Amidst lingering global and local uncertainties, the Philippine economy is poised to grow at 6.4% in 2019 and 6.5% in 2020 and 2021. The Southeast Asian nation’s aluminium foil importation during 2017-19 reveals quite steady and enterprising market, as the import volume stood at 51,639 tonnes and foreign revenue expenditure stood at $198.16 million. The import for 2020 is expected to remain at 18,829 million and expenditure to stand at $74.61 million. However, when the 2020 import volume and expenditure gets added to the previous three years it demonstrates 70,468 tonnes and $272.77 million respectively. Philippines import of aluminium foil in 2017 remained to only 12,914 tonnes and...
Geely Auto launches electric vehicle manufacturing platform; Aluminium to be used more to make vehicles lighter
Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, commonly known as Geely rolls-out its first electric vehicle-focused platform on 23 rd September’20, intended to up-rise a variety of models more proficiently for both the Chinese automaker and its partners. As the global auto industry exercises towards investment in electric and high-tech vehicles, manufacturers from Volkswagen AG to General Motors Co. have initiated platforms for electric vehicles (EVs). An Conghui, President, Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, said: “Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) will be able to support small as well as large vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, vans and pickup trucks.” The President also added: “Geely, which has a 9.7% stake in Daimler AG, spent $2.6 billion on research and development for SEA. SEA uses more aluminium...
