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.
EU Commission approves Gränges’ acquisition of Aluminium Konin
The EU Commission on 23 rd September’20 has approved Gränges’ acquisition of the Polish flat-rolled aluminium producer Aluminium Konin. The acquisition is thereby approved by all relevant competition authorities. Today’s announcement is followed by the 28 th November 2019 Gränges’ agreement to acquire Aluminium Konin from Boryszew Group. The transaction was subject to regulatory approval by relevant competition authorities. The acquisition will strengthen Gränges’ product offering and presence in Europe and contribute with strong positions in new attractive niche markets. The deal amount of Gränges acquirement to Aluminium Konin was signed for SEK 2.3 billion on a cash and debt-free basis. Aluminium Konin adds new capabilities and capacity to expand Gränges’ offering for future...
Alcoa diversifies its Sustana™ product line by including EcoSource™, the industry’s first low-carbon smelter-grade alumina brand
Alcoa, the global leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products on 23 rd September’20, announced the diversification of its Sustana™ product line with the inclusion of EcoSource™, the industry’s first low-carbon smelter-grade alumina brand. EcoSource is produced with no more than 0.6 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO 2 e) per tonne of alumina, two times better than the industry’s average of 1.2 tonnes of CO 2 e. Alcoa’s measurement includes direct emissions from the Company’s bauxite mining and alumina refining processes and indirect emissions from the energy consumed in those processes. Alcoa runs the global largest third-party alumina business, and its refining system has the industry’s lowest carbon footprint. The refineries that produce EcoSource™ alumina have an average...
Altech: Standing at the final development stage of HPA grade, specifically designed for anode applications within lithium-ion batteries
Altech Chemicals Limited has made public that it is in the final development stage of a high purity alumina (HPA) grade that is specifically designed for anode applications within lithium-ion batteries. This initiative is in reaction to lithium-ion battery anode development trends that Altech has identified in Europe from its engagement with potential HPA users, and its work with research organisations such as the international renowned Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Institute. The initiative also offers another potential avenue to secure a portion of future HPA production at a predetermined floor price, which would support project financial close. HPA is commonly applied as a coating on the separator sheets used within a lithium-ion battery; as alumina coated separators improve battery...
Ukraine’s export of Alumina during 2017-18 exhibits enterprising volume growth, marginal dip in 2019-20
Ukraine is a developing country and ranks 88th on the Human Development Index. As of 2020, Ukraine is the poorest country in Europe alongside Moldova in terms of GDP per capita. Ukraine has a mixed economic system in which there is limited private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. The major industrial sector that contributes to the economy of Ukraine is coal, electric power, ferrous, aluminium, machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, food processing, etc. The Eastern European nation’s alumina exportation during 2017-19 has been recorded at 8.23 million tonnes. The analysed import of alumina for 2020 has been marked at 3.35 million tonnes, however, when it gets added to the existing three years it depicts 11.58 million tonnes. In 2017,...
Lindian Resources to acquire the world-class Lelouma Bauxite Project in Guinea
On 23 rd September’20, Lindian Resources announced that it has signed a binding agreement to acquire a 75% interest in Sarmin Bauxite Limited, a private company that holds the rights for the Lelouma Bauxite Project in Guinea. Lindian will get the opportunity to earn a 75% stake in the 847 million tonnes Lelouma deposit by issuing the vendors 30.7 million shares valued at 1.6c each and delivering a definitive feasibility study. The Lelouma Project has an exceptional resource base and has been systematically explored with over US$10 million of historic expenditure by Sarmin and Lelouma’s previous owner, Mitsubishi Corporation. The plateaux hosting the Lelouma bauxite mineralisation are located around 100km northeast of Sangarédi, site of the CBG railway line loading area. The rail line is...
Bluetek debuts universal aluminium cladding board “Bluenéa”
Bluetek debuts with universal aluminium cladding board that can be fixed to a framework or directly to the wall, indoors and outdoors. The specialist in smoke extraction and overhead lighting offers an all-in-one cladding system with its new Bluenéa aluminium strip. This can be installed as cladding with or without thermal insulation from the outside (ITE), cladding, interior facing, cladding under crawling converted attics or even fencing. The slat is easily fixed, by simple interlocking at the bottom and mechanical fastening at the top, be it support of metal or wood frame, or directly on the wall and no need for specific screws. The Bluenéa board is available in a raw finish, in 10 powder-coated, 6 anodized and 4 wood finishes, and different aspects of smooth, metallic, sandblasted,...
Alucast: Investment in new CNC machining shop, paying off by securing contracts in electrification sector
Alucast’s fresh £2.5 million investment in its new CNC machining shop is paying off, as the new technology is playing a vital role by supporting the firm to secure new contracts in the electrification sector. The UK’s leading independent aluminium foundry is using its up-scaled five-axis capability and Magmasoft casting simulation to develop and produce a line-up of complex casings and housings for high profile car makers across Europe. Some of these products are liquid-cooled and feature complex core designs, requiring high integrity castings that must be leak-proof and finished with the latest machining techniques. During the early days, the management team at the Wednesbury manufacturer is expecting volumes destined for electric powertrain/vehicles to account for 25% of its turnover...
Montenegro’s Alumina importation during 2017-20 manifests downswing
Montenegro's economy is transitioning to a market system. Around 90% of Montenegrin state-owned companies have been privatized, including 100% of banking, telecommunications, and oil distribution. The major industrial sectors that support the economy of the nation are aluminium, steel, consumer good, etc. Uniprom KAP or Aluminium Plant Podgorica, is a Montenegrin aluminium smelter company, located on the southern outskirts of Podgorica, Montenegro. The alumina import of the Balkan nation during 2017-19 was recorded at 171,323 tonnes and the expenditure occurred for the import stood at $74.40 million. The import for 2020 has been marked at 51,165 tonnes and the foreign revenue expenditure to be remaining at $16.26 million. When the import and expenditure figures get assorted to the...
Alvance wheels in France ties up with Tyre-Line OE to supply 35,000 aluminium wheels annually for caravan vehicles
The wheel manufacturer in the Indre, France, Alvance Wheels will supply more than 35,000 aluminium wheels each year for the caravan market. The only manufacturer of aluminium wheels in France, Alvance Wheels (formerly – Liberty Wheels) is facing the economic crisis due to the pandemic in the best possible way. However, production has gradually resumed since the end of August’20 for the 287 employees of the Diors plant. In this context, the signing of a new contract is excellent news. On 21 st September’20, the group announces its collaboration with Tyre-Line Original Equipment, the leader in wheel and tyre assemblies for caravans and leisure vehicles, on the British and European markets. More than 35,000 aluminium wheels will have to be supplied each year. For Alvance Wheels, this is an...
Stadler Polska plant in Poland building Aluminium trains for PKP Intercity
The Stadler Polska plant in Siedlce city of Poland is currently producing the first of 12 FLIRT trains under the order from PKP Intercity for over PLN 1 billion gross. These will be modern vehicles, the boxes of which will be made of aluminium, not steel. The subject of the contract signed in August 2019 is the delivery of 12 brand new electric multiple units (EMU) FLIRT type together with the service of their technical maintenance for 15 years. The value of the order is PLN 1.015 billion gross. According to the adopted schedule, the initial stage of production of the first train at the Siedlce plant of Stadler Polska is underway. At this stage of the works, eight vehicle boxes are built into which the fasteners, insulation and electrical components are placed, and then the cabling and...
LS Cable & System: Starts bulk production of Aluminium wires for electric vehicles
LS Cable & System, the South Korea-based industrial corporation with global operations and one of the biggest cable manufacturers worldwide, on 21 st September’20, announced it has started bulk-production of aluminium wires for electric vehicles. The cable manufacturer has broadened its investment in aluminium wires as it believes that aluminium will become a vital material for vehicles amid growing competition in EV industries. As per LS Cable: “Aluminium conductor wires are 40% lighter than conventional copper wires and can reduce the weight of wires from 25 kilograms per vehicle to about 15 kilograms.” LS Cable said: “It has built a factory exclusively for aluminium wire production in Korea. This is because when production facilities for copper and aluminium wire are combined, copper...
Sweden’s import of Bauxite during 2017-20 remains dwindling
The economy of Sweden is a developed export-oriented economy aided by timber, hydropower, and iron ore. Sweden, which avoided a lockdown during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, saw its economy shrink 8.6% in the April-to-June’20 period from the previous three months. Kubal is Sweden's sole producer of primary aluminium and has a capacity of 134.000 tonnes. The Scandinavian nation’s bauxite importation during 2017-19, reflected a roller-coaster ride, as the total import recorded was 17,807 tonnes and foreign revenue expended stood at $6.50 million. The projected bauxite import for 2020 has been analysed at 7772 tonnes and expenditure to remain at $2.64 million. However, when the analysed import volume and expenditure of 2020 gets added to the existing three, it displays 25,579 tonnes...
Aluminium industry looking ahead towards clarity on USTR’s import volume benchmark, following tariff removal on Canadian aluminium
The United States decision to withdraw the 10% tariff on Canadian aluminium import has been commended by many industry groups and associations, but the confusion which remains on is the import volume benchmark by the United States Trade Representative’s office in place of the tariff. On 18 th September’20, The Aluminum Association said it supported tariff- and quota-free trade within North America and was reaching out to the USTR to clarify details regarding the import target levels. It remains unclear exactly how this system might be implemented or enforced, and Canada has indicated that it did not agree to any import controls or quotas. The USTR said: “It expects shipments of non-alloyed, unwrought aluminium from Canada to be no greater than 83,000 tonnes for September, 70,000 tonnes...
2021 Genesis GV80 and G80 getting ready to launch in US, usage of Aluminium reduces weight by 115 kg
Genesis, the upscale spinoff of Hyundai Motors is preparing to launch the 2021 G80 and GV80 in the United States. The company's third-generation rear-wheel-drive platform is the basis of the G80 and GV80 and using this architecture in the GV80, Genesis was able to give the SUV a low profile, a wide stance, and a spacious interior. Genesis takes particular pride in the fact that the GV80 is one of the low-end vehicles in the segment, which means that it has a low centre of gravity as well as a low seating position which gives occupants plenty of room in the vehicle. Of course, the GV80 was also designed to be exceptionally safe, hence the reason Genesis uses four types of steel and aluminium throughout its construction. The use of aluminium also has the added benefit of reducing weight....
Maltese Government prevails to increase its recycling performance by exporting Aluminium and metal
The success story of the new recycling line at the Sant’Antnin complex and the export of 6,550 tonnes of glass, the government, through WasteServ, prevails to show its determination at enhancing its recycling performance. An extensive recycling operation is currently underway with the sorting of recyclable material that has been collected on the Għallis landfill over the past three years. Through this operation, hundreds of tonnes of aluminium and metal recyclables are being given a new life as they re-enter the production chain to be transformed into new products. Aaron Farrugia, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Planning, announced this during a visit to the operation with WasteServ CEO Richard Bilocca, where around 12 tonnes of materials are being processed every day....
Govt. of India: Cabinet note ready for vehicle scrapping policy; aluminium among others bound to be recycled, automobiles prices expected to drop by 20-30%
On 19 th September’20, the Government of India stated that a Cabinet note has been articulated for the vehicle scrapping policy. The note has been articulated by "Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for Cabinet on the development of an ecosystem for voluntary and environment-friendly phasing out of unfit and old polluting vehicles," Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways VK Singh told in the parliament. The government had said earlier, that the proposed policy, once approved, will apply to all vehicles. The policy was sent for a fresh round of consultation with stakeholders in the direction of the PMO. Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport and Highways, had earlier said in 2020 that once the policy is approved, India could emerge as a hub for automobile...
Cameroon to build $3 billion hydro-power plant to support the growing demand from Aluminium sector, and others
Cameroon projects to build the Grand Eweng dam with a capacity of 810 MW by 2028 in alliance with the American company Hydromine. The power plant’s output will supply the aluminium sector, part of the Cameroonian population and the rest will be exported to Chad. The Central African nation has just floated the project to build the hydroelectric dam at Grand Eweng with a capacity of 810 MW. The infrastructure is worth an estimated $ 3 billion. It will be built on the Sanaga River, of which it will be the fifth hydroelectric power station and will come into service by 2028. According to Lucas Briger, Vice President of Development and Operations at Hydromine stated the power of the infrastructure will subsequently be increased to 1,000 MW. “The Grand Eweng was originally intended for...
ACT exhibits ‘Goldilocks’ Microbulk semitrailer series, made from lightweight Aluminium
Houston, Texas-based, Applied Cryo Technologies (ACT) has exhibited the ‘Goldilocks’ Microbulk delivery semitrailers series, the company manifest it as a game-changer. The newest addition to ACT’s diverse product portfolio of mobile cryogenic solutions is lightweight aluminium mini-trailers available in overall lengths of 24’, 26’, 28’, 30’, 32’ and 34’. The company is a manufacturer of highly engineered equipment servicing multiple applications throughout the industrial gas and energy industries and ‘Goldilocks’ microbulk delivery trailer is a perfect fit for the ever-evolving needs of the microbulk distribution market. Tim Lowrey, Vice-President – Sales, ACT, said: “ACT’s Goldilocks microbulk mini-trailer series brings together the perfect combination of over-the-road payload, delivery...
