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.
New decision on Tiwai Aluminium smelter in NZ coming up in four to six weeks: Forsyth Barr
A further decision on the future of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter will be announced to staff in four to six weeks, as stated by Forsyth Barr, a New Zealand owned investment management services firm. The Tiwai aluminium smelter’s majority stakeholder, Rio Tinto, announced in June’20 that it planned to pull down the smelter by August’21 after failing to reach an agreement over the desired reduction in its power bills. Forsyth Barr said: “Electricity industry investors should assume the smelter would close by the end of August next year and that anything else would be an upside.” The New Zealand Government turned rigid that there would be no further government funds going into the smelter and that it would rather support Southland in creating new opportunities for the 1000 staff and...
Precision Technologies Group friction stir technology equipped to encourage European Aluminium railway carriage production
The UK-based Precision Technologies Group (PTG) outstandingly developed Powerstir friction stir welding (FSW) machines that could soon reinvent how Europe’s leading manufacturers of railway rolling stock produce aluminium carriage bodies. The new machines possess a 30 by 4 m moving gantry. The manufacturers in Europe typically use a combination of TIG and MIG welding to create railway panel welds, but the friction stir technique is superior. One leading European train builder already counts on that using its newly purchased Powerstir FSW machine will drive to a reduction in the wall thickness of panels, with the potential for weight savings of as much as 30%. PTG is extensively considered to be a leader in the development of FSW technologies for transport applications. Since their launch,...
Grupa Kety: Polish Aluminium extruder’s sales upswings on German exports, domestic market drops
Grupa Kety, the Polish aluminium extruder has reported with a record rise of sales in the Q2. The aluminium firm secured new export markets from suppliers that were forced to axe production due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales of Grupa Kety surged by 5% on the year to 22,000 tonnes in April-June regardless of a huge slump in deliveries to the automotive and transport sectors. However, the company was operating at 96% of capacity all over the quarter. The key driver for the sales to rise as it came from growth in exports to wholesalers in Germany. It obtained the market share from Italian producers that were forced to reduce output because of national lockdown measures. A depreciation in the zloty against the euro further boosted Grupa Kety's advantage over Eurozone manufacturers. German...
Bauxite production to climb sharply from 2021: Fitch Solutions
Fitch Solutions Country Risk and Industry Research says: “New projects coming on line in key producers Guinea, Indonesia and Australia, as well as a ramp-up in Indian and Indonesian production, will drive rapid production growth of bauxite in 2021.” The bauxite mining sector of Australia anticipates towards maintaining steady output growth, braced by a solid project pipeline. The country holds 12 of the 29 new projects in Fitch’s Key Mines Projects Database, the utmost in any country. Bauxite accounts for less than 5% of Australian mining value, whereas, the country ranks as the global top producer, accounting for an estimated 28.8% of global output as of 2018. The country is projected to remain a top bauxite exporter to China, although it may lose some market share over the coming...
Taiwan’s Aluminium scrap export during 2018-20 unfolds potential growth
The economy of Taiwan is a developed capitalist economy that ranks as the seventh-largest in Asia and 22nd-largest in the world by purchasing power parity (PPP). It is included in the advanced economies group by the International Monetary Fund and gauged in the high-income economies group by the World Bank. The major industrial sectors that contribute heavily to the economy of Taiwan are electronics, communications and information technology products, petroleum refining, chemicals, textiles, metals, machinery, cement, food processing, vehicles, consumer products, pharmaceuticals. Taiwan’s aluminium scrap export during 2018-19 remained quite progressive, as the export volume stood at 108,834 tonnes. The projected scrap export for 2020 has been determined to be at 78,094 tonnes, however,...
Alcoa’s Spanish smelter: No agreement reached following the last meeting of consultation period; 15 days grace period left for next step
The last meeting of the formal consultation period for collective dismissal at the Alcoa’s San Ciprián aluminium plant in Spain ended on 4 th August’20, without an agreement with the workers’ representatives. As per the Spanish regulations, Alcoa has up to 15 days as grace period from the end of the consultation period to announce a decision regarding the smelter’s 228,000 metric tonnes of annual capacity. Alcoa and the San Ciprián Works Council have been meeting throughout the formal consultation period, which began on 25 th June’20, to discuss a proposed restructuring that aims to stop persistent and recurring financial losses at the smelter and find a solution for both the Company and its workers. The Company proposed multiple proposals to the workers’ representatives, including a...
Thailand to float its first aluminium make electric ferry by 2021
On the occasion of the 161st anniversary, the Thailand Marine Department will float the country’s first electric ferry, named the BanpuNext e-Ferry, which will be a part towards the effort to reduce pollution. It will soon start trial runs in Phuket and have a fleet of solar-powered boats running by 2021. Wittaya Yamuang, Director General, Thailand Marine Department, said: “By 2021, there should be up to 30 ferries providing service in the first phase before it expands to 200 ferries in three to four years.” "The e-ferry is cost-effective because it is made of aluminium and with lower fuel and maintenance cost; the fares will also be cheaper.” The Bangkok Marine Department worked with Kasetsart University to study and build the 100 seat passenger ferry with an electric powered engine to...
Kia Motors confirms new Sorento to land in New Zealand later this year; engine made from aluminium, shred 38 kg weight
Kia Motors has confirmed that the new Sorento is on planning calendar to land in New Zealand during the last phase of 2020. The freshened mid-size SUV has been furnished with several changes, including a new platform, brand new look and more technical inputs. Primarily, the only engine option will be an improved version of Kia’s 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine, which gets a lighter aluminium block to shred 38.2kg off the old engine. It makes 150kW/440Nm and Kia has bolted it to a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, apparently a first for the segment. When the new Sorento was rolled-out, Kia Motors said there would be a Hybrid version, combining a 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 44.2kWh motor, fed by a 1.49kWh battery and a system output of 171kW/350Nm. The country...
Guinea ranks as the world's second-largest Bauxite exporter: Prime Minister of Guinea
The West African country, Guinea ranks as the world’s second-largest bauxite exporter, as said by Ibrahima Kassory Fofana, Prime Minister on 5 th July’20, during the occasion of the launch of the national convention of the People's Rally of Guinea. According to Kassory Fofana: In the last ten years of mining governance during which structural reforms were undertaken, the country has experienced a greater economic boom with more than 10 billion US dollars of investment in the sector.” He also said: “In the mining sector, more than 17,000 direct jobs and more than 50,000 indirect jobs have been created for the workforce.” As the mining sector overspread, its effect also experienced in the energy sector with considerable investments. The Prime Minister thanked the economic and financial...
Austria’s aluminium scrap export remains enterprising during 2017-19; Projected 1.82% de-growth in 2020, earnings remains positive
Austria is a highly developed industrialized country with an important service sector. The most important industries are mechanical engineering, metals, construction, chemicals, electronics and vehicle manufacturing. Aluminium scrap export of Austria during 2017-19 remained enterprising market, as the export volume stood at 429,243 tonnes and the earning remained at $361.49 million. The estimated for export for 2020 has been kept at 164,070 tonnes and the revenue earnings to stay up at $169.50 million. When the analysed export volume and earnings of 2020 get summed with the preceding three years it reflects 593,313 tonnes and $530.99 million respectively. Austria’s aluminium scrap export in 2017 has been recorded at 95,099 tonnes and the earning stood at $61.83 million, whereas the scrap...
Kaeser rolls-out new M59 portable compressor; replaces polyethylene structural elements with aluminium
Kaeser Compressors freshly adds to its 5m3 range of portable air compressors, the Mobile M59, offers a range of pressures from 6 an 14 bar. The unit’s range is enabled by its flexible pV control system, which allows it to operate a breaker at a maximum pressure of 7 bar or perform sandblasting work at 10 bar. The infinitely adjustable maximum pressure (p) directly influences the maximum flow rate (V). The pV control system also serves to counteract potential pressure losses when working with long hose lines. Kaeser said: “The unit’s Sigma Control Smart controller makes it easy to set the pressure. At its lowest pressure setting, the M59 can provide a flow rate of up to 5.5m³/min. The new model is powered by a Stage V compliant Hatz engine.” According to the company: “Since the engine...
Aluminium Association of India appeals Government to sustain MEIS scheme for the Industry, $ 5 billion exports stand on risk
The Indian aluminium industry body, Aluminium Association of India (AAI), on 4 th August’20, appealed to the Finance Minister and Commerce Minister of the country to sustain with the processing of MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme) applications through DGFT MEIS Portal and continuation of MEIS scheme with improved rate from 2% to 5% for all aluminium products to abide the current economic situation. The letter was sent to evoke the Government anticipating slashing the fund's outlay for MEIS (Merchandise Exports from India Scheme) from around INR 45,000 crore in FY 2019-20 to INR 9,000 crore for April-December’20 and diverting these funds for other purposes. Onwards 23 rd July, the DGFT has also blocked the MEIS module from accepting new applications to limit the issuance of any...
CS Aluminium Corp in Taiwan demands anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese aluminium foils
CS Aluminium Corporation in Taiwan seeks the government to impose anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese made aluminium foil products. Taiwan Ministry of Finance, on 5 th August’20, revealed in a public notice on its website. As per sources from the ministry, it has been stated: “An investigation is underway, and a provisional tariff could be put in place as early as late November if the allegations are verified.” The petition of CS Aluminium says: “Artificially cheap Chinese-made aluminium foil products have been decimating local Taiwanese production, with prices as low as US$3,024 per tonne.” “This is markedly lower than the price of similar South Korean products shipped to the US for at least US$4,197 per tonne”, the petition says. “The dumping has caused almost all domestically produced...
Azizi Developments to infuse AED 3.5 Billion in Dubai construction projects, affirms to use locally sourced aluminium
Azizi Development based in UAE has announced its plans to infuse over AED 3.5 billion ($953 million) in the construction of 45 buildings covering Dubai over the next two to three years. The project incorporates developing 14 and 22 buildings in Riviera Phase 3 and 4 respectively, its three Avenue buildings in MBR City, two projects in Dubai Healthcare City, and four projects in Al Furjan. It comes after the developer unfolds sales of over 80% in its ongoing projects, despite the economic crisis caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The construction of the Al Furjan and Dubai Healthcare City projects, which will feature around 645 and 973 units respectively; Riviera’s Phase 3, comprising approximately 3,700 units; Phase 4, with around 5,400 units; and the 423 Avenue units, will commence...
Italy’s Bauxite exportation market during 2017-19 exhibits growth; projected dip by 23.60% for 2020
Italy is a developed nation with extensive infrastructure, a rich cultural history, and control over several exports. Italy's manufacturing industry is very well-developed, and it is ranked sixth in the world. The nation is a significant producer of industrial minerals. The Bauxite exportation market of Italy during 2017-19 exhibited growth, but remained non-potential, as the export volume stood at 37,441 tonnes and the revenue earnings remained at $2.67 million. The export for 2020 has been estimated with an export volume of 11,365 tonnes and the revenue generation to reach $1.06 million. When the analysed export volume and earnings of 2020 get assorted with the existing three years it depicts 48,806 tonnes and $3.73 million respectively. Italy’s bauxite exportation during 2017 has been...
World’s largest aluminium producer China Hongqiao quits global industry body
World’s largest aluminium producer, China Hongqiao Group has left the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) within four years of joining the international body of the green metal. The progress depicts that the Chinese aluminium giant has subdued ranks with a body that represented companies producing more than 60% of the metal and its raw materials bauxite and alumina worldwide, before Hongqiao’s departure. China Hongqiao has aluminium smelting capacity to produce 6.5 million tonnes annually. The aluminium company became an IAI member in 2016 and employs Ron Knapp, former IAI Secretary-General as an advisor to the Chinese aluminium company’s Chairman, Zhang Bo. Ron Knapp has confirmed that Hongqiao had resigned from the IAI, but refused to comment anything further. “What Hongqiao is...
Capral Aluminium deliver earnings guidance for H1 2020
Australia's largest extruder and distributor of aluminium products, Capral Aluminium has delivered earnings guidance for H1, ended 30 th June’20. The aluminium firm based on unaudited management accounts, predicts that trading EBITDA for the half-year to 30 June 2020 will be approximately $10.2 million (H1 2019: $2.4 million), with EBITDA for the half-year around $17 million (H1 2019: $3.4 million). Net profit after tax for the six months ended 30 th June’20 will be approximately $4.8 million compared to the comparative prior period loss of $8.4 million. Capral's order absorption, aligned with the budget of Q1 2020, reflected to shrink rapidly in April, prompting management to execute cost-saving measures to meet COVID-19 challenges. In May’20, when Capral enrolled in the Government’s...
Alro S A: Romanian aluminium producer asserts its commitment to sustainable development and circular economy
Alro SA, one of the biggest vertically integrated aluminium producers of Romania and as well as in Europe, published its third Consolidated Sustainable Value Report for 2019, that delivers a transparent and detailed overview of the Group's efforts around the key environmental, social and governance areas that are important to its investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders. In the context of the latest legislative changes at European level, the Group is committed to comply to and adapt its development strategies and programs. Marian NĂSTASE, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ALRO, said: “In 2019 we continued to implement measures, to create systems and to make progress in integrating sustainability into everything we do, with the ambition of becoming a green factory,...
