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.
India undertakes anti-subsidy probe in the export of Aluminium wire by Malaysia
The Government of India on 30 th June’20 commenced a probe into alleged subsidised exports of aluminium wires from Malaysia, as it is affecting the domestic industry, following a complaint by Vedanta Ltd and Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. The investigation arm of Ministry of Commerce, Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has initiated the probe to see if the subsidy programme of Malaysia for exports of ''Aluminium Wire/Wire Rods above 7 mm diameter'' is impacting the domestic industry. The companies had filed an application before the DGTR for anti-subsidy investigation on these imports originating in or exported from Malaysia. The applicants had claimed that the subsidised imports from Malaysia are causing a material dent to Indian domestic industry, and requested for the...
Multotec Process Equipment: Precise sampling solution for Guinean Bauxite producer
Precision sampling is vital to the success of the valuable bauxite industry in the West African country of Guinea, and Multotec Process Equipment’s high-precision sampling equipment is playing its role genuinely. In recent times Multotec has delivered two tariff sampling plants to a major bauxite producer, including what is possibly one of the largest hammer samplers in the world. One of the plants is located at the bauxite mining operation itself, while the other is at the export facility where the high-grade bauxite is loaded onto ships. As per Willem Slabbert, Sampling and Magnetics Specialist at Multotec Process Equipment: “The samplers serve a vital role in representatively measuring the quality of the material mined and then exported, as well as its physical characteristics.” “At...
Azerbaijan’s export of non-alloyed aluminium ingot reflects strong rise during 2017-19: Estimated de-growth by 7.52% in 2020
The non-alloyed aluminium ingot export of Azerbaijan has been reflecting with a very strong rise during 2017-19, as the total export volume stands at 68,848 tonnes and revenue earning posted was $135.30 million. The estimated export volume for 2020 has been analysed at 20,876 tonnes and the revenue earning to remain at $32.50 million. When the analysed export volume and earning gets summed up with the previous three years it displays 98,248 tonnes and $167.80 million. Azerbaijan’s export of non-alloyed aluminium ingot in 2017 remained at 16,179 tonnes and expenditure stood at $33.55 million, whereas in 2018 the country’s non-alloyed aluminium saw growth by 29.03%, as the export jumped to 20,876 tonnes and the foreign revenue earnings also rose to $47.30 million. In 2019 the export of the...
Commercial vehicles in Indonesia tends to shift towards aluminium rims
The first measure commercial vehicles certainly take into account is the operational costs. Selection of tires has become one of the routes to save expenses and the way to save the tires, is by using aluminium rims. Aluminium rims in Indonesia, especially for commercial vehicles, are not yet widely used. At present, there are only inter-city inter-provincial buses (AKAP) that replace their standard rims with aluminium ones. The appearance of the aluminium rim is also stylish than the standard rim made of steel. Aluminium rim has a sleek appearance, which ideally enhances the appearance of the vehicle. Vehicle Test Manager of PT Gajah Tunggal Tbk, Zulpata Zainal said: “Using aluminium rims on commercial vehicles has a positive effect on weight, heat, and comfort.” "Using aluminium rim is...
Ecorus to supply solar power to Dutch aluminium producer Aldel
Dutch aluminium producer Damco Aluminium Delfzijl Coöperatie U.A., Delfzijl, Aldel, has set foot in an agreement with the operator of a local solar farm which will intensify its capability to source energy completely from renewable sources. Ecorus developed its solar farm on an industrial site in Farmsum owned by local construction firm Gebroeders Borg. The agreement with Aldel will make the company taking the entire 4.5 MW peak output from the solar farm to execute its ten-year plan to shift entirely too renewable energy. Aldel, a major electricity consumer in its own right has a considerable role to play in supporting efforts by the Netherlands electricity grid to create a more dynamic, flexible and adaptable grid that can accommodate a more distributed model of energy supply. This is...
The Aluminium Association: Aluminum Industry CEO's oppose 232 Tariff on Canada
More than 15 CEOs and other senior executives representing the entire aluminium industry value chain in the United States sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer on 25 th June’20, calling for continued quota-free Section 232 tariff exemptions for aluminium in North America. Last year, the Donald Trump administration wisely removed these tariffs amid U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiations. The USMCA is slated to enter into force next week on 1 st July. The letter, whose signatories represent companies from the Aluminium Association's Board of Directors, comes after recent claims of a “surge” of primary aluminium imports from Canada into the U.S. The Aluminum Association previously released U.S. government data demonstrating that current import levels are...
Morocco’s import of aluminium cans proclaim regular growth during 2017-20
The economy of Morocco is considered a relatively liberal economy governed by the law of supply and demand. Morocco is ranked 7th among 14 countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, and its overall score is slightly higher than the regional and world averages. In a nutshell, the main industries in Morocco are phosphate rock mining and processing, food processing, leather goods, textiles, selling of arts and crafts, construction, and tourism. The aluminium cans import of the North African country displays regular growth during 2017-19, as the total import volume recorded was 10,450 tonnes and the foreign revenue expended was $65.70 million. The estimated import volume for 2020 has been analysed at 5162 tonnes and the expenditure might remain at $30.11 million. When the analysed...
TRFX Garuda Futures, Indonesia: Aluminium is expected to become Champion in the second half of 2020
Aluminium is forecasted to become the most liquid commodity in the third quarter of 2020 along with the increase that developed in the majority of other commodities. Ibrahim Suabi, Director, TRFX Garuda Futures stated that among other metal commodities, aluminium has a consistent strengthening opportunity in the second half of this year. Suabi said: “A number of positive sentiments were expected to support the strengthening of commodity prices. One of the main drivers is the demand for the development of the electric car industry in the world.” "Among iron ore, copper, and others, aluminium is now the best, because along with the development of the electric car industry, despite Covid-19, demand will remain high.” Furthermore, according to him the steps of the United States (US) which...
Fight against “COVID-19”: French leader in Aluminium shipbuilding OCEA supports Nigerian military hospital with 30 ventilators
As part of efforts to curtail and manage the spread of the global pandemic, COVID-19, a French leader in Aluminium Shipbuilding firm OCEA has donated 30 ventilators to tool the military hospital earmarked for isolation and treatment of COVID-19 patients. The company noted that the ventilators will complement the efforts that have already been made by the government towards fighting the virus. During the presentation event of the ventilators to the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas at the Naval Headquarters Abuja, Country Representative of OCEA, Mr Yemi Aluko pointed out that in developed countries, Presidents and other top government functionaries are treated in military hospitals. Yemi Aluko said: “When the former Chief of Staff to the President was flown to Lagos...
India’s refractory companies exploring new destinations to lower Alumina dependency from China
The Indian refractory companies are making arrangements to source vital raw materials like alumina from new destinations to lower dependency from China, as pressure builds on the industry to secure untroubled supplies. The pivotal refractory companies have already held conversations with leading metal and steel makers like Tata Steel, JSW Steel and Steel Authority to lessen the dependence on China. Sameer Nagpal, Group CEO, Dalmia OCL said: “India-China trade tensions have been there for the past three years, and now is the high time we need to kind of de-risk that. We as a company have tried to source raw material outside China to balance out the ecosystem.” “More than 40% of the raw materials for refractory companies in India are sourced from China.” Pramod Sagar, Chairman, Indian...
US blacklists companies in Iran's metals sector, counting Aluminium Industry
The United States Treasury Department on 25 th June’20 imposed sanctions on nine organisations allegedly operating in or providing materials to Iran’s metals sector, counting aluminium producers among other metal producers and some of their foreign subsidiaries and sales agents. The sanctions are the fresh effort by the Donald Trump administration to expand pressure on Iran. The Treasury Department claimed Iran’s government used revenue from metals exports to fund its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and other malign activities in the Middle East. Steven Mnuchin, Treasury Secretary said in a statement on 25 th June’20: “The United States remains committed to isolating key sectors of the Iranian economy until the revenues from such sectors are refocused toward the welfare of the Iranian...
Range Rover: World’s first SUV to feature all-aluminium construction is celebrating Golden Jubilee year with limited edition launch
Range Rover has always defined the 4x4 SUV’s segment from way back in the 1970s. Its iconic shape continues to be the stimulus behind the entire line-up of SUVs from the brand, with the classic sheet metal-to-glasshouse ratio everlastingly maintained all these decades. The Brand Range Rover has earned for itself the cult status of a product that is worth celebrating. Over its 50 years, Range Rover has achieved many firsts globally and completed numerous impressive feats. It was the first SUV to feature a permanent 4WD system when launched, and in 1989 it was the world’s first 4x4 to be fitted with ABS anti-lock brakes. Later in 1992, it was the first 4x4 with electronic traction control (ETC) and automatic electronic air suspension — ensuring the refined driving feel that the car is...
Showa Denko Group: Recycles 4.43 Million Aluminum Cans in fiscal 2019
Showa Denko, its Group companies and their cooperative companies pursued to perform aluminium can recycle activity in fiscal 2019 (April 2019 - March 2020), collecting approximately 4.43 million cans: equivalent to about 67.8 tonnes of aluminium when converted at the rate of 15.3 grams of aluminium per can. This conversion rate was declared by Japan Aluminum Can Recycling Association as the average of FY2018. Showa Aluminum Can Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary of SDK, started its aluminium can recycling activity in 1972. The activity spread across the Showa Denko Group in 2001, continuing until today. SDK comprises in-house program to educate employees about aluminium can recycling and officially commend workplaces and individual employees following employees' participation rate or...
Austria’s export of Aluminium structures unveils rapid growth during 2017-19: Projected 3.06% dip in volume for 2020, 11.06% rise in income
The economy of Austria is a well-developed social market economy, with the country being one of the fourteen richest in the world in terms of GDP per capita. The most significant industries in Austria include construction and building, electronics and electrics, tourism, food and drinks, logistics and transportation, automotive and chemical industries. Austria’s exportation of aluminium structures has seen rapid growth during 2017-19, as the total export volume stood at 95,418 tonnes and the revenue earning stood at $568.37 million. The projected export volume for 2020 will remain to only 39,485 tonnes and the revenue earnings can outreach to $312.34 million. However, when the projected export volume and income for 2020 get summed up with the previous three years, it displays 134,903...
India-USA trade deal: Indian Minister of Commerce will be talking to USTR Lighthizer in a short time; exemption from high duties imposed on Aluminium is among the priority
On 25 th June, Piyush Goyal, Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry said: “Will be talking to USTR Robert Lighthizer in the next few days to quickly wrap up initial aspects of the proposed trade deal, which is under negotiations.” “India and the US are negotiating a trade deal to iron out differences and promote two-way commerce.” The Commerce and Industry Minister stated that he is in regular dialogue with US Trade Representative (USTR) and US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Piyush Goyal said: “I think Mr Wilbur Ross and I will be meeting with businessmen of both the countries sometime in the middle of July and going to be talking to my US counterpart also in the next few days… to quickly wrap the first immediate aspects of the trade deal that is already in discussion and look forward...
Fitch Ratings affirms Chinese Aluminium producer China Hongqiao at 'BB-'; Outlook remains Stable
Fitch Ratings has affirmed Chinese aluminium producer China Hongqiao Group Limited's Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'BB-'. The Outlook remains Stable. Hongqiao's ratings indicate its position as one of the world's largest aluminium smelters, with a competitive cost base braced by sizeable economies of scale and low input costs. Hongqiao's ratings are constrained by a possible surcharge on its captive power-generation assets, which could significantly increase its production costs. The Stable Outlook exhibits the expectation that Hongqiao's industry-leading profitability will allow it to maintain net leverage at a level that is comparable with its rating, even against the current backdrop of weakened domestic economic activity and depressed commodity prices. A...
Unifor: Imposing tariffs on Canadian aluminium are “intimidation tactics”
Unifor, the general trade union in Canada and the largest private-sector union in Canada, believes that threats by the American administration to impose new rates on Canadian aluminium are "intimidation tactics" and implores the Trudeau government not to give in. There is a possibility of re-imposing Canadian aluminium tariffs if Canada declines to cut exports south of the border. On 24 th June’20, Unifor has urged the Canadian Government to stand strong against what it calls a “disinformation campaign”. The American Primary Aluminum Association (APAA), that represents Century Aluminum Company and Magnitude 7 Metals LLC, demanded tariffs of 10%, contended that an increase in aluminium coming from Canada has caused prices to fall. Jerry Dias, National President, Unifor wrote a letter to...
Czech Republic’s Aluminium ingot importation displays “unsteady” movement during 2017-20
Czech Republic’s largest sector is the automotive industry. The Czech industry produces mainly electrical, electronic and optical equipment, as well as cars, transport vehicles and machines. Most of the produced components are exported abroad - an important revenue factor for the Czech Republic. The structure of industrial production has changed in the last 20 years. The town Mladá Boleslav, a Czech town in the Central Bohemian region north-east of Prague, is the home of the main plant of the car manufacturer Škoda, the Czech Volkswagen subsidiary. The nation’s aluminium ingot importation during 2017-19 has been recorded at 803,596 tonnes and the revenue expended stood at $1.42 billion. The projected import for 2020 has remained to 255,177 tonnes only and the revenue expenditure might...
