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.
Hampshire based MRT castings is increasing its production space by 50%
MRT, the die-casting company based in Hampshire is enhancing its production space by around 50% and opening a new foundry with the help of the MTC. A team from the MTC’s manufacturing support services operation worked with managers and operators from Queens Award-winning die-casting supplier MRT Castings, supporting the organization with the layout of its new facility, automation, and technology selection and robotic handling. Established in 1947, MRT delivers aluminium die-castings and machine components to leading companies across the UK and Europe from its factory. MRT reached MTC to get support for the planning of their new 20,000 square feet foundry, designed to accommodate the modern technology and enhance productivity while at the same time providing a first-class manufacturing...
The “Corona” epidemic: Hydro’s North American extrusion unit draws cost-cutting measures to balance reducing revenues
The businesses in the USA are opening slowly amid COVID-19, though lacks in liquidity. The President of Norwegian Aluminium maker Norsk Hydro’s North American extrusion unit, Charlie Straface has been assembling a COVID-19 task force every other day to draw up the cost-cutting measures to balance the reducing revenues and also to protect the unit’s cash balance economic plunge related to the epidemic. Straface said: “Things are changing day-to-day. We have to anticipate everything that could go wrong relative to our cash-flow situation”. Straface also added: “My unit, headquartered in Illinois, has already furloughed employees and slashed operating expenses. The cash balance looks positive for six months.” At Hydro’s North American extrusion unit, the plunging of revenues has augmented...
The US export of Aluminium Plates, Sheets, Bars, etc. to Mexico during Sept’19-Dec’19 reflects nose-dip; Jan’20 shows positive growth
The US export of Aluminium Plates, Sheets, Bars, etc. to Mexico has remained sluggish as the export market reflected fall. The total export volume to Mexico during September’19 - December’19 stood at 106,000 tonnes and when the January’20 export volume added it stands at 132,100 tonnes. In September’19 the US export of Aluminium Plates, Sheets, Bars, etc. to Mexico was recorded at 29,000 tonnes, whereas in October’19 the export stood at 29,900, a growth by 3.10% and the M-o-M excess volume stood at 900 tonnes only. The US export of Aluminium Plates, Sheets, Bars, etc. towards Mexico during November’19 recorded a fall by 14.71%, as the total export volume stood at 25,400 tonnes and the M-o-M drop in volume stood at 4,400 tonnes. In December’19 the US export to Mexico saw a further drop by...
Eurasian Resources Group close down Kazakhstan bauxite production
Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), one of the leading producers of diversified natural resources, has declared on 14 th April’20, to shut down one of its bauxite mines for three months. The bauxite mine has been the supply feedstock to its alumina plant in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan. Eurasian Resources Group said in a statement: “The Torgai mining division accounts for 3.4% of the plant’s bauxite supply.” <iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cim132RgW10" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> ERG also added: “The move was a result of a decline in the prices of alumina and aluminium.” The Pavlodar alumina plant of ERG produces 1.5 million tonnes of alumina per year. Then the alumina...
Audi A8 L W12 version build with lightweight aluminium will remain as the flagship model
The flagship version of Audi’s A8 L W12 model and available only as a special order – depending on market is set to be the last application of the German manufacturer’s magnificent four-bank 12-cylinder engine, as it focuses on downsizing and efficiency. The model resembles ultra-smoothness and abundant is as indulgent in its delivery and ability, the A8 L W12 is similarly the lost luxurious version on offer, and – as driven – featured nearly the full gamut of Audi’s high tech systems developed for to outdo the competition in a technologically ever-escalating large luxury car segment. Audi builds the flagship model with lightweight aluminium-intensive construction and 24% stiffer than its predecessor for improved handling, comfort and collision safety, the A8’s most impressive feature is,...
The US import of Aluminium crude, metals and alloys from Australia remains positive during Nov’19 – Jan’20
The American import of aluminium crude, metals and alloys from Australia shows stability as the total import was recorded at 45,300 tonnes during Nov'19 - Jan'20. The total import of aluminium crude, metals and alloys of the US from Australia during Jan’19 – Dec’19 stood at 268,000 tonnes. Australia remains at number three in exporting aluminium crude, metals and alloys to the US, while Canada and UAE stand at one and two-position respectively. Canada exported 2.1 million and UAE exported 473,000 tonnes. In November’19 the US export of aluminium crude, metals and alloys from Australia remained at 13,600 tonnes, whereas in December’19 de-growth by 13.97% was recorded, as the M-o-M drop stood at 1900 tonnes and the total import reflected as 11,700 tonnes. The US import from Australia in...
Iceland’s aluminium ingot export reflects $ billion market 2017-20
Aluminium is the world’s most widely used non-iron and non-steel metal and is the basic ingredient for a wide range of recyclable products. The latter includes beverage cans, construction materials and transport vehicles. Silvery-white in colour, pure aluminium is non-magnetic and is also notable for its low density, relatively lightweight and resistance to corrosion. The cheap electricity supply has been a cause for multiple American organizations to start aluminium production in Iceland, though the recent debate between Rio Tinto and Iceland’s National Power Company sends a tough message to the industry, as Rio Tinto considers suspending the production at its Straumsvík smelter in Iceland for two years. The suspension also includes the reason for COVID-19 epidemic that has reduced the...
“Corona” pandemic: Jamaica’s outlook falls to stable from positive by Fitch Ratings citing negative shocks of Bauxite exports
On 10 th April’20 Fitch Ratings, the leading provider of credit ratings, headquartered in the USA, revised down its sovereign long-term foreign currency rating on Jamaica to stable from positive citing the expected negative shocks of its exports of bauxite, alumina, and remittances due to the “COVID-19” pandemic. Jamaica has been making progress in reducing its government debt-to-gross-domestic-product levels that are still above its rating peers. The rating agency projected the economy to shrink by 4% in 2020 followed by a recovery of 2% in 2020 and thus Jamaica’s B+ rating was asserted. As of 11 th April’20, Jamaica has countered with 69 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and with 4 deaths. The COVID-19 epidemic, emerged from the Chinese city of Wuhan, has caused a global shutdown of...
Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point Aluminium smelter future remains uncertain
Rio Tinto’s Tiwai Point aluminium smelter near Bluff in Southland of New Zealand is one of the largest manufacturing facilities kept active amid COVID-19 epidemic lockdown. The major reason for keeping it active as it takes weeks for proper shutdown and again re-starting takes months. Tiwai point is considered as the biggest employer of Southland, though the plant’s long-term future remains uncertain. The smelter contributes around $400 million per year to the region’s economy, with 1000 staff and contractor working at the site and another 1300 jobs directly linked to the smelter. Graham Budd, Great South chief executive, said: "There wouldn't be anyone in Invercargill or Southland who doesn't know somebody directly or indirectly who would be affected. So that's a real wellbeing issue for...
Vyrus rolls-out Ducati-Powered Alyen 988 Superbike geared with aluminium alloy
The Italian manufacturer Vyrus rolls-out its all-new Alyen 988 superbike, combining speed and power with a futuristic design for a motorbike in an exclusive way. It is powered by a Ducati-sourced four-stroke engine producing 202 HP from a 1,285 cc displacement. This is paired to a six-speed gearbox, allowing the superbike to rev to 10,500 RPM. The major attraction of Vyrus Alyen 988 is the motorbikes bodywork. It’s an intricate, geometric design made from a network of naked carbon fiber panels that sit atop a bespoke magnesium double omega frame. Sharp angles at the rear stop short of the overhanging rear wheel unit, while under-seat exhaust pipes give the bike a sporting look from the back. The handlebars are also machined from a solid block of Ergal which is essentially a 7075 aluminium...
Turkey’s aluminium scrap import tends dynamic during 2017-20
The aluminium scrap import market of Turkey remains dynamic as the nation has imported 272,663 tonnes of scrap during 2017-19 and paid foreign revenue of $422.86 million. The projected aluminium scrap import for 2020 has been analysed at 100,672 tonnes and the amount to be paid has been extended to $159.21 million. When the import volume and the amount added with the last three years it consecutively reflects 373,335 tonnes and $582.07 million. The aluminium scrap import of Turkey has been facilitated by multiple countries like USA, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Iran, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, etc. Turkey’s aluminium...
“COVID-19” hits aviation industry: AIRBUS to drop aircraft production by 30%, another blow to aluminium industry
On 8 th April’20, Airbus, Europe’s largest manufacturer, has announced that it will drop aircraft production of its core three aircraft models by roughly a third. The aircraft manufacturer has stated clearly that it will steeply cut production from the bestselling A320 single-aisle jet to 40 per month from 60 per month previously, assembled in Toulouse and Hamburg. Airbus will also drop its production of the A330 to two a month and the A350 jet to six a month. The aerospace sector is a key consumer of aluminium. The worldwide demand for the light metal has been choked, with the COVID-19 epidemic spawning the utmost turmoil to supply chains, and the outcome of it is putting the global premiums down. Guillaume Faury, CEO, Airbus said: “Our airline customers are heavily impacted by the...
Fight against “COVID-19”: Metalex in UK boosts to deliver aluminium for medical products
Metalex staffs are presently working overtime at its sites in Poole, Horsham, Birmingham, Chepstow and Milton Keynes to process the orders for aluminium plate and bar billets to be used in the rapid production of medical equipment. Paul Nicola, MD, said: "To date, we have supplied over 80 tonnes of the plate and bar to OEM's such as Penlon, Luxfer, Mclaren, Renishaw and a huge number of subcontractors who are working on this project, and have orders for a further 90 tonnes with more coming in every day.” "As the UK's largest independent distributor of aluminium plate and bar products we were ideally placed to assist in this work and have retained all of our staff whilst our competitors have been furloughing large numbers of theirs." The Metalex staffs have been following social distancing...
The 2021 Lexus LC furnished with aluminium suspension, gets 10 kg weight loss
The Lexus LC is appearing with a compelling blend of exotic looks, intoxicating V8 noises and performance and finely tuned dynamics. The 10kg less weight is one of the major tweaks of 2021 LC, as it equipped with new aluminium lower suspension arms, a hollow anti-roll bar with a revised diameter, a new high-strength coil spring material and lighter rear wheels for the 21-inch wheel option. To capitalise on the added agility and precision that brings, Lexus lengthened the stroke of the adaptive front dampers and optimised the rigidity of the bump stops to create a smoother overall suspension stroke. The LC 500’s 10-speed automatic paired to the same 470 hp/540 Nm 5.0 litre naturally-aspirated V8 as before. As for the LC 500h, the Multi-Stage Hybrid drivetrain, which combines the electric...
The “Corona” impact: Arconic declares $200 million reduction from operating cost
Arconic is executing mitigation measures with immediate effect that are estimated to reduce operating costs by approx. $150 million on a yearly rate basis. These deduction measures, as well as capital reductions of $50 million, will enhance the Company’s financial profile by approx. $200 million. The various measures that the company is implementing will be continued until the market again regains its move. The CEO’s salary and the Board of Director’s annual cash retainer will be reduced by 30%, the senior-level management will incur a 20% salary cut and the drop-down employees will attract a10% pay cut. The salaried staff will be cropped with a 10% reduction and Tennessee and New York facilities will be kept idle until the demand grows from the customer’s side. Tim Myers, CEO, Arconic...
Poland’s bauxite import remains inconsistent during 2017-20
One of the biggest economies of central Europe is Poland and is also a considerable location for one of the fastest-growing aluminium markets in the region. Poland’s aluminium consumption grew by about 10% in 2018, reaching 1.43 million tonnes. The nation has appeared as a European leader of secondary aluminium products, especially casting alloys. The bauxite import market for Poland remains inconsistent during 2017-20, as the total bauxite import recorded during 2017-19 stood at 161,131 tonnes, whereas the estimated bauxite import for 2020 has been analysed at 67,071 tonnes. The total volume for the 4 years import of bauxite stands at 228,202 tonnes. The bauxite import of Poland in 2017 has been recorded at 45,361 tonnes, whereas the amount paid was $7.09 million. In 2018 the bauxite...
The “COVID-19” crisis: Reveals the high-priority of Australia’s aluminium supply chain
The Australian Aluminium Council and Australian Workers Union is anxious that any reduction of the crucial workers that strikes on the aluminium industry’s complex supply chain, in regards to shutdown measures, perils the permanent close-down of alumina refineries and aluminium smelters across the nation and losing thousands of jobs. The integrated aluminium industry is unique and indispensable in Australia. This is by grasping the whole chain from bauxite mining to alumina refinery to aluminium smelters and also the holding the contractors for essential supplies and services. The temporary shut-down in any unit of this supply chain turns out uncertainty in alumina refineries and thus hits out at the aluminium smelters. This can move towards the permanent closure of these operations. The...
Abraham Group and Aluminij Mostar sign a lease agreement for the facility
M.T. Abraham Group, Aluminij Industries d.o.o. and Aluminij d.d. Mostar have signed a lease agreement for the Mostar based company in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Chinese-Israeli consortium announced: “The Abraham Group and its partners will start executing the strategic plan as stated in the agreement between the parties, all to make certain that Mostar based Aluminium smelter start operating in due time.” Amir G. Kabiri, President of M.T. Abraham Group and Director of Aluminij Industries d.o.o. said: “From the beginning of the negotiation process, I did not doubt that we would reach a mutual agreement. Starting tomorrow, we must concentrate on implementing our strategic plan to restart the manufacturing process.” Director of M.T. Abraham Group, Isaac M. Tami, added that he would do...
