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.
Majority of nations miss 2020 climate pledges, study shows
A recent study led by researchers from UCL - The Bartlett School of Sustainable Construction found that 19 out of 34 surveyed countries fell short of fulfilling their climate commitments established in Copenhagen 15 years ago by 2020. A recent study featured in Nature Climate Change examined the net carbon emissions of over 30 nations compared to the emission reduction targets they committed to during the Copenhagen Climate Summit in 2009. Conducted by a team of researchers from UCL and Tsinghua University, this paper represents the inaugural attempt to thoroughly assess the extent to which countries fulfilled their emission reduction promises outlined in their Nationally Determined Contributions from COP15. Nature Climate Change is dedicated to publishing the most significant research...
Inspiring a green revolution: AL Circle puts sustainability first this Earth Day!
Every year on April 22 nd , people worldwide celebrate Earth Day, a momentous occasion dedicated to environmental awareness and action. It serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet for future generations. This Earth Day, as we reflect on the impact of human activity on the environment, it is imperative to recognise the crucial role of sustainable materials in mitigating ecological damage. Aluminium is a leading sustainable material renowned for its versatility, durability, and recyclability. Aluminium has emerged as a cornerstone of modern civilisation with its myriad applications across various industries. However, beyond its functional prowess, aluminium's environmental credentials truly set it apart as the most sustainable material on the...
Tax relief for scrapped cars: Will Estonia's new law ease burden on owners?
Around 200,000 vehicles in the Estonian traffic register have destroyed, lost, or suspended registrations. Starting in 2025, owners of these vehicles may be required to pay motor vehicle tax. However, the Ministry of Climate has proposed a bill to exempt individuals who have vehicles with unknown whereabouts registered in their name, as well as those whose cars lack necessary documentation for scrappage, from paying this tax. Estonia is a country in Northern Europe that borders the Baltic Sea and the Gulf of Finland. The World Bank designates Estonia as an advanced, high-income market economy noted for balanced government budgets, a flat income tax, low tariffs, and low public debt. In the future, scrap metal owners will have the opportunity to bring their undocumented, old, and unusable...
Global cabling solutions provider Prysmian strikes deal to acquire Encore Wire
On April 15, 2024, the multinational company with headquarters in Milan, specialising in producing electrical cable Prysmian, announced that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement under which it will acquire Encore Wire for $290.00 per share in cash. The Transaction represents a premium of approximately 20 per cent to the 30-day volume weighted average share price (VWAP) as of Friday, April 12, 2024, and approximately 29 per cent to the 90-day VWAP as of the same date. At the transaction terms, Encore Wire’s implied Enterprise Value is approximately €3.9 billion, representing a multiple of 8.2x EV/2023A EBITDA and 6.3x EV/2023A EBITDA, including run-rate synergies. Encore Wire is a premier manufacturer offering a wide array of copper and aluminium electrical wires and cables...
India's Ramkrishna Forgings strengthens global footprint, secures deal with US' foremost EV maker
As released by the company on its website, Kolkata-headquartered Ramkrishna Forgings Limited has received approval to supply powertrain components to the USA’s largest electric passenger vehicle producer. The company's announcement refrains from disclosing the vehicle manufacturer's name, although sources hint that it might be Tesla. This announcement coincides with tech billionaire Elon Musk's upcoming visit to India, where he is set to meet with the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This landmark approval signifies the Company's position in the electric passenger vehicle segment, with a strong emphasis on powertrain components. The approval follows the showcasing of a comprehensive portfolio of cutting-edge solutions, demonstrating the Company’s expertise and commitment to delivering...
Zonda Tec Ghana introduces cutting-edge Shantui truck and equipment line
Dr Winfred Nii Okai Hammond, Ghana's Ambassador to China, has expressed appreciation towards Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd for their initiative in establishing a training centre. This centre aims to offer practical training opportunities for the youth of Ghana, specifically in the field of heavy-duty vehicle assembly and maintenance. Dr Hammond addressed attendees at a ceremony held in Tema on Monday, April 15, 2024, marking the commencement of a collaborative venture between Zonda Tec Ghana Limited and Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd. This partnership aimed to facilitate the distribution of Shantui's machinery range within Ghana. The initiative was anticipated to broaden access to Shantui Construction Machinery Co. Ltd's products and services...
From mining to farming: Đắk Nông's bold move to repurpose bauxite mines for agricultural development
More than 130 hectares of land previously used for bauxite mining are set to be repurposed in Đắk Nông province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. The plan includes establishing resettlement areas for households who lost their land due to bauxite mining and implementing advanced agricultural practices. The proposal was initiated following a report submitted by the Đắk Nông Aluminium Company, a subsidiary of Việt Nam National Coal - Mineral Industries Holding Corporation Limited, to the Evaluation Council of the Mineral Mining Closure Project under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The report concerns relinquishing a portion of the land utilized for bauxite ore extraction at the Nhân Cơ bauxite mine . This mine is situated within the administrative boundaries of several...
Empowering industry voices: AL Circle launches its 23rd edition of e-Magazine "Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024"
In an era defined by rapid technological advancements and evolving market landscapes, the global aluminium industry stands at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today, we are thrilled to announce the launch of " Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024 ". This e-magazine publication is a testament to the thriving landscape of the global aluminium industry, capturing the pulse of an ever-evolving sector. AL Circle's e-Magazine, "Aluminium LeaderSpeak 2024" , represents a pivotal moment for industry leaders, experts, and enthusiasts to converge, exchange ideas, and explore the latest trends shaping the future of aluminium production, consumption, and sustainability. Industry thought leaders and visionaries have shared their insights on a variety of topics, including: Advancements in...
Turning the Page: Constellium embraces natural gas, closes coal power at Singen
Constellium has declared its coal-fired power station shutdown at its Singen facility in Germany, marking the culmination of the company's worldwide shift away from coal utilisation. Constellium's plant at Singen is an aluminium manufacturing plant with over 1,500 employees. With its integrated hot/cold rolling line, high-grade cold mills, and one of the largest extrusion presses in the world, the Singen plant is one of Constellium's largest sites. This facility serves the automotive market for structural components and auto body sheets and other markets for special surface applications and packaging. In 2024, the Singen facility has finalised its transition to natural gas, foreseeing a decrease in direct greenhouse gas emissions by more than 25 per cent from 2021 to 2025. This move...
Airbus recognises Constellium's commitment to excellence as an 'Accredited Supplier'
On April 17, 2024, Constellium announced that its Issoire facility in France received the ‘Accredited Supplier’ award from Airbus, the highest recognition in the Airbus Supply Chain & Quality Improvement (SQIP) program. Constellium is a global leader in developing and manufacturing high-value-added aluminium products and solutions and in aluminium recycling. Constellium has been honoured with its inaugural receipt of this award, recognising exceptional achievements in product quality, delivery efficiency, project enhancements, seamless adaptation to production scaling, and robust industrial expertise. Philippe Hoffmann, the President of the Aerospace and Transportation business unit at Constellium, said, “Being recognised by Airbus is an immense honour, as our team continuously strives to...
RUSAL's AI initiatives set new benchmarks in the aluminium industry
The Russian aluminium giant RUSAL is at the forefront of digital innovation, harnessing technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline operations from raw material extraction to product delivery. The newly announced Department of Industrial Artificial Intelligence underscores RUSAL's dedication to crafting state-of-the-art solutions for its manufacturing processes. With 18 ongoing projects, including those already integrated into industrial workflows, RUSAL is primed to revolutionise efficiency, quality, and innovation throughout its aluminium operations, setting new benchmarks within the industry. Among RUSAL's recent breakthroughs is the adoption of AI-powered video cameras in the sintering furnace at Pikalevo Alumina Refinery, which are replacing traditional cameras....
Alcoa sees bullish momentum with 3% jump following Russian metal sanctions
On April 15, the stock price of aluminium giant Alcoa soared by over 3 per cent, buoyed by a surge in aluminium prices. The uptick followed a joint announcement from the US and UK regarding fresh sanctions targeting Russian metals to keep Moscow under pressure for the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis. On April 12, 2024, the UK government stated in a press release, "The London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) will no longer trade new aluminium, copper and nickel produced by Russia." In a Monday memo, Goldman Sachs' commodities research team highlighted distinctions from the 2018 sanctions, which focused on individual companies. Goldman emphasised a crucial aspect of the regulations, "Any Russian metal produced on or after April 13 cannot be delivered...
Talga Group wraps up front-end engineering and design for the Vittangi anode project
Green battery anode and advanced materials developer Talga Group is considering its next steps following the conclusion of front-end engineering and design (FEED) activities at the Vittangi anode project in northern Sweden. With a market capitalization of $281 million, Talga reports that the collaboration with key consultants Worley, ABB, and Sweco has resulted in significant enhancements and optimizations across various aspects of the project. These improvements encompass equipment design, production process configurations, and building footprints. The construction costs for the vertically integrated operation are now projected at €560 million, with an additional €39 million contingency. This represents a modest increase from the previous estimate of US$484 million in the July 2021...
Runaya's new plant in Jharsuguda signals shift towards sustainable industrial practices
On April 15, 2024, Runaya, a sustainable manufacturing and recycling leader, unveiled its state-of-the-art calcium aluminate plant in Jharsuguda. This milestone signifies a significant step forward in Runaya's quest for environmental stewardship and innovation within the sector. At the heart of Runaya's ethos lies sustainability, as evidenced by its innovative green aluminium recovery plant. With a capacity of 12,000 tonnes per year, this facility is poised to supply premium, eco-friendly products to steel industry clients. By harnessing green raw materials like depleted dross, Runaya pioneers the circular economy concept, thereby reducing its carbon footprint. The calcium aluminate facility marks a strategic expansion of Runaya's Green Aluminium portfolio, introducing RuCal Green, an...
China Hongqiao's Shandong arm, leading the charge towards green aluminium production
The world's largest aluminium producer, China Hongqiao Group's subsidiary Shandong Hongqiao, has forged ahead with a strong dedication to innovation and industrial progress, solidifying its presence as a leading force in the aluminium production and deep processing sectors. The company prioritises innovation and environmental sustainability through its integrated industrial chain, cementing its pivotal role in driving contemporary industrial standards forward. Shandong Hongqiao places great importance on green development, focusing on technological advancements and promoting energy efficiency and resource recycling across its operations. Prioritising environmental sustainability, the company strives to establish a low-carbon production system to minimise its environmental footprint....
Geopolitical pressure prompts CME to restrict Russian aluminium
On April 14, 2024, CME Group announced that it had suspended aluminium produced in Russia from its platform starting April 13, 2024. This decision follows new sanctions imposed by the United States and Britain on Russia due to the geopolitical crisis with Ukraine. On April 12, 2024, the US Treasury Department and the British government jointly prohibited the London Metal Exchange (LME), which has been in operation for 147 years, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) from accepting any fresh Russian output of aluminium, copper, and nickel starting from April 13. The CME website displayed Russian aluminium brands that may have been delisted from the warrant, a title document signifying ownership for fulfilling contracts. The CME said, "Aluminium from these brands produced prior to April...
US and UK tighten grip on Russian metal trade
The US and UK have implemented fresh limitations on trading Russian aluminium, copper, and nickel, causing ripples throughout global metal markets, as reported by Bloomberg. New regulations have been imposed, barring the delivery of fresh supplies from Russia to the London Metal Exchange (LME) and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). These restrictions encompass copper, nickel, and aluminium manufactured on or after April 13. The United States is also enforcing a ban on Russian imports of these three metals. Despite these measures, Russia is likely to be able to sell its metals, as the sanctions do not impede non-US individuals and entities from purchasing Russian copper, nickel, or aluminium. While the LME holds significant influence in setting global prices, most metal transactions...
Gerald Group's North American hub achieves green loan accreditation for low-carbon aluminium
On April 11, 2024, Gerald Group unveiled its North American trading centre, GT Commodities. It revealed that its Borrowing Base sublimit for low-carbon aluminium meets the criteria for a green sublimit, allowing for the issuance of green loans in accordance with Loan Market Association guidelines. This achievement comes after a rigorous evaluation of the LMA's green loan principles and other pertinent market standards. Gerald Group, established in 1962 in the United States and headquartered in the UK, is committed to fostering sustainable and responsible global trade and economic growth. As the world's most seasoned and sizable independent metals trading company, Gerald Group is entirely owned by its employees. It has earned a reputation as a dedicated and reliable partner for leading...
