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.
Latchford Locks Works proposes major aluminium recycling expansion in Warrington
Warrington Borough Council, the local authority of Warrington, Cheshire, England, recently received an outline planning application from Latchford Locks Works. The proposal on Thelwall Lane seeks to expand its aluminium recycling capabilities significantly. The plan includes extending the Used Beverage Can (UBC) plant to enhance productivity and generate more employment prospects. Comprehending the expansion strategy The proposal's primary focus centres on expanding the UBC plant to accommodate integrating a novel production line capable of processing UBCs with elevated organic content. This endeavour aims to bolster the facility's recycling capabilities and operational efficiency. The planned extension, spanning 90 meters in height and 57.04 meters in width, will be clad in profile metal...
LME Clear welcomes Claire Chapman as Independent Non-Executive Director
The clearing house for the London Metal Exchange, LME Clear, has appointed Claire Chapman as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Board. Claire Chapman, a distinguished legal professional, currently serves as the General Counsel, Company Secretary, and Chief People Officer at Hargreaves Lansdown plc. With over 20 years of experience, Claire has held various General Counsel positions, including at prominent organisations such as Capita plc, Daily Mail & General Trust plc, Inchcape plc, and Thomson Reuters plc. Announcing the appointment, David Warren, Chairman of LME Clear, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Claire to the Board of Directors. She brings with her a wealth of legal, regulatory and governance expertise that will further enhance the breadth and depth of the LME Clear...
Aluminium Futures on CME witness sharp rise in trading activity
Activity in the CME's aluminium contract has significantly intensified in recent months, marked by a volume surge and a widening participant base, as the world's most recognised news media agency reported. However, it remains relatively small compared to the London Metal Exchange (LME), which maintains its position as the primary benchmark price-setter. Similarly, the Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) remains the predominant futures price reference for China's substantial aluminium sector , indicating no imminent change in its status. Let us know more about CME Group Inc. CME Group Inc. provides a derivatives marketplace. The Company enables clients to trade futures, options, cash and over-the-counter (OTC) markets, optimise portfolios, and analyse data. Its exchanges offer a range of...
Art meets recycling: Glasgow's new spectacle, "Bottlecelli" mural, graces the city skyline!
On March 7, 2024, a monumental mural from over 30,000 bottle caps was unveiled in Glasgow. The mural, inspired by the renowned Italian artist Sandro Botticelli, was crafted using caps. The artwork, aptly named "Bottlecelli," stands at an impressive 25 feet tall and was commissioned by the supermarket chain Lidl. It commemorates the recycling of 253,000 PET plastic and aluminium containers through the brand's return scheme pilot, launched in February. This colossal masterpiece, aimed at "turning trash into treasure," reimagines Botticelli's iconic Birth of Venus. Its purpose is to inspire more shoppers and passersby to participate in efforts to reduce plastic pollution actively. Lidl has collaborated with renowned mural artist Smug and Yardworks, the graffiti program at SWG3 in Glasgow's...
Japanese buyer shells out 48% increase in Q2 aluminium premium, settles at $130/ tonne
According to a source directly involved in pricing discussions, a Japanese aluminium buyer has agreed to pay a premium of $130 per tonne above the benchmark price for shipments scheduled from April 2024 to June 2024. This marks a significant 48 per cent increase from the previous quarter. The agreed premium surpasses the $88 per tonne paid in the October to December 2023 period and represents the second consecutive quarterly rise, reaching the highest level since the third quarter of 2018. However, it falls below the initial offers of $138-$140 made by producers the previous month. Japan, being Asia's largest importer of aluminium, sets the standard for the region with these premiums over the benchmark London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price for primary metal shipments each quarter.
Sowing sustainability: Multimillion-dollar initiative aims to reclaim bauxite terrain for agriculture
The Jamaican Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, announced a $1.2 billion investment plan to transform neglected former bauxite lands into productive agricultural areas. Green pointed out, “What we are looking to do is to take those lands that are now being underutilised or that mining has been finished and they are now restored and put them into active production.” During the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives session on March 6 th , the Minister stated that the funding would bolster collaboration among the Jamaica Bauxite Institute, Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), and companies in the bauxite sector. The project is anticipated to influence various areas, encompassing the southern regions of the parish, including Mocho in...
In the race against time, China strengthens energy intensity goals
On March 8, 2024, China announced that it had established stricter energy intensity targets for 2024, following its failure to meet last year's goal. As the world's largest energy consumer, China is intensifying efforts to align with its climate objectives within the five-year plan concluding in 2025. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) disclosed that China aims to reduce its energy intensity, measured as the amount consumed per unit of economic growth, by 2.5 per cent in 2024. This target surpasses the previous year's goal of 2 per cent, which was not achieved, as outlined in a report unveiled at the commencement of the annual National People's Congress. Last week, China disclosed that its energy intensity decreased by a mere 0.5 per cent in 2023, failing to meet the...
GreenPower Motor Co. enters truck body market, aims to simplify commercial fleet needs
On March 6, 2024, the Canada-based GreenPower Motor Company Inc. introduced GP Truck Body, its latest venture focusing on manufacturing and distributing all-electric, emission-free medium and heavy-duty vehicles. This expansion targets the cargo and delivery market, shuttle and transit sectors, as well as the school bus industry. GP Truck Body provides a comprehensive range of truck bodies, encompassing dry freight, refrigerated boxes, aluminium stake beds, steel and aluminium flatbeds , and service bodies designed to optimise cargo capacity and delivery range. The statement highlights that GreenPower and its operational entities now cater to every aspect of the fleet journey. The company utilises a clean-sheet approach in designing and manufacturing all-electric vehicles specifically...
Gas pipeline blaze disrupts operation at Rio Tinto's alumina refineries
Global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto's alumina refineries and Orica's cyanide plant in Australia, both of which are significant gas consumers, are operating at limited capacity as they race to secure supplies after a fire on a crucial gas pipeline managed by retailer Jemena, which serves Gladstone. As the largest gas distributor in New South Wales, Jemena reported that its teams successfully secured a segment of the Queensland Gas Pipeline that ignited on March 5, 2024. The fire, captured vividly, occurred on a portion of the pipeline between Rolleston and Oombabeer, approximately six hours west of Gladstone. Emergency services were alerted to the substantial blaze in the area around 7:30 am local time. AEMO has directed the diversion of gas to ensure ample supply for households and...
P.A. Resources Bhd emerges as top pick for growth, backed by Rakuten Trade
According to an analysis conducted by Rakuten Trade, Malaysia's top aluminium extrusion and fabrication company, P.A. Resources Bhd, is poised for sustained earnings expansion over the next several years. This growth trajectory is expected to be fuelled by various factors, including a significant RM1.08 billion contract obtained from First Solar, the imminent completion of a new plant that will substantially increase the group's extrusion capacity, enabling greater customer and product variety, as well as the possibility of enhanced margins through operational streamlining. Rakuten Trade is Malaysia's first online equities broker offering innovative digital investment opportunities to investors. The company has recently successfully expanded its extrusion capacity from 2,600 to 3,200...
Gränges forges strategic recycling alliance in the United States
Gränges has forged a strategic, enduring partnership with Scepter, Inc., to provide scrap-based aluminium ingots to its r olling and recycling centres across the United States. Securing access to recycled and low-carbon input materials is a pivotal facilitator for Gränges in delivering circular and sustainable aluminium solutions to its clientele, aligning with its 2040 net-zero objective. Under the terms of the ten-year agreement, Gränges Americas will procure scrap-based aluminium ingots from Scepter, enhancing its production of near-zero aluminium solutions. The estimated carbon emissions intensity of the ingots sourced stands at 0.3 tonnes CO2e/tonne, with Gränges intending to power its production processes through renewable electricity sources. This strategic move will bolster...
FIMIGroup acquires FRANCI Spa, fortifying industry dominance
FIMIGroup has proudly unveiled its latest acquisition, FRANCI Spa, an esteemed Italian company with roots dating back to 1955. Renowned for its expertise in designing and manufacturing moulds and equipment for the automotive sector, FRANCI Spa also excels in producing mechanical components for industrial and hydroelectric power plants alongside specialized mechanical processes. This strategic acquisition marks a significant milestone for FIMIGroup, positioning it at the forefront of innovation and expansion in multiple key sectors. Franci specialises in providing die sets and associated services for the metal sheet cold-forming market. Its primary clientele comes from the automotive sector, and necessitating bespoke die sets tailored to each new car model's specifications and...
Online marketplaces are the future of B2B! Why wait any longer? Join AL Biz and discover global markets
The future of B2B is on online marketplaces. Now, I know what you are thinking, the world started digital long years ago, but the reality is B2B suppliers have been hesitant to get onboard on these online marketplaces. Understandably so, they think there is a need for an investment and a significant change in process, and ROI may not be as certain as we would like, but we are at a tipping point in our industry. So, what are you waiting for? Dive into AL Biz today ! The world's 1st B2B online marketplace that connects millions of buyers and sellers across the entire aluminium value chain. Connecting buyers and sellers through enquiries against listed products and business leads are the primary features of AL Biz. It is driven by the mission to create robust supply chains through increased...
EU's ambitious CBAM needs to improve its compliance rates
There has been a significant challenge facing EU initiatives to tax carbon-intensive imports starting in 2026, as only a minority of companies have met the early reporting deadline for their carbon-intensive imports. The EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) represents a pioneering effort to impose a tax on carbon-intensive imports, aiming to prevent an influx of inexpensive goods from nations with highly polluting industries, which could undercut the bloc's heavily regulated sectors. However, recent data from Germany's emissions trading authority, shared with the one of the world's leading business news organisations, Financial Times, indicates that less than 10 per cent of the anticipated 20,000 companies in Germany complied with the reporting requirements by the early...
Nautical SUNRISE initiative spearheads offshore floating solar power advancements
The Nautical SUNRISE initiative aims to support the world's largest Offshore Floating Solar (OFS) power project. With a budget of €8.4 million, predominantly funded by the Horizon Europe programme to the tune of €6.8 million, the project commenced in December 2023. Its primary objective is to research and develop OFS systems and their components, paving the way for widespread deployment and commercialisation, either as standalone units or integrated within offshore wind farms. The project seeks to design, construct, and demonstrate a 5 MW offshore floating solar system, employing the modular solution provided by Dutch floating solar company SolarDuck. RWE, a key player, is set to finance the installation and deployment. This system will be strategically positioned within RWE's OranjeWind...
Russia's first aluminium-coated runway promises enhanced aerodrome infrastructure
Russia is set to introduce its inaugural aluminium-coated runway designed for small and light aircraft at a nearby airfield. This innovative solution, a rarity in the country, promises to bolster the development of local and regional aerodrome infrastructure, enhancing transport accessibility, particularly in remote areas. As reported by RuAviation, RUSAL’s press service released an agreement on collaboration in research and development, as well as the construction of an experimental aluminium-made runway, which has been inked between RUSAL and MASS GROUP. This initiative will involve the participation of esteemed institutions in the field, with plans to conduct a series of experiments to address regulatory constraints related to utilising aluminium mats in runway construction. The...
Smart machines and apps drive recycling success: DEWA employees take charge in sustainability efforts
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) employees, between October 2022 and December 2023, collectively recycled 499,541 aluminium cans and plastic bottles in Dubai, thereby diverting 7,108 kilograms (7.1 tonnes) of waste from landfills. DEWA has implemented innovative measures to promote recycling, including installing smart machines in select buildings. These machines are seamlessly integrated with DEWA's Smart Office app, enabling employees to participate in recycling efforts by scanning QR codes. For each recycling activity, participants earn points that can be redeemed for entries into monthly prize drawings. By the end of 2023, DEWA recognised and rewarded 49 employees for their commitment to recycling. The recycling initiatives align with the Circular Economy Policy of the...
Key highlights from the global aluminium industry, February 2024
As forecasted by several research-based organisations prior to the onset of 2024, the projections regarding the demand and pricing of aluminium align with reality. Despite the passage of the first two months of the year, indications of improvement remain minimal. According to the latest industry-focused report from AL Circle, titled "Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024," findings resonate with those of Antaike . This Chinese state-backed research firm suggests a sluggish growth trajectory for China's aluminium consumption this year. Additionally, the research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank in Malaysia has reported expectations of sustained pressure on aluminium prices throughout 2024. Various factors, including the challenging conditions in the Chinese building and construction sector...
