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.
EU achieves milestone in sustainable resource management: Circular material use soars to 11.5% in 2022
Eurostat reported that in 2022, the circular material use rate in the EU reached 11.5 per cent, indicating that 11.5 per cent of the material resources utilized in the European Union were derived from recycled waste materials. The statistical office of the European Union is Eurostat, with a mission to provide high-quality statistics and data on Europe. Eurostat produces European statistics in partnership with National Statistical Institutes and other national authorities in the EU Member States. There was an increase of 0.1 percentage point in circularity compared to 2021. From 2010 to 2022, the rate witnessed a growth of 0.8 percentage points, rising from 10.7 per cent to 11.5 per cent. The peak shares were recorded in 2018 and 2020 at 11.6 per cent. In 2022, the Netherlands exhibited...
Alba clinches two major investor relations awards for 2023 by MEIRA
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world's largest aluminium smelters (ex-China), has scooped two major awards -- Leading Corporate for Investor Relations (IR) in Bahrain as well as Best Investor Relations Professional – Bahrain, at the 2023 Middle East Investor Relations Association (MEIRA) Annual Conference and Awards, which was held on 13 November 2023 at the Four Seasons Hotel – Bahrain Bay. The MEIRA 2023: From ESG to Sustainable Capital Markets was hosted by Bahrain Bourse in collaboration with the Central Bank of Bahrain and featured a diverse lineup of discussions and panels that explored the GCC market's structure, growth potential, regulatory environment, and emerging trends, ESG landscape, and IR developments. Commenting on this win, Alba's Chief Executive Officer Ali...
EU contemplates sanctions on Russian aluminium products import, spotlighting green concerns and competitiveness
As the European Commission concludes its 12 th sanctions package against Russia in response to the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis this month, various options are under consideration, ranging from mildly impactful to potentially significant. Of particular concern is the possibility that specific measures within the more substantial category affect European importers and consumers rather than Russian exporters and producers and could also threaten the EU's green agenda, a key policy initiative. According to information from market insiders, European Union (EU) countries are reportedly contemplating imposing new sanctions on Russia. These potential measures include restrictions on Russian military and information technology and a proposed ban on importing Russian aluminium products such...
Toyota Tsusho accelerates green initiatives with new aluminium recycling venture
In a strategic move towards sustainable practices, Japan's Toyota Tsusho Corporation's subsidiary, Toyotsu Materials, and non-ferrous scrap company Sanko Saitama have forged a joint investment venture named Toyotsu Sotec. With a total capital infusion of JPY 490 million, this dynamic collaboration positions Toyotsu as the majority stakeholder with an 80 per cent share, while Sanko secures a 20 per cent ownership. Situated in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture, Toyotsu Sotec is set to embark on a groundbreaking initiative focusing on the sorting and processing of aluminium scrap. The company has outlined an ambitious timeline, targeting the commencement of operations in August 2025. The primary objective of this innovative venture is to significantly contribute to the horizontal recycling of...
Swedish unions escalate pressure on Tesla as mechanics rally for collective bargaining; Hydro workers poised to join strike
The pressure is escalating on the United States carmaker Tesla in Sweden from unions supporting mechanics to reach a collective bargaining agreement, with workers at one of Tesla's suppliers poised to initiate a strike next week, amplifying the challenges for the company. Despite not having a manufacturing facility in Sweden, Tesla's electric vehicles undergo servicing at workshops nationwide. Roughly 130 mechanics associated with the Swedish union IF Metall commenced a strike on October 27 at these service centres. Dockworkers and car dealerships have joined forces in solidarity with the ongoing mechanics' strike, refusing to handle Tesla products. According to a spokesperson, approximately 50 unionised workers at Hydro Extrusions, a subsidiary of Norwegian aluminium and energy company...
Rio Tinto dismisses former aluminium division head for breaching confidential information protocol
On November 15, 2023, the global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto dismissed the services of Ivan Vella with immediate effect, the former head of its aluminium division, according to an email sent to all employees by CEO Jakob Stausholm and as reported by Reuters. Rio Tinto had previously announced in June 2023 that Vella, who had been with the mining giant for two decades, was scheduled to depart in December 2023. However, his next role was expected to be the CEO of IGO Ltd, an Australian battery minerals producer. He maintained his leadership in the aluminium business until Jerome Pecresse, his successor, assumed the role on October 23. Leading up to the contract termination date on November 15, Vella assisted Pecresse in transitioning to his new position. According to Reuters, the...
Recycled materials industry faces uncertainty despite strong US GDP growth and inflation dip in Q3 2023
The recently released real (adjusted for inflation) United States Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures for the third quarter (Q3) exceeded expectations. According to the advanced estimates by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the GDP exhibited a growth rate of 4.9 per cent annually in Q3 2023. This slightly surpassed the consensus estimate of 4.7 per cent and marked more than a twofold increase compared to the 2.1 per cent growth in the previous quarter. The growth was primarily driven by upticks in consumer spending, private inventory investment, federal government spending, residential fixed investment, and exports. Joe Pickard, the Chief Economist of ISRI, said, "We're encouraged by the economy's overall growth but remain concerned about the manufacturing sector. This concern is...
Japanese industry expresses apprehension over implications of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Measures
During a recent gathering between the European Commission and representatives from Japanese industry to deliberate on the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Measures (CBAM) pertaining to steel and aluminium, the Japan Iron and Steel Federation (JISF) emphasised the apprehensions within the industry. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a system designed to impose a levy on imported goods originating from countries and regions that demonstrate reluctance towards global warming countermeasures. The European Union (EU) initiated a reporting system in October 2023, laying the groundwork for its comprehensive implementation scheduled for January 2026. This mechanism applies to six categories of imported products, encompassing items such as steel, aluminium, and cement. In...
European Aluminium charts ambitious science-based routes to decarbonise the aluminium industry by 2050
On November 14, 2023, European Aluminium unveiled its latest report titled "Net-Zero by 2050: Science-based Decarbonisation Pathways for the European Aluminium Industry" at a high-level event featuring Kerstin Jorna, Director-General at the European Commission's DG Grow. This report presents a thorough and practical framework to realise net-zero emissions throughout the entire aluminium value chain, encompassing primary production, semi-fabrication, and recycling. The European aluminium industry, marked by its high energy consumption and challenging emissions reduction, accounts for around 24 million tonnes of CO 2 equivalent emissions yearly. Despite this, aluminium plays a crucial role in advancing the transition to a fully decarbonised economy by supporting various clean technologies...
BMW embraces the electric revolution: Ceases production of combustion engines at Munich facility
BMW has officially ceased the production of combustion engines at its primary facility in Munich. This strategic move, which had been anticipated for an extended period, aims to repurpose the Bavarian plant to manufacture electric vehicles. In November 2020, BMW made a significant announcement about the complete relocation of combustion engine production. The manufacturing of these engines has now shifted to Steyr in Austria and Hams Hall in the UK. The symbolic conclusion of this transition occurred in November 2023 when the last eight-cylinder engine was assembled at the Munich plant. This marks a pivotal moment for Bayerische Motorenwerke, concluding 60 years of engine production in Munich. The conversion for producing electric vehicles (EVs) is underway, focusing on transforming the...
Azerbaijan and Korean firms form strategic partnerships to enhance collaboration in the aluminium sector
Azerbaijan Industry Corporation OJSC consistently engages in meetings with foreign companies, particularly investors, to enhance the value chain within its fields of activity, foster the creation of competitive products, and diversify its portfolio. Efforts are underway to establish new collaborations. Facilitating this initiative, the Baku office of the Korea Trade and Investment Promotion Agency actively promotes trade relations between Azerbaijan and Korea, aiding Korean companies in direct investments in Azerbaijan. With the backing of this Baku office, the Azerbaijani market has seen the entry of the Republic of Korea's "Institute for Advanced Engineering" and "Lemon Metal Inc.". The collaboration resulted in a meeting between the management teams of "Azerbaijan Industrial...
Hindalco unveils ambitious plan to build extrusion facility for aluminium trains in India
According to the Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, Satish Pai, the company plans to inject between INR 4,000 and INR 5,000 crore annually. As much as possible, the aluminium producer is trying to complete the projects with cash generated from the company's operations. In addition to the recently announced Rs 8,000 crore investment in a new alumina refinery and a 150-MW captive power plant, Hindalco is strategizing a significant capital expenditure initiative. This upcoming venture involves establishing a large extrusion facility in India that manufactures aluminium trains. Satish Pai said, “We see that the Indian railway, whether the rake and bulk volume side or the passenger bogies, both are huge markets for us. So, we are playing on both sides, and we are watching closely the...
Marubeni reports a 2% m-o-m decline in Japan's October aluminium stocks
The inventory of aluminium stocks at three prominent Japanese ports, namely Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka (AL-STK-JPPRT), witnessed a 2 per cent decrease, falling to 341,300 tonnes by the end of October. This decline is in comparison to the 348,300 tonnes recorded in the previous month. The data was reported by Marubeni Corp on November 13, 2023, reflecting its comprehensive collection of information from these key port locations. However, aluminium inventories at three major Japanese ports, Yokohama, Nagoya, and Osaka, as reported by Marubeni Corp on October 16, 2023, decreased by 3.4 per cent to 348,300 tonnes by the end of September, down from 360,700 tonnes in the previous month.
Chinalco Materials Research Institute Co. establishes global benchmark
After nearly three years of dedicated efforts in top-level design and system layout, grounded in extensive technical expertise, the standardization initiatives at Chinalco Materials Research Institute Co. have recently yielded significant accomplishments. In the annual meeting of international standards for aluminium and aluminium alloys held in October 2023, a Chinalco Materials Research Institute Co. - proposed international standard received approval. This marked a groundbreaking achievement as the first internationally recognized standard established in the aluminium processing industry in China. It was also the inaugural instance where Chinalco Group and Chinalco Institute took the lead in formulating and revising international standards for aluminium processing. During the National...
Linamar's first gigacasting plant in Ontario redefines the North American EV market
In Welland, Ontario, the upcoming Linamar facility is poised to revolutionise the North American auto parts sector by becoming the region's first gigacasting plant owned and operated by an auto parts supplier. Despite Welland's reputation as a tranquil canal town near Niagara Falls, the city is set to become a hub for electric vehicle innovation with the inauguration of this groundbreaking facility in 2025. Linamar Corporation stands as an innovative manufacturing enterprise, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with profound expertise in manufacturing. This synergy gives rise to solutions that propel the future of vehicles, motion, work, and everyday lives. The company comprises two key operating segments – the Industrial segment and the Mobility segment, both of which are...
Sustainability weekly recap: China boosts low carbon aluminium certification amid rising demand; South32 powers forward with BEV trials in mining ops
As the aluminium industry continues to grow, sustainability plays a critical role in shaping its present and future. The production of aluminium has traditionally been energy-intensive, but a growing emphasis on sustainability has prompted the industry to adopt innovative practices. The push for renewable energy sources in production processes, recycling initiatives, and responsible sourcing of raw materials are key components. Additionally, technological advancements are leading to more energy-efficient smelting methods, reducing the industry's environmental footprint. These sustainability measures contribute to a greener and more responsible industry and enhance the long-term viability and resilience of the aluminium sector in the face of global environmental challenges. Here are some...
Rotorua Councillors allocate $40,000 for removal of corrosion-damaged fins from energy events centre façade
This week, Rotorua councillors unanimously decided to allocate $40,000 for removing the distinctive metal 'fins' on the Energy Events Centre's facade. The unique features have suffered corrosion damage, prompting the need for their removal. Rotorua, a town on its namesake lake on New Zealand's North Island, is renowned for its geothermal activity and Maori culture. During the community and district development committee meeting on November 8, 2023, elected members agreed to the expenditure. It was highlighted that challenges with the building stemmed partly from cost-saving choices made by past councils. Thomas Collé, the corporate services group manager, revealed a mistake in using steel instead of aluminium in certain sections of the building. This error had cascading consequences,...
Russian aluminium dominates LME-registered warehouses, surges to 79.5% market share
In October 2023, the proportion of aluminium stocks with Russian origins in London Metal Exchange-registered (LME) warehouses increased to 79.5 per cent, up from 76 per cent in September 2023, according to data published on the exchange's website, as reported by a world’s largest news media agency. The aggregate quantity of aluminium stocks accessible to the market within LME-registered warehouses, denoted by MALSTX-TOTAL, is commonly known as on-warrant. Warrants are official documents that convey ownership rights to the metal. The significant presence of Russian-origin metal in LME-registered stocks has raised concerns among certain producers in competition with Russian aluminium giant Rusal. Additionally, some Western consumers are avoiding Russian metal due to Moscow's invasion of...
