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.
Nikkei MC Aluminium to install wheel shredder at the North American site
The Minato, Tokyo, headquartered Nikkei MC Aluminium, a prominent manufacturer of secondary aluminium alloys and part of the Nippon Light Metals Group, has announced plans to install a wheel shredder and related facilities at its North American facility, Nikkei MC Aluminium America, located in Indiana. This wheel shredder facility is designed to efficiently shred aluminium wheels into recycled raw materials. However, before this development, the company had used aluminium wheels as raw materials. With the installation of this new facility, they aim to enhance their handling of these wheels and increase the overall utilization of aluminium wheels. To make this project a reality, Nikkei MC Aluminium plans to invest approximately 600 million yen, with the facility set to commence operations...
UK Metals Council: Upcoming report highlights optimism in the metals sector despite global trade, energy, and labour challenges
A forthcoming report to be unveiled next week highlights that the primary challenges confronting the UK metals sector revolve around escalating energy costs, the consequences of post-EU life, and persistent labour shortages. Approximately 25 per cent of companies surveyed in the UK Metals Council's 2023-24 State of the Metals Industry report acknowledged changing their supply chain strategies or exploring alternative sourcing options. Following Brexit, about 30 per cent of respondents expressed a desire for more government assistance in addressing trade barriers and customs procedures. However, only 22 per cent of manufacturers seek enhanced energy supply contracts to reduce costs. In comparison, 31 per cent of businesses claim to possess an efficient recruitment strategy to address the...
September 2023: Negotiations between Japanese secondary aluminium producers and raw material suppliers witness a notable trend
The negotiations that took place in early September 2023 in the Kanto region between prominent secondary aluminium alloy producers and raw material wholesalers have brought to the forefront a significant trend. This trend signifies a consecutive second rise in the purchase price of aluminium raw materials, with prices reaching a peak of JPY 5 per kilogram, as reported by our source from Japan. This upward price trajectory can be traced to a combination of crucial factors. An urgent need for manufacturers to secure their procurement of aluminium raw materials is driven by a pronounced imbalance between supply and demand. This scarcity is further compounded by a shortage of aluminium raw materials, intensifying the pressure on prices. Additionally, the substantial increase in the cost of...
Taking the lead on the global market: China's top 10 aluminium profile manufacturers
The global aluminium market is a dynamic and expansive industry that plays a pivotal role in various sectors of the economy, including aerospace, automotive, construction, and packaging. China has emerged as a dominant player in this market due to its significant production capacity and strategic investments in the aluminium sector. China is home to several leading aluminium profile manufacturers, significantly contributing to the global market. Here are some top manufacturers and their unique offerings: Zhongwang Group: Established in 1993, Zhongwang Aluminium is a pioneering force and prominent player in the global industry. Its corporate headquarters are situated in Liaoyang City, Liaoning, China. Renowned as Asia's largest aluminium extrusion manufacturer and the second-largest...
India govt. to establish cutting-edge red mud processing pilot plant by December 2024
The Government of India is taking a significant step towards using Rare Earth Elements (REE) by establishing a cutting-edge pilot plant. This facility will process 100 kg of red mud, a hazardous waste generated from the alumina refining process, and extract REE from it. It's worth noting that red mud poses significant environmental and health hazards. The plant is scheduled to become operational by December 2024. This initiative involves collaboration with renowned institutions such as the Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Design and Development Centre (JNARDDC) in Nagpur, the CSIR Institute of Metal and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) in Bhubaneswar, the CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory (CSIR-NML) in Jamshedpur, and the National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO). Together, they will...
Germany's aluminium production witnessed substantial decline in Q2 2023
The German economy experienced a lacklustre performance in the second quarter of 2023, falling short of expectations for a slight expansion. Factors such as diminished purchasing power, elevated interest rates, and subdued factory order levels exerted downward pressure on the largest economy in the Eurozone. According to data from the Federal Statistics Office, there was no discernible quarter-on-quarter shift in GDP when adjusted for seasonal variations. The industrialized country, Germany's aluminium production experienced a significant decline once more during Q2 2023, with the output of primary aluminium smelters dropping by nearly 50 per cent. The production of aluminium semi-finished products is reported to face significant setbacks, often reaching double-digit percentages. Rob van...
Chinalco Henan Luoyang Aluminium Foil Co. obtained invention patent authorization
In August, Chinalco Henan Luoyang Aluminium Foil Co. submitted a patent application titled "A measuring device and method for assessing parallelism in a rolling mill roll system." The invention patent was granted authorisation after a thorough examination by China's State Intellectual Property Office. This patent invention introduces a novel method for ensuring the parallelism of guide rollers in a rolling mill archway. The approach employs two flat rulers securely affixed to both the transmission and operation sides of the archway as reference points. During the measurement process, the horizontal measuring rod is positioned at the shortest point where it touches the flat ruler, and the discrepancy between the data on the transmission side and the operation side is noted. Based on this...
Key highlights from the global aluminium industry, August 2023
In August 2023, the global aluminium industry experienced some significant developments. Despite minor fluctuations, the LME aluminium price decreased slightly, while the SHFE price exhibited growth. Anticipations for the year's second half indicate an upswing in aluminium demand, with both worldwide primary aluminium production and the Chinese market displaying signs of rise. Several companies within the worldwide aluminium industry, including those in China, have recently disclosed their financial results for the second quarter (Q2) and the first half (H1) of 2023, with many reporting either losses or declines in profits and a downward sales trend. The aluminium industry is actively pursuing strategies to minimize its carbon footprint, with major producing countries such as China,...
Lindian Resources appoints Chinese-born Australian entrepreneur Park Wei as new Director
The ASX-listed Australian company with world-class rare earth and bauxite assets, Lindian Resources Ltd, has expanded its Board of Directors with the appointment of Park (Zuliang) Wei as a non-executive director, with effect from September 4, 2023. Wei, a Chinese-born Australian entrepreneur, has been a strategic advisor to Lindian for the past year and holds a significant stake in the company. He possesses a diverse portfolio of investments spanning the property, mining, and finance sectors within Australia and across global markets. Wei is a graduate of Nanjing University, one of China's prestigious top-five universities, with a Bachelor of Arts. In 1994, he founded Top Pacific Group, a diversified property group engaged in property development, construction, property financing, sales...
Tech evolution reshaping GCC's manufacturing sector, including aluminium
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) manufacturing sector is undergoing a significant transformation as cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics are integrated into the workplace, often referred to as "Industry 4.0." This evolution is leading to a higher degree of interconnectivity, automation, and data-driven operations within the sector. This shift isn't merely enhancing efficiency and productivity; it also possesses the potential to support the GCC's endeavours towards economic diversification. Furthermore, it can position the region as a formidable contender in the manufacturing industry, opening up fresh employment prospects and fundamentally reshaping the area's economic landscape. The Gulf region's strategic positioning at the crossroads of Europe, Asia,...
Cargill and BAR Technologies' revolutionary innovation could lower cargo ship emissions by 30%
A cargo ship, a carbon-intensive vessel or typically a dirty oil guzzler, has onboarded a new green, clean technology to the open seas. Cargill and BAR Technologies have embarked on a pioneering venture as they launch the BAR Tech WindWings in collaboration with Yara Marine. This revolutionary innovation is now underway on the open seas, undergoing testing. This technology promises to introduce state-of-the-art wind propulsion to the world of commercial shipping, marking a historic first in the industry. The Pyxis Ocean, the pioneer vessel to undergo a retrofit with cutting-edge WindWings technology, has embarked on its voyage from China, aiming high in its mission to facilitate the maritime industry's journey towards decarbonization. Agribusiness giant Cargill charted the Mitsubishi...
Metro Mining unveils its H1 2023 operational and financial results
The Australian mining and exploration company Metro Mining Limited has announced that in the six months ending 30 June 2023 (‘H1 2023’), it achieved a record in H1 shipments. The strategies implemented during 2022 aimed at reducing unit costs and improving its resilience are now being realised by the Company, and this is reflected by a $12.7 million year-on-year improvement in the financial performance with a net loss of $16.7 million (H1 2022: $29.4 million net loss). The H1 2023 results include a quarter in which, as expected, there were no shipments due to the annual wet season (January – March). The Company ended the period with $20.2 million in cash and equivalents. The Bauxite Hills Mine in North Queensland has officially reached its final investment decision to expand its capacity...
Technip Energies wins engineering design contract for Guinea's alumina refinery construction project
Technip Energies, a renowned French engineering and technology firm, has successfully obtained a front-end engineering design contract to construct an alumina refinery in Guinea, West Africa. The nation is one of the leading producers of bauxite in the world. However, in this case, the contract was awarded by French speciality alumina producer Alteo Alumina. The proposed facility is designed to manufacture alumina products vital for producing key components required for the energy transition, such as electric vehicles and batteries. The project includes the development of a port, a power generation plant, various process units, utility infrastructure, and a designated area for disposing of bauxite residue. After its accomplishment, the refinery will provide smelter-grade alumina and...
July 2023 sees a 5% dip in Japan's rolled aluminium shipments
According to the data from the "Overview of Production and Shipments of Rolled Aluminium Products" provided by the Japan Aluminium Association, the shipment of rolled aluminium products in July witnessed a year-on-year decline of 5.1 per cent, totalling 145,429 tonnes. Concurrently, production also experienced a 5.6 per cent year-on-year decrease, reaching 147,351 tonnes. Although there was a rise in sales for automotive applications and plate extrusion, sales remained sluggish for can stock, construction, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and exports. While dissecting the data based on product categories, it observed a 6.0 per cent decrease in plate shipments, totalling 89,220 tonnes. Domestic demand showed a marginal dip to 79,283 tonnes (-0.6 per cent), primarily due to slower...
Leading nations importing aluminium scrap and waste in 2021
Aluminium waste and scrap falling under HS code 760200 represent a significant component of the global recycling industry. This code refers to unwrought aluminium residues and scrap, which includes various forms of discarded aluminium, such as profiles, sheets, plates, rods, and other shapes. Recycling aluminium waste and scrap is of utmost importance due to the energy and resource savings associated with the process. Unlike primary aluminium production, recycling aluminium requires significantly less energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and lessening the strain on natural resources. This code reflects the international recognition of the importance of reusing and repurposing aluminium materials, contributing to sustainable practices and a more environmentally conscious approach to...
Shandong Weiqiao Entrepreneurship Group unveils groundbreaking technology in the global aluminium electrolysis field
The aluminium industry has hailed energy saving, carbon reduction, life extension and environmental protection as a new iterative technology in the world aluminium electrolysis sector. The "Project Development and Application of Copper-Carbon Composite Cathode Technology Integrated with Aluminium Electrolysis" assessment conference took place on August 10, 2023, hosted by Shandong Weiqiao Entrepreneurship Group Co., Ltd. Jia Mingxing, holding the position of Executive Vice President of the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association and Chairman of the China Nonferrous Metals Society, as well as being a professor-level senior engineer, led the assessment gathering. Zhang Bo, the Chairperson of China’s Shandong Weiqiao Entrepreneurship Group Co., Ltd., delivered a warm welcome address....
Frankfurt to host European Green Aluminium Summit 2023
The European Green Aluminium Summit 2023 is a highly anticipated event that brings together key stakeholders from the aluminium industry, policymakers, environmentalists, researchers, and innovators to discuss and explore sustainable practices in aluminium production and consumption. Taking place in Frankfurt, Germany, the summit will serve as a platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing innovations, and shaping the future of the aluminium industry. The summit is scheduled for October 18-19, 2023, in Frankfurt, Germany, and will offer in-person and online participation options. The European Green Aluminium Summit 2023 is centred around advancing sustainable development in the aluminium industry. This summit will bring together industry-leading enterprises to explore crucial topics,...
SINC Thermal secures exclusive license from Japan's Nippon Crucible to manufacture Shaft-Melter furnaces in the US market
The leading industrial furnace and oven manufacturer, SINC Thermal, announced that it had signed an exclusive license agreement with Japan's Nippon Crucible Co. to manufacture their Shaft-Melter range of furnaces in the US market. Masato Masuda, the Executive Officer and General Manager of International Corporate Marketing and Sales at Nippon Crucible Company, stated, "We spent a long time vetting the right Partners for the USA market. We believe we found a good fit with the SINC Thermal Team and look forward to working together to bring the Freedom ® Melting Technology to the USA." However, this agreement returns the popular Jet-Melter ® and Micro-Jet-Melter ® to the US market with proven performance for nearly 40 years. It also introduces the Freedom ® and Hybrid-Freedom ® Melting...
