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.

12th ALUMINIUM TWO THOUSAND World Congress and 7th ICEB set the stage for an exciting first day
A first day full of novelties is taking shape at the 12th ALUMINIUM TWO THOUSAND World Congress and the 7th ICEB (International Conference on Extrusion and Benchmark) in Bologna (Royal Hotel Carlton) September 19-23, 2023. After the introduction by Walter Dalla Barba, Interall and Aluminium Two Thousand president, the plenary session will dive right into hot topics for the aluminium industry, but not only. Mario Conserva, FACE (Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe) General Manager, will talk about “Decarbonisation and its impact on the use of aluminium for e-mobility”. Professor Carmine Garzia (University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland) will follow with his presentation on “Global economic outlook. The evolution of manufacturing and building sectors”. In the...

Alum Tulcea shareholders greenlight sale of Global Aluminium Ltd BVI's Sierra Leone bauxite mines
On July 10, according to a report submitted to the Bucharest Stock Exchange, Alum Tulcea's shareholders approved the sale of Global Aluminium Ltd BVI, the subsidiary through which the company held ownership of the bauxite mines in Sierra Leone. However, Alum Tulcea is 99.4% owned by Romanian integrated aluminium company Alro. At the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Alum Tulcea, the sole shareholder, decided to divest by selling a certain number of shares, constituting the entire share capital of Global Aluminium Ltd BVI. The mandate was given to the Company's Board of Directors to negotiate and finalize the price and terms of the transaction. Earlier, it was disclosed by the company that an unsolicited proposal had been received from a local investor in Sierra Leone. The offer pertained to...

Revitalizing US primary aluminium production to meet the rising demand from the clean energy sector: BlueGreen Alliance
The BlueGreen Alliance, a non-profit organization based in Washington, has recently published a report presenting recommendations to address the downward trend in the primary aluminium industry in the United States. The report focuses on meeting the increasing demand for aluminium from the clean energy sector, creating well-compensated employment opportunities, enhancing national security, and reducing industrial emissions. Despite recognizing the benefits of secondary aluminium production, the organization highlights the insufficiency of scrap supplies, indicating a greater need for primary aluminium production. The BlueGreen Alliance unites labour unions and environmental organizations to solve today’s environmental challenges in ways that create and maintain quality jobs and build a...

Talum secures €15 million loan to drive sustainable aluminium production
The Slovenian aluminium producer Talum has secured a loan of EUR 15 million from SID Bank, the country's national export and development bank. This loan aims to support Talum in implementing environmentally friendly measures within its production processes. Specifically, Talum aims to enhance the sustainability of its products by augmenting the utilization of recycled aluminium. On September 29, 2022, Talum, also one of the leading energy-consuming industries in the country, declared that the company had decided to reduce its primary aluminium production w.e.f October 1, 2022, due to the energy crisis. However, in March 2023, Talum announced that it would shut down its remaining aluminium electrolytic furnaces in April 2023. Talum shut down its remaining aluminium electrolytic furnaces in...

Non-ferrous scrap market in India witness mixed pricing trends
The non-ferrous metals market in India is displaying mixed pricing trends. Aluminium prices are relatively stable, maintaining a consistent range. However, specific grades of aluminium are facing a decline in prices due to decreased demand. On the other hand, copper prices have rebounded, primarily due to India's increased procurement of copper scrap. The lead market has been slow-moving, with no significant transactions being reported. Meanwhile, the zinc market has remained relatively stable without experiencing significant fluctuations. Aluminium scrap prices in the domestic market saw a minor week-on-week decline, with a decrease of 1.2 per cent for aluminium tense prices and a 1.7 per cent dip for utensil prices. Trading activity remained subdued due to weak demand for the material....

Delfin revolutionizes industrial aspirations with 360-degree vacuum solutions
Delfin emerged from the unwavering dedication of its founder, Antonino Siclari, towards the industrial vacuum industry. Over the years, Siclari has ceaselessly strived to provide customers with cutting-edge and practical solutions, prioritizing quality and design. Headquartered in Italy, Delfin has become a trusted name in addressing vacuuming challenges for professionals and industries across the globe. For more than three decades, Delfin has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the cleaning and maintenance experience across various industries. As an industrial vacuum company, it continuously strives to develop cutting-edge solutions that effectively address complex challenges, ultimately enhancing production efficiency, guaranteeing safety, and boosting productivity. With its bold...

European aluminium companies raise discrepancy in EU carbon border tax
European aluminium producers have expressed concerns about a potential breach in the European Union's carbon border tax (CBAM), which could enable heavily polluting exporters like China and other Asian countries to evade regulations and inundate the bloc with inexpensive heavy metal emissions. The EU's carbon border tax proposal introduces a charge on the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions generated while producing imported goods within the bloc. Under this framework, remelted waste pieces of aluminium can be classified as zero-carbon products, irrespective of whether the initial virgin material was produced using fossil fuel-fired power sources. According to statements given to British daily business print media by Norwegian aluminium giant Norsk Hydro and the German aluminium rolling and...

July sees drop of up to $70/tonne in secondary aluminium alloy prices in Japan
Secondary aluminium alloy manufacturers and consumers have concluded their negotiations and agreed on contract prices for July 2023. The settlement prices for this month are JPY 2,000-10,000/t ($14-70/t) lower compared to the prices in June. This marks the sixth consecutive month of declining prices. The manufacturers of secondary alloy are facing challenges due to weak domestic demand and the availability of cheaper imports from China. Consequently, they have been compelled to reduce their prices to stay competitive. Arcmetal, a reputable distributor of non-ferrous metals in Japan, has recently launched the sale of ADC12 aluminium plates obtained from MKN aluminium slabs. The primary objective of Arcmetal is to fulfill the growing demand for die-cast products. The company aims to...

Hindalco Industries to commence full-scale alumina sales in Japan
The Indian aluminium major, Hindalco Industries and the parent company of Novelis will commence full-scale alumina sales in Japan. With a dedicated Japanese corporation and warehouses at major ports, Hindalco aims to be among Japan's top three alumina suppliers. Hindalco plans to offer high-end and general-purpose products while emphasising its commitment to environmentally friendly practices. Hindalco produces coarse alumina hydrate, metallurgical alumina, special alumina and alumina hydrate. The chemicals business focuses on special alumina and alumina hydrates which are products of in-house technological innovation by our Research & Development team at Hindalco Innovation Centre-Alumina(HIC-A). The chemicals business serves a wide range of customers across 32 countries worldwide with...

Two Thousand World Congress partnered with ICEB World Congress
Join us at the Two Thousand World Congress in collaboration with ICEB World Congress, offering a remarkable occasion to enhance your expertise and engage in business endeavours. Set in the enchanting city of Bologna, Italy, specifically at the prestigious Royal Hotel Carlton, this event will occur from 19th to 23rd September 2023. Take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to broaden your horizons and foster fruitful connections. More than 80 highly qualified “aluspecialist” speakers from companies, universities and associations all over the world are coming together (as they have been doing every two years since 1990) to introduce the most innovative technologies and applications in the aluminium field to the specialized, international public. Aluminium Two Thousand has become an...

EU acknowledges aluminium's vital role, includes it in the critical raw materials list
The Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) of the European Union (EU) has been updated to include aluminium among the minerals and metals covered by its provisions. The Act serves as the focal point of the EU's plan to acquire the essential resources required to rival the United States and China in the worldwide competition to achieve decarbonization. EU policy-makers faced intense backlash and criticism from the Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE), the voice of Europe’s aluminium consumers, as they initially excluded aluminium from the CRMA, provoking outrage within the industry. The federation lambasted the policy-makers, accusing them of acting contrary to what was necessary and appropriate. The eleventh-hour addition of the metal, along with its primary sources of bauxite...

Green Project: Driving metal marking and reading systems on a global scale
Green Project Srl, established in 1995 in Genoa by a team of experts from a prominent Italian steelmaking company, is a global frontrunner in the provision of automated marking and reading systems for the metal industry. With a vast network of over 500 installations worldwide and comprehensive service support, Green Project Srl has emerged as a trusted and highly proficient international leader in its specialized domain. A crucial advantage of Green Project lies in its ability to provide a reliable and prompt support service for its products, which plays a vital role in ensuring operational efficiency, especially in continuous production facilities. This capability effectively meets the fundamental requirement of every client. Green Project, either directly or via certified local...

Chinese automakers poised to dominate the domestic market, fuelling surge in aluminium demand
The increasing prevalence of electric vehicles has propelled Chinese automakers to surpass the 50 per cent mark in terms of cars sold in their domestic market this year. This surge in market share signifies their growing influence. On July 5, 2023, AlixPartners, a renowned global consulting firm, made an insightful prediction that Chinese automakers would achieve a significant milestone by gaining a majority share of China's automobile market. This noteworthy development is particularly significant as China's car market is recognized as the largest in the world. Over the course of the last 40 years, multinational brands like VW and Toyota have held a significant presence in China's automotive industry, primarily through collaborative partnerships with local Chinese companies. The...

Epsilon Carbon to export liquid coal tar pitch in a landmark deal with South32
Epsilon Carbon, an eminent Indian manufacturer specializing in coal tar pitch derivatives, has recently entered into a partnership with South32, an international mining and metals corporation. The agreement entails importing liquid coal tar pitch from Epsilon Carbon to South32's South Africa and Mozambique operational sites. Epsilon Carbon has achieved a significant milestone by securing an agreement with South32, making it the first Indian company to export liquid coal tar pitch. This achievement highlights Epsilon Carbon's dedication to innovation and focus on meeting customer needs. The company's carbon complex in Bellary is an integrated facility emphasising sustainability and safety across all its business activities. According to market research, the global market for coal tar pitch...

Sino-Ord Parque Industrial and OT International join forces to construct aluminium facility in Angola's Bengo province
According to an official statement from the Bengo government, Sino Ord Parque Industrial, an Angolan company, and China's O.T. International have recently entered into a signed agreement. This significant collaboration paves the way for a substantial investment of USD$200 million, which will be utilized to establish an aluminium facility in the northern region of Bengo province, Angola. The agreement was officially endorsed during the third China/Africa Economic Forum hosted in Huan, China, with the presence of Maria Antónia Nelumba, the governor of Bengo, as a witness. The provided statement mentioned that the Governor of Bengo met with the managing board of Huan Construction Investment, a prominent organization involved in constructing roads, bridges, ships, and homes. However, no...

China may impose export ban on gallium and germanium products
On July 3, 2023, China announced its intention to implement export restrictions starting from August 1 on specific gallium and germanium products. These metals are commonly utilized in computer chips and various other goods, and the aim behind these measures is to safeguard national security interests. Gallium is a valuable element in small quantities within bauxite and zinc ores. Gallium metal is also generated during the processing of bauxite for aluminium production. Approximately 80 per cent of gallium production occurs in China, as the CRMA (Comprehensive Resource Model Association) reported. Gallium plays a crucial role in manufacturing gallium arsenide, which is extensively utilized in the electronics industry. The CRMA states that only a handful of companies, primarily in Japan,...

AIA NZ sustainability report highlights aluminium and other waste diversions from landfill
AIA NZ, the largest life insurer in New Zealand, has recently published its sustainability report for the year 2022. The report details the significant contributions made by the company during the previous year and highlights its future commitments in the realm of sustainability. In the sustaining healthier, longer, better lives report, the insurance company highlighted its notable accomplishments in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices over the past year. One significant achievement was obtaining the Toitū carbon reduction certification, which validates that the insurer's greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) have been assessed according to the ISO 14064-1:2018 global standard. This certification reinforces the company's commitment to measuring and reducing its carbon footprint...

SMS Group: Leading the nextgen technologies and unmatched service in the metal industry
SMS Group is renowned worldwide as a forward-thinking provider of cutting-edge technology and exceptional plant construction and mechanical engineering service, particularly for the metals industry. Leveraging on its extensive 150-year legacy and unmatched proficiency in metallurgy, industrial processes, and digitalization, it strives to envision fresh possibilities for the industry by continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation beyond our primary operations. With a firm belief in their capabilities, they assert themselves as the ideal collaborator for demanding ventures, persistently unlocking novel opportunities for their customers throughout the complete lifespan of their plants and equipment. By doing so, the company establishes the groundwork for integrating value generation,...
